Café Piccolo

We came here to celebrate our 5^th year anniversary & we left with a huge smile on our faces. The food and service is amazing from the moment you walk in to the second you leave. We loved our waiter James he’s fantastic. We’re most definitely coming back & spreading the word.

This little Italian cozy and supper elegant it is just so so GOOD… Anyone who enjoys the true flavor of a deliciously made mixture of pure Italian… should go and be delighted from the moment you come in you find a special greeting and they are so personable and make you be in this space that it just gives so much wonderful attention. The owners are amazing and all their staff, always ready to bring you the best experience while your stay. I would give them 10 stars, they are just so so good… ;)

Dinner with 2 friends on ⁶⁄₁₈; great service good recommendations on wine and very well done atmosphere. Scallops appetizer was very good, scallops were a tad small but still quite tasty. I got one of the nightly specials, Chicken Medici, and it was very good and the chicken was prepared just perfect, vegetables were cooked perfect without being soggy and pasta was fresh and El dente. Portion size was generous, although the up charge from a standard romaine salad that comes with dinner to a Caesar was $ 6 and not justified in what was received. All other aspect of the meal were good. If given the opportunity of choice between Café Piccolo and La Paralaccio Osteria I would recommend the later for the food, but the ambiance and atmosphere of Piccolo is better.

I had been waiting to come here for a long time and finally had a date night… but it was disappointment right when I sat down in a plastic chair. I couldn’t believe the place wouldn’t have more decent chairs but a good majority of the dining chairs were all plastic. The table was wobbling precariously on the uneven floor. The service was great however, the one shining point for this place. Food seemed ok, nothing really seemed to stand out, but was very pricey. In the end I feel like they suck you in with ambiance, but skimp on most everything else. I won’t be back.

This quaint establishment amazed us with the excellent quality of food. The shrimp and scallops melted in my mouth. Our server Megan was beyond great. She was helpful and attentive to my entire party. I would recommend this place to everyone. I cannot wait for our return trip.

Was brought here for my anniversary and the staffs took great care in setting the ambiance with the location of our table and the flowers my bf had bought for me.
The dishes we ordered were delicious. The staffs were very friendly.

Good service, nice menu, atmosphere was fun.

Valet, sincere smile and greeting and that’s before even being seated!
This place is a Gem! I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly valet to start off and upon entering it was like being greeted by old friends — not the usual «do you have a reservation» a genuine hello and welcome were the first words!
We were brought to our table, after being given a choice of a couple that were available and picking which one we would like best, this was amazing considering the place was buzzing with people.
A sweet table for 2 set in a Italian villa like setting with a trellis with flowers and a waterfall and lite conversation in the air, this was a perfect escape after an hour plus drive on the freeway, I thought «Dinner Escape»
We were seated and our server Christopher was right there with menus in hand and placed them right in front of us and gave the nicest welcome and smile and asked how we were doing tonite, so nice from the regular «can I get you a drink»
He went over the specials, the house dressing and its mustard base even pointing out it really is delicious and not spicy and has a great ending taste and the soups *a choice of 2 or salad with the meals.
We ordered drinks and ice tea for me and a Diet Coke for my friend, lemon sugar offered and what I like was Christopher double checked that I did not want lemon, many servers don’t and they just put the lemon in and I have to fish it out!
Thanks for that extra moment to ask!
Fresh and yummy crusty roll was brought to the table and a ample amount of butter for slathering on it, Delish!
Onto the menu and from the appetizers and salads, the vegetarian options and of course chicken, veal and seafood it was so hard not to just say «I want it all»!!
I saw the shrimp and scallops with fettuccine caper and saffron cream sauce.
When I asked if could substitute the black squid ink fettuccine for the regular the reply was «of course sounds great and you’ll love it!» My friend got the balsamic chicken.
Salads arrived and true to his word the house dressing was so good, like wipe the plate with your bread good!
Dinner came right after the salad plates were clear, hot and looking as good as the aroma that came off them as they were gently put in front of us! Mine was a work of art and plentiful usually it’s one of the other, this it was both, a plus was the big spoon to assist in the twirling of my pasta — classic, the next thing there’s Christopher with the fresh Parmesan grater in hand and I let him just go a couple rounds and then stop to perfection!
Here was the tell tale the first bite… Molte Bene!
The pasta perfect al dente, the sauce creamy but light and you could taste the saffron with a hint of the capers and herbs and then onto a bite of scallop and then shrimp!
Generous portions– the scallops were sea scallops, real scallops here folks not those mini marshmallow type– being from New England I appreciate this, the shrimp fresh, tasty sweety just right!
I wish I had taken a picture of either before or better yet after; the plate was clean, right down to no capers! This was one of the most tastiest meals in a very long time, hence the long review!
I figured with a meal this good the next thing had to be dessert, I let my dining partner decide and so we shared a chocolate Milton cake, vanilla ice cream with a tastey berry sauce perfectly placed around the plate and a cup of coffee!
Perfect ending to an incredible meal!
All I can say this was my first trip to Long Beach and to this fabulous treasure of a restaurant but definitely not my last!
Christopher, I’ll be sure to ask for a table if your working for your to be our server your suggestions and service was perfect and made the experience just as wonderful!
The whole crew from start to finish were wonderful!
Thank you for such a wonderful meal and full belly!
Grazie!

