Dinner at Gusto Manchester...

So I am having a bit of a theme at the moment sharing a couple of my favourite Italian restaurants with you and one of my all-time favourites has to be Gusto. This gem of a restaurant is one I always go back to over and over when I want delicious food and exceptional service. I often dine at the Liverpool Gusto and I have reviewed it before, but I was pleased to be given the opportunity to review Gusto Manchester* on Sunday as I had not been to the Manchester Gusto before.

Situated just off the bustling Deansgate, Gusto Manchester is an elegant looking restaurant which has a classic charm to it. We arrived looking forward to some amazing food and we were led straight to a spacious booth which gave us a superb view of the restaurant and bar area. There is a 1920’s glamour to the restaurant, with an Art Deco grandeur and a square bar situated right in the centre of the dining room. An atmosphere of elegance and glamour abounds and you could easily imagine this as the setting for a film! 

We were warmly welcomed by the team and I sipped a superb Pinot Grigio blush whilst we perused the menu. Sticklers for tradition, we started off with a Garlic Pizza Bread topped with heaps of melted mozzarella. This was just divine and the perfect way to start off a decadent meal! I love the Bruschetta and the Fritto Misto at Gusto too, but it just had to be garlic bread on this occasion! 

The Honey Dew

Garlic pizza bread.

My dining companion sipped a non-alcoholic cocktail called the Honey Dew, a refreshing muddle of apple juice, ginger, honey, lime juice and mint.
For the main course I chose the wonderful sounding Roast Chicken Breast served with creamed leeks and butter fried gnocchi. I cannot resist gnocchi, so combining them with roast chicken and leeks was a winning combination. I think that leeks are such a delicious and underrated vegetable, they are so mild and versatile and they worked so well in this dish with the tender chicken placed on top of the creamy leeks to create a perfect flavour combination.

Roast chicken breast.

My dining companion meanwhile opted for the Caprino pizza, which I have enjoyed at Gusto on previous occasions. I love this pizza because it is much lighter than many pizzas due to its toppings of goat’s cheese, roasted red peppers, pine nuts, caramelised onions, pesto, mozzarella and rocket. These toppings combine to create a fresh, summery flavour and the goat’s cheese provides a salty tang which offsets the peppery rocket and sweet onions whilst the pine nuts provide a welcome crunch of texture. Sides of fries and Italian fried courgettes (as recommended by our friendly server) complemented our main courses and we enjoyed everything immensely. 

 Caprino pizza.

Italian courgettes and fries.

On to dessert and my dining companion was tempted by the Baked Flaming Alaska, we have seen this served before to other diners at Gusto and regretted not ordering it ourselves. The ceremony of the way this is served (alcohol is poured over it and the dessert is set alight) makes it a pure delight and spectacle. Happily it also tastes as good as it looks, which I managed to discern for myself by stealing a spoonful before my partner wolfed the whole thing down rapidly! 

 Baked flaming Alaska.

I meanwhile ordered one of my favourite ever desserts, the legendary Gusto Nutella and Mascarpone Calzone served with vanilla ice cream. Words cannot describe how sinfully delicious this dessert is and if you have not tried it I recommend that you run to your nearest Gusto right now (or phone up to book a table which may be a better option!) 

This is just dessert perfection, with rivers of rich warm Nutella and Mascarpone encased in a crescent of perfect dough. The sensation of hot and cold from the warm Calzone and the cool ice cream is quite something and each Calzone is baked fresh to order. This is sheer heaven, I just can’t resist ordering it every time I am at Gusto!

Nutella calzone.

The whole meal was so delicious and we were thoroughly spoiled by the lovely staff including the one of the managers Mike who we had a long and interesting chat to at the end of the meal.

We had a super time and it was the perfect way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Thank you so much to the team at Gusto Manchester for making us so welcome and we look forward to seeing you again soon! 

What do you all think, would you like to have a delicious meal in such opulent surroundings? Which of these dishes do you like the sound of? As always I can’t wait to read your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

Gusto Manchester

4 Lloyd Street

(off Deansgate)

Manchester

M2 5AB

0161 832 2866

http://gustorestaurants.uk.com/

Until next time,

Camille

xo

*Disclaimer

We were kindly invited to review Gusto Manchester, our meal was complimentary for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest.