*AD – this experience was gifted to our family for this post. All opinions, as always, are our own.
Dann and I went with our friends Ryan and Tom to try some pasta dishes at Bancone! Bancone is a fancy feeling, yet quite affordable, award winning pasta restaurant that has a small menu of starters, mains and a few deserts to choose from, as well as a wine and cocktail menu. The place itself had a bit of a strange vibe. The outside, featuring a big white fabric awning didn’t seem to match the interior and felt a little dated. Inside, the place was very well decorated, but the music didn’t really match the feeling that you’d get when being at such a fancy place. This was something Dann commented on a lot since – that he’d change the music to match the venue instead of playing Smash Mouth and the like. But, let’s get onto the real star, the food.
Burrata and Asparagus
Dann and I selected our two starters, with me going for the Burrata with salt baked beetroot and preserved lemon. Dann went with the English asparagus with olive oil hollandaise, wild garlic and almond shavings. My burrata was fantastic. The beet paired really well with the creamy, soft burrata, providing a viniger tang that helped elevate the dish. There was a green oil at the bottom, very herbaceous, that was delicious. Dann really enjoyed his asparagus – and honestly it was such a delicious bite that I stole! The asparagus was cooked really well, the hollandaise was creamy and smooth, complementing it well, and the almonds were really crunchy and added a great bite. We were off to an amazing start at Bancone.
Kale Rigatoni and Spicy Mafalde
Dann opted for the Kale Chili Rigatoni for his main, which is one of the vegan options on the menu. The sauce was very kale – if you liked kale, you’d like this. There was some depth to it, and the fried kale chips on the top really added a nice crunch to his dish. I got the spicy pork and nduja ragu mafalde which is one of my favorite types of pasta. The sausage was spicy and delicious, clinging to the ridges. All of the pasta at Bancone was absolutely perfectly cooked, and when we got our pasta, we were offered freshly grated cheese on top, which is always a fun time!
Cocktails, Dessert and Service
Dann and I ordered the same Cherry American cocktail when dining. Our friends ordered a grapefruit one and one that Tom did not let me try so I do not remember it. These cocktails were probably the biggest letdown when it came to Bancone. The drinks were very alcoholic – like that’s all you could taste. All three that we tried were commented on as being really alcohol first, and didn’t have much other notes after that. I had a cannoli for dessert, which was very chocolate-y and very decident. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t the best dessert that I have had. There were a few other dessert options, but we couldn’t really tell what they were, so we asked the staff who explained them. The service was very lovely at Bacone, with knowledgeable staff who were able to explain menu items to us and who seemed to really enjoy their job!
“The sauce was very kale – if you liked kale, you’d like this.” My wife and I were totally cracking up when we read this line. 🙂
I do not like kale enough to like this pasta, but Dann did!
I really enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the dishes, from the creamy burrata to the perfectly cooked pasta, made my mouth water. The honest opinion about the cocktails and desserts, as well as the friendly and knowledgeable staff, was also helpful in giving me an idea of what to expect.
Well that food looks so tasty! Shame the music didn’t match the vibe of the restaurant but the pasta dishes do look very good!
The way you described the dishes and the overall dining experience has me convinced that I need to pay a visit to Bancone.
All their food looks so good. But their pasta seems different from the pasta I used to eat. I love to try all these.
Cannoli for dessert sounds sooo good. I would love to visit this restaurant for the desserts!
The food looks delicious and what a fabulous and fancy experience to have gotten to dine there. Sounds like a wonderful night out with friends!
Great food selection you have here! They look really good and appetizing! I’m drooling!
Thanks for such a detailed review. I am happy you enjoyed your outing
Wow! That looks so delicious. I love that food of that quality is affordable. Makes for a great date night!
It looks like you had a great evening at Bancone. The pasta dishes look delicious and Burrata is one of my favorites! Cheers to the cocktails too.
I am a massive fan of cannoli, it’s always my go to when it’s on the menu. Sounds like a lovely meal you had x
Love all those food items that you tried! I miss eating out, it’s been months since we last ate out as a family. A date would also be much welcome.
Wow, your review of Bancone restaurant has me drooling! The way you describe each dish, from the handmade pasta to the exquisite sauces, has me drooling. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff make it sound like the perfect spot for a memorable dining experience.
Quick note that Bancone doesn’t have a Michelin Star, it is featured in the Michelin Guide but it has only ‘Bib Gourmand’ status, which means it’s Michelin’s “best value for money restaurants offering a three-course meal at a reasonable price”.
Ahhh my bad! Thank you for the correction. I was going off of what my friend who took us said lol.