North County’s dining scene is about to get a whole lot more delicious. Pastaria Vivi, a chef-driven fresh pasta destination, is opening its doors at Encinitas’ Village Shopping Center this April – and it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting food openings San Diego has seen in a while.
The concept brings together a fresh pasta counter, an Italian specialty market, and a wine shop, all under one roof. Think handcrafted pasta made from scratch every morning, seasonal ingredients, and the kind of approachable Northern Italian cooking that makes you want to eat slowly and linger a little longer.
The Team Behind the Pasta
Co-founders Brandon Jennings and William Treff are teaming up with Chef Harrison Axelrod, and this trio knows their way around a serious kitchen.
Between them, they’ve worked at No. 9 Park in Boston, Michelin-starred Lazy Bear in San Francisco, Tao Group Hospitality internationally, and Rancho Santa Fe’s beloved Mille Fleurs.
This is the kind of culinary pedigree that tends to translate directly onto the plate.
Over 75 Fresh Pasta and Sauce Combinations
Every morning, the kitchen will turn out a rotating lineup of fresh shapes – tagliatelle, ravioli, tortellini, and extruded vegan and gluten-free varieties – paired with housemade sauces like slow-simmered Bolognese, heirloom tomato marinara, and seasonal ragùs. With more than 75 possible combinations, there’s going to be a lot of reasons to keep coming back.
For those with gluten sensitivities, Pastaria Vivi will also have a dedicated prep space for gluten-free pasta production, keeping everything separate to avoid cross-contamination. That’s a thoughtful touch worth noting.
More Than Just Pasta
The Italian market side of things is equally worth getting excited about. Expect imported Italian pantry staples, premium California and Italian wines, olive oils, cheeses, housemade desserts, artisan ceramics, and custom chef’s knives from Oceanside maker Maëknives.
Pastaria Vivi will also be the first retail destination for Aisu Creamery, the small-batch gelato brand by Makoto Chino of Rancho Santa Fe’s Chino Farm. Until now, this gelato has only been available at the farmstand and a handful of select restaurants – so getting it here is genuinely exciting.
A Subscription Box and Plans for the Future
For those who want to bring the whole experience home on the regular, the Vivi Pasta Box will offer a chef-curated monthly subscription. Each box includes fresh pasta, housemade sauces, focaccia, specialty ingredients, and recipe cards with rotating seasonal combinations – basically a date night in a box.
Looking further ahead, the team has plans to add a dedicated flour milling room with a stone mill by 2027, which would allow them to produce freshly milled flour for pasta made entirely in-house. It’s a commitment to craft that sets the tone for what Pastaria Vivi is all about.
See you there!
Keep an eye on Pastaria Vivi for updates on the opening and a closer look at what’s coming out of that kitchen.
📆 Opening April 2026
📍 119 N El Camino Real, Suite G, Encinitas
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
Dining and Cooking