Rating: ★★★★

If you're looking for somewhere to go for a romantic date or with friends, Nonna's Pasta needs to go straight to the top of your list! We had heard a lot of hype from fellow Manchester Girls about the new kid on Manchester's buzzing food scene. After a successful stint as a pop-up concept in October, Nonna's has opened a permanent spot at the bottom of East Tower at the swanky Deansgate Square.

Atmosphere

Nonna's Pasta offers cozy, rustic Italian vibes in a stylish setting, and we are here for it. The space is light and airy, with street and kitchen views. Tables were scattered around, draped with beige checkered tablecloths.

Upon entry, we were seated by our friendly waiter for the evening, Alex. The service was knowledgeable and smoothly run, despite it being quite a busy Thursday. We basked in the atmosphere and traditional music while enjoying a glass of crisp white wine.

The Menu

The menu at Nonna's includes an array of Italian dishes with an American twist, including their famous Rigatoni Alla Vodka (yes, that's vodka pasta!). They recently launched a new menu with some exciting additions, such as Lobster Carbonara and 'Chicken Ate a Pizza,' which is essentially a Chicken Parma. Other notable dishes on the menu include 'Papa's Pasta,' featuring slow-braised Short Rib Ragu Pappardelle with Truffle and Mushroom, as well as a pesto-infused burrata.

Nonna's also offers a decent range of affordable wines, spirits, cocktails, juices, and hot drinks. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing cocktail or a warm beverage, you'll find something to suit your taste preferences.

Our order

 We were really hungry after skipping lunch, so we started our meal with some delicious olives, focaccia, and arancini balls.

The mixed olives came in a big portion and had a tasty herby marinade that we absolutely loved. The focaccia was beautifully presented and it was more than enough for the two of us to share. We couldn't get enough of the olive tapenade that came with it. My friend ordered the arancini, which were three fried cheesy risotto balls, and they went down a treat.

Onto the main course, we both opted for pasta dishes. I went for the vegan version of their legendary vodka pasta, which typically includes cream for non-vegans. The pasta was cooked to perfection and packed with flavour.

 That being said, we knew we had to make space for dessert. I followed our server Alex's suggestion and ordered the ice cream. Let me tell you, I'm not usually into desserts, but this one was a delish. It had a blend of three flavours: blood orange, lemon, and Ferrero chocolate.

We also gave the vegan and gluten free peach cobbler cheesecake a try. It was good, but honestly, the ice cream stole the show.

Allergies

Vegan and kids options were available. During our visit, the vegan menu hadn't been printed yet, so we relied on the server to provide us with allergen options and suggestions.

Verdict

For those wanting delicious Italian-American cuisine in a ‘at-home’ cozy yet stylish setting, Nonna’s Pasta get it right!

Reviewed by Jennifer Tattersall

Disclaimer: Manchester Girl were invited to try Nonna’s Pasta new menu in exchange for an honest review.

Nonna’s Pasta, 7 Owen Street, East Tower, Deansgate Square, Manchester.

Instagram: @nonnaspastamcr 

Bookings are recommended at www.nonnaspastamcr.co.uk.