Pasta La Vista Baby! Emilia's Pasta Vegan & Non-Vegan options

Pasta is definitely one of my favourite foods so when Emilia’s pasta invited me to their new Aldgate, London location to try some vegan and non-vegan items on their menu - the answer was YES, YES AND YES! Although this meal was complimentary, this is 100% my own opinion.

I went for lunch on a Wednesday and when I arrived at 12, I was quick to be seated for my booking and only one other person was there waiting to get their table. As soon as 12:15pm came around - the entire restaurant was PACKED. Every. single. table. was. taken. Number one recommendation would be to book ahead.

The good stuff, although the interior is cute and photogenic, is definitely the food. That’s why I was there right? Yes, of course - but I am all about a good vibe, and relaxed, enjoyable eating experience.

The menu is out of the table as your placemat and lists everything from starters to alcoholic beverages (peach bellini, don’t mind if I do). The staff were so attentive until they got really busy at the end - but we were done with our meal at that point and just letting the food coma take over so didn’t really mind.

Ok, so for the antipasti, I tried their vegan salad which could also be a main because the dish was HUGE! Filled to the brim with Italian grains, mixed vegetables (cucumbers, olives + tomatoes), pomegranate seeds, sliced oranges and is topped with a honey and balsamic dressing. It’s 100% worth the order and is 100% plant-based so perfect for a lighter option out of all the heavier pasta dishes on their menu.

We also ordered a side of olives, but I must admit - the vegan salad came with enough olives for both my friend and I and we could have gone without ordering extra (even though I’m addicted to olives and loved munching on them in addition to the bread we ordered - perfect and crunchy.

The bread is also fab for scraping your pasta bowls after you’re done.

For my main, I ordered the rigatoni with Puglian lentils, tomatoes and mixed vegetable ragu with freshly chopped oregano on top. It was so filling, perfectly formed rigatoni ideal for scooping up all the veg, and even had a spicy kick I normally wouldn’t go for but actually enjoyed warming up with the cold weather outside.

My friend Aimee ordered the carbonara with smoked salmon and the pasta alone would have been incredible - but with the smoked salmon, pecorino and egg yolk was actually next level… I could not believe that this wasn’t rated the top pasta dish in London.

I need to figure out how to make this carbonara at home… or just come back for lunch everyday? Probably just come back all the time for lunch.

Not only was all the food unbelievable but the drinks were delicious, too. There’s something so great about such a simple cocktail and the white peach purée with Prosecco was exactly that.

Overall, as I am trying to have a little less meat throughout the work week (not cutting out - I do love me some meat - just trying to be a bit more environmentally conscious) their vegan menu is the perfect way to still feel indulgent, enjoy some insanely good handmade pasta and get some veggies in. And that carbonara. Not vegan. Just amazing.

Can’t wait to share on my Instagram but had to post here today and just dump all of my feelings out as I had the loveliest time - and can we just take a sec because the Christmas tree is the cutest backdrop for everything!!!