Serena Pastificio to debut July 13

BOCA RATON, USA – IPIC Theaters, LLC., will debut Serena Pastificio, a contemporary Italian restaurant specializing in authentic, handmade Italian cuisine on July 13, 2021, in Midtown Atlanta.

The restaurant, located next door to the brand’s premium dine-in cinema (opened December 2020), will offer fare rooted in Italian tradition with a focus on scratch-made pasta and simple and fresh ingredients. Serena Pastificio will provide a sophisticated yet approachable nod to Italy’s recipes and unforgettable hospitality, all in a chic and vibrant space.

Serena Pastificio, located at the reimagined Colony Square, a 50-year-old mixed-use destination, joins a list of other contemporary dining ventures by IPIC Theaters to offer guests and movie goers a true dinner and a movie concept all in one.

“Located in the heart of midtown Atlanta, we are pleased to bring an inviting, upbeat and authentic Italian restaurant to the Colony Square destination,” said Steven Ratner, general manager of Serena. “It’s our hope Serena Pastificio becomes Atlantans’ go-to spot for dinner before a movie, happy hour alfresco under the trellis and of course, weekend brunch. We are excited to bring this new concept to the neighborhood and welcome guests to dine with us.”

Serena Pastificio’s kitchen will be led by chef Christian Darcoli. Most recently, chef Darcoli was manager and culinary director of Servino Ristorante, a family-owned Italian restaurant located along the waterfront in California, known for serving the freshest ingredients, highlighting meat and seafood dishes inspired by Italy and the Northern California landscape. Darcoli has worked throughout the world in acclaimed kitchens including Pinoli Ristorante in San Juan, where he served as head chef and owner, Zafferano (by Giorgio Locatelli) in London and Grissini (White Barn Inn & Chateaux) in Maine.

At the core of the craft is the restaurant’s pastificio, a prominent pasta station where guests will have the opportunity to observe Darcoli preparing pasta by hand and illustrating the artistry, precision and passion that goes into every dish. The beverage program will be led by Devan Johnson. Offerings will include a globally sourced wine list and seasonal, ingredient-driven cocktails with an emphasis on food pairings.

Serena Pastificio’s cuisine is a blend of old-school Italian flavor with new-school techniques. Offerings will include a selection of antipasti dishes such as Polpettine featuring braised veal-ricotta meatballs, house tomato sauce and parmesan on a grilled crostini, and Polpo Arrosto with octopus, smoked potato crème and tomato confit.

The menu includes a selection of pastas like Fettuccine alla Bolognese with beef, pork and pancetta bolognese sauce and a number of pasta ripiena (stuffed pasta) dishes including Mezzelune di Argosta with lobster, ricotta, and mozzarella filling with roasted cipollini, lobster jus and garnished with fresh chives. For main courses, guests can choose from a variety of pesci and carni dishes such as Cioppio featuring whole lobster meat, prawn, scallop, grouper and mussels with a Pachino sauce and lobster jus, and Veal Milanese featuring a breaded bone-in veal chop and roasted fingerling potatoes.

“Growing up along the Mediterranean North Coast of Italy, I’ve always been passionate about fresh ingredients from the land and sea and incorporating these ingredients into simple dishes,” said chef Christian Darcoli. “This passion, along with my roots and culinary experience, inspired the menu for Serena Pastificio. With timeless Italian dishes and homemade pasta, accompanied by a modern atmosphere, Serena Pastificio provides flavorful dishes and an experience for all to enjoy.”

With 230-seats, the 6,635-square-foot restaurant offers alfresco dining with a 36-seat outdoor patio to capture the hustle and bustle of Colony Square and Midtown Atlanta. Serena Pastificio boasts a large open-concept focal bar surrounded by a vibrant dining room with semi-private dining tables situated around the restaurant’s perimeter. A 36-seat private dining room is also available. Serena Pastificio offers a refined, contemporary dining experience with warm tones, wood accents, natural light and touches of lush greenery throughout.