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Gusto has always been one of my favourite pizza palaces … a place I enjoy driving to for an occasional family takeaway treat because I love watching the chefs prepare and place the dishes in the traditional wood burning oven.
They also serve up a delicious cup of coffee whilst I’m waiting, a bonus worth mentioning and another reason to dismiss the tempting idea of a home delivery.
But there is so much more to Gusto pizzeria ristorante than a masterful margherita or my personal favourite, the Diavola with spicy pepperoni, green chilli, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, for that matter.
This smart, trendy establishment on the Alosra-end of Budiaya Highway in the neat Palm Square development is a little bit of Italy with a menu to match.
The late, great opera singer Luciano Pavarotti is even quoted in it: “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”
He was a man after my own heart and some would suggest it will not be long before I match him for size in his heyday but let’s put the thought of dieting to one side; this is a time for feasting.
The kitchen is led by Executive Chef El Baheiry Nabil, an Italian with Egyptian roots, and his colleague, Chef Sarwat, in charge of the acclaimed pizza oven.
Diners are offered an extensive choice because in addition to the impressive menu is a list of chef’s specials and a board containing a selection of dishes-of-the-day.
The front of house is run by manager Boyet De Leon and his friendly waitresses. The amiable assistants insisted my small party enjoy a selection of starters.
We launched into sharing a slice of Plain Foccacia (BD2.400) and followed it up with the restaurant’s most popular starter the Melanzane Alla Parmigiana, grilled eggplants baked with tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan which appeared like a lasagne and tasted delightful. The Bruscetta (BD2.800) followed - an appetiser whose origin dates to at least the 15th century from central Italy, with tomatoes and rocket.
There were several main course temptations but I felt like fish on this particular Saturday evening and the Spigola Alla Romaria on the board at BD10.800 had my taste-buds tingling as I adore oven-baked sea bass and mingled with cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic and olives it felt like a healthy option too.
The good lady wife Kathryn went for a similar dish, securing the chef’s special grilled fish platter Griglita de Pesce featuring a whole sea bream, prawns and calamari, priced at BD11.600, which she devoured.
My teenage daughter Immy tucked into a large helping of Fussili Dellcasa (BD6.800), a filling twisted pasta with chicken, roasted peppers and baby spinach in a gorgonzola creamy sauce.
Try and save room for a dessert.
Chocoholics have a treat in store because the Tortino Al Ciccolato, a warm chocolate cake priced BD3.400 served with vanilla ice cream, looks as good as it tastes, and the Tiramisu at BD2.800 is full of biscuits and cream with a coffee kick to savour.
But, I suggest sweet-lovers that follow us to this restaurant full of Italian charm and flavour, should ask the chef to deliver a Canopi Pie to the table. It’s not yet on the menu but the chef will deliver this ultimate banana and light cream concoction on request for around BD2. Prices are subject to a 10 per cent service charge.
Tantalizingly terrific and Gusto insiders tell me another Gusto’s will be opened at Riffa Palm Shopping Complex shortly. Those lucky people from Riffa Views, you’re in for a treat.
