In English, the meaning of La Cucina is “the kitchen” and this is exactly the feeling you get when you step into this family-run establishment. You feel like you’re in a warm and homey Italian kitchen. The specials were on a very large blackboard visible to every seat in the dining area.
On this night, of course, I had to try the Red Clam Sauce with Linguine because it’s one of my favorite Italian dishes.
Before I ordered my dish, I asked the server if the clams were fresh. She indicated that they were canned clams. I hesitated. Then I thought, “A good chef should be able to transform these canned clams into something fresh–like it’s from the ocean.” I certainly was not disappointed with the preparation. Though there could have been a bit more clams, they were tender and the pasta was cooked perfectly. The Italian red sauce was fresh and authentic. A few shakes of grated cheese and red pepper flakes really made the sauce scrumptious.
Our servers were very informative and attentive. They were continuously aware of our needs at our table. Also, our delightful servers seemed to be right there, at the right time, every time!
I had a very pleasant experience at La Cucina Italiana. You can feel the passion they have for satisfying their diners. I especially enjoyed the family atmosphere. The prices are great and the portions are large, like most Italian family-style dishes. My leftovers were packed up and I enjoyed my Red Clam Sauce with Linguine all over again the next day!