In Italian, a novella means a short story. The translation had me wondering as I pulled into a busy Powell parking lot on a Saturday night: What kind of tale is Novella Osteria trying to tell? 

The answer is apparent from one quick scan of the menu: This is a love story to pasta in all its classic interpretations. The author is chef-owner Matthew Phelan, whose infatuation with pasta grew during his time as chef de cuisine at the Roman restaurant Lupa in New York City.