#1. Is there such a thing as too much pasta?
The headliner today is my first Italian love, Fritto Misto. Fritto is located in the heart of Santa Monica, CA, the town where my husband (my first Irish/Polish love) and I exchanged heartfelt vows. Therefore, it only makes sense to start sharing my loyalist stories here. In every city I’ve lived in, I’ve latched on to local businesses that bring comfort and warmth to the community, and as a longtime ‘Neighborhood Italian Cafe’, Fritto did just that for me.
I moved to Santa Monica after quitting a torturous finance job in New Jersey, which incidentally, is no stranger to good Italian food (think Tony Soprano stabbing a plate of Carm’s baked ziti). After fleeing to Lala land, I was originally introduced to Fritto Misto by Tom Hanks. Okay, not literally Tom Hanks, but a “talent agency” friend of mine, who was regularly tasked with picking up Tom’s lunch (or is it Mr. Hank’s?). Either way, apparently he was a huge fan of Fritto Misto.
At first I thought — sure, Tom Hanks is the most beloved, talented, kindest, and successful actor in Hollywood, but what does he know about pasta? Suffice it to say, I took my friend’s recommendation and now I’m the jerk for ever doubting Mr. Hanks.
“A Neighborhood Italian Cafe”
Fritto Misto was started by Robert Kerr, a Napa Valley native, in 1993. Robert’s vision was to bring the unpretentious, casual, and agricultural vibes of 1960’s Napa Valley to the Santa Monica community.
Personally, as a current NYC resident with a pizza obsession (a story for another time), I can attest that Fritto’s casual, no-frills aesthetic feels similar to ordering a slice of pie at your favorite pizza joint. The portions are large, affordable, and the ‘Build Your Own Pasta’ option (all homemade pasta) are just a few highlights. For someone who is uncomfortable in fancy places, and liable to spill red sauce all over that newly debuted white shirt, the restaurant welcomes you with a friendly, warm atmosphere. That’s why they truly deserve the tagline, “A Neighborhood Italian Cafe”. Okay, so maybe that sounds too basic — let’s dig a little deeper into what makes Fritto so special.
To begin, when is the last time you heard of a restaurant posting their Principles online? I’m a long time dweller of the corporate world, and can confidently say that most companies out there can barely cite their Principles. You know who you are. Fritto Misto is different. They believe in Value, Consistency, and Recognition. You’re damn right Fritto! I can attest that these principles are honest and proven-out through three key areas: 1) The Pasta, 2) The ‘Build Your Own Pasta’ Option, and 3) The Extra special touches.
Value is portrayed in their pasta. Let’s get something straight — I love carbs. I love them so much that the basis of my food groups are simply pasta, bread, and rice. Which is why I ask, “Is there such a thing as too much pasta?”. Absolutely not, and Fritto’s large portions will not disappoint. Now, that does mean I may need a long walk on the Santa Monica Pier after eating a very affordable and huge portion of Fritto’s homemade pasta. Alternatively, you can take home leftovers — in fact during my last visit, my cousin loved my dish so much (see order deets below), he took my leftovers to eat later that day after getting really high.
Portions aside, we all know pasta is a cornerstone of Italian cuisine, and there are endless styles, regional dishes, authentic and butchered in-authentic ways of cooking pasta. I’m not here to tell you which is best. However, I can tell you that of all the pasta I’ve sampled, from US coast-to-coast, to Italy, and even India, that Fritto still holds a special place in my heart for its simplicity, quality and of course value.
There are plenty of places that pride themselves on homemade pasta, only to give you enough to coat your small intestine. But if you’re looking for the large intestine portion of quality pasta, with potential for leftovers (it should be pretty clear at this point that this isn’t a health blog), then Fritto is your place.
Consistency is next up on the Principles list is. We all know the ‘Build Your Own’ sections of a menu are risky. Not at Fritto Misto. As a loyalist, my order is staunchly consistent, which tests the ability of any restaurant to crank out quality dishes time and time again. Since I first went to Fritto in 2012, I have ordered the same thing everytime, and even better — it is the same experience every time. I know it sounds nuts, but loyalists are often perceived to be nuts. So, what’s my order? Let me break it down. Pasta: Fresh Linguini, Sauce: Olive Oil and Garlic, Add-ons: Artichokes, Spinach and Chili Flakes. Simple, delicious, and pulls at my heartstrings every… single… time.
Recognition is Fritto Misto’s 3rd and last Principle. In order to make you feel recognized and appreciated, Fritto doesn’t skimp on the extra special touches. Immediately after being seated, you’re welcomed with fresh bread, and your choice of oil & balsamic OR butter for the table (my husband and I differ on this preference, so Fritto Misto has allowed one more couple to get along on a date night). The bread and oil & balsamic is delicious without a doubt, but as a loyalist, I always need a secret Insider Tip to make me feel like a queen. And now you can feel like one too. Next time you’re at Fritto Misto and the bread comes out, while acting as natural and casual as possible, ask for their delicious garlic paste for dipping (did I mention I’m obsessed with garlic?). You will not be disappointed! But maybe bring along some Listerine to gargle during that post-meal walk.
So we’ve covered the story, the values, and the amazing food. Now, you might be asking yourself, “What’s this place missing?” As one of my first loves, I’ll do my best to answer that question.
While the enormous portions are amazing for sending my cousin home with his post-bowl bowl, do I really need a feeding trough of pasta? Probably not. And let’s be honest, Americans don’t have the metabolism of Giada De Laurentiis, nor can we chain smoke half our meals away like the average Italian. So, perhaps the portions could be scaled down a bit. Now, what about the menu?
Beyond the ‘Build Your Own Pasta’ section of the menu, there is a broader menu that includes ‘Pasta Specialities’ dishes, which are wide-ranging, and sometimes experimental in their combos. No doubt these dishes can be tempting, but also a little confusing to a non-loyalist. Take my longtime childhood friend and doubles tennis partner. After years of distance, we reunited in Santa Monica and rebloomed our friendship through countless meals at Fritto Misto. When it comes to food, while I stick to simplicity, she can be a little more experimental. On the tennis court, that combination is a wonderful formula for success. BUT in this case, the scene plays out like this: She takes the risk, swayed to order off the ‘Pasta Specialities” menu, and guess what happens? She ends up eating off my plate because I ordered simply, precisely, and deliciously. That is to say — become a Loyalist, know what you want, and get it right, every… single…time.
One Yelper did state:
The pasta didn’t have enough salt in it. Tastes like nothing. I could make a better pasta by going to the grocery stores and picking up the ingredients.
Sure, fine, to each their own. And if it’s true, I’d suggest you should go home and start planning your new restaurant opening. You’d do us all a favor. In fact, posting this is basically saying “Well, I could run faster than Usain Bolt if I tried…oh, and if I was fast”.
So to wrap up, let’s go back to our original questions. First, was Tom Hanks correct? As he said in Forrest Gump “Mama always said, life is like a box of pasta”. Except with Fritto, you always know what you’re going to get. And to answer the ultimate question: In my mind, there is no such thing as too much pasta.
That said, go give Fritto a try and form your own opinions. In fact, one may not be enough, give it years of tries, and I hope that you, like me, will look back and reflect on Fritto’s greatness. And if you don’t find yourself in Santa Monica anytime soon, reflect on your local Italian spot — could you be a better loyalist?
Ultimately, having a community you can rely on is paramount to loyalists, and Fritto has been integrated into the Santa Monica community for decades. Sure, fancier restaurants in the area pop-up all the time, but don’t bother inviting us loyalists to the grand opening. We’ll be at Fritto, sipping a bottle of value-priced Chianti, warding off vampires with our garlic breath.
During my last visit to Fritto Misto, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kerr, in their newly developed and even more spacious location. He welcomed us as a host and ended our dinner by bringing wine tastings to our table. What a guy. And since I can’t say it better than he does, so I’ll leave you with a quote from Mr. Kerr himself:
“We are not trying to change the culinary world, open a mega-chain, sell out, or offer a line of designer frozen foods. We are trying to be an honest, comforting local restaurant, where all are valued, and where hopefully you will leave with a happy heart and a full stomach.”
Until next time, and the next spot worthy enough to make The Loyal-List!
