Uovo

Uovo is a casual pasta bar opened by the Sugarfish people with multiple locations across the city. And yet, it hasn’t fallen prey to the pitfalls of mini-chains. This is well-executed, consistent pasta in a welcoming environment that works for lunch meetings, casual date nights, or grabbing a glass of wine by yourself at the bar. There are close to 15 different pastas on the menu, but standouts include the cacio e pepe and brodo, a broth-filled pasta filled with savory, pork-stuffed tortellini. The small and very modern space in Downtown Santa Monica is cool, so if you’re roaming around near the Promenade by yourself and looking for a decently priced place to eat, Uovo is a great option.