I recently visited Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Victoria which opened just over 6 months ago to try some of their renowned handmade pasta with a glass or two of Italian vino.
The new restaurant in Victoria, located in a modern glass fronted building, is the group’s fifth site here in London, drawing inspiration from the founder’s travels around the Emilia-Romagna region as well as other parts of Italy. Each restaurant interior combines the simple, earthy, cosy and homely atmosphere that can be found in Italy with individual features that capture and reflect the history of the building and its surrounding areas.
Emilia’s four other restaurants are located in Aldgate, Baker Street, Canary Wharf and St. Katherine Dock.
Here in Victoria, the place was buzzing and unexpectedly busy for a damp and chilly Wednesday evening. So, we were only too happy to take refuge in this cosy, warm and welcoming eatery for a couple of hours. Whilst the ground floor tables are set quite close together, the upper floor level offers a little more space. There is also a small bar area you can eat at.
Emilia’s offer a straightforward menu of antipasti, salads, side dishes, pasta dishes and of course a selection of wines, beers and soft drinks. All their food is freshly made every morning, and they use 100 per cent natural ingredients which I think is a big plus.
All five restaurants offer the same main menu; however, each restaurant has its own seasonal specials where you can try some experimental pasta dishes. In fact, their recently launched winter special is a handmade potato gnocchi, made fresh each day from scratch using British red-skin potatoes from Lincolnshire. You will not find any potato flour or shortcuts, just soft, pillowy gnocchi mixed in with a slow-cooked lamb shoulder ragù which comes from a small Essex farm, slow braised for over four hours along with a fresh herbs-and-mint salsa verde.
As well as some vegetarian and vegan options, you can also choose Emilia’s tempting signature four-hour slow-cooked bolognese pappardelle and truffled cacio e pepe casarecce.
If you are feeling particularly hungry though, you might like to start with a plate of cured Italian meats or some creamy burrata with toasted sourdough bread and heritage tomatoes. They also have an Italian garden salad if you want a healthier option.
Tempted as I was by the recommended Handmade Ravioli with grass-fed lamb, parsley and parmesan in a light butter and age sauce, I opted instead for the delicious Carbonara with pancetta, pecorino and egg. You can also choose to have smoked salmon instead of the pancetta as an option. My guest chose the Truffled Cacio e Pepe, which was equally tasty.
We shared a reasonably priced bottle of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (£27) which is also available by the glass (£6) and paired beautifully with our pasta.
The wine list is small but good with the other red wine being a Uggiano Roccialta Chianti priced at £32 for a bottle and £7 for a glass. The two white wines include an Il Meridione Grillo (£27 a bottle/£6 a glass) and a Camillone Sauvignon Blanc (£32 a bottle/£7 a glass). They also have an Ancora Chiaretto Rosé at £29 a bottle or £6.50 for a glass.
For the beer drinkers amongst you there are three Italian craft beers, one being non-alcoholic. And if you fancy toasting the start of the evening with a cocktail or mocktail you can choose anything from a traditional G&T, Negroni or Peach Bellini to a refreshing Aperol Spritz or Limoncello Spritz.
A few other notable dishes on the menu to consider are the sustainably sourced Yellowfin Tuna Puttanesca with tomatoes, olives and capers, the Homemade Basil Pesto with grated parmesan and Homemade 4 hour slow cooked béchamel bolognese with grated parmesan.
Do try and leave some room for one of Emilia’s “naughty but nice” desserts. Whilst they all sounded tempting, I chose the Creamy Pistachio Cheesecake which has a crunchy, chocolate shortbread biscuit base. It was the perfect finale to a fabulous evening catching up with an old friend I had not seen for a few years.
A mention should also be given to Emilia’s Signature Amaretto Tiramisù and Creamy Vanilla Pannacotta with fresh strawberries. And why not accompany your dessert with either a Limoncello, Grappa or Amaretto to end a perfect meal.
So, if you like soul warming comfort food that is fresh and made the traditional Italian way with natural, simple ingredients, served in casual surroundings, then may I recommend a visit to Emilia’s. You will be sure of a warm welcome and leave wanting to come back and try one of their other dishes on the menu.
With our meal over, we bid adieu to Luca and his friendly, professional team, who looked after us superbly, and stepped out into the damp evening air, agreeing to come back on my friends’ next visit to London.
The Details
Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, 56 Victoria Street, Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6QW, England.
Tel: +44 (0)203 949 2777
Website: www.emiliaspasta.com
Email: victoria@emiliaspasta.com
The closest Underground station is St. James’s Park on the District and Circle lines which is a short 6 minute walk, while Victoria mainline and Underground station is a 9 minute walk. The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday from midday to 9:30pm, and Friday and Saturday from midday to 10:00pm.
Type of Restaurant: Italian Restaurant
Price Band: Medium
Insider Tip: I highly recommend the Creamy Pistachio Cheesecake to round off your meal.
Reviewer’s rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based travel and motoring journalist and editor, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of Emilia’s Crafted Pasta
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