LA’s New Favorite Pasta Guru
Evan Funke is more than a chef—he’s an auteur of Italian culinary tradition, celebrated for his reverence for handmade pasta and the deeply rooted techniques of Italian nonnas. Raised in Santa Monica and trained in Bologna under famed sfoglina Alessandra Spisni, Funke has become one of LA’s most influential chefs, opening beloved temples to Italian gastronomy across the city.
Evan Funke is a two-time James Beard nominee and a passionate guardian of Italian pasta traditions. After working under Wolfgang Puck at Spago, he traveled to Bologna to master the art of sfoglia (hand-rolled pasta sheets) with Alessandra Spisni. The experience laid the foundation for his dedication to authentic, regionally inspired pasta-making—earning him titles like "Godson of Pasta."
Felix Trattoria (Venice)
Felix, on Abbot Kinney, introduced LA to the concept of a pasta laboratorio, where dough is rolled and shaped live in the restaurant’s center. Designed like a grandmother’s kitchen, it offers pasta shaped into regionally specific forms—each crafted by hand for every guest. Felix quickly became a sensation and a favorite for both its culinary artistry and its warm, authentic atmosphere.
Mother Wolf (Hollywood)
Opened in early 2022, Mother Wolf is Funke’s homage to La Cucina Romana. Set in a grand Art Deco space, the menu features Roman classics—carbonara, pasta alla gricia, wafer-thin pizza Romana, and more—served in a setting as grand as its culinary ambition.
Funke (Beverly Hills)
Funke's eponymous restaurant, which debuted in May 2023, is his most ambitious yet—a three-story, 10,000 sq ft culinary atelier featuring a dramatic two-story glass pasta lab. Every pasta dish honors the Italian regions and the women who taught him, continuity through craftsmanship. Add a rooftop bar, lavish décor (including works by Basquiat and Warhol), and a commanding hospitality experience—and you have a love letter to Italy in the heart of Beverly Hills.
Evan Funke has reshaped LA’s Italian dining scene by elevating the art of pasta into theater. He’s not just serving food—he’s preserving cultural history. His restaurants are destinations, experiences, and lessons in authenticity and craftsmanship. With his upcoming feature on Chef’s Table: Noodles and his role as the chef of the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Funke’s influence stretches beyond kitchens into culture.
Evan Funke brings old-world Italian tradition to modern Los Angeles with rare authenticity and flair. Whether you’re seated near the pasta lab at Felix, indulging in Roman comfort food at Mother Wolf, or immersed in the theatrical pasta artistry at Funke, each experience is a celebration of culinary heritage.
Hungry yet? Let us know if you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation at one or all three of his restaurants!
