Walking into the Pesto restaurant Trafford Centre in Manchester, we were met by the yellow and terracotta, Italian inspired décor. Getting us fully in the mood for our lunchtime feast. After a good work out session in the gym, we were prepared to try lots of delicious taste sensations , all served in the form of Italian tapas.
Located on the top deck of The Orient, well placed in the corner nearest the main doors, Pesto Restaurant is light and airy and you can quite easily forget you are actually sitting in the middle of the bustling Trafford Centre.
What to order from Pesto
Sat in one of the very comfy booths, we had plenty of table space – something we definitely needed! After perusing the very extensive main menu, we decided the lunchtime menu, offering 3 tapas dishes for £7.95 was perfect and made our choices much easier.
Starters From Pesto Trafford Centre
To start we had the antipasti (£8.95 the perfect sharing platter) served on a board, the spread was delicious, with cold Italian meats, fresh bread, cheese, olives and the rather delicious tomato tapenade.
Pesto Restaurant Main Courses
For the main course we chose Polenta fritta (Italian polenta, cut into chips and deep fried – super yummy!), Gnocchi, Bruschetta Mozzarella, Ali di pollo al forno (Chicken wings Tuscan style). Alongside Polpette di manzo (Spicy beef meatballs) and Calamari Fritti (deep fried Calamari).
There was so much food it was difficult to know where to start. You would assume that 3 small dishes each would be perfect. In fact 3 dishes between us, with the antipasti to start would have been more than adequate.
We were stuffed, though in our defence, we had had a good work out session at the gym and therefore made room for our very yummy feast.
Food Review Pesto Restaurant
The Polenta fritta is a stunning dish, cut into chip shapes, deep fried and stacked up. The Bruschetta, was toasted to perfection, soft but not too soft that you struggled to keep hold.
Polpette di manzo had to be done, I do prefer to have a meat dish and you cannot get meaty really. The meatballs simply crumbled away they were that tender and succulent.
The Calamari, again cooked to perfection and not in the slightest rubbery. The mayonnaise accompaniment with slice of lemon added a little zing.
Desserts At Pesto Restaurant Manchester
Our helpful server encouraged us to try the new to the menu Terzetto di Dolcetti. A trio of home-made miniature Italian desserts, which included a dark chocolate and orange liqueur torte, a smooth vanilla panna cotta and a tangy lemon torte.
When placed in front of us, we couldn’t help but dive straight in! The tangy lemon torte (we may have previously called it a lemon cheesecake) was divine and left us both speechless.
We both agreed it was by far the best lemon cake we had ever had. Soft, creamy, zingy and ridiculously more-ish! Priced at £4.50 for the trio, it was the perfect sharing dessert to complement an already wonderful meal.
Do We Recommend Pesto Trafford Centre
It is ridiculously hard to choose which dishes to enjoy, so I am especially glad for the slimmed down Lunch menu. The food is mouth watering and cooked to perfection.
To say we were stuffed was an understatement, yet the on draught cold Peroni helped to refresh our palates. Our very helpful and cheerful server, Simon was on hand to tend to our every need and seeing me chomping on wings, discreetly added more napkins to our table as he walked by our table. A life saver!
Yes, I would totally recommend Pesto Trafford Centre to dine at. Whether you fancy a quick bite to eat or are looking for a date night in Manchester idea then this is the place! Great quality food, special offers and the option of trying different foods all make it a great place to eat.
How Is The Service At Pesto
The service was fantastic and nothing was too much trouble, the food was sublime and I could not recommend Pesto highly enough.
No-one was rushed with their meal, all other patrons appeared to be enjoying their meal and the experience. Children were happy, parents relaxed and enjoying time away from the hustle and bustle of the Trafford Centre. It all made for a wonderful lunchtime dining experience.
The prices are very reasonably priced for the quantity and quality of the food. The lunchtime menu offers great value for money with 3 dishes for £7.95!
* Our meal was gifted to us by the wonderful Pesto for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
That sounds gorgeous. I hadn’t realised they’d have such a wide range of dishes, and the service and atmosphere sounds just perfect. I think we’ll be checking them out next time we bring the teenagers down shopping 🙂
The menu is amazing – something for everyone! A little goes a long way and the dishes are really filling – you will not be disappointed 🙂
Soundes lovely and I am now VERY hungry!
the food looks so yum! i much prefer it to what i have in front of me!
