I’ve mentioned before that one of my absolute favourite restaurants is Gusto 101 in the King West area. Great Italian cuisine and easy drinking wine on tap for a dollar an ounce.

So when the opportunity came up to work at my dining destination of choice, obviously I couldn’t pass it up, especially when it’s to preview the tastes of Gusto 54’s expansion to Venice, Los Angeles, naturally with Gusto’s new Chef Evan Funke from LA.

The mood was set for about 20 guests seated in the private dining room of Gusto 101.

Chef Evan Funke preparing the first course

Chef Evan Funke preparing the first course

 

Carciofi Alla Giudia - deep fried artichokes with lemon and mint

Carciofi Alla Giudia – deep fried artichokes with lemon and mint

 

Lots of photos before tasting, obviously

Lots of photos before tasting, obviously

 

The beauty in the craft of handmade pasta. Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe - black pepper, pecorino stagionato -  delightfully simple and generous use of pepper

The beauty in the craft of handmade pasta. Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe – black pepper, pecorino stagionato – delightfully simple and generous use of pepper

 

Wine is always appreciated

Wine is always appreciated

 

My favourite dish of the night was definitely the Prochetta stuffed with tasty secrets wrapped laced with the crispiest skin rivalling, and perhaps even bettering, that of the usual roasted pork that I’m accustomed to in my Chinese bbq cuisine. And I already absolutely love roasted pork.

Porchetta - Il segreto sta all'interno

Porchetta – Il segreto sta all’interno

 

Chloe Wilde appreciating the prosecco

Chloe Wilde appreciating the prosecco

 


 


 
Here’s the great video we watched introducing Chef Evan Funke and his passion for handmade pasta.

Felix in Venice, Los Angeles is opening this summer. For more info visit felixla.com.

And back in town, there’s lots more exciting stuff coming up with the Gusto 54 family including the arrival of Gusto 501 to King East and Chubby’s Jamaican on 104 Portland St.

For more info visit gusto54.com

Photos by Nick Lee

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Nick Lee

Editor and Photos at BestOfToronto.net