A Sunday at Piccolino Collingham: A Restaurant That Didn’t Quite Deliver
Piccolino Collingham has been a fixture in the area for years, and while I’ve visited on various occasions in the past, it had been quite some time since my last meal there. So when I booked a table for two on a Sunday afternoon, I was looking forward to something a little different from the usual roast dinner.
The restaurant’s fairly extensive menu suggested plenty of choice, with a mix of familiar Italian dishes and more varied options.
The Menu
The menu is broad, covering the usual mix of Italian-inspired dishes. There’s a selection of antipasti to start, followed by pasta, pizza and a range of meat and fish mains, so there’s plenty of choice depending on what you’re in the mood for.
It’s the kind of menu you’d expect from a restaurant like this—familiar dishes, recognisable combinations and something to suit most tastes, whether you want something simple or a slightly more substantial main. There is also a Sunday Roast menu – more info is available on the website.
First Impressions
Having arrived promptly for our 4:30 booking, we were greeted and shown to a table by the window. It’s a slightly unusual time to dine on a Sunday, so the relatively quiet restaurant came as no surprise. However, we were seated next to a table that had clearly just been vacated and, for the next ten minutes, was cleaned and reset by various members of staff.
It felt like an unnecessary choice, particularly given how many other tables were available. A different seating arrangement could easily have made for a more comfortable start to the meal.
Drinks & Ordering
Having been offered drinks, our bottle of Pinot Grigio (when in Rome) was brought over as we perused the menu—still slightly distracted by the ongoing reset beside us, and the rather random pair of socks left underneath the neighbouring table, which I have to admit I found more amusing than anything else.
Our waiter was friendly and accommodating, which made a good impression. However, it would have been helpful to know from the outset that certain dishes were unavailable. As it turned out, the oysters I had chosen to start were off the menu, as was my husband’s main of Spaghetti Fruitti Di Mare, meaning we had to go back and rethink our choices.
These things happen—restaurants have busy services and dishes inevitably sell out—but it would have been better to know from the outset, rather than setting our hearts on dishes that weren’t available.
Starters
In the end, I opted for the Tartare di Tonno—a sashimi-grade tuna tartare with red pepper, semi-dried tomato, capers, pistachio, stracciatella, and basil and parsley oil (£15.50)—while my husband chose the calamari, served as crispy fried squid with chilli and lemon mayonnaise (£11.50).
Both dishes were presented beautifully, but were sadly lacking in flavour – infact overall, they felt fairly bland. My tuna tartare lacked the fresh, vibrant zing you’d expect—it was pleasant enough, but nothing memorable.
The calamari fared similarly, with most of the flavour coming from the dipping sauce rather than the dish itself. All in all, they were very mediocre starters.
Mains
Service, overall, was fine. Our starters were cleared and mains arrived at a comfortable pace—unhurried, which was appreciated, especially as quieter services can sometimes feel a little rushed.
My Diavola pizza—topped with tomato, spianata Calabrese spicy salami, ’nduja, stracciatella, mozzarella, red chilli and flat-leaf parsley (£17.50)—was, I have to say, delicious. It had the perfect balance of toppings on a thin, crisp base, with creamy mozzarella and just the right amount of heat from the chilli. It was easily the standout dish of the meal for me.
My husband opted for the Fegato alla Veneziana (£27.50), their take on the Venetian classic of pan-fried calves’ liver with pancetta, onions, butter and sage, served with creamy mashed potato. He also thoroughly enjoyed it, describing it as rich and well-cooked.
I did order a side salad, which unfortunately was less successful. It was so heavily seasoned that it was difficult to eat, although that may come down to personal taste.
Service & Atmosphere
It’s also worth noting that, while the service was friendly and the staff were pleasant throughout, there was no check-back after the main courses were served. It’s a small detail, but an important one—and often the only opportunity to address any issues with the food.
There were also moments where staff hovered slightly, asking who had ordered which dish. It’s a small thing, but I do think service should feel confident and seamless, particularly at this price point – the server should absolutely know who ordered what without asking.
Having previously worked within the group myself, at Restaurant Bar & Grill, I know the standards that are typically expected—and, on this occasion, those standards didn’t quite come through.
There were also a few instances of staff lingering in the restaurant, some on their phones, which gave the space a slightly less polished feel than you might expect. Even during quieter periods, there’s usually an expectation that staff remain attentive and engaged.
That said, I don’t say this lightly. I have a real appreciation for the industry and understand how challenging it can be. But this isn’t an inexpensive dining experience, and with that comes a certain level of expectation—which, on this visit, wasn’t consistently met.
The restaurant itself also felt slightly tired in places and could benefit from a refresh.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, it didn’t quite live up to expectations, which is a shame given the restaurant’s reputation and longevity. The staff were genuinely nice and the food was perfectly acceptable in parts, but for the price point, I left feeling a little underwhelmed.
What’s frustrating is that the overall experience could have been easily elevated by getting the basics right. Simple touches—checking back on dishes and confidently knowing who ordered what can make all the difference.
On this occasion, those details were missing, and as a result, even the better dishes weren’t quite enough to lift the experience as a whole.
Perhaps they were simply having an off day. I’d be genuinely interested to hear from others who’ve had a different experience. I care a lot about the industry and always aim for my reviews to be fair and balanced.
Wetherby Road, Collingham, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 5AY
Piccolino Collingham: At a Glance
Location: Main Street, Collingham, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Cuisine: Italian
Vibe: Smart-casual, relaxed
Price Range: £30–£70+ per person (approx., depending on drinks)
Set Menu: Available (e.g. two courses from £25)
Our Bill: £132 for two (including wine)
Best For: Casual dining, date nights, group meals
Standout Dishes: Diavola pizza, calves’ liver
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Booking: Recommended, especially weekends
Opening Hours: Daily, approx. 12pm–10pm (varies)
Parking: Large on-site car park available
Service Style: Friendly
Joanne Brook-Smith is a writer and editor with two decades of publishing experience. She launched Crave Magazine during the Covid period to create a fresh, inspiring space for food, travel and lifestyle content.
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