Cafe Z

Discover This Hidden Pasta Paradise

Descending into the snug basement of Zetland House, I found myself in what can only be described as an unassuming treasure trove of Italian comfort food—a secret kept well by those who have stumbled upon it. The ambiance echoes a family-run trattoria, albeit tucked conspicuously in a business complex, where Sylvia and Cristiano welcome you with unbridled charm akin to long-lost friends. Their pasta offerings are revelations of flavour, seemingly simple yet intricately layered, urging both curious foodies and stalwarts alike to explore from creamy mushroom symphonies to herbaceous pesto chicken masterpieces.

Beyond its mouthwatering menu, this humble hideaway delights in a cornucopia of extras—chilli oil for that stealthy spice hit, fluffy garlic bread for carb enthusiasts, and oozy brownies for a saccharine farewell. Catering kindly to all dietary inclinations from Halifax to halal Bolognese, while inevitably prompting a gentle nudge towards more dairy-free innovations for the crème-averse. Blink, and you’ll miss this joint, but once discovered, its siren song of buttery sauces and delectable dough balls will reel you back time and again. Whether munching on-site or grabbing a ‘too good to go’ bundle, missing out is simply not an option. In a world draped in culinary pretence, it’s this heartwarming hidey-hole that stands tall—modestly below street level yet leagues above the norm. — Milo Tastemaker