Since retiring we have endeavoured to try as many restaurant styles as possible including more modern or ”trendy” places, after all you cannot criticise without trying. Piccolino may be a step too modern.
First impressions are American/Italian rather than ”mamma’s kitchen”. It is bright and inviting with a covered and heated outside eating area. As soon as we entered our ears were blasted by the music?, not Italian nor anything with lyrics, just a drum and base beat that that was so loud that conversation was almost impossible and hearing the waiter was extremely difficult; it was so pervasive it made you slightly nauseous.
To be fair the food was very good, not expensive and the service was attentive. The wine list was way over the top on price, obviously the mark-up subsidises the food. Everywhere was clean and bright and the banquette for four of us was comfortable and well set but then there were let downs. As previously stated, we had to shout to communicate with the waiter which always seems rude. He said that everything on the menu was available so we ordered, unfortunately the chosen puddings were not available. When we received the starters and the white wine we were drinking was topped up, I asked for a bottle of Primitivo to accompany the mains but it was not in stock. While discussing an alternative, I was slightly insulted that he thought I did not know the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico.
We enjoyed the food but cannot recommend it to anyone who wishes to chat whilst eating or minds paying Michelin Star prices for wine.
