I had been told this restaurant was good and it sure was!
With amazing green decor and low lighting, Piccolino's was a real treat to sit in, it felt very trendy but not too much so you felt uncomfortable and it was very warm with lovely smells coming from the open kitchen.
When seated I think we were served by 3 different people which was fine as everyone seemed to have a role, man for drinks, waitress, front of house, everything ran very smoothly.
The menu is not that large but it was so hard to choose our dishes, I settled on Pollo Valdostana. Breaded & filled chicken, fontina cheese, ham & peperonata and Andy had Vitello alla Milanese. Pan fried, breaded veal escalope, spaghetti, tomato & basil. Both dishes were amazing! mine was so creamy, crispy and salty but was balanced perfectly by sweet peppers, Andy's was fresh tangy crispy and well seasoned and i must say both portions were HUGE!!
I was very surprised and very pleased with the quality and value, although 2 of the most expensive items on the menu the size and taste was worth it and we didn't feel ripped off!
There was no room for pudding sadly which sounded nice but I will defiantly be going back!
one not to miss!
FOOD: 9.5/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 9/10
PRICE: 8/10
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Brasserie Blanc - Quakers Friars - Bristol
Its always nice when you go somewhere for dinner that's not 100% to your liking and you don't have to pay, which is exactly what happened when I went to Brassier Blanc with my work colleagues.
The venue itself is stunning, very warm and inviting, the staff were very nice too and showed very attentive service considering there was 10 of us!
Now the food...well they do offer a quite good value set menu but the choices are very limited and are obviously cheaper products, one party had the fish cakes and the pear pudding both were apparently nice but the portion sizes were very small and i mean very...1 fish cake and some creamed leeks for a main course :(
I however went for the main menu as I fancied the mussel's and chips, in fact most of the party went for the larger menu and their portions were not any bigger, in fact laughable for the average price was about £15 per dish.
The taste of my mussel's were good though, they were well cooked and cleaned but to be honest I was not blown away.
We had plenty of room for pudding and I ordered the treacle sponge and ice cream. I wish I had taken a picture to convey how small it was, the scoop of ice cream was tea spoon sized and the sponge not much bigger! It was however nice but again did not blow me away.
I felt quite bad for my boss after the evening having to pay for the meal but sadly you do have a bad one, well not bad just small and very average!!!
FOOD: 6/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 7/10
PRICE: 6/10
The venue itself is stunning, very warm and inviting, the staff were very nice too and showed very attentive service considering there was 10 of us!
Now the food...well they do offer a quite good value set menu but the choices are very limited and are obviously cheaper products, one party had the fish cakes and the pear pudding both were apparently nice but the portion sizes were very small and i mean very...1 fish cake and some creamed leeks for a main course :(
I however went for the main menu as I fancied the mussel's and chips, in fact most of the party went for the larger menu and their portions were not any bigger, in fact laughable for the average price was about £15 per dish.
The taste of my mussel's were good though, they were well cooked and cleaned but to be honest I was not blown away.
We had plenty of room for pudding and I ordered the treacle sponge and ice cream. I wish I had taken a picture to convey how small it was, the scoop of ice cream was tea spoon sized and the sponge not much bigger! It was however nice but again did not blow me away.
I felt quite bad for my boss after the evening having to pay for the meal but sadly you do have a bad one, well not bad just small and very average!!!
FOOD: 6/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 7/10
PRICE: 6/10
Friday, 21 October 2011
Jamie's Itallian - Bath
I know it says Bath but we were in Bath and Jamie's was on my list and I presume its the same in Bristol too!!
The place was heaving for 12.20 on a Thursday lunch but luckily it was a big place so it didn't seem crowded, everything is on different levels which is nice.
The staff were very attentive and got nothing wrong they were very friendly and laid back too which was great!
The food was very very nice, proper Italian (reminded me of food I had in San Gim in Italy). I had a meat plank to start which was small but had very good meat and cheese on it, Andy had squid and it was the best he's had.
