La rosa

More than one diner has said they wanted to finish the soup after eating the pasta. At La rosa, the soup-based pasta dishes make a particular impression. One guest ordered peperoncino served in soup; another enjoyed vongole bianco as soup pasta, recalling that it came with plenty of clams already removed from their shells. The menu also lists vongole bianco with a white clam sauce. One diner who tried it at lunch was pleasantly surprised by the clear broth. If you are drawn to pasta with soup at its heart, it is worth considering not just the type of pasta but how it is served.

For a different kind of texture, try the handmade tagliolini made with squid ink. The menu describes it as fresh pasta with a satisfyingly chewy bite, matched with a rich sauce made to stand up to the noodles. The familiar spaghetti choices also offer different sauce styles, including clams in red or white sauce, spicy arrabbiata and a carbonara-style sauce topped with a soft-cooked egg. One lunch guest noted that the next dish arrived as they finished the previous one, making this a meal to enjoy at an unhurried pace, one plate at a time.

To add a small plate before or alongside pasta, try the small shrimp canapé with cream cheese sauce, or broccoli and shrimp with herb sauce. For something more substantial, the menu includes tender beef tongue stew served with bread, and pork spareribs braised in tomato sauce. The menu notes that the finished small portion of ribs weighs about 200g, while the large portion is just over 300g. That can help when choosing a dish to share.

For dessert, one option is a trio featuring tiramisu and panna cotta, along with your choice of ice cream or sherbet. A diner who ordered the assortment particularly remembered the smooth panna cotta. The menu describes it as a dessert made with fresh cream and milk. It is a good way to sample a little of several sweets rather than choosing just one.

The wine selection ranges from dry white to medium-bodied and full-bodied reds, with options to accompany the food. If you have time to linger over a meal, you might start by choosing a pasta dish served with soup and savour it down to the last spoonful.