42 Pasta is the Answer

The year of 2024 has yet to come to a close when we made our visit to 42 Pasta is the Answer at Thomson Plaza — that being said, we would suppose that 42 Pasta is the Answer is perhaps one of the most interesting establishments with a unique character that we have found within a mall thus far for the year. Taking up a space at Thomson Plaza, 42 Pasta is the Answer takes over the former premises of the now-defunct outlet of IKURA Japanese that is located around the perimeters of the mall beside the outlet of Shi Li Fang Hot Pot 食立方火锅 there. Whilst 42 Pasta is the Answer may be an entirely new concept to the local F&B scene here, these folks aren’t totally new to the F&B business — they were previously running a home-based business under the name 42 Bakes. The opening of their brick-and-mortar store saw a switch in the sort of items that they are serving up, though the whole spirit of small production and family-style food lovingly made from scratch still lives on here. The interior of the space is decked in a warm and cosy vibe seeing the use of white walls, tiled flooring and wooden furniture and fittings that gives its a slight European vibe – all that with the open-concept kitchen located at the far end where one can observe all the pasta-making and food preparation process from within. The food menu at 42 Pasta is the Answer is deliberately kept simple due to its simple, family-style operations; being an establishment that is focused on serving up handmade pasta, they have limited their pasta offerings to solely one item being the Pasta of the Day — this would feature a rotating special that changes daily. Otherwise, the food menu is segmented into sections of Appetisers, Mains and Dessert, while drinks available at 42 Pasta is the Answer include coffee, tea, canned drinks and Yuzu Apple Cider — just to name a few.

The Pasta of the Day during our visit made to 42 Pasta is the Answer was the Tagliatelle al Ragu — the chalkboard menu which lists the specials for the day has described the Tagliatelle al Ragu to come with Pork & Chicken; we had also seen instances where the Pasta of the Day served up at 42 Pasta are more complex creations, with examples being the Foglie di Vilvo and Potato Ravioli. As mentioned, all pasta dishes served up at 42 Pasta is the Answer features handmade pasta, and other elements included here that we can observe on the plate includes the tomato-based sauce that the pasta is being tossed with, as well as Parmesan shavings that adds on to the aesthetics of the dish. Digging into the pasta, the pasta comes al-dente with a good bite whilst also not being brittle; a very good texture. Considering how Ragu is essentially a meat sauce, there are shreds of beef that can be found amidst the bright and tangy tomato-based sauce which gave it the meatiness that it should carry; the meat carrying just a whiff of gaminess that one would expect in such a dish but otherwise wasn’t particularly bother. It also came with small chunks of pork where some establishments would describe as pork sausages; these chunks of pork does come with a prominent hint of herbs that were used to further elevate the flavours of the dish — all that whilst not carrying any undesirable porky stench while at it.

We also managed to try the English Fruitcake during the very same visit to 42 Pasta is the Answer — this is in fact a special for the day which they carry in-line with the Christmas season during our visit; the only dessert that 42 Pasta is the Answer carries on its regular menu would be the Basque Cheesecake. Considering the roots of 42 Pasta is the Answer being 42 Bakes, all of their cakes and bakes are actually made in-house as well. The English Fruitcake is what one would expect for a cake that is served during the Christmas season; the cake itself being one that is almost akin to being a firm pound cake whilst featuring nibs of candied fruit that seems to be soaked in alcohol for a bit of a soft, sweet bite with a boozy touch.

Despite offering just a limited number of items on its menu, 42 Pasta is the Answer stands out as probably one of the more unique establishments that we had visited during the year with quite a fair bit of character — the establishment does feel shaped around family-style cuisine with the operations being almost like a one-man show. Whilst the idea behind the Pasta of the Day was conceived likely due to the limitations of their operations, it also provides an element of fun in a way that makes them a little bit similar to a Japanese Omakase concept — leaving it all and trusting the chef to serve up what he would like to offer for the day. This also gives patrons a reason for patrons to revisit just to check out on the other pasta dishes that they have to offer since every trip would yield a different dining experience. Having tried the Tagliatelle al Ragu, we also felt that these folks definitely know their craft, and pour in their heart and soul into the preparation of each plate — every dish is a showcase of their skill, passion and dedication that runs deep in the DNA of 42 Pasta is the Answer. Definitely one of those establishments worth making a special trip down just to find out what they are all about!