About pastaRAMEN
A story of Japanese‑Italian innovation led by Chef Robbie Felice and Montclair’s next-generation hospitality collective.
Our Roots
Founded in 2020 as an invite-only Wafu-Italian pop‑up, pastaRAMEN was born of a simple mission: bring authentic Japanese‑style Italian cuisine to Montclair, NJ in partnership with Montclair Hospitality Group. Chef Robbie Felice, a James Beard Rising Star semifinalist, built a cult following hosting omakase dinners in Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle before anchoring pastaRAMEN’s permanent location in Montclair.
Chef Robbie Felice
Chef Robbie Felice brings a global resume and a local following. Known for his work at Viaggio and Osteria Crescendo, he’s now challenging tradition again with pastaRAMEN. Robbie trained at the Culinary Institute of America and sharpened his skills at elite restaurants, including Babbo NYC and B&B Ristorante in Las Vegas, where he led the salumi program. After extensive travel through Europe’s Michelin-starred kitchens, he returned to New Jersey to launch a restaurant group that blends fine dining with edge and intention.
Wafu Italian: Our Culinary DNA
Wafu Italian is Japanese‑style Italian—a concept Robbie explored during the pandemic. By marrying umami-rich techniques with Italian ingredient profiles like parmesan, miso, and ponzu, he created dishes that resonate on both sides of the cultural spectrum. It’s a cuisine that feels nostalgic and new at the same time: comfort food reimagined through a boundary-pushing lens.
Montclair Hospitality Group
Founded in 2014 by Luck Sarabhayavanija, Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG) curates chef-driven brands that blend hospitality, design, and innovation across New York and New Jersey. With concepts like Ani Ramen House, pastaRAMEN, and partnerships with chefs such as Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, MHG has helped shape the next wave of American dining culture—centered around guest experience, bold flavors, and creative collaboration.
What Drives Us
Our guiding principle is simple: treat every guest like they’re stepping into something rare yet comfortable. Whether it’s the Japanese precision in our ramen or the soulful richness of Italian flavor, we want to transport through taste and design—something real, unexpected, and memorable.