The Olive Press Review: For Families

Kids Confidential rating: 13/15
Family-friendly service 4/5, Facilities 5/5, Kids Food 4/5

SOMETIMES my husband claims to be half Italian.  His parents are from the Black Country in the West Midlands, as are many generations before them. Confused? I am.

I don't claim to be an expert in genealogy but even I know to be 'half' Italian means one of your parents is Italian, right?  Wrong. My husband has taken the hereditary rule and stuffed it into his Italian leather man bag.

He bases his entire heritage on a few simple things; his clothes taste, his dark hair and the fact that he loves Lambrettas.

I took our 'quarter Italian' son to The Olive Press in Manchester for lunch. The modern Italian restaurant, is one of three with others in Cheadle Hulme and Liverpool.

Tucked away on Lloyd street, it was quiet on our visit. Our table was by the window so James could "watch the world go by", his words not mine (perhaps that's his Italian side coming through).

The Olive Press is fully geared for kids.  High chairs, baby changing and very friendly staff. There's also a separate kids menu which is simple, if perhaps a little predictable. Pasta, pizza and more pasta. I'm not complaining. I want to be buried with a bowl of pasta (any), just in case I should wake up.

There was no debate over what James was going to have and all my suggestions were ignored. Pizza it was and the 'build your own' option (£5.95) sounded fun. Let the kids do the hard work, I like it.

Initially the idea of putting his own pizza together was good.  But then his mood changed. "I don't want to cook my own pizza", he moaned, "the oven's too hot".

"Don't worry, you won't have to stand in front of a million degree pizza oven,  I'm sure that Health and Safety wouldn't allow that".

He looked blankly back at me.

The pizza arrived.  Three toppings in bowls surrounding the tomato covered base. James put on the chef's hat provided and created his masterpiece – throwing everything in a lump on top of the pizza base. It was then whisked away and minutes later returned, cooked.  He was delighted and relieved all at once.

This option also included a dessert of ice cream.

The final resultWe had a very pleasant lunch.  Food critics might not stumble over their notepads to visit the Olive Press twice but if you are looking for a family friendly place, where you know the kids are going to eat something from the menu, I highly recommend it. 

The 'build your own pizza' is a great novelty for children, especially if there's a group of them.

I must confess, I never get bored of pasta or pizza.  Perhaps that makes me half Italian too.

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Olive Press
4 Lloyd Street Off Deansgate
Manchester
M2 5AB
Tel: 0161 832 9090

www.theolivepress.uk.com