(Image: @GustoGianni)
Gusto – da Gianni
26 Newland Ave, Hull HU5 3AF
01482 446261
Having eaten at Da Gianni on Princes Avenue on numerous occasions, I immediately fell head over heels with the intimate, rustic feel of Hull’s finest Italian (in my opinion). Therefore, I was a mixture of excitement and scepticism before walking into Gusto.
Inadvertently I played with the notion that Gusto would try to mirror almost everything about Da Gianni – after all it is fantastically popular in the surrounding area so why not?
I do however personally prefer an injection creativity and uniqueness when I venture to a restaurant for the very first time. Luckily I was not disappointed to say the least.
Although you may scrunch your nose at the suggestion that Italian restaurants can remain individual from time to time; as you could quite rightly argue that the food is by and large extremely similar, along with the decor and overall ambience.
The times I have left an Italian eatery, with the sound of Dean Martin’s ‘That’s Amore’ ringing in my ears is quite concerning – a subtle hint to all budding Italian restaurants, this is not a good image to uphold. Thankfully, this time my ears were spared.
On entering an all be it small, slim and almost over crowded converted terrace house, I was pleasantly surprised by the authentic layout. With bare brick walls, methodically cluttered tables and dim lit lights towering the walls laddered with bottles of wine and paintings it simply reeked of Italy.
This is a far cry from your typical pizzeria and it without doubt light years ahead of Frankie and Benny’s (if you can even call that an Italian).
I was sure that the menu would of course cover the staples, the pizzas, pastas, carne and pesce with a touch of flair and a sprinkling of black pepper. Gusto most certainly did, or at least it looked so at a glance; as I studied the plates leaving the kitchen from the back of the restaurant.
Wafts of garlic, tomato and the usual Italian aromas lured me towards a classic dish when scanning the menu; however those who accompanied me wavered slightly and were caught by the specials board…
THE FOOD
With a large selection of pastas and pizzas I was at first tempted to opt for either or, however I made the impulse decision and pointed towards the ‘Risotto Fruiti di Mare’ following the waiters’ polite approach – a mixed seafood risotto for those who don’t speak the lingo.
Elsewhere on my table; a tomato and pesto garlic bread to start, followed by ‘Tagliatelle Mare e Monti’ (mushrooms, courgettes and luxury prawns in a cream sauce), a ‘Pizza Salsiccia, Funghi e Gorgonzola’ and another seafood risotto, as well as a dish off the specials board.
All but one of the selected plates delivered in both style and taste, however surprisingly it was the ‘Pork Tenderloin’ special that failed to live up to expectations.
The dishes off Gusto’s menu were quite honestly beautiful, as my seafood risotto was made fresh (taking around 30 minutes) coating fresh pieces of seafood in a sumptuous ‘pomodoro sauce’.
Often a seafood dish will sport the odd shrimp and muscle amongst either over cooked pasta, or under cooked risotto rice. This dish however, was full with two large king prawns, squid, shrimp and muscles – a more than adequate mix of quality aquatic delights if you ask me.
Away from my seafood medley, the Tagliatelle was again cooked perfectly and coated in a velvety cream sauce, whilst the pizza sat opposite me looked as fresh as could be.
The Pork Tenderloin however, with seasonal vegetables and a lemon sauce left the palette rather puzzled. Not only did the tenderloin look more like a steak, in both size and shape but the citrus sauce was somewhat over powering at first, whilst being slightly lacklustre if that’s even possible?
A special is on the specials board for one reason only, this being quite self explanatory. Yet, out of all the dishes (six mains in total) this was the only one not to hit the high bench mark.
Now, generally speaking I am not one to mix fruit with meat unless it be duck with orange, or perhaps Christmas turkey with cranberries – and sadly after Gusto’s pork special, I doubt my mixing of fruits and meats will expand to much more than these two classics.
Rather disappointing, but overall an extremely pleasant meal and outing all the same.
Prices of both food and wine are on Gusto’s menu in the link below. Not only is this an extensively brilliant menu, but the prices are by no means extortionate, after the bill on this occasion came to £125 for a table of six.
Having eaten at countless Italians in the surrounding area, I would be surprised if you could find a restaurant to rival the food, feel and overall ambience of Gusto da Gianni in Hull – aside from Da Gianni’s of course.
The way in which this restaurant conducts its business (relaxed, yet extremely attentive) is about as close to the real thing in Italy as you will find in the UK, and it is this alone that will keep this busy place going in my opinion.
I can safely say that I will be returning to Gusto having sampled their food only once since its opening, the entire night was spent in good company surrounded by seemingly happy customers – though I do hope that this was not simply beginner’s luck that contributed to this lovely evening.
Hullture Hub 