I loved Piccolo when I lived in Long Beach, and love it more after moving away to LA. LA’s full of overpriced and overrated Italian restaurants that serve imitation Italian dishes: Everything’s either too salty, too cheesy, too big or too small. Café Piccolo has a very cozy ambiance, friendly staff, and delicious dishes served in the right proportions. Freshly baked bread’s a plus for a carb-​crazy like myself.
One tip would be, don’t go expecting Americanized-​Italian food like mozzarella sticks and bacon-​infused-​anything. Most of the appetizers include seafood, and Piccolo may not have the most kid-​friendly menu. I realized this when my fiancé recently took me and my younger siblings for dinner. my brother is absolutely frightened by seafood and mushrooms. However, the Portobello mushrooms were so delicious that he went for seconds.
I highly recommend this place for quiet romantic dinners, and intimate gatherings. When you go, look out for Christopher. He, is pretty awesome. It was a packed night for a Tuesday when we last went, and though he was serving everyone by himself, he handled all the tables with grace, accuracy and speed.

Came here with my family for Mother’s Day. Ordered the Linguine with Shrimp and Scallops and it was delicious! The service was wonderful and the ambiance was even better! Will definitely recommend this spot to friends.

I love this restaurant. It’s an intimate setting with warm low lighting, a fire pit and some of the sexiest bathrooms I’ve ever seen in an establishment — and that doesn’t even include the great food! This place has great seafood which pairs perfectly with their selection of white wines (at least that’s what I usually get). Service is upbeat, warm, and welcoming, like family. Most definitely recommend!

New favorite! We came upon the recommendation of a friend and we were not disappointed. The atmosphere is adorable: canopies, twinkle lights, fire pits, and two fountains. The lighting is perfect… candlelit and comfortable.
We had the spicy shrimp to start and they were delicious. We finished off the spicy sauce with the warm bread that’s served. Yum!
Our entrees were also fabulous. The black linguine was the star of the show. It was loaded with super fresh and tender calamari and more great shrimp. The included salad was also great. It was slightly heavy with dressing but the dressing was delish so we didn’t mind.
We topped off the meal with an excellent tarte tartin. The service was also really good. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I would definitely recommend this to other friends… enjoy!

