Los Angeles - March 13, 2009

Uh-Oh, Spaghetti, Yo

Minestraio Trattoria Opens

A penne for your thoughts.

Make that a tagliolini, a tagliatelle, and a pappardelle, too.

Gino Angelini (yep, the Angelini) has a new place for his pastas to call home: Minestraio, which opens today in the old La Terza space at The Orlando Hotel.

An homage to the cozy classics of Italy’s Emilia Romagna region, the casual trattoria’s menu is a long list of pastas (most made in-house daily) with several panini, antipasti, salads, and a few meaty secondi, too — all under $20.

If it’s spaghetti you’re after, mangia on the pomodoro (tomato and basil) or vongole (clams in garlic sauce). Try cavatelli with shrimp, fresh tomatoes, and pecorino or tortellini filled with pork, beef, and Parm in chicken broth.

And Angelini is known for ragus — especially Bolognese.

Missing out on that would just be fusilli.

Minestraio Trattoria, 8384 West Third Street, at Orlando Avenue (323-782-8384).

  Cheap, Italian Charm, Laid Back