Chris Curtiss

Comfort classic pastas like cacio e pepe and carbonara are currently experiencing increased visibility—and newfound popularity—thanks to waves of TikTok videos that demonstrate both their craveability and simplicity. That consumer enthusiasm is certainly fueling menu creativity, with chefs offering signature versions of these pasta dishes that are both close-in and far reaching. Modern Italian chain North Italia serves up a particularly ingenious rendition of carbonara, proving that sometimes impactful innovation requires just a few clever tweaks.

The Breakfast Carbonara Pasta appears on North Italia’s weekend brunch menu. Instead of the traditional spaghetti, Chris Curtiss, Director of Culinary Operations, opts for lumache, a shell-like pasta that means “snail” in Italian. “The pasta has ridges on the outside, making each noodle like an individual spoon, ideal for chunky sauces. The pasta shape can easily be filled with the sauce’s ingredients, such as the peas and pancetta,” says Curtiss. “To complete the dish, we place a perfectly poached egg on top for an even more creamy and indulgent experience.”

Comforting, craveable and out of the ordinary for brunch, the Breakfast Carbonara is a hit at North Italia. “While it’s not typical to have pasta for breakfast, guests love our spin because it features traditional breakfast ingredients like bacon and eggs,” he says.