Gusto 101: 101 Portland Street, Toronto

Average food, average price.

Let’s set this straight: Gusto 101 is diverse in many ways.

When I stepped through the doors, I couldn’t believe what I saw! Gusto’s automotive ambiance had its decor from the eating space all the way to the all-gendered washrooms. This make sense, as this restaurant once was an auto body shop.

If you want the perfect experience, upstairs is where you have to eat. The ceiling is all clear glass, giving you a perfect 180 degree view of the city. Gusto is a casual eatery fit for a student budget. This is because of the cost factor: not pricey at all.

This restaurant is not authentic Italian. When you look at the menu, the pasta section has very few options to choose from. Most people, like myself, come to Italian restaurants to broaden their taste in pasta. That was disappointing at Gusto 101. However, the pizza selection was grand!

This left me to choose from the brunch menu. But on the plus side, the brunch menu was great! The omelette was extremely juicy and flavourful —I wish I ordered two servings because it was so good. It was filled with mushrooms, truffle, spinach, and fontana, and came with tasty side orders of crispy potatoes, purple kale, and artichoke vinaigrette.

Because I was already in the brunch mode, I ordered an ice tea. But there was something different about this ice tea that got me thinking, “how come other restaurants don’t do the same?” What was so different? Get this; the straws were eco-friendly, two layer paper straws.

Don’t get me wrong, Gusto 101 is a good restaurant. However, I was expecting a different outcome from when I initially stepped in the building. Grab a bite with your friends and enjoy a night under the automotive inspired lights, that will make you feel outside when you are really inside. This makes Gusto another option for date night!

If it’s a nice day outside, you can walk half an hour to Gusto from the St. George Campus. But if you’re starving, just take the subway or streetcar and you will find yourself there in under 15 minutes.

Dimmi Bar & Trattoria: 140 Cumberland Street, Toronto

Italian-inspired renovations

I’ll be the first to admit, I wanted to try Dimmi because they just finished their interior renovations, and I was very impressed with what I saw.

I found myself surrounded by brick walls and strip floors that complemented both the chandeliers and colour of the bricks’ grout. This decor is very European inspired, and was appropriate for an Italian eatery. Dimmi’s is a five minute walk from the St. George Campus. So if you’re starving, this Yorkville trattoria has you covered.

Dimmi’s ambiance is semi-causal. This is a reflection in price of the menu: student-budget worthy. Dimmi’s is not expensive, but not cheap either. Rather, this place is a medium for someone who wants class without breaking the bank.

So, let’s talk menu! The list goes on and on, selling variety over small portions. Too many options always indicates a reflection in the quality of the food. So what did I order? I had the pleasure of eating pizza of course! But not just any pizza: try classy, refined, and rustic.

Not only did I order a food platter of assorted deli and cheeses, but I also had slices from both a Margherita Pizza with tomato slices, mozzarella and basil, and the Pizza Bianco, which is white Pizza with prosciutto on top.

However, Dimmi’s is not a quiet atmosphere. If you like noisy, then this place is for you. For me, it felt louder than it had to be. I was literally talking to my friends across the table and I couldn’t hear them. This is because the tables and bar seats are extremely close to one another!

To avoid talking louder for someone to hear you, I recommend either removing some tables, or spreading the tables out more given the space that they are working with. If you like your personal space, Dimmi’s isn’t the place for you.  

On the plus side, Dimmi’s is very accessible. It is not only walking distance from campus and from Museum or Bay Station, but it is also a one minute walk from a parking garage.

Dimmi’s will offer you the best of both worlