When chef Giulio Laurentino decided he wanted to open his own restaurant, he envisioned somewhere reminiscent of his home in Naples.
His search ended once he discovered the Little Italy section of New Haven along Wooster Street, where the aroma of Italian cooking fills the air each day.
“I saw this place, and said, ‘This is it,’” Laurentino said. “I was looking for something like where I came from, where I feel at home.”
Laurentino came to the United States about a decade ago, and formerly worked across the harbor at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven. This week, he opened Pasta EATaliana in a corner of a mixed-use building at 121-127 Wooster St.
“I like seeing people walking on the street and being social,” Laurentino said. “Here, you have people sitting outside and drinking espresso.”
He got the required special exception for a restaurant liquor license from the Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday. Laurentino spoke to New Haven BIZ about his new venture inside the newly opened restaurant on Thursday.
Pasta EATaliana is in a building owned by the Societa Santa Maria Maddalena, a religious center. Laurentino completely remodeled the interior of the restaurant space, and he credited his wife, Caterina, with helping him redecorate. The restaurant seats up to about 42 people, though Laurentino also plans to make use of outdoor space once warmer weather arrives.
Laurentino said the response from the community has been overwhelming. The restaurant’s recently launched Facebook page already had 923 likes as of early Friday.
“People are making reservations and stopping by to see the menu,” Laurentino said. “I never expected so much interest.’
So, about that menu: Laurentino said the restaurant features fresh imported mozzarella and gourmet cheeses and Napoletana-style cuisine. He offers a dozen appetizers, including fried eggplant and fried shrimp, calamari and octopus. The menu includes specialty flatbreads, salads, pastas, main courses and of course pizza. Diners can choose from offerings like Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe, potato gnocchi with parmigiano, cream and black pepper, and Paccheri con Aragosta, tri-color cherry tomato sauce and fresh lobster.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays starting at 11:30 a.m.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
