Instantly Addictive
~ Boardwalk meets tropical garden charm ~
It’s one of the best new things on the island. A little bistro with a little name, but with a big menu with big flavours! It’s tucked into the palm trees at the eastern end of the Boardwalk. You can dine inside or sit on the beach at a picnic table under a palm-frond roof. We enjoyed the sidewalk cafe atmosphere, the friendly service and the great food.
This place is instantly addictive, with awesome smoothies, fresh juices, granitas (shaved ices), snacks, salads panini, pastas and frozen yogurt. Gusto’s menu is unlike any other on the island. They have highlighted organic items, vegetarian items, gluten-free items and lactose-free items. Surprisingly, they offer gluten free pastas and sandwiches with gluten free breads! It’s contemporary Italian with a Caribbean twist!
The stand out for our first visit was the refreshing juice concoctions. I ordered the “green field” (apple, celery, cucumber, and touch of lime) and my dining companion asked for the “tone up” (apple, watermelon, orange). These were colourful and light. We wasted no time getting into some appetizers, but choosing which was not so easy. The selection of Italian finger foods included deep fried balls of risotto with assorted wondrous nibbles inside. That went on the list of things to try next time, but we selected deep fried olives this time! Never had that before, and just had to try it. The olives were stuffed with carrots, celery and onion, and served with a light dipping sauce. Really yummy! We also had to give the fried calamari a try, and this was also exceptionally tasty. Suddenly, the afternoon was settling into a nice groove there on the beach.
With the juice and appetizers long gone, we ordered from the daily specials menu and said, “It feels like its five o’clock somewhere, so let’s have a glass of wine. No one would find fault, surely, if lunch stretched into a second hour?” We indulged in the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce and a mushroom risotto, both of which were very rich and well complemented by the Pino Griggio (good call!) – there could be little doubt that this is the perfect lunch spot. Gusto means pleasure, and it was pleasing in so many ways. We completed our meal with a little sweetness, a frozen coffee cream for me and a frozen lemon ice for my friend.
While we dined, we got to know Stephan, one of the managers at Gusto. He told us they want to start here and in time expand with franchises to Las Vegas and other cities. So in a sense, St. Maarten is serving as a test market for this new brand. As far as we are concerned, Gusto passes the test with flying colours.
Info:
Gusto
On the Boardwalk @ Speetgens Steeg
Philipsburg, Great Bay
Phone: 1 (721) 522-9041
Hours: Open for breakfast and lunch daily
Cuisine: Contemporary Italian
Price range: $$
Reservations: Not necessary
Credit cards: Not accepted
Children’s menu: Yes
Vegetarian dishes: Yes
Ratings:
Staff friendliness *****
Service speed ****
Restaurant cleanliness****
Food quality *****
Value for money ****
Ambience ****
