Piccolo Mondo - Under new management and still gorgeous....PHEW!

Have you ever ventured out with a new work colleague outside of office hours for the first time? You hope of course that not only will their Partner that you've never met like you and that you'll all get on famously, but most of all you want the restaurant you choose to sit somewhere between informal and yet good enough that you're reflected well to someone you probably spend more time with than your wife or kids.

As we all bundled into Piccolo Mondo in Milford-on-Sea the other evening I hope the sigh of relief was not too obvious or misinterpreted, because actually we couldn't have asked for a better welcome; warm, understated and relaxed! Louise the new Owner/ Manager following in John & Stacey's legendary footsteps is re-assuringly confident and unphased by the inherited reputation and I am thrilled to say Piccolo Mondo has lost not a jot of it's original charm.

For those of you who don't already know, I should clarify the above by saying that the restaurant was previously run by a fairly charismatic pair who've bought elsewhere and has been bought more recently by Louise Fowle. The restaurant has been a popular haunt for many of us over the years and it would appear that the philosophy of 'if it ain't broke; don't fix it has certainly been applied here!' I know Louise has some modest plans which include additions rather than replacements to the menu and a few other bits and pieces which, having now met her, I completely trust will further enhance the place.

Stephen Lever and Scott Barton in the kitchen ensure that the menu is both varied and appetising and the food itself is presented with passion and flair without being pretentious. Not only was my meal fabulous, but afterwards we were lucky enough to be invited backstage where the guys had been 'playing' with some unusual dishes, partly for their own amusement in true Masterchef spirit, but also to allow us to take some photos as well. Despite a full tummy I was presented with amongst other things a fillet steak and chocolate sauce which sounds bizarre I admit but was absolutely stunning and original.

I feel like this place is an old friend. You know that you may not see them for a while, but when you do you wish you saw them more often. Somewhere that will embrace you whenever you turn up and always make you feel like you're coming home. Louise and the Piccolo family are all seriously nice genuine people and we hope they not only have continued success but are also very happy doing it.

We at LDC would like to thank Louise and the Team for such an enjoyable evening and hope that you all sneak over to Milford soon and have as much fun as we did. They have recently launched their new website at www.piccolomondo-mos.com where all the menus are online along with directions. To book now call 01590 643557 and ask for Louise. JS

Photography - Jordan Weeks @ brief8™