If you’ve been craving restaurant-quality fresh pasta without the restaurant prices, Encinitas is about to get a whole lot more delicious. Pastaria Vivi is opening in March 2026, bringing two decades of Michelin-trained expertise straight to your dinner table.
This isn’t just another Italian spot. It’s where Northern Italian technique meets California farm freshness, and the result is pure magic for your taste buds.
The Chefs Behind Your Next Great Meal
Brandon Jennings and William Treff didn’t just wake up one day and decide to make pasta. These two met years ago at No. 9 Park in Boston, a James Beard Award winner, where they bonded over their love for Italian cuisine. Brandon went on to lead kitchens across three continents, including executive chef at Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe. William sharpened his skills at the Michelin-starred Lazy Bear in San Francisco and launched Nardello’s Fresh Pasta during the pandemic, which quickly became a cult favorite.
Now they’re both calling Encinitas home, and lucky for us, they’re pouring all that experience into every batch of handmade pasta they’ll create each morning. Brandon lives here with his wife and newborn son, Orion, making this venture deeply personal and community-focused.
What Makes This Fresh Pasta Shop Different
Every morning, before you’ve had your coffee, the team at Pastaria Vivi will roll out fresh pasta in small batches. We’re talking hand-rolled tagliatelle, stuffed ravioli, vegan fusilli, and so much more. With over 75 pasta and sauce combinations planned, you’ll never run out of options for your weekly dinners.
Here’s what you can grab:
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Fresh handmade pasta varieties: tagliatelle, pappardelle, farfalle, tortellini, and seasonal stuffed pastas
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House sauces: pomodoro, bolognese, roasted garlic alfredo, and rotating seasonal options
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Specialty items: housemade burrata, fresh focaccia, and charcuterie
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Italian provisions: olive oils, grains, curated wines from Italy and California
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Artisan ceramics from Tuscany for your home kitchen
Want to dine in? You can enjoy dishes like 40-Yolk Tagliatelle with Black Truffle at their communal table, pasta bar, or outdoor patio. The goal? Making it affordable. Brandon wants you to walk out with pasta and sauce for about $10 per person, making quality Italian meals accessible for everyday cooking.
More Than Just a Pasta Counter
This 1,700-square-foot space at 119 North El Camino Real, Suite G, will be part takeout counter, part specialty market, and part community gathering spot. You’ll find imported Italian goods and locally made California products side by side. They’re even the first retail spot to carry Aisu Creamery, a gelato brand from the family behind the legendary Chino Farm in Rancho Santa Fe.
And if you’re serious about your pasta game, you can sign up for The Pasta Drop, their monthly subscription box with chef-curated seasonal pastas, sauces, cheeses, and recipe cards. Looking for more local spots that bring this same level of quality and community spirit to Encinitas? You’ll want to check out other businesses making waves in the area.
Before opening their brick-and-mortar location, Brandon and William tested recipes at the Cardiff Farmers Market for months. That community support meant everything to them, and they plan to keep showing up when they can because that’s what Encinitas businesses do: they show up for their neighbors.
Plan Your Visit
Location: 119 North El Camino Real, Suite G, Encinitas, CA 92024 (tucked between Trader Joe’s and Board & Brew)
Whether you’re planning to pick up a quick weeknight dinner solution, shop for your next dinner party, or watch the chefs work their magic at the pasta bar, Pastaria Vivi promises to deliver on quality, affordability, and that California-Italian experience you didn’t know you needed.
Mark your calendars for March and get ready to taste what happens when Michelin-level training meets Encinitas community vibes. Your kitchen table will thank you.
Sources: pastariavivi.com, Pastaria Vivi Facebook Page, Pastaria Vivi Instagram Page
Header Image Source: pastariavivi.com
