I was sort of surprised that Tutto Pasta in Middleton didn’t survive, but I’m more hopeful for its successor, Pasta Nuovo, which opened in September. Inside is a warm atmosphere with cozy booths in alcoves, an open kitchen and some wonderful menu items. Speaking of the menu, don’t trust the one online, as the restaurant ended lunch service and consolidated the lunch and dinner menus.
On a Saturday night visit, three of the six appetizers were unavailable–the restaurant was out of the mussels and the calamari, both of which I would have ordered, and it no longer serves the cod, even though it’s still on the menu–so my fourth choice was the bruschetta ($8). I can’t speak highly enough of it, as the heirloom tomatoes were delicious and just sweet enough, and the flatbread (instead of the standard French bread) had a delightful garlic flavor. In fact, it’s disappointing that the flatbreads are otherwise gone from the menu, as the wood-fired pizza I tried was surprisingly dull.
The soup of the day ($8) that same night was a creamy garlic and tomato soup, perfectly balanced in flavor but really thin (not at all creamy). What was creamy and savory was the lobster risotto ($21), filled generously with lobster tail pieces, making for a hearty dish. I also liked the shaved truffle on top.
I didn’t feel the same about the veal parmigiano ($23). The veal itself was seasoned well, and I did like the cheese on top, but the meat was rubbery, making it difficult to chew. Meanwhile, the accompanying pasta was a bit too al dente, as in, I think it should have been cooked about one more minute, and some of the vegetables were undercooked.
Looking for a stiff drink? You’ll find it here. I would recommend the Hirsch Old Fashioned ($8) or Manhattan ($8) to get you going. If you want something stronger, get the well-crafted Sazerac ($8), and if you want something sweet, try the Limoncello ($7). You’ll of course find a nice wine selection as well.
Pasta Nuovo is open every day for dinner. It has a side room that you can rent for private events, and the bar area has daily happy hour specials.
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There are so many interesting things about Food Fight’s 
The Fried Chicken and Donuts ($5.95) among the appetizers also was a mixed bag. The fresh and perfectly sweet dough balls clashed with the way-overcooked chicken. Speaking of doughnuts, you’ll find a varied selection each day. I had a strawberry glazed ($1.50, half-off after 8:30 p.m.) that could have been more strawberry in flavor.
Kim’s Noodle in Monona was reborn as 
I’m a big fan of pho, and I did enjoy the one served with brisket and flank ($8.75 regular size, $11.75 large), despite several things. First, the brisket was missing. Second, the accompaniments were essentially just a pile of onions and scallions–no basil, bean sprouts, lime or jalapeno. Still, the broth (strong in chicken flavor) and the flank (tender) saved the dish.
The menu continues on, and thus does this review. The pork brochettes sandwich ($5.25) is a tasty variation of a banh mi, with chopped pork instead of sliced pork and no jalapenos. I would definitely order this again.
