Still the pasta kings 🍝
I reckon Zucchini Pasta Bar has gotta be one of my favourite indies in town. Since opening week (way back in 2017) right up to present crazy-day 2021, it’s been one of the few places in town that can do affordable quality every time. And y’know, just simple, freshly made pasta. Literally, what’s not to love.
Anyway, it’s been three years already, and hot off the back of a new gaff in the Metrocentre, and the venture into No. 28, I thought it was worth a revisit to see how things have changed — or haven’t.
The menu has expanded a little bit. There’s some fan favourites already; you’ll have seen that Insta-friendly green garlic bread on your feed. The ‘made for 2’ bolognese with salad, bread, potatoes, and all the best carb groups. Mighty sourdough from FAB Bakery, naturally. There’s just more choice of everything, but it’s not menu bloat because 90% of it is great.
It is all just that little bit better. Like a friend that’s been working out over lockdown and has become a bit more toned. Not that different on the face of it, but dig deep and there’s incremental improvement everywhere.
The expanded menu has far, far more wins than losses. The zucchini fries are salty little morsels that do ‘once you pop you can’t stop’ better than any potato-based snack. Order these. And burrata, here with pesto is right at home and sure to be a crowd pleaser. I’m trying to be ‘more vegan’ but when dairy is this good… 🤷🏻♂️
A bunch of core pastas became mainstays and hopefully never leave the menu. The beef shin & rosemary ragu remains as deeply comforting and satisfying as it has been since day one. But there’s some variation now, with the ultimate nod to Padella; pici cacio e pepe on the menu, as well as even more hearty ragus. Italian sausage, fennel, and nduja particularly being particularly lovely.
Sides are interesting, but really just a distraction because it all comes down to the quality of the pasta.
Which is handy, because it’s still great. You really can’t beat made-that-day-by-hand pasta, and this is where Zucchini Pasta Bar still shines. It’s silky, smooth, and relatively light. I’d love to see some labour intensive shapes like gemelli, orecchiette, or casarecce for some ‘more than ragu’ sauces, but those bumblebee yellow ribbons of parpadelle, strewn with parmigiano, ah, they still fill you with happiness.
It can’t all hit the mark all of the time. Merguez bites with parmesan and potatoes was more chips and tomato sauce. And Sicilian pie by the square is an excellent concept as a side, but I don’t think Cal’s Own v3.0 is gonna be worried. But you try ’em. Keep adapting.
Dishes have bumped in cost a little to an average cost of ~£8 but you’re still gonna get fed really inexpensively, all things considered. So now we tend to just order shit loads and share. It’s the way forward and something you can’t really do in other pasta places in town. Try and reenact that Lady & the Tramp scene with this lot.
A great take on a classic Tiramisu has never changed and is as reliable as ever. It’s £4 man, why wouldn’t you order it.
Equally, Zucchini is still one of the places in Newcastle where you can get a glass of wine for £3. Further ticks in the modern day cliche box include takeaway, home delivery via Uber Eats (now cancelled?), and even an Aperol Spritz-centred bottomless brunch which is a quality way to spend £25 and 90 minutes.
So, we’re all good. It’s such a bulletproof concept. When you’re looking for affordable, freshly made pasta that hits the spot, there’s really nowhere else to look. Zucchini Pasta Bar is always in my recommendations, and one I’ll look forward to every time. Obviously closed at the moment, but if you haven’t been for a while, make a speculative booking now for post-lockdown, and do your bit to support one of our great indie restaurants.
Contact: zucchinipastabar.co.uk
Food hygiene rating: 4/5
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