Piccolino

A beautiful, modern setting to enjoy modern Italian cuisine.

The Venue
The venue is key to Piccolino and its success. From the outside big windows offer a glimpse at the massive display of bottled wines housed enticingly behind the bar and the slick, well-dressed waiting staff charming the seated customers.

Sitting just off Greek Street, the place is stylish with an air of pretentiousness that keeps the bankers flooding in and the students running away.

The People
It's a chain, although you are aware from the surroundings and the clientele that it’s not a chain of the cheap, high street variety. The staff are Italian (or maybe not?) but somewhat lacking in the air of charisma and sense of ease of a stereotypical waiter, in a family-run trattoria let's say.

However, just like the building, the staff look smart and so do the diners, from bankers enjoying a glass of wine at the bar to romantic couples and group parties.

The Food
Piccolino has a big selection of dishes served up on big white dishes. All the Italian classics are present such as anti pasti, which is great to share. To kick things off there's the antipasti primi for £14.70 and then lasagne al forno for £8.95.

There is also the addition of some interesting meat and fish dishes. Tuscan sausages, crispy duck breast and halibut make the secondi selection appetising but pricey, particularly when complemented with a side which comes highly recommended (duck with a portion of mashed potato and green beans is £19.95).

The rapido menu offers more affordable food from noon through to 6pm, offering a selection of grande dishes and a glass of wine for £9.95.

Desserts are good if, too, a little pricey. The dolce con amici (basically a selection of various sweets to share is £12.50) is a good idea for a group of friends and the chocolate truffles (£3) are a great way to end a meal with a coffee (cappuccino is £2.40).

The Drink
The wine list is extensive and something that Piccolino prides itself on. Wine doesn’t come cheap though, (starting at £14.70 for the house wine all the way through to champagne at £275 a bottle).

The menu has a ‘highly recommended' wine list but starting at £28.50 for the cheapest bottle it is again a little pricey. A full range of coffees, coffee liquers, dessert wines and grappa are available to finish the meal with.

The Last Word
Very enjoyable food and drinks in a chic, glitzy setting. If you can put up with pretentious business chat and you’re prepared for the bill, Piccolino is a sophisticated way to enjoy an evening with someone special.

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