Pasta Plus

This is the Italian that you've all driven past on Rosemount, noticed, thought the outside looked dingy and then gone on your way.

Retrace your steps! Pasta Plus (or Francesco's, if you're there often enough) is WONDERFUL.  Owned by Francesco and his son Christopher, it is a deli by day and a restaurant by night, and caters for even the most tried-and-tested Italian connoisseur.  The restaurant is tiny and packets of authentic Italian pasta, Italian wine and other Italian food...risotto?...line the shelves, but it's cosy and secluded and intimate? Perfect for an 'I'd-like-to-take-you-to-dinner-and-I-don't-want-anyone-to-interrupt-us' kind of date, or book it out for a relaxed gathering of friends. (And my favourite bit? There's a bell above the door so it rings when it opens. Delightful.)

The food itself is not fancy nor is it presented beautifully, but it tastes like real Italian food, not our British pasta-and-sauce nonsense. Francesco is Italian through-and-through, knows his dishes back-to-front and will cook them up for you as fast as lightening. Well not that fast, but you get the image. No problemo if you're not staying - Francesco can make dishes to take away. And if you're feeling like Nigella Lawson and want to buy proper Italian ingredients instead of Sainsbury's own brand, then Francesco has every sort of pasta, rice, olive oil and tomato sauce Italy has to offer. Turn around from the shelves and feast your eyes on the meat, fresh bread (get there fast) and the CANNOLI. (Cannoli is in capitals because Francesco's is WONDERFUL). You will probably look at it and think, no way will I ever eat all of that. And then you'll have half..and a little bit more...and a little bit more and then.... Trust me, it happens. 

Francesco will always remember you (or maybe I'm just there a lot), he'll always ask if you're having a nice day and he will never mock you for your less-than-average Italian .At least not to your face.

The paint job on Pasta Plus may look a little dated, the windows a little grubby, and quite frankly Pasta Plus is a terrible name, but what did your mother always say? Never judge a book by it's cover. 

Pasta Plus

119 Rosemount Place

Aberdeen