About US
Pasta Ripiena is the sister restaurant to Bristol’s award-winning Pasta Loco. Like all siblings they share things in common; both cherish a warm welcome and food is served from the heart and the kitchen in equal measure.
Joe Harvey
Joe grew up with four siblings in a household where family, hospitality and home cooking were all celebrated. His approach to food can be mapped directly onto this heritage. Joe’s art is in serving unpretentious honest dishes, which are served in a comfortable, busy atmosphere. When he became Head Chef at Bellita, a focus on Italian food joined the table. From there the step across the street to Pasta Loco seemed inevitable.
TOM HENSON - MANAGER
History - I was dragged up in the sticks of the rural East Midlands by a butcher’s family.
I then went off to uni and pretended I wanted to be a poet whilst lying about finishing the books I was writing essays about. From there I went back home and tended bar in pubs like every good literature graduate should.
After invariably getting bored back home, I travelled the world a bit before finally landing in Bristol.
I jobbed around for a few years before landing with the Bianchis group.
After working in all of the Bianchis restaurants in turn, I ultimately refused to leave
Pasta Ripiena and now I’m running it!
When I’m not in Pasta Ripiena I’m usually spending my time listening to sad-boy music and messing around with the guitars I spend my money on (whilst going to great lengths to not actually practice).
Favourite venue - Besides my predictable bias to Pasta Ripiena, Bianchi’s has to be a close second – it’s just such a great space, with a properly classic menu.
Favourite dish - I’m a big fan of the pork belly starter we have on the menu right now, I’m a sucker for a really buttery polenta and who doesn’t love crispy pork belly?
My affection sways like the wind, however, so my answer will probably be different in a few days…
Shout out - Big fan if Gigi’s pizza – finally a place I can get an enormous pizza just for myself.
