Sazio

Laura Crespi believes one of the keys to a happy life is a full plate. Her Italian pasta restaurant, Sazio, which she co-owns with Daniel Pistone, gets its name from the Italian word for feeling fully satisfied. Argentinianborn Daniel is the former head chef at Black Barn and is passionate about Italian food. He creates simple pasta dishes such as Pork Sausage Ragu and Gnocchi with Mushrooms, and share plates of cured meats, buffalo mozzarella and the arancini of dreams. Vivacious Italian-born Laura runs the front of house with plenty of gusto and says the dishes take her back to her childhood making pasta with her grandmother. 215 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings. (06) 650 7717, sazio.co.nz