What is singular about Bocconcino is that its food stock takes in so many aspects of its home country, from freshly baked bread and foccacia, baguettes, buns, pastries (all baked on the premises), to cold cuts, sausages, bacon to canned goods such as tomato sauce for pizzas and pastas, sardines, tuna, several types of spaghetti, olives, balsamic vinegars, spices, cheeses, coffee, biscuits – all genuinely Italian. You’ll also find an extensive choice of Italian mineral water here, along with imported juices and a wonderful selection of Italian wines and spirits that aim for a more discerning clientele rather than low priced labels.

In fact, the only foreign products sold here are goods that are immensely popular in Italy, too (think Coca Cola etc); the only exception being imported Australian and American meats.

Bocconcino is a handsome place to shop in. With imported Malaysian parquet flooring, wooden shelving, a coffee bar with a live feed to Italian radio and to the side a dining area featuring a full menu that varies slightly from midday to evening. Bocconcino also has a three-table, fan-cooled al fresco section. This may be all-day dining but at night extra main courses and pizza are served. Try the melt-in-the-mouth ossobucco on mashed potatoes or a fresh rocket salad with mushrooms and grana padona cheese with a perfect balance of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Another good lunch dish is chicken escalope Milanese.

As in the case of Acqua, standards are sky-high at Bocconcino and it comes highly recommended; whether you are an Italophile or not.

• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 22:30 Sundays 09:00 – 18:00
• Location: Diagonally opposite Surin Plaza shopping mall
• Tel: 076 386 531