Pastability

Pastability is a lovely delicatessen, pastificio (pasta maker) and gelateria in the heart of Newark. It is also a café and offers home-cooked Italian-inspired dishes. Serving fresh pasta, artisan gelato, cheeses, olives, and continental charcuterie, it will delight fans of Italian produce.

Co-owners Xavier Vazquez and Francesco Concilio have created an unpretentious venue that focuses on good, freshly made, home-cooked food inspired by traditional Italian cuisine. The café is fully licensed and you can eat in or take away – in fact, if you pop along with your own ovenware they will even cook you a lasagne, pasta bake or cannelloni to take home for the family.

The service we received during lunch was fantastic, with friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable staff. We chose the grilled Italian sausage – an authentic spicy Neapolitan sausage served on a bed of freshly cooked pasta. And the barolo beef stew – a traditional beef stew cooked in red wine, carrots, celery, tomatoes, herbs and potato gnocchi. Both were delicious, warming and comforting – perfect for an autumn lunch!

Pastability is a great little café. It feels like you are visiting someone’s home to enjoy real Italian hospitality. The take-away options, fresh pasta and lovely gelato make it just a bit special and, if it’s warm enough, there is also space to eat outside in this attractive part of Newark. At the time of writing, Pastability is open Tuesday to Saturday.

By Abby Brennan, Nottinghamshire editor

Photos: Discover Newark and Pastability Facebook page