Pasta Viva
Irvine
Pasta Viva in Irvine is a casual, modern Italian eatery best known for fresh, handmade pasta tossed tableside in a giant 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheel. Beyond customizable pasta bowls and flights, the menu features popular loaded focaccia sandwiches like the Parma with truffle burrata cream, along with dishes like the Game Changer, Samurai Pasta, and even sweet Nutella pasta. Diners appreciate the scratch-made ingredients, affordable starting prices around $10, seed-oil-free cooking, and dietary accommodations including gluten-free options.
Commenters are largely excited about the interactive cheese wheel concept, pasta flights, and standout focaccia sandwiches. However, some past visitors express mixed opinions, noting that the food can occasionally lean dry or average and that add-ons quickly escalate the base price. Others debate whether the pasta is truly handmade and voice minor concerns over paper serving bowls, while frequently inquiring about gluten-free options.
- Order the Parma focaccia with truffle burrata cream or the Samurai pasta tossed in garlic chili oil
- Visit on Friday nights to see the interactive 'flame the wheel' show
- Customize your meal with affordable base pasta bowls or try a pasta flight to sample sauces
- Ask the staff about gluten-free heart of palm noodles and seed-oil-free preparations
- Keep an eye on extra toppings and add-ons, as they can significantly raise the total bill
Summaries are created based on reviews, notes, and social media posts.
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