Pasta de Pasta making return engagement in larger 1st Avenue home

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

An all-new Pasta de Pasta is set to debut today at 165 First Ave. just north of 10th Street.

Three of the four business partners were on-site yesterday (from left): Fatih Cimic, Eda Kabil and Tugay Ese. (Not pictured: Serap Oyal, who runs the Pasta de Pasta outpost in Turkey.)

Pasta de Pasta debuted at 192 First Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street last June. 

The quick-serve pasta-bowl concept went viral on TikTok, partly thanks to its video-friendly fettuccine tossing in a large Parmesan wheel by the front window.

However, Pasta de Pasta later morphed into the like-minded Pastasole at 192 First Ave. According to Ese, while traveling in Turkey, his partner allegedly cut him out of the business, including its social media platforms. Ese said he owns the Pasta de Pasta name, and the case is now in the court system.

The new Pasta de Pasta will have all the original hits with various ingredients and add-ons.

Here's a look inside the space yesterday as staff geared up for the grand opening. The team was preparing arancini; elsewhere, a worker loaded Tiramisu into the dessert case.

We also met the chef, Bahadir Kiliq...

Pasta de Pasta plans to be open from noon to midnight. There isn't any alcohol service for now, though ownership may consider that for in-person dining down the road. You can follow them on Instagram for updates.

The health-food market Commodities was at 165 First Ave. under various ownership for 30 years, eventually closing in late 2022

Openings: Pasta de Pasta on 1st Avenue

Photo by Lola Sáenz 

Pasta de Pasta debuted at 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street earlier this month. (Previously.) 

The quick-serve pasta shop offers a simple menu, starting with a base of homemade pasta and cheese for $9.90 and many add-on options. (The menu is at the bottom of the site here.) 

The pasta is tossed in a Parmesan wheel before being served for one of the tables in the back or to go.

Daily hours: Noon to 11 p.m. 

The space was most recently Koko Wings, which closed in early 2024 after four-plus years in service. 

Pasta for the former Koko Wings on 1st Avenue

A restaurant specializing in pasta is in the works for 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street. 

We're told that the owners of Gelatoville on First Avenue at 10th Street are behind Pasta de Pasta, a Turkish pasta concept for this space. 

The space was most recently Koko Wings, a quick-serve restaurant specializing in Korean fried chicken, which recently closed after a December 2019 debut. 

This marks the latest vacant upper EV First Avenue storefront to land a new tenant... coming soon:

• Sweet Cake, 215 First Ave. 

• The Onion Tree Pizza Co. at 214 First Ave. 

• The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar, 194 First Ave. 

• Lilly's Shakes & Crepes, 186 First Ave. 

 H/T Greg Goldberg