For a chain restaurant I actually love Piccolino.
I’ve been to the restaurant, in the heart of the historic Lace Market, several times and it does seem to be more of your upmarket end chain restaurant. The menu has been given some thought and the dishes usually well-flavoured.
We visit this time on a Sunday evening just before Christmas. We thought it might be quiet but it is still busy – good going for a Sunday night. We wait to be seated in which time another couple join the queue. The waitress automatically pairs us with the other couple. We all laugh it off. The other couple begin to ask about a photo behind reception. The waitress abruptly tells him to wait. She’s obviously had a bad day. She leads us to our table and hands us a menu. She doesn’t mention any specials, another waitress later advises us of those and what they don’t have left on the menu. A third waiter then takes our wine order.
The restaurant gets increasingly busier as our Shiraz arrives at the table. We also receive some beautiful Foccacia bread with oil and balsamic vinegar.
Serving fresh seasonal produce, Italian cheeses, meat and seafood with pure flavours which reflect the Italian cuisine. The main menu is divided into sections. Pane, Da Dividere, Terra E Monti, Antipasti, Insalate, Pizza Al Forno (the restaurant follows traditional methods when it comes to pizzas, similar to the techniques used in Naples, its birthplace. Made from slow rising sourdough, hand stretched and baked in their woodstone oven), Pasta Al Forno, Risotto, Ravioli, Pasta, Pesce, Crostacei, Carne, Macelleria, Contorni plus daily specials.
For the starter I choose the Asparagi Alla Griglia (£7.50) Grilled asparagus, soft poached egg and herb breadcrumbs. A simple dish which can be nice though I was given a blunt, butter knife type of knife to cut it which didn’t work. I tried just biting into it but the asparagus was tough and stringy, so hard to eat.
The main course was far better, a gorgeous Penne Alla Norma (£10.00) slices of roast garlic, aubergine, chilli, basil and ricotta salata. A little cool round the edges but otherwise a rich well-flavoured pasta dish which I would definitely order again.
The restaurant offers some tasty desserts or Dolci Formaggi as they call it. Being a bit of a chocoholic I order the Semifreddo (£5.50) iced hazelnut praline parfait served with a rich chocolate sauce. Delicious. From previous experience I can also recommend the Tortino Al Cioccolato, an indulgent warm chocolate fondant and caramel ice cream. All the ice creams are mass using milk and cream from Gornall’s dairy, Goosnargh, in the Ribble Valley by the restaurants skilled pastry chefs, led by Antoine Quentin. For those with a lighter appetite they offer a selection of ice creams and sorbets or Cioccolatini, six beautiful handmade chocolate truffles flavoured with Frangelico liqueur.
As with a lot of city centre restaurants, the tables in part of the restaurant could do with being a little further spaced out. The close proximity means its fine if you’re nosy and want to have a look what your neighbour is eating, but we were nearby a diner who kept repeatedly blowing his nose loudly – not something which gives you an appetite, that aside, the food is consistently good so I’ll definitely be paying them a visit again soon.
By Tanya Raybould
For more information or to book visit: www.individualrestaurants.com/piccolino/nottingham/
