Pasta Fresca opens second downtown location at Discovery Museum with handmade pasta

The Discovery is pleased to announce that Pasta Fresca has opened in the dedicated restaurant space at the museum, the site posted, noting the Lakeside Drive restaurant has been serving Italian-inspired fare since 2020. The museum’s announcement identifies owner Paolo Nicoletta and highlights that all of Pasta Fresca’s pasta is handmade in-house using only organic, Italian flour.

Social posts suggest a phased opening for the downtown outpost. Facebook reported that “Pasta Fresca quietly opened the doors of its second location Feb. 12. The new concept downtown, next to The Discovery, specializes in lunch.” An Instagram post dated 02/16 added “Today 02/16 Pasta Fresca opening for lunch and dinner 11 to 9pm tthe second location in downtown next to Discovery Museum available parking,” indicating service for lunch and dinner and noting available parking for customers.

The museum’s listing gives the most specific hours: “Pasta Fresca is open Monday through Saturday, 11:00am to 9:00pm and Sunday, 11:00am to 4:00pm. Discovery members receive an 8% discount on their bill by showing their digital membership card.” The same announcement also states more broadly that “Pasta Fresca, owned by Paolo Nicoletta, is open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner,” underscoring the restaurant’s regular schedule alongside the museum’s visitor hours.

Menu details at the new location reflect the Lakeside Drive shop’s housemade focus. The museum post notes build-your-own pasta from “a variety of noodle styles, sauces, and protein options, with plenty of combinations to choose from,” and explicitly lists specialties such as lasagna, ravioli and spaghetti. The dining room offers sandwiches, salads, paninis, desserts, and an assortment of beer and wine, while a kid’s menu includes three pasta options with sauces “including marinara or butter (also available on the side).”

Physical location descriptions vary across sources. Thisisreno reports the new restaurant “opened a second location inside of old Rice Box/Noodle Box Kitchen location next to The Discovery Museum,” while the museum describes the space as the facility’s dedicated restaurant area. The differences in wording leave the precise relationship of the entrance to museum foot traffic and separate street access unclear from current postings.

Pasta Fresca will offer dine-in seating, to-go orders, premade sandwiches and “freshly made pasta ready-to-cook pasta!” for pickup, the museum notes. With owner Paolo Nicoletta’s Lakeside Drive shop operating since 2020 and the downtown spot now online, Discovery members gain an 8% bill discount when they show a digital membership card. Have you visited the new Pasta Fresca at The Discovery, or do you have a favorite local pasta to recommend?