I adore this restaurant. It is perfect for date night or even dinner catching up with good friends over incredible food. I can’t decide if I love the perfect ambiance of their beautiful patio more, or the authenticity and quality of their delicious food more.
Usually I don’t like to go out for pasta dishes because I feel like I can make pasta at home. Café Piccolo is the one restaurant I’ll make an exception for.
Starting with the sweet and attentive service, then the fresh-​baked hot bread roll to start, and a lovely wine list, this restaurant is the all-​encompassing Italian dining experience.
We ordered the escargot to share for an appetizer, the black ink pasta, and the shrimp scampi.
I am pretty sure they’ve changed things around since the last time we dined here. My black ink pasta came with thin-​sliced carrots and sugar snap peas, which were a really nice touch against the creamy saffron sauce. The shrimp scampi was beautifully presented: pasta, shrimp, and roasted bell peppers in separate piles, fresh parmesan on top. Both dishes came with a generous amount of seafood.
One of the best things about the pasta dishes here is the how nicely they are portioned. Instead of a heaping hill of carbs, the pasta itself is served in small portions, and the seafood and sauce do the talking. You don’t feel completely stuffed after your meal.
For dessert we shared a warm baked caramel apple crostini-​type of dish with vanilla ice cream on top, which was so yummy.

PROS: romantic good atmosphere delicious food great costumer service decently priced
CONS: street parking can be hard at times depending the time but there is valet in the weekend

This place has great food and service. Dont let the mundane Café name and outside fool you! Great place for dinner Desert menu is vast.

Charming and romantic, with dim lighting & a rustic indoor fire pit to set the mood. Perfect for a reasonably priced, date night.
Wine selection was average, as well as the menu. Menu lacked pizzazz, for lack of a better word. I would not label this place as fancy by any means. Food was still tasty, but falls short of «authentic» Italian cuisine.
Our waiter & the server assistants were all very kind and attentive, considering my bf & I came on a Thursday evening. Not too busy at all.
Again, would return to try something a little more «Italian».
*Restroom was CLEAN! Just an fyi, for my fellow germaphobes.

Excellent food, ambiance and friendly service. It’s not our first time. We surely be back every now and then. Buon Appetito! GRAZIE!

Great place for a nice date night. My Gf and I really enjoyed everything about this restaurant. The setting is nice and quiet with fancy decorations. We both had a glass of red wine and started off with a calamari appetizer. I then selected the salmon plate. Everything was delicious and everybody was very nice. The only thing I didn’t like was parking. We had to park across the street in a residential area. But overall great Romantic place for dinner.

Wonderful service and great food! The prices are very reasonable! I will definitely be coming back here!

Came here for dinner with my boyfriend since I read it was romantic (and it was Valentine’s weekend) and also read all the good reviews… We were not disappointed whatsoever! From service to atmosphere to food everything was amazing. Since the minute we got there, we were greeted so nicely and our waiter was very attentive… the restaurant DOES have a romantic setting with dim lights and candles and fountains outside by the window. The food, wine, and dessert were amazing! It was seriously worth every penny. If we are ever in the area again, we will be back! Thanks for a lovely dinner Café Piccolo! (:

This is our favorite Italian place. It’s «our spot.» Service is fantastic, ambiance is intimate and romantic, food is phenomenal and surprisingly affordable. Only thing that could use some work is the wine list. We moved out of Long Beach this week and I got a bit teary-​eyed about leaving and not having our favorite place nearby in the future. Café Piccolo we are going to miss you so much! Thank you for taking care of us all these years.

Café Piccolo does not disappoint! I love the romantic ambience and their seafood! Mmm mm good.
Black linguini pasta ⁵⁄₅ — squid ink pasta that comes with shrimp and calamari over saffron cream sauce. Very fresh, and light.
Seafood combo ⁵⁄₅ — shrimp, scallop, squid, and calamari served with linguini and veggies. It comes in garlic cream sauce, but it has a slight kick for those who don’t like creamy pasta.
Fettuccini tetrazzini ⁴⁄₅ — fettuccini with chicken and mushroom in some creamy tomato sauce.
Stuffed mushrooms ⁴⁄₅ — mushrooms stuffed with crab and cheese over tomato/​wine sauce. Very flavorful but light. Only comes with 5 mushrooms tho.
All in all, their noodles are cooked to perfection and their ingredients are so fresh! Perfect ambience for a romantic date and you get complimentary valet!

