Mission Impastable – 6 Spots to Satisfy Pasta Cravings

Can you guess which are the three most popular pastas?

Penne, spaghetti and macaroni take the top spots out of more than 600 pasta shapes produced worldwide. What’s your favourite shape?

Everyone loves a bowl of comfort and pasta certainly fills the need…here are six of our favourite places to say grazie to a dish of your choice:

Come into Margherita Pizzeria on Pinegrove Road in Woombye to taste the different and true flavour of traditional Italian-style wood-fired pizza and fresh pasta all made in-house. This Sunshine Coast restaurant boasts an undercover patio twinkling with fairy lights for romantic evening dining, while indoors is warm and welcoming with the wood-fired oven taking pride of place. 

 

Say ciao to gourmet pasta plates like seafood fettuccine with prawns and bisque broth, or pappardelle with slow-cooked beef, tomato and herb ragu sauce; perhaps opt for mushroom risotto, topped with freshly grated Parmesan and truffle oil, or pick up a slice of pizza topped with shaved ham, pepperoni, bacon, chorizo and fior di latte, best enjoyed with a glass of red wine.

Sharing hearty, healthy fare and traditional pizza using ancient methods in the modern world is what you’ll get at Two Mad Tuscans on Beaufort Street in Inglewood. This Perth restaurant delivers legendary pizzas made from 50 years of family recipes handed down from one generation to the next along with gourmet pasta plates sure to tempt; step into a stylish vibe of blond wood table settings, monochromatic artwork and a warming terracotta-coloured feature wall.

 

Pasta lovers opt for housemade spaghetti and meatballs, where every twirl of the fork is a swirl of nostalgia and every meatball a passport to the Tuscan countryside; or devour Nonna’s Trofie – Italian short pasta, sausage, broccolini, chilli garlic béchamel sauce, rocket, walnuts and Parmesan – before real deal traditional tiramisu with mascarpone, coffee, Italian liqueur and savolardi.

Located on busy King William Road in Hyde Park, Godi La Vita has fast become one of Adelaide's most sought-after Italian restaurants. Those seeking signature cheese wheel pasta dishes head to this modern Italian eatery in droves to satisfy cravings in charming surrounds of polished wood, statement pendents and tempting aromas of pizza, pasta and much more wafting from the kitchen.

 

Say ciao to starters of char-grilled octopus, creamy mash, marinara and salsa verde, before indulging with signature cheese wheel pasta dishes such as curly fettuccine with field mushrooms, cream, wine, brandy, DOP 18-month Parmesan and stracchino, or strozzapreti pasta, with pear, walnuts, cream, brandy, pecorino cheese and balsamic vinegar.

Italian-owned and operated for more than 30 years, Adelaide culinary institution Parlamento on North Terrace (near major hotels and the casino), has been graced with the presence of many international and local celebrities. Expect traditional Campania-style of cooking, combined with modern dishes in stylish surrounds, creating a great dining experience; the lunch crowd delves into Mediterranean mussels with garlic and white wine to start, followed by spaghetti with anchovies, capers, tomato, olives, spring onion, chilli and Napoletana salsa.

 

Later diners enjoy pappardelle, calamari, peas, basil, white wine, chilli, tomato sauce and extra virgin olive oil; or perhaps Scotch fillet, pan-seared with red wine jus, served on a bed of creamy mashed potato hits the mark.

Fresh food really does make a difference, from hand-stretched pizza to housemade pasta you'll find it all on the menu at Cucina by La Dolce Vita on Ann Street in Fortitude Valley. Located in Brisbane's trendiest dining area, this Italian restaurant has a covered alfresco area for Summer days while indoors oozes charm with exposed brick, suspended bulb lighting and a lively buzz of conversation.

 

Expect to find classic dishes on the menu, such as beef, Parmesan and garlic meatballs in rich tomato sugo, topped with Grana Padano and served with crusty bread to start; moving onto memorable pasta mains such as fettuccine gamberi with King prawns, zucchini, cherry tomatoes and olive oil, while sweet tooths salivate over rich, warm chocolate and almond brownie and chocolate sauce for a divine dolci.

Inspired by the Mediterranean, head to Stellas on Oxford Street in Bulimba to immerse yourself in the flavours of heritage where each dish is crafted with a dedication to quality and freshness. This family-owned Brisbane restaurant is light, bright and breezy with whitewashed walls, vibrant artwork and cane table settings encouraging lingering over a lazy lunch or romantic rendezvous. 

 

From a seasonal menu highlighting the finest local produce, start your culinary journey with scallops, sun-dried tomato pesto and gremolata; then indulge in pasta offerings such as slow-cooked duck ragu lasagne with béchamel, fior di latte and Parmigiano Reggiano, or maccheroncini with pork sausage ragu.