Pasta purveyors; Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, set to launch second site in Aldgate
27-year-old restauranteur Andrew Macleod, founder of critically acclaimed craft pasta restaurant, Emilia’s in St Katharine Docks is now adding to his pasta portfolio with a second location opening in Aldgate in February 2019.
Spearheading the pasta trend in the capital, Emilia’s was one of the first on the scene in London.
Born and bred in West London, Andrew’s interest in bringing great Italian crafted pasta is keenly demonstrated via his pasta pilgrimage across Italy prior to opening Emilia’s.
Following extensive visits to some of Italy’s most famed regions, Andrew spent 18 months learning from local Italian chefs who extolled an extraordinary passion for cooking recipes passed down through the generations.
Emilia’s carbonara is an example of this; made the Northern Italian way using whole eggs to make it a little lighter and pecorino preferred to Parmesan along with plenty of pancetta and black pepper.
Emilia’s twist on the carbonara is to use bucatini pasta which ensures the creamy sauce is distributed perfectly and captured in every mouthful.
Emilia’s Aldgate offers a succinct selection of seven pasta dishes with careful pairing of pasta shapes with sauces – the weight, texture and size of the pasta should complement the sauce.
Signature dishes include their four hour slow-cooked Bolognese, made heartier and creamier with fresh béchamel, and casarecce pasta paired with a velvety walnut and chestnut mushroom sauce.
Emilia’s homemade basil pesto with casarecce is a nod to family tradition in Genoa – a heart-warming dish of pasta layered with pesto and filled to the brim with parmesan.
Emilia’s Aldgate bigger kitchen will allow for a revolving specials board that will showcase new dishes never seen before but without sacrificing the core favourites which will of course be available.
The menu is made using only the purest ingredients, with some soured exclusively from a handful of local and sustainable suppliers in Italy and the UK; Laudemio Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Fattoria Di Maiano and’Pasture for Life’ certified 100% grass fed organic beef from Bristol.
Niche suppliers also play a part including artisanal lemonade, Lurisia Gazzosa, normally only found in Italy. A short wine list is made up of predominantly Italian vintages such as Conviviale Primitivo Del Salentofrom Apuglia and Il Cascione Camillona from Piedmont.
A unique Italian craft beer selection is also available, and to finish your meal a coffee sourced from’The Roasting’, a small independent Italian roaster with a coffee shop in Victoria.
A manned pasta counter at the window of the restaurant gives 360 views of the handcrafted pasta being made and is a site to enjoy both from the street, and as a diner in the restaurant alike.
Guests will also be able to dine alfresco with 24 outdoor seats as well as a communal counter to enjoy an aperitif with friends.
Emilia’s Crafted Pasta
77 Alie Street, London, E1 8NH