A new fast-casual pasta concept born from a childhood dream is coming to Studio City. Sauce Society plans to open at 11925 Ventura Blvd., at the corner of Ventura Boulevard and Carpenter Avenue.
What Now Los Angeles reached out to co-founder Michael Zaratsian, who confirmed that the restaurant is targeting an opening in early November.
The concept traces back to a conversation the co-founders, Zaratsian and Hrach G. Blikian, had been having since childhood: opening a restaurant together.
One night, Zaratsian came up with the idea for a build-your-own pasta concept modeled after fast-casual chains such as Chipotle and CAVA. He called Blikian to discuss it, only to discover that his partner had written down the exact same idea in his phone’s notes.
“We agreed to move forward with the idea from then on,” Zaratsian told What Now Los Angeles.
Sauce Society will center its menu on customizable pasta cups, allowing customers to choose their pasta, sauce and toppings. The fast-casual format is designed to offer a convenient and affordable meal while maintaining a focus on ingredient quality.
The restaurant imports flour and San Marzano tomatoes directly from Italy and does not use seed oils. The menu will also emphasize fresh ingredients.
“We want people to enjoy a great cup of pasta and walk away feeling satisfied, not overly heavy or sluggish,” Zaratsian said.
Studio City was a deliberate choice for the first location due to the neighborhood’s dining scene and community.
“It has such a great food culture and a community that appreciates quality,” Zaratsian said. “We wanted to start somewhere we could really connect with the community, and Studio City felt like the right place.”
Sauce Society will join the mix of restaurants along Ventura Boulevard, a dining corridor in the San Fernando Valley.
The founders said their focus is on serving food made with ingredients they stand behind. “At the end of the day, we just want to serve our community really good food made with ingredients we believe in,” Zaratsian told What Now Los Angeles.
For updates on the opening, follow Sauce Society on Instagram.
