Everyday large crowds of diners gather at the incredibly popular Il Pastaio restaurant in Beverly Hills. This beloved eatery, located on the corner of Cannon and Brighton Way, is a magnet for local residents and tourists alike. Giancomino Drago, the passionate owner and chef, is the star of the venue, warmly greeting guests with air kisses or hugs as they walk through the doors as if welcoming them into his home. Hailing from the picturesque town of Galai Mamertino in Sicily, Drago infuses his charm and infectious personality into his work to create a memorable dining experience for his guests.
Il Pastaio outdor tables
“When we were kids, I loved to play all day. I never liked school. I even told my parents: I’m never going to be a dentist or an accountant!” Luca says, laughing at the memory.
His love for la dolce vita and merry days seem to play out daily at Il Pastaio, where Drago often stops at a table to chat with old and new friends. When Spain’s soccer team, Real Madrid, came by for some pasta, the ebullient owner embraced the team and posed for photos.
It’s evident that the bustling room is his favorite playground. Drago exchanges one-liners in Italian with his staff and waves to friends, who can be seen blowing him kisses from across the room. What he offers daily is not just a meal, but an atmosphere of enjoyment and indulgence in the good life, laughter, and “great Italian meals with history.”
“I respect my guests and I listen to what they want,” Drago says, referring to the newly added gluten-free and wheat pasta.
“If they like a special dish but we don’t have it on the menu, we’ll make it to please them,” he says, waiving hello to a guest. “I want everyone to enjoy and feel happy when they come here.”
Through the afternoon, Drago moves about the room and makes everyone smile. In one moment, he shares friendly banter with two stylish young women at the bar; in the next, he embraces a friend who is about to depart. Adding to the vibrant scene are a dozen fast-moving and cheerful waiters who weave seamlessly between the busy tables. The atmosphere is friendly, informal, and often noisy with diners seated close to one another. The house made pasta is delicious and reasonable with most prices falling between $19.95 to $29.50.
Growing up as the youngest of eight children, Drago assisted his mother and older siblings in preparing fresh meals every day. He landed his first job at a nearby restaurant as a teenager and eventually pursued culinary school. At the age of 15, he visited his older brother Celistino, a successful restaurateur in Beverly Hills, and was inspired to follow in his footsteps. In December 1993, Drago opened the small eatery Il Pastaio. Now, three decades later, Il Pastaio has become one of Beverly Hills’ most popular restaurants.
“When we first opened on Canon Drive, by nine o’clock at night the streets were empty,” says Drago. “Now, it’s busy past midnight!”
Il Pastaio’s popularity also brought a new change with an added private dining area called “The Olive Room” which seats 30 guests and features a wine room with fourteen hundred bottles of wine and spirits.
