(You can find them here year-round)
Winter - Saturdays 9am-12 pm
Summer - Saturdays 4pm-8 pm
Business Snapshot
Pasta Fresca is an authentic Italian restaurant in Reno that makes amazing homemade pastas and sauces (always organic when possible). They offer indoor seating in a bistro-like setting and have various types of fresh pastas and sauces on hand in store for to-go orders. You can also purchase their food at various farmer's markets throughout the year. Gluten-Free and vegan friendly.
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Organic flour for their homemade pastas. |
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Their pretzels are the BEST. Find them in summer. |
How I Discovered Pasta Fresca
I first discovered Pasta Fresca while visiting one of my favorite ice cream shops in town, Icecycle Creamery, which is right next door.
Of course, I pulled up my handy dandy Yelp app to see how others liked this restaurant. I was so happy to see their rating of five stars and was eager to learn what the raves were about.
I called in and placed a to-go order and the worker, kind and enthusiastic, suggested their ravioli tarfuto - Spinach ravioli, ricotta cheese, porchini mushrooms, black truffle, and white wine truffle cream butter sauce.
The moment I opened my container, I was met with comforting scents of cream, garlic, and butter.
My first bite of pasta was filled with so much flavor and the perfect textures, and put a big smile on my face. At this moment, I knew I had found my favorite Italian restaurant in town.
Discovering Pasta Fresca at The Riverside Farmer's Market
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Super kind Carlos (left) & Paolo (right) |
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Pick up their packaged pastas in store and at the farmer's markets
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Some years ago, while strolling around at our amazing year-round Riverside Farmer's Market, I was pleasantly surprised to run into PF and their fridge stocked full of fresh uncooked pastas and sauces.
I was so excited that I could take their incredible noodles home.
Riverside Farmer's Market is our only year-round farmer's market that focuses on highlighting local farmers, artisans, crafters, bakers, and services.
The market is located at the Mckinley Arts & Cultural Center next to Idlewild and has the best scene, with the arts center that children love running around, lots grassy areas for the perfect picnic, huge shade trees ideal to retreat under during hot summer days, a kid friendly area filled with activities, live entertainment from local talent, and the Truckee River across the street to enjoy.
The market is an amazing place to hang out with the whole family and the perfect place to meet local businesses and make lots of friends and memories.
Cooking Their Incredible Pasta and Sauce at Home
At home, I cooked Pasta Fresca's fresh pasta, fusilli, to be exact, and was so shocked when reading the instructions for cooking the pasta. Three minutes?!?!
I don't know about you, but that screams fresh to me. Compared to the usual 10-13 minutes with packaged pasta from the grocery store, that's definitely a record of sorts.
Never have I ever bit into a plain piece of fusilli pasta (one of my favorite types since it has so many cracks and crevices for ingredients to hang out in) and had an eyes-wide-open moment. The pasta was simple, yet incredibly fresh, and delicious and had the best texture.
Each time I cook their pasta, whatever the style, I get to relive this moment again and again because their pasta has that kind of effect on me.
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Tweak to your liking. Add veggies, meats, seasonings. |
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I added one chopped yellow onion, plenty more garlic, and olive oil. Topped with Pepper Flakes. |
Dining at Their Restaurant
Dining at their brick and mortar is always a lovely experience.
The atmosphere at Pasta Fresca is comfy and welcoming and includes tables lined with traditional checkered tablecloths (upgraded to a nice blue), fresh herbs on the counter, and a nice selection of wines on display.
Did you know that the traditional red-checkered tablecloth usually symbolizes that a restaurant is affordable, friendly, and authentic? (source)
I love that each table is stocked with extra condiments. Whip up a nice balsamic vinegar and olive oil combination to dip their house bread in or adjust your dish to your liking, though their dishes are always tasty on their own without any adjustments.
Suggestions: Caprese, charcuterie appetizer (cheese, crackers, and honey), ravioli tarfuto, vincenzo, rigatoni in spicy tomato arribiata with shrimp added.
Conclusion
If you're looking for the perfect place and atmosphere to enjoy authentic and delicious Italian fare that's made with the best ingredients, lots of passion, and served with a smile, Pasta Fresca is the place to visit.

Notes
*Gluten Free and Vegan Friendly
*They keep things interesting with their seasonal offerings
*During summer, Alex makes the best parmesan pretzel in town (150 year old recipe handed down generation to generation. Find them at the restaurant (call in for availability) and the Riverside Farmer's Market.
*Paolo was taught to cook authentic Italian by his grandmother
*Follow them on Instagram for updates on their whereabouts and specials (including holiday specials)
*They can usually be found at our year-round Riverside Farmer's Market.
*Restaurant located in the Shops at Bartley
*Their pastas are amazing for home cooking and special occasions
*Try their amazing desserts - cannoli and tiramisu
*Wine selection on hand
*If everything goes according to plan, you should see a bake shop (run by them) open up soon two doors down
*If you love all things Italian, Reno has a yearly event - The El Dorado Great Italian Festival this year October 8 & 9, 2022. Pasta sauce competition with samples from many competitors. Grape stomping competition, craft and food vendors, live entertainment, and so much more.
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Love their drink selections in their cold case.
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Photography
© Katherine Fung
All rights reserved.
*All opinions are my own.
*Information subject to change. Please check in with business for the latest updates and info.