Recently, the quality of Italian food in London has gone up thanks to the opening of a number of high-end, high-quality restaurants praised by Michelin in the last ten years. In all the excitement, the simple bowl of pasta with just the right amount of sauce to dress it up rather than drown it has been left behind. Padella comes in.
These smart people went out and made house-made pasta because they saw a need in the market. We love how Italian food celebrates the best and freshest products in a simple but elegant way. It really is what Italian food is all about.
Thought
It’s strange that this clear idea hasn’t been used more often, especially in a city where people are always looking for cheap and quick food. There is a big queue to get into Padella, which is a “pasta bar” with lots of bar seating and a lot of activity. Bowls of delicious, fresh pasta are served quickly, so the queue moves quickly, even though it looks like a long one. This activity could be too much for a restaurant that makes difficult plates with lots of different ingredients, but Padella’s food is always quick and tasty because they trust only a few carefully chosen ingredients. The menu is short and focused, with only a few pasta meals and some bread to sop up all the sauce. This is because moderation is at the heart of the business. What else is there? It’s simple, quick, and easy, making it great for busy Londoners.
The place
It’s right across the street from London Bridge and next to Borough Market, so you’ll see it right away when you get off the tube, possibly because the line goes around the block.
Air Quality
People and the open kitchen are both making a lot of noise, which makes the atmosphere really friendly. The place is just as comfortable for loud conversations and clinking glasses as it is for being amazed by how much fresh pasta the cooks make.
Food
The best thing about this place is the food, especially the pasta. Don’t be fooled by how simple it looks. From pappardelle to ravioli, fresh, firm pasta is served in a variety of ways, but the sauces or dressings are always kept simple to bring out the best in the pasta. Prices don’t go above ten pounds, and most stay around five pounds. This is such a great deal in central London that we almost don’t want to shout about it too loudly.
Drinks
The list of drinks is short, to the point, and makes sense. A few craft beers and ales that are easy to drink on tap, along with 6 wines by the glass or bottle, go well with the restaurant’s overall style.
Need to Try
A lot of people come here to try the 8-hour braised beef shin FRESH PASTAover pappardelle, but the pici cacio and pepe is without a doubt the best food they serve. It seems to say everything about Padella in a single sentence. Good cheese, butter, and black pepper are used to make the sauce. That’s it. The amazing pici pasta looks like a worm and has the right amount of bite from being al dente. It also bounces because it is thick. This pasta is tasty and made from flour and water; it doesn’t even have eggs in it. Every clear and honest thing about the place can be found in a single bite of this dish.
Why Go?
Because Padella doesn’t care about London’s high prices or its restaurant pretensions, it serves the best pasta in the city in a room that is warm and friendly and stays true to the heart of great Italian food.
