Pierino

We visited here after the science museum with 3 excited children. our party was 7 in total, the staff were friendly, accomodating and amazing with the kids, food was lovely and served in good time for our party. Space is small but creates cozy atmoshere. Toilets original design and very clean. Great hiden gem.
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Michelle
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I first went to Pierino on the night it opened, about 20 years ago, under the legendary Piero, who also owned the more formal Piccola Venezia 2-3 doors fown (now the sushi place!). It was a real family run affair, with (for instance) Piero's daughter cooking many of the pasta sauces.

Alas, Piero died about 7-8 years ago, but I think his family still own part of the business, or retain some sort of interest in it.

I guess I have been to Pierino's approaching 200 times (sad, I know) and I've seen waiters (take a bow Giorgio and Aldo - happy retirement!) come and go. I reckon I've had (at most) three disappointing meals there - and I've been up & down the menu many times.

Under the new management, you still get exactly what you got under Piero: cheap, very tasty food, remarkable vaue, good fun, a nice atmosphere and just occasionally a really unexpected treat (the pasta with cream, king prawns and Pernod was added to the main menu after it proved popular!). It's a great place - you can take your parents, the new girl/boyfriend, mates - sober or "elevated" and you'll have a great time.

I was scared that the new refit (new? about 3-4 years ago!) would change the place. It hasn't really. I remember once getting a significantly smaller pizza than normal. I thought it was an aberration and ignored the fact. Then a week later, the same thing. "Strange", I thought. Three weeks later and the pizzas were back to huge size. I asked Piero what had happened. He said "we had a new chef, but he was rubbish and made tiny pizzas, so I fired him." Another time, Piero refused to let me pay for a pizza, because they'd had to use tinned (rather than fresh) tuna on it, having run out. That's the kind of place it is. The new management have maintained the standards.

Sorry to those who've had a "bad" experience - go back: I doubt it'll happen twice. With all the rip-offs around, there are too few places like Pierino's.

Highly recommended!
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AlecW - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 14, 2010

Went to Pierino with my girlfriend earlier today and we were both a bit disappointed with the food. I had a pizza that was not great: not much mozzarella/very watery tomato sauce, whilst she had a very average risotto. Coca-cola tasted stale and was also not cold. Service was actually pretty good, although am worried how a fresh risotto can be made in such a short time... Looks nice but wouldn't go back again, although the frozen youghurt shop across the road is definitely to be recommended...
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Nick
5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Monday, August 31, 2009