The South Pasadena branch of a respected Westside eatery, Piccolo Ristorante features the cooking of chef-owner Antonio Murè, a veteran of acclaimed restaurants in Italy and Southern California. Starters range from grilled calamari served on a bed of garlic, onion, and Swiss chard to a salad of frisée and Belgian endive with grapes, pomegranate seeds, and candied walnuts in a Gorgonzola vinaigrette. And golden beets are artfully presented in paper-thin slices, carpaccio style, topped with velvety burrata cheese, cilantro pesto, and hazelnuts.
![Golden beet carpaccio with burrata cheese over a bed of roasted bell peppers](/content/dam/ace/publications/food-and-drink/restaurants/piccolo-ristorante/piccolo-ristorante-beet-carpaccio-680.jpg)
Golden beet carpaccio with roasted bell peppers, burrata cheese, cilantro pesto, and hazelnuts at Piccolo Ristorante in South Pasadena.
Among an intriguing array of house-made pastas are squid ink–tinted linguine with shrimp and porcini mushrooms in a light tomato sauce, and tortelli filled with potato and fig, plated with a rich Parmesan cream and topped with fried sage leaves. Main courses include a pink-fleshed ocean trout served over braised fennel with a delicate saffron sauce, and sautéed veal scallopine in a Pernod–blood orange sauce. For dessert, opt for the 3-layer chocolate mousse terrine or a smooth pistachio custard.
![A slice of tiramisu with berries](/content/dam/ace/publications/food-and-drink/restaurants/piccolo-ristorante/piccolo-ristorante-tiramisu-520.jpg)
Tiramisu with berries at Piccolo Ristorante in South Pasadena.
Best dishes at Piccolo Ristorante
Beet carpaccio with burrata, potato-and-fig tortelli with Parmesan cream, ocean trout, pistachio custard.
Dinner prices
Starters, $14–$19; Pastas, $19–$23; Entrées, $19–$39; Desserts, $12–$15.
Information
1010 Mission Street. (626) 399-0580.
AAA discounts
![Seared scallops arranged on a plate Seared scallops arranged on a plate](/content/dam/ace/discounts/partners/chart-house-scallops-735X275.jpg)
![Woman pumping gas Woman pumping gas](/content/dam/ace/discounts/partners/853962856-woman-at-gas-station-735x308.jpg)