Fusillo Italian Pasta is coming soon to 905 CEntral Avenue in the EDGE District | St Pete Rising

A pair of lifelong friends from Italy are bringing a fast-casual Italian pasta concept to St. Pete’s EDGE District early next year.

Fusillo Italian Pasta, named after the spiral-shaped pasta, will take over a roughly 700-square-foot space at 905 Central Avenue, which has sat vacant for nearly two years following the closure of Nash’s Hot Chicken.

The restaurant is expected to open by late February or early March 2026, after a full interior renovation and obtaining a beer and wine license.

The concept, according to co-owner Alessandro Casali, is built around handmade pasta served in a modern, approachable format.

Fusillo will offer both dine-in service and grab-and-go options geared toward nearby residents, office workers, and late-night foot traffic along Central Avenue.

“Fusillo is designed to be simple, authentic, and flexible,” Casali said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We’ll have a main counter where people can order fresh pasta to eat inside or take back to the office or home. All of our pasta will be handmade every day.”

Casali and his business partner, Giangiacomo Greco, have known each other since childhood in Italy.

Owners of Fusillo Italian Pasta, Alessandro Casali (right) and Giangiacomo Greco | Photo provided

Casali is trained as a civil engineer and previously worked on marine bridge projects for Italy’s largest motorway company, while Greco has a military background as an officer with the Carabinieri and was a restaurant manager in Milan.

Last summer, the two decided to leave their careers behind and pursue entrepreneurship together.

Florida quickly became their target market.

“Florida felt like the land of opportunity,” Casali said. “We spent time in Miami, but it felt too expensive and risky for a first location. When we came to St. Pete, we immediately loved the vibe, the people, and how much Central Avenue, especially the EDGE District, is growing.”

Inside, Fusillo will seat approximately 10 to 12 guests, with plans to add about eight additional outdoor seats pending city approval.

The space is being completely renovated with new flooring, tile, paint, and a custom service counter.

Pomodorini & Burrata, which is fusilli tossed with burrata, datterini tomato sauce, crumbled pistachio, and basil | Fusillo Italian Pasta

One of the focal points will be a large glass window that allows guests to watch the pasta-making process from start to finish.

“We want people to see everything, from rolling the pasta, boiling it, finishing it with sauces,” Casali said. “It’s part of the experience.”

The menu will focus on classic Italian pasta dishes made with daily-fresh al dente pasta using flour imported from Italy.

Sauces will be prepared entirely from scratch, following traditional recipes.

The menu features six pasta dishes, including Pomodorini & Burrata, which is fusilli tossed with burrata, datterini tomato sauce, crumbled pistachio, and basil; and Carbonara, made with tonnarelli, guanciale, egg yolks, Roman pecorino, and black pepper.

Torta della Nonna, which is a classic lemony tart filled with Italian pastry cream and topped with toasted pine nuts | Fusillo Italian Pasta

Additional offerings include Cacio & Pepe, Alfredo, Pesto di Pistacchi, and Nerano.

While Fusillo hopes to introduce authentic Italian flavors, the partners plan to remain flexible.

“In Italy, you don’t put chicken on pasta,” Casali said. “But if a guest wants it, we’ll offer it. The goal is to stay authentic while meeting American expectations.”

The restaurant will offer a selection of imported Italian reds, whites, and sparkling wines, along with a small mix of beers.

Desserts will include classic Italian options such as affogato, which is espresso over ice cream, and Torta della Nonna, which is a classic lemony tart filled with Italian pastry cream and topped with toasted pine nuts.

Planned hours are Sunday through Thursday until around 9 p.m., with extended late-night hours on Fridays and Saturdays, potentially staying open as late as 1 or 2 a.m.

“We’ll be here every day,” Casali said. “We want guests to feel like they’re stepping into a real Italian experience—just on Central Avenue in St. Pete.”

Be sure to follow Fussilo Italian Pasta on Instagram for the grand opening announcement and offerings.