At the end of the block and looking onto Pacific Lutheran University, Marzano Italian Restaurant has been exuding gastro-charm for more than 20 years. A feel of Old World meets new radiates from one room opening onto another to create a sense of intimate dining though other diners are just feet away. Candles, soft music, and polite, unobtrusive staff provide an effortlessly classy experience. One might note Marzano is not known for health food, and that's not meant as a bad thing. Meat, cheese, rich sauces, truly decadent desserts - almost all of which are made in-house - excellent wine pairings, interesting ingredients, variety, and creativity - all are parlayed into an approachable, affordable menu overall. These are the things the Parkland restaurant is known for.

The farfalle - seafood pasta - featured sautéed black tiger prawns danced with large sea scallops amid al dente bowtie noodles. All were tender and yet firm. Yellow and red bell peppers were chopped quite fine before being cooked down into a sauce with garlic, curry and a mild amount of coconut milk and brandy.

The dessert tray was loaded with tarts, torts, crème brûlée, cakes and tiramisu. Their semi dense flourless chocolate cake was drizzled with an earthy berry sauce and huge pecans that tasted like they'd been soaked in a sugared balsamic glaze before being toasted.

Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and dinner: 4-8:30 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Saturday