Bellevue Road has recently added another top dining spot to its already impressive selection of eateries. Take a stroll down the pretty common-side walkway and you will discover Piccolino. It’s part of a nationwide chain, but owners The Individual Restaurant Company, are keen to keep each location distinct from the others by highlighting specific characteristics at every venue. At this particular branch, it is size that certainly matters: the place is huge, with seats for 100 diners spread across a bar, spacious dining area and pretty glass extension which I imagine, in the summer, is certainly the place to be. It was in fact perfectly delightful on a rainy November evening, and looked as welcoming from the outside as it felt inside. Despite the size of the restaurant, the feeling was intimate and service was attentive and prompt. Our waiter had the brilliant plan of bringing fresh peach bellinis to aid our deliberation over the menu, which is also huge. Cuisine is authentic Italian, and with nearly 20 starters to chose from, its tricky to pick. Antipasto primi was a good selection of favourites, with king prawns, sardines and chunks of parmesan preparing us well for mains of fillet steak and calves liver – wise and warming choices on a wintry evening!
After only one visit to this new eatery, you feel that you have just touched the surface, and with such a huge choice of dishes, a return trip is certainly in order to truly appreciate all they have to offer.
Vicky Smith
Place: Piccolino, 27-29 Bellevue Road SW17 (020 8767 1713)
Feels like: Spacious and buzzing
Tastes like: Italian faves
Cost: Starters from £2.95, Mains from £7.95