The Flavors of Emilia-Romagna
Emilia’s Crafted Pasta is your ultimate ticket to a thrilling culinary adventure! Get ready to be swept away by the rich and authentic flavors of Italian cuisine. This restaurant, right next to the Baler Street station, is a pulsating hub of excitement, delivering a genuine love to the incredible tastes of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region!
Ambience:
Stepping into Emilia’s felt like being enveloped in the warm embrace of your Italian nonna’s bustling kitchen—picture your nonna on turbocharged hustle mode! The vibe was absolutely spot-on for a lively group gathering or a laid-back date night. (P.S.: Note to self—avoid twirling pasta and playing with hair to impress your date, witnessed a girl trying that move.)
Essentially, we want to bring back memories of that warm tingling feeling in your stomach you got as a child when your Nonna cooked you a delicious bowl of pasta after coming home from playing outside.
Yes, you definitely showed me your concept. Plus, they’ve got this fantastic open kitchen table, cranking up the excitement for the entire experience!
Service:
The staff, predominantly Italian, practically breathe Italian restaurant expertise from 0 to 100, don’t they? Their collective knowledge and friendliness elevated the overall positive ambiance, offering insightful recommendations that truly made the dining experience.
As a delightful surprise, they even whisked us to a more comfortable and cozy spot – because when it comes to service, Italians reign supreme. (Shoutout to the Japanese, too—we know a thing or two!)
Drinks:
While the drink selection may not be vast, the prices are reasonable. It’s not about quantity; it’s about getting a bang for your buck.
Price: ££
If only all those overhyped brunch spots followed their lead in honest marketing. I mean, if they can bring in quality products from Italy at these prices, why on earth does a single avocado toast at other places cost an arm and a leg?
Emilia’s, you’re setting the real brunch standards.
What I Ordered:
*Finely sliced bresaola with rocket and parmesan salad
This dish was a delightful ode to simplicity and quality. The ingredients spoke for themselves, showcasing their undeniable quality.
The beef, masterfully cured, unveiled an impeccable equilibrium of saltiness and a nuanced hint of spices. However, what truly distinguished this dish was the addition of lemon juice to the rocket salad. It’s those little touches that reveal their deep understanding of authentic Italian flavors.
*Creamy Burrata with heritage tomatoes and freshly chopped herbs
The burrata, with a slightly firmer texture (which, by the way, happens to be my favorite style), paired flawlessly with the sun-kissed notes of the heritage tomatoes.
Those tomatoes were a delightful combination of sweetness and refreshment. The freshly chopped herbs—a fragrant symphony of basil and parsley—added an aromatic finesse that elevated the already excellent quality tomatoes.
Emilia’s pasta is made fresh each morning and prepared with respect for the tradition and techniques passed down through the generations.
Carbonara with smoked salmon
Salmon paired with Carbonara might not be an uncommon sight in Japan, but it appears to be a unique concept for Europeans. Fear not, though! They make a splendid match, and behold, even Emilia decided to bring them together.
With the initial forkful, the smoky essence of the salmon wasted no time making its presence known, gracefully weaving through the creamy canvas of the carbonara sauce.
The pasta, undoubtedly of top-notch quality, hit that perfect al dente note, offering a gratifying bite that harmonized seamlessly with the tender flakes of salmon.
This dish effortlessly stroked a balance between its rich, savory elements and a hint of brininess from the seafood, resulting in a dynamic and flavorful ensemble.
*4 hour slow cooked béchamel bolognese with grated parmesan
Alright, after embracing the challenge earlier, let’s dive into a dish that pays homage to the timeless art of slow cooking and the intricate tapestry of Italian flavors.
Enter the Bolognese, perfectly braised meats, lovingly simmered in a luscious béchamel sauce for a full four hours, resulting in a masterpiece that’s fork-tender and practically a work of art.
The addition of grated Parmesan brought that final layer of complexity into play. Its salty, nutty notes engaged in a delightful dance with the richness of the Bolognese.
*Pistachio cheesecake
The disappointment of the tiramisu being sold out led us to make a decision that turned out to be absolutely spot-on. What we got was nothing short of a naughty delight.
The cheesecake, so-creamy and velvety, played a delightful game of contrasts with its buttery and finely crusted bottom layer. And those pistachios!
You could distinctly taste the actual pistachios, adding a wonderful nutty dimension to the whole experience.
Sometimes, a little detour from the original plan leads to the sweetest surprises.
*Creamy vanilla pannacotta with fresh strawberries
The pannacotta, a triumph of creamy perfection, was an absolute dream. Its silky smooth texture, delicately infused with the essence of vanilla, practically melted on the tongue.
And those fresh, sweet strawberries. They added a juicy and refreshing touch that took the dessert to celestial heights. It was a marriage made in dessert heaven—a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that leaves an indelible impression.
Conclusion:
Emilia’s Crafted Pasta is an absolute must-visit for anyone in search of a truly authentic Italian dining experience.
I could feel a love from the founder Andrew Macleod unfolding, written in the language of al dente perfection. Their dedication to preserving tradition shines through in every dish, each one narrating a tale of the culinary heritage of Emilia-Romagna.
Undoubtedly, Emilia’s stands out as one of the premier choices for aficionados of Italian cuisine in the city. It’s one of the few restaurants that captures the heart and soul of Italy in a centre of London.
They have other location such as , Canary Wharf, St. Katharine Docks, and Aldgate. Check from their website: https://www.emiliaspasta.com/
Sample menu: https://www.emiliaspasta.com/main-menu/
Tips from Hanako:
- They have vegetarian menu, but not gluten free options.
- Booking is better.
