Piccolino Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Toms River

I was very excited to try this place, having difficult reservations and highly rated across all platforms as the best Italian on the shore. Unfortunately, my experience was quite underwhelming then expect. Small mini shopping mall storefront restaurant, old school inside with nothing pretentious, reminiscent of Nonna's living room in Queens. The staff was very friendly, accommodating, and attentive. Ashley was a wonderful waitress. I was looking at the Gemma or the Lucca entrees, both sounded delicious. Though the special was the lasagna bolognese, I couldn't resist. Opened up a 2018 Pio Cesare Barolo. The arugula and fennel salad was dressed appropriately and shared. Seafood was good, shrimp oreganata was good and the clams were fresh in the clam sauce. The red sauce was excellent. The chunky texture, thickness, and flavors of oregano, basil, and tomatoes were good. Created a delicious bolognese and spicy vodka sauce. Sautéed spinach was done right also. This was going to be wonderful, but that's where it started to tumble. My lasagna was frozen in the middle still. I sent it back (which I never do) and was not going to order anything else. Ashley tried to do the right thing and brought it back out after the kitchen had fixed the lasagna. Well, it wasn't frozen but still refrigerator cold. I can lift the mozzarella from the lasagna as a solid piece of cheese, no strings, not melted. It was cold to the touch. Ashley tried to take the blame for the kitchen, which was honorable and a sign of good service. She brought me out a bucatini bolognese instead, knowing I loved the sauce, just not the frozen pasta. The linguini and clam sauce was bland without much flavor but the clams and pasta was good. Spicy rigs were done right with a thick vodka sauce and some heat at the end. Overall, I'm not sure if I'd go back. The sauce and the seafood may be worth it but I'm not sure if the kitchen knows what it is doing. I feel like it's missing direction and not following procedures. Ashley and staff being so accommodating was a huge save in my experience. Would have had two stars if it weren't for Ashley. It could have been a one-off night or the chef had off and another line cook took the cook spot, I don't know. I would suggest trying it, but with fewer expectations...

Ok so I'm currently sitting down eating at this restaurant right now writing this review! The food is Amazing!!! And Italianly delicious😋😋 I ordered the Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo and even though they didn't have it on the menu, they made it for me...which was nice of them even though I didn't see it on the menu. The Long hots sausage meal is delicious!!!. Now here is what really impressed me much...my meals were steaming HOT when they came out from the kitchen. Boy do I hate when my meal come out at different restaurants and its luke warm or cold when it gets out to my table😤 But my meals were all well prepared and streaming hot just like how I like it!!! I love that....Also I'm Jamaican and when we eat our food we like for hot steam floating up in the air when our food comes out, it just compliments our meals. Everything was fresh and delicious! Five stars well deserved. Every restaurant needs to know how vital it is to havehot food. Also cold or lukewarm food can override the taste and presentation of the meal the restaurant. I'll be back for sure....My experience at Piccolino Italian Restaurant went quite well. Oh and the staff is top notch! Excellent customer...

I dined there two nights ago for the first time and everything was amazing!! Ashley was our server who did an amazing job explaining all of the specials of the night as well as making sure everything came out okay. I’m not sure how there was a bad review specifically about her when she was one of the best servers I have ever had!!

The bread was not warm but was still tasty especially with the oil and parmesan that was served beside it. For appetizers we got the caesar salad and medium spice mussels. Caesar salad came out fast and was topped with delicious shaved parmesan cheese. Mussels were a huge portion with a very tasty sauce. For entrees we got the penne vodka and a chicken special that night. Again huge portions and both dishes were exquisite. Possibly the best penne vodka I have ever had.

Even though they closed at nine and were beginning to close & set up for the next day, Ashley never rushed us and even offered us dessert. The chocolate mousse was delicious - very chocolatey yet light enough to enjoy.

Long review but there’s not enough words to describe how great this place was. Thank you for the amazing food and service!! We will...