The Pasta Factory

***The Best Italian Experience in Manchester***

@Ben W

Tucked away in Shudehill, you’ll feel like you've been transported to the Mediterranean. 

As it should be, the pasta is the star of the show here. Each dish showcases fresh, handmade pasta, correctly paired with an accompanying sauce. I've never had the same dish twice, and have yet to be disappointed with the order. 

Make sure to start with the Taglieri, literally chopping board, which offers an array of meats, cheese, breads, and other delicious antipasti, which can be assembled to your liking. 

On this occasion I opted for ravioli filled with cured ham and sautéed in brown butter, served with a rich fondue of Italian cheeses. 

An exciting wine list sits alongside some superb Italian craft beers. Maybe punt for a pint of IPA and then share a bottle of the Barbera d'Alba, but if white is your thing, the Gavi di Gavi is superb. 

If you fancy a night in, they sell fresh pasta and other Italian goodies to take home. 

Pasta factory has sat in my top 3 MCR restaurants for over a year now; it’s delicious, great value, and has a warm atmosphere. Nigh on perfect!

Taglieri for 2 and dessert of chocolate Ravioli                                                                 

Eating lunch with an Italian can be fraught with danger, as a lot of UK Italian food is just that UK Italian. The Pasta Factory is different.

Run by Italians the whole feel is very Italian from the craft Italian beers, which is a very new venture for Italy according to my dining partner Francesca, to the knowledgeable waiter who can answer all questions pasta related.

I had the Gnocchi Alla Toma, creamy potato gnocchi tossed in a creamy sauce with "Toma", Piedmont cheese which was delicate and rich all in the same mouthful with the gnocchi being just the right texture.  Francesca had the Trottole con Carciofi, Zafferano e Limone,  a "spinning top" pasta shape tossed with artichokes and parsley in a rich lemon and garlic Saffron sauce, and wonderfully fragrant and very delicious, according to Francesca which is high praise from an Italian foodie who's opinion I highly value in this area.

Very empty when we were there, but it hasn't been open all that long, but as a genuine Italian addition to the Northern Quarter,  I can highly recommend it.