El Gusto

While tapas and gourmet dishes have become nearly ubiquitous, El Gusto remains stalwart to classic, bountiful Spanish mains.

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While many Spanish restaurants claim to serve ‘authentic’ food, the small and charming eatery El Gusto feels like the real deal. A West End highlight on busy Gibson Street, it has been simply yet effectively decorated by owner and chef, Guillermo de la Orden (who even plays guitar for patrons, on occasion), with tiled tables and exposed brick walls. The menu offers numerous interesting flavour combinations, including green lentil stew with chorizo, vegetables and fried egg and simmered lamb in ginger and mango sauce. The highlight of the main courses is the paella, which is available in single portions and comes generously heaped on a silver dish, deliciously oily and bursting with flavour. If you aren’t sure what to pick, opt for one of the reasonably priced set menus for two, which are also available to take-away. The freshly made churros with chocolate sauce are the ideal end to the meal. Once you have eaten your fill, venture downstairs to the newly opened vintage store in the restaurant’s basement space.