The team behind Olmo knows a thing or two about making good food from scratch. Now, they’re putting a fresh spin on pasta with Twirl, a new College Street concept dedicated to one of the world’s most universally loved comfort foods.
But what does a fresh-pasta spot look like through the eyes of the people behind one of New Haven’s familiar dining destinations? We caught up Twirl’s Craig Hutchison to talk about the inspiration, the menu and what they hope diners will discover.
New Haven diners already know your team from Olmo. What inspired the idea for Twirl?
“At Olmo, we learned that New Haven loves food made from scratch every day, at a price you can come back for again and again. Fresh pasta was the natural next step: simple and comforting. Twirl grew out of wanting a place where anyone can sit down to a real bowl of it.”
Beyond the pasta, what kind of experience are you hoping to create?
“Twirl is a communal dining space. You order at the counter, pick your pasta and sauce, season it your way and maybe sit next to someone new. We want it to feel like a big family table, where everyone leaves full and a little more connected.”
Let’s talk pasta. What makes Twirl’s approach unique?
“We make our pasta fresh in-house every day, including our own gluten-free shape. Our sauces are inspired by tradition, with unique ‘Twirl-isms’ like steaming Pomodoro instead of stewing it, making Alfredo without cream and using toasted pepitas instead of walnuts in our Trapani pesto. We’re excited to show New Haven how we can take tradition and flip it into something new.”
What’s your recommendation for someone visiting Twirl for the first time?
“Get the combo and add a little pizzazz: spaghetti Pomodoro, but ask for it spicy. It comes with garlic focaccia and a drink. Badger sodas are our pick, especially the blood orange!”
What’s something about Twirl people might not know?
“The entire space, designed by Cara Hutchinson and Jesse Dominello, is meant to feel like you’ve walked into our home. We call everyone a ‘guest,’ not a customer, and hope our affordable menu brings more friends and families together while allowing us to make a greater impact on New Haven.”
Photo courtesy of Craig Hutchison, Twirl.