This place was amazing! Possible the best food I have ever had and the wine prices are so reasonable $ 120 for 2 bottles of wine and 2 full entrée. The place is adorable Request to sit on the patio by the fountain great for a date night.

My first meal here was a fine one. An appetizer of Stuffed Mushrooms with Shrimp & Crabmeat in a light Garlic Lemon Sauce was sublime but there were only 4 caps. Large Grilled Stuffed Portabella stuffed with Goat Cheese & Gorgonzola and served over Arugula, garlic, and tomato and topped with fresh Oregano was an unusual, meaty preliminary treat. But a loaf of buttered Italian Bread was only okay.
Creamy Minestrone Soup, with very soft potatoes, vermicelli, and a heavy dose of carrots was odd looking but tasty. A Caesar Salad with House Dressing, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and sliced Boiled Egg was noteworthy. And a generous portion of layered Veal Saltibocca with pasta and fresh grated Parmesan Cheese was excellent.
Service was good except slow on delivery of our entrees and having to ask for a water refill once, likely because this very busy restaurant was packed with patrons on a Saturday night. The setting with lamp lights and ferns was cozy and romantic — the perfect spot for a couple in love or a small family meal.
I’m sure that I’ll be back sometime soon!

this is one of my fav places in Long Beach. It’s intimate, has a ton of character and the prices are very reasonable.
I highly recommend it for it’s romantic atmosphere, too. Great place for a date night.
Parking can be a pain, so thank goodness they have valet.

I think the people who gave this place 5 star reviews have either never had good Italian food or smoked a gigantic joint before coming here.
Ambiance is nice: firepit, lush gardens, mood lighting. Don’t be fooled by this. You’ll be onto their tricks once you get the food and wine menu. What’s that? Robert Mondavi you say? Where’s the angel hair pasta? Why is there Thai sauce on my linguini? Why is there cream and soggy spaghetti in my minestrone? Would you like some frozen vegetables on the side?
I ask how your house red is. You say, «Let’s look at the wine list» and then walk away.
Oh good, they serve bread before the meal. I’m friggin’ starving. Why is it the bread that is 2 for $ 1 at the Mexican market?
The waitstaff manages to keep a straight face while dishing out this Italian/​Thai fusion cuisine.
The most Italian thing about this place was the pepperoncini I got with my caesar salad.
My advice: Smoke a gigantic joint before coming here. Bring your own wine as they have a $ 15 corking fee and shit selection. Or if you’re really feeling Italian put a Trader Joe’s pizza in the oven and call it a day.

I love it here. Every time I visit, which is regrettably too infrequent, I almost always order the seafood combo with the minestrone soup. The soup is not your typical minestrone soup. It’s so much better! Maybe it’s the cream they add to enrich the broth? Who cares. It’s good. Get it.
The seafood combo entrée will not let you down. The shrimp, scallop and calamari are cooked perfectly; never overdone. They bathe in a light cream sauce. Okay, maybe not «light» as in lose-​weight-​light. It comes with a side of pasta and well seasoned and cooked side of string beans with peppers.
I think the lunch entrees are all under $ 15. For a generous portion of well-​cooked seafood, I think that’s a steal of a deal.
This is such a cute restaurant: cozy fire pit in the semi-​outdoor dining area; small garden waterfall; string of lights; etc. It does live up to its reputation as one of LB’s most romantic dining spots. :)

LOVELY ROMANTIC LITTLE RESTAURANT THAT WONT MAKE YOU BREAK THE BANK ACCOUNT !
Perfect for a romantic date, bday dinner, anniversary dinner etc …
Don’t worry about finding parking
& just do valet :) it’s free
(don’t forget to tip the guy)
Food was perfect !
Wine was also at a good price !
Service was excellent
Restrooms were super clean and nice
The bf & I pick this place for our anniversary!
When we for there we were greeted by this sweet man who told us happy anniversary! SWEET ! Our waiter was SWEET & AWESOME! She also told us happy anniversary and brought us a free dessert to celebrate ! We even got a free post card!
I would recommend to pick patio seating :)

DATE NIGHT, ANYONE?
Came here for the first time with bae last night for a Friday night date. We walked in around 9pm without a reservation and were seated after about 10 minutes. It’s so beautiful in here. Reminded us of an Italian… rainforest… if there is such thing.
The «outdoor» patio area (sheltered by beautiful lit-​up umbrellas) is just stunning… complete with Christmas string lights, water fountains, and candle lit tables. Hopefully I’m not making it sound over-​the-​top, because it’s not. Dinner was romantic and intimate.
Service is fantastic and attentive. I ordered their pinot grigio and it was so smooth, crisp, and refreshing. A mosquito flew into my wine glass but they were quick to replace it. Bread served with your meal is fresh and hot to the touch.
We ordered the black linguini with shrimp and calamari, and the linguini in marinara with mussels, clams, and calamari. Both pastas came out piping hot with a generous portion of fresh seafood. Love how the seafood sat on top, instead of mixed in with the pasta.
Can’t wait to come back again and try some other options on the menu.

This place is absolutely lovely– definitely a great place to take a romantic date! The ambiance alone makes coming here worth it. The restaurant is open indoor-​outdoor style with a pretty fountain and lots of greenery around it. It was a hot night so we were seated in the outdoor corner, and there was a great breeze. I got the fettuccine tetrazzini and my boyfriend got the seafood combo, and we were both pleased with our food and they have a pretty good wine selection.
Lastly, the servers were very attentive to my bread plate, wine and water glass– and they were friendly and charming. Two thumbs up for a great date night Café Piccolo!

This is definitely a romantic place to go to for dinner. Whether it’s for a group or just for 2 people, they will cater to you in anyway.
If you do a huge group, they have specials where you get three courses – appetizer, entrée, and desert – for a set price. But you are limited to the choices you get to choose from.
The food was good though, even the appetizer was good.
They serve beer and wine here, and they have a vast options of beer that are not on the menu. Just ask the server and they will tell you.

I love this place! Great appetizers, great pasta, a wide variety of delicious desserts, and very friendly and personable service.
The menu has a great variety ranging from chicken to lamb to seafood pasta, exotic items like escargot to more common pastas.
The spicy dusted scallops are really really good, probably my favorite appetizer here.
The ambience definitely gives it a romantic feel, so it would make a perfect date restaurant.
Most importantly the food tastes great! Everything I’ve had here was amazing.

This place is rated as Long Beach’s Most Romantic Restaurant — but it is not fancy romantic.
The food and wine bottles are fairly priced! You can order an Italian Red Blend for around $ 30 and seafood dishes range from $ 20. I ordered the Squid Ink Pasta and Clam Linguine which were $ 18 each. The squid ink noodles were cooked al dente and the seasoning was perfect! Most pasta dishes come out too salty for me but I had no complaints here.
For the price, I loved everything about this place and I would highly recommend this place for those looking for a romantic evening without breaking the bank :)

I have recently been to Italy and ever since I have been back, I’ve been in search for an Italian restaurant that will take me back and I think I found it! This restaurant was definitely the closest than any other restaurant so far! The ambiance and setting of the restaurant really reminded me of Italy itself! It was kind of small but very cute and intimate! I would highly recommend sitting outside because it’s so beautiful with all the lights on!
The service here is outstanding! They have the whole restaurant system perfected down to every notch! First, they offer free valet since parking can be a nightmare! Second, they have a host that will seat you. Third you will have a waitress for your table (and ours was very knowledgeable on the food, friendly, attentive, and nice), and lastly they have very friendly floater staff who would walk around and pick up finished plates off your desk and also help you if you need help!
The food here is amazing! Our waitress was telling us that the calamari isn’t deep fried because they like to serve healthy food only. That’s really nice to know that they really care about their customers! We started off with the eggplant appetizer and oh my gosh, who would have thought eggplant can be so good! I would highly recommend that as an appetizer to try!