The Scoop: The British restaurant scene took a hard hit during the coronavirus pandemic, but some local favorites have managed to roll with the lockdowns and continue to deliver top-notch meals. Emilia’s has successfully launched delivery and takeout services that make its handmade pasta dishes available to locals from Wednesday to Sunday. Whether you’re under quarantine or just feeling a little lazy, you can order from Emilia’s to get the ingredients for a cheesy and romantic date night at home.

Andrew Macleod was in his early 20s when he took out an Italian cookbook and started experimenting with different pasta recipes. He was curious about the ingredients and techniques that go into homemade pasta. Eventually, his curiosity took him all the way to Italy where he met local chefs and sampled a lot of delicious food.

While traveling through the Emilia-Romagna region, Andrew got a taste for the flavor profiles, cooking techniques, and traditional recipes that have made Italian pasta dishes so famous around the world.

Photo of an Emilia's meal

Emilia’s can set the table for romance with its decadent pasta dishes.

At the tender age of 25, Andrew opened a small restaurant on St. Katharine Docks and embarked on a mission to bring authentic Italian pasta to his hometown of London.

Andrew had zero restaurant experience when he opened Emilia’s in 2016, but his passion for fresh ingredients and traditional Italian cuisine led him to success. In 2019, Andrew opened a second Emilia’s restaurant in Aldgate. Both the St. Katharine Docks and Aldgate restaurants have the same basic menu, but they offer different seasonal items and specials.

Emilia’s has become a favorite date spot for locals who love Italian food, and not even a pandemic can stop this pasta sensation. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Emilia’s has temporarily closed its dine-in services and gone all in with takeout and delivery.

By featuring a fully loaded online menu, Emilia’s encourages couples and families to satisfy their Italian food cravings without having to leave home.

“At Emilia’s, we love-soul warming comfort food,” the team said. “We believe Italian pasta should be served in a casual way with the generosity and warm welcome of previous generations. Just as Nonna would have done it.”

The Delectable & Versatile Menu Wows British Foodies

Emilia’s has been all about good affordable pasta made right with a care for the environment, and that isn’t about to change any time soon. The menu isn’t very long, but it is rich with saucy combinations and filling pasta dishes. The homemade ravioli and smoky carbonara offer classic Italian comfort food, while the fresh veggie salads and artisanal soft drinks bring something new to the table.

If you’re looking for a fun at-home date idea, you can’t go wrong with a heaping helping of pasta handcrafted by Emilia’s.

Photo of pasta at Emilia's


Emilia’s delivers world-class hospitality along with every plate of pasta.

Emilia’s has a deep respect for the Italian cooking traditions and techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation. Its culinary team adds a fresh zest to time-honored recipes and lets the quality of well-prepared pasta speak for itself.

“Essentially, we want to bring back memories of that warm tingling feeling in your stomach you got as a child when your Nonna cooked you a delicious bowl of pasta after coming home from playing outside,” the team said.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Emilia’s has had to adapt on the fly to meet public safety standards and keep pasta lovers in London satisfied. Emilia’s is currently available for takeout or delivery from Wednesday through Sunday, but it has closed its dine-in services until further notice.

You can place an order on Deliveroo to get a steaming bowl of pasta sent directly to your door. A lot of the main dishes and side dishes are made with enough to share with another person (or have lots of leftovers), so it’s a filling and easy alternative to cooking multicourse meals at home.

Sweethearts can really treat themselves by ordering a dessert to share. The homemade amaretto tiramisu has a great mix of sweetness, alcohol, and coffee. It’s a great way to cap off a date night.

Finding the Recipe for Success in Handmade Pasta

Emilia’s takes pasta seriously. The restaurant’s culinary team has mastered the art of cooking dried pasta and egg pasta. Every morning, the pasta is made fresh, shaped by hand, and cooked until it is al dente. The chefs are well-versed at making a variety of pasta shapes, including rigatoni, gnocchi, bucatini, and ravioli.

The restaurant has gotten a reputation for serving some of the best pasta in London. The secret to the kitchen’s success is in the meticulous care that goes into every noodle.

The pasta experts at Emilia’s have learned which pasta types and shapes pair well with different Italian sauces, meats, and cheeses. The menu creates mouthwatering matches that use the handmade pasta to accentuate fresh Italian flavors.

Photo of pappardelle pasta

Pappardelle pasta is the perfect vehicle for a heavy and creamy sauce.

For instance, the four-hour slow-cooked bechamel bolognese sauce comes with a sturdy and broad pappardelle egg noodle that can carry the sauce with minimal drips and slips.

“Passion is an essential ingredient,” the Emilia’s team said. “The geometry of pasta shapes, the science behind the pairings, and the pasta craftsmanship behind making fresh pasta take center stage in the Emilia’s Crafted Pasta ethos.”

Emilia’s has put a lot of heart into every dish, and the result is a mouthwatering menu packed with saucy and cheesy goodness.

Emilia’s has gotten great reviews from locals and tourists alike, and many call it a hidden gem in the London food scene. Word seems to be getting out quickly though. In 2020, Emilia’s earned the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, meaning the local restaurant ranked among the top 10% of properties on the review site.

“A lovely little venue with delicious homemade pasta,” Penny A. said of the St. Katharine Docks restaurant. “The Carbonara was amazing; as well as the starter of Burrata. Thoroughly recommend!”

Hundreds of TripAdvisor reviews praise Emilia’s for its imaginative menu, beautiful views, and quality service. This locally owned restaurant is the kind of place where pasta lovers can savor rich flavors and tuck into their favorite Italian dishes.

Emilia’s Causes a Stir With Its Authentic Italian Food

Since its opening in 2016, Emilia’s has welcomed many couples who are looking for a quiet and memorable date spot. Its friendly atmosphere and affordable prices have made it a foodie favorite. Locals have been wont to stop by Emilia’s for everything from first dates to anniversary celebrations.

When the pandemic hit Europe in March 2020, Emilia’s had to shut down its dine-in services and expand its operation to deliver the same delicious tastes to people at home. The restaurant’s delivery and takeout menu can give Londoners a taste of the outside world — and a reason to dress up for a dinner date or family meal at a home.

Emilia’s offers food that is the essence of indulgence, so it’s perfect for couples in the mood for a delicious treat that won’t strain their pocketbooks.

“At Emilia’s, we create happiness in a bowl using only natural, fresh, and simple ingredients,” the team said. “We make fresh pasta affordable for all to indulge in on a regular basis, just like Italians do.”

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