Café Gusto serving terrific flavour-filled dishes since December 1999. A quarter of a century "of enjoyment and enthusiasm".

 Café Gusto serving terrific flavour-filled dishes since December 1999

A quarter of a century "of enjoyment and enthusiasm".

Stroganoff

Twenty five years ago, Cafe Gusto opened its doors in Cork’s Washington Street, with business partners Marianne Delaney and Denis O’Mullane at the helm. It turned out to be a quarter of a century loaded with enjoyment and enthusiasm in everything they did, the same gusto they bring to Liberty Grill and Proby’s Bistro. 

And continue to do, as we discovered last week at lunchtime. Gusto is a small place, as is sister cafe (also Gusto) on Lapps Quay. The kitchen is tiny. Despite that, the service is superb, very friendly and efficient as they deal with in-house customers and those who call and collect. No wonder their regular customers responded with relish and delight, still do, to the excellent and fairly priced food.

The specials board on the street, close to that famous bicycle, highlighted Soup of the Day (Celeriac), a hot sandwich and Beef Stroganoff. The mention of the Stroganoff,brought back memories of an early, and very pleasing, encounter with the dish on a sunlit outdoor area of a small restaurant on the bank  of Wolfgangsee, known for its typical Austrian lake district scenery. Austria is of course much closer to Russia where the dish originated.

Not too much sunshine in Washington Street that day but I did order the Stroganoff, a melange of thinly cut beef strips, mushrooms and rice (the traditional lead ingredients). A tasty broth further enhanced the experience. As well as the quality, it was also very satisfactory, quite a plateful for €11.50.

Sandwiches are made to order and you have a choice of Ciabatta, Sourdough, Wholemeal or Wrap. There is quite an array of fillings available. You may have Ardsallagh goats cheese, (with hummus, roasted peppers, onion marmalade, & leaves). Or Flying Bacon (Grilled chicken breast, Rosscarbery bacon, Emmental, plum tomato, honey Dijon mayo & leaves). Or caprese (Toons Bridge Mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto and spinach). And more! The list varies from time to time and somedays I believe they do a mean Reuben. Must check that one!

All the regular sandwiches cost €7.90 while the Hot Sandwich Special (Chipotle and Lime Chicken, Emmental cheese, peppers, pickled onions, Gusto's sweet chili sauce, mayo and leaves, served in ciabatta) comes in at two euro extra. By the way, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options are available.

CL was happy to see the alternative breads, as quite often toasted sourdough can be “hard” and cut too thick. So she went for the Ciabatta with her Grilled Chicken (chicken breast, plum tomato, cucumber, mayo & mixed leaves Marinated). Again, amazing quality and quantity combined at that fair price.

Indeed so impressed was I when I got a bite of her chicken, that I went and ordered another sandwich for my supper later on.  I struck the jackpot with the Roast Mediterranean Veg (Hummus, sun-blushed tomatoes, grilled aubergine, pickled cabbage & spinach). No meat but no lack of flavour either. The taste buds took an immediate interest and it never flagged. I’d certainly go for that again!

So big thanks to Gusto for their opening “quarter” and here’s to the next twenty five!

Opening at 7am, it offers a small but delicious breakfast menu as well as fresh pastries and great coffee. Lunch offers an extensive list of sandwiches, salads and hot dishes for sit-in, delivery or collection. All dishes are prepared onsite, to order, using only the freshest quality ingredients. Local produce is highlighted throughout and regular suppliers and producers include:

• Ard­sal­lagh Cheese
• Toons­bridge Dairy
• Clona Dairies
• IIHF
• East Ferry Free Range Eggs 
• Pana Bread 
• Mr. Bells Providers
• The Real Olive Com­pany
• Tom Durcan’s Meats 
• O’Mahoney Butch­ers

More on Gusto here. https://www.cafegusto.com/

Cork Indie Coffee Trail. A Guide by Dermot O’Sullivan

Cork Indie Coffee Trail

A Guide by Dermot O’Sullivan

So (seems to be the word to start with these days), you’re in Cork, looking for a cup of real coffee. You know there are some terrific indie cafés around the city. But do you know where they are? Where is ORSO? Where is Nectar Coffee?

Just mentioned this pair as they feature in the first page of the Indie Coffee Trail, a new guide (with directions) by local chef Dermot O’Sullivan, perhaps best known to many of you as @GasMarkSeven on Twitter. ORSO, by the way, is in Pembroke Street, close to the GPO while Nectar sits on the junction of Maylor Street and Parnell Place.

Dermot’s selection showcases “the best of what Cork city’s coffee scene has to offer”.  The cafés have added “another element to the cultural dimension of the city, forgotten buildings have been brought back to life… All the while, locals and visitors alike are becoming more knowledgeable and discerning with their coffee of choice”.

Other coffee haunts listed by Dermot included Dukes Coffeehouse, Filter Espresso & Brew Bar and its new little sister Portafilter, Union Grind, The Bookshelf, Idaho, Warren Allen, Alchemy, Cork Coffee Roasters (at two venues), Ali’s Kitchen, Rocket Man and Rocket Man East, Farmgate, Three Fools and Café Gusto (also two locations)

And there is a map of the city centre indicating where each can be found. A brief description of each café and the type of coffee available and also opening hours is included in the handy pocket sized booklet. And you are also told whether Wifi is available!

What are you waiting for? Hit the streets and discover Cork City’s coffee with Dermot’s help. You can get his guide in all tourist spots like tourist offices, hotels, most cafes listed, art galleries including UCC. Student centres too.

For further info, contact Dermot at CorkCoffeeTrail@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @gas_mark_seven. Check his blog www.gasmarkseven.