Due Cucina, a fast casual Italian style restaurant held a soft open on March 1 in West Seattle at 4437 California Ave in the former Ma'Ono location.

The regular open will happen next week.

It joins three others in the Seattle are on Capitol Hill, the Villlage at Totem Lake and in the Roosevelt neighborhood on 65th St.

The restaurant is based on a simple idea. Make authentic Italian pasta and more affordable and accessible. They pride themselves on dish presentation and the ambience of a fine dining spot but with no dish more than $14. 

Diners pick a sauce from a wide variety and then choose a pasta to put it on. There are four.

Classic with eggs,

Classic without eggs,

Gluten-free,

and “Healthy,” made with a dough made in house with 50% more protein and more fiber, and has a lower glycemic index than conventional pasta. 

There are choices of pasta style of course.

Their site says, " Our pasta is made of our proprietary blend of flours that was thoroughly researched and tested by Head Chef Filippo Fiori to make sure that the texture and flavor were up to Italian standards."

Owners Davide Macchi and Filippo Fiori were both born in the Tuscany region of Italy. While they were in school at different universities they took jobs as waiters in London giving them a true taste of the restaurant industry. In Graduate School Fiori studied in Canada and then China and earned a Phd in nuclear science and technology. During his time there he taught cooking classes. His eventual partner Macchi studied at the University of California at Berkely and looked for work in the tech industry before getting his MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management. 

It was at Cambridge that their paths crossed. A cancer scare hit Fiori and his dad could no longer eat pasta due to a gluten intolerance. Those events led to their mutual career path. They opened their first restaurant on Capitol Hill in 2016.

You'll find Smoked Salmon pasta, Mushroom and White Truffle Oil, Kale Pesto, Carbonara, even a duck ragu, plus some vegan and vegetarian options.

Also on the menu are Eggplant Parmigiana, Lasagna Alll Bolognese, Handmade Ravioli and Polpo & Patate (Octopus and potatoes).

Appetizers include Caprese Bruschetta, and Burrata Tricolore.

There are two salads and two desserts including the obligatory Tiramisu.

They also offer a variety of cook-at-home pastas for reasonable prices.

A selection of beers, ciders and wines are available and even four cocktails.

Full menu can be seen here.

Due Cucina also offers catering and online ordering.

They will be open from 11am to 9pm daily.