Writer Pierce Aungier pays a visit to Emilia’s Crafted Pasta for a carb-fuelled lunch in St Katharine Docks
It doesn’t take a lot for me to say hell yes to a carb-fuelled lunch or dinner (or brunch too, to be honest) and Emilia’s Crafted Pasta gave me the perfect opportunity to indulge.
Located at St Katharine Docks, their website promises an Italian family-inspired kitchen filled with warm welcomes and fresh ingredients for socialising and eating.
With pasta led restaurants seeing a sudden renaissance in London as of late, I strolled along the riverside towards Emilia’s with eager anticipation.
Placed neatly next to the dock, filled with boats and memories of those summer days gone by, the place was buzzing for a Sunday lunchtime. Not known as a culinary destination, St Katharine Docks has never been a place on my hit list.
Now filled with excited and hungry diners, it was clear things are changing in this part of the capital. On entering, I did feel a sense of Italy come over me, from the busy fast paced kitchen to the happy customers tucking into plates of pasta. The smell amplified all of this, my stomach craving what everyone else was tasting.
The Food
Head Chef Simone Stagnitto is in charge of the kitchen, creating pasta that I’m told captures the spirit of his grandmother’s sixty years previous. This restaurant is led with family intentions at its heart, a real joy to see.
To start, a burrata so creamy it leaves you wanting more. Accompanied with toasted ciabatta and a dousing of extra virgin olive oil, I challenge anyone not to enjoy the delights of an oozing burrata like this one at Emilia’s.
Onto the mains, and first their ravioli with organic lamb, parsley and parmesan. A delight to look at, it tasted just as delicious in a light butter and sage sauce which all melted in the mouth.
My only afterthought was wishing the portion was larger, but in retrospect this is a positive issue to have. Their yellowfin tuna fillet with homemade tomato sauce, peperoncino and freshly chopped parsley was another knockout. Using rigatoni pasta, I felt transported to the Mediterranean island of Sicily.
To feel healthy, a side order of salad arrived alongside our four hour slow cooked béchamel bolognese with grated parmesan. It was clear from my first mouthful that this plate of pasta was cooked with care, its simple yet classic flavours shining through.
Each ribbon of pappardelle complemented the slow-cooked meat sauce, and the dish was a shining example of the restaurant’s hand-made pasta expertise.
To finish a great lunch, Emilia’s special dessert to share was ordered – scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with honey, crushed amaretti and cantuccini biscuits. It was an ideal end to a Sunday afternoon.
The Wordrobe verdict
With a well thought out and simple menu, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta is a great spot to enjoy hearty Italian dishes.
Say no to the new age of healthy eating and indulge with Stagnitto’s recipes. Sit at the front, look out at the docks and transport yourself to picturesque Italy while tucking into some seriously good pasta.
Make it happen
Where: C3, Ivory House, St Katharine Docks, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London E1W 1AT
Wallet: Mains from £10
Bookings: please visit www.emiliaspasta.com to find out more and make a booking.
Words by Pierce Aungier
