The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Pasta Grotto's menu includes Raviolini di Pasta Grotto, Saffron Risotto and Chianti--by the glass or by the bottle.

Pasta Grotto cooks up Italian-Swiss cuisine

By Dwana Bain

Alexander deToth grew up on home-cooked Swiss-Italian food. So when he opened Pasta Grotto, he made sure to pack the menu with dishes from his childhood home--the Italian region of Switzerland.

According to deToth, a grotto is an open, casual, family-style eatery. That's the feel he hopes to bring to his two restaurants.

"Our restaurants are very open, airy and light," deToth said.

DeToth has vast experience in the hospitality industry. He has managed luxury hotels all over the United States. But it was his love of the Bay Area that inspired him to open the first Pasta Grotto in Foster City. DeToth had always wanted to move to the Bay Area, and always wanted to run his own business.

Customers can choose from French, Italian and California wine. All glasses of wine are $3.75. All bottles are $16. "I want our guests to have the opportunity to not be intimidated by wines. They can enjoy a glass or a bottle, and not be afraid to spend a lot," deToth said.

His family is full of amateur cooks, including his father, who he describes as a "gourmet weekend cook," and his Russian wife, who deToth says is quite the Italian cook. DeToth has extensive culinary training, having attended Lausanne, the famous cooking school in Switzerland. Before he managed hotels, deToth spent several years working as a food and beverage director. He trained the lead cook at Pasta Grotto personally.

DeToth and his assistant, Christie Stewart, said they place an emphasis on customer service. "We try not to say no. If somebody has a special request, if we have the ingredients, we'll make it."

Stewart helped open the Cupertino Pasta Grotto after visiting the Foster City site. "They have a generosity of spirit, that's what caught my eye. I can't sell something I don't believe in," Stewart said. Stewart worked for years as a flight attendant, which she said taught her a lot about working with people and the importance of good service.

DeToth said he loves owning his own business. "I've done this all my life, but when you own your own business, it's a challenge, no doubt about that. But I don't want to do anything else."

Pasta Grotto is available for private parties during the holiday season, and will feature a Latin jazz ensemble on New Year's Eve.

Pasta Grotto's full menu is available for takeout orders and catering.

Pasta Grotto, 2310 Homestead Road, corner of Foothill Boulevard open Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sat. 9 a.m.-midnight and Sun. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 738-5930.

[ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ]

This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, December 3, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.