Celestino Ristorante

Named after superchef Celestino Drago (who still runs the operation with his brothers), this is a pleasant venue for typical northern Italian specialties, with a few of Drago's Sicilian dishes thrown in for fun. With its classic paintings, white-linened tables and green marble bar, the restaurant offers a somewhat subdued, tastefully decorated dining room. There's a sense here that the food is taken more seriously than at some other Pasadena trattorias.

A starter of deliciously creamy burrata cheese and prosciutto is a refreshing change from the usual Caprese salad and a timballo of wild mushrooms and black truffles with a luscious fontina cheese fondue is a sensational dish that originated at Santa Monica's upscale Drago. In addition to solid pastas, entrées of note include osso buco, roasted rabbit in a Sicilian sweet-and-sour sauce, and roasted veal chop. A dessert table prominently displays items such as tiramisu, panettone bread pudding and torta della nònna.