As a Bramhall resident, we have become spoilt in the last few years with an ever growing number of eateries on our doorstep. Some are better than others obviously and everyone has their favourites (sometimes there's no accounting for taste though).
Piccolino's opened here in 2006, serving modern Italian food. During that time it has remained a constant favourite with the locals, praised for its quality of food and service. The doubters in the community complain about the cost at the end of the meal and the noisy surroundings. Its one of the few restaurants in the area which doesn't do cheap weekday offers, early birds or vouchers. It does however do a fixed price lunch which is very good value, and seasonal.
Friday was a beautiful, weirdly sunny (for March), day and my husband, again unusually, was off work. It would have been a crime to not make use of this opportunity of kid free time to go out for lunch. We decided on Piccolino's being so close and reliably good. Being such a beautiful day we opted to sit outside.
I noticed the lunch menu looked interesting on the board outside and chose a sausage, fennel and tarragon risotto to start and a pizza with prawns, courgettes and chilli to follow. My other half chose the carpaccio followed by sea bass en papillote which was on their daily specials menu.
The risotto was exceptional. I would usually be wary of ordering a risotto for a starter, however the starter portion was just right and had so much flavour. Slowly braised fennel and sausage flavours that packed a real punch. The pizza that came next although good, was not as stunning as the starter. The chilli and tomato gave a real kick to the excellent prawns. However, although I like my pizzas cooked freshly, thin and crisp, this was a little over crisp, and just a little boring. Perhaps it may have been just in comparison to the exceptional risotto though.
My husbands carpaccio was good, presented nicely and just how it should be. His sea bass was the star of his meal. Served en papillote, it was flavoured with wine, olives, and lemon and had been cooked in the paper with potatoes. All the flavours had combined beautifully, and the fish was cooked perfectly.
By this time, we had decided to have a glass of wine each and it certainly helped to feel like we had been transported to a sunnier climate. Along with the great food, and service we felt suitably relaxed and well fed. This is one of the few places I know which greets guests properly and professionally and they have a number of obviously well experienced waiting staff. The whole experience is always pleasurable. We and many of our friends find it great to bring kids here also. It is a busy, bustly restaurant and your children will not get glared at.
Overall, a slightly pricier than usual lunch, but fantastic seasonal food, served professionally in very pleasant surroundings.
Piccolino's opened here in 2006, serving modern Italian food. During that time it has remained a constant favourite with the locals, praised for its quality of food and service. The doubters in the community complain about the cost at the end of the meal and the noisy surroundings. Its one of the few restaurants in the area which doesn't do cheap weekday offers, early birds or vouchers. It does however do a fixed price lunch which is very good value, and seasonal.
Friday was a beautiful, weirdly sunny (for March), day and my husband, again unusually, was off work. It would have been a crime to not make use of this opportunity of kid free time to go out for lunch. We decided on Piccolino's being so close and reliably good. Being such a beautiful day we opted to sit outside.
I noticed the lunch menu looked interesting on the board outside and chose a sausage, fennel and tarragon risotto to start and a pizza with prawns, courgettes and chilli to follow. My other half chose the carpaccio followed by sea bass en papillote which was on their daily specials menu.
The risotto was exceptional. I would usually be wary of ordering a risotto for a starter, however the starter portion was just right and had so much flavour. Slowly braised fennel and sausage flavours that packed a real punch. The pizza that came next although good, was not as stunning as the starter. The chilli and tomato gave a real kick to the excellent prawns. However, although I like my pizzas cooked freshly, thin and crisp, this was a little over crisp, and just a little boring. Perhaps it may have been just in comparison to the exceptional risotto though.
My husbands carpaccio was good, presented nicely and just how it should be. His sea bass was the star of his meal. Served en papillote, it was flavoured with wine, olives, and lemon and had been cooked in the paper with potatoes. All the flavours had combined beautifully, and the fish was cooked perfectly.
By this time, we had decided to have a glass of wine each and it certainly helped to feel like we had been transported to a sunnier climate. Along with the great food, and service we felt suitably relaxed and well fed. This is one of the few places I know which greets guests properly and professionally and they have a number of obviously well experienced waiting staff. The whole experience is always pleasurable. We and many of our friends find it great to bring kids here also. It is a busy, bustly restaurant and your children will not get glared at.
Overall, a slightly pricier than usual lunch, but fantastic seasonal food, served professionally in very pleasant surroundings.
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