Cucina Pazzo

Cucina Pazzo serves upscale but unpretentious Italian food from its prime spot in the Central West End. Infused with a rustic American element, Cucina Pazzo also draws influence from various Italian regions. The appetizer menu is extensive, with items such as pork rillettes, mortadella corndogs and housemade chicken and pancetta sausage with Brussels sprouts leaves and blackberry agrodolce. Most of the pastas are made in house; rigatoni al forno is a delicious bake of the tube-shaped pasta, fontina, goat cheese and an Italian sausage version of Bolognese sauce. Notable entrees include hearty short ribs with an apple balsamic glaze and marinated swordfish simply dressed with lemon caper butter and fresh herbs. Cucina Pazzo also serves brunch, and when the weather is nice, there is no more quintessential Central West End experience than a Sunday morning on its patio.