Where do you go in Sheffield for a taste of Napoli and Puglia' Walk up Church Street from the cathedral and you will find a wonderful Italian trattoria, Gusto Italiano. Opened only two years ago by Ester and Saverio, Gusto Italiano has already become a favourite destination for Sheffield's shoppers and business community. Freshly made hot food is available from 7am through to last orders at 8pm, and you can enjoy a fabulous Italian coffee, glass of wine or grappa at any time.
When we visited at lunchtime the place was abuzz with lunchtime diners, many of whom obviously made regular visits given the familiarity and warmth with which they were greeted. The atmosphere is genuinely Continental and very laid back but smart, with intriguing photographs of Italy adorning the walls. Staff, also well dressed in black and white, were charming, helpful and professional.
We chose lunch from a varying daily menu and started with cherry tomato soup with basil, partnered with freshly made salted rosemary foccacia. My dining partner had the plumpest olives we had ever seen, and we followed these tasty morsels with meat lasagne and vegetable cannelloni. All the dishes here are freshly made by Ester and as Italian as they are delicious. Indeed, there are no compromises when it comes to authenticity - Ester uses seasonal and free-range produce with specialist ingredients imported direct from Italy. Desserts included the lightest of bread and butter puddings and a wonderful lemon and lime cheesecake. Food and service could not have been better, and Saverio recommended we try the melanzana parmigiana next time we visit. But, as well as returning for lunch, I am going back to try the new evening menu available after 5.30pm; dishes to tempt will include pan-fried halibut on a bed of sautéed spinach with garlic, strips of rib-eye steak with truffle-infused vinegar on a bed of rocket leaves, oven-roasted king prawns marinated in olive oil, parsley and garlic, and pumpkin ravioli in walnut sauce. Fantastic food, fantastic place, fantastic people - I cannot recommend it highly enough
When we visited at lunchtime the place was abuzz with lunchtime diners, many of whom obviously made regular visits given the familiarity and warmth with which they were greeted. The atmosphere is genuinely Continental and very laid back but smart, with intriguing photographs of Italy adorning the walls. Staff, also well dressed in black and white, were charming, helpful and professional.
We chose lunch from a varying daily menu and started with cherry tomato soup with basil, partnered with freshly made salted rosemary foccacia. My dining partner had the plumpest olives we had ever seen, and we followed these tasty morsels with meat lasagne and vegetable cannelloni. All the dishes here are freshly made by Ester and as Italian as they are delicious. Indeed, there are no compromises when it comes to authenticity - Ester uses seasonal and free-range produce with specialist ingredients imported direct from Italy. Desserts included the lightest of bread and butter puddings and a wonderful lemon and lime cheesecake. Food and service could not have been better, and Saverio recommended we try the melanzana parmigiana next time we visit. But, as well as returning for lunch, I am going back to try the new evening menu available after 5.30pm; dishes to tempt will include pan-fried halibut on a bed of sautéed spinach with garlic, strips of rib-eye steak with truffle-infused vinegar on a bed of rocket leaves, oven-roasted king prawns marinated in olive oil, parsley and garlic, and pumpkin ravioli in walnut sauce. Fantastic food, fantastic place, fantastic people - I cannot recommend it highly enough
Open: Mon-Sat 7am-8pm (last orders)