Ida

London · Italian · Nice

Best Dish: Blue cheese and sausage pappardelle

Following two weeks in Italy, we were lucky to share ten sunny days in London the summer of 2023. We stayed in Queens Park, a lively and lowkey neighborhood in North London. It drizzled on our last night as we walked to Ida without a reservation. We should have made one because it was packed and they turned us away in the kindest way possible, allowing us to look for another restaurant while sitting at an empty table with a glass of water. We used the opportunity to linger until we won over their sympathies and the hostess finally let us in. From our corner view we saw groups of friends celebrating and couples on dates. The atmosphere was warm and intimate. The table was simply set and the menu spoke of their simple, traditional style. We ordered a carafe of the house wine, summer tomatoes and burrata, and two incredible pasta dishes that rivaled the very best of anything we have ever had. I do not typically go for white sauces, but upon a recommendation we ordered a “sausage pasta” – unassuming and extraordinary. The dish was layered with spice from Italian sausage, nuttiness from toasted walnuts, and a funk that Maya immediately identified as blue. Worth adjusting your plans to go give Ida a visit.