Inspired by the wild popularity in France of upscale, fast-food pasta shops, two are rolling into New York City next year, says The Wall Street Journal. A chain-to-be called Hello Pasta, backed by Frederick’s restaurateur Laurent Lesort, will open at Lexington and 54th Street in June. Blocks away, established French chain Nooï is scheduled to begin service in July at Lexington and 41st Street. Both restaurants will serve assembly-line, made-to-order pastas, and both appear to have goals of world domination. “Our goal is to be the Starbucks or Pinkberry of pasta,” said a Hello Pasta partner. Nooï already has 50 locations in France. [WSJ]
