Vapiano, the euro-chic pasta chain is situated within Manchester’s Corn Exchange, a recently renovated Edwardian building combining it’s period features with  a modern twist.  Home to a hub of exciting and eclectic restaurants, there’s something for everyone with a selection of flavours from around the globe.  We chose to stop off at Italy and take in Vapiano, the while-you-wait pasta and pizza stop which offers up fresh and delicious pasta cooked to your liking in front of you.

Now, I love pasta.  No seriously.

Perfectly al dente, a slick of olive oil, a lot of garlic,Perfectly al dente, a slick of olive oil, a lot of garlic, fresh tomatoes, a sprinkling of peppery rocket and served with lashings of parmesan and a wedge of ciabatta to mop up the oil. It’s my happy place.

 That’s how I like it, served fresh and straight from the pan to my plate.

Vapiano operates something of a swipe and go system when it comes to ordering and payment.  On arrival you’re given a Vapiano card which is essentially your currency whilst you’re there.  You order at the open plan kitchen, swipe your card and the cost of your dishes is loaded to the card, same for the bar.  Swipe on exit and pay your bill.  It couldn’t be any simpler than that.  It cuts out the middle man (or woman) and means Vapiano is completely self service which is why the seemingly endless bowls of fresh pasta come in at around £10.

I ordered the Filleto Di Manzo e Rucola – beef fillet, mushrooms, fresh vegetables, white wine, onions, rocket, cooked medium rare to my liking and served with pappardelle made fresh on site each day.

When I say the bowls of pasta are endless, I mean it.  I can work my way through a good portion of pasta.  Hell, I’m the girl who helps herself to seconds of tomato and chilli laced spaghetti, slurping it noisily like I’m in a scene from Lady & the Tramp.  But teamed with the fluffiest based garlic cheese bread, oozing with tangy cheddar and topped with parmesan, I had to admit defeat and left with a carb baby and that happy content feeling you get what you’ve just indulged in your favourite comfort food.

Probably not ideal to visit here before an afternoon of shopping.