Bianco Nero

In 2012 Piero and his family opened Bianco Nero, and six years on the family-run restaurant is still serving an authentic taste of Italy to the ever-so-grateful locals of Maidenhead. The name Bianco Nero – which translates to black and white – was chosen by the family to reflect the beautiful simplicity of the menu.

You won’t find overly styled, pretentious plates here; Bianco Nero showcases no-nonsense authentic Italian cooking at its finest. All dishes are lovingly prepared by Piero’s wife Emanuela, who draws on the knowledge and experience of both of their families to create a menu full of rustic Italian delights.

You might choose to start your meal with prawns cooked in tomato, chilli and spinach sauce alongside toasted fresh bread from the local bakery, calamari with tartare sauce, or mushrooms stuffed with Gorgonzola. Those who enjoy variety will be delighted by the antipasti, which comprises a selection of cured meats, mozzarella, grilled vegetables and bruschetta. Each bite is a fl avour sensation that indicates the high quality of the ingredients sourced.

Both the pizza and pasta dough are made fresh, and act as the base for some exceptional main courses. I would strongly recommend trying the orecchiette: a traditional style of pasta from Piero’s village in Puglia. This pasta is as authentic as you can get, as Piero’s mother hand-shapes every piece to ensure it retains its unique ear shape. The orecchiette comes with your choice of sauce: garlic, broccoli and olive oil, or rich beef ragù, which Piero’s father makes in-house from scratch.

For pizza-lovers, a range of Italian classics are available. The Rustica pizza topped with cured ham, rocket, Parmesan shavings and mozzarella will transport you to sun-dappled Italian piazzas, while the Parmigiana pizza is the ultimate indulgence. To wash it all down, Bianco Nero offers a great range of Italian beers and wine, as well as a local Rebellion lager from Marlow.

If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine, an intimate atmosphere and attentive service, pay a visit to Bianco Nero; you won’t regret it.