6851 Douglas Boulevard,
Suite B, Granite Bay,
916-872-1266,
settepastahouse.com
settepastahouse

Hours: 11:30-9 p.m. (Wednesday-Sunday); closed Monday and Tuesday

TRY THIS: Meatball Skillet, Focaccia Bread Board, Pesto Casarecce, Lasagna Bolognese, Bucatini Carbonara, Filet Mignon, Tiramisu

DRINKS: Beer & wine

TAB: $$

HEADS-UP: Daily Happy hour from 3-5 p.m.; outdoor dining; lunch offerings include sandwiches, salad specials, and half portions of pasta; menu features seven (sette) mains, plus appetizers; everything is house-made, from the pasta to the ricotta; catering and private events available; pasta and sauces can be purchased to go.

Pesto Casarecce

Paul Jansen

Restaurateur—and 28-year military veteran—Paul Jansen has escalated from four to seven. As the founder of Fourk Kitchen, where everything on the menu is delivered as a four-course meal, the chef and owner’s newest venture, Sette Pasta House, has followed the numerical suit. With a simple belief that complexity decreases consistency, Sette Pasta House serves seven, incredibly well-executed mains: five pasta dishes made from fresh, handmade pasta daily, and two rotating specials. 

When my family and I walked in the door and Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” was playing, I knew I was going to dig the vibe. After being seated by our server, Casey, who was amazingly attentive, she explained that “sette” means seven in Italian. We were also delighted to discover it was happy hour. While enjoying a nice glass of wine and the meatball skillet (both part of their happy hour offerings), we perused the menu. It didn’t take long.

Sette Salad

I’ve always been a fan of simplicity and often find that having too many options is somewhat stressful. My wife agrees, and we quickly decided on our entrées: lasagna Bolognese and pesto casarecce.

Lasagna Bolognese

A quick personal anecdote: My mother loves to cook; I mean, LOVES it. When I was in college, I would often come home to fresh pasta hanging all over the kitchen. This was my first experience with truly fresh, homemade pasta. The taste hits different and is, indeed, delectable.

Meatball Skillet

My first bite of Sette’s lasagna transported me right back to the fresh pasta I experienced as a young adult. The Bolognese sauce was impeccable and, despite appearing like a modest portion, I found it to be perfect with the appetizer and salad we ordered to share. My wife, who is typically not a pasta fan, also gave it an emphatic nod of approval.

The pesto casarecce was cooked equally well; the short noodles with curled edges and a groove down the middle (casarecce) were delicious, and the pesto had just the right amount of “presence”—it was subtle but noticeable.  A little pinch of salt really brought it to life.

Tiramisu

For dessert, we shared the tiramisu, which was precisely executed. The cream was rich and decadent, the ladyfingers perfectly soft, and the dish as beautiful as it was delicious. I was hoping for a decaf coffee to tie it all together, yet the decaf had run dry; not to fret, though: The espresso used in the dessert satisfied my craving with a nice kick of flavor.

Overall, the atmosphere at Sette is simple but elegant with a staff that’s amiable and attentive. The dishes—all seven of them—get major points for their handmade detail and flavor.  When craving a taste of Italy, put Sette Pasta House top of mind. I know I will.  

by Ryan Martinez  |  photos by JYO BHAMIDIPATI

Have you been to Sette Pasta House? Tell us about your experience by messaging us on Instagram (@stylemags), Facebook (@stylemediagroup), or emailing [email protected].