WHEN you go out for an evening meal in midweek, you can forgive a restaurant for being less-than-full.
But this was not the case when we visited the new Italian restaurant that has opened in a historic pub in Warrington this week.
As previously reported, Restaurant chain Pesto has confirmed that its newest site, Pesto at The Walton Arms, is now officially open.
The historic Walton Arms pub in south Warrington has been carefully restored and converted into the latest Pesto restaurant following an £850,000 investment.
Pesto at The Walton Arms is now open in Warrington(Image: )
The development has taken nine weeks to complete, with Pesto stating that the venue is now ‘vibrant and modern, while retaining the character and charm loved for generations’.
To put this to the test, we popped by, and we were pleasantly surprised at how busy the venue was, given it was midweek.
The resurfaced car park was almost full, and when we walked through the doors, it was heartening to see most of the tables occupied, and to hear the buzz of conversation.
After a warm greeting by smiling and friendly staff, we were led to our table, with the unmistakably Italian scents of Oregano and garlic wafting from the kitchen.
Fettuccine alla carbonara, polpette di pollo al forno, and peposo – a fiery Tuscan beef stew(Image: )
As a large venue, it is clear that a lot of work has gone into transforming a traditional English pub into an Italian restaurant.
The building still retains that characterful, quaint style, but paired with Italian colours and flavours, such as foliage and themed pictures on the walls.
At the heart of the Pesto concept is a menu based around small plates of traditional and innovative Italian favourites, known as piattini.
We opted for a selection of Italian breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar as an appetiser, before choosing a selection of pasta and other Italian dishes.
Bruschetta pomodoro, penne al pesto con pollo e spinaci, and spiedini di pollo(Image: )
All of the food looked incredible and tasted equally as good, including a healthy portion of bruschetta and a generous serving of meatballs.
Salsiccia peperonata – spicy Italian sausage with sautéed peppers, garlic, and new potatoes – was packed with flavour, and the ‘fiery’ Tuscan beef stew was exactly that.
Despite the small plate style, the fettuccine alla carbonara left us feeling full, while the penne al pesto con pollo e spinaci was also a delight.
The rigatoni al sugo di salsiccia, in a spicy sauce with fiery n’duja and creamy mascarpone cheese, certainly came with a kick, paired well with a side of suppli al telefono – a local favourite in Rome, made up of tasty rice bites filled with slow-cooked beef and stringy mozzarella cheese.
We would also highly recommend the spiedini di pollo, a skewer of marinated chicken breast wrapped in fine cured ham, flashed on the chargrill and baked in the oven, which arrived sizzling.
No trip for an Italian meal is complete without a homemade tiramisu as dessert, with the torta al cioccolato also proving to be a wise choice.
Tiramisu and torta al cioccolato are highlights on the dessert menu(Image: )
In preparation for what is hoped to be a very popular venue and busy opening, Pesto created more than 50 new jobs, with new staff working alongside existing team members who worked at the Walton Arms previously and have now transferred to Pesto.
Those working are a credit to the Pesto name, offering a smile and checking back to see if everyone was enjoying their food – which we definitely were.
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Neil and Sara Gatt, founders of the Pesto chain, said: “We are delighted to finally open the doors of The Walton Arms after nine weeks of closure.
“We have worked hard to respect the building’s heritage and charm, while creating a space that feels fresh, welcoming, and perfect for dining with family and friends.
“It is wonderful to see the restaurant bustling with life again.”
Pesto at The Walton Arms is now open in Warrington(Image: )
Pesto at The Walton Arms is now welcoming guests seven days a week, with bookings strongly recommended.
You can do so online at pestorestaurants.co.uk/book-online-pesto-at-the-walton-arms/ or by calling the restaurant directly on 01925 262659.
Dining and Cooking