Monzu Fresh Pasta

We're still on the hunt for pasta as good as we had in Emilia-Romagna. Simple, soulful, fresh, with "that" texture. Maestoso was pretty good. Then I read that Monzu Fresh Pasta had finally opened in the Eater. So, a couple of weeks later....on a day that the Padres were scheduled for an away game, I headed down to the East Village to check out Monzu.

This rather discreet little shop; wasn't it previously a Meatball Shop? Is bright, clean, and simply appointed.

There are shelves of specialty Italian grocery items and a counter with fresh pasta stocked. There's a chalkboard menu and you order and pay at the counter.

I really enjoyed the folks working here on my two visits...very laidback, but friendly. I believe I spoke to one of the owners about cooking time for the pasta....she was amazingly nice.

On this visit; having just gotten back from Bologna; I went with the Bolognese......simply called a "Ragu" in Emilia-Romagna. The price was very reasonable at $13. When the plate arrived; it looked a bit over-sauced, but it turned out that they add most of the sauce to the top of the pasta, allowing you to mix. I thought the presentation of the grated pecorino was nice, but it also served another purpose as I thought it was too much cheese. The presentation allowed me to not use all the cheese.

The pasta was firm, but on the brittle side, lacking that pillowy, al dente pull that we loved. It was not bad however. The sauce was bit on the thin side and there wasn't very much meat, which meant the meaty "punch" of a typical ragu was missing. On the bright side; this meant it was lighter that the really hearty stuff we had in Bologna.

For your reference.

 

It was without a doubt, more than worth the thirteen bucks. I ended up picking up a pound of the tagliatelle. When I asked about some cooking times; the young lady called back to the kitchen area and a really nice woman came out and told me 60 to 90 seconds.

A few weeks later I took my car in for servicing. Instead of waiting for my vehicle; I decided to take the trolley. It had been awhile since I'd done much exploring using the trolley. I started at Grantville Station....made it down to San Ysidro, got off at H street....but nothing really caught my attention. So, I headed back to the Gaslamp; this was the weekend before Comic-con, so while things were rather busy in Hillcrest and North Park for Pride Weekend, things were rather quiet; at least on this day, downtown. More on that in a later post.

I started getting a bit peckish; so I walked on over to Monzu just as they were opening for the day. 

This time around; I asked for a recommendation. I was told to try the Ligurian Pesto ($12).

This take on the classic Genoese Pesto was fairly strong in the pine nut area. The rather large amount of cheese helped to balance things out. Sadly; the pasta was over cooked and on the mushy side.

Still, not a bad deal at twelve bucks.

Things are priced right at Monzu. I like the simple approach and fresh pasta; though not everything is to my taste. The folks here are very friendly as well. I hope they do well.

Monzu Fresh Pasta
455 Tenth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Hours:
Tues - Sun 11am - 9pm

Give them a try.

So, what of the fresh pasta I bought?

Well, I divided up the pound into two half pound servings.

I decided to make the Missus's current favorite; Tagliatelle ai Funghi Porcini. Using the last of the porcini cream we bought in Bologna and dried porcinis, which I soak, strain the liquid, then reduce by half to make a "sauce" of sorts.

I tried the sixty second version first and it was much too hard and brittle. The second time; I did an eighty second boil; which the missus preferred. Timing is important here....you make sure to salt your pasta water, get your sauce going and reduced, perfectly in time with getting your pasta cooked. That's why I specifically asked for timing when I bought the pasta.

It is so simple, but quite good. Though the Missus still thinks the pasta from Assenti's is a tad better.

Comments

[Junichi]

Fresh pasta dishes for $12? Not bad.

[Kirk]

Definitely priced right Junichi!

[kat]

nice!

[Kirk]

Well priced and nice people Kat.