When people think of Italian food, they usually picture cheese, meat and creamy sauces, but a Portland restaurant is taking a different approach to the classic cuisine. Lilla, located at 960 S.E. Madison St., opened last month and offers plant-based pasta, pizza, small plates and other dishes. The menu includes tagliolini with basil hazelnut pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.

People can also enjoy soy ricotta and spinach pizza made with sunflower mozzarella. “It’s just something the community in Portland wanted,” said Sanjay Chandrasekasran, the owner of the restaurant. “I don’t think there has been anything like it since Portobello, which closed a few years back.”