Pasta Viva, a new Italian eatery, has opened its doors at The Square, a commercial center located near the airport. The restaurant is a family enterprise, co-owned by Dessi Sarabosing and her brother, Boris Mitrev. Sarabosing brings a significant background in both business and the restaurant industry to the venture, known locally as a businesswoman. Mitrev contributes his experience from working within the dynamic London food scene, providing a blend of local insight and international culinary exposure to the new establishment.
The inspiration for Pasta Viva stems directly from the owners' upbringing. Both Sarabosing and Mitrev grew up immersed in the restaurant world in Bulgaria, where they began working early as their parents' first employees. While Sarabosing initially pursued a different professional path, spending two decades as a global corporate controller for Taco Bell, she recounted developing a profound appreciation for the hospitality industry during that time. This personal journey, combined with their shared family history in food service, laid the foundation for their decision to open Pasta Viva, channeling decades of collective experience into a new dining concept for Irvine residents.
Central to Pasta Viva's culinary identity is its dedication to the tradition of the cheese wheel. This method, a historical practice that "dates back 900 years to Italian monks," is a cornerstone of the restaurant's offering. The owners are committed to preserving this long-standing Italian culinary technique. They emphasize the use of high-quality, authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in their preparations. Furthermore, the restaurant prides itself on making its pasta fresh in-house, utilizing Italian flour to ensure a distinct and traditional texture and flavor profile for its dishes. This focus on heritage and ingredient quality defines much of the menu.
Sarabosing addressed the perception that such a traditional technique might imply an exclusive dining experience. She clarified that Pasta Viva does not offer "white-glove service," indicating a more accessible and welcoming atmosphere. The intention, she noted, is for the restaurant’s signature dishes to be "expressive, not expensive," making authentic Italian flavors available to a broader audience. Among these signature creations are plates individually named The Godfather, The Gladiator, and The Dreamer, each designed to showcase the restaurant’s unique style. For those seeking a sweet conclusion to their meal, Pasta Viva also offers a distinctive chocolate pasta for dessert.
The opening of Pasta Viva near the airport at The Square provides Irvine residents with another local dining option focused on specific Italian culinary traditions. The restaurant’s commitment to fresh pasta, authentic ingredients, and a unique dining experience, rooted in family history and a clear vision, aims to bring a specific taste of Italy to the community. It represents the ongoing evolution of Irvine's diverse culinary landscape, offering residents both traditional methods and new flavors in a setting designed to be approachable.
