Pasta Nostra, Norwalk, CT

Went on July 27th with Karen, my high school friend, who also appreciates fine dining and wine. We once shared an amazing dinner at Emeril's in New Orleans together when I was down there with an ex-boyfriend, and always enjoy drinking the finest wines and champagnes we can find on a menu.

The adorable sommelier Matthew came over and helped us choose an Italian white since it was so damn hot outside. Their wine list has a great variety of Italian wines - the reds are especially plentiful. He recommended something fruity yet dry, which was an excellent choice. It pryed me out of my little oaky, buttery California chardonnay rut I seem to enjoy being in.

The bread here is amazing. I believe it comes from the SoNo Baking Company around the corner and is one of those breads that are addictive. And, the olive oil is exquisite. You can taste the high quality and its delicious nature. It's funny, a standard olive oil is just that and is fine, but when you get one that is exquisite, it stands out like six pack abs on a hot guy, and is so much more delicious than an ordinary one.

Karen and I decided to split 2 appetizers - an olive tapenade with goat cheese on crostini and a cauliflower dish. The crostini was delicious but the cauliflower dish a little weird. The sauce was Indian or Moroccan based and a bit too filled with spices. The flavors really didn't meld all that well with the cool cauliflower - this wasn't a hit.

We invited cute Matthew over to teach us the correct way to leave your utensils on the plate after dining. He was so happy we asked as he believes most Americans are heathens lacking manners. He demonstrated how many diners just throw their utensils wherever the hell they feel, like a pack of wolves. He explained how leaving the utensils the correct way - horizontally placed on the top of the dish - tells the wait staff when the diner is finished and is a cue for the plates to be picked up.

Both of us ordered the gnocchi with pesto and tomatoes - delicious! The gnocchi were so fluffy and delectable, like little puffy clouds you just want to take home and put under your pillow. Soooo yummy! The pesto was to die for. Just the right mixture of basil and pine nuts. And, the perfect cherry tomatoes garnishing the plate in a circular fashion really complement the dish. They do this dish with pasta, which is equally excellent but those cute little gnocchi were excellent. We fully cleared off both our plates. During dinner, I got a call from my trainer and a smile unexpectedly came over my face. This surprised me as it was the first time I thought about him in a non-platonic way, so Karen and I started to discuss the pros and cons of turning a platonic relationship into something more.

By the time dessert rolled around, the wine was kicking in and we became raucous. I ordered berries and mascarpone while Karen ordered some sort of chocolate cake. When Matthew came to check on us, I explained how Karen was texting her lover about smearing the chocolate all over her chest. Matthew declared, "Outstanding!" We couldn't help but cackle like hyenas the rest of the evening. It seems to happen alot at this restaurant. When there with my friend Candy, a married woman, a couple months ago, she asked Matthew if he could be one of the dessert options and if she and I could then share that dessert. Though he turned red, I think he liked the attention.

I really like this place. One of the best in the area. Worth every cent.

116 Washington Street, South Norwalk, CT 06854; (203) 854-9700; http://www.pastanostra.com