MONA Fresh Italian Food located at 19355 I-10, Ste. 500, Houston, held a soft opening July 9. The fast-casual Italian restaurant offers fresh housemade pasta dishes that can be customized with various meats, dressings and seasonings. Some of the ingredients MONA creates dishes with, such as tomatoes, basil, oregano and other vegetables and herbs, are grown in the restaurant’s in-house garden. The restaurant also offers to-go service and retail dried housemade take-home pastas.

A grand opening neighborhood open house with complimentary pasta is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. July 26, according to a press release from the restaurant. 832-321-4830. www.monaitalianfood.com