Restaurant Review
Hale Piccolino
et apart from its rivals on Hale’s and toasted pine nuts (£6.50). possibly the best creation of its kind but would like
culinary-centric Ashley Road, behind its Despite the varied selection of meat, fish, salad a return visit to clarify.
glass doors Hale Piccolino is a moodier, and risotto dishes, my guest and I cannot resist Despite its more formal appearance and popularity
edgier version to its light and airy the tempting classic pasta offerings and opt for among Cheshire’s affluent crowd, Hale Piccolino is
siblings. Its refreshing mint green and black the penne all’arriabata (9.25) and the evening’s very much a family favourite with their Bambini
lacquer interior replace the usual Vespas and special of potato basil gnocchi with spicy sausage menu serving smaller child-friendly portions of
pasta makers, while chandeliers and candelabras and tomato (£9.25). Both dauntingly generous Italian classics, such as Lasagne al Forno, wild
attract a more well-heeled diner. portions, each delectable mouthful brought a mushroom risotto and pizza, between 12pm and
Promising a true taste of Italy in the depths of deliciously well-seasoned concoction of fluffy 7pm. One of only a handful of Piccolino restau-
Cheshire, it is understandably popular, especially pasta and the freshest tomato sauces. Enjoying rants that has the capacity for fine-dining, Hale’s
during warmer times when the now empty my large glass of Conviviale Pinot Grigio branch offers up to 12 guests the opportunity to
terrace is popular for alfresco dining. (£6.20), selected from the extensive wine list, celebrate King Arthur-style with a striking round
Following a pre-dinner drink in the sizeable which offers everything from vintage fine wines table.
restaurant bar, my guest and I venture up the to champagnes and prosecco, I greedily order the
dramatic staircase to the additional seating baked vanilla cheesecake with citrus blueberries
“Hale Piccolino is a moodier,
upstairs. With the perfect view of the open (£5.95) in the knowledge that my guest would
kitchen and plate after plate of faultless fresh let me sample his inviting chocolate fudge
edgier version to its light
pasta it consistently turns out, we browse the pudding with vanilla ice cream (£5.25). T_he
selection of antipasti, primi and mains available refreshing blueberries offered a welcome reprieve and airy siblings”
while sampling our garlic bread with tomato from the filling cheesecake, however it was too
(£4.10) from the woodstone pizza oven. substantial to complete considering the three A sleeker, more refined version of the reliable
Although the menu is largely the same as its courses I had indulged in beforehand. From my Italian eatery that has usurped its cheaper rivals,
siblings, save for a few specials, the ambience own small spoonful and my guest’s empty bowl, Hale Piccolino bursts with style and flavour from
resembles an intimate brassiere in contrast to its I deduced that the chocolate fudge pudding was every grain of its black timber.
more informal counterparts. T_he platinum link
in the reliable Piccolino chain, it is no surprise
that a Wednesday night here would equal city
ATMOSPHERE
W
centre weekend dining for atmosphere. In
or
SERVICE
ds:
keeping with the company’s ethos for finding the
finest quality seasonal produce, our starters exude
FOOD
Ha
y
freshness, from my grilled asparagus with soft WINE
le
y L
poached free range egg, pecorino cheese and
eav
parsley breadcrumbs (£6.70), to my guest’s Hale Piccolino, 214/215 Ashley Road, Hale,
er
stuffed field mushrooms filled with garlic Cheshire, WA15 9SN, 0161 928 9500,
spinach and goats cheese served with basil pesto www.piccolinorestaurants.co.uk
29
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