Pasta Madre

Well The Woo's Birthday Weekend is over but what a lovely time we had!

Saturday morning we decided to head for Tunbridge Wells for an antique plate hunt around the Chazzas (Charity Shops for the uninitiated!). We'd been recommended a small restaurant in Camden Road by good friends Sue and Nick and decided to try it out for an early lunch.  What an absolute find was Pasta Madre!

This is a small place with only a dozen or so covers and the kitchen is set on a sort of mezzanine arrangement at the back of the seating area.  We arrived at noon and were seated at the foot of the kitchen area.  There's a counter running the length of the shop with a delicious assortment of cakes etc on display for sale.

Our lunch menus arrived. The waitress was delightful.  We saw that there was a selection of stuffed arrancini on offer as starters but we couldn't decide what to go for. Our waitress explained that a portion was two pieces but readily suggested that they could do us a shared taster plate with a selection of arrancini for us to try.  We went for that option straightaway...bargain!

One was mushroom...yummy; one was a sort of cheesy thing, super yummy; our joint favourite was stuffed with a ragout sauce and it was absolutely delicious!  What a start to an unexpectedly delicious lunch experience!

For the main Woo had the pasta bolognese and I opted for the ricotta and spinach ravioli in a sage and butter sauce.  Gobsmacked!  Gorgeous homemade ravioli, packed full of flavour and the sauce was indulgently buttery with beautiful kicks of sage leaves.  I almost licked the plate clean!

The chef was most attentive, served some of the dishes herself and was exceptionally keen to please.  I would heartedly recommend this lovely restaurant.  Great food in a wonderfully family atmosphere.   Great value too!  We will certainly be back!

Grazzi Mille!