Nestled away in the heart of Newmarket is Arte Della Pasta, the small, family-owned Italian restaurant that has won the hearts of locals.
This was evident at the 2024 Newmarket Business Awards, where Arte Della Pasta was named Restaurant of the Year. Founder, Mirella Kostandini said the accolade meant a lot, especially as it came from the public.
Kostandini started Arte Della Pasta in 2020, with the aim to share her passion for traditional Italian cuisine, especially pasta. Close to her heart, her recipes stem from her family’s heritage. This personal touch has been the special quality of care that has set Arte Della Pasta apart from the rest.
“We are such a small business compared to other restaurants in Newmarket, which is why this award is extra special. This is recognition from the public that what we are doing is good, and has so far worked,” she said.
Kostandini is very open about the fact that she is self-taught. She said that her passion for pasta has been stimulated by her curiosity. Although she has garnered an impressive reputation for her culinary skills, Kostandini originally studied music and business. She taught music in schools back in her homeland, before moving to New Zealand ten years ago with her family. Having always loved being in the kitchen, Kostandini worked in various restaurants around Auckland before opening Arte Della Pasta.
She has strived to make Arte Della Pasta more than just a restaurant. One of her projects in the past was to offer 365 different types of pasta, serving a new style every day of the year. This was to encourage customers to try something different and experiment with different flavours.
Arte Della Pasta’s menu has remained small, but full of flavour and variety. Kostandini’s main focus was to offer the true, authentic flavour of Italy on the plate. She said the use of seasonal produce will determine what her menu looks like, as fresh ingredients will always taste better. Some items on the menu cannot be found anywhere else in New Zealand, like Mandarin juice, which is shipped in exclusively from Italy.
The community ambience at Arte Della Pasta has been something Kostandini has worked hard to achieve. She said that every customer is welcome, from new families, children, and even furry friends.
Kostandini said that economic uncertainty had limited the amount of customers walking through the door, but she believed brighter days were still ahead for small businesses like hers, especially ahead of the holiday season.
Various projects are on Konstandini’s agenda for the new year, including producing a new cookbook that will teach how to make everyday pasta. She also plans to take her love of pasta on the road, travelling throughout New Zealand to teach classes on how authentic pasta can be made.
Kostandini said overall, it was important to be yourself in order to succeed. She attributed much of what she has achieved in life to following her heart and building her passions.
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