Pesto is an Italian restaurant located in The Orient in the Trafford Centre. The welcoming front that looks like an authentic Italian restaurant in the street, with climbing ivy, green fairy lights adorning the realistic upper floor decorated with pastel shutters- it's enticing from the walkway.
Some of the dishes on offer at Pesto
When I think of Italian- I think of hearty dishes of pasta or a large pizza, however this introduces you to the many other signature dishes of Italian cuisine that you may not have tried before in a piatinni (or small dish) so you can have a mini buffet at your table. Perfect for the indecisive eater!
I have never eaten here before so my friend advised me that four dishes is about enough for one person and I would agree- 3-4 was a adequate for me as I had a lot of carb filled dishes- so I sadly had no room for dessert.
I enjoyed two similar dishes; the Patate Campagna- Sautéed potato with onion, garlic, fresh chilli and finished with sundried tomato and black olives and Patatae all Origano- Deep fried potato, sautéed with fresh garlic and oregano. Both of the potato dishes were well seasoned and added an Italian twist to a usual order of fries or boiled potatoes.
Next I had the Risotto al pesto verde- Risotto of Arborio rice with a little fresh basil pesto mixed in- this was thick and creamy and as a huge fan of pesto I was thrilled that one of my dishes lived up to the name!
Finally; Bruschetta pomodoro- Toasted ciabatta with a mix of ripe tomato, red onion and fresh basil tossed in a splash of herb olive oil. This had to be my favourite of them all- the ingredients seemed very simple- but together- it was the best bruschetta I have ever tasted- a fresh tasting choice of starter or accompaniment to your main meal.
There was a lot of choice for vegetarians; however as lactose intolerant I had to be a little more carful as a lot of the fishes were made with cheese. That said if you ask your waiter or waitress, they can be made without- just be vigilant when ordering.
This chain is a great place for those who can never agree on portion size. If one of you likes to eat a lot then you can order multiple dishes or if one of you has a more modest appetite then you can order just a few. It is a very flexible menu with something to suit every palate. And if you have never been before it gives you the chance to try a little bit of lots of things until you settle on a dish you like the most.
Inside, the restaurant is light and airy with large black chandeliers hanging from above and themed pictures hanging from the walls- it's very grand but inviting at the same time. You can also sit outside- much like you would while abroad to watch the world go by and you don't have to worry about the sun going down!
Do not assume that everything is coated in pesto- which might put some people off- the menu is extensive and varied so if you don't like pesto- then there are plenty of other options including those watching their weight.
This restaurant is in the ideal location for a pre-cinema meal or even a pick me up after a heavy day of shopping. At this was my first encounter, I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for some variety in their meal time and to bring a little bit of Italian culture into their lives- as what we deem to be 'Italian food' is only a snapshot of what is actually available to you.
Tagged in Manchester