Piccolino - Lunch
The main - Ribeye and Truffle & Pecorino fries. Side - Peas & Pancetta. Wine - Bericanto Pinot Noir
After my last visit to Piccolino in December—right after my birthday—I had mixed feelings. It wasn’t the quality of the food or service, but they’d run out of some of my favourite dishes. Given it was the holiday season, I let it slide. Fast forward to late August, and this time, I made sure to go in for lunch. It's taken me a couple of weeks to get around to writing this, what with holidays and everything, but better late than never!
The place wasn’t too busy, so we had the luxury of picking our table. The décor at Piccolino has that classic Italian bistro vibe—red leather banquettes, clothed tables, and the usual table setting. The atmosphere was laid-back, and there's an open kitchen, which my son absolutely loves. He even called over to the chef, and the chef invited him to take a closer look—completely within health and safety limits, of course. A really nice touch!
We started with oysters—not because we’re fancy, but because I rarely get the chance to have them. It was a little treat for myself. They were fresh, briny, and paired perfectly with the Bericanto Pinot Noir we ordered. Lighter wines like this one are perfect for letting the flavours of the oysters really stand out. Naturally, I loaded mine up with Tabasco and the sweet onion relish that came with them. They didn’t last long!
For the mains, I went with the 28-day-aged Angus and Hereford Argentinian ribeye, cooked medium to well (yes, I know, don’t judge—it's how I like it!). It’s my favourite cut because of the fat marbling that adds so much flavour. My partner opted for a Capricciosa pizza, which had tomato, chestnut mushrooms, Italian roast ham, mozzarella, and crispy leccino olives—an Italian classic. Meanwhile, my son, the world’s fussiest eater, asked the chef for a simple ham and pepperoni pizza, even though I’m pretty sure it wasn’t on the menu. No surprise, that’s what came out, and he loved it.
My steak was accompanied by truffle & Pecorino fries and a side of Peas & pancetta. The ribeye was cooked perfectly and had that rich, juicy flavour you expect from a good cut of meat. You really can’t go wrong with a ribeye. The pizzas were freshly made in the traditional Italian way, and they didn’t disappoint either.
The service was top-notch, with the staff being both attentive and unobtrusive—just how I like it. They let us enjoy our meal but were there the moment we needed anything. Overall, this visit completely wiped away any lingering disappointment from my December experience (again not really their fault!)
Piccolino’s pricing is fair, with pizzas starting around £13. The steaks are a bit pricier compared to some other spots, but the whole experience made it worthwhile. When you leave happy and full, and the family is content, it’s worth every penny, right? I know they run some special lunch and dinner deals, so it’s worth checking out.
(And yes, the steak in the picture is as good as it looks!
Fresh oysters
