Affordable East Bay Pasta Pop-Up Sfizio Just Landed a Restaurant Space in Oakland

Sfizio, the favored pasta pop-up that’s been shifting by means of Oakland and Oakland since 2020, has lastly landed a everlasting residence: Chef Matt Solimano is ready to carry Sfizio to Rockridge, taking up the Noodle Principle house and throwing open the doorways in Spring 2023.

Solimano kicked across the concept for an inexpensive pasta restaurant for years, impressed by chef Mike Easton’s Il Corvo in Seattle. Transferring to the Bay Space eight years in the past, he recounted these concepts over beers with buddies, and when the pandemic hit he made the transfer to check them out as a pop-up. He introduced his model of contemporary pasta to Method Station Brew, Ramen Store, Levels Plato, and different spots, slowly constructing a following round dishes that always commanded costs decrease than $15 — one thing nearly exceptional within the Bay Space. “As I began cooking extra and making pastas at sure eating places, I fell extra in love with the thought of truly making pasta,” Solimano says. “And I actually loved the thought of it having ok margins that we could possibly be promoting this affordably and at a considerably lower cost than most locations are.”

Craig Murli

Now, he’s seeking to proceed in the identical spirit. The restaurant menu shall be much like the pop-up menu — the meatballs shall be again for positive, he guarantees — comprised of three starters, three pastas, and dessert. Diners can anticipate the menu to rotate on a frequent foundation and be shut in value level to what pop-up clients are used to. Dishes will incorporate seasonal elements and Solimano plans to carry again favorites from his time doing pop-ups, resembling grilled eggplant and Jimmy Nardello peppers in late summer season and broccolini with salsa negra within the winter. There are additionally plans to proceed experimenting with new pasta dishes, resembling a gluten-free possibility and a vegetarian tackle these meatballs. However having carried out the pop-up for 2 years, Solimano has been getting a really feel for the dishes that resonate with clients every season. “It’s been good to consider dishes by way of, ‘Oh man, I can’t wait till eggplant and pepper season comes round,’” Solimano says. “I used to be so excited to place that dish again on, and there’s so many individuals that had been so excited for it, in order that was like a enjoyable little factor to sit up for.”

The key change Sfizio pop-up followers will discover, Solimano says, would be the addition of beers and wines, in addition to some vermouth cocktails. The restaurant shall be counter service, though Solimano stated the Sfizio group jokes it will likely be “as non-counter service, counter service as doable” that means they’re aiming to provide fantastic service on the counter, with bussers to carry dishes out and refill waters, and actual plates and silverware to dine on, not to-go containers. “A correct sit-down expertise, but additionally streamlined a bit of bit,” he says.

Though Il Corvo caught strictly to lunch hours throughout its tenure, Solimano plans to maintain the restaurant open for dinner, Tuesday by means of Saturday. And already there’s a plan to pay it ahead to his fellow pop-up operators; he says he’ll provide up the kitchen and “give again to the neighborhood that helped assist us,” he says. He’s anticipating a fast turnaround to opening, with no main development deliberate for the house, however till he opens the restaurant, Sfizio will proceed on with pop-ups and occasions by means of the month of December at Levels Plato and the Punchdown.

Sfizio (6099 Claremont Avenue, Oakland) is ready to debut in Spring 2023. For pop-up data, observe the restaurant through its Instagram, @sfiziopasta.