Sometimes it seems Italian food doesn’t get the love it used to, possibly because you can’t eat it with your hands (note: you do not eat pizza with your hands!), or because it doesn’t Instagram well. Many of us though still love it more than any other cuisine.
So the good news is that new Pasta Nostra on Old Street, offers freshly made pasta alongside traditional Italian eats. The restaurant is the brainchild of two chefs; 24-year-old Wilfred Mafham and 27-year-old Luca Cianti following a series of successful masterclasses at Tooting Broadway Market.
Wilfred started cooking when he was just 11 and went on to cook at Michelin-starred Trinity and Bistro Union with Chef Adam Byatt, and Luca brings his expertise from Rome having worked at Pastaficio. He also brings his passion for provenance to the table and has held positions at Restaurant’Ours’ and Bistro Union with Wilfred.
The menu is made up of small plates and Pasta Nostra (which translates to’our pasta’) to choose from. Their house focaccia is made fresh every morning, plus there’s proper Burrata with pressed sorrel and cucumber salad or aubergine Parmigiana.
The Tortello Carbonara has crispy cured pork cheek, just as it should have, and has ditched the classic spaghetti for pasta parcels. Homemade pesto is a feature in their Orecchiette al Pesto with green beans.
There’s also a classic Pappardelle Oxtail Ragu which is braised for 12 hours and garnished with 24-month aged parmesan.
Two classic desserts round off the meal they offer are Sicilian Cannolo with fresh sheep’s ricotta in a crisp shell and Tiramisu.
There’s also an Espresso Bar; t to start the day the Italian way.
Pasta Nostra also offer a £10 takeaway menu including homemade pasta, house focaccia and mixed leaf salad.
Choose from their 4 staples; Fettuccine Amatriciana with 6-hour slow cooked tomato and cured pork cheek, Gnocchi Puttanesca, Orecchiette al Pesto and of course Fettuccine Bolognese.
Pasta Nostra’s opening hours are:
· Monday – Friday: 08:00-23:00
· Saturday: 09:00-23:00
· Sunday: 09:00-17:00
Pasta Nostra, 122 Old Street, London, EC1V 9BD