We are excited to announce that Samad Hachby, founder and creative director of Raleigh-based Umbria Hospitality Group (Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, Melrose Knitting Mill, and The Historic Wakefield Barn), will be opening “Pasta Pazza,” an Italian street food concept, at the buzzy Morgan Street Food Hall in September.
What to Expect
Aiming for a quick upfit and hiring process, Hachby is looking for a September opening for the new outlet, inspired by accessibility and energy that guests experience in traditional Italian markets. In addition to made-to-order pasta dishes, Pazza will offer fresh-cut Italian meats and cheeses, cheese platters, fresh salads, and even a cannoli bar. For those desiring an expertly-paired glass of wine with their selections, menu items will offer pairing suggestions for wines available for purchase from behind the shared Morgan Street Food Hall bar, operated by Niall Hanley’s Hibernian Hospitality Group.
Diners at the Morgan Street Food Hall will be able to craft unique menu selections at Pazza by selecting their pasta, sauce, and toppings to suit their fancy. For the gluten-sensitive, a daily selection of gluten-free options will rotate, as does at sister property Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar, also in Downtown Raleigh. Menu selections will range from $8-12.
Italian cuisine is by no means a new pursuit for Hachby, who was raised in Morocco and attended schools in Italy on scholarship before he came to the United States to earn a political science degree from N.C. State. Italian is one of the five languages Hachby speaks (having worked) on an Italian cruise ship for five years prior to returning to Raleigh to begin his nearly 20-year tenure in the Raleigh culinary scene.
For longtime friends and hospitality industry peers, this new project offers Hachby and Hanley the long-awaited opportunity to work collaboratively on a globally-inspired food offering in Raleigh. According to Hachby, he envisions Pazza as a “high-quality Italian experience, similar to the ‘gastronomia mercatos’ of Italy”.
Hours and Info
Pazza will open at 11 a.m. daily, closing at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, remaining open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Follow along with the process and sign up for updates before the grand opening at UmbriaHospitality.com.
