A new pasta restaurant is opening soon in Oxford.

100% Pasta will open on the site of the former Kaspars dessert shop at Gloucester Green, next door to BBuona Pinsa Bar.

The pasta restaurant is owned and managed by staff from BBuona, led by co-owner Andi Bershini.

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BBuona, formerly Buona Sera, has been serving pizza and other Italian food since 2016.

Now managers have decided to expand by opening a pasta restaurant in the neighbouring unit.

Mr Bershini said he was looking forward to the restaurant opening to the public on June 21.

He added: "Five or six different types of pasta will be freshly made in the restaurant.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) "We have invested thousands of pounds in the refurbishment and taken a 10-year lease.

"I hope Gloucester Green can become a food hub, alongside the restaurants in George Street."

Mr Bershini added: "100% Pasta offers fresh homemade pasta, with traditional as well as innovative sauces, paired with the perfect wine to enhance the dish.

"Our warm welcome and friendly atmosphere, like the one you can find at BBuona Pinsa Bar, will do the rest."

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He said about 10 to 12 new staff are being hired and promised dishes would be competitively priced.

Mr Bershini said it was not his intention to go into direct competition with Gino's, another pasta restaurant in Gloucester Green, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.

"I think there are enough customers for both of us," he added.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Co-owner Alessandro Bianchetti added: “Pasta might seem simple, but it demands meticulous care in selecting ingredients and preparing the dish, and a few rules and a deep understanding of tradition make a significant difference.

"Each pasta shape is designed to complement certain types of sauces, the variety of shapes and sauces may differ significantly, and how to pair them is rooted in tradition.”

After guests are invited to a private opening on Wednesday, June 19, 100% Pasta will open to diners on Friday, June 21.

For a number of years BBuona has been one of the city’s most highly rated pizzerias, and it has a five-star rating on reviews site Tripadvisor.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) One visitor who dined last month wrote: "The restaurant does not look much from the outside and it is basic on the inside but the food was superb. No frills.

"Order and pay at the bar, but the service is good and we had some of the best pizza ever."

in 2021, the menu was relaunched and the menu now focuses on Pinsa-style pizzas.

Pinsa was originally a recipe to use left-over cereals and flours that could not be sold in the markets and the farmers used them to make a crunchy and light focaccia.

While the restaurant is the focus in the evening, BBuona is busy during the day as a cafe.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.