Weekender: Business aiming to offer diners the best in homemade pasta

Pasta restaurant Sarto has announced that it will open its doors in Quarry Hill, Leeds, at 5pm on Saturday 19th October.

It is based in Munro House, close to the bus station and is a joint project between Laynes Espresso and The Brunswick.

Although Leeds has more traditional Italian family restaurants on its outskirts, and a rash of Italian chains in the centre, Sarto is aiming to bring something new – quality, homemade pasta, in a cool and informal environment, in the city centre.

The restaurant occupies an ex-fabric warehouse – hence the name, Sarto being Italian for tailor. Menu items will include the likes of: Pan-fried gnocchi, jerusalem artichoke, nutmeg and thyme; Squid ink bucatini, nduja, shetland mussels and samphire; Pumpkin, sage & taleggio arancini, aioli and Pappardelle, neck of beef ragu, old winchester.

Sarto will be pouring some great refreshments to go with its Italian food offering. Beers on tap will range from local North Brew Co offerings to Amstel, complemented by a bottle bar too.

Wine will be procured from local aficionados Latitude and Wayward, and Sarto will be using the Sustainable Spirit Co for its house spirits.

Dave Olejnik, Sarto co-founder, said: “Finally we’re able to put an opening date out there…and coincidentally it’s the same day as my 40th birthday!

“Running the Sarto pop-ups at Laynes for six weekends helped us trial and test many of the dishes diners will see on the menu, and allowed us to chat to people about what we aim to achieve. We’re sure Sarto will find its place amongst the other quality-led casual dining venues that Leeds has to offer.”

Yanni, Sarto Head Chef, said: “I’m so excited to finally have Sarto ready to open. It will allow me the opportunity to make fresh pasta dishes, while working with a combination of Italian heritage ingredients and the best of local producers. I’ll be pushing pasta in a direction that everyone can relate to, while making sure we serve something unique and honest.”

Sarto will open from Saturday 19th October, so get ready to visit for the city centre’s answer to the best homemade pasta.