We visited Al Gusto twice in quick succesion recently. The first time, for breakfast, was a let down. Service was poor and the kitchen’s timings were all over the place. Between our table, half of us had finished our food while the other half was still waiting for theirs.
Never wanting to write places off after just one visit, we at Time Out will always make sure anywhere that is lucky enough to get an anonymous visit from us is given a fair crack of the whip. So we returned on an evening. It was quiet in the dining room, and service was much better from the off.
We started on a healthy note, with a mare tuna salad. Consisting of sweet corn, tomatoes, baby spinach, carrots and balsamic reduction, the salad was light and full of delicate flavour. Feeling good about ourselves, we continued with more of a filling main course. All of the usual carb-heavy pizzas and pastas available, but a seafood paella had caught our eye. The Spanish dish being on an Italian menu was always going to do that, but our waitress also suggested it so we committed.
It used arborio risotto rice, but cooked as if a paella, with a Napolitana sauce. It came with clams, mussels, salmon, calamari and an enormous king prawn. The dish was rich and the kitchen didn’t hold back on the sea critters.
We thought about skipping dessert but plumped for a homemade brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. It wasn’t as rich as expected, but that was no a bad thing given the size of our main.
Music was played on and off but because it was a quiet night, the restaurant was mostly silent. Some Italian tunes would do wonders for the ambience.
The Bill (for one)
Mare tuna salad Dhs43
Seafood paella Dhs80
Chocolate brownie Dhs37
Total Dhs160
The bottom line
Perfect for a bite but not one to plan an evening around.
