La Piccola Italia — Restaurant in Wales

My husband and I went for the first time to the restaurant New Years Eve for our wedding anniversary. But the service was not great. My husband and I worked in hospitality for a number of years and these were our issues: I wanted a cocktail but the drinks menu on the table only had wines. Order drinks (wine) and starter, main: I asked if the sea bass was sustainably caught. My mistake as the waiter didn’t understand what I meant. I tried to explain and was met with slight insolence and arrogance. I explained if he asked the chef they would be able to tell him. He refused. After a bit of debate of me trying to validate why I’m asking he goes to the manager. Comes back and says no and semi apologises. I was so embarrassed and wanting to have a lovely evening I didn’t have the energy to ask if the meat was locally sourced, UK etc so I went veggie option and for my anniversary meal had a bowl of spaghetti pesto and sliced peppers. The drinks and starters took 20 minutes to arrive in the end I asked for some water as I was so thirsty. Other tables were given jugs we were given tumblers. At which point we were also given our wine. We were served last or not at all in our section of the restaurant all night. The two tables either side who arrived after us were served and finished and left before us. I noticed a cocktail menu on another table during our mains and ordered a negori my dessert arrived no cocktail, I popped to the ladies and came back no cocktail. I finished my desert whilst talking no cocktail. In the end my plate was cleared and after waiting some more considerable time we asked for the bill. Which had the cocktail on, I explained I hadn’t received it. It was removed with no problems. Then as I’m leaving a waitress comes over with a cocktail. I explain I haven’t paid for it and was told it was on the house, which is very kind but after such a ruined evening I didn’t want to be there any longer and left it on the table. It is the first time we have not left a tip. Estro and Wetherspoons not to mention other pubs etc all have on their menus where their produce is from e.g local, UK, IRE or Europe they also can tell me on the menu if the fish is MSC (sustainably caught) it saves me asking, feeling embarrassed trying to explain or having to try and not go straight to veggie or vegan options. I understand your family run and the food was delicious but the service was terrible and as more members of the public care about what they are purchasing and eating it’s important to...

I really want to be positive after reading all the 5* reviews but I can't sadly. Yes the staff were friendly but the food was only mediocre and small portions, the Ravioli sounded nice but I wanted a smaller portion with no chicken on the top, I was charged a whopping £14:95. My pizza looked lovely but at £11:95 I would have liked a few more bits of mushrooms, sweetcorn, onions and it was really salty - maybe thats my fault for forgetting to say no olives .... no matter how many times I try I just don't get on with whole or half olives. My husband had whitebait and again said it was nothing special, his risotto was very hot with a big puddle in the bottom, makes us think of chef Mike, lacked seasoning and appeared to have the wrong rice, we did point that out and got our drinks free.... that brings me to something else, I wanted a San pellegrino but they had none .... that's like a fish and chips shop running out of vinegar. We asked the server if they had none-alcoholic bier, she didn't know, saying I don't think so no, so we just got water and pressè, whilst waiting for our drinks we noticed Beck's Blue on the drinks list ... none-alcoholic bier I believe. Only 2 server's with all the customers up on the roof terrace left the front bar and down stairs unattended, not best practice really, we waited 10 minutes ish before anyone noticed we were waiting. Anyway all of these minor issues mount up to only 2 stars. On the subject of the risotto, in my husband's opinion, given that he is an ex Hotel Manager of 4* Hotels, and has eaten probably the best risotto at the Cipriani Hotel in Venice. He said that this was the oddest Arborio rice he'd even seen or tasted, and certainly did not have the creaminess of a properly made risotto.

Overall verdict: Could do better and definitely room for improvement.

On a final, more positive note, we thought the ambience was good and the roof terrace was really lovely, but needed better warning of the high step on the roof terrace. 3 people almost fell while...

A little piece of Italy 🇮🇹in between the English and Welsh border...

From outside it enticises you in with the Italian flag sign, the boxed flowers, the appealing menu and the photos regarding the terrace and inside is just as gorgeous with the drinks and pasta on wooden shelves, white flowers coming from the roof, the wooden tables and white leather chairs. They have two floors - one downstairs that seats around 40/50 people, with group tables and couple tables against the mirror wall. The terrace is upstairs that can be seen on the photos on the outside sign. I didn't have chance to go up but next time I will do!!

Great choice of food, deserts and drinks. So many tasty options from starters to pasta to pizza to sides to puddings. For starters we shared bread and olives which was nice. I had the Spaghetti Bolognese which was 10 out of 10 it was so so nice 🙂 my fiance had prawn linguine which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also went all out and had a tiramisu which we waited a while for but got in the end as it was busy and we shared a bottle of wine. All of the food coming out looked delicious and I want to try more from there. Food was served quickly and was hot. Pudding took a while but was enjoyed my partner. Staff were friendly and busy. Young staff and Two main Italian men keeping everyone served and making sure everyone had what they wanted and needed.

There are toilets. No parking outside unless disabled and only for a hour. Can park in Waitrose or river which is a 2 minute walk.

Average price for Italian food but well worth it and a real treat. Would recommend pre booking as it can get busy.

Definitely worth a visit and we will be returning thank...