Barilla restaurant in the South Coast Plaza in Orange county
Barilla plans to open a Barilla- branded restaurant in the South Coast Plaza in Orange county.
 

PARMA, ITALY — Barilla S.p.A., a 140-year-old family-owned pasta company, is expanding its chain of Barilla-branded restaurants in the United States with the planned opening of two locations in California.

One of the locations will be on the campus of the University of Southern California at USC Village and another at the upscale South Coast Plaza in Orange county. Both restaurants will feature open kitchens and a range of ingredients, including pasta, grains, fruit and vegetables.

Alfonso Sanna, Barilla
Alfonso Sanna, Barilla’s executive chef

“This is the lifestyle we were raised on,” said Alfonso Sanna, Barilla’s executive chef. Mr. Sanna has cooked professionally for more than 30 years in both Italy and the United States. “The Italian way of eating is one of the healthiest in the world.”

Barilla opened its first U.S. restaurant in New York in December 2013 and currently operates three locations in New York City.

Barilla restaurant in USC Village, California
Barilla plans to open a restaurant on the campus of the University of Southern California at USC Village.
 

All Barilla restaurants offer Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner, with a variety of pasta, pizza, panini and salads. The two California locations will serve a dozen different pastas daily, including classic Italian recipes such as spaghetti al Pomodoro and lasagna, as well as healthy options such as penne estive with organic pasta and cherry tomatoes. Customization options also are available; diners may choose among whole grain, gluten-free, organic and protein-plus pasta.

Barilla’s menu also includes dessert offerings such as tiramisu (espresso soaked cookies, mascarpone cream and cocoa powder), caramel and fruit pannacotta and torta del giorno.