2nd pastagina store open in the grand promenade
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Pastagina has opened its second downtown location by joining Koo Koo Roo on the ground floor level of the Grand Promenade Apartments.
The “affordable gourmet pasta” chain opened last month atop Bunker Hill at 3rd and Grand, and per the store manager, has already become one of the chain’s highest performing stores.
Based on the location of the store, it is well positioned for the office crowd in the afternoon, with the residential, late night office folk, and the Disney Hall crowd at night. Also, with the neighboring Grand Concert Series at California Plaza, the pasta eatery is poised to attract new customers.
Pastagina is open from 11:00am to 10:00pm daily. Since not much is open on Grand Avenue during the weekends or late night, the restaurant’s respectable hours are a welcome addition to the area.
When is Pastagina opening in South Park’s Market Lofts?
I inquired with the Grand Avenue location’s store manager, who notes the store was ready to open last month; however, it didn’t pass the final round of city inspections. The latest issues should be resolved within the next few weeks for an early July opening, letting starved South Park residents have their affordable eats.
Pastagina hopes to open fifty stores over the next few years with future locations in San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Chicago.
After the third downtown location opens, the company is looking to open next in Koreatown. No specific site is known as of this time, but store officials are expecting to open there by the end of this year.
Pastagina
255 S Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-626-1192
pastagina.com
16 comments
I tried Pastagina a couple weeks ago in Little Tokyo. A while ago there was an article in the Downtown News that basically said it was not bad but the pasta was not great probably due to their unique pasta cooking machine.
I agree. The pasta really was not that good and had a weird texture to it. It was so disappointing that I actually have no intention of eating at a Pastagina again.
I’m glad to hear this location is doing well. I’m really impressed with this chain. I’m sorta late getting on the bandwagon. But, after trying the Little Tokyo location a couple of months ago, my family and I have become regulars. (Yogurtland across the street makes for a great dessert.)
The pasta and sauces are very good. It is also freshly cooked. Given the quick service and the cheap prices, it is hard to beat. I can get a single serving for my three kids to share. I’ve also found the staff are consistently kid-friendly. Friday nights on the way home from daycare, we stop here or at the Kookoo Roo for some take-out.
My only complaint is the salads are a disappointment. At least, you can get a decent glass of wine.
I’d point out, too, there is validated parking at the Grand Avenue location in the apartment building. Makes for a quick in-and-out.
I’m really looking forward to the 9th/Hope location, since it is so close to our home and adjacent to Ralphs and Grand Hope Park. I’m also hopeful this location will create some street presence with outdoor seating.
I’ve tried Pastagina a few times also. For fast food, it’s fun to have something new and different, but they’re kind of skimpy on the sauce. Seems I’m always left with a lot of dry, chewy pasta.
For those who are complaining: Pastagina has perfect al dente pasta. I love it. It is great!!!
I haven’t tried it yet, but look forward to soon.
I hate that KooKooRoo closes early on Saturdays and not open on Sunday.
Some of us like to shop, hang and explore downtown LA on the weekends
Pastagina is smart to offer later hours.
And David whats your take on Yogurtland? I heard it is cheaper, cost less than what Pinkberry charges, but is it any good.
Hmm, Stephen, your experience is the reverse of mine. I find Pastagina tends to give more sauce than I like. But, not always. However, the issue of the appropriate amount of sauce served with pasta is highly personal.
I’ve found it depends upon the dish you order. Consider ordering different sauces. Also, I suspect the type of pasta you order makes a difference. Different shapes require different amounts of sauce because they have more or less surface area. For the record, I order the fusilli and haven’t encountered this problem except with the new spicy sauce which I tried this weekend. I really like the carbonara.
LH, I’m no yogurt connoisseur, however, my wife has a passion for it. She was skeptical about Yorgurtland and was wedded to Pinkberry. However, once she tried it, she switched. For her, the price difference could not be beat. I went there on Mother’s Day with three adults and five kids - $14. At Pinkberry, it would easily be twice the price.
I have a hunch the Kookoo Roo place will start expanding their evening and weekend hours. Last year when I pointed out the Grand Avenue street festival was happening the next day, they opened up. I suspect, too, the Pastagina traffic in the evenings and on the weekend will be noticed. I’ll drop off the Grand Performances schedule. I’m not a fan of Kookoo Roo, but they do something different at this location.
Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park is one of the company’s major investors.
I gave it a few chances and found it to be underwhelming. The first night I went with a bunch of bloggers, the owner was there and was very nice and gave us all free gelato.
On subsequent visits my pasta was dry and there was very little sauce. I understand the desire to not soak the pasta in sauce, but what I got wasn’t even close to being enough.
I think the novelty wore off for me and will stick to making my pasta dishes at home or going to Colori, if the service improves!
we frequent the grand ave. location because of a) its late hours and b) the outdoor patio allows us to dine with our puppy. yes, colori is definitely better, but for the price and conveniece, pastagina is a pretty good deal. i agree that the side salads are crap (iceberg lettuce and a few grape tomatos), but the pasta is perfectly al dente and there’s enough variety of sauces to keep us interested.
we stopped by this past saturday evening and had to wait 30 min for our food - there was some event at the concert hall (masters of harmony?) and the staff was overwhelmed by a hoard of men wearing matching navy polos and khakis. an anomoly, i’m sure.
and there’s always a nice breeze that floats across that part of bunker hill.
Rich/Stephen, remember what I said. I got on the bandwagon late. I only starting going about a month ago. From what you’re saying, you tried them when they first opened and it sounds like they had an issue with pasta to sauce ratios. I suspect they’ve resolved that issue. My sense is actually they are heavy on the sauce.
If you haven’t been lately, I’d say give them another try.
Yeah, I may do that, David. My last experience with them (Little Tokyo only) was about three - four months after the opened, though. Maybe they started hearing complaints and changed it up. Thanks.
umm, couldn’t you just ask for a bit more sauce? i’m just sayin’…
the real issue is that i believe rich and stephen prefer weeneez over ‘gina.
We are so not going down that road again!
I have to throw in my 2 centavos- Pastagina in Little Tokyo has grown on me. The first time I ordered the penne pasta with meatballs I was suprised at what I got- small, marble-sized meatballs in very little sauce. I ate a little, put in the the refridgerator for later, and found my self continually opening fridge for “just one more bite”. It has me hooked, and I like the service in Little Tokyo location- never a wait.
I think it’s pretty good “fast food” for under $8 incl tax. I’m glad they are opening more locations and hope that the Little Tokyo will remain open, as it is not that busy.
It was interesting to read about the progress on the Hope street location. The work there appears to occur in ‘phases’; a few days here and there and then nothing for a while.
I am interested to check it out.
Haven’t had the pasta there but the gelato is pretty good - and at $2.50 for two scoops, you can’t beat the price!