Board the Pasta Flyer UFO, Now Beaming Fast Food Pasta to Greenwich Village

It’s time to take a look inside Pasta Flyer, the new fast food pasta restaurant with McDonald’s-like ambitions that’s been slinging pasta in Greenwich Village for two days now. Chef-owner Mark Ladner first made his mark on NYC at fine dining pasta temple Del Posto, and he’s now translating that experience to provide noodles to the masses in 60 seconds or less.

Ladner and partner Nastassia Lopez completely redid the space — a former Chipotle at 510 Sixth Avenue between West 13th and West 14th Streets — earlier this year just days before they were originally scheduled to open to fix problems identified during friends and family preview nights. Unanimous feedback was that people wanted to see the pasta being made.

So, Ladner and Lopez tore down the entire space and redid construction, which delayed the opening by six months. Now, when customers walk in, they order to the left with a person who makes their pasta in front of them. As diners move down the line to the cashier at the right, food is ready by the time they’re done paying.

The ordering station, above, and dining room, below

The menu is simple, focused on five types of noodles (fusilli, rigatoni, gluten-free penne, spaghetti, and fettuccine) and four types of sauces (pesto, marinara, bolognese, and alfredo) along with sides such as spicy broccoli rabe and baked eggplant parm. And as must happen to compete with the likes of McDonald’s, prices are low, with pasta costing as little as $6. There’s also a $9.99 meal deal of spaghetti and meatballs, a side, and a fountain drink.

Gary He

Gary He

Pasta Flyer is now open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with lunch to come.

UFOs and maps of Italy decorate the space

• All Coverage of Pasta Flyer [ENY]