Il Pacioccone is a cozy spot in what looks like a historic building. We started with the bruschetta…read moreand meatballs. The bruschetta was simple but really fresh--the buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes had a lot of flavor. The meatballs came in a light tomato sauce and were tender, not overly dense.
For mains, we had the tagliatelle ragu and the pappardelle with mushrooms. The pasta seems to be homemade--it's got that bite and texture. The duck ragu was rich and comforting, with just enough sauce to coat the noodles but not drown them. The pappardelle was a highlight--big, silky noodles tossed with mushrooms that actually tasted like mushrooms, not just something from a can. The flavors were earthy and balanced, and you could tell everything was cooked to order.
Service was relaxed and friendly, which fit the mood of the place. However, it was slow given there was only two people working. It's the kind of restaurant where you can take your time and actually talk to whoever you're with.