Still time to make children's Christmas special

ASK Italian York has partnered with Cash for Kids to encourage charitable customers to donate presents under its festive tree so every kid can wake up to a gift on Christmas morning.

Cash for Kids, connected with Viking FM, responds to needs of children in our communities, aspiring to enable all youngsters to live life to the full and achieve individual potential.

Each year the cause raises millions of pounds for local young people suffering abuse or neglect, are disabled and have special needs or who simply need extra care or guidance.

The ASK Italian team, deeply touched by their work, staged successful Christmas Jumper Day, donating £2 each and encouraging restaurant-goers to do same.

Kids' gifts will be welcomed until Friday by big-hearted staff staff whose "presents for panettone" partnership with York Teaching Hospital Charity has also ensured dementia patients will also benefit after slices of the traditional Italian Christmas dessert were exchange for hospital patients' presents".

All this seasonal generosity takes place within Blake Street's Grand Assembly Rooms, recently sympathetically and stylishly restored to its original form.

The £400,000 refurbishment carried out by York Conservation Trust alongside ASK Italian included ceiling repairs as well as replacing 11 Murano glass chandeliers.

The newly revamped restaurant has seating for up to 450 guests with luxury interior and elegant decor offering shoppers and locals a stunning space to enjoy more time spent with friends and family while enjoying authentic food and drink.

With the recent new Autumn menu launch, ASK Italian has been setting food trends, introducing UK’s first Purple Basil Pesto, grown exclusively on a Verona family farm. The Purple Basil Pesto features on Genovese Pasta and the Garlic Bread Speciale.

Guests can also enjoy other seasonal additions including hearty Tuscan Bean Soup and Pumpkin Arancini. To finish ASK Italian offers range of show-stopping desserts as well as selection of Italian wines, beers, cocktails and soft drinks including craft lemonade – providing perfect place to get together, particularly at this time of the year.