Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina, Pacific Grove

Stroll along 17th street, between Lighthouse and Laurel and you will find one of the Peninsula's hottest restaurants, Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina. This little jewel, with its fresh ambiance and tantalizing menu, is popular with everyone. When you ask about the colorful European advertising posters that enliven the walls, you're told that they are "originals, not reproductions." That phrase is accurate in describing Joe Rombi's itself. From the lean, comfortable linen white decor, accented beautifully by those turn-of-the-century posters, to the hand-crafted entrees and desserts, everything about Joe Rombi's says fresh, new and original. Joe's specialty, his ravioli dishes, are a renowned local favorite, and for good reason. They are rolled, filled and cut by hand, with all the care that only a lifetime of creative food combining can bring. In addition to pasta, Joe's known for his fresh fish and meat specials. The desserts are made in-house, and the service is personal and inviting.