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ZipPicks Awards
Best Outdoor Dining Italian in Long Beach
Best Lasagna in Long Beach
Master Critic Review
Italian Homemade Company
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Northern California-based fresh pasta cafe established 2014 at 2nd & PCH shopping center, offering customizable pasta dishes with imported ingredients from Italy's Romagna region. Counter-service format with both indoor and outdoor marina-view seating creates a casual, affordable Italian experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi with Pesto, Fettuccine Bolognese, Butternut Squash Ravioli
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Build-your-own fresh pasta with authentic Northern Italian ingredients under $20
Who should go: Budget-conscious diners seeking authentic handmade pasta quickly
When to visit: Lunch for marina views; avoid pre-closing rush
What to order: Pillowy gnocchi with pesto, fettuccine bolognese, Italian donuts
Insider tip: Outdoor seating overlooks marina; convenient parking at 2nd & PCH
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free parking at 2nd & PCH shopping center with ample spaces; no validation needed
Dress code: Ultra-casual - activewear, shorts, and flip-flops perfectly acceptable
Noise level: Moderate - shopping center acoustics but outdoor seating quieter for conversation
Weekend wait: 10-15 min for counter ordering, no reservations needed
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min - quick counter service flow
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including marinara, pesto, primavera, and cheese-based sauces
Vegan options: Limited - marinara sauce with vegetables possible, but fresh pasta contains eggs
Gluten-free options: No - specializes exclusively in traditional wheat-based fresh pasta
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual early dates or daytime coffee dates. Marina views provide nice ambiance, but counter-service format lacks romantic full-service experience. Consider for low-pressure lunch dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations accepted - counter-service only. Order at counter, find seating yourself. Outdoor marina-view tables fill quickly during peak lunch hours (12-1:30pm).
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly. Simple customizable pasta options kids love, quick service prevents meltdowns, outdoor space for kids to move around. Parents appreciate sub-$15 kids' meals.
How long does a meal take? 30-40 minutes total from ordering to finishing. Fresh pasta cooks in 3-5 minutes, making this faster than most sit-down Italian restaurants while maintaining quality.
Is it good for groups? Works for groups of 4-6. Counter-service format means no waiting for checks, but finding adjacent seating for larger groups can be challenging during busy periods.
Best For
Better for: Speed-focused authentic pasta at budget prices. Choose this over Olive Garden for actual Italian ingredients, over Eataly for wallet-friendly portions, over traditional trattorias when time-crunched. The marina view and shopping center convenience beat most fast-casual Italian competitors.
Skip if: You want a romantic full-service Italian dinner experience, need extensive wine selection, require gluten-free options, or prefer traditional restaurant pacing. For special occasions or business dinners, upgrade to a full-service Italian restaurant.
Hours
Monday11am - 8pm
Tuesday11am - 8pm
Wednesday11am - 8pm
Thursday11am - 8pm
Friday11am - 9pm
Saturday11am - 9pm
Sunday11am - 9pm