Lina Stores City | Fresh Pasta in the City
Considering how good it was, Kym’s left some big shoes to fill.
And considering how literally, actually big it was, it left a big space to fill too… and Lina Stores is up to the challenge.
If you’ve never been to Lina Stores before, you’re in for a treat. And, just to be clear, if you have been before then you’re in for a treat too. It’s treats all round. Because they’ve spent the last 75 years perfecting the art of fresh pasta at their legendary Soho deli before branching out into restaurant territory with Lina Stores Soho (on nearby Greek Street) and Lina Stores King’s Cross, all with remarkably delicious success.
Weighing in at two floors, their new restaurant by St. Paul’s centres around the large, circular chrome bar, whose bottle display gracefully hugs the curve of the staircase behind it, all the way up to the mezzanine overlooking it all. It’s all open plan, and it’s adorned with their signature mid-century Italian style of pale pistachio green banquettes, marble tables, and gleaming silver fittings, all burnished by low-slung opaline pendant lighting.
The food’s overseen by head chef Masha Rener, who spearheaded the company’s transition from deli to restaurant back in 2018. Her menu hits all the Lina Stores high notes with the antipasti covering a rich tonne tonnato, herb-laden bruschette, and some Sardinian seadas (deep-fried pastries filled with lemon & cheese) among others. The fresh pasta includes truffle tagliolini; pumpkin agnolotti with butter, sage & hazelnuts; and silky ribbons of Mafaldine alla Carbonara, and if you still have space, then there are some all-new sharing secondi. You can dive into a fragrant lamb shoulder and salsa verde & Tropea onion dressing, as well as a sizeable portion of grilled prawns sautéed with garlic, chilli and tomato.
Of course that big chrome bar is there for a reason, and that reason is cocktails. Mostly. Because aside from a classic negroni, rosmarina, or limoncello spritz, you can also get something from their lengthy list of Italian wines, many of which are organic & biodynamic. There’s even an orange wine in there, too.
Which should add a little colour to your evening.
NOTE: Lina Stores City is open for drinks, lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat, 11.30am-11pm. You can find out more, and book, right HERE.
Lina Stores City | 19 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR
Like fresh pasta? Of course you do. Find more at these amazing Italian restaurants in London