Piccolo Padre

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Picoolo Padre is an un-assuming little joint on the high street in Rozelle, more or less opposite the post office, near the markets.

It offers a un-adventurous but very reliable and very, very well executed menu of breakfast and lunch staples. The big breakfast, at ~$13 would have to be the cheapest in the Balmain/Rozelle area, and it is both delicious and hearty. I'm a big eater, and it satisfies me every time.

Eggs Benedict are first rate.

But the reason I've finally logged on to give this place a wrap is because of the steak sandwich I ate yesterday. It was fantastic. As those fans of the steak sandwich out there know, good ones are hard to find, and great ones cannot be beat. Piccolo Padre's is certainly great.

Service and coffee/tea/chai were also excellent, as per usual. Stop in for a relatively cheap but very flavoursome and satisfying meal.

May 14, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

My sister and I enjoyed a late lunch at Piccolo's today, using a coupon for two lunch or breakfast dishes plus two drinks or coffees for $29 which was gifted to us. Having read through all the reviews and the variations in opinion, I really tried to approach the little cafe without prejudice and I have to say...... I really liked it!

I liked the worn, comfy old furniture, especially the little nook by the window, where a young family with two small children were enjoying their milkshakes and people-watching. I liked the barista and the friendly waiter, who stopped for a chat with one of his customers, an eccentric little elderly lady who seemed as though she had been frequenting the place with her dog for most of her life.

I liked how the sugar was in a little glass pot and not in sachets like they are everywhere else these days. I liked how they put grilled halloumi in my steak sandwich and I even liked their tacky, laminated, clip-art designed menus (not sure why but I found them.... endearing. The way you find your kid's school project efforts endearing). I loved the layers of smooth and perfect foam atop my soy cappuccino - flawless coffee, as previously mentioned.

The only thing that ruined my experience was when I asked to use the ladies' and was directed to the courtyard area, where the toilet was situated in a tiny outhouse which appeared to have no working light. The courtyard itself was a dingy, dank, plastic fantastic tack-fest. Gone was the unpretentious, vintage-y cool feel of the front area. I thought I had walked into another cafe.

Overall, I did enjoy my experience at Piccolo Padre, I'm pleased to say that their coffees do live up to their reputation, I would go again for unfussy, well-priced cafe-food with a friend or two of an afternoon in the area.

Jan 31, 2012 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  4     

I have heard that this is one of the best coffee cups in the street, I have had a good one and had as well one of the worst coffees in this place. Consistency is Zero. To be honest while sitting and seeing food coming out I did not want to eat as it did not look appealing to me at all, if you get to have a sneak look at the kitchen I am sure you will work out why the food does not look great.

Ambience does not exist as where ever you sit you feel like someone is sitting in your lap and someone is just listening to every word you whisper.

Tried the backyard and felt like the chair and the table are about to fall in addition that they are right next to the toilet door. I felt like this is a rat house really.

There is a lot of nice places that are spacious in the street and produce high quality food and consistent in quality as well.

Nov 28, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  2     

Not recommended. The waitress was rude with not only me but all the other customers who had the misfortune of meeting her. I can't believe she has a job in hospitality. Very Very rude! The coffee used to be better many years ago. the menu is poor and the food isn't good.

Oct 27, 2011 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  3     

Slowest service, then they didn't put order in so took one and a half hours for a quick brunch with very average food. Won't be back, there are too many really good other places nearby.

May 04, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

I mainly go to Piccolo's for coffee and I must say, probably the best I have had in the three years I've worked in the balmain/rozelle area.

Feb 16, 2011 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  2     

I have been here a few times over the last couple of years and have to say that it has gone down hill. The coffee is beautiful, shame about the food this time round.

Service was pretty much average, not even a smile or conversation off the waitresses. The cafe was quiet for a saturday afternoon and got served pretty quick. We ordered quiche with garlic bread and lemon and pepper prawns. The best part of the meal was the average side salad. Quiche was rubbery and dry and had looked like the crust had been picked at to get rid of the burnt bits. The prawns were covered in a greasy slick and tasteless. Neither of us finished our meals and felt pretty sick after leaving.

On paying for our food we commented that it wasn't as good as previous visits. Staff seemed shocked at our answer and no apology or discount was given (neither of us finished even half of our meals). Pretty poor performance, was this a one off? Just a coffee if I ever had to visit again.

Jan 29, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We came here on a Saturday morning for breakfast for my daughter's 20th birthday (her choice, my first time). We booked a table inside and sat in a cosy nook in front of the coffee machine surrounded by loads of cushions. From the moment we sat down we had the most attentive and efficient service from the waitress to the owners (who helped organise candles I had forgotten for the cake we brought !). Food (various big brekkies and my daughter's favourite the BLT) was delicious, coffee and juices just fine. The place was packed and the atmosphere buzzing. We found the whole experience relaxing and enjoyable.

Dec 06, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  9     

If you don't mind grime, then this place is for you. We tried breakfast here the other week - The courtyard would be considered charming (15 yrs ago), now is just grubby and worn out. The table was sticky from the last patrons and the plate my breakfast arrived on wasn't the cleanest I've seen. On the up side - the portions were huge and the food nice. The coffee was bitter and cold - so an okay place for a cheap meal - but if you want a total dining experience, then sit out front or try somewhere else.

Nov 28, 2010 

6.5 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  9      Service  6      Value  6     

The place is very very nice but the food is very very average. We ordered eggs & bacon roll, big pieces of bread and a lot of sauce. The service were weird, if you are friend of the staff you can have very attentive service, if you are not, good luck!
I won't try again for breakfast.

Nov 21, 2010