Lotsa pasta

The Pasta Bowl is a Lincoln Park staple when it comes to accessible Italian eats. In fact, its owners' inspiration: "to serve great pasta at an affordable price."

Unlike neighbors Sapori Trattoria, Salvatore's, or Tarantino's, no funds are wasted on pretentious affects. Pasta Bowl offers a lax atmosphere with casual dress, pick-your-own-seating, servers in t-shirts rather than white blouses and black ties, and they even crack a joke sometimes.

The food served is of consistent quality with every visit and shows up at the table well before "Wheeere's my foooood?" becomes the only prevailing thought.

Tried and true menu items, each served in generous portions, include the Farfalle Pollo (bowtie pasta, grilled chicken, sun-dried and fresh tomatoes, cream, pecorino cheese, mushrooms, and basil), Fettuccine Alfredo (the standard fettuccine noodles with creamy alfredo sauce and cracked black pepper, available with shrimp or chicken), Spaghetti al Polpette (spaghetti and marinara with 3 large meatballs and fresh parmesan), and Speghetti Frutti di Mare (shrimps, scallops, and mussels in white wine served with marinara atop spaghetti). Even their most basic items, particularly Spaghetti al Polpette--essentially spaghetti and meatballs—tastes well beyond its price, freshly seasoned with an assortment of traditional Italian spices in signature proportions.

Most pasta options cost between $7 and $9, excluding the most expensive pasta on the menu, Lobster Ravioli for $12.95: 5 giant hand-stuffed raviolis filled with lobster meat, served with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a white wine cream sauce.

Some final perks: $6 lunch menu (drink included) and delivery.

The Pasta Bowl : 2434 North Clark Street