Festa del Papa!

This Sunday in the UK and Ireland, the US and a host of other countries across the globe, families will be celebrating Father's Day, or as they say in Italy, Festa del Papa.

According to the history books, Father's Day is a relatively modern celebration, established in 1908 by Grace Golden Clayton to celebrate the lives of the two-hundred and ten fathers who died in the Monogah Mining disaster in December 1907.

The initial celebration of Father's Day was short-lived, and 1909's Father's Day passed by uncelebrated. It wasn't until Sonora Smart Dodd, daughter of American civil war veteran William Jackson Smart, called for greater recognition of fatherhood, that the third Sunday of June was established as Father's Day.

Unlike the US and UK however, Father's Day in Italy is celebrated on St Joseph's Day, March 19th., when most countries are celebrating St Patricks Day.

This isn't to suggest that the Festa del Papa is overshadowed by those pesky leprechauns. As with any Italian celebration it's executed with gusto with lots of tasty food to be devoured!

Traditionally Italian families prepare fresh breads and create a spread for the celebrated Papa, but taking the whole family out for a delicious meal is also an Italian favourite, particularly as men are so notoriously difficult to buy gifts for. As the old adage goes, the way to a mans heart is through his stomach; so should you find yourself stuck for gift ideas this Father's Day, why not treat your papa and the whole family to a meal at Pesto?

Our Festa menu is perfect for la grande famiglia (big families), while our piattini range and kids menu is perfect for smaller gatherings. Our whole menu is available to view online or download here. If you want to spoil not just your papa, but the whole family you can book a special table online or by calling the Pesto Restaurant you'd like to visit.