[London] I was looking for pasta in London, and was expecting this restaurant to be much pricy more expected.
Especially since it is located at Golden Square in the heart of Soho.
Then I saw the menu, and found the most inexpensive pasta – a Spaghetti ‘Alla Chitarra’ starting at £9.
Bancone has become a notable destination for fresh, hand-made pasta in London. There are also locations in Covent Garden and Borough.
The Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded restaurant has built a reputation for its great value, offering simple yet well-executed Italian dishes with a modern twist.
While the atmosphere may feel a bit functional, the focus is clearly on the food, and that’s where Bancone truly shines.
The open kitchen, where chefs are seen preparing the pasta, adds to the casual, bustling charm of the place.
The menu is concise, focusing primarily on antipasti, pasta, and dessert.
The pasta section shines with dishes like the highly praised Silk Handkerchiefs (£11), Spicy Pork & Nduja Ragu with Mafalde (£14), while the Squid, Pickled Jalapeno, and Charcoal Tagliolini (£15) adds a more adventurous twist.
One of the standout dishes across several reviews is the “Silk Handkerchiefs” Pasta (£11).
Served with walnut butter and a confit egg yolk, the texture of the delicate pasta sheets was soft and delicate, almost melt in the mouth while still offering a subtle bite.
Break the confit egg yolk and mix it well with the walnut butter. Then savour the smooth and velvety texture. So delicious.
I also ordered the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe at Bancone (£11). The pasta was cooked al dente, with a chewy bite that worked well with the creamy sauce.
The combination of Pecorino cheese and black pepper gave it the expected richness, though could be slightly salty overall for some.
Still very enjoyable to me.
Desserts feature delights such as Praline Cannolo with crystallised hazelnuts (£4 each), and for a rich finale, Chocolate, mascarpone, and lime (£7).
For a meal in one of the busiest parts of London, with pasta dishes ranging from £9 to £17, Bancone offers value without sacrificing the quality of its food.
Bancone – Golden Square
8-10 Lower James St, London W1F 9EL, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Wed), 12pm – 10:30pm (Thurs – Sat), Closed 12pm – 9:30pm
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