Pesto’s Perfect Trees!

Carrie and Big. Bert and Ernie. Cookies and milk. Some things just work better together, and without a tree Christmas just doesn’t work. The festive aroma, the decorating ritual and above all, presents underneath are part of what make Christmas, er, Christmassy!

Now, with there only being one days left till the big day itself, we’d hedge our bets that some of you are still scrambling to find the time to even choose a tree, never mind get it dressed up in time for Christmas morning. This is where we’re on hand to help! Here are Pesto’s top five tips for choosing the perfect tree!

1. Size does matter. If, like most of us, every inch of living space matters the last thing you want is a monster Redwood Christmas tree eating up your lounge. If you’re struggling to squeeze in a Tesco pot-plant, steer clear of lavish big trees, however tempting! Pick the perfect space for your tree and measure it before going shopping to save yourself a world of hassle later in the day.

2. Age also matters. A recent Facebook post from a most unlucky festive relative served as an excellent reminder that choosing where you buy your tree is every bit, if not more important than the tree. The relative in question splashed out a rather decadent £75 at her local farm shop only for the tree to wilt and die within ten days. Finding out whether your local tree stockist buys in their stock weekly or if it’s one big delivery will allow you to gauge how ago the tree was cut and judge whether it’s likely to be a duffer by Christmas morning.

3. Hate hoovering? The Norway Spruce might not be the tree for you…Some trees emit that gorgeous festive aroma, others retain their needles long after they’ve adopted that delightful shade of brown. For best needle retention the Noble Fir might be best for your household, while the Norway Fir really captures that festive scent.

4. Shape matters. As most Christmas trees in commercial shops have already been stuffed into nets, it makes it nigh on impossible to guess whether the tree in question has a classic Christmas tree shape, or is in fact a Side-Show Bob bonsai nightmare. Short of ripping the net off in-store (and possibly being removed from said shop) all you can do is try to find a small platform from which to gaze down the top of the tree to assess how even the branches are. Or you could try grabbing a tree from a local seller, who tend not to net their stock.

5. Fake it. If all of the above just seems too strenuous for arguably the most time-consuming month of the year, pop into John Lewis and buy a fake. Buying a fake does have its upsides; no messy pine needles, no faffing with nets, no watering around hundreds of potential fire hazards and best of all you can shove it in the attic and drag it out next year saving you time and money in the long run. All that aside, fake trees are rather naff, and it might just take you all year to find one that looks anywhere near as pretty as a genuine festive fir.

Struggling for a last minute stocking filler? Pop into Pesto today and pick up a gift voucher!

Keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter for more frequent updates.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Bradshaw

http://goo.gl/xu0Cp

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway_Spruce

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_and_Ernie

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai

Pesto's Picks for October

Peter Kay

October is a funny old month; supermarket shelves are filled with Halloween "goodies" including tacky nun costumes, bizarre re imaginings of the humble Jaffa Cake (they're green?) and, er, singing skulls.

The macabre displays of fake bloodied hands and packets of scabs next to Christmas crackers and spiced festive-spiced-nut-hamper-type-stuff is perhaps all that is unsettling about the naff Halloween tat maligning shop shelves this month.

But bemoan pagan festivals we shall not, for with Halloween comes some pretty spectacular events, from Alice Cooper spooky specials to secret parties in the dark heart of Glasgow.

First up though it's Bolton's very own Peter Kay at the Manchester Evening News Arena. Kay made a name for himself by twisting casually observed conversational banalities into lighthearted 'proper northern' humour. The Tour That Doesn't Tour kicked off on the 27th September and will run until October 21st. Tickets for Kay's show are scarce, so if you can't get your hands on one, why not pop into Pesto for some garlic bread?

Next up in Manchester we have another of Bolton's finest exports Paddy McGuinness for one night only at the MEN. Tickets for McGuinness's debut MEN show are almost gone, so if you want to catch this one act fast!

Actually prefers Coco Pops in the morning to live snakes

Alice Cooper has it all; boa constrictors, electric chairs, buckets of fake blood and, er, a free bus pass, cos he's a pensioner, don't you know? Veteran American rocker Vincent Furnier, or Alice Cooper to you and I will be bringing his Halloween Night of Fear event to the Manchester Apollo on Sunday October 30th. Admittedly, it's not quite Halloween, but you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be a full-on-freak show! If you're lucky enough to have tickets, be sure to stop in at Pesto en route for a round of Bloody Mary's!

Liverpool can expect a treat from Californian firecracker (or should that be firework?) Katy Perry on October 18th as she brings her musical brand of crazy to the Echo Arena.  

Katy Perry. Probably quite high maintenance.

If (for some reason) you prefer to celebrate Halloween in secret you'd be well-advised to bag yourself tickets for the Chemikal Halloween Party, because the location is, well, secret. While this might make planning your night that little bit more troublesome (finding it without some sort of assistance will likely result in failure), it'll certainly keep you on your toes.

