Popular Italian restaurant in Worcester says it will close at the end of this year

WORCESTER — Pasta Mani, the restaurant at the Worcester Public Market renowned for its fresh pasta dishes and weekly menus, will close at the end of the year.

Owner Jason "Jay" Midwood announced on social media that Dec. 31 will be the restaurant's last day and he has no plans to open another location. Midwood said he wants to focus on his family.

"On December 31st 2024, Pasta Mani will serve its last bowl of pasta and pour its last glass of wine," the announcement read. "The Tao says to do your work and step back. So I am. I'm going to take time to be a dad and husband. I've only ever been a cook."

Midwood did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.

Opened in 2020 along with the Public Market, Pasta Mani was conceived around Midwood's belief that the city lacked Italian-Mediterranean restaurants where fresh pasta was made in different varieties every day. Midwood is known for sharing teasers of his weekly menus on social media.

Originally from Palmer, Midwood spent several years working in Seattle before starting Pasta Mani. He had previously worked the Boston and North End neighborhood restaurant scene, but it was in Seattle where he developed his love for pasta making while working for the Ethan Stowell restaurant group, according to Pasta Mani's website . He moved back to the East Coast in 2018 and had the opportunity to launch his restaurant not long after.

Pasta Mani has been a staple of the Public Market since its beginning and has earned raves for its pastas, sauces and other weekly menu items.

Midwood acknowledged in his announcement that it might be difficult for patrons hoping to find a table for their final dish.

"Come say hi and don't think you'll be able to get a seat without a reservation at this point," Midwood wrote.

Pasta Mani is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 2:30 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m.

The Public Market is seeing some changes in its lineup.

Executive chef Kevin Comellas plans to open TapaVino! by early fall in the space that housed Canal District Wines. The business closed to the public July 28.

Mochi Doh, which has a location across the street on Harding Street, opened a space in the market to sell its signature mochi doughnuts and other items, while Vita Dolce will open in the next couple of weeks in space formerly occupied by Afia’s Kitchen — their menu will feature both Hawaiian- and Brazilian-inspired food.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Popular Italian restaurant in Worcester says it will close at the end of this year