We opened our Bend, Oregon location and had a great time. Click on the photo below to see all the pictures from the opening.

Portland-based Pastini Pastaria Set to open Bend Oregon location on August 26

The casual Italian pasta restaurant, which has six locations in the Portland Oregon area, believes that brand recognition will help its emergence into a regional restaurant company.

Since debuting in 2001 and growing into a bustling multi-unit Italian pasta restaurant destination, Pastini Pastaria has developed a loyal following in the Portland Oregon area. Now, the casual Italian pasta restaurant known for its authentic homemade meals at reasonable price points is expanding outside of Portland Oregon. Pastini will open a location in Bend Oregon's Old Mill District on August 26.

Currently, Pastini has six locations in greater Portland Oregon, but thanks to an aggressive growth plan fueled by creative financing from Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank, it will become a regional restaurant company starting this year.

Serving traditional Italian pasta favorites like Spaghetti and Meatballs and along with classic Italian pastas such as Cappellini Pomodoro and original recipes like Rigatoni Zuccati, Pastini's first Portland restaurant on NE Broadway was so successful that the group opened a second pasta restaurant a year later across town.

"We weren't interested in an upscale, special occasion Italian restaurant that would only appeal to a small percentage of people," Susie Bashel said. "We felt there was a need for a moderately priced restaurant centered around pasta. We envisioned a place where many guests could dine with us on a regular basis and have a quality experience without spending a lot of money."

All of the menu items at Pastini are made from scratch, using Italian pasta recipes developed by Craig Bashel, who serves as the executive chef. Prices for main courses range from $5.75 to $11.75, with most selections between $8 to $9.50. Aptly named for the traditional small pasta shapes called pastina, Pastini offers 36 pasta dishes on the menu, including a large number of vegetarian options

Pastini's Old Mill District location in Bend Oregon will feature a terrace overlooking the Deschutes River. To accommodate guests who do not want dinner but are interested in a light meal and drinks while enjoying the scenery, Pastini will have an extended appetizer menu and a bar.

Pastini Pastaria is a Portland, Oregon. based company with six restaurants currently in the Portland Metro area and plans for 15 locations by 2010, including Bend, Corvallis and Eugene Oregon and Seattle, Wash. Pastini Pastaria has been serving 36 classic Italian pasta dishes in a warm urban atmosphere at moderate prices since 2001.



Media Contact:

Carolyn O. Miller
Miller Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
503-245-3132
carolyn@millermkt.com

Every two years or so, we get a particular bee in our bonnet that whispers "Let's create some exciting new dishes for the Pastini menu!". Well, that buzz started a few months ago and on July 23rd it premiered! Executive Chef/Partner Craig Bashel has been researching authentic Italian recipes, shopping for local ingredients and making a little magic in the kitchen, assisted by partner Susie Bashel as food critic extraordinaire and dish dog (guess which role she prefers).

Wonderful new pastas include Butternut Squash-Gorgonzola Ravioli with Sage Butter, Rigatoni con Chicken Cacciatore, Cavatappi San Marzano (with Italian sausage, roasted peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes), Orecchiete with Italian Sausage, Baked Ricotta Polenta with Marinara, Gnocchi alla Vodka, Capellini di Napoli (plump shrimp in tomato-cream sauce with oregano and vermouth), Lamb Sugo with Cavatappi*, Linguini with Chicken Marsala and Orecchiete Toscana (small, ear-shaped pasta with arugula, cannellini beans, broccolini, balsamic onions, garlic and breadcrumbs). And finally we have Nonna's Sunday Supper, creamy Maccheroni and Cheese topped with meaty Bolognese sauce…first generation Italian immigrants made comfort food like this for family suppers.

Cavatappi is one of the new pasta shapes we have introduced to the Pastini line-up, a whimsical corkscrew that is hollow in the middle. Hearty and tender at the same time, it's a great match for several saucy combinations.

Just in time for summer Pastini has added three lovely salads. A Butter Lettuce Salad combines creamy herb-gorgonzola dressing with pancetta, tomato, chopped egg and housemade croutons. Our new Spinach Salad Balsamico starts with baby spinach and balsamic red onions, fresh tomato, parmesan and toasted hazelnuts, dressed with balsamic-red wine vinaigrette. And the traditional Panzanella Bread Salad* is an authentic combination of arugula, rustic bread chunks, cucumber, balsamic red onion, yellow and red bell peppers, tomato, capers and sherry vinaigrette.

New sandwiches are also great for summer lunches, including the Italian Deli with Pepper Relish, with soprasetta, mortadella, ham, provolone and lettuce with a spicy olive-peperoncini spread on a Pearl Bakery ciabatta roll.

We hope you will enjoy...buon appetito!

(* Sorry, not available at the NE Broadway Pastini)

Summer Drinks for a Warm Portland Evening

In Portland, like Italy, long, unhurried summer dinners begin with cool summertime beverages. This season Pastini is introducing a special mojito for summer sipping, the Mojito Milano. Rum, mint and lime get a little Italian gusto from a dash of Amaretto, served over ice with a splash of soda. Bella! Reprising as a summer special is our delicious Sangria, a mellow Merlot infused with brandy and citrus fruits. You can sip a Prosecco alla Capri, chilled vodka and Limoncello topped with sparkling Prosecco…or Pastini's classic cooler, the Tuscan Orange Crush. Salute!

As always, Pastini will be offering our housemade fresh Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and our new Pomegranate Lemonade. And we've just introduced a delicious Iced Green Tea…slightly sweetened and served with a squeeze of fresh lime, it's wildly refreshing!

More news at Pastini.net

Every two years or so, we get a particular bee in our bonnet that whispers “Let's create some exciting new dishes for the Pastini menu!”. Well, that buzz started a few months ago and in May and June you'll hear the hum of anticipation when the new menu premiers. Executive Chef/Partner Craig Bashel has been researching authentic Italian recipes, shopping for local ingredients and making a little magic in the kitchen, assisted by partner Susie Bashel as food critic extraordinaire and dish dog (guess which role she prefers).

The new menu is nearing completion, and dishes that have made the cut include a savory Lamb Sugo with Cavatappi, a piquant Arugula-Bread Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette, Butternut Squash-Gorgonzola Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter, and Cavatappi San Marzano with Fennel Sausage, Roasted Red Peppers, Mushrooms and San Marzano Tomatoes. Cavatappi is one of the new pasta shapes we will be introducing to the Pastini line-up, a whimsical corkscrew that is hollow in the middle. Hearty and tender at the same time, it's a great match for several saucy combinations.

More at Pastini.net

We'll be debuting 11 new pasta dishes in May and June on the redesigned Pastini menu!

Dishes that have made the cut include a savory Lamb Sugo with Cavatappi, a piquant Arugula-Bread Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette, Butternut Squash-Gorgonzola Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter, and Cavatappi San Marzano with Fennel Sausage, Roasted Red Peppers, Mushrooms and San Marzano Tomatoes.

What a great way to kick off the summer - YUM!

I didn't realize Margaret Cho was such a fan of skin art. I recently visited her blog & noticed there was a category dedicated to tattoos. Ummm, this looks interesting. Sure enough, she's chronicled her skin art over the past 2+ years. In fact she was on the show L.A. Ink last summer & got tattooed by Kat Von D.

How about the Pastini pasta man? Think he would make the cut for skin art?

Margaret Cho, a super sassy comedian known for pushing the envelop on various social issues will be at the Portland Center for the Peforming Arts on Thursday April 17th at 8pm.

Cho's idea and premise for the tour 'Beautiful': "I want to explore the nature of beauty. What is funny and scary about it, why we often don't feel beautiful because our society's standards are so rigid and unattainable. A DJ once asked me, "If you woke up tomorrow and you were beautiful, what would you do? If you were, blonde, blue-eyed, 5 foot 11, and weighed 100 pounds, what would you do?!?" Well, I probably wouldn't get up in that case, because I'd be too weak to stand. If that is his only idea of beauty then I feel really sorry for him. I want everyone to feel beautiful and I want to do it with laughter. Why not feel good about ourselves?"

As reviewed by the New York Times, "Ms. Cho has become a beloved figure in the gay world for her down-and-dirty comic style, and her resplendently nasty opening monologue will not disappoint fans."

Make it a night out on the town - start with dinner at Pastini's! Conveniently located minutes from the PCPA, Pastini's fast service will let you enjoy a night out on the town from start to finish.

Each month, Sean Fogarty (GM at the NE Broadway Pastini) has the fabulous job of tasting & selecting the Wine of the Month featured on Pastini’s menu. Each wine featured is either from a local vineyard or from a small vineyard in Italy. Here’s the real deal: wine by the glass runs $4.95-6.75!

The menu will leave any pasta lover satisfied. Spaghetti & meatballs for $8.50? Or how about baked ziti with Italian sausage for $8.95?



You don’t have to go broke to have a little taste of Italy.

Good food - good wine - at a good price. Life is GOOD :>

Pastini has a new winelist with 60% new wines, many from small, family-owned Italian vineyards; prices are great $4.95-$6.75 by the glass; $17-$30 by the bottle, great values!

For a full menu: www.pastini.net