Now at Pesto we know all about Good Food, but if you'd like to know more and you're in Glasgow this October why not check out the BBC Good Food Show at the SECC on the 21st of October? Alternatively if you don't want to learn about good food just pop into Pesto and we'll sort you out with our delicious piatinni.

Chatty man Alan Carr will be, well, standing up and, er, chatting at the SECC on the 7th and 8th October ahead of his upcoming DVDs set for release just before Christmas...how cunning.

The o2 Academy in Glasgow is set for a good ol' knees up on the 29th October at Club Noir Halloween. If there was ever a way to get down with the pagans in style, this is it.

http://www.peterkay.co.uk/

www.ents24.com/web/artist/33291/Peter_Kay.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTxL6DaOs74

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_McGuinness

http://alicecooper.com/

http://pestorestaurants.co.uk/blog

http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Liverpool/Secret-Meeting-Place/Chemikal-Halloween-Party-2011/11526110/

http://www.katyperry.com/

http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/

http://www.alancarr.net/

http://www.clubnoir.co.uk

Music enthusiast, Julia Roberts fan and Italian original Octavio Gabaldon holds of on scoffing Lasagna al Ragú with Peroni and cocktails to tell us a bit about his time at Pesto Italian Restaurant Liverpool 1.

How long have you been part of the Pesto team?

It has been nearly a year. I joined the adventure in October 2010.

What is the best thing about working for Pesto?

One of the best things is that even though I’ve been here for just a short time, all the staff made me feel like one of them from the very first day. At Pesto you work with people who very soon become friends, and when you're working with friends the job is that much more enjoyable.

What is your favourite Pesto dish and drink?

I like a lot of the dishes we serve, that´s the best thing about Pesto; why go for one dish when you can have three or four? But if I have to choose one, I would go for the Lasagna al Ragú, and to drink a refreshing Peroni Red, and Lecca-Lecca, especially after a meal when I'm getting ready to go out.

What's the funniest thing to have happened to you in the restaurant?

Once a gentleman came in with his son in a buggy, he asked for a table for two, but left the buggy at the back of one of the waiter stations and came back to me. I looked at him, he looked at me, after a few seconds he realised he had left his son in the buggy facing the wall.

Which three celebrities would you invite to dinner at Pesto?

Frank Sinatra would have been one of them, Spanish football legend Raúl Gonzalez, although he´s still playing, and Julia Roberts.

What inspired you to become a manager?

The challenge of bringing your idea of perfect service to reality. It´s not an easy thing to do, it´s something you have to work on everyday, but it's the greatest feeling when you see it happening, and when you see it reflected on the customers’ faces.

After a meal at Pesto, what's the best thing to do in Liverpool?

Out and about, there's a lot to see in the Liverpool 1 area; Albert Dock, which has fantastic views, Matthew Street which is full of history, and of course brilliant shopping.

What was the last show you went to and how was it?

We had the Matthew Street Music Festival two weeks ago, I had a fantastic time going from one stage to another listening to all kinds of music, having fun with friends and people I'd just met in the street.

What does the next year at Pesto hold for you?

I will keep trying to bring a piece of Italy to Liverpool, and hopefully bring Pesto to more and more people everyday.

To meet the rest of the Pesto team why not check out our other blog posts!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Roberts

http://www.pestorestaurants.co.uk/section/pasta-e-riso/

http://www.peroniitaly.com/gb

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra%C3%BAl_Gonz%C3%A1lez

http://www.albertdock.com/

http://www.pestorestaurants.co.uk/location/liverpool-one/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra

http://www.pestorestaurants.co.uk/about/meet-the-team-at-pesto-italian-restaurants-manchester-liverpool-glasgow/

Interview: Sarah Henderson

Pesto Italian Restaurants Liverpool One deputy manager and Take That enthusiast Sarah Henderson took time out from opening restaurants and, er, 'sampling' Pesto's fine Italian wines to tell us about life at L1.

How long have you been part of the Pesto team?

Four and a half years now! I have worked in all three restaurants – I opened Trafford & Liverpool and am off next month to open Glasgow too.

What is the best thing about working for Pesto?

I have had the opportunity to really be part of something here; it’s a small company so you are far more than just another cog in the machine.

What is your favourite Pesto dish and drink?

Drink wise, I love the Pinot Grigio Blush. I wouldn’t like to count how many bottles I have drunk over the years! Food wise, I go through phases of which are my favourites! Bruschetta Pomodoro has always stayed pretty near the top though…and the Fiorentina pizza…oh and I do like the gamberoni peperoncino.

What's the funniest thing to have happened to you in the restaurant?

Oh too many things to remember! I have had brilliant teams of people in all three sites over the years, there’s been so many characters who have entertained me every day!

