A First Look at Piccola Cucina, Now Open in Soho

In one of Locanda Verde’s first major reviews, Alan Richman has some quibbles about just how “Italian” it is, but he ultimately gives the “exuberant, unconventional, unexpected, and mostly Italian food” a thumbs-up. Who knows whether Richman would question the authenticity of the food at Piccola Cucina, yet another entrant into the Italian sphere (this one opened in Soho on Friday), but we can at least assure him that chef-owner Philip Guardione was born in Sicily and worked under Sergio Mei at Milan’s Four Seasons Hotel. And as you can see below, entrées such as olive-crusted lamb are listed in Italian on the menu!

The space (formerly Café Tina) is minuscule, seating just 22 in the dining room and 4 at the bar, so there’s no need for a slideshow here, but let’s have a look inside, shall we?

The bartender is on his way over from Pegu Club.Photo: Courtesy of Piccola Cucina

Antipasti
Vitello tonnato con julienne di verdurine, capperi in fiore e limone a vivo
Veal in a tuna sauce with vegetables, capers and lemon
11

Carpaccio di manzo alle due salse: rugola e grana
Beef carpaccio with arugula and parmesan sauces
11

Texture di arancini di riso (melanzana, ragout e piselli, pescatora)
Arancini rice fritters filled with eggplant, ragout and fish
10

Mozzarella di bufala con pomodorini pachino e basilica fresco
Buffalo mozzarella with cherry tomato and fresh basil
9

Seppie alla griglia con puree di broccoli e infusion al nero di sepia
Grilled squid with broccoli puree and squid ink
11

Polipo grigliato con puree di melanzane e insalata di finocchi e arance
Grilled octopus with eggplant puree and fennel-orange salad
11

Involtino di pesce spada con pomodorini e arugula
Swordfish roll with tomatoes and arugula
13

Selezione di pregiati salumi e formaggi italiani
Italian salumi and cheeses
15

Primi
Spaghetti al pomodoro fresco con cipollotto e basilico
Spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce, sweet onions and basil
10

Lasagna agli asparagi aromatizzati alla maggiorana
Asparagus and marjoram lasagna
12

Ravioli agli scampi con ricotta e pomodoro confit mantacati con bisque leggera e crema di asparagi
Ravioli with shrimp and ricotta, tomato confit, light bisque and asparagus cream
15

Risotto alla pescatora con guazzetto di pomodorini e triglia profumata all’arancio
Seafood risotto with cherry tomatoes, red mullet and orange
17

Tagliolini con vongole veraci e lamelle di bottarga e finocchietto
Tagliolini with clams, bottarga and fennel
16

Secondi
Millefoglie di filetto con mozzarella e pomodoro
al pane profumato su corona di zucchini e la sua salsa
Filet mignon napoleon with mozzarella, tomato, bread and zucchini
25

Agnello in crosta di olive su spinaci saltati al cipollotto e Macedonia di pepperoni
Olive crusted lamb with sautéed spinach, red onions and peppers
25

Grigliata di pesce con verdure alla griglia e olio alla menta
Grilled fish and vegetables with mint oil
28

Ventresca di tonno rosso siciliano con melanzane, olio al basilico e crema balsamica
Tuna belly with eggplant, basil oil and balsamic cream
21

Cotoletta di vitello alla Milanese con rucola e pomodorini
Veal milanese with arugula and tomatoes
5oz/26 9oz/31

Branzino in cartoccio con pomodoro ramato e asparagi bianchi con fumetto montato
Broiled branzino with grape tomatoes and white asparagus
23

Dessert
Tiramisu in coppa martini con savoiardi e frutti di bosco
Tiramisu with ladyfingers and berries
7

Crème Brulée gratinata con lamponi e salsa alle fragole
Crème brulée with raspberries, strawberry sauce and thyme ice cream
7

Composizione di frutta al piatto con brodetto al vino rose al profumo di canella e menta
Fresh fruit with rose wine, cinnamon, mint and warm chocolate sauce
6

Cannoli siciliani mignon in tre gusti con salsa al cioccolato e panna montata
Mini Sicilian cannoli in three flavors with chocolate sauce and whipped cream
9

Mezza luna al pistacchio con biscotto alla nocciola, gelato alle mandorle,
salsa alle fragile e croccante al sesamo
Pistachio half-moon with hazelnut cookie, almond gelato, strawberry sauce and sesame
9

Piccolo Cucina, 184 Prince St., nr. Sullivan St.; 212-625-3200

Previously on Grub Street...
 

• Chloë Sevigny’s Short Shorts Will Save Nightlife
• Greene Grape’s Marketing Strategy: *%$&ing Wine and Feeling Fine
• ‘Turning Japanese’: Philippe Plays Race Card Against Mr. Chow