Pasta is making a return to Crossroads Collective, the East Side food hall at 2238 N. Farwell Ave.
This time, it’s taking the form of a new concept from chef, veteran and restaurateur, Jonute Svien, who also operates Nute’s Cafe at the food hall.
Noodle Me: A Pasta Pantry is the name of the new eatery, which will host its grand opening on Thursday, Nov. 16, will be located in the vendor stall next to the Pharmacy Bar. That’s the former location of The Counter Day Bar, operated by the folks at Discourse Coffee.
And it’s a concept inspired by a family-run pasta shop that Svien encountered on a recent trip to Italy. With its hand-rolled pasta and housemade sauces, the shop struck a note with the restaurateur, who tucked the idea away with the hope of bringing a similar concept to fruition one day.
“One of my favorite things about pasta is that its comfort knows no bounds,” says Svien. “Whatever your age or background, a great bowl of pasta brings a smile to your face.”
Noodle Me, which will focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients will feature dishes like Pasta with Sunday Gravy (slow-simmered bolognese sauce), Penne with Tomato-Cream Vodka Sauce, Mushroom Marsala served with fettucine, and Creamy Basil Pesto served with spaghetti.
Beginning Nov. 16, Noodle Me will be open for both lunch and dinner service. Catering services will also be available beginning in the weeks ahead. During the concept’s grand opening, Svien will be offering a 25% discount for veterans and current service members.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
