The good people of Victoria never need to make their own pasta again. Chefs making pasta for the home was a top pandemic pivot that stuck. Grossi Florentino's Andrea Vignale started Al Dente, which is now a restaurant and enoteca, and roving lasagne business 1800 Lasagne became so popular there is now a bricks-and-mortar Thornbury restaurant. But Pasta Poetry, an emporium of fresh-made pastas plus all the trim (with a restaurant to follow this spring), was in the making for Theo Krambias long before the pandemic.

Krambias', whose family owned and previously operated a cafe on the site at 86 Station Street, Fairfield, before its new incarnation, intended to open the restaurant part of the business first. But large-scale renovations of the adjoining church have delayed this aspect.

Instead, head chefs Elena Kavallarisa and Robin Turner (ex-La Luna bistro), who are taking the Bologna approach to their pasta making, can be seen through the store's giant picture windows making the huge finish-at-home range, which includes vegan saffron tagliatelle, ox cheek ravioli, and giant lasagnes for eight.

This is a one-stop pasta party shop. You can also collect various cheeses, fresh herbs, house-baked garlic butter focaccia, pasta-friendly wines and a range of sauces to take home. Seasonal and weekly specials will be available, and the good news is fresh pasta delivery is available anywhere in Victoria, with Australia-wide delivery to follow. The website is coming late May, but until then, walk in or order by phone.

Open Sun-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm.

Pasta Poetry, 86 Station Street, Fairfield, 03 9486 3484, pastapoetry.com.au