For lunch, Il Piccolo is good enough

FYI Fabiola ... The Times Food Reviewers are by definition non-professionals. The Times treats them to lunch and they tell us who came with them, who hates mushrooms, and why they have not a clue if a restaurant is good or bad. "Free" is apparently their favorite quality in their food. Yes these reviews are unprofessional but like our theater, our art and our journalism they are so awful they amuse! It is part of El Paso's charm.

I was there yesterday for lunch. First of all the restaurant is very inviting with the elegant furniture and friendly yellow walls. The tables, like in Italy, set with white table cloth, wine glasses and neatly folded cloth napkins. I had Spaghetti Carbonara (with bacon, egg, black pepper and Parmesan cheese), my friend Linguine á la Vongole (clams, white wine sauce with garlic and herbs). Neither my friend nor I have an Italian mamma but I've been often in Italy and I must say, Il Piccolo comes pretty close to the authentic Italian food. My Carbonara was rich and creamy and a very generous portion (I took the other half home and it made a full dinner for me). My friend loved her 'Vongole" and...she gobbled it all up! Not only this, she ordered Canoli for desert and enjoyed this as well. Next time I will go there and try the Risotto, not many Italian restaurants here in El Paso carry Risotto on their menu. I will let you know how it was. All in all, "Il Piccolo" is a gem, very good food, elegant atmosphere and friendly service (thank you, Sergio) one would never expect what is hiding in this modest building on Doniphan....