It is absolutely delicious and eating there is so relaxed – almost feels like you are in Italy!! 🙂
This looks amazing. Next time we are in Cheshire at the inlaws I am definitely putting this on the list of night’s out!
Pesto is definitely worth a visit – there are a couple dotted around the country so well worth a look on the site!
dam you woman i am on a fast day and all that luscious looking food has literally made my stomach rumble!!
oh my that looks and sounds amazing and i would love to go……..now please!!! x
I am sorry!!! 🙁 What makes it even worse is the fact I too am now on a diet, it’s very hard to look at the post. Remembering how delicious the lemon torte was is giving me hunger pangs!
That all looks really really good… So reasonable too! 🙂
Unbelievably good – the pictures really do not do the food justice!
That food looks amazing, we will have to book into here on our next trip to the Trafford Centre
You will certainly not be disappointed!! The Polenta is a must try!! 🙂
That looks amazing value for money, and great quality. I’m in Manchester this weekend as well….
Definitely worth a trip to the Trafford Centre! Don’t forget to try the lemon torte… it is divine!
Love polenta fries and the sharing platter looks yummy too!
Ahhhh the polenta fries are awesome! We agreed last time we were in to get two portions in future… we forgot… we shall not make the same mistake again!!
I haven’t had tapas for ages, you have just made me very hungry.
The dishes are all so yummy, it really is hard to choose a couple. Will mix them up a little next time I am in… Polenta fries are a definite though!
wowzers that’s a lot of good looking food for one meal! salavating right now, oh and look i’m in manchester this weekend, how handy 🙂
Definitely worth a trip!!! I absolutely detest the Trafford Centre – only go there for Pesto!!
LOVE polenta fries!
This looks yum, we’re spending the weekend up in Manchester so you’ll have to give me a few more tips!
I have only just had breakfast, but you are making me hungry!!
I’ve ummed and ahhed so much about pesto. it always looks relatively empty and I’d heard it was rubbish which is why I’ve never been (opting for my favourite zizzi’s instead), however reading your review and seeing your pictures has definitely made me want to at least give it a try! Also I’ve never tried polenta, in fries or any form, so may be worth a go!
Definitely worth a try, even just to say you gave it a go! I have been there many times and have never had a bad meal. In fact the review was originally booked for my birthday meal with my ex… I wouldn’t have eaten there on my birthday if the food wasn’t to my tastes. Everyone is different I love the polenta fries, you may hate them… but you have to try something three times to truly know whether you like it or not! 🙂
Oh gosh, I didn’t even know there was a Pesto at the Trafford Centre! Looks like I’m going to have to go give it a try now 🙂
You will not be disappointed!
Ohh those polenta chips look divine, shae Manchester is such a long way from me! Mich x
Definitely worth having a look on the site as there are other restaurants dotted around the country! 🙂
I am SO hungry right now reading this – looks like a lovely range of meals x
The meals are super yummy!! 🙂
OOh I’ve never been there and always rather fancy it- I’ll try it next time I think x
Definitely worth a try!! 🙂
Looks delicious. I do love those polenta things. Can’t way to try this place.
The polenta fries are amazing and super more-ish… definitely requires more than one portion!
Oh my YUMM!!!
All of that looks right up my street.
xXx
Ahhhh I am sure bump would enjoy it too… definitely worth a lunch time treat 🙂
Damn it my tummy is grumbling now. It’s a shame they are no longer open in the City Centre as I am not a fan of the Trafford Centre!
Sorry love 🙁 the badly taken pics do not even do the food justice!! I absolutely detest the Trafford Centre… Pesto is the only reason I go there!
Looks yummy! I’ll have to try when I am next in manchester x
Definitely worth a try, you will not be disappointed 🙂
Great review! I tried Pesto in Deansgate a few years ago when I was at University so it’s good news to see it’s also at the Trafford Centre – perfect for those evening nibbles after a day spent shopping!
Marianna (HappinessinaCupcake.com)
Thanks Marianna, I wish they would open a Pesto in Bury… though may have to move into it!! 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment, I will absolutely need your tips when I move to Manchester! xx
If if you require tips on food, I can definitely help!! 😉