You want Italian? Look no further than the newly-reopened Caffé Grande Piccolino. The classics are pulled off to perfection at Manchester’s most luxurious Italian restaurant. As well as a new gelateria and al fresco terrace, there’s something to please everyone on the menu, from pizza to beluga caviar. We loved the gnudi (meaning ‘naked’ ravioli) hand-stretched garlic bread and tiramisu, while the grill gives lends a remarkable flavour to everything from Aberdeen Angus sirloin steak to whole lobster. There’s a wine list to please the most discerning sommelier, as well as a brand new juice bar, cheese and cured meat counter. Open from breakfast, until the small hours, Caffé Grande Piccolino is Manchester’s most opulent destination for day-to-night dining.
STARTERS
Imperial Oscietra Caviar (Black Russian Caviar)
Caffé Grande Piccolino’s sublime (and cost price) caviar comes in it’s own ice bath, with a shimmering, mother of pearl spoon to move roe from tub to crisp curls of Melba toast. Garnish with finely chopped parsley, egg and red onion or eat it straight from the tub. It’s what oligarchs have for breakfast, and at Caffé Grande Piccolino, you can afford it too. Choose from two options: the Imperial Oscietra, pictured at £22.50 for 30g - or treat yourself to Imperial Beluga Caviar.
Cocktail di Gamberi Rossi (Red Mediterranean Prawn Cocktail)
Nothing beats a prawn cocktail - and this beauty gets everything spot on. Fresh, red Mediterranean prawns? Linen-bound lemon? A mountain of iceberg, with a lagoon of Marie Rose sauce on the side? Job done. This is the best prawn cocktail in town in our opinion - and one that sticks to the classic recipe.
AL FORNO
Gnudi
There are a number of ‘al forno’ choices on Caffé Grande’s new menu. These warming creations, served from the wood-burning stove (which uses sustainably sourced wood, of course), could include parmigiana di melanzane and pasta al forno Napoletana. The connoisseur’s choice, however, is Gnudi, meaning, quite literally, ‘naked’. Dumplings of spinach and ricotta ravioli filling are slowly baked in a rich tomato and Parmesan sauce - and the results are exquisite.
PASTA
Ravioli Granchio (crab ravioli)
These delicate pastry parcels are stuffed with handpicked crab, chilli and lemon and served in a fragrant, shellfish butter, imbued with the flavour of oranges. What could be a more luxurious light lunch?
PIZZA
Quattro Salami pizza
Caffé Grande Piccolino’s intensely meaty Quattro Salami pizza is a thrill. Finocchiona, Milano, soppressata and Nduja are dotted around the crisp sourdough base, radiating a rich warmth and meaty heat. Enjoy on its own, or with a side salad, and Zucchine fritti (courgette fries).
Bistecca Di Manzo (Sirloin Steak with Gorgonzola sauce)
With an in-house butchery, and a Himalayan pink salt brick dry-aging room, Caffé Grande Piccolino’s steaks are typically aged for 28 days and among the finest in Manchester - if not the UK. As Gordo has noted here (link to What to Eat this Month), the new grill is doing something really extraordinary, creating a stunning char-grilled flavour on the meat. Expect a crisp exterior, with no dryness at all inside, as the grill really does seal the flavour in. We had the Gorgonzola sauce with our 225g Sirloin - but other options include porcini mushroom or peppercorn sauce, and there’s a classic garlic butter too.
Coppa Napoletana
Using milk from Gornall’s Dairy in the Ribble Valley, Caffé Grande Piccolino’s gelato is something of a calling card. Peer into the chiller cabinet as you walk in and then return, time and again, over the course of your meal before opting for salted caramel, pistachio, strawberry or vanilla. The other option is to go for a ‘coppa’, or Italian Sundae, which comes with fresh strawberries and raspberry coulis. Who knows, it could be big enough to share, if you have any self control.
Tiramisu
Crème Anglaise is a fabulous addition to this classic Italian dessert. There’s a rich, alcohol flavour to the Marsala and amaretto-soaked sponge fingers. Boasting just the right balance of cream to sponge, and a traditional heavy dusting of cocoa powder on top. This is perfection.
As well as Caffé Grande’s sumptuous menu, don't miss the wine boutique, which includes its own stepladder. Cocktails, meanwhile, have been reworked for summer and now include takes on passion fruit, Aperol Spritz, prosecco and much more.
To book a table online click here
Caffé Grande Piccolino, 8 Clarence Street, Manchester M2 4DW
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