DTLA: Knead & Co Pasta Bar Now Open at Grand Central Market

 

Knead & Co Pasta Bar and Market is now open at Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles. Headed up by star chef Bruce Kalman with some recognizable faces from his restaurant Union in Pasadena, the stall at GCM was rocking out plates of pasta, sandwiches and selling freshly made pastas and sauces to go.

 

Like all stalls at Grand Central Market, you order at the register then pick a seat. Knead boasts of counter seating on both sides of the register. We opted to sit in front of the kitchen which was really cool or you can sit on the side where they’re making all the pasta. You can even buy pasta and sauces to go to make at home.

My friend and I split a chopped salad. This was vegetarian as there was no meat.

She had the bucatini. I really liked the nuttiness of this dish. It’s simple and filling.

 

 

I love a good sandwich and the porchetta is amazing. If you’ve ever been to Union, then you know how good Chef Bruce’s porchetta is and even though it’s served with jus, it really doesn’t need extra moisture. This might be my new fave restaurant DTLA.

 

 

I had ordered the Sunday sauce spaghetti and meatballs but couldn’t resist the smoked duck agnolotti. *CENSORED MOANS*

Yep, get this. Don’t even think about it twice. It’s so, so, so good. Creamy, rich, amazing.

 

After a couple of fantastic pastas, we kept the ball rolling with meaty meatballs and supple spaghetti. It’s hearty, comforting and great on a blistery day (and in our current heatwave). I may not have grew up eating Italian noodles (ask me about Asian noodles, however) but I do have a special fondness for spaghetti because it always reminds me of when I started cooking on my own in college. My dad never allowed me in his kitchen but did share his love of food with me. And we would talk restaurants, grocery shop and later he delighted in me learning to cook. If any food brings you good memories, that’s your favorite dish.

 

 

We couldn’t leave without trying the desserts. Really awesome cannoli and tiramisu. And if you like lighter than air cookies, get the brutti ma buoni cookie. It means ugly but good. Though this one was very pretty. The almond flavored cookie reminded me of meringue and yet it was even lighter than that.

If I get to Knead early enough, I want to try breakfast! The polenta porridge, Italian omelette or ham and cheese crostone all sound it’ll get you through your day. But I’m definitely trying the lasagna for lunch next time!

 

Knead & Co Pasta Bar at Grand Central Market

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013  —  (213) 624-2378

 

© The Minty 2016