Hey Prezzo - Much Pasta, Pizza & Colouring

It being the first day of Half Term, we decided to combine birthday present hunting with lunch in one of our favourite eateries, Prezzo in St David's Shopping Centre, Cardiff.

This is, like my other food reviews a completely independent post. I always think that eating out with kids can sometimes be quite a testing experience and many UK restaurants are either not the biggest fans of children or are poorly equipped to meet the needs of families.

So since I like to share my experiences with you, here goes.

This particular restaurant is not the biggest but it is well set out and has a roaring pizza oven at one end. This does make it rather warm.  We were sat on a seat where the table had to be pulled out and pushed back once the kids were ensconced so getting up to go to the loo (yes the kids have inherited my bladder) meant much getting up and down and moving the table.

Prezzo have a well thought out children's menu with three courses and a drink for £6.50.  (Pizza Express' Piccolo Children's Menu is the same price).  Prezzo's children's menu comes on a double-sided puzzle sheet so that the kids can colour and do puzzles to (hopefully) keep them occupied and quiet.

Caitlin and Ieuan started with the Mini Garlic Bread without mozzarella.

The kids' Mini Garlic Bread

It was a generous portion which despite looking rather lonely on the plate, was hot and very tasty.

Mat and I shared a starter of Bruschetta (cherry tomatoes, basil, red onion, pesto and garlic on a baked flatbread) which came as a generous sized portion and incredibly fresh.

The Bruschetta

For their main course, Caitlin chose a Grilled Chicken Salad and Ieuan had Cheese & Tomato Pizza with Pineapple. We were all amazed at the portion size which would have, frankly, suited an adult with a smaller appetite.

Grilled Chicken Salad from the Children's Menu

Cheese & Tomato Pizza from the Children's Menu

Mat chose the Chicken Ravioli with Pancetta, Leeks and Peas in a Carbonara Sauce, which he said was delicious.  Prezzo make their own pasta and hand fill the ravioli.  Everything is cooked fresh, rather than zapped to death in a microwave (a pet hate of mine).

Chicken Ravioli

I had the Vesuvio Pizza (Light) which has double pepperoni sausage, red chilli, mozzarella and tomato.  It came with a fresh mixed salad and dressing.  The pizza base is a flat bread which makes a refreshing change from the standard pizza base.

The Vesuvio Pizza

It is not as hot as Pizza Express' American Hot but extremely tasty nonetheless.  After this, Mat and I were so full, it was just coffees for us but the kids managed an organic fruit lolly each.

Caitlin with her Organic Fruit Strawberry Lolly

Ieuan's usually a little angel - once he's been fed!

Our bill (which also included one glass of wine and a beer) came to £58 which we thought compared well to the other chains.

The staff were very pleasant and friendly.  The restaurant and toilets were clean and we felt the food had a nice, home-cooked feel.  Definitely recommended.

Further information at www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk.