Pizza and pasta from Poland? Yup. The first Makarun Restaurant in the U.S. has opened at the food court in Fashion Island.
It’s part of a chain of 28 restaurants with locations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and now the United States, that has been named “Best Fast Food Restaurant in Poland” by the Food Business Awards in 2016.
“We are ecstatic to be opening our first location in the States to offer delicious pasta dishes that remind us of our favorites from back home,” said Beata Marcinek, CEO of Makarun USA. The chain was founded by university students Przemyslaw Robert Tymczyszyn, Marcin Szworak and Marcin Kurpiel in 2012 and serves pizza and pastas with most items ranging from $7-$11.
Selections include carbonara, porcini mushroom (vegan) or pesto alla Genovese (vegan, again) on your choice of penne, fetuccine or pappardelle and there’s even a zucchini noodle dish with garlic butter and your choice of shrimp or chicken. Roman style pizzas come in truffle porcini, pepperoni, margherita and “Hawaiian” with mozzarella, pineapple and bacon.
Kids meals with mac and cheese, fruit snack and a drink are $5.
Marcinek says it’s a great shopping break for families, the health conscious and the thrifty.
“Makarun is the perfect, healthy pasta option for people on the go, families and pasta lovers alike. We look forward to serving up some of the best pasta and pizza dishes in town that won’t break your bank!”
Find it: 401 Newport Center Drive, Suite A-106, Newport Beach, 949-718-1380, makarunus.com.
Open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.