I was talking to a friend about EDO and how it sucks that it’s closing down and we got into talking about restaurants in villas and it reminded me of a place that used to be open called GUSTO. It was located in Kuwait City right at the beginning of the 1st Ring Road (towards the Gulf Road) and it was also located in an old villa.
The restaurant closed down over a decade ago and I have no idea if anything opened up in its spot. I found four pictures of the restaurant in my archive which I’ve attached to this post.
Does anyone remember this place?
Update: The owner of GUSTO left the following comment:
GUSTO! opened in 2001 and closed in 2004, in an old house traditional Kuwait house behind Al-Hamra tower.
The villa was refurbished, taking inspiration from its environment. The architect was Rola Moharrem from Lebanon. There were many interesting architectural features and the interior work was always a talking point. The chef was Larry Lewis, who was recruited to work in GUSTO! from Cordon Bleu London. Larry was known around Kuwait for his Harley bikes. We employed 15 people, and seated at capacity 60.
The menu was an entirely original menu, mainly of fusion food. Some of the best seller items were the beef wellington, thai beef salad, green curry, the duck and the chocolate tart. Larry frequently changed the menu.
These photos were taken for a promotional campaign for GUSTO!. Appearing in the photos are Latif Amara and myself, Rana Sadik, owner of GUSTO!We opened because I had a passion for restaurants, we closed because passion alone does not pay the bills.
28 replies on “Does anyone remember GUSTO?”
Hi Mark i hate it when they close down good restaurants. I wanted to ask do you have any information on why they closed nandos down in kuwait? It use to be located in 360. Its a really nice restaurant and Dubai has more then 10 just find it really strange. They also closed down wagamama in 360. If you have any info about this please do let me know.
I used to go to Nandos, it was a terrible location. All the restaurants in that strip shut down. I think the fullest I had seen Nandos is one other table occupied while I was there.
I want Nandos back…
Sorry i ment avenues
I remember Square. I miss Square. A lot.
Square! ahhhh… that is a good place to eat but people here like mayo mix and that’s why a good restaurant closed
I remember GUSTO. It was really ahead of its time in many ways. As was Wolfgang Puck and Movenpick Marche. I imagine if any of these places opened up nowadays they would be getting much better business.
Once again… never heard of that place!
this one though looks amazing!
The duck in Gusto was exceptional. Shame that they closed. few people here know how to eat well. the rest just want their food mixed with mayo + ketchup sauces and generic taste for most food
Dear Mark,
Thank-you for posting this.
GUSTO! opened in 2001 and closed in 2004, in an old house traditional Kuwait house behind Al-Hamra tower.
The villa was refurbished, taking inspiration from its environment. The architect was Rola Moharrem from Lebanon. There were many interesting architectural features and the interior work was always a talking point. The chef was Larry Lewis, who was recruited to work in GUSTO! from Cordon Bleu London. Larry was known around Kuwait for his Harley bikes. We employed 15 people, and seated at capacity 60.
The menu was an entirely original menu, mainly of fusion food. Some of the best seller items were the beef wellington, thai beef salad, green curry, the duck and the chocolate tart. Larry frequently changed the menu.
These photos were taken for a promotional campaign for GUSTO!. Appearing in the photos are Latif Amara and myself, Rana Sadik, owner of GUSTO!
We opened because I had a passion for restaurants, we closed because passion alone does not pay the bills.
I appreciated seeing this post.
Thanks for all the details!
Howdy neighbor! Gusto was ahead of its time in that the young crowd filling restaurants today simply weren’t around in great numbers back then. I think today it would do well
Great place. Sorely missed
Does anyone know anything about Pomodoro or La Piazza? They were also in old villas adjacent to the church.
Try visiting the area now. It’s like an Iraqi night club.
Ok now I really need to check it out
Kuwait is so itching to get out – NO ONE in the Gulf would be surprised if Kuwait legalized liquor in some form, because Kuwaitis are perceived as being non-conservative. Sure you have your jihadists and fundamentalists, but on the most part when Kuwaitis, especially their women, travel overseas, they are not viewed as conservative. Ask anyone in Dubai, Doha or Manama. They could legalize liquor in hotels only and this would help business, but the rest of the legal system has be addressed such as drunk driving laws, as if, Kuwait doesn’t currently have a drunk driving problem. It’s not advantageous to keep things underground, it needs to be open and controlled. Whenever a Kuwaiti would visit my home overseas, the first thing they would ask for is some bacon and a bottle of whiskey. #exposed
Cue angry ‘alcohol is against Islam’ replies in 1…2…3… GO!
I was going to comment about how much it reminds me of La Piazza. I think it closed down too 🙁
Prego was also another restuarant that I really liked that closed down too.
Prego was the shit!!!
Aaaaaah Prego!!!
The nice old memories!
+100
I remember this place pretty well. however, the time was not in their favor. They should do it again!
Im so glad people remember la piazza, it was and still is my fav restaurant.. its penne arrabiatta and angel hair with shrimp tomato sauce and some how perfectly blended amounts of cheese.. the super hot fresh bread and tomato and olive dip.. I gots a thing the place.. I fount the waiter at health stop and the chef at sultan center who were open to opening a small italian but when I finally got the guts to go ahead.. I couldnt locate them.
Ya I remember Gusto because I visited it once, but it wasn’t a restaurant like the pics, it was almost a full blown night club! It was great fun with friends, I hadn’t heard of it before and it quickly disappeared after that.
Oh and Prego was the shit!!
lool prego salmiya!
Chef Larry Lewis,
currently the dean at San Diego Culinary Institute.
I remember that restraunt, it had amazing food and super quality and delicous.
Theb the owner who was 51% owner kuwaiti bought out the american Chef, then quality hit the toilet, and I stoped going.
greed is what happend
Dear Nawaf,
GUSTO! was never sold, it remained under my ownership during its operation. Your comment about ownership and nationality is unnecessary.
Regards,
Rana