IT has one of the best locations for a restaurant in the North, with big windows look south across Albert Square and the Town Hall. Indeed, the host building of Caffé Grande Piccolino is impressive throughout, a feast of stone dating from 1902 by architects Waddington, Son and Dunkerly.
One of the true gents of Manchester food and drink, a hero of the trade, will continue to steer the bigger, smarter restaurant
A south facing building means light, lots of it, so as these images show, the interior of the new Caffé Grande Piccolino will attempt to suffuse the space with a bright Mediterranean ambience.
The element Piccolino in the name of the restaurant gives the game away.
The new frontage on Albert Square will link with the existing restaurant space on Clarence Street to create a single much larger area seating over 200 food and drink folk with space for another 30 on what will prove to be one of the most popular terraces in the city centre. The cost of the extension and refurbishment is £1.3m.
Steven Walker of Individual Restaurants, says, “The refurbishment of Piccolino, Clarence Street, Manchester, is on a grand scale. The new look restaurant will have more of a feel of a Harrods style food-hall with the addition of a pizzeria, deli counter, gelato and pastry counter, theatre grill, meat, fish and shellfish counters, together with a cocktail bar and wine boutique.”
Confidential is delighted that one of the true gents of Manchester food and drink, a hero of the trade, will continue to steer the bigger, smarter restaurant.
Ettore Cicchetti, who has been the General Manager since Piccolino first opened its doors in 2003, says. “I can’t wait to showcase our new look to our loyal followers.” Sometimes that type of talk can be pure marketing-speak but for anybody who's been served by Ettore, you know he absolutely means it.
Caffé Grande Piccolino will open later this month.
Easy on the eye colours
Interior: lighter and brighter 
Another view of the bright space with ice creams included
