Emma’s meat option was the polpette di manzo, spicy beef and pork meatballs in a tomato sauce (£3.75) while I stayed on the veggie side with melanzane alla parmigiana, aubergine layered with tomato, parmesan and mozzarella (£3.45).
The service was brisk but not impatiently so, and our dishes arrived en masse around 15 minutes later.
In a tapas competition, it was a three-way dead-heat between the rice balls, the aubergine stack and the meatballs.
The rice balls had a lovely gooey cheese centre and crispy crumbed exterior, while the meatballs were nice and lean, sturdy and with a richly herby sauce. My veggie option was delicious, especially the thick parmesan sauce.
The only disappointment was the nicoise salad, which was uninspiring and swimming in a rather thin dressing.
Still, as with any tapas experience, you learn from your mistakes.
With two glasses of lovely Pinot Grigio rosé still on the go, we finished with a tiramisu (£3.25), perfectly balanced and creamy with an alcoholic kick.
The Italians do al fresco so well, don’t they? Maybe we just need more practice.
PESTO, Liverpool One. 0151-708 6353
