Welcome to the more is more school...

Welcome to the more is more school of eating. You’ll recognize it at once, just from looking around. More materials have been used in the building of Pasadena’s brand-new Pappagallo, 42 S. Pasadena Ave., (818) 578-0224, than you’d be likely to find in 10 other restaurants. The front room aims for the greenhouse effect, with glass everywhere you look. But there are also bare brick walls, plenty of wood, modern tubing snaking beneath the ceiling, wrought iron, tiles on the floor, fake marble tables, splashy paintings, printed fabric, little lights around the windows. Look outside and you’ll see a large patio where a modern fountain splashes peacefully and tables are set beneath trees festively strung with strings of lights.

You’ll recognize the more is more effort on the Italian menu too. Pastas all include a vast number of ingredients (one called Casanova has shrimp, crab, cheese, sauce . . .). Even an ordinary Caesar salad here comes covered with shrimp.

But there is more service here too--it’s very pleasant. And more for your money--portions are large and the most expensive thing on the menu is the $13 steak, which comes on a plate heaped with vegetables and pasta. And when it comes time to leave, you’ll find that the valet parking is complimentary.