Pazzo — Review by Food Network
San Carlos, United States — Italian
Guy Fieri visits Pazzo, a family-owned Italian restaurant in San Carlos, California known for incredible handmade pastas and pizzas. He witnesses the pasta-making process including an innovative technique of smoking bucatini for 20 minutes before cooking. The smoked bucatini cacio e pepe is executed perfectly with fresh pepper, quality pecorino cheese, and ideal pasta consistency.
What was great: Handmade smoked bucatini pasta with unique smoky flavor, fresh ground black pepper in cacio e pepe sauce, quality pecorino cheese, perfectly cooked al dente pasta
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The star of this visit is the smoked bucatini cacio e pepe, a dish that showcases true craftsmanship. The bucatini, a thin pasta with a small hole running through the center, is made in-house using an extruder with semolina, egg yolks, and water. What makes this dish truly special is the smoking process - the fresh pasta is placed in a smoker for approximately 20 minutes, imparting a subtle smoky flavor without crisping the noodles. The sauce is beautifully simple, featuring fresh ground black pepper and tangy pecorino cheese combined with pasta water and butter to create a coating sauce. Guy emphasizes the importance of using really good fresh pepper and the right balance of ingredients to achieve the perfect consistency.
The Experience
The experience is interactive and educational, with the chef walking through the entire pasta-making process. Guy gets to witness the dough being mixed in the extruder, shaped, coated with rice flour, and prepared for smoking. The restaurant's passion for handmade pasta is evident in every step, and the chef's enthusiasm is contagious, creating an engaging dining experience that goes beyond just eating.
Value and Pricing
Specific pricing information is not mentioned in the transcript.
Notable Moments
Dip it in the rice flour, coat it. Nest it. Look at this little routine you got going now. We're actually smoking the pasta? We smoke the pasta.
Guy is visibly excited throughout the visit, comparing the pasta extrusion process to childhood Play-Doh experiences and providing viewers with proper pasta-eating technique - grabbing just a few strands, twisting them lightly on the plate, and taking small bites to properly enjoy the flavors.
The Verdict
Pazzo is a must-visit destination for pasta lovers seeking authenticity and innovation. The smoked bucatini cacio e pepe represents the perfect marriage of traditional Italian technique and creative thinking. This restaurant is best for anyone who appreciates handmade pasta, bold flavors, and witnessing the artistry behind their food.