Red Tomato, East Norwich: pasta arrives

Red Tomato, the seven-month-old pizzeria in East Norwich, is adding pasta to the menu. They’re starting slowly, with just a few specials every week, but assistant manager Keaton Marotti said that a proper pasta menu would be offered in the not-too-distant future.

Gnocchi, orecchiette with prosciutto and paccheri alla Norma have been featured in the last two weeks. Paccheri, oversized rigatoni, are a Neapolitan specialty — which makes sense since the pasta menu is the brainchild of owner son of Naples Lello Messina (who also owns Messina Market and La Bonne Boulangerie in the same shopping center, and Dortoni Bakery in Levittown).

Marotti said that the decision to serve pasta was driven by incessant customer requests. They are prepared in Red Tomato’s kitchen and then put into cast-iron skillets and finished in the pizza oven. “The customers love the 'al forno' presentation,” he said, “it’s really cute.” For now, all pastas are $9.50.

Red Tomato is at 6245 Northern Blvd., East Norwich, 516-802-2840.

Pasta at Red Tomato