On Dundas street, just off the 27 bus route, you’ll find this absolute gemstone of a restaurant with adjacent wine bars alongside, which were perfect for a pre drink. I last went here on a date, following my flatmate’s immense approval of the place, and I was not disappointed.
This restaurant produces fresh pasta daily which can be bought to cook at home, take-away or sit in. The menu is small but by no means disappointing, as they regularly update it.
We shared a delicious and creamy arancini starter that geared up our palates nicely for our mains. The striking thing about this restaurant is that you can order wine at the restaurant next door and bring it through to your table; likewise, you can enjoy your meal next door and dine in the wine bar (we did the former, which we were happy to do).
The actual restaurant itself is small but warm and friendly. We were greeted by a very smiley and helpful woman and, despite there only being physically 12 seats in the room, we were most certainly not alone, even on a Sunday evening!
For our mains, we both ordered off my friend’s recommendation: the Taglioni nduja e burrata, to which I recall being shocked at how affordable the meal was. Oh man – this was SO completely and utterly delicious: the pasta was perfectly al dente, the nduja sauce was just heart-warming, with the upmost perfect spice level (from someone who quite literally cannot tolerate spice) and the burrata was the perfect creamy compliment. Naturally, we both finished our meals in pretty quick succession. Unfortunately, this time we did not order dessert, but I am whole-heartedly aware that their tiramisu is something worth visiting for alone. On their menu, it is priced at just £6 for two servings. An exquisite homemade meal with a dessert that costs only £6 for 2! YES PLEASE.
The food did not arrive too quickly, nor take too long. The plates, glasses and cutlery were of high quality. I recommend to anyone who is seeking a cosy, quiet ambiance with a plate of simple yet delicious Italian cuisine. It is also worth crediting that the owner of Bacco (the Italian wine bar next door) and the owner of The Artisan Pasta Maker, Milena, have collaborated to support each other to serve customers in tandem, which really projects a comforting familial feeling around the restaurant and adjacent bar.
Please give this just over a year-old restaurant a visit. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Food:
Absolutely delicious, well-portioned, proper Italian food.
Price:
The wine next door is not the cheapest, which although is not a factor that affects the food (as the restaurant itself doesn’t actually sell it), if you are looking to enjoy a glass of wine or 2 with your meal this will cost you a bit. Moreover, walking physically outside of the restaurant to buy the wine was not totally what we were expecting.
Instagram: @theartisanpastamaker
Image provided by Molly Mauleverer