A taste of Sicily in the harbour city.
A taste of Sicily in the harbour city. By Cec Busby
Australians love Italian food. Restaurants all over this wide brown land are infused with the flavours of the Mediterranean and Aussies love to eat Italian fare – whether it’s pizzas or pastas or crusty breads we have a love affair with the cuisine that dates back to the 1950s.
But there’s a lot more to Italian dining than the traditional pizza and pasta and Gusto Bar and Kitchen in Watson’s Bay aims to broaden the palette of Sydneysiders and introduce the crisp flavours of Sicily.
Owner and head chef, Paolo Patane, is committed to providing each and every diner with a genuine taste of his homeland. First generation Australian, Patane served his apprenticeship on the island outcrop of his forebears, and immediately fell in love with the food of his spiritual homeland. “Gusto is a tribute to my Sicilian heritage, a culture that I am trying to help preserve for generations to come,” he says.
One look at the menu and you realise Patane is serious in his quest. No stodgy cream dishes here. Instead there is an abundance of fresh flavoured dishes that have trussed tomatoes, olives, black truffles, and extra virgin olive oil at their heart.
“there’s a lot more to
Italian dining than the
traditional pizza and pasta”
The starters range from fresh figs with prosciutto and shaved pecorino drizzled in honey to a tasting plate with grilled vegetables plump Ligurian olives, bresaola and sopressa and sharp crumbled cheeses. A special of ravioli stuffed with blue swimmer crab and served in a delicate lemon sauce is absolute perfection. Patane then matches each offering with a wonderful selection of Sicilian wines which add depth of flavour to the dishes.
For mains we opt for the swordfish, Pesce Spada alla Messinese, (a Sicilian tradition) and the veal Scaloppine al Passito di Pantelleria. The swordfish steak arrives on the table, grilled to perfection and nestled in a tasty warm marinade of capers, tomato, Ligurian olives and oregano. The fish is succulent and benefits from the marinade which lends a sharpness to the meaty flavour of the fish. The veal proves a revelation, the sweet Italian muscat which forms the basis of the sauce is a superb match for the flavour of the fennel, lifting the dish to new heights.
Desserts are traditional Italian fare including regional favourite Cassata, and Italian classic cannoli – the fresh ricotta filled pastry shells deliver a flavour burst as the crunch of the cannolli gives way to the smoothness of the ricotta filling.
If you’re looking for an Italian meal that’s a little different to the standard pizza/pasta fare then Gusto bar and kitchen will certainly appeal. The seasonally changing menu offers fresh flavours with a focus on seafood and local produce combined with an aesthetic Sicilian feel.
Gusto Bar & Kitchen
27 Military Road, Watsons Bay, Sydney
Ph: 02 9388 8827
Opening Hours:
Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 3pm and 6pm-1030pm
Saturday-Sunday, 8am-1030am
Closed on Mondays