Mains were Very good Andy had meatball carbonara Rome style which was little meatballs and a fresh less heavy sauce which was good, I had Osso Bucco (Veal shin) and polenta, the polenta was quite tasteless but the sauce was amazing with fried capers which tasted even more amazing! the veal was perfect, very soft and full of flavor. After 2 courses we had enough room for pudding and they made up for small starters, Andy had a very lemony ricotta cheesecake which was sooo rich but good, I had peach and almond tart (frangipane) which is one of my faves and it was huge!!! and Very delicious!
All in all good, but quite slow (we were there 2 hours) and just edging on the expensive side but good none the less.
FOOD: 8.5/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 8.5/10
PRICE: 7/10
The place was heaving for 12.20 on a Thursday lunch but luckily it was a big place so it didn't seem crowded, everything is on different levels which is nice.
The staff were very attentive and got nothing wrong they were very friendly and laid back too which was great!
The food was very very nice, proper Italian (reminded me of food I had in San Gim in Italy). I had a meat plank to start which was small but had very good meat and cheese on it, Andy had squid and it was the best he's had.
Mains were Very good Andy had meatball carbonara Rome style which was little meatballs and a fresh less heavy sauce which was good, I had Osso Bucco (Veal shin) and polenta, the polenta was quite tasteless but the sauce was amazing with fried capers which tasted even more amazing! the veal was perfect, very soft and full of flavor. After 2 courses we had enough room for pudding and they made up for small starters, Andy had a very lemony ricotta cheesecake which was sooo rich but good, I had peach and almond tart (frangipane) which is one of my faves and it was huge!!! and Very delicious!
All in all good, but quite slow (we were there 2 hours) and just edging on the expensive side but good none the less.
FOOD: 8.5/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 8.5/10
PRICE: 7/10
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Moreish - Chandos Road - Redland - Saturday Lunch.
This like all the rest will be from now on a 'We want to go to eat lets see what the list says' moment which was great.
I must admit i find it kinda exciting in a sad way!
OK, so we decided on Moreish as Andy had heard good thing about it too.
The place was not what I was expecting, it had a decking area which would be nice for summer drinks and the inside was small but warm and homely and the staff were really friendly.
The menu is good, it offers brunch and salads/sandwiches but we went for the 2 courses for £11.50 which is a very good price. I had ribs jacket and coleslaw, Andy had fish and chips. The only bad thing was my ribs weren't very meaty but the sauce was excellent. For pudding I had Plum Pain Purdue (stewed plums on french toast) which was delicious and Andy had cheese.
The food was nice however the thing that let it down was it took a long time to come, we were there nearly 2 hours and it wasn't busy. I didn't feel I was waiting but if you want a quick bite maybe not the place.
FOOD: 7/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 7/10
AMBIENCE: 7/10
PRICE: 8/10
I must admit i find it kinda exciting in a sad way!
OK, so we decided on Moreish as Andy had heard good thing about it too.
The place was not what I was expecting, it had a decking area which would be nice for summer drinks and the inside was small but warm and homely and the staff were really friendly.
The menu is good, it offers brunch and salads/sandwiches but we went for the 2 courses for £11.50 which is a very good price. I had ribs jacket and coleslaw, Andy had fish and chips. The only bad thing was my ribs weren't very meaty but the sauce was excellent. For pudding I had Plum Pain Purdue (stewed plums on french toast) which was delicious and Andy had cheese.
The food was nice however the thing that let it down was it took a long time to come, we were there nearly 2 hours and it wasn't busy. I didn't feel I was waiting but if you want a quick bite maybe not the place.
FOOD: 7/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 7/10
AMBIENCE: 7/10
PRICE: 8/10
The Apple - Welsh Back - Centre - Lunch
Went for a casual Saturday lunch and was very surprised how much I liked it.
The Apple only do ploughman's which compliment the cider perfectly, you can choose from set ones or build your own.
