I try to stay away from pasta, but it’s my husband’s favorite food. When I mentioned we were heading WAY up to Killingworth for a rare Italian dinner, he was absolutely game. A last minute reservation got us the early bird shift at La Foresta and I expected an empty room. Ha! At 5:30 on a Saturday night the cavernous space was almost full, and by 6pm it was packed. Why? Humongous portions, reasonable prices, an enormous wine list (3000 bottles, with lots of selections by the glass from $7 to $15), and efficient and knowledgeable service. Owner Francesco Lulaj (a Rome transplant with an impressive resume in the restaurant industry), knows what the people want and dishes it out in spades. And the people want fresh pasta, huge mounds of it, with enough to take home for tomorrow’s lunch AND dinner. I miss-ordered…the sea bass Milanese was a bit of a flop (not the right fish to bread and saute), but no matter. I happily dug into my husband’s cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe, a fresh Caesar salad and a mountain of fried calamari. Skip the cannoli, but don’t miss the tiramisu, an unusually light version of the classic dish. We apparently overstayed our welcome – several waiters asked to clear our plates before we were done, but it was well past seven and the second seating was waiting. A vast bar makes a wait tolerable (the dinner menu is available in the bar, too). This is a happy, buzzy place (sit in the loft for a quieter experience) in a rustic, barn-like setting, perfect for family gatherings or early Sunday dinner.  www.laforestarestaurant.com

tags: La Foresta, Killingworth, italian, bar, pasta