Gusto – It
has your name on it.
So, I had just fathomed the meaning of Est Est
Est, and what do they do? Change the name. At
first I shook my head. We Brits are notoriously resistant
to change. But, fearing narrow-mindedness to be a most
unattractive quality, I accepted the kind invitation of
the new management to dine chez eux (sadly my Italian doesn’t
match my French).
You don’t notice much to begin with. Same building,
same layout, new paint… (Is that undercoat, my companion
wondered?) But the differences, or shall we say nuances,
become clear once you sit down.
The
newly refurbished GUSTO feels like
a slicker version of the old favourite.
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Still atmospheric, still bustling, still sexily-lit.
The staff are flamboyant, (I once described them, rather
prophetically, as wielding their giant pepper mills con
gusto!) the whole experience theatrical. It’s
as close was we can get to Italian dining without air
travel. So, what’s the story?
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Basically, Living Ventures, the restaurant and bar company
who developed The Living Room, has invested over £5
million in rebranding the existing Est Est Est
restaurants into GUSTO: Italian for taste
and enjoyment.
Wisely, they have kept the staples for which the old place
was renowned – plenty of pasta and pizza,
salads and nibbles, and added some heftier choices – five kinds
of steak and a range of fresh
seafood to rival Loch Fyne. If the choice gets
too much there are some well-priced set menus and a tempting
fixed-price lunch (to rival La Belle Époque?) They’ve
extended the con amici menu and installed
a fab new family/friends dining space downstairs. There’s
a new children’s menu (retaining the ever popular
make your own pizza) and even a Baby Deli – 100%
organic dining for those under 10 months – whatever
next?! The company philosophy is ‘to include all
members of the family’; with dishes such as Rosy
Posy Pasta I give them a gold star for effort.
Add to this a summer healthy-choice menu, buckets-full
of cocktails and free wi-fi access and GUSTO has
something for everyone.
Personally,
I just wanted to sit on the terrace with a glass of
chilled Pinot and pretend I was in
Italy.
I also felt like gathering my friends
and family together to let them know I love
them. Instead, I went home and put some twinkly
lights round my bay tree. |
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So, if you have a big family or small children, if you’re
watching your weight or your wallet, if you love seafood
or just food, this place has your name on it.
Let it inspire you to try new things, embrace change
and find some Latin spirit.
Or, as they say, live life with GUSTO.
www.gustorestaurants.com
Girl About Town |
