The Place
There is one thing you’ll learn about this new restaurant before you even walk through the front door: the proprietors absolutely adore pasta. You’ll know this because the name of the eatery, I Love Pasta, is proudly displayed above the front entranceway and leaves little doubt about the edible offerings found inside.
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
A chain of pasta-focused restaurants, we visited one of the company’s newest outlets located on the F&B street outside Uniwalk.
The Food
The pastas on offer here are divided into three main categories: tomato-based sauce, black pepper sauce and cream sauce. Additionally, I Love Pasta’s menu contains a list of recommended dishes, some of which feature alternative sauce options.
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
We begin our gastronomic galivant through the restaurant’s menu with the ‘devil spicy’ crayfish pasta (RMB58), which boasts 10 oh-so-delicious xiaolongxia tails and comes covered in a black pepper sauce. When the dish arrives, the crimson crustaceans are set in a circle around the al dente spaghetti noodles and slices of onion and red, yellow and green peppers. While satisfying (and spicy as all hell), the pasta has one almost unforgivable flaw: the crawfish do not come de-shelled, meaning you have to pause from your noodle consumption to get your hands all messy and oily.
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
To help combat the spice of the aforementioned spaghetti dish, an accompanying beverage is duly required. We ordered the restaurant’s floral rose tea (RMB28), although we think it is slightly overpriced and could probably uses less sugar. Beer and wine are also available here, just in case you’re looking to catch a buzz during your dining experience.
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
For those not interested in noodles, I Love Pasta offers a selection of snacks ranging from cheesy French fries (RMB48) to chicken nuggets (RMB58). We finish off our visit to the restaurant with the tuna bread (RMB38), a dish that includes four pieces of bread covered in a tuna spread and garnished with onions and pickled Spanish capers. With the bread toasted to the perfect level of crunchiness, this snack offers a medley of textures and flavors.
The Vibe
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
I Love Pasta has a rather cozy atmosphere, due in large part to the wooden furnishings and warm, yellowish lights that dangle from the ceiling. The interior’s warmth is in spite of the restaurant’s industrial-chic elements, which include brick walls and an exposed ceiling. This dynamic interior design scheme provides a richness that makes I Love Pasta a cool spot to hang out.
Price: RMB50-100
Who’s going: Italian cuisine lovers, pastaholics
Good for: savory pasta, pleasant vibes, dynamic design
Nearest metro: Bao’an Center (Exit F), 5 minutes walk
Open daily, 10am-10pm; see listing for I Love Pasta.
[Cover image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s]
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