Bistro D’mare

there was nothing special about the fruti di mare.

I had clam linguine and some kind of drink (soda? I forgot; it was a few months ago). It was very simple, garlicky sauce over linguine. Nothing fancy, but I think I wanted a little more. Ok for the price, though, if you’re sick of eating at other places and don’t want to spend a lot for lunch.
2.5 stars

Situated in the former location of Tampopo and Chabuton, two of my favorite places for ramen which have since closed, Bistro D’mare is bringing me back to eat at the Marukai food court again. Most of the items on the menu are Italian dishes (pasta, risotto) with a few Asian fusion ones (Mentaiko Pasta, $ 7.25; Natto Pasta, $ 6.75), along with other choices such as Hamburg Steak ($ 7.50) and Curry Rice (choice of chicken or meatball, $ 6.50). There are usually 2 or 3 specials of the day for under $ 10, consisting of an entrée, a side salad, a soup, a drink and a small dessert. On my first visit there, I had the special of day which included the Frutti di Mare (seafood) pasta (normally $ 7.25 on its own) and the broccoli & potato soup. Both were extremely good — good ratio of seafood/​sauce/​pasta, soup was creamy but not lumpy (which can happen with a lot of food court «cream» soups), and the portions were generous. I took my husband and daughter back a second time and my husband had the Vongole (clam) pasta ($ 7.25). My husband, born and raised in NYC, couldn’t sing enough praises about how delicious it was, even compared with ones he had in NY. We have always been disappointed with the poor selection of restaurants in southern California that offers good, affordable, and authentic Italian pasta and it seems like we have found it in Bistro D’mare. I later talked to the Asian (Korean?) owner/​chef who told me that he had lived in Italy for 10+ years when he (or his wife?) was studying fashion design. It’s best to come during off-​peak hours as seating may be limited during lunch hours and the wait for the food may take longer (since it’s cooked to order). But what’s a little wait for getting restaurant quality Italian/​Asian Fusion cuisine at food court prices?