The portions are very generous especially the set ones with lots of bread and biscuits to go with your cheese or ham or whatever!
It was busy on the dockside but we managed to get a table on the boat which was nice, the staff were polite and prompt and dealt with the crazy ordering/queuing system.
Was lovely sitting watching the world go buy with cheese and cider, very lovely indeed.
FOOD: 6/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 6/10
AMBIENCE: 8/10
PRICE: 8/10
The Apple only do ploughman's which compliment the cider perfectly, you can choose from set ones or build your own.
The portions are very generous especially the set ones with lots of bread and biscuits to go with your cheese or ham or whatever!
It was busy on the dockside but we managed to get a table on the boat which was nice, the staff were polite and prompt and dealt with the crazy ordering/queuing system.
Was lovely sitting watching the world go buy with cheese and cider, very lovely indeed.
FOOD: 6/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 6/10
AMBIENCE: 8/10
PRICE: 8/10
The Picture House East - Whiteladies Road - Cotham - Lunch
Mum and Dad came up to visit and after the Wellington (first choice for Sunday lunch that day) was full of rugby people we decided on (using the list) on The Picture House East.
I have always wanted to go here since it opened and it was worth the wait. The venue is nice, and considering it was midday Sunday not too busy (they also have an upstairs), the front of house was very attentive and when we were taking forever to choose from the menu (small but all tasty) they did not tut/huff at us. Finally went for Steak Bavette and chips which had the most amazing sauce, rich and complimented the meat perfectly. Dad had the roast which was lovely too and Andy's thin chips with his fish were the star. I could have easily have eaten mine twice (not tiny but not massive either).
Was good value too especially if your having more than one course.
FOOD: 9/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 7/10
PRICE: 8/10
I have always wanted to go here since it opened and it was worth the wait. The venue is nice, and considering it was midday Sunday not too busy (they also have an upstairs), the front of house was very attentive and when we were taking forever to choose from the menu (small but all tasty) they did not tut/huff at us. Finally went for Steak Bavette and chips which had the most amazing sauce, rich and complimented the meat perfectly. Dad had the roast which was lovely too and Andy's thin chips with his fish were the star. I could have easily have eaten mine twice (not tiny but not massive either).
Was good value too especially if your having more than one course.
FOOD: 9/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 7/10
PRICE: 8/10
Graze Bar and Grill - Queens Square - Centre - Dinner
My turn to take Andy for his Birthday...
I chose Graze, a Bath ales gastro pub and it did not disappoint!
The venue is nice, set out more like a pub than restaurant which is odd as most people were eating but it made it very relaxed which was great.
We both had scallops to start then I had faggots and mash and Andy had steak. The scallops were lush, perfectly cooked and good size. My faggots were very rich and delicious and the gravy was excellent, i had to swap my mash for Andy's chips though as it was too smooth for me, but he loved it! His steak was the best steak we have ever tried, it was fantastic, better than the cowshed (and cheaper), it had a sauce which complimented it perfectly!
We squeezed in homemade ice cream for pudding which was out of this world!
Really loved it here and will no doubt return!
FOOD: 10/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 8/10
PRICE: 7/10
I chose Graze, a Bath ales gastro pub and it did not disappoint!
The venue is nice, set out more like a pub than restaurant which is odd as most people were eating but it made it very relaxed which was great.
We both had scallops to start then I had faggots and mash and Andy had steak. The scallops were lush, perfectly cooked and good size. My faggots were very rich and delicious and the gravy was excellent, i had to swap my mash for Andy's chips though as it was too smooth for me, but he loved it! His steak was the best steak we have ever tried, it was fantastic, better than the cowshed (and cheaper), it had a sauce which complimented it perfectly!
We squeezed in homemade ice cream for pudding which was out of this world!
Really loved it here and will no doubt return!
FOOD: 10/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 8/10
AMBIENCE: 8/10
PRICE: 7/10
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