Which three celebrities (dead and alive) would you invite to dinner at Pesto?

I would love to say someone high brow to make me look intelligent and interesting, but to be honest my life would be made if Take That had come in while they were here! Am I allowed five? Just Robbie would be perfect if not.

What inspired you to become a manager?
I just developed a passion for it very early on in my career - I love the people in the industry and have loved developing and working with all different types of people.

After a meal at Pesto, what's the best thing to do in Liverpool?

You can’t go wrong with a nice glass of wine or two on the L1 terrace on a summer’s eve! 

What was the last show you went to and how was it?
I have been to both Take That and Kings of Leon this month in Manchester. Two very different concerts but both just amazing!

What does the next year at Pesto hold for you?

Hopefully I will just get to continue helping build the brand and, if I am lucky, get to spend a bit of time in some great cities opening a couple more great restaurants…..watch this space!

That's all for now peeps - keep your eyes peeled for Pesto's Picks for August tomorrow and our latest team member introduction next week! You can also check out our latest celebrity diner here - Debbie Harry at Pesto Italian Restaurants Liverpool One!

Keep up with Pesto Italian Restaurants Liverpool One Manchester and Glasgow on Facebook and Twitter - and don't forget when you come to visit to check in on FB or Foursquare!

http://facebook.com/pestorestaurants

http://twitter.com/pestorestaurant

Liverpool's Little Italy

Liverpool’s Scotland or ‘Scottie’ Road is infamous for it’s long and tangled history, spanning back to the 1770′s.



The street, located near Liverpool docks was home to the majority of the city’s migrant communities, comprising mostly of Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, Polish and Italian – for over a century the road has been affectionately referred to as ‘Little Italy’ on account of its burgeoning Italian community.

In almost two-and-a-quarter-centuries, the road has played home to five football teams and two hundred public houses hosted countless May Queen celebrations and survived a World War Two blitz.

The road is also known for some of its famous residents; the road was once home to a number of UK household names, including Tom Baker of Dr Who fame and Saturday night Blind Date legend Cilla Black.

In recent years Scottie’s Little Italy’s population has declined, but that’s not to suggest that Scotland Road and Liverpool’s Italian residents haven’t left their mark on the city. Many of the city’s marble, terrazzo and mosaic work was undertaken by Italian immigrants in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, and although much of the work has been lost to the redevelopment of Liverpool, there are still excellent Italian architectural efforts to be found throughout the city.

Why not take a trip down Scotland Road and absorb the diverse local history on the way to one of Liverpool’s best Italian restaurants on Paradise Street.


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Pesto's Picks for June

With restaurants based in both the heart of Manchester and Liverpool (and soon to be Glasgow), Pesto diners are spoiled for choice when it comes to theatres, music venues, cinemas and great shopping. But with all this choice, where to start? 

We've scoured the streets, the papers and the mighty interweb to bring our lovely diners a comprehensive list of the best of the North West this June. 

First up, it's Manchester's very own Take That. The boys have eight sold-out dates at the City of Manchester Stadium starting tonight and running until the 12th of June. 

If you and your mates are lucky enough to be going, why not make a night of it and book a pre-show table at Pesto Deansgate? Our Festa menu is ideal for parties of ten or more, and best of all we've an excellent selection of cocktails to whet your appetite for the Take That party!

Next is Liverpool's favourite funnyman John Bishop, who'll be bringing his unique sardonic wit to the Echo Arena for a two-night stint on the 5th and 6th June. The Echo Arena is just a ten minute walk from Pesto Liverpool One and we're open late, so ideal for pre and post-show food and drinks.
 
If you didn't make it to London for the Royal wedding the TV highlights just didn't cut it, we recommend 'One Night at the Proms', a stunning audio-visual celebration of the Royal marriage from the National Symphony Orchestra and selected singers at the Lowry Theatre on Sunday June 12th. British favourites Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and The Dambusters March are just a few of the musical numbers to feature in the extravaganza. The Lowry Theatre is just a short drive from Pesto Trafford Centre, so why not treat yourself to a glamorous new outfit, followed by delicious Italian piatinni at Pesto and a night at the theatre?
 

Lastly it's there 'Here and Now' tour; a plethora of 80's pop legends bringing two evenings of cheese-laden chart anthems to Manchester's MEN (26th) and Liverpool's Echo Arena (25th). Without the aid of a Delorean, you'd be hard-pushed to see the likes of Rick Astley, Boy George, Bucks Fizz and Bananarama sharing a stage – this really is a one-off nostalgia-fest not to be missed! Both venues are within easy walking distance of Pesto Deansgate and Liverpool One.

If you're planning to attend any of these events and would like to book a table for your pre or post-show party, head to www.pestorestaurants.co.uk/bookings and make a reservation now. Easy!