image description
The dining room at NoCo Pastaria in North Adams seats about 70 people. There is also eating space outdoors.
image description
This imported Italian pasta machine is the 'heart and soul' of NoCo Pastaria.
image description
Comfy lounge seating complements the traditional table and chairs as well as family-style picnic tables in the outdoor eating space at NoCo.

New Italian Restaurant Opens in North Adams

By Rebecca DravisiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
NoCo Pastaria is a new Italian restaurant located next to the Stop & Shop on State Road in North Adams.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It's the size of a small suitcase, and it's tucked away in a basement.

But that doesn't mean the $8,000 imported Italian pasta machine is anything less than critical to the newest restaurant to hit the North Adams dining scene.

"It's the heart and soul of NoCo," said Robert Beuth, who along with Jane Patton has opened NoCo Pastaria (think "pizzeria," only "pastaria") at 896 State Road. The restaurant, located next to the Stop & Shop plaza, housed the La Veranda restaurant for many years then Isabella's and Espana restaurants more recently.

Beuth and Patton are no strangers to the North County restaurant scene: The two also own Hops & Vines on Water Street in Williamstown. But NoCo (short for "North County," concocted by accident by Beuth) is anything but a copy of Hops & Vines — from the authentic Italian food it serves to the more family — and budget-friendly atmosphere it strives to achieve.

"Because Italian food is such a void, and we know it could work, we felt like if we could bring our own stamp and in some ways model what La Veranda did ... good food, good value, then we thought that was something we could do," Patton said.

The menu includes traditional Italian appetizers like bruschetta and steamed mussels and entrees ranging from creating your own pasta dish by picking the pasta, sauce and protein to chicken parmesan and lasagna to more sophisticated dishes like bucatini carbonara. Desserts are made on premises by Beuth's wife, Megan, who also helps with the operation of both restaurants. The pasta, of course, is made in the Italian machine fresh every day then cooked to order.
 
In addition, Beth and Patton said they are committed to using local ingredients when possible, something they already are doing with Hops & Vines.
 
"Here we do a lot with local farmers," Beuth said during a break from the kitchen at the Williamstown restaurant last week. "Now we are using them in both restaurants."
 
NoCo Pastaria opened for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. the third weekend of May and is adding weekend lunches on Memorial Day weekend. The timing was deliberate in that they wanted time to "work out the kinks" before the summer tourist season heats up.
 
"We're really committed to the quality of the food and the quality of the service," Patton said.
 
Patton, who handles the marketing end of the restaurant while Beuth heads up the kitchen, said they have received a lot of good feedback so far. And this Tuesday, May 26, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., the restaurant will host the monthly networking event for the North Adams Chamber of Commerce — a chance to show off the business to the chamber community.
 
"The response has just been overwhelmingly positive," Patton said. "The fact that it's been so busy on non-traditional busy nights, it bears out the theory that this is a niche aching to be filled."

Tags: new business,   Italian,   restaurant,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Brown Street Bridge Reopens in North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Jennifer Macksey is the first to drive across the bridge, closed since early 2023.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Jennifer Macksey led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 15, marking the official reopening of the Brown Street Bridge.
 
"We are very excited despite the cold weather," Macksey said before the ribbon-cutting. "… We are chipping away at these projects, but this is long overdue."
 
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The 26-foot steel structure, built in 1952, was flagged after its superstructure rating fell to 3.
 
The reopening follows a temporary repair project designed to safely restore access while the city and state determine a long-term plan. The temporary repair contract was awarded to J.H. Maxymillian at a cost of $349,920.
 
Funding for the project included $75,000 from state Chapter 90 road funds, with the balance was covered by state flood money the city had been previously awarded following a severe storm in July several years ago.
 
The mayor emphasized the critical need to reopen the span, particularly for public safety. 
 
"The perception behind that was we have flooding on West Main Street and River Street, we have to use this bridge," she said. "We are very excited to have it open. Not only to alleviate traffic problems down at the intersection of Big Y and the intersection of City Hall, but to help our friends at emergency management with the ambulance."
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories