il vecchio
110 Central Ave., Pacific Grove
324-4282
It means “the old”—il Vecchio does—and while the interior of this incredibly hot Pacific Grove spot is a modern love poem to reused materials meant to look as if it’s always been there, the focus of this two-year-old trattoria is also old school. And entirely on the food. “We don’t fluff around and decorate the plates,” says owner Carl Alasko, who as a younger man lived in Rome for 12 years. “All of our energy goes into making sure every dish comes out right.” Right they are. There’s a clever lineup of regular events (Monday night it’s L’ Avventura in Cucina, where guests enjoy a menu of surprises; Tuesdays are family dinner nights, with four courses for $15; $8 for kids) and a newly launched “worker’s lunch” for $9 with a rotating cast of dishes, served family-style, on weekdays. Also? It’s some of the best damn pasta served anywhere in the U.S. Perfectly cooked and perfectly sauced. That, like savings from the ultra-affordable prices, is something you can take to the bank.