Inside a cherub draped with an Italian flag welcomes you to the main dining room, where every inch of wall is covered with framed memorabilia--SMH reviews, food photos, Raphael-inspired paintings and even a signed endorsement from the legendary Bernard King. The chalkboard is crammed with specials, wine bottles hang overhead, and any minute you expect the Godfather to walk in through the door.
Soon after being seated, our group was presented with complimentary antipasta including tasty little arancini balls and a platter of marinated mushrooms, capsicum, olives and chilli octapus. We were then presented with a rundown of the day's specials--each dish demonstrated raw on a plate covered with clingfilm.
The menu here is fairly extensive for a 50-seater and this may well be its downfall.
Good: BBQ sardines, spaghetti marinara and steak Buon Gusto.
Buon Gusto is all about home hearty food--a little 80s style in presentation at times but good for atmospheric suburban unpretentious Italian. Some things are a little clumsy (drowning the delicacy of a creme caramel with chocolate sauce, for instance) but the food is honest and service is friendly.
During dinner, as the entire restaurant sang along to "When the moon hits your eye..." one couldn't help smiling and all was forgiven.
Alfredo presenting the day's specials
Day's specials
An interior straight out of the Godfather
Garlic bread
Ravioloni $13.90
Calamari Ripleni (Stuffed calamari)$13.90
Smoked salmon $12.50
Fresh BBQ Sardines $13.90
Garlic prawns $13.50
Oysters Kilpatrick $14.50
Eggplant Rotolene (with lamb mince) $13.90
Veal Scallopine (with mushrooms, shallots, white wine and cream) $16.50
Chicken Buon Gusto (with cream and shallots) $17.50
Lamb shanks $17.50
Pescepada Cutlets (swordfish) $22.50
Risotto (with shallots, asparagus, mushrooms, cream and parmesan) $15.50
Steak Buon Gusto $18.50
Veal Saltin Bocca (with ham, cream, brandy and sage) $16.50
Spaghetti Marinara $15.50
Tiramisu
Crespelle (crepes)
Zabaglione
Creme caramel
Buon Gusto
368 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale
Tel: 02 9319 4798
Dear Augustus Jnr,
ReplyDeleteYet again you astound us with your witty yet subtle gastronomic observations and anecdotes.
Keep up the good work!
Your ever in culinary commentary,
Augustus Snr
(it's casey)
ReplyDeleteBuon Gusto is around the corner (literally) from where I live. It's been there since my Dad was at Sydney Uni!
Unfortunately, it has failed to impress me too - the pasta quality is average, and it feels like a bit of The Love has gone out of the place.
These days my closest Italian is Mamma Maria on King St, hidden upstairs above two shops, with an inconspicuous side-alley entry.
PS. your blog = excellent.