In the ongoing calendar of increasingly odd national days - we've learned that tomorrow (25th October) is World Pasta Day. So if you'd like to pay homage to the Italian staple, here are a few ideas on where you should be heading for lunch or dinner.
Locanda Locatelli
Giorgio Locatelli's Mayfair spot's always a cracking place to star spot - and the pasta's pretty heavenly too. Try the Ravioli di fagiano al rosmarino (homemade ravioli with pheasant and rosemary jus) for £14.50 or Tagliatelle di castagne ai funghi selvatici (home made Chestnut tagliatelle with wild mushrooms) for £15.50.
Read more about Locanda Locatelli
AnticoAntico in Bermondsey's been slowly making a name for itself and we loved it when we visited it recently. Freshly-made pasta on the menu includes Venison & Pancetta Ragu Fazzoletti for £15 or Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder Tortelloni, Sage Butter £13.
ZuccaZucca, Antico's nearby neighbour on Bermondsey Street, is always hard to get a last minute table at - but if you're lucky recent pasta dishes have included taglierini with new season mushrooms for £15.
This Holloway Road neighbourhood restaurant's hard to get into (but you may be lucky on a Thursday). Try the Orecchiette con salsiccia e broccoli (fresh orecchiette pasta with Italian sausage and broccoli) or the Ravioli di zucca e ricotta con salsa di funghi (Pasta parcels filled with ricotta cheese, pumpkin & amaretti biscuits) both at £11.80.
Bocca di LupoIf you can, perch at the counter at this Soho spot for the best buzz. Right now there's Orecchiette with 'nduja, red onion, tomato & rocket for £17 or push the boat out for Spaghetti with 1/2 lobster, mussels & ginger at £28.
Read more about Bocca di Lupo.
Also worth trying:
The duck and green peppercorn ragu with pappardelle at Polpo (£9).
Pappardelle alla Cacciatora – hand-cut pasta with partridge, pancetta, bay & rabbit slow-cooked in Selvapiana Chianti Rufina at The River Cafe (£18)
Quail agnolotti with white onion pureé, rosemary jus, black truffle (three courses for £65).
Ravioli of calves brain with nutmet at Trullo (£9)
Ravioli di erbette (mixed green ravioli with Swiss chard, rocket, Italian spinach, sheep’s ricotta, butter and sage) at Theo Randall (£19)
