A LITTLE PIECE OF ITALY .......

Standing proudly on one of Yorkshire’s most famous country towns is a little piece of Italy.

Piccolino’s vintage style exterior blends beautifully into the character of Ilkley.

Situated in the main street once you visit Piccolino its easy to understand why this restaurant is a firm favourite with both locals and visitors to the town alike with its comprehensive menus and relaxed but sophisticated Mediterranean atmosphere.

Step through the door and you will be greeted with a smile and staff that cannot do too much to make your dining experience a perfect one.

The restaurant boats a large cocktail bar, an open kitchen and a year round terrace with a fully retractable roof for alfresco dining whatever the weather.

Piccolino’s interior is incredibly light with floor to ceiling windows flooding light into the ground floor restaurant. Light wood polished tables gleam with sparkling glass and shining cutlery and the chairs are some of the most comfortable I have experienced for some time. Potted palms and plants give an ultra Mediterranean ambience to the scene.

We were seated near the window ,which we loved as it was great to watch the world go by as we dined.

The menu was a very comprehensive one full of dishes with seasonal ingredients and Italian classics with a modern touch.

For our Antipasti There was a great choice. I went for my favourite Arancini. This was a wonderful version with crispy truffle and mushroom risotto balls and mozzarella. There was a large portion and the inside was flavoursome, smooth and tasty with a lovely crispy outside. The truffle mayonnaise that accompanied the Arancini was a great match.

My colleague chose the Bruschetta Classica a colourful feast of toasted sourdough, vine ripened tomatoes, garlic, oregano and fresh basil. The sourdough was moist but crisp on the outside and was piled high with herb tomatoes. The garnish of oregano, fresh basil and garlic added taste and flavour.

For my main course the Pollo Valdostana beckoned. A crispy breaded piece of chicken breast filled with Parma ham and mozzarella cheese, served with peperonata and basil pesto.

This was a very large portion of chicken. It was beautifully cooked, tender, succulent and full of flavour. The Parma ham was plentiful inside, moist and blended in well with the mozzarella. The outside crispy breading was perfection and full of flavour.

My colleague chose from the Pizza Napoletana. She couldn’t believe her eyes when her Capricciosa arrived it was a work of art.

The base was pizza perfection thin and crispy on the outside. The pizza was generously loaded with tomato, chestnut mushrooms, olives, mozzarella and Italian roast ham. The ham was lean, tasty and cooked just right and the pizza garnish of basil was the perfect match.

Between our main and dessert we took advantage of sitting on the wooden chairs and tables outside the restaurant with our glass of chilled wine.

Dolci was next or dessert. I could not resist the Semifreddo. This chocolate and amaretto iced parfait has a white chocolate coating and hazelnut brittle and comes with Amarena cherries. This was certainly my heaven on a plate and perfection for the warmer days.