Piccolino

You'd be forgiven for writing this off as another mid-range chain Italian, but Piccolino's Lace Market outpost punches well above its weight. The restored Victorian building on Weekday Cross gives it genuine character, and the kitchen takes its Italian classics seriously enough to justify the £££ price point. The cocktail bar upstairs is where this place really shines – proper bartenders who know their way around an Aperol Spritz and a wine list that goes beyond the usual suspects. Yes, it's polished and predictable, but sometimes that's exactly what you want when you're trying to impress visiting relatives or need somewhere reliable for a first date.