When you hear food haven Beaufort street has a new pasta restaurant that sells pasta by the METRE, well you just have to go don't you?
Left to right: classic pasta with pumpkin & creamy pesto, spinach pasta with pumpkin and bocconcini, spinach pasta with tomatoes and chorizo (middle).
I am not Italian (unfortunately) and have never had the pleasure of a Nonna force feeding me crazy amounts of food, because no matter how much you eat, its never enough (or so I hear). Well I don't think even a Nonna can argue with the quantity of fresh pasta dished out by Solo Pasta. Its not just a bowl of pasta, or a spoonful, but an entire metre! Its actually 3 metres in each standard serve, with extra meters available for another $4.50 (because 3 just isn't enough for some!).
Nestled neatly in the centre of Beaufort street between Kaze and Lawleys bakery, Solo Pasta is smack bang in the middle of one of Perth's best and busiest restaurant strips. We went on a Friday night, forgetting how popular this food oasis was - take an Uber next Char! We had a small table in 'The Room' space, at the back of a lounge area featuring open-fold out windows, next to the bar (just where I like to be). The light is very bright and white for a restaurant, although there is textured furnishings and a mix of dark tones on the walls and wood paneling, the lighting makes it feel stark and almost sterile, but not entirely uncomfortable. The white cafe style chairs didn't help with this feeling, something cushier and in a darker colour would have softened the harsh lighting. Our table was simply laid, with salt, spoons and forks laid out neatly - clean and inviting.
My second favourite thing besides eating is looking through the drinks menu. Solo Pasta does the menu well, with a wide variety of wine and beers and a nicely rounded yet basic cocktail menu including all the favourites like Mojitos and Cosmopolitans as well as a refreshing Peach Blush Bellini. I thought this sweet pink drink was delightful, but lacked that satisfying and refreshing alcoholic punch - I like my cocktails sweet and strong.
For entrees we shared the aranchini balls with a tangy and zingy tomato relish. The aranchini were perfect size for sharing, but it was the relish that made the dish. Aranchini can be heavy and bland, Solo Pasta presented balls that were not unlike every other aranchini ball. Except the relish. That relish I could eat with a spoon! Full of peppery and spicey flavours that cut through the heavy rice and crispy deep fried shell, this relish is an absolute winner. Solo Pasta does does a good condiment, bringing it home with a creamy, garlicy aioli that perfectly balanced the Lemon Pepper Calamari. A generous portion size for sharing, the calamari was in thickly coated batter, but was crispy and delivered on the lemon flavour. Overall, nice starters.
Now, for the main course!
Pasta, pasta or pasta? Spinach, classic, beetroot or zoodles (zucchini noodles)? Tomato, cream or olive oil based-sauce? The choices are endless, I went for spinach pasta with a tomato based sauce with chorizo, olives, chilli, garlic, fried shallots and freshly grated parmesan. I thought my pasta was a little off al dente, slightly chewier than it should have been. The tomato sauce was spicy, the salt from the olives were a reprieve from the spice that became overpowering as you ate through the dish. The Parmesan was fresh and added a creaminess to the dish, contrasting the tartness of the chunky tomato sauce.
The classic pasta with the butternut pumpkin, feta, basil pesto and slivered almonds was the best dish of the evening. Creamy with crunchy almonds and subtle pesto-basil flavours on a bed of classic pasta - delightful. The pumpkin puree, taleggio, sage and boccochini was very rich, a classic Italian cream-based sauce with a modern twist.
After conquering 3 meters of pasta each, the dessert menu seemed impossible. But after reading "Death by Chocolate" we couldn't pass on it. Presentation could have been better, a slab of cake layered with different creams and a cherry filling deserve a more dramatic entry onto out table. But this was a lovely chocolately finish to the meal.
Overall, Bellissimo!
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