My friend Elyse and I hit the new Italian pasta place, Paciarino, yesterday, and it was wonderful. It's been open for only a week or so, but it seems the word is already out-- it was packed, so much so that Elyse and I ended up sharing our table with a couple of computer programmers (judging from their conversation).

The space, located where the salon Akari was for many years on Fore Street near the Portland Harbor Hotel**, is airy, bright, and very comfortable. The walls are a sunny yellow, and the tables are light wood with slate placemats. You order at the counter when you come in, from a board of a few options, and sit down to wait for the food to be brought.

We chose to share maccheroni al pesto and ravioli with goat cheese in a simple tomato sauce. Each was about 8 dollars. The pasta was delicious, with that combination of softness and toothness you only find in homemade pasta, cooked perfectly. The sauces were also beautiful. The serving portions were quite large, so much so that when they were first placed in front of us I thought I wouldn't be able to finish...I was wrong. It was so delicious that I probably would have licked my plate if I hadn't learned a couple of years ago that's frowned upon. One of the men sharing our table liked his maccheroni with pesto so much he ordered a second plate!

Go for lunch, or for takeout, which is available until 6 or so (or until they run out). You can also pick up exquisite little jars of imported Italian foodstuffs, or take cooking classes.

** Edited to correct the name of the hotel. I always get those confused. Thanks Margaret!

Paciarino is at 468 Fore Street in Portland. 207-774-3500.