Dhanashree Gharat
Google
Tucked away in a quiet little corner of London, Pastificio Al Dente felt like stepping into a secret Italian love story. I didn’t expect much at first glance it looked modest, almost shy but as soon as I walked in, the aromas told me I was in for something special.
I started with the deep-fried zucchini flowers. They arrived golden and delicate, with a crisp that gave way to a warm, almost creamy centre. One bite and I was instantly transported somewhere in the sun-soaked hills of Tuscany, maybe.
Then came the star of the show: a linguine seafood pasta that felt like it had a soul of its own. The seafood was so fresh it might’ve had a name an hour ago, and the pasta had that perfect al dente bite. Every forkful was briny, buttery, and kissed with just enough garlic to keep things interesting.
I finished with a dreamy tiramisu impossibly light layers of mascarpone and espresso-soaked savoiardi and sipped on a glass of chilled rosé as the world slowed down around me. It was one of those rare meals that doesn’t just feed you, it lingers with you.
Highly recommend if you’re craving an escape to Italy without leaving London.