First blog post!

A disappointing supper at Gusto in V Point, Causeway Bay, is not how I hoped this blog would start!

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Firstly, a massive thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! Hopefully you will come back and visit, something which I would not recommend for the distinctly average Gusto.

Secondly, apologies for the lack of photo's on this post but as I sat here setting up The Galloping Ginger I was so keen to start writing that I couldn't wait until the next restaurant where I could take photos. I promise, there will be an attempt to include photos in the next post!

Friday nights in Causeway Bay are not my ideal start to the weekend, fair too busy for me, especially when it's raining. Being over six foot when it does rain in Hong Kong I am more concerned with not taking an umbrella to the face than getting wet. Nonetheless I had promised to go and meet the Scott for post work drinks. We had settled on the Grey Hound cafe close to Times Square, an ideal spot for people watching and with a very good happy hour. After enjoying a couple of relaxing beers we decided that it was high time to get some food and after having a look at Greyhound cafe's 'Thaipas' menu we decided we would like the more traditional variety and settled on the short walk to Gusto.

Located on the second floor of V Point, Gusto was a distinctly average Friday night supper. To get there one must walk past an open plan gym, entirely disconcerting in it's own right, before settling into a dimly light restaurant with some brightly coloured pink chairs.

The menu in Gusto contains dishes from all other Europe, pasta, risotto etc but it is dominated by Spanish cuisine. Think tapas, a selection of cured meats as well as the grilled variety. Spanish food is one of my favourite cuisines, having spent many a summer in Spain I always look forward to this type of food and so with much gusto (sorry I couldn't help myself) the Scott and I ordered.

First to arrive was our drinks, upon the first sip we both wished that they hadn't arrived. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc was sickly sweet and barely drinkable with that the fact that it was chilled being the only saving grace! This was followed by a measly portion of bread, think one slice cut in half. We immediately ordered extra bread but this failed to materialise until the end of the meal which was a shame as it accompanied by an excellently roasted whole head of garlic and a deeply flavoured accompanying garlic puree, if you are vampire or on date night I would recommend avoiding this dish. We then proceed to nibble our way through a distinctly average cured meat and cheese platter. The meat itself was passable and not too much better than you could find in a good deli and nothing more. Calling this a cheese board is an overstatement with two thin triangles of what we were told was Swiss cheese (I think it was Manchego) and some crumbled parmesan barely enough to feed one person. This was accompanied by a finely dressed salad and some underripe figs.

Finally our final dish of meat balls arrived, luckily these were the best part of the meal (it's always nice to finish on a high note), the meat balls were dense yet moist and with a good amount of herb mixed through the meat made for pleasant eating. The accompanying tomato source tasted as if the tomato puree had not been cooked enough and still retained it's metallic tang.

Desert menu was dull and uninspiring consisting of a cake, creme brullee and a couple of other forgettable ideas so we duly decided to pay our bill and head home for a night cap.

Overall, a disappointing way to begin what will hopefully be a very enjoyable blog.

Thanks for reading,

The Galloping Ginger

Gusto Restaurant and Bar, 2/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay