New York City is having an Italian moment — and it’s not of the red-sauce variety. Trendy new pasta concepts have been popping up in recent months, bringing affordable, fresh fare to NYC diners looking for their fettuccine fix. “I think it’s great all these places are opening,” said chef Ali LaRaia, co-founder of the fast-casual Italian spot The Sosta.

“It shows people want pasta.” With The Sosta, LaRaia wanted to introduce pastas, like the pumpkin-shaped zucca and rigatoni-esque paccheri, to a new audience, at prices that can keep people coming back multiple times a week. The chef is in good company.