Pasta, pasta, pasta – I feel like I’ve eaten my weight in it recently, but I’m not complaining. Everyone loves Italian food and I love it even more – so recently (or should I say five months ago!) we made our way across town to check out Pasta Nostra. Almost one year old, this fun-loving restaurant serves up an ever changing menu which is the brainchild of two young chefs, Wilfred Mafham and Luca Cianti. Both of these chefs come with a stellar CV’s too. Wilfred worked at Michelin-starred Trinity in Clapham (one of my favourite London restaurants) and Luca from Restaurant Ours, which I’ve heard lots of lovely things about.
With such exciting credentials, I couldn’t wait to tuck into our meal here, but not before sipping an expertly prepared Negroni which went down a treat. I’m pretty sure they’ll whisk up whatever your favourite tipple is, but this is my go to drink for any occasion.
If there is one thing you ever see on the menu and must order, it’s the carbonara arancini. They were absolutely stunning. Oh-so crispy on the outside and as gooey as ever on the inside.
The burrata with celeraic and toasted hazelnuts was a very special dish and whilst a little on the small side for a starter, I really didn’t care given how satisfying each mouthful was. The depth in that celeriac puree was heavenly and the burrata was so fresh and creamy I could have eaten endless bowls filled with it.
My favourite dish here and perhaps one of my 2020 pasta highlights was the tortello carbonara and pecorino filled pasta with cubes of crispy cured pork cheek and zabaione carbonara style sauce which completely smothered the pasta. Rich, silky and quite frankly utterly delicious.
Equally as tantalising was the tagliatelle and wild boar ragu with red wine reduction and 24 month aged parmesan. To look at, it was a little unassuming, but a swirl around with the fork revealed the most intense and rich wild boar ragu sauce which quickly coated those perfectly cooked strands of pasta. A real warming dish which I hope continues to grace the menu.
One dish I enjoyed, but didn’t fall head over heals with was the gorgonzola ravioli. Flavour wise it was a dream, but the pasta itself was just a little too thick and the filling inside didn’t quite reach out to all sides. A nice dish, but I’ve had better ravioli.
To finish, an INSANELY good canolo. I’ve had so many bad versions in the past I in all honesty had given up hope and so never eat them, but this was definitely the best. I also don’t know if they make these themselves or buy them in, but either way I don’t care because it was delicious. Incredibly crispy, the cream was a dream and the lemon was lovely and refreshing. Even better when washed down with a shot of Limoncello. The tiramisu was also very very good, but this canolo really won me over.
I really loved Pasta Nostra and after months of lockdown, it was a great last meal and I can’t wait to get back out and eat some restaurant quality pasta again. Would we go back? If in the area, yes. My only negative for me is the space itself which needed a little warming up in the winter months, but in the Summer with the doors flung open – I suspect it’s rather lovely.
NB: My meal was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.
Now I am hungry! I could live off pasta!