New Jersey Restaurateur Takes Over Former Pasta Cucina

Peter Mastorakos, owner of Roxanne’s Brick Oven Pizzeria Bar & Grill in Mahwah and co-owner of Varka Estiatorio in Ramsey, is renovating the former on South Little Tor Road.  The large two-level restaurant has been vacant since last July when it closed suddenly.

Varka’s Executive Chef and Co-owner George Georgiades said the building was undergoing extensive interior and exterior work. Contractors could be seen at the site on Tuesday painting, landscaping and working inside.

Georgiades shared some of the plans for the new restaurant, which has a target opening date of mid September.

“We’re going to do like a cool Italian restaurant style,” he said. “We’re doing some nice mahogany on the walls.”

Additionally he said there would be exposed brickwork and wood beams making it “very warm and family oriented.”  The menu will be similar to Roxanne’s with “authentic New York style thin crust pizza,” plus pasta, chicken, veal and seafood dishes offered in family and individual size portions. 

Georgiades said the main level would seat approximately 130 to 140 people. Upstairs will be used for parties for groups of 110 to 120 people.

Varka is a seven-year-old Mediterranean fish house that serves seafood from all over the world that is sold by the pound. It menu includes Greek specialties and Black Angus steak. Roxanne’s has been open for eight years.

Pasta Cucina had been a staple in New City for 16 years before it shut down.