Gusto finally came to Glasgow!
Some of you may have seen me tweet and Instagram about their cocktails – they truly are some of the best I’ve tried in Glasgow and after the vip launch party a few weeks ago (when I first got to try the heavenly drinks), I couldn’t wait to go back in for a meal with my better half.
Gusto is located on 14 Bothwell Street in a renovated old Clydesdale Bank building, which really adds to its “Grand Gatsby-like” feel. I love the exterior and their outside seating, which are inspired by the traditional grand cafes of Italy. The whole idea is to make every regular day a little more exquisite and rightly so, if we’re doing something – lets do it in style, right? If you’re “picture mad” like me, your choice of restaurants and cafes will always be have some sort of “check list” to go through, otherwise they won’t appear on our Instagram, or is it just me with such weird #BloggerProblems?
Moving on… Gusto sure did pass my “check-list”, but next time I’ll book the table earlier and preferably near the window overlooking the busy street in the daylight and enjoying their beautifully presented colourful dishes and cocktails against a clean white table cloth (picture perfect!). Our table was booked for 8pm and by the time we ordered and started eating, it was already dark outside, so excuse my grainy photographs. Nonetheless, it was probably a little bit more intimate at that time anyway. My other half and I got to spend a couple of very enjoyable hours in a semi-circular booth tasting some of the most delicious classic and contemporary Italian dishes whilst listening to jazz and admiring Gusto’s stunning 70s lighting fixtures and a very stylish rectangular bar right in the middle of the restaurant.
As soon as we sat down I couldn’t wait to check out the cocktail menu and just because it was so delicious at the launch party, I had to order a Strawberry and Vanilla Martini again – it was heaven (on a school night as well!).
Since I stopped eating meat a few months ago, my choice of main course and starters were either going to be sea food or vegeterian, but with so much amazing choice in the A La Carte menu, there’s plenty for us all – vegetarians, pescetarians or protein crazies (like my other half). We ordered some Focaccia and Deep fried calamari for starters, which were just a perfect amount and instantly took me right back to Europe – so fresh and flavoursome.
We had a short break between the appetisers and the main course, which was a perfect excuse to try another cocktail – a Cherry and Coconut sour to be precise! I swear this was the best cocktail I’ve tried in years and I can’t even begin to describe how delicious it was, you just have to try it out for yourself and when you do, I’ll come with you it was that good.
When the main course arrived, we both knew there was a danger of us being silent for a good little while. I had the most amazing dish of White Crab, Chilli, Garlic and Fresh Lemon Spaghetti, whilst my other half attacked his perfectly cooked 10 oz medium cooked fillet of steak with garlic butter and fries. We shared some french beans with shallots, asparagus and red pepper oil and some garlic mushrooms as sides.
You’d think we would have left it at that, but no, there was still space for a Strawberry and Passion fruit mess. In fact, I ate the entire thing myself and feel no shame or remorse whatsoever – it was simply divine. The only thing I shared was one of the champagne jelly cubes, but that’s because I still had some of the Cherry Sour left to sip on. Next time it will be the Nutella and Mascarpone calzone, but that I’ll share – it looked huge at someone else’s table.
The atmosphere was so lovely, the staff were all really friendly and attentive and not only to us. We even persuaded Robert to jump in the picture with me at the bar, who initially welcomed us into the restaurant and gave us a little tour before we got shown to our table. The service was fantastic and I can really see myself going back to Gusto’s in the coming weeks either for another dinner date or cocktails with friends on a hot summery day (I’m hopeful) in the outside seating area… in style…
“After all, life is a gift; live it with Gusto every day.”
Wearing:
Boden Alice heels
Genoa Embroidered pouch by Boden
Topshop skinnies
H&M structured striped top (similar)
Kate Spade Watch
Rings from Jewel Street