piccolino italian kitchen

Wow! What a great experience! This was my first time dining here tonight. All of the food was amazing. We got the meatballs and calamari appetizers and the shrimp and steak scampi entree. Everything was great from beginning to end – will definitely be returning!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I went here last night with my nephew , and the food was delicious! And the staff was so friendly and accommodating.. I will definitely be returning!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is an absolute dream! The food, the service and the cozy atmosphere all comes together for the perfect night out with friends and family or date night. Don't miss out on this gem!

We also had food catered for two family parties over the summer and the food was hot and fresh when delivered both times. All of our guests raved about how amazing the food was! Run, don't walk to Piccolino's!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Strange day of reservations. Other than that, everything was great. Food was unbelievable; large portions.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My wife and enjoyed previous owners of this restaurant. Closing not by business bad. But improvements needed landlord refused to being a rental needed kitchen improvements they refused and closed. This evening we tried owners now .place is really pretty way to crowded. My wife and I had conversation like both of us had bad hearing,not the case it was like a grammar school cafeteria noise level. My wife had house special of the evening was Shrimp and codfish both very easy to cook it was just not point on Shrimp great codfish was left behind limp.My chicken dish was tough ! 😅 How can you make chicken tougher cooking it more after it was finished. We have been there twice first and last. I constantly argue with my wife why we don't go to restaurants more. I reply you enjoy my cooking more. But we keep trying. Not saying this restaurants food is bad ,Our food was Eh! but prices today you should say wow . Especially Italian food the cost is inexpensive and paying more $$$ Again when I cook only best of ingredients. Tonight was Eh! And $$$ for Italian food. Just my feelings.

The food was fabulous. Ashley was a wonderful, friendly and attentive server. Loved the atmosphere and menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely Delicious!! Very nice atmosphere and the staff was super. Highly recommend 👌

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Incredible! Everything was amazing from apps to dessert! Everyone that works there is very friendly and accommodating! Can’t wait to go back

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

You need to make reservations. Small inside, but very cute, the tables aren't too close to each other. Food was excellent and the portions are very generous. Next time we might opt to share an entree instead of getting two.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

The food is fantastic, Ashley our server is awesome. The entire staff is attentive.Nice, clean establishment. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Try the arancini balls. So good. Best we ever had. Delicious meal, really great service. Worth a visit!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is AWESOME !!.. Meg is a great host .. clam chowder out of this world and mood sauce is the BEST !! If in Tommy’s River , a must stop place 👍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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 than what I had.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Cozy little Italian place with a nice atmosphere. Very friendly staff with excellent service. The shrimp francese was delicious, the linguini & clam had a lot of clams and garlic. The prices are high but capable to other places. The portions are large.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We dined at this fabulous restaurant for the first time on 7/5/25 for my father in laws birthday. We were a large party of 13 and they were able to accommodate us. The food was amazing! The service was above and beyond (thanks to Ashley!). And the atmosphere was warm, inviting and cozy! We will definitely be going back!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5