Pasta re-Connection

A beloved neighborhood restaurant will reopen today after being closed for a year and a half.

Pasta Connection has set up shop across the street from its former location on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa; its new address is 1969 Harbor Blvd.

The longstanding restaurant’s staff, dishes and owners will all return, and pizza has been added to the Italian/Argentinian menu.

The restaurant will have its grand opening from 5 to 10 p.m., with free tastings of its new pizza options. The full menu will be served beginning Monday.

The wait has been long for Luis Rodriguez and his daughter Yadira.

Luis Rodriguez’s mother, Luisa, brought her Italian heritage and recipes to her new Argentinian family; Luis grew up with the dual influence, and brought it to the United States. Rodriguez and his family opened the restaurant in 1984.

The photo on the restaurant’s iconic sign, showing a child surprised by a bowl of spaghetti on his head, depicts Luis’ son Lou. It was taken at Pasta Connection’s inception, and has since become the symbol for the restaurant. The family also opened a second restaurant in Orange, which remains open.

In late 2007, the family was told their building, which had been the restaurant’s home for 25 years, was up for sale. The following year, the Rodriguez family faced a substantial rent increase from the new owners — and short notice to move. They opted to close, planning to reopen in a month or two in a new location. But the ideal site never appeared.

“A year and a half passed,” Yadira Rodriguez said.

But the restaurant eventually found its perfect location, just down the street from its first home.

Many people have already stopped by the restaurant, called or e-mailed, she said.

“It’s incredible. They’ve seen my kids grow up; they’ve seen me grow up,” she said. One former regular, who came by to visit the restaurant while it was under construction, hugged and kissed Rodriguez when he saw her.

“For him, I’m still that 10-year-old wandering around the restaurant,” she said.

The family is now facing the prospect of reopening a restaurant in the middle of a recession.

“It’s a hard moment to stare at, but I’m happy,” Luis Rodriguez said.

“This place just fell into our laps, and it’s just perfect,” his daughter said.

For more information, call (949) 646-3484 or visit pastaconnection.net.