Piccolo Arco — Restaurant in England

Yes, this is a one star review... most of you will probably bypass this as just a once off irate customer. However I employed you to read on, as the saga you’re about to explore is both intensely boring and with little punchline, BUT it does unfold over the course of 3(ish) years... (points for perseverance I reckon 👍🏻).

So, I’ve been to this restaurant four times over the last few years. The first time was shortly after it opened and the service took forever (over an hour for food) whilst it was largely empty. When the food did arrive it was mediocre (not really up to the standard of your avg Italian chain). We put this down to it been quite new, my taste in Italian food pleb like and that the chef might have had a snooze in the Arrabiata sauce as it took so long to come out (although this has nothing on David Walliams, am I right??........ ok that was a cheap joke 😔)

Gave it another go a few months later and we walked out after not been served for 30 minutes.... Went again last year and had the same result (I really shouldn’t work in forecasting....).

Having few other options two weeks ago, we tried again. After been seated by a surly waiter who didn’t seem to want to be there (given the above mentioned state of the food I can’t really blame him). We then started the waiting process in a restaurant that had 10 other people in it.... now I’m no expert but I assume this should have been a relatively straight forward exercise (serving us, not the waiting bit).

But alas, our pseudo Italian friends delighted us once again with their authentic service style (Piccolo Arco’s serving style... no offence meant or implied to any of our Italian brethren reading this!!). After another 30ish minutes, having performed the Team America secret signal multiple times with little success, we retreated. Defeated and hungry we trudged to the local Zizzi where we were disgusted to encounter amazing service, smiles, mediocre wine and pretty ok food.

So if you desire Italian grub in your travels through our fair town you now know where or where not...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Piccolo Arco in Wokingham choosing the restaurant to celebrate one year of living in Wokingham, and I can confidently say that it's a dining experience worth celebrating. From start to finish, every aspect of this family-run Italian restaurant exceeded my expectations.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the manager in Italian, instantly transporting us to the heart of Italy. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and oozed authenticity.

The menu offered a tantalizing array of Italian delights. We started with the BRUSCHETTA, a perfect appetizer with a symphony of fresh flavors. The LINGUINE ALLO SCOGLIO was a seafood lover's dream, perfectly cooked and swimming in a delightful white wine garlic and cream sauce. The LINGUINE GAMBERONI, with its succulent king prawns and a touch of chili, was a spicy sensation that left our taste buds dancing.

And then there was the TIRAMISU, a heavenly dessert that rounded off the meal on a sweet note.

What truly sets Piccolo Arco apart is the skill of their chef. Every dish was a masterpiece, expertly prepared with fresh ingredients that shone through in each bite. The portions were generous, leaving us completely satisfied.

The service was impeccable, with a friendly and attentive staff that made us feel like honored guests. The dedication to providing a memorable dining experience was evident throughout.

In summary, if you're in search of an authentic taste of Italy in Wokingham, this is the place to be. I left already planning my return visit and would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking exceptional Italian cuisine and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Bravo, Piccolo...

A lovely gem for Wokingham. Independent, authentic and home-cooked style food and wonderful service.

We enjoyed a mix of standard menu and some chef's specials - bruschetta (standard) and breaded monzerlla (special) starters were both tasty and well sized portions.

Mains included the fillet with gorgonzola sauce (standard), that was outrageously cheesy, packed with bitter tang and creamy indulgence - might be too strong for some! Also a chicken w/ white wine & mushroom sauce (special) - super creamy and unctuous with wonderfully juicy chicken. Solid portions and good sides.

Desserts in the picture - creme brulee (standard) and a passion fruit & limoncello chessecake (special). Both tasty, surprisingly light to not overload on cheese and cream across the meal (impressive given 5/6 dishes had something creamy going on).

Chuck in a beer and bottle of rose, plus tip, for £140 for 2 people isn't a bad price at all. Good independent food can easily cost a lot more and we ate very well. The range of dishes gives a good range of price points - we'll be back to try some pasta dishes for sure, and there's stacks of fish for those who like their seafood.

Atmosphere was comfortable - it was a quiet Monday evening but staff were attentive and caring with all the warming, genuine Italian hospitality you'd hope for. Wokingham is lucky to have a great place like this slap-bang in the...