THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Pasta House Co.

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Pasta House Co. Restaurant Review:

In the heavily-restauranted Euclid strip of the Central West End, this branch of the Pasta House Co. is located on the first floor of an apartment building with a few outdoor tables overlooking the activity at Maryland and Euclid Avenues. This St. Louis-based chain continues to pack 'em in despite the average food. The décor here seems a little more sophisticated than many of the other locations. Crowds of multi-generational families, friends having dinner before or after a game and office birthday parties all seem satisfied munching on food that must have been pretty exciting in the '70s. Toasted ravioli and cheese garlic bread top the appetizer list. St. Louis standards of pasta con broccoli and the House's trademark, a deliberately soggy romaine salad whose recipe has been reprinted time and again, began here. You can choose from the typical varieties of pasta or hunks of protein topped with sauce and cheese, often accompanied by a bottomless bowl of that salad. Most of the sauces smell much too strongly of garlic powder, but the pasta is usually carefully drained and not seriously overcooked. We're not sure if the food has deteriorated over the years or if our palates have gotten more worldly. Service is above average for this type of place; many of St. Louis' better waiters started here.