Piccolino Ilkley

We received excellent service from Carys at the restaurant. She was very friendly and ensured that we enjoyed our meal. Thank you very much!

I had originally planned to go out for the evening with a friend to attend a show, but unfortunately she had car trouble and couldn't make it. I ended up staying in Ilkley on my own. After a stressful day of getting to Ilkley alone, a friend who was also attending the show said she would meet me at Piccolinos for some food before the show. She was running late due to traffic, so I decided to go into Piccolinos by myself until she arrived. I felt a bit awkward when I first walked in, but the man at the reception was very kind. He seated me at the bar while I waited for my friend and even got me a drink. I told him about my day and he immediately made me feel more comfortable. I wish I had caught his name, as he was exceptional. I believe he was the manager, as he was wearing a suit. When my friend finally showed up, we didn't have much time to eat, so they suggested dishes that would be quicker to prepare. We both had the Devonshire crab ravioli, which was delicious, and her grandson had a pizza, which he enjoyed. The menu had a good variety of drinks and food options, the restaurant had a great atmosphere, and the service was excellent. I want to thank everyone at the restaurant for their hospitality, food, and exceptional service.

I had only had roughly 20mins to have a really quick and tasty lunch before an appointment. This was the first nice looking place to eat that I came across. It was a busy Saturday lunchtime. I was given a choice of places to sit, important as a sole female. I explained that I was rather rushed but would like something warm and tasty. The waitress suggested that I have Burrata. It was delicious, I thought as the dressing was so tasty, it would be nice to have a slice of ciabatta on the side. I ordered that and it arrived very quickly, two chargrilled slices, perfect to mop up the little dressing on the plate. In and out in less than 30mins. Well done Piccolino!

We were in Ilkley in the early evening so called in to the Piccolino for dinner. We were warmly greeted and shown to a table. The menu is large but with some real treats and surprises on it. I had sea bass, my partner had a prawn risotto. My fish was lovely, perfectly cooked, while my partner's risotto was excellent really savoury. I finished off with a grappa and an espresso, my partner had a second prosecco (rose, very nice, from an interesting wine list). Despite it being a chain, it was all very authentic and Italian. Not cheap but good quality and good service. One problem the disabled loo is well designed with a large sliding door for access. However a large stack of children's high chairs made it impossible for a wheelchair to manoeuver into position. This stack of high chairs also blocked access to the hand dryer. The management should note a disabled loo is for disabled people to use, not to store high chairs!

A good, varied selection of vegan options on the main menu so I would have given a 5 star review, however no vegan dessert options other than vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Not very appealing on a cold October evening.