Having tried Piccolino 2 Go during lockdown we jumped at the chance to have a night out at the restaurant and to sample Piccolino’s‘Try January’.
The Italian restaurant chain is spinning Veganuary and Dry January into something way more palatable with Piccolino’s Try January. In their words “it’s not about giving something up; it’s about trying something new.” Hats off to the head chefs who have created a fabulous offering of delicious vegan dishes and the head sommelier, Dario Barbato, who has assembled a zero/low alcohol drinks offering.
We were met by Marco and escorted to the Roof Terrace at Piccolino in Ilkley, where the atmosphere was vibrant and warm despite the sub-zero temperature outside. The terrace is heated, fully enclosed and really well appointed. A great place for friends to meet.
We started with a glass of Belle & Co sparkling and Everleaf and Tonic. The first fruity and fizzy, latter full of lovely botanicals, both really enjoyable. Everleaf’s zero-alcohol earth-inspired tonics boast an aroma, depth and complexity to rival any other. A new range of non-alcoholic cocktails also feature alongside the more potent variety and are reasonably priced.
Onto the menu then. Husband Graham and I are not vegan or even vegetarian although we do recognise the health and ecological benefits of switching to a plant-based diet. However, recent vegan dining experiences have not gone well and as a cautionary word if ever you see ‘Battered Banana Blossom’ on a menu, sold to me on the basis of being ‘vegan fish and chips’, ignore it completely. We find that anything that is trying to be something else is almost always a bitter disappointment.
In the case of Piccolino’s, the kitchen is preparing mouth-watering, Italian cuisine that is good honest fayre which is not trying to imitate anything. These dishes are a new and exciting addition to the restaurant’s classic menu.
Our starter, Arancine di Zucca, these are butternut squash dough balls served with a sharp, sundried tomato mayonnaise to dip into. Incredibly filling and a great start. No need for a breadbasket, this food is hearty and fullsome!
We shared a Pizza Tartufo E Zucchine. The truffle oil, mushrooms, courgette ribbons and a sprinkling of chili flakes on a light pizza base was really well balanced. We did not miss the cheese one bit and whilst it might have been an easy tap in to simply do a version of pizza marguerita Piccolino’s have pushed the boat out here with a little luxury.
Other second includes Gnocchi di Patate Dulci (sweet potato gnocchi on an almond pesto) and Fettucine Al Sugo di Verdure (vegetables, red wine, miso, tomato and bay leaf). Absolutely cracking, both dishes packed full of flavour and textures. The only thing I might have added to this with hindsight is a lovely crisp Insalata Verde to give a little crunch and to refresh the palate a little.
We washed these down with a glass each of alcohol-free wine by Torres. We find zero alcohol wines can be disappointing, but these were pleasant enough. In time let’s hope wine makers will be able to make the same impressive strides that the zero-beer market has made in recent years. Piccolino’s are offering a Moretti Zero – refreshingly sharp and very much like it’s full bodied version and you can drive home safely!
We couldn’t leave without trying the ‘Dolci’ and the Torta al Cioccolata was a grand finale to what was a terrific meal. Light chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache and refreshing, raspberry sorbet. With courgette somewhere in the mix which we couldn’t taste you would never know this one is vegan. Yes, it’s fair to say that plant-based cuisine is moving on a pace.
This menu features alongside the restaurant’s classic menu and you can mix and match it up if you wish. There are no rules here just cleverly thought out and well-prepared food. Marco and the staff did a great job of looking after us in that wonderfully warm, friendly way that one finds synonymous with Italian restaurants. Graham was bantering with Marco about Italian football and I was observing the numerous birthday parties that were happening around us on a busy Saturday night. Lots to smile about.
The Piccolino’s ‘Try January’ menu is available until January 31st across all Piccolino restaurants.
Whatever your approach to January, Piccolino’s will send you on your way well fed and watered. You can join your friends and while they might be tucking into pepperoni, seafood and a meat feast something or other, you can stick to your Veganuary or Dry January principles and go home maybe feeling just a little bit (and quite rightly) deliciously smug.
Review by Deana Morgan
