The ongoing challenge for restaurant brands is communicating the story behind the menu to diners. Effectively conveying pride in sourcing and culinary craftsmanship can be challenging, but this narrative resonates, fostering deeper connections with customers. Nordstrom Restaurants skillfully integrated a recent menu promotion with compelling storytelling, adding depth to its brand values.

Customers who visited the national chain’s in-store restaurants and cafés in September and October were offered two special menu features, each starring Barilla^® Al Bronzo^TM—a premium pasta that uses a custom blend of high-quality semolina. Its textured surface, formed by bronze die micro-engravings, grips sauce for a full-bodied, consistent taste. Nordstrom cast a spotlight on the product with marketing materials and a display of glass jars of the dry pasta so guests could see its micro grooves and artisan qualities. “This fall’s pasta promotion gave us the opportunity to market it as a premium ingredient,” says Michael Boyer, F&B Development Chef for Nordstrom Restaurant Group. “Highlighting premium ingredients not only boosts sales but also instills confidence in our guests, assuring them that we’re sourcing high-quality ingredients.”

Nordstrom prides itself on its commitment to quality. “The Al Bronzo line of pasta offers talking points that are easy to share about what makes it premium,” says Boyer. It revolves around the use of high-grade non-GMO durum wheat in its creation and underscores the significance of bronze dies in the extrusion process. “The texture of the Al Bronzo is what jumps out the most—you can see the micro grooves on the inside and outside of the pasta shapes. The texture’s got a stronger bite to it with a higher gluten, and the starches incorporate into the sauce better,” he says. Read on for a description of the two successful Nordstrom pasta features, each starring Al Bronzo.

Photo Credit: Barilla for Professionals

CHICKEN PASTA ROSSA

Nordstrom’s Chicken Pasta Rossa, a smoked bacon, chicken and mushroom-infused dish, stars Barilla Al Bronzo Fusilli. “This dish keeps making an appearance on our menus—it’s really well received,” says Boyer. “It’s balanced with a ton of flavor from the Calabrian pepper purée, roasted garlic and applewood smoked bacon. Every bite is a different flavor profile, which is really satisfying. We brought it back to our feature sheet two years ago, upgrading to the Al Bronzo product. It’s a great fit for this menu item—and we knew it was a safe bet because it proves out in sales year after year.”

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & PANCETTA PENNE

With roasted butternut squash and mushrooms, creamy Gorgonzola, crispy pancetta and toasted pecans, this Alfredo-based pasta dish promises flavorful comfort. “Our team takes part in an annual innovation session with Barilla, continuing to build our partnership while giving our chefs important brand education. During that session, we break into teams and participate in a cooking competition—this pasta dish came out of that,” says Boyer. “The flavors are warm and comforting and perfect for fall. The Al Bronzo pasta is a great match here, with the micro engravings holding onto the sauce nicely.”

Click here to learn more about the Al Bronzo line.