More than 150 visitors spilt out onto Market Square from the now twenty first Piccolino restaurant in the UK for a canape and champagne reception on its launch evening (Monday, June 24).
We headed inside to check out the meals forward of its opening week.
Following a £2 million funding in the Grade II listed constructing, you possibly can anticipate the most effective in Italian magnificence from the second you enter via the magical specially-commissioned ‘riverwalk’ entrance taking visitors into the primary dining space.
There can be a courtyard space throughout the restaurant, excellent for a glass of wine and dinner on a summer season night. Don’t fear there’s a contractable roof.
(Image: Piccolino)
Sat down and flicking via the menu, it is apparent there may be an intensive selection of all of the classics Italian classics in antipasti, pasta, risotto, and pizza in addition to fish and cuts of meat, together with 21-day aged Wagyu steaks.
The wine menu additionally adopted go well with with a plethora of decisions coupled with a cocktail checklist which included the classics as nicely some enjoyable twists similar to a violet and hibiscus mojito and an apple and raspberry cosmopolitan.
After a lot deliberation, we had settled on our selection.
For my starter I went for a traditional antipasti in ‘Carpaccio Di Fassona’. The beef was completely thinly sliced with a herby Venetian sauce topped with a tasty rocket and parmigiano reggiano salad.
Now maybe the one slight downer of the night was the spaghetti carbonara, a staple of Italian delicacies, however sadly a consistency of sauce barely watery lacking that creaminess from the emulsification of eggs and cheese.
However, in stark distinction, the slow-cooked beef shin tortelloni was the spotlight of the evening.
The tortelloni was masterfully ready, with delicate pasta encasing a luxurious crimson wine beef filling.
The beef was completely slow-cooked, providing a deep, savoury flavour that melded fantastically with the delicate sweetness of the crimson wine discount.
A sage butter added a aromatic observe whereas toasted hazelnuts offered a pleasant crunch.
For dessert, we loved the ‘dolci con amici’ platter. Simply translated as ‘sweets with buddies’.
The choice included panna cotta, semifreddo, millefoglie, and tiramisù.
Each dessert introduced one thing distinctive to the desk. The panna cotta was silky and clean, the semifreddo mild and refreshing, the millefoglie flaky and creamy, and the tiramisu a well-executed traditional with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream.
To cap off the night, we indulged in a hazelnut martini, which proved to be the right finish to the meal.
It was expertly crafted, with a clean mix of hazelnut liqueur and vodka, providing a candy but balanced end that complemented the desserts fantastically.
The restaurant chain, which additionally opened a brand new website close by in Marlow throughout the border, will definitely elevate the Henley meals scene with its genuine Italian providing.
Andrew Garton, CEO of Individual Restaurants, stated: “We are thrilled to formally open Piccolino in Henley and thank the neighborhood for the nice and cozy welcome and becoming a member of us to have a good time our opening.
“We pride ourselves on serving authentic Italian cuisine, made with the finest ingredients, served with the warmest Italian hospitality and we are delighted to bring our extraordinary dining experience to the town and be part of the Henley community.”
- 20 Market Place, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2AH
- For restaurant bookings and extra info go to piccolinorestaurants.com/henley-vinyl/
- Call 01491 521746