La Piazzetta, Petersfield

We had had the heavy Christmas period and with jaunting between my family in the Midlands and Gipsy Spread's in the South, we wanted nothing else on the 27th than to relax and have our feasting needs catered for. It was with this in mind, that we decamped with Father, Sister, brother and Mon-in-law Spread to this small Italian restaurant in Petersfield.


We had booked a table, which turned out to be lucky as the restaurant was heaving with families doing the same as us. It appeared fully booked to me, but our table was ready for us, if a little bit snug.


We sat down and ordered drinks. Whilst assessing the extensive Italian menu which includes pasta, pizzas primis and secondis etc., we were seductively lured in by the garlic pizza bread starter to share as there were seven of us. So lured in were we, that we ordered two. Suffice to say, it took us some time to get through this bread, whilst also speculating about the whereabouts of our main courses. It only struck us after we had almost finished that the staff were probably waiting for us to finish before bringing out our main courses.

 

 

There had been unanimous cheers around the table when the linguine all marinara had been sighted on the menu. We had three of these around the table, as well as the tagliatelle al salmon, two Caprino pizzas, and an order of veal.

 

Everyone was pleased with their dishes upon arrival and we were all thoroughly complementary about the food and the service. I for one thoroughly enjoyed the slight saltiness to the sourdough pizza base and the quality of the goats’ cheese on my pizza. It all seemed to provide value for money.


After that, whilst only three desserts were ordered around the table, I think everyone had a little taste of something sweet.

 

This little restaurant is located in an old part of the historic market down and whilst unassuming, is clearly in the local’s consciousness. It won the 2014 award for the best local Italian restaurant and punches well above its weight in terms of its menu, the quality of its food and the excellence of its service. We are all thrilled to have discovered this little gem and will most definitely be returning.