Situated on Kensington Park Road, the fashionable area between Notting Hill Gate and Ladbroke Road, Piccola Cucina is a small restaurant with a very big, very Italian attitude.
Aptly named ‘Piccola’ (meaning ‘small’ in Italian) this is a truly authentic experience with beautiful Italian touches and Sicilian inspirations. It was as if we had been transported to Sicily from the moment we entered the restaurant; staff welcomed us warmly and the restaurant had a very friendly atmosphere.
Being a fine Italian cuisine fanatic, I was very exited to see the menu and was impressed with the variety of choices for meat lovers, fish lovers and vegetarians. For starters we went with ‘caponata with aubergines’ and ‘red tuna tartare with guacamole’. From the quality of the starter it became clear that this Italian restaurant uses only the freshest and best ingredients.
Very much looking forward to my main dish, and unable to forget the quality of my Tuna Tartare, I decided to continue with tuna and ordered ‘tuna steaks cooked with pistachio crust’. The presentation of the food was mesmerizing, so beautifully done. Two large tuna steaks covered in pistachio accompanied by skinny potato chips. Again, the freshness of the tuna steaks was exquisite and the flavour perfect, thanks to the delectable pistachio crusts. The selection of an Italian wine, such as Primitivo, served to enhance the experience.
For dessert I ordered the famous Italian ‘Tiramisu’ and lemon tart which I find impossible to resist. Again, the both the presentation and taste were stunning. Both desserts were both light and refreshing yet maintained the creaminess desired in these recipes.
This Sicilian food experience was a truly intimate combination of flavours and a senses, with beautiful presentation and extremely professional and friendly waiting staff. We were also treated to brilliant magic show by Francesco, one of the most talented illusionists I have ever seen; I am still recovering from his incredible tricks and mind games.
Before we leave, Francesco tells me with a big smile “even though things go wrong sometimes, I make it all okay,” a statement I wholehearted agree with after such a delicious meal. I hope that Piccola Cucina can be part of every Londoners dining experience, whether things are going wrong or, hopefully, not.
