Photo by Spencer Pernikoff; courtesy of Porano by Pastaria
What’s in a name? For diners at Porano Pasta, the name is about to say a lot.
On July 16, Porano will open it’s doors as Porano by Pastaria. Chef-owner Gerard Craft is giving one of St. Louis’ first fast-casual concepts a name change to reflect a concept update.
“Over the last couple of years we’ve discussed what fast casual means to us,” Craft says. “When we first opened we followed a model—like Subway or Chipotle—just with better ingredients.”
But now, he’s taking the build-your-own line and turning it into a true counter service format, where diners will order from a menu at the register, then have their food delivered to their table—along with real plates and silverware for dine-in guests.
He hopes the new model takes the responsibility of decision-making off diners’ shoulders.
“I’ve watched people nearly have full blown panic attacks trying to decide,” he jokes (really, half-jokes).
Craft says about 80 percent of Porano’s customers want pasta, so he’s giving the people what they want, with some tried and true favorites from his popular Clayton eatery Pastaria (which also has an outpost in Nashville).
“Adding bolognese and amatriciana are the most exciting to me,” he says. “They’re some of my favorites from the menu.”
In addition to the classic meat sauce and a spicy red, Porano’s Alfredo sauce will stay on the menu, as well as the cilantro pesto. Other new options include pomodoro and arrabbiata. The pizza and salad sections of the menu will remain intact, with a few updates, including the addition of Pastaria’s popular Kale Caesar.
While the composed offerings will eliminate their most stressful decisions, diners will now have an option when it comes to the type of noodle they order. Instead of the default strozzapreti, Porano by Pastaria will offer fresh spaghetti or rigatoni noodles, as well as options for gluten-free pasta or zucchini “pasta” (spiralized zucchini noodles).
“Customers can relate,” Craft says of the revamped menu. “It’s easier for them to make that choice. And it’s something we know is really delicious.”
Prices per dish range from about $8–$12. The new name and menu launch on Monday, July 16. Porano’s hours will stay the same: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
