Pasta Viva is an Italian-inspired kitchen with a unique backstory. It’s owned by a sister and brother who grew up in Bulgaria, where they worked in their parents’ restaurants, and were reunited here decades later. Dessi Sarabosing is a well-known local businesswoman; Boris Mitrev worked in the London food scene.

The restaurant, new at The Square, is inspired by la dolce vita, the sweet life, a belief that food should make life richer, lighter and more joyful – expressed in a remarkable mural designed by Sarabosing at the entrance.

The pasta and focaccia are made fresh daily using Caputo flour imported from Italy. “All of our sauces are housemade,” says manager Yana Mitrev, who is married to Boris. “No seed oils, no additives. Only olive oil. Only real food!”

The signature experience: cheese wheel pasta, a build-your-own bowl featuring house-made fettuccine tossed in Alfredo sauce and finished in a wheel of aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Add-ons can include chicken or meatballs, sun-dried tomatoes or green olives as well as truffle oil.

The Bella Toscana arugula salad is tossed with roasted seasonal vegetables, blue cheese, olive oil and walnuts. The Parma focaccia sandwich brings prosciutto, fig jam, truffle burrata and chopped pistachios. Both are finished with a bright rosé vinaigrette.