You Pick the Menu – They Make It Happen

Broccoli Pesto Penne served with Fat Tire beer

Today I went out by Rhodes Ranch to try MacShack, a new restaurant concept from Chef Marcello Mauro (of Nora’s Osteria and Wine Bar) and developer J. Dapper.   In a nutshell, MacShack lets you be the chef de cuisine of your own pasta creations.  With 15 pastas, nine sauces, and 33 ingredients, as well as a half-dozen proteins to choose from; while not limitless, the plethora of combinations is pretty staggering.

Asiago Bleu Mac

What I particularly enjoyed was how simple the process is.  Whether it’s a soccer-mom bringing her team of 6 year-olds to eat after a game (while she merrily sips a medicinal merlot), or a pair of hipster lovers who prefer to eat gluten-free pasta with a cold micro-brewed beer, there’s something for everyone, and all one needs to do is point.  Ironically, it’s akin to ordering from a menu in the kind of Chinese restaurant where I grew-up: take one thing from column A, another from column B, a few from column C and if you’re feeling fancy, a final item from column D.  Then you kick-back while the kitchen does all the work.

Naked Meatball Melt

Both of the dishes I concocted this afternoon were delicious.  The pasta was al dente, the sauces were tasty, and the ingredients fresh and flavorful.  I even tried the whole-wheat pasta (which is pretty major, for me…).  What’s more: I liked it!

A few more things I liked about MacShack…  It’s not trying too hard.  While I admire any CIA grad who wants to throw the doors open on his new concept restaurant, serving Ethiopian-Hawaiian fusion cuisine while surrounding patrons in an aural cocoon of avant-garde remixes of the music of Zamfir: Master of the Pan Flute; sometimes, it’s all about going back to basics.  Spaghetti with meatballs?  Bring it!  And if you want to jazz it up with some garlic or tomatoes or porcini mushrooms?  No problem!

Split Pea Soup

Next, the space is contemporary but comfortable.  Your Dad klutzily spills on the floor?  Not to worry.  The floors are polished concrete, and the spill will be gone with a quick swipe of the mop.  Also, the kids working here are nice.  As if it’s encouraged (can you imagine?).  Nobody working at MacShack has the too-cool-for-school attitude that seems all too prevalent, these days.  It’s refreshing, and I’m not afraid to admit that I enjoy have a smiling someone thank me for coming as she rushes to clear-off my table or refill my soda.

With “Yes, Chef!” being the restaurant’s favorite saying (one shouted from the kitchen whenever a new order is placed; the idea being that the customer is the chef), the outlook is upbeat and positive – a nice combination in this day and age.  And speaking of this day and age (i.e. the 21st Century), not only does MacShack take call-in orders for take-out, but you can even place your order online!  Hey!  The ceilings are high, the ingredients are fresh, and every dish is made-to-order.  What more could you want?

MacShack
8680 West Warm Springs Road (at Durango)
(702) 463-CHEF
www.MacaroniShack.com

Get into it!