AL DENTE South Kensington — Restaurant in London

Walking down the charming streets of South Kensington, my friend and I stumbled into what felt like a culinary postcard from Rome Al Dente Pasta. We were there to try their new menu, and it delivered far beyond expectation.

We began with the Octopus Carpaccio, a dish so delicately sliced and beautifully plated that it could’ve been art. The octopus was fresh, tender, kissed with citrus and olive oil clean, balanced, and undeniably Mediterranean.

Then came the main attraction: Carbonara with Red Gounade. The pasta was freshly made in-house, and it showed in every silky, perfectly al dente bite. The red gounade added a subtle richness that danced with the smoky pancetta and creamy sauce pure Italian soul in a bowl.

For dessert, I had the Rum Baba with Orange Cream — a dreamy, boozy sponge softened just right, with that citrus cream adding an elegant finish. My friend went for the “Fallen Pot” (I think that’s what it was called) an earthy, playful dessert with chocolate crumbs, tart raspberry, and yogurt it was bold, modern, and texturally satisfying.

We each had a glass of Prosecco, crisp and celebratory, tying the whole experience together.

In short? Al Dente Pasta isn’t just a meal it’s a slice of Italy lovingly served in London. The quality, freshness, and creativity are unmatched. I’ll be back and bringing more...

I recently dined at Al Dente, and it was a delightful experience from start to finish. Despite walking into the restaurant without a reservation, they were able to accommodate us at the bar area, which had a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

The highlight of my meal was the pasta, particularly the ravioli, which was pumpkin-filled and served with a sage butter cream sauce. The flavors were perfectly balanced, with the sweetness of the pumpkin complemented by the rich, herby notes of the sage. It was absolutely delicious and left me wanting more.

Another dish that stood out was their unique twist on a Caprese salad. Instead of the traditional presentation, it was served in a quesadilla-like format. Despite the twist, it managed to stay fresh and light, with the classic combination of tomato, mozzarella, and basil shining through. The innovative take was both surprising and enjoyable.

While the service was a bit slow, it might just be a UK thing, as the relaxed pace seemed more about enjoying the dining experience rather than rushing through it. Overall, Al Dente impressed me with their creativity and the quality of their dishes. If you're a fan of Italian cuisine with a modern twist, this place is definitely...

Visited for dinner on a Saturday night. We started with the arrachini and the pizzatello mortadello which were enjoyable. However, the highlight of this restaurant is their pasta. The gnocchi sorrentina was delicious- the texture of the gnocchi was soft, pillowy and chewy, and the sauce is cheesy and flavorful. Would recommend. The carbonara is also fantastic with strong flavours and a firm bite to the thick pasta.

The evening was unfortunately let down by a disappointing dessert experience. I ordered the berries cheesecake however the berry sauce on top was thin, watery and lacked flavour. The cake itself was also lacking in any cheese flavour- every mouthful felt like eating spoonfuls of whipping cream. In addition, due to the watery sauce and flat plate design, the server failed to realise she was dripping berry sauce all over our chairs, my charging cable and my trousers as she was bringing the plate to our table. No apologies were given and we had to clean this ourselves.

We spent around £28-29 per person for 2 appetisers, 4 mains and 3 desserts (drinks not included). If you visit, definitely try a few of their pastas however would shy away from the desserts due to...