Pasta Prego Is Back with New Location in Downtown Napa

    NAPE, CA, January 07, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Pasta Prego, a long-time favorite restaurant of Napa Valley locals, has reopened in Napa following a five-year hiatus. For nearly 20 years, Pasta Prego pleased local palates at its former North Napa location.

The Pasta Prego tradition will continue in its new location in downtown Napa at 1502 Main Street in the historic Rossi's Deli building under the ownership of third-generation Napan Matthew Miersch. A former customer of Pasta Prego, Miersch has stayed true to the original concept of the restaurant that showcases the classic menu of delicious, fresh Italian cuisine prepared by original Pasta Prego Chef Marco Ruiz.

A Napa Valley Real Estate professional for more than two decades, Miersch is mixing his entrepreneurial spirit with his love for Ruiz's cuisine. "We always loved Pasta Prego," Miersch recalled. "My daughter loved to sit at the bar with me when she was young and watch all of the activity in the kitchen. We were really sad when it closed. When Marco popped up a few years later at Emmy Lou's we were there twice a week." The chef and the businessman became friends, and after a lengthy search for the right location, the new Pasta Prego was born.

Ruiz, a native of rural Guatemala, immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s, beginning as a dishwasher earning $3.25 per hour. He quickly rose through the ranks as a culinary professional, and was soon working in the kitchen learning from Chef Donna Scala at Piatti's in Yountville before going on to work with many of the Napa Valley's world-class chefs and restaurateurs including Chef Greg Cole and Giovanni Scala.

Chef Marco's "new" menu features many dishes that customers will find familiar including Pan Roasted Polenta with a wild mushroom brandy sauce, Classic Pizza Margherita with mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce, Capellini Pasta with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil, Chicken Marsala: chicken sauteed with mushrooms and Marsala wine sauce, and Grilled pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes, vegetables and a balsamic Chianti reduction sauce.

Miersch has completely renovated the interior with stunning upgrades including a new bar that wraps around the kitchen, reminiscent of the original Pasta Prego space. The decor is refined and conveys a simple, Napa elegance with cozy tables separated by inviting, stylish drapes.

The new Pasta Prego is close to Downtown Napa, yet enjoys a "neighborhood vibe" as it is located in a mixed business and residential area. "I am sure that with our location, we will still attract patrons who are visiting the Napa Valley," said Miersch, "But Pasta Prego has always catered to the locals. I think that our biggest challenge is going to be keeping Chef Marco in the kitchen. He's friendly, and knows so many people, and will often be found sipping a beer tableside with customers!"

Pasta Prego, located at 1502 Main St. in Downtown Napa, California is open daily for dinner on a first come first serve basis, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information like Pasta Prego on Facebook or call 707-492-8026.

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