Pizzeria Gusto - July 2011

mmm mmm mmmmmmmmmm! That's really all I need to say here.

It was date night, a rarity these days being a parent of a toddler and all... no definite plans, just a babysitter and hunger pangs in our bellies. We stopped by PG to see what the wait was. They could seat us at the bar for drinks and/or appetizers while awaiting a table. So glad we did that. Right in front of the wood burning oven, we got to watch them prepare the pizzas, not to mention chat with the chef!

Rating: 1-Poor 5-Great

Atmosphere...................5
Music..............................5
Food................................5
Service...........................5
Menu selection.............5
Wine selection...............5
Price...............................5*
*Price based on quality of food


We chose a 2007 Chianti, turns out the other chef (sous chef??) his brother was the owner of the vinyard where this wine is from. It was delicious. We also selected the calamari with lemon and bread crumbs for an appi. Delicious and light. Just what you want in an appetizer. Our servers (we actually had two since we switched tables prior to our entrees) were not only friendly but could easily offer options and personal favourites, plus each knew how to serve, which is a must, in my personal opinion.

The menu is primarily pizza, but you can also order pasta or other entrees. We chose pizza. I had the Nina morra (likely spelling this incorrectly) basically it has no tomato sauce, but caramelized onions, spicy italian sausage and cheese. mmm. My husband ordered the 887, tomato sauce, roasted peppers, salami, cacciatore, salami calabrese and two kinds of mozzarella. He also requested their own blend of chilis be cooked into the sauce - delicious! Oh, and just because we needed a little more food, we had some flat bread with oil and pecorino cheese as well.

So good.

And the service? impeccable. Topping up wine glasses, asking how everything was - without being annoying, and clearing plates on schedule.

You could hear music, but it wasn't too loud, just enough to make that lull in conversation not feel like a lull in coversation.

Atmosphere was casual and bistro like, but cozy enough for the intimate date night as well. It's just a perfect blend of everything to be honest.

After eating about half the pizza, we needed, okay "I" needed ,something sweet. It actually happened as I returned from the facilities that I saw a lovely hunk of choclate on another table and realized I was missing out. So we ordered the almond flour chocolate cake with fresh whipped cream. again, mmmm!

We will be back, no question about it. I think my previous review was very similar to this one. Try it, you won't be disappointed!

Overall rating.....5!
www.pizzeriagusto.com

Smoke's Poutinerie - July 2011

Smoke's Poutinerie, our choice for the lunch time jaunt and even better, free entertainment in Old Market Square thanks to the Fringe! We were excited, this little spot was well hyped and really it's poutine with extra fixings, how could you not like it?

Well, these are my thoughts.

Rating - 1 Poor - 5 Great
Atmosphere.................3
Music............................n/a
Food..............................1.5
Service..........................3
Menu Selection............5 (see note)
Wine Selection.............n/a
Price..............................2
*Price based on quality of food
note: it's french fries and gravy with extra toppings. Considering what it is the menu is extensive and salivating worthy.

We arrived while there was still a small lineup, maybe 6 people in front. Most people line up, order, and leave to eat their fries as there are only a few small tables inside. The place is clean and fun. You're not going to enjoy frou frou a la carte while sipping French champagne, but you also won't run screaming. It's a good spot for what it is. Anyhow, we perused the large menu, I opted for one including sweet onions, sausage, bacon and of course cheese and gravy. I can't recall the exact name. Decent price, poutine and drink was undre $10. My friend opted for a traditional poutine. As we were leaving the line up was out the door. Likely a 20+ minute wait. Wow, this must be good.

We chose a bench, got comfy and dug in. Meh. I'm glad I grabbed salt. The toppings were good. The fries were good. The gravy? not so much. a) it wasn't overly hot, my cheese hardly melted, and b) it was flavourless. Like watered down packet gravy. And come on here, gravy is the essence of poutine, if you don't have good gravy, you might as well sell fish n chips.

Really, that's all I can say. Oh, I guess I can comment that they sell Pic-a-pop...oh the fond memories!

I'd rate this at a 2.9 overall. Their menu helps to bring it up. Unlikely I'll be back.