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 | 	- I saved my shillings and came here during Restaurant Week 2011 put on by Three Square (http://www.threesquare.org).  I had been wanting to check it out but from what I could peruse on the menu online, it seemed, ahem, a bit beyond my normal dinner price range.
The restaurant had a really great, four-course prix fixe menu for $30 during Restaurant Week.  That included an appetizer (polenta), salad (caesar), main course (rigatoni primevera with roasted cashews) and dessert (tiramisu). 
I have high standards for Italian food as I spent some time in Italy during college and was spoiled with great food there.  (Ahhhhhhh, gnocchi in Roma.)  The Pasta Shop did not disappoint.  The starter and salad were good but the pasta was DELICIOUS.  While I like the occasional visit to the Macaroni Grill, I find that pasta at big chains tend to be drenched in sauce (among other things).  Here, the pasta was al dente and tasted really flavorful with just the right oils and spices; no additional compensation necessary!  It's also hand made fresh at the restaurant.  Hands down, some of the best pasta I've had in the US since my time in Italia.
The tiramisu was also heavenly.  Sometimes tiramisu can be too dry or taste too alcohol-y.  Here, it was just spongy goodness.  We also had the spumoni cake and that was equally delicious.  Hello, coconut shavings on the edge of the slice!  
Next time, I may skip the salad and get down to business with the pasta and dessert.  Simply put, this place deserves a visit!!!
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