Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Culture

Willamette Noodle Company's familiar diner-like facad and inviting windows welcome all

The Willamette Noodle Company opened its doors in June 2003 and has enjoyed serving its steady base of loyal customers since.

Located on the corner of Hood and Broadway in Salem, the Willamette Noodle Company's home is a building not much larger than the size of an average family kitchen and dining room. Taste and simplicity mark the restaurant's décor and the seven tables available fill quickly with patrons.
Butcher paper covers the tables and crayons are provided for some pre-meal entertainment for children and adults.

A chalk board in the corner of the room displays the current soups and dessert menu, some of which stay the same and others that change monthly. A window on the far wall from the entrance peeks into the tiny kitchen where the meals are prepared with homemade pasta and the freshest of ingredients.

Beverage options include the regulars but not so common options included Italian sodas, dry sodas, which were explained as low sugar, food friendly beverages, in lavender, lemongrass, kumquat and rhubarb, a variety of microbrews and a wine list ranging from $14 to $28 a bottle.

Their menu boasts an array of pasta combinations at moderate prices. Entrees include such things as spaghetti with roasted garlic pomodoro cream sauce, shrimp scampi over fettuccine, penne with gorgonzola cream sauce, fettuccine with sun dried tomatoes and basil and fettuccine primavera, baked ziti and traditional meat lasagna.

There are several vegetarian options as well including classic fettuccine alfredo and penne with sun dried tomato cream sauce. Entree prices range from $8 to $14 per meal which includes focaccia bread, baked fresh daily and a salad, caesar or vinaigrette.

Entrées can also be served ala carte for about $2 less.My personal favorite is the penne with chicken in a lemon garlic cream sauce. I take advantage of their "add on" menu by adding artichoke to my dish. The "add on" menu houses a variety of items that can personalize any dish to meet your specific tastes for $1-$2 more.

Now I have to admit my food vocabulary ends when things like sophia, puttanesca and pomodoro sauce appear on the menu, but the waitperson was extremely helpful in explaining. My meal was completed with a slice of triple layer ginger cake with spiced cream cheese frosting, also known as heaven on a plate, for $5.

Altogether my meal which included an appetizer, entrée, drinks and dessert for two was $38.50. Not exactly a cheap-night-out meal, but perhaps an excellent choice for a special night out with friends, family or significant other when the Olive Garden, Applebee's and the Outback Steakhouse seem simply over used. All in all the Willamette Noodle Company is a refreshingly orgasmic treat for your taste buds with foreplay included. •

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