Piccolino

 

Piccolino is a successful chain serving high-class Italian pizza, pasta, carne and pesce at reasonable prices. With branches in most major cities in the UK – Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle – this is the second to open in London (the first at 27 Bellevue Rd, Wandsworth, SW17 7EF, opened October last year). This branch on Heddon Street, is a quiet respite from buzzing Regent Street and in the summer the outdoor seating area gets packed. It’s on the site of what used to be Conran’s Zinc Bar & Grill and is not quite as effortlessly stylish as its predecessor, certainly the pink toilets are sadly no longer. When we visited the staff could not have been more helpful or attentive (though this is only to be expected when you’ve got a room full of press) - we were waited on by no fewer than four smiling, happy waiters. For first class Italian food I couldn’t fault it. Every mouthful confirmed that these were authentic Italian recipes made with the finest ingredients. You can usually judge a restaurant by the taste of its buffalo mozzarella, this was perfect in both texture and creamy taste. From the delicious homemade breadsticks infused with cheese and herbs right through to the gelato, clearly made with real strawberries, everything is created on the premises and it shows. It’s this attention to detail which makes Piccolino shine. In a world where Carluccio’s has raised the bar for Italian food, Piccolino certainly lives up to - and on occasion exceeds - expectations.