he difference between store bought pasta and homemade pasta is akin to comparing working out with watching workout videos – it somehow just isn’t the same. But imagine how wonderful it would be to be able to burn calories while you sat back and watched Jane Fonda do ass lifts. It would be equally as wonderful to be able to buy homemade pasta at the store. Enter Pastificio Da Eva, the new Parc Avenue sit down / takeout / shop pasta place.

Owner Roberto Alfonso takes great care in creating a variety of pastas that are available to be eaten hot in house or sold dry for your cooking pleasure at home. There are spinach, whole wheat and egg noodle pastas along with his signature raviolis stuffed with various meats, cheeses and or veggies depending on the day. Alfonso’s homemade sauces are also available for home consumption and include a spicy arrabiata, a thick bolagnese, rose and plain tomato sauces. With the cozy Tuscana décor complete with mosaic murals and terracotta floors, Pastificio Da Eva makes customers feel right at home.

The menu ranges from $7 to $12 for the daily Table d’hote which includes a soup or salad, lasagna or cannelloni or a hot sandwich or a fresh pasta dish with a drink and coffee or tea. Drop by on weekends to catch secondi specials like veal parmesan, braised rabbit or stuffed chicken.

Since the small place opened in October customers have been returning with gusto to pick up Alfonso’s tasty homemade delights. With his prices as reasonable as they are and the shop’s convenient downtown location, you might just have to start keeping up with Mrs. Fonda to maintain that waistline. –J.T.