Pasta Corner, a fine-casual spot that first opened at The Original Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles in 2021 before expanding to Paris and Lille, France, opens its first NYC location on August 28th, bringing its fresh housemade pasta and sauces along with freshly baked French pastries and an array of Italian gourmet products to Midtown.
The idea for Pasta Corner came during the pandemic when bakery owner Vincent Benoliel and his longtime friend, the French popstar Matt Pokora were sharing a house and cooking during lockdown in LA. Benoliel, who runs Michelina, an artisanal boulangerie and patisserie at the farmer’s market, had the opportunity to take another stand for a new concept so Pasta Corner was born in partnership with Pokora.
This hybrid grocery and restaurant is a destination for fresh housemade pasta and sauces to dine in or cook at home along with freshly baked French pastries and an array of Italian gourmet products. Guests can watch the pastas being made up front throughout the day as they peruse a display case filled with fresh pastas made with Caputo flour, pastries, antipasti, charcuterie and housemade pasta sauces. Shelves are stocked with products like olive oils, balsamic vinegar, spices and more. A dining area and small kitchen counter in the back offers seating for diners to enjoy a menu of two dozen pasta dishes and antipasti.
Two dozen fresh pastas and housemade sauce combinations available for takeout, delivery and dine in, featuring traditional shapes like penne, spaghetti, tagliatelle and lumache (snails), as well as lasagna and filled ravioli and tortellini. Premium ingredients are used in all dishes including Italian DOP cheeses, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, French butter and fresh black truffles. Benoliel’s housemade sweet and savory croissants (made with butter from Normandy) and other pastries, plus antipasti, will round out the offerings, along with wine and beer.
Pasta Corner (9 East 53rd St. between Madison and Fifth Avenue) will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with their brunch buffet on Sundays starting after Labor Day: Mon – Fri 7am – 9pm, Sat 11am – 9pm, Sun 9am – 9pm. They will also offer baking classes later in the fall.
