Well, we have yet another nicely decorated Italian restaurant in Cuenca.  It has been open for seven months but I haven't been around to review it. Situated in the Posada del Angel Hostal, with the entrance on Estevez de Toral, it makes a welcome addition to the family of Italian restaurants here.

For years, guests at the Posada have been asking the front desk where to eat in Cuenca. The owners finally realized they could tap into this captive market and satisfy their guests right on the premises. Because the owners’ Grandma was born in Italy and had held on to her favorite family recipes, they decided to share the bounty with the public -- and Mangiare is the result.

The food is terrific. The pastas are homemade (except for the spaghetti), my favorite being sorrentinos, which I first discovered in Argentina and am thrilled to find here.  Sorrentinos are like large round raviolis stuffed with ricotta and mushrooms. Mangiare’s  different shaped pastas come with the following sauces: bolognesa, roja, pesto, funghi, putanesca and caruso. Caruso is a creamy white wine sauce with mushrooms and slivered almonds. My favorite, Putanesca, is awash with anchovies, capers and black olives in a tomato base. Definitely not for the faint of heart! My second fave sauce is the Funghi.

A really delicious starter is Pimientos Asados, broiled red pepper slices marinated in olive oil and garlic, served with toasted rounds of bread. There are, of course, soups, salads, chicken or lomo a la plancha, and desserts. The brownies a la mode and homemade cheesecake are particularly good.

Prices are reasonable with pasta dishes costing $7. Service is good and the atmosphere is cozy and pleasant. A full bar is available with a reasonable selection of wine.

Mangiare is open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 – 10 p.m. Located in the Posada del Angel,  14-11 Simon Bolivar and Estevez de Toral, Centro Historico (enter through the hotel or from Calle Toral). Tel. 284-0695 or 282-1360