Pasta di Casa Restaurants in Beirut - Lonely Planet Travel Information

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Lonely Planet review

An unpretentious local Italian place, just a short walk from most Hamra and Corniche accommodation options. Friendly staff and huge bowls of home-made pasta - one portion alongside a starter or salad is big enough to share unless you're ravenous - make it a welcoming place to which it's easy to return again…and again…and again. It only has 10 tables, doesn't accept credit cards and gets very busy after about 21:00 .

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La Toscana's a beautiful restaurant located on Calle 5 de Mayo at Calle La Alianza, in Colonia Jalatlaco. There’s a pillared covered patio and a goldfish pool. Sunday afternoon features live music. Our table was set with two ramekins of butter and two salsas, one of which was what I know as "salsa macha", an oily infusion of chile flakes, and a green, fresh salsa verde. The breads looked good, but looks deceive. Despite a short list of both pizze (baked in an impressive wood-fired oven) and pastas, the majority of fare might be more described as European Modern. The prices are daunting, but we managed to order: A tender filet steak in a balsamic vinegar reduction. Camarones con Ajo Rostisado acompañado con Ali-oli de Hierbas Finas, attractively presented. A foil wrapped baked potato . A starter of a very good fresh spinach soup, garnished with grilled shrimp. She also ordered an Ensalada César, which came with boring grilled chicken strips. Pizza con Pato Al Pesto for a starter. It had a good balance of sauce and cheese, but the crust was too crunchy-crackery and the wet duck was added after the pizza was baked. My main was suprisingly homely: "Lomito de Cerdo al Miel y Piemienta Negra". It turned out to be a nice piece of pork pot roast, smothered in brown gravy! A half Caesar Salad flanked it. Our friends drank a small bottle of Chianti Ruffino 2007 with their meal. I drank a couple of glasses of the decent house white wine. Only two of us had dessert. A "Napoleon de Merengue con Crema de Limón y Zarzamoras", and "Fresas en Caramelo de Naranja con Helado de Vainilla", a large soup bowl with plump, fresh strawberries swimming in a warm orange “soup”, and a scoop of good vanilla ice cream. The "Napoleon" was constructed of three layers of crisp meringue, held up by small scoops of tangy lime ice cream with fresh blackberries surrounding it. The check was about $1780 MX, plus tip.