Pasta’z brings authentic Italian cuisine to Gardiner
By Deborah Phair, Staff Writer
A few months ago I had heard that a new Italian restaurant was coming to Gardiner. I had walked past there once or twice last June and saw some men working. I poked around and asked someone when the restaurant would be opening. One of the workers told me the opening date would be June 29, 2009.
When opening day arrived, I went down to see the finished product and to look at their menu.
The waiter told me they had just opened a few minutes ago, and asked me if I would like to be seated. I love Italian food and told him I thought I would. I made myself comfortable and ordered one my favorite Italian entrees – ziti marinara. I was to be Pasta’z first customer.
I was introduced to Hostess Roxanne Genovese who, along with husband and Chef Tony Genovese, own the new restaurant. I looked around while waiting for my meal and absorbed the impeccable cleanliness of my surroundings, the nice works of art that adorned the walls, the relaxing music and serene surroundings.
My meal soon arrived in the very skillet from which it had been prepared. I was forewarned that the skillet was very hot which is why their table tops were made from heat resistant tiles. My skillet was filled with a full 14 ounces of Ziti served with a nice slice of garlic bread.
It was very tasty, cooked el dente; just the way I like it. Also, the sauce was very good. Being vegetarian, I have found that often times sauces prepared without meat are a bit bland. Not so at Pasta’z! Their sauce had just enough of the right spices to make my taste buds stand up and take notice. I like “my groceries” therefore I cleaned my plate and left not a crumb of garlic bread. I learned later that most people cannot, or do not, eat their entire meal. Instead, they take what they can’t eat home with them to have for lunch the next day.
The menu at Pasta’z boasts many flavorful Italian dishes such as ziti putanesca, rigatoni pesto, shrimp Alfredo just to name a few. Salads have been added and every night a special is offered. It might be spaghetti & meatballs, manicotti, mussels in white wine and garlic, or a favorite for many, lobster diablo. This selection includes a whole pound of lobster arranged on a bed of linguine which makes for not only a very nice presentation, but a delicious, slightly spicy meal. Pasta’z prices are very reasonable and normally range from $11.00 to $14.00. Seafood is market priced.
On the occasion of going to Pasta’z to do this interview for The Valley Voice, it was nice to talk to Tony and Roxanne once more. During this interview, Tony told me that he cooks at the restaurant just like he does at home. He filled me in on how he was raised in the North End of Boston where he lived with his grandmother. It was through her that he learned most of the recipes he uses today while growing up there. Tony also worked in restaurants such as Stella’s and Bellino’s in Boston before coming to Maine. Some of the recipes he learned from those establishments are also prepared at Pasta’z.
On this visit, I also found out that the ingredients for their meals are purchased fresh daily. Tony said, “Meals should be prepared from fresh ingredients plus it’s important to support the community and buy produce, meats and seafood from local vendors whenever possible.”
Pasta’z now offers a great service bar with more selection and an expanding wine list. Other beverage offerings include soda, tea, coffee and espresso.
Roxanne told me about how Pasta’z is a family run business. For example, she explained that their son Marcello is the bartender. Their younger son Nicholas is learning to cook while also performing his duties as dishwasher. Locals Matt and Rose were hired as wait staff.
Roxanne makes all the desserts herself also on a daily basis. Her recipes mostly came from Tony’s mother who now lives in Paris, France. Examples of some of her desserts include ricotta cheese cake, tiramisu, chocolate mousse and canolli stuffed fresh to order.
Each evening Tony will take a moment from his kitchen and go into the dining room to greet his customers. He says most of them are regulars who have brought friends and family by to try his food. He noted that he is also happy to make changes to an entree to suit a customers particular taste. “All you have to do is ask,” he said. Or, if you would like something specific, please give him a day or two to create it, and he will be do all he can to accommodate you.
Photos of the meals along with their full menu are displayed in the window in the front of the restaurant for all to see.
So, as Tony says, “Let Them Eat.” He is confident that no one will leave his restaurant hungry. You should plan to dine there with your family and friends sometime soon. I’m sure that you, like me, will have a great experience. Reservations are suggested.
TAKE-OUT MENU IS AVAILABLE
Hours are:
4:30 – 9:30 Mon – Thur
4:30 – 10:00 Fri & Sat
CLOSED SUNDAY
304 Water St.
Gardiner, Maine 04345
Phone: (207) 582 – 8222
