Portland-based Pastini Pastaria has opened a Bend Oregon location

Bend, Oregon – Since debuting in 2001 and growing into a bustling multi-unit Italian pasta restaurant destination, Pastini Pastaria has developed a loyal following in the Portland Oregon area. Now, the casual Italian pasta restaurant known for its authentic homemade meals at reasonable price points is expanding outside of Portland Oregon. Pastini has opened a location in Bend Oregon's Old Mill District.

Currently, Pastini has six locations in greater Portland Oregon, but thanks to an aggressive growth plan fueled by creative financing from Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank, it will become a regional restaurant company starting this year.

Along with the new location in Bend, Pastini will debut in Corvallis this year. Starting in 2009, the company plans to add two to four locations annually in the Seattle market.

Serving traditional Italian pasta favorites like Spaghetti and Meatballs and along with classic Italian pastas such as Cappellini Pomodoro and original recipes like Rigatoni Zuccati, Pastini's first Portland restaurant on NE Broadway was so successful that the group opened a second pasta restaurant a year later across town.

"We weren't interested in an upscale, special occasion Italian restaurant that would only appeal to a small percentage of people," Susie Bashel said. "We felt there was a need for a moderately priced restaurant centered around pasta. We envisioned a place where many guests could dine with us on a regular basis and have a quality experience without spending a lot of money."

All of the menu items at Pastini are made from scratch, using Italian pasta recipes developed by Craig Bashel, who serves as the executive chef. Prices for main courses range from $5.75 to $11.75, with most selections between $8 to $9.50. Aptly named for the traditional small pasta shapes called pastina, Pastini offers 36 pasta dishes on the menu, including a large number of vegetarian options

Pastini's Old Mill District location in Bend Oregon will feature a terrace overlooking the Deschutes River. To accommodate guests who do not want dinner but are interested in a light meal and drinks while enjoying the scenery, Pastini will have an extended appetizer menu and a bar.

"This expansion will give us a prominent regional presence," said Susie Bashel, who stated that Pastini will continue to operate corporate-owned restaurants so they can maintain quality and consistency in their made-from-scratch approach. "We feel that we can establish ourselves as strong company throughout the northwest."

Pastini Pastaria is a Portland, Oregon. based company with six restaurants currently in the Portland Metro area and plans for 15 locations by 2010, including Bend, Corvallis and Eugene Oregon and Seattle, Wash. Pastini Pastaria has been serving 36 classic Italian pasta dishes in a warm urban atmosphere at moderate prices since 2001.