Many upscale Italian restaurants in California are charging high prices for fresh handmade pasta due to rising labor and ingredient costs, as well as the complexity of running a restaurant. Chefs and owners explain the factors that contribute to the high prices of pasta dishes.
Key Points
Labor and ingredient costs are significant factors in pricing fresh pasta dishes
Restaurants like Flour + Water and Funke source high-quality ingredients and employ skilled pasta-makers
Charging high prices for pasta is also influenced by the overall cost of running a restaurant and providing a unique dining experience
Pros
Pasta is handmade with carefully sourced ingredients
Connection to thousands of years of history in pasta-making
Supports local farmers and artisans
Cons
High prices make dining out less accessible to many