"Fresh Bologna-made pasta flown in daily - tagliatelle al ragu and cacio e pepe at a fair price, for an easy Pasadena dinner."
About UOVO
UOVO is the South Lake Avenue branch of the Los Angeles pasta house of the same name, which built its reputation on a single idea: make the egg pasta by hand in Italy and serve it fresh in California. The Pasadena location opened in 2023 inside The Commons on South Lake, and the kitchen turns out a tight menu of regional pasta rather than a sprawling trattoria card. The fresh pasta is produced daily in the group's own kitchen in Bologna and shipped to the United States.
This is pasta-first Italian cooking done at a sensible price. For more of the city's tables, compare the Italian cooking at Celestino, the Mediterranean room at Cafe Santorini and the cheese-forward Agnes. For a relaxed pairing, see our first-date dining guide.
The Kitchen
The menu is built around three regional pasta traditions: the egg-rich pastas of Bologna, the Roman classics, and a rotating selection beyond. The signature is the tagliatelle al ragu, the proper Bolognese with hand-cut egg ribbons, alongside tonnarelli cacio e pepe finished with aged Pecorino Romano, a carbonara made with guanciale and 24-month Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a seven-layer green lasagna with beef, pork and bechamel. A short list of antipasti, desserts and a full bar of cocktails and Italian wine rounds it out. Prices sit in the friendly mid range for the quality, which is much of the appeal: serious fresh pasta without a special-occasion bill, and a kitchen that keeps the focus narrow rather than chasing a long menu.
The Room
The room is bright and contemporary, a clean modern space in The Commons retail block on South Lake rather than a candlelit destination dining room. It works for a casual date, a catch-up with friends or a solo bowl of pasta at the bar, with outdoor seating on the avenue and a busy weekend trade. It sits on South Lake Avenue, Pasadena's main shopping street, with the district's parking around it and other South Lake restaurants and shops within a short walk. The kitchen runs lunch and dinner, so it suits a midday plate as much as an evening one, and weekend evenings are the busiest service.
Best for a Relaxed Date
The fair prices, the easy room and the short, confident menu make UOVO a comfortable first date or low-key anniversary dinner, and a friendly solo or birthday table on South Lake.
Not for
Not for a hushed, white-tablecloth occasion or a long tasting menu - this is a bright, pasta-focused room in a shopping block, built for a relaxed plate rather than fine-dining theatre.
Frequently Asked
What is UOVO in Pasadena known for?
UOVO is known for fresh egg pasta made by hand in the group's own kitchen in Bologna and flown to California daily. Signatures include tagliatelle al ragu bolognese, tonnarelli cacio e pepe and a seven-layer green lasagna, served on South Lake Avenue.
Where is UOVO in Pasadena?
UOVO is at 146 S Lake Ave, in The Commons on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena, California. It is the Pasadena location of the Los Angeles-born UOVO group and opened in 2023 on the city's main South Lake shopping street.
Is the pasta at UOVO really made in Italy?
Yes. UOVO makes its fresh egg pasta by hand in its own kitchen in Bologna and ships it fresh to its California restaurants, where it is cooked to order. The Pasadena menu follows the same model as the original Los Angeles location.
How much does UOVO cost?
UOVO sits in the comfortable mid range for Pasadena. Pasta dishes are the focus and priced fairly for hand-made egg pasta, with a short list of antipasti, desserts, cocktails and Italian wine, making it an accessible dinner rather than a special-occasion splurge.
Do I need a reservation at UOVO Pasadena?
Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially at weekends, though the bar and counter take walk-ins. The kitchen runs lunch and dinner on South Lake, so midday and early evening sittings are easier for a table without booking ahead.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at UOVO
Reservations are recommended for dinner; UOVO is at 146 S Lake Ave in The Commons on South Lake Avenue.
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Practical Information
Address146 S Lake Ave #103, The Commons, Pasadena, CA 91101
NeighbourhoodSouth Lake (The Commons)
CuisineItalian
PriceComfortable mid range; fresh egg-pasta dishes the focus
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingBright modern dining room plus outdoor seating on South Lake
ReservationRecommended
