Review: Gusto (Victoria Island)

Restaurants

Jan 27

I finally decided to check out Gusto, a restaurant that everyone on my Instagram seems to have visited at least once. Fueled by #FOMO, I decided to make my way there for dinner one evening after work in search of something that would spark joy.

Upon arrival, I could see that most people preferred to dine outside, and I understood why. The outdoor area of the restaurant had a great atmosphere, with pleasant background music, the aroma of the open grill, and a clear view of the indoor aesthetic through the glass partition. Not shabby at all.

My guests and I were fortunate to get a table, even though we hadn't made a reservation in advance and it was a busy night. However, I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time. After being seated, we were presented with the menus which I found to be quite extensive and borderline confusing. Who doesn't dislike a menu that's as long as a book when you're starving? 🤦🏾‍♀️ After a headache-inducing search, I decided to start with the Crab Sensation Sushi because it sounded appealing.

It was an 8-piece platter, each piece topped with a delicious crab meat sauce, and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was delicious, but it may not be the best option if you're new to trying sushi. I don't mean to boast on my high horse. 💅🏾

For my main course, I ordered the Veggie Yaki Ramen with chicken, and the Lamb Chops with Mashed Potatoes. Unfortunately, the ramen was giving mid; it was more of a stir-fry noodle situation and the flavors didn't stand out. However, I have to say that they were quite generous with the chicken pieces in the ramen and the portions were decent for the average eater

The mashed potatoes were also disappointing - they weren't creamy and had lumps, which is the no-no of no-nos if you’re going to serve mashed potatoes in a restaurant. I mean, this is basic. At this point, my experience at Gusto had been subpar and I was unsure of how the rest of the meal would turn out.

The lamb chops were well-seasoned and cooked to my liking but were not particularly noteworthy. it was well seasoned and I got the medium-well done I asked for, but you know… wasn’t the highlight of the meal.

However, the drinks were a highlight - the Virgin Mojito and Aloha Breeze were simple but expertly made.

Classic, but premium 👌🏾

Overall, while the drinks were a positive, the food did not live up to expectations.