Piccolo Restaurant in Venice, Ca. is worth the visit with authentic Italian Food (1/2010)

Italy…for anyone who has traveled there, the word, “Italy”, strikes an emotional cord.  Images of the rolling countryside, giant cypress trees, hospitable people and the memory of a fantastic meal are likely to run through your head like a scene in a great movie, just from hearing the word.

 

Now, 6000 miles away, in the very appropriate town of Venice, Ca., there is a little slice of that Italian magic.  This magical place is called Piccolo.  It is quaint, lively, dimly lit, romantic and very Italian.  

 

With the open kitchen, the pots hanging from the ceiling rack, the intimate and warm room, you feel like you are having a dinner party with a large group of your friends.  In beautiful Italian fashion, the meals are long and relaxed.  No one will be rushing you from your seat or clearing a plate before it’s time.  The food is the star here and it is meant to be savored.  That’s exactly how they want it.

 

Only the finest and freshest ingredients will be used in the hand made dishes coming from head chef, Roberto.  He admitted that in these tough economic times, he and his colleagues would rather go out of business than cut corners on quality.  Which was evident when the box of truffles arrived when we were there from their “truffle guy”.  Roberto said, "we look at what other Italian Restaurants do here in LA and we do the opposite. Their attention to quality and fine ingredients are paying off made obvious by the full house on a Tuesday night in the winter and their plans to expand the restaurant in a few months.  Bravo!

 

The plates were thoughtful and carefully put together. Like the delicate grilled calamari served on black rice.  You’ll feel like you are eating calamari for the first time, the way it is supposed to taste, smokey and tender.  Not a big rubbery slab we’ve been accustomed to.

 

The sea scallop with shaved truffle accompanied by the decadent cheese fondue sauce was a flavor combination masterpiece.

 

Eating any of the pasta dishes will once again transport you to Italy and remind you how amazing hand made pasta tastes when it is cooked to perfection al dente style. We recognized this with the al dente hand-made ravioli stuffed w Halibut and Fontina cheese covered w caviar

 

They have a great selection of Italian wines that they will help pair with any of the dishes.  How many times have you been disappointed by a glass of wine at a restaurant?  Just try the Grapollo Castellini.  The bouquet alone will transport you to an Italian countryside.  Spetaculo! For dessert the pistachio covered cheese was amazing. Followed by the chocolate cream puffs. 
The chef Roberto and Maitre-d Vittorio were as friendly and accommodating as anyone you could ever meet working at a restaurant
I highly recommend well-decorated, white tablecloth, Piccolo for a very romantic date or special occasion.

Piccolo is located at 5 Dudley in Venice right around the corner from the infamous Venice Boardwalk.  Call 310-314-3222 for information or reservations or visit www.piccolovenice.com
5-stars-Grazie!

Buon appetito tutti!