Pasta Supply Co

Pasta Supply Co.: Shred Photos of Your Ex and Groove to Joy Division at San Francisco’s Goth Prom | Eater SF

"Launched in 2024 and returning to both the Richmond and Mission locations, Goth Prom offers a tongue-in-cheek, goth-themed alternative to traditional Valentine’s dinners. “I tend to be very inspired by things I find annoying,” chef Anthony Strong says. “Not to talk shit — but kind of to talk shit — the standard Valentine’s operating procedure where it’s like, ‘Let’s put oysters on and be sexy for the night and do a prix fixe,’ it’s an eye roll. So we were guessing that other people might feel that way too.” The room is decked out with lights covered in red filters for a red-tinged glow, black balloons and streamers, and a Valentine’s Day soundtrack — think Joy Division, The Cure, Bauhaus, Danzig, and a healthy dose of Nine Inch Nail’s "Closer." Diners are encouraged to come in costume (best-dressed customers receive a free bottle of wine), and Strong says people really “went for it,” dressing in beautiful gowns and crazy hair, “the whole thing.” A theme-appropriate photo backdrop this year is artist Auguste Rodin’s Gates of Hell made out of cardboard and decorated with dried, desiccated flowers; a makeup artist will be available at both locations. New this year is an altar with a paper shredder where diners can shred photos of an ex, and a printer on-site for last-minute printing-slash-shredding needs — there is admittedly the questionable environmental impact of printing directly for shredding, but the hope is for some emotional relief and relationship exorcism as needed. Menu specials intentionally avoid aphrodisiacs: expect black pasta made with activated charcoal for a signature dark look, dishes with a blood-red vibe, a “pretty metal” lobster spaghetti, and an “extra ridiculous” beet root–colored ravioli with whipped chevre cheese and poppy seed-chive butter. “It’s red and deadly looking, and such a throwback to the ’90s when you saw beets and goat cheese on every menu in the world,” Strong says. Diners are sent home with black, heart-shaped pasta and can take advantage of the continuing policy of a second bottle of wine half-off to-go. The concept grew from a decision in the restaurant’s first year to avoid the standard V-Day prix-fixe: instead of closing or doing a romantic menu, the team leaned into the weird and flipped prom on its head; Strong even recalls flying back to Minnesota to attend prom with the “cute goth girl” he fell in love with — only to be stood up. “Goth Prom is for anybody who rolls their eyes at the idea of doing something serious for Valentine’s Day,” Strong says. “When we did Goth Prom last year, people were just like, ‘Oh, thank god, something stupid and fun on a holiday that isn’t actually a holiday,’” he adds. “It was a relief for people because the vibe is very cool, so we just thought we’d take that and run.” The event runs Friday, February 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; no reservations, walk-ins only." - Dianne de Guzman