PASTA PARK: 94-09 63rd Drive,
Rego Park; 896-1704

Cuisine: Italian

HOURS: 12 noon to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday; 12 noon to
11 p.m., Friday and Saturday; Closed Monday

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE: Yes

CREDIT CARDS: All Major

Crawl through a Ziti tube, climb up a Spaghetti rope, and slide down a giant Fusilli into Pasta Park, Rego Park’s newest Italian restaurant. And while this savory jungle gym may be more figurative than actual, your appetite will certainly beg to differ.

Located on 63rd Drive, in the heart of Rego Park, Pasta Park provides traditional Italian dishes at even more traditional prices. In fact, the "Super Special" allows you to indulge in a delicious meal at 1960 prices.

Decorated with a wall to wall mural of pasta and satisfied patrons, the dining area provides a relaxed, casual environment.

Before filling up too much on Pasta Park’s terrific breads, try some appetizers, like the Baked Clams Oreganata ($6.95), cooked light and to perfection. The chef also recommends the Hot Antipasto ($9.95), which includes stuffed pepper, artichoke hearts, baked clams, eggplant rollatine, and mozzarella sticks.

Pasta Park also offers several salads to choose from, including the Caesar ($3.95), the House Salad ($1.95), and the Pasta Park Salad ($3.95), which comes with lettuce, tomato, roasted pepper, provolone, salami, and an olive and vinaigrette dressing.

Making every effort to cater to the customers cravings, Pasta Park allows you to match one of four pastas (Spaghetti, Ziti, Rigatoni, Fusilli) with one of nine different sauces. These include among others, A La Vodka ($7.95), Marinara ($5.95), garlic and oil ($5.95), and Broccoli Rabe with Cannellini beans ($8.95).

There are also several Baked pasta specialties, including Baked Cheese Ravioli ($7.95), Baked Ziti ($6.95), Stuffed Shells ($7.95), and Eggplant Parmigiana ($7.95).

Pasta Park’s main courses include a terrific array of chicken, veal, pork, and seafood dishes. Try the Veal Sorrentino ($11.95), served with eggplant, prosciutto, and melted mozzarella. The chef also recommends the Fusilli Siciliana ($12.95), which is sautéed with calamari, shrimp and garlic in a Marinara sauce.

If you are really in the mood for a hefty meal, try the Pasta Park Feast for two ($19.95), which includes lasagna, eggplant rollatine, meatballs, sausage and chicken parmigiana, topped with mozzarella and served with garlic bread.

Pasta Park also offers lunch specials starting at $3.95 and early bird specials starting at $9.95. And don’t miss out on their excellent selection of coffees and desserts, including a large, overstuffed cannoli ($2.95).

After a meal at Park, you’ll want to park yourself on a bench, or one of their barstools, and kick back and relax.