Gusto Restaurant
Where? Gusto Restaurant (Eixample, Barcelona, Spain) Map Menu
When? Wednesday March 20, 2024
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
Today has been stressful for the sole reason that my Reykjavik accommodation got cancelled at the last minute - literally less than a week before I’m supposed to arrive - because the bloody hotel went out of business. I would later find out that the police shut it down because they were human trafficking. This trip has not been good for things going to plan and I'm deeply upset, cumulatively, at the state of everything that has happened during the past three months. Anyway, to soothe my anger, I’ve gone for some classic Italian again, because I could use more salad in my diet.
Amuse Bouche
It’s a dough ball with onion and basil. It’s soft and springy, and doesn’t feel too dense.
Appetiser
House salad: Lamb's lettuce with red onion, fennel, avocado and tomato
The description for this in Italian is "canonigo, finocchio, cipolla rossa, avocado e pomodori", and while I can recognise the last three ingredients - red onion, avocado and tomato - quite easily, the first two are a bit more difficult. Google translates "Canonigo" to "lamb's lettuce", whose scientific name is Valeriana locusta, a leafy vegetable native to Europe and northern Africa. "Finocchio", despite its similarities to the name of the puppet boy, actually just means fennel. It’s light and refreshing, and simple with an olive oil and balsamic dressing. Some nuts or some citrus fruit would have really elevated this but it tastes healthy and not heavy.
Mains
Lasagna: Typical Neapolitan lasagna gratinated in a wood-fired oven
I love how bright and appetising this looks. The sauce is delicious and definitely has that homemade feel to it, and I’m so glad there’s tons of it. It’s cheesy and meaty and everything that you’d want a lasagna to be. That crust is baked perfectly and it’s got that tasty crispiness. That fresh basil leaf lifts the dish and helps to cut through the richness of the Parmesan and tomato sauce.
I’m finishing the meal off the traditional way - with limoncello! I’m feeling better at least.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:01am on Saturday December 28, 2024 :: 0 comments :: 