Fresh business. Fresh area. Fresh concept. Fresh pasta.
Lexington Pasta -- purveyors of locally made gourmet pasta -- is marking the grand opening of Lexington Pasta Garage Cafe, a combined manufacturing facility and retail lunch counter on the rapidly awakening Delaware Avenue corridor southeast of downtown.
“We make everything from scratch -- all the sauces, all the pasta,” said owner Lesme Romero.
Romero, who started the manufacturing part of the business in 2009 along with Reinaldo Gonzalez, said the planning for the new spot took a couple years.
“When we first looked at the location, we fell in love with the layout of the building,” Romero said. “We knew it would work perfectly because we were looking for a manufacturing facility and a retail shop.”
Menu items and build-a-pasta-bowl options will be sold up front. Romero said entrees cost $6.99 to $8.99 and include a drink and bread sticks. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“You can go to the back of the building and see us work,” Romero said. “We have an observation room where you can watch us make the pasta you’re eating on the spot.”
Romero said his reception by residents and workers in the area has been gratifying. He said he expects the area’s commercial fortunes will continue to improve, noting a brewery and cider operation is preparing to open nearby.
“We’re planning some fusions,” Romero said. “We’ll make some sauces and dishes with the cider.”