This Lina Stores King’s Cross review begins the way a good Italian lunch should, with friends, a big table, and the sort of happiness that only a bowl of pasta can inspire. King’s Cross is the right branch for that mood, with its bright room, big menu, and fast bustle. It’s easy to find, easy to settle, and even easier to justify ordering the set menu for research.

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Trying the Festa da Lina set menu at Line Stores Kings Cross

We went for the Festa da Lina set menu (£49pp), which is a sharing menu that tours the hits of Lina Stores London.

There’s lots on the menu to tantalize the tastebuds, including rosemary focaccia, burrata glossed in olive oil, and a tuna crudo laid out with capers and salsa verde. Then the headline – a three course trio of pasta, which leads into gamberi grigliati (grilled prawns). To finish off, there’s a generous slab of tiramisu.

It’s a generous menu that relies on one big idea – you will be joyfully full of pasta by the end. We were.

Starting strong with Antipasti

To begin the tasting menu, we start with warm, rosemary flecked focaccia starts. Next up is Burrata, which is milky, cool, and spills into the plate once nudged, mixing with the fragrant olive oil. No fireworks here, just freshness and really good food.

The tuna crudo is the first dish that leans into really really delicious territory. Thin slices glisten under salsa verde, and lemon sits on the side like a promise. It’s bright and clean, the capers bringing lift and the peppercorn a gentle perfume.

The pasta chapter is delicious, abundant.. and perhaps relentless

The Festa da Lina menu at Lina Stores Kings Cross also includes three different pasta dishes. Be warned – these are absolutely huge.

First we try the pappardelle with lamb sausage ragu and chilli. The pasta ribbons are broad and properly silky, which means the ragu clings rather than drowns. Heat is measured, the cheese turns the sauce glossy, and you’ll want to drift back for one more taste time after time.

Next we have a decadent 30-egg-yolk tagliolini with black truffle and Parmigiano. The pasta springs softly, slicked with butter and cheese, and lifted with truffle. It’s indulgent but not shouty, and the table quietens as we dig in. A little goes a long way, which is useful, because portions are generous.

Third, a change of mood with ravioli of roasted Jerusalem artichoke and ricotta. The filling is sweet and earthy, and pine nuts add a needed crunch. Lemon keeps things fresh and sprightly.

Here’s the only caveat – it is a lot of pasta. Good pasta, yes, but the menu’s architecture leans almost entirely on it to deliver the feeling of abundance. If your ideal Italian lunch includes a couple of vegetable sides or a second fish dish, consider ordering one or two extras from the a la carte.

Gamberi grigliati is the plate we would happily double

The grilled prawns are wonderfully sweet, lightly charred, and tossed with datterini tomatoes, garlic and lemon.

They vanished almost immediately, and we mourn that we only have 2 each. We wanted more, and next time would order another helping.

The salad that tried to keep up

A green salad appears but is very basic. We have a nibble, but it’s otherwise untouched.

End our lunch at Lina Stores Kings Cross with Tiramisu

Tiramisu makes for a lovely end to a lovely meal at Lina Stores Kings Cross. The cream holds, then melts into coffee, and cocoa dusts everything.

Room, rhythm and the King’s Cross advantage

The Lina Stores King’s Cross dining room is a looker with its airy, mint-green trim. We found the service and food to be great, but next time would probably go back to try more of the a la carte menu. If those grilled prawns are anything to go by, there’s more on the menu to explore.

Value and how to play the Festa da Lina set menu

At £49 a head, the Festa da Lina set menu is strong value and you’ll leave full. I’d punctuate it with a couple of fish/veggie items from the a la carte too, if you want more variety.

Overall thoughts on Lina Stores Kings Cross

Our lunch at Lina Stores Kings Cross has been wonderful. I’d go when you want properly good pasta, warm focaccia and some of the best prawns I’ve ever had.

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Lina Stores Kings Cross
Address – 20 Stable St, London N1C 4DR
Nearest Tube – Kings Cross