Paffuto Launches “Pasta Mangia” a No Menu Option That Lets Guests Eat Until They’re Full
If you follow global food influencers then you may have come across content about a restaurant in Mexico City named Expendio de Maiz that takes no reservations, offers no menu, and simply asks guests, “Would you like more?” Well, the team at Paffuto chef/partners Daniel Griffiths, Jake Loeffler, and Sam Kalkut – look to bring that concept to their South Philly eatery.
The idea turned into a new dining option named “Pasta Mangia,” which will see customers sit down at the South Philly restaurant with no menu, and simply ask for a first pasta course, and then as many pasta courses they want (up to five) until they’ve had enough. The offering will be available during dinner service Thursday through Saturday nights at the restaurant located at 1009 S. 8th Street in Philadelphia’s Bella Vista neighborhood. With this new experience also comes Paffuto’s new a la carte menu, as the restaurant recently switched from tasting menu only services to the new format.
The way “Pasta Mangia” works is that every customer who sits down at Paffuto pays $20 for the first bowl, which will include a bottle of San Pellegrino, freshly baked bread, and giardiniera on the table. Each subsequent bowl costs $15 apiece. There will be no menu and no special requests, and the chefs determine the selections. Guests can continue to order more until they’re satisfied, up to five bowls, and guests who enjoy all five dishes will receive a complimentary dessert. Salad supplements will also be available for those who are interested. All guests will first be asked if they have any allergies or dietary restrictions before being served. If choosing “Pasta Mangia,” everyone at the table must participate.
“We’re always inspired by what other chefs and restaurants are doing, and several months ago, we heard about this Mexico City restaurant where guests showed up, sat at community tables, were given no menu, and simply ate until they were ready to leave,” said Loeffler. “We thought it was a really fun idea and a very cool way for guests to experience eating pasta in a city like Philadelphia that is not short on Italian restaurants. We want our guests to be able to pop in without a reservation, sit down, order a bowl of pasta or two or three, and enjoy the culinary journey. It’s a style of dining that really speaks to us, as both chefs and frequent diners.”
While Paffuto still takes and always encourages reservations (via OpenTable), they are stressing the idea of this “pasta drop-in” for those who just want to stop by the café and casually enjoy a bowl or two or more.
