“Get ready, St. Pete… Fusillo is coming!” says a sign posted at 905 Central Ave in St. Petersburg, where Fusillo Italian Pasta, a new “Nonna Approved” fast-casual restaurant is preparing for a January/February opening.
“It’s going to be fresh, handmade pasta,” Alessandro Casali, who owns Fusillo in partnership with co-owner Giangiacomo, told What Now on Wednesday. “The core business will all be based on pasta, with all the ingredients coming from Italy. We’ll also have beer and wine, and Italian desserts like affogato, tiramisu and Torta della Nonna.”
A menu posted on the Fusillo Italian Pasta website features pasta choices like Pomodorini & Burrata (Fusilli with burrata, datterini sauce, crumbled pistachio and basil), Nerano (Mezze maniche with provolone and parmigiano cheese, zucchini and basil), Cacio e Pepe, and Pesto di Pistacchi (Caserecce with pistachio pesto, parmigiano cheese and basil).
“It’s fresh pasta, made every morning, so it can be cooked in two or three minutes,” said Casali.
To top it off, there will be housemade Italian sausages—again, all with ingredients like guanciale, pecorino, and parmigiano, imported from Italy—plus beer and wine, served in a casual setting featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, making it the perfect spot where you’re looking for fresh pasta fast and on the go or a slower, more relaxed meal with a glass of wine.
“We grew up with flour on our hands, sauce on our shirts, and big dreams,” says a statement from Alessandro & Giangiacomo on the Fusillo website. “We’re Italian… and we love pasta. But not just any pasta: the good kind. The kind Nonna made every day. Pasta meets the everyday rhythm of American life. Simple choices. Bold taste. Always fresh.”
Fusillo Italian Pasta has no set opening date, but expect to see a launch in January or February of next year.
“We are excited to show the people of the Tampa Bay area some real Italian pasta,” said Casali.
You can keep up with the opening by following @fusillopasta on Instagram.
