One of Vancouver's favourite Italian restaurants has a new sibling concept, and it's launching now

For the past several years, those in know have, well, known, that if you wanted beautiful hand-made pasta dishes and thoughtful, share-able sides, you've got to "ask for Luigi," - that is to say, have a meal at the celebrated Ask For Luigi restaurant in Railtown.

Now that Luigi, and its other sibling restaurants in the Kitchen Table family (Pourhouse, Pizzeria Farina, Farina a Legna, and Di Beppe) have a new kid brother: Pastificio di Luigi.

Translated as "Luigi's pasta factory," the project has been simmering for some time now, and is taking flight - albeit in a modified for these times approach - as a pop-up.

Launched May 1, Pastificio di Luigi is operating out of Pourhouse, offering house-made pasta, take home pastas and sauces, grocery staples, and specialty Italian items (think canned tomatoes, olive oils, and sliced meats and cheese).

The menu for Pastificio di Luigi is lead by Kitchen Table Executive Chef Alessandro Vianello, who oversees all of the restaurants and was last spending most of his time getting North Vancouver's molto delizioso Farina a Legna off the ground.

“The initial idea behind this concept was to prepare homespun, delicious food that was designed to travel well and would still represent the same level of execution you would see if you were dining in,” says Vianello. 

Photo courtesy Pastificio di Luigi

So just what are we talking about? The menu has tantilizing options like an oricchette salad with slow-cooked octopus, mint, and olives; tortellini in brodo; Veneto-style meatballs; as well as vegetarian and vegan pasta options. They even have chocolate pasta dishes for a sweet finish. 

For your home pantry, you can pick up fresh and dried pastas, sauces, and bottled house-made cocktails that will have you dreaming of a trip to Italy (all in good time, friends). 

The plan is to start as a to-go pop-up with Pourhouse as a base, before Luigi's "pasta factory" moves into some permanent digs. 

The full menu and selection of dry goods and groceries will be available for delivery through Uber Eats or online ordering for pick-up at the Pourhouse storefront seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m. Pourhouse is located at 162 Water Street in Gastown.