Pesto in Widnes stands proudly on the roundabout as you approach so you can't help but notice it's presence as you enter the town.
A selection of food from the menu at Pesto
Although we were a little early, David offered us a table in the conservatory. As it was a sunny evening- we were more than happy to sit in this light an airy part of the restaurant.
Normally when we have had tapas like dishes before it has been rather modest in size, so if you are tempted to order many things off the menu, think again as the portion sizes at Pesto are very generous indeed.
Throughout the week Pesto runs a 3 for £8.95 menu and I was sceptical about whether I would be full afterwards. Three dishes might not sound a lot but for two good eaters- we were defeated. The menu is not only hearty in size but it's very reasonable too. You can have a night out with friends or loved ones and only spend 10-15 each including drinks- which is very friendly for your bank account.
We started with some Olive miste- a mix of pitted Italian olives marinated with sweet pepper herbs and spices and Pane all' aglio- Pesto's own garlic bread with cheese while we looked at the menu. The bread was hot and fresh dripping with garlic butter and topped with a crunchy edge. The olives were soft and well-seasoned- without any of the fuss of taking the stones out either- a perfect way to start the meal.
For our main course we shared Polenta fritta con salsa picante- Italian polenta shaped into chips, then deep riend and served with a spicy dip. These were a much tastier alternative to chips- lighter and with more texture. My partner orders chips with everything so they made a refreshing change and they got his approval- so they must have been good!
Bruschetta pomodoro- Toasted ciabatta topped with a mix of ripe tomatoes, red onion and fresh basil tossed in a splash of herb olive oil. I had already sampled this dish before and told my husband that he had to order it so he could taste how good it was. It is a simple starter but rather than being laden with a tomato sauce, the fresh cherry tomatoes were placed delicately on top. All the best bits of a salad on bread- how can you go wrong?
Ali di pollo al forno- Chicken wings Tuscan style, marinated then baked in the oven. These had a little kick to them, so if you like you food to leave an impression on your tastebuds- then you need to order this!
Patata Origano- Deep fried potato, sautéed with fresh garlic and oregano, with a little pot of sundried tomato tapenade to dip. I had tried these before but not with the tapenade and I have to say the two marry perfectly together- one should not be ordered without the other. Like an upmarket version of chips and tomato sauce- you will never be able to enjoy fries in the same way ever again.
Spaghetti a la norma- A traditional spaghetti dish with aubergine, marinara sauce, a hint of chilli, basil, oregano and Gran Moravia shavings. I have never thought to put aubergine with spaghetti before, however it makes more a welcome change to large pieces of mushroom and the spiciness was just enough if you are like me and don't like your food too hot.
Fettuccine all cabonara- Fettuccini tossed in Pesto's carbonara sauce with pancetta and fresh Gran Moravia chasse. My partner assured me that this was delicious- but how can you go to an Italian without sampling the pasta? The answer is -you can't and you will not be disappointed if you go with tradition!
For dessert we had; Torta al limone- Our tangy homemade lemon mousse, made with fresh cream and lemons served on a biscuit base. My husband huddled over this protectively, so I assume that it was too good to share!
Cioccolate Divino- A rich homemade roll of chocolate, amaretti biscuits, almonds and orange liqueur served with fresh cream. I ordered it without cream and it was moist enough by itself. There was just enough- as the description implies- it's very decadent so you only need a little bit. The orange and almond broke up the richness of the chocolate to give it a tangy and crunchy texture.
Pesto is the ideal place to take your family or loved one this summer, especially if you are lucky enough to get a table in the conservatory. The prices, the service and the location speak for themselves and if you have been blessed with a picky bunch of mates or family members- this is one of the only places where everyone can come away with a smile on their face because the menu is so flexible.