Set back off Selby Road in Halton, near to Temple Newsam, is the café-style Italian restaurant Piccante.
We turn up, ravenous, on a chilly Saturday evening to the sight of regulars tucking into pizza and pasta. We’re about to discover that ‘ravenous’ is a good state of hunger to be in when dining at Piccante.
We’re shown a menu full of Italian favourites, and an extensive, reasonably priced, wine list. The staff here are incredibly friendly, and it’s not long before we’re engaged in a restaurant-wide conversation about ‘The Credit Crunch’ - each diner adding their thoughts in a scene reminiscent of a lively Rome trattoria.
Our starters arrive - I’ve gone for Sizzling King Prawns, served with all the trimmings in a delicious traditional Italian sauce, and my consort tries that continental staple, Garlic Mushrooms - creamy and dreamy.
For main, I decide on a Calzone Pizza. Well it IS an Italian Restaurant…
Now we get our first sight of Chef Marco. He’s kind of famous around these parts; a larger-than-life bone fide Italian chef who delighted us with his tales of travel across the globe.
So, Marco pops his head out of the kitchen and questions me. “Calzone?†he says, “would you like-ah to try sumthing a leetle beet speciale?â€. How could I refuse those Italian tones?
Fast forward 10 minutes, and I’m served a simply ginormous Butterfly Pizza. You’re thinking “what’s a Butterfly Pizza?†- I didn’t know either, but my eyes-bigger-then-belly knew all about it 20 minutes later. It was HUGE, and try as I did (it’s my competitive spirit) I couldn’t finish it. My excuse - “I don’t want to fill up my pudding stomachâ€.
Conversation is flowing now, and as we begin to think about dessert, another suggestion from the unfeasibly bubbly Marco. He wants us to try Zabaglione, a traditional Italian pudding. In case you’re wondering, it’s a light, foamy dessert made with sweet Marsala wine, egg yolks, and sugar. And as well as being delicious, it’s apparently great for digestion after a big meal.
I finish off with an Amaretto Coffee, and realise I’ve learnt more about Italian food in 2 hours than I have in 2 decades.
As we have a final scan over the menu, we see Piccante seems to have every part of the day covered. There’s a plethora of lunch options, coffees and snacks, and also a really useful early-bird deal. It’s the perfect place for the people of East Leeds to head down for pasta, before jumping on a number 40 into the city. It’s just a shame there’s no gondolas to take us there…
Janet And Colin, Leeds
Went to the Piccante restaurant on the 14th July 2008, if you have not been there before, you are missing a real treat. Really lovely food, the prices are very reasonable, very, very friendly service, I will be going back time and again, give this place a go if you live near enough to go, you wont be disappointed, an affordable treat.
Going to arrange a night out with work mates to this place as soon as possible.