Pasta Cucina Rustica, an Italian restaurant owned by the same family of Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine in Claremont, is a gem that sits in a La Verne shopping center next to Stater Bros. Having opened only a couple years ago, the restaurant is a much needed addition to La Verne’s dining scene.
The freshly baked complimentary bread is the size of a very large dinner roll and is scored into four pieces. The bread is supposed to be shared among the table--but if you’re eating with me, you’re going to have to get your own because I don't want to share. Topped with a spoonful of rich marinara sauce and a light dusting of parmesan, garlic, and herbs, each steamy, buttery bite melted in my mouth. This is by far the best restaurant bread I have tasted in La Verne.
Even though I could have eaten another small loaf, I decided against it to save room for my entree. The portion size of my spaghetti with meatballs was extremely generous and I was eager to dig in. The meatball's flavor complemented the sauce nicely. I could taste the quality in the tomatoes as small bits of sauce clung to the perfectly cooked pasta. The meal brought back memories of my trip to Italy. After a brief period of reminiscing, I requested another round of bread to dip into the marinara sauce. It was a heavenly combination.
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Because I consider stuffing my face a sport, I ordered the Nutella S’mores for dessert. Based on the campfire treat, this unique treat took the form of a rich chocolate-hazelnut pie. Coated with rich chocolate, the graham cracker crust to balanced out the sweetness and the toasted marshmallows were the perfect golden brown with delightfully sticky insides. Despite my full stomach, my fork scraped the plate clean in a matter a minutes.
Pasta Cucina Rustica 2086 Foothill Blvd Ste D La Verne, CA 91750