Sarber Family Thankful for Local Support
Island Pasta, the beloved Orange Ave. institution that has been serving Italian food for 31 years, is set to close at the end of the month. The nostalgic gathering spot has been serving satisfied tourists and loyal customers and was one of the first restaurants to serve homemade pastas in Coronado. The Sarbers extend a warm thank you to everyone in town for their patronage over the past years in this wonderful community. For Island Pasta’s staff, it has been an incredible privilege to get to know so many friends and be a part of so many families.
Brant Sarber dreamed of owning his own restaurant while working at the Chart House. After searching for the perfect spot, he decided to take over the space once occupied by Oriental Arts steps from the Hotel Del. Brant recycled the wooden floors left over from Coronado High School’s gymnasium retrofit, using some of the wooden slats to build a friendly bar area shaped like a horseshoe, which became iconic. With the paint barely dry, Brant and Carol quickly opened during the busiest time in Coronado, the 4th of July in 1994 — and it was a success from the start.
Many of Island Pasta’s employees were there at the beginning, including head chef Aurora Gonzalez, who has been creating delicious meals since opening day. Island Pasta gave many kids in town their first jobs, with most returning over summer vacation to work their way up from bussers to waiters. After three decades of providing pasta, pizzas, and salads to multiple generations, Island Pasta will be missed by dedicated fans. Carol and Emily Sarber, and Carol’s sister, Kathy Byrne, would like to thank their long-time patrons and employees who have been a staple to the family-owned restaurant for many decades.
VOL. 115, NO. 42 – Oct. 15, 2025
Dining and Cooking