From Fresh Pasta to the American Dream
A Sacramento Family’s Culinary Journey
In the vibrant heart of Sacramento, at the corner of 21st and P Street, stands more than just a restaurant—it’s the embodiment of a family’s grit, passion, and pursuit of the American Dream. At the center of this journey is Chiara Adamo, a local entrepreneur who, alongside her family, turned a simple love for fresh pasta into a thriving culinary destination.
Nearly two decades ago, Chiara’s parents—owners and managers of several apartment buildings throughout Sacramento—purchased their first mixed-use property. It was a pivotal moment in their entrepreneurial journey. Shortly after acquiring the building, the laundromat operator left, and the family stepped in to manage it. That experience gave them the confidence to think bigger.
A few years later, the café operator in the same building was ready to move on. At that time, Chiara’s father had begun experimenting with making fresh pasta, inspired by his mother’s traditional recipes. Chiara recalls the vivid memories of her nonna preparing pasta dough on Sunday mornings—rolling it out with her wooden mattarello and slicing it into ribbons, letting them rest on kitchen towels. That tradition, rooted in love and simplicity, would soon become the foundation of something far greater.
Encouraged by their success running the laundromat, the family decided to take a leap of faith and open a restaurant. Friends in the industry warned against it—citing the difficulties and risks—but they forged ahead, believing in the product and the passion behind it.
Chiara and her father had no prior experience in the restaurant world. Her brother Polo, who had just graduated from ARC’s culinary school, received an offer to work at Gary Danko, a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco—an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. With Polo in the Bay Area, Chiara and her father pushed forward, seeking help from a friend with restaurant experience. That friend and her brother, a cook at The Grange, joined them, and in May 2014, the restaurant officially opened.
The early days were challenging. It was just Chiara and their chef in the kitchen, supported by a handful of friends acting as servers. On their first Saturday night, they grossed only $200—today, that’s the value of a single ticket. Chiara, then a PE teacher accustomed to spending her days outdoors, found the transition to six-day workweeks in a hot kitchen exhausting. But her athletic grit, family support, and determination to succeed kept her going. They knew their fresh pasta was special.
Over time, the restaurant evolved. With the help of dedicated cooks and servers, Chiara streamlined operations, improved the kitchen, and created a welcoming dining experience. When Polo returned to Sacramento, he took over the kitchen, crafting the menu, introducing new flavors and techniques, and mentoring young cooks—many of whom now run the kitchen today.
One story Chiara loves to tell involves a new Italian restaurant that opened in the Ice Blocks. Polo tried their cannoli, came back unimpressed, and declared he could do better. He pulled out his culinary school books, perfected a recipe, and their version of the classic dessert has remained one of the restaurant’s top sellers ever since.
By December 2019, the restaurant had its best month yet. Chiara knew they had finally turned the corner. On a personal note, she and her wife were expecting their first child—life felt perfect. Then, the pandemic hit.
Staff turnover forced Chiara back into the kitchen full time. At times, her infant son joined her—napping in his car seat atop the pasta table or accompanying her on deliveries. Despite the chaos, loyal customers rallied around them. Chiara is still deeply grateful for their support during those uncertain times.
In 2023, Polo returned to his fine dining roots, joining the team at Localis. The cooks he had trained took over the kitchen, and Chiara—now a stay-at-home mother of three—shifted her focus to managing operations behind the scenes. She remains involved in everything from paperwork to guiding her team, relying heavily on the strong staff they’ve cultivated.
To Chiara, owning a restaurant is like being in a marriage—it demands constant care, time, and sacrifice. She’s missed Saturday BBQs, canceled dinner plans, and even left her wife at another restaurant to respond to last-minute issues. Those moments are difficult. She often wonders what she’s giving up—but they’re outweighed by the joy of seeing customers enjoy a plate of fresh pasta, of being part of someone’s special celebration. She’s watched first dates blossom into proposals, and later catered those weddings. The restaurant has also given back to the community through donations, gift cards, and pasta-making classes.
Chiara remembers a moment when an employee said, “The American Dream is dead.” Her response was simple: “No, it’s not. This restaurant is the American Dream.”
Her grandparents immigrated from a poor farming village in Southern Italy in the 1920s, working hard to build a better life. Her parents were the first in their families to attend college, later becoming entrepreneurs. Through their hard work, Chiara and her brothers attended Catholic school, played sports, and traveled. Today, Chiara has something of her own to pass on—a thriving restaurant built on family, tradition, and perseverance.
Each generation has taken a step further, paving the way for the next to go farther. Chiara Adamo’s story is proof that the American Dream is alive and well—and sometimes, it comes with a side of cannoli.
