Pasta Ya Gotcha Has Fast And Fun Theme

----------------------------------------------------------------- Restaurant review

Pasta ya Gotcha, 11025 N.E. Eighth, Bellevue; 637-7019. Monday-Saturday 11 am.-9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine in or take out, kid's menu. Beer and wine. Completely non-smoking. Credit cards and personal checks accepted. -----------------------------------------------------------------

Pasta ya Gotcha bills its Italian fare as fast. That's an understatement.

As soon as my dining partner and I paid for our meal and headed for the self-service soda fountain, our order was ready.

"Number six, gotcha, number six," co-owner Roberto DeAngelis shouted in voice that easily drowned out the Muzak.

Dishing out spaghetti in less than three minutes is part of the new eatery's plan to be "the fastest pasta place in the world," according to DeAngelis, a native of Southern Italy. Inside the open-air kitchen, he keeps the pace lively, calling out orders and keeping the busy kitchen staff on track.

Despite the hubbub, diners who opt to eat in and admire the whimsical violet and fuchsia decor are in for a treat.

"Guest coordinators" greet patrons at the door with informative brochures. They're likely to offer samples of delicious tiramisu or spicy Thai pasta. As you scan the jam-packed menu, they'll answer questions and make meal suggestions. They'll also clear trays.

"We want people to know we're still serving them even though they're paying only $4 a meal," DeAngelis said.

The staff of the downtown Bellevue venue especially wants families to feel welcome. For $1.99 kids can dine on macaroni and cheese, spaghetti Alfredo or spaghetti with meatballs. If they gobble up all their noodles, little ones can dip into a huge glass treasure chest for a free plastic toy. A self-service ice-cream bar also is in the works.

Lunchgoers can find Pasta ya Gotcha on Northeast Eighth near the Meydenbauer Center. Getting there is easy enough but parking at a recent lunch was rather tight in the busy lot shared by more than a dozen businesses. That didn't bother most noon diners who had come on foot from nearby offices.

The main bill of fare, brimming with tempting choices, gave me a fit of indecisiveness. Good thing the staff is eager to guide newcomers through the maze of chilled pasta, hot pasta, baked pasta, combo plates, salads and soups.

"You look like you need some suggestions," DeAngelis said in his booming voice. Taking his cue, a "sales representative"pointed out to us some favorites, including the roasted garlic and gorgonzola penne ($4.95) or sun dried tomato angel hair ($5.50).

"What about something with meat?," my friend asked.

Try the Bourbon Street barbecue radiatore ($4.95), or the sausage lasagna ($5.95), she advised.

I started with a sizable side portion of Zeus salad ($1.25). The delicious creation of crisp romaine lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese chunks, olives, red onions and cucumber came tossed in a garlicky, light dressing. My companion's bowl of smoked Pacific pasta chowder ($2.75) was tasty, too. The curly radiatore the cooks threw in added a nice touch.

I moved on to my heaping paper platter of sun-dried tomato angel hair pasta, the most popular dish in the house, according to DeAngelis. It's also one of several entrees billed as low fat.

My healthy entree came with equal amounts of fresh and sundried tomatoes. The sauce was very good, but I would have preferred to taste more of the tomatoes.

Diners can stick to their new year's diets with other low-fat choices, including stir-fry fusilli ($4.75), caramelized red onion fettuccine ($4.95), pasta pie ($3.95) and garden veggie lasagna ($5.95).

My companion's sausage lasagna came blanketed in both alfredo and marinara sauce. The brick of baked pasta looked as if it had been sitting in a warming dish. In spite of its worn appearance, the lasagna was quite tasty, especially with the creamy Alfredo sauce.

The dessert list is short and sweet. Death by Chocolate cake ($2.75), cheesecake ($2.75), and the ever-popular tiramisu ($2.95).