Civita Italia is now open with handmade pasta in Short Pump
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Civita Italia is in GreenGate in Short Pump. Photo: Karri Peifer
EAT Restaurant Partners' swanky new Italian spot, Civita Italia, is here.
Why it matters: The restaurant brings homemade pasta and upscale Italian fare to Short Pump — and reunites the team that brought The Blue Goat to Richmond 15 years ago.
State of play: Civita Italia opened Monday in the GreenGate shopping center.
- Helming the kitchen is Kevin LaCivita, the chef behind Richmond's two iterations of the Pomegranate and The Blue Goat, all closed but beloved restaurants with a European-inspired menu.
- With Civita, the team is going full Italian with classic dishes and a few modern twists, inspired by LaCivita's summer 2025 travels and tastings through Italy, per the group.
On the menu: Hand-crafted pastas like lasagna, carbonara, bolognese, shrimp fra diavolo and salsiccia alla vodka ($24.70-$32.70).
- Entrees include: eggplant and chicken parm, lobster risotto, veal marsala and scampi, a branzino, a pork chop and prime steak cuts ($26.90-$63.70).
- Plus, starters and antipasti, like burrata caprese, arancini (fried cheese and risotto), carpaccio and whipped ricotta ($5-$18.70).
The cocktail, beer and wine lists are also Italian-heavy or inspired, but the real stars of the bar are the Italian classics on tap: Aperol spritz and Negroni.
The vibe: The massive restaurant is built for lounging. About half the dining room is dedicated to a bar and lounge, complete with leather conversation areas and curved booths.
- There's also a patio and private dining room.
If you go: Civita Italia is now open for dinner nightly at 5pm at 3401 Haydenpark Lane.
- Daily lunch service will start in about two weeks, EAT presidents and founder Chris Tsui tells Axios.