Gusto Italiano

We went to the Gusto Italiano restaurant last night. Food was not very good, below average I must say. Average service…

Gusto on Ponsonby Road is a real local favourite. Managed by Armando, dining is always an authentic Italian experience, with most of the staff being Italian as well. Gusto has a lovely ambience to it, warm, wooden floors, italian posters and maps of Italy on the walls. It’s a lovely size for a restaurant, small enough to be intimate but not too cramped.
The waiting staff are absolutely superb, and you are often served by Armando himself. The waiting staff are knowledgeable about the food on the menu, and suitably matching wines. Very, very attentive, professional waiting staff, water (and wine if you want) always topped up. Fantastic pizza, ravioli and tiramisu!
The only thing I could say to improve the dining experience, is that I feel that the menu could do with a bit of an update. That’s really only because I’ve dined at Gusto so many times, that i’ve tried most things on the menu!
Gusto is great both for small groups (2 – 4 people) and larger groups (around 10 people). They also have a room upstairs for bigger events.

Ceasar Salad, delicious. Crispy based 4 Cheese Pizza, delicious. Cheese Board bigger than your head, delicious. Fabulous wine selection, delicious. It’s fair to say I had a wonderful time eating cheese here after Auckland Pride Parade. From the outside it’s not as fancy and modern as a lot of restaurants on Ponsonby Road but that gives it an alternative charm. The décor and furniture make it feel classically Italian and the attention to detail extends to a great menu containing all the usual suspects (pasta, pizza, meat, cheese, wine…). Our hostess recommended a couple of wines based on our food order and even offered to let us try them before making a selection, not that I am so much of a connoisseur. I didn’t notice if they do takeout pizza, but I might go back and ask, they would definitely gain my following!