The Great Impasta in Brunswick, Maine

The Great Impasta has been a Brunswick anchor for years, serving straightforward Italian pasta, risotto, and classic sides in a warm, recently expanded dining room. The crowd skews families and couples on weeknights, regulars who've followed the spot through a recent move to bigger digs. Book ahead, especially on busier nights, or you'll be looking at a wait.

• Housemade garlic knots and fresh mozzarella when they're on.
• Spacious, welcoming room; new location has better accessibility.
• Reliable weeknight spot for families and regulars.
• Victoria salad and classic Italian pasta dishes.

Start with the garlic knots and fresh mozzarella. The Victoria salad is a repeat order for many. For mains, stick with the pasta dishes when you can, though a few recent diners have noted the saucing can be heavy-handed. Risotto shows up on the menu, though execution has varied. Ask your server what's been solid that night.

Bright and spacious after the recent move, with good wheelchair access. Noise level is moderate, lively on weekends but calm enough to talk on a Tuesday.

The kitchen leans into Italian mainstays. Pasta comes from house-made dough when they're firing on all cylinders. There's minestrone, risotto, scallops, and fresh mozzarella. Don't skip the garlic knots. That said, consistency has been spotty in recent visits, with some guests reporting oversauced dishes, overcooked grains, and bread that's lost its touch.

Guests praise the housemade pasta and the larger, cleaner space. One regular loves the Victoria salad and appreciates the improved bathrooms. But recent visits have left some diners disappointed by heavy sauces, overcooked grains, and bread quality that doesn't match the reputation. One recent visitor said, "It was worth the wait," though 45 minutes isn't uncommon.