We tried the new menu at Gusto and found it to be the real deal

Gusto is one of those places that is hidden in plain sight and dying to be discovered on the corner of King Street and Upper Parliament Street. It’s housed in the former premises of Frankie and Benny’s but the building has undergone a complete makeover into the impressive restaurant it is today.

Nothing beats a good Italian meal when it comes to comfort food and after a long day in the newsroom, I was more than ready. Lasagna, risotto, good wine, cheeses...bring it all on.

The restaurant has struck a good balance between feeling like somewhere you could celebrate or go for a special treat and somewhere you could also feel comfortable in a jumper and jeans. This was very much the vibe I was on after the aforementioned long day so I need not have worried that I hadn’t changed.

Starting the meal as we meant to carry on, my partner opted for a classic Italian beer while I took to the wine list. I’m a sucker for a good Pinot Grigio so was tempted by the Sanvigilio from Lombardia in northern Italy. I’m so glad I was because it was one of the nicest glasses of wine I have had in a long time. It was so good that I cheekily chanced two large glasses on a school night when I was due to get up at 7 am the next day. I’m over 35 too so there is no guarantee I could get away with that but I deemed it too good not to at least try.

Ordering could not have been easier thanks to the incredibly attentive staff who went to great lengths to explain allergens, and the menu and make sure we had everything we needed. We aren’t between gluten-free and vegetarianism the easiest of people to cater for so it was really appreciated - and badly needed. There were vegan options too so everyone could have had something.

I decided to start with a Milanese-inspired risotto which appeared in a traditional vibrant yellow shade. Milanese risotto is always coloured with saffron which gives it an intense colour and flavour. This one had an added bonus as it was a prosecco risotto - sold.

The light dish was that perfect blend of carb-heaven without being too heavy which makes it a perfect summer dish. It was also dressed with crunchy asparagus and lemon. I’m noticing a trend for lemon risotto dishes at the moment.

I can’t resist truffle, or cheese fries so thankfully I could have both on the side. The chips were a perfect balance where they were not too overpowering or too lightly seasoned. It’s a delicate balance as one wrong move and you will taste nothing but truffle for the next few meals you eat. Thankfully, the fries were also covered in Gran Moravia cheese - absolute heaven.

My partner, the meat eater of the two of us, decided to try the Honey, Lemon and Thyme Chicken which came stacked and balanced in the centre of the plate. The chicken breast was pan-roasted and then served with charred spring vegetables on a splash of romesco sauce. There was little gnocchi hidden underneath the chicken breast that served as a welcome surprise and the plate was cleared.

Having just devoured a chicken, my partner accidentally ordered a vegan biscoff cheesecake to finish. Although they had been initially worried about what the taste would be like, it didn’t last long as they labelled it one of the best they had had in a while. The biscuit base was perfectly complimented by a light fluffy cheesecake top.

I cheated and had a second glass of wine for my dessert as I had been so impressed with it. I have to say I would be tempted to return for the wine alone. To be fair, there were plenty of options on the menu that I could be keen to try too and I found myself making a mental note to bring visiting family members here next time they were in town.

All in all, two mains, two large wines, one Italian beer, one dessert and a truffle fries came to £81 which isn’t bad for the amount of food we ate and two courses with drinks. This might have been our first trip to Gusto but it won’t be our last.