Recipe for Success
Restaurateur Stevie Parle has done it again. This time the chef supreme has put pasta on the map, right in the heart of Carnaby.
Interview Tom Bottomley
Stevie Parle
Putting a big ‘P’ in pasta magnifica is Stevie Parle, with his new restaurant dedicated to all things stringy, tubular, twirly and ultimately super-tasty at Pastaio , 19 Ganton Street. Be warned, you can’t book. But, if you can’t get a table right away, go for a quick drink at the Blue Posts on the corner and await a text for your table to be ready and waiting for a delicious experience. Parle, owner of the Dock Kitchen, Rotorino, Palatino and Craft London, has really surpassed himself this time. It’s pasta heaven, perfectly accented by a skilfully designed interior from the award-winning Tom Dixon Design Research Studio. This is pasta made by hand, and the open-plan kitchen means you can see all the wonderfully fresh British produce going into your dish of the day. Parle says: “It’s real people making proper food from scratch. We’re focused on fresh pasta made in-house every day.” The restaurant looks fresh, fun and very cool, with a mural on the wall from graphic artist Rob Lowe aka Supermundane. But, overall, Pastaio is all about quality, at a super-affordable price.
The sharing tables create a sociable atmosphere along with a great playlist, with the music turned up to add to the ambience. “It’s part of your night out, and a very contemporary experience,” comments Parle. “This is definitely not pasta pastiche!” The wild mushrooms with tagliatelle are what’s really hitting the mark with diners right now, outselling everything else. “I’m quite surprised,” says Parle. “It turns out people really love mushrooms!” The stuffed pasta with grouse, rabbit and pork agnoli is another firm favourite. “We’re geared up to how I think people like to eat in London, with punchy flavours.” So why did Parle choose Carnaby for his latest taste- testing venture? “I really like this part of London for loads of reasons, including the rich heritage. There’s so many great restaurants that have opened in the area, like Darjeeling Express, The Good Egg and Breddos Tacos - all fantastic places. It’s a real eating destination, and it’s always nice to have good neighbours, as we all know.” Needless to say, everyone else is saying the same thing about Pastaio.
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