Tom's Pasta

Italian restaurant · Dalston

3

@infatuation

"At Tom’s Pasta, the drinks are strong, there’s a thickly layered, TikTok-bait lasagne, and a slightly haphazard supper club feel. Despite that, and the fact that the lasagne doesn’t quite live up to the hype, the permanent pop-up Italian restaurant in Hackney Downs is still a fun place to visit to see and be seen while giving your leopard print gilet its first outing. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch By day this airy, industrial space is Brunswick East Bakehouse and caters to the needs of Hackney Downs’ start-up contingent. But come evening, fashionable couples sip blood orange spritzes and groups pile onto the big communal table, extinguishing candles and speckling tables with sauce as they reach across for a bite of their friend’s dish. Forgotten drinks are forgiven and mushy lasagne overlooked as conversations increase in volume and a flurry of phone camera flashes capture the beauty of a parmesan snow storm. If a sceney dinner party atmosphere is your priority, you’ll love Tom’s. If you want perfect pasta, we’d go to one of these spots instead. Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Sourdough Bread & Parmesan Butter This parmesan butter is the stuff of our dairy-based fantasies. There are salty little crystals of cheese dispersed throughout the creamy butter and we always want more than the scoop that arrives on the plate. The bread has the perfect crispy crust, and we appreciate that it’s softer than some teeth-shattering sourdough. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Beef Shin Lasagne The TikTok sensation. The dish that flies out the kitchen. It’s undeniably tasty, in the way that any cheesy pasta is tasty. But look a little closer and you’ll realise the sheets of pasta are overcooked and there’s probably a few too many too. The beef shin ragu isn’t saucy enough and that parmesan shower sucks all the remaining moisture out of the dish. Beef Shin Ragu Tagliatelle If you want to try the beef shin ragu, get it with the tagliatelle rather than the lasagne. The pasta is cooked perfectly and the sauce is glossy enough to coat each strand. It’s not as show-stopping to look at as the lasagne, but it tastes a lot better. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Tiramisu Our ideal meal at Tom’s goes a little something like this: bread and parmesan butter, blood orange spritz, tiramisu, another spritz. The tiramisu is excellent. It’s got distinctive layers, isn’t too heavy on coffee, and has lots of cream—which is the right amount of cream." - Sinéad Cranna

Tom's Pasta Review - Hackney - London - The Infatuation

Hackney Downs Studios, 17 Amhurst Terrace, Lower Clapton, London E8 2BT, United Kingdom Get directions

tomspasta.co.uk
@tomspasta

3 Postcards

Reserve
See full details

More Places For You

Karachi Cuisine

Pakistani restaurant · Thornton Heath

Karachi Cuisine offers a vibrant dive into Pakistani flavors with cozy banquette seating, perfect for savoring dishes like bun kebab and spiced halwa poori in a lively setting.

5 Postcards

Koya Restaurant Soho

Udon noodle restaurant · Soho

Koya in Soho is a cozy udon bar where you can savor handcrafted noodles and inventive small plates, making it a go-to for ramen fans and breakfast lovers alike.

42 Postcards

Llewelyn's

Modern European restaurant · Brixton

Nestled next to Herne Hill station, Llewelyn’s is a charming, refined eatery serving seasonal modern European dishes, perfect for a relaxed meal outdoors.

21 Postcards

Kiln

Thai restaurant · Soho

Kiln in Soho offers a cozy, vibrant vibe where you can enjoy expertly crafted Thai-inspired dishes from an open kitchen, all made perfect by wood-burning grills.

32 Postcards

Dishoom King's Cross

Indian restaurant · King's Cross

Dishoom is a lively spot for Indian street food, featuring stunning vintage decor and a vibrant atmosphere that promises a delightful dining experience.

14 Postcards

Flour & Grape

Italian restaurant · Borough

Flour & Grape is an easy-going, dog-friendly Italian gem in Bermondsey, dishing out homemade pastas and gelato alongside an enticing wine selection.

12 Postcards

Nandine - Vestry Road

Restaurant · Camberwell

Nandine is a charming family-run Kurdish gem in Camberwell, serving up vibrant mezze, delectable baklava, and a cozy atmosphere that's simply delightful.

20 Postcards

The Golden Hind | Fish & Chips Restaurant

Fish & chips restaurant · Marylebone

This cozy Marylebone spot serves up hearty portions of traditional fish and chips alongside fresh seafood in a friendly, inviting atmosphere.

5 Postcards

Bleecker Burger Victoria

Hamburger restaurant · Victoria

Bleecker Burger is your go-to spot for tasty, no-frills double cheeseburgers and imaginative milkshakes in a cozy, bustling atmosphere.

9 Postcards

Moro

Moroccan restaurant · Clerkenwell

Moro serves creative North African and Spanish dishes in a lively setting, perfect for sharing tasty tapas and cocktails with friends.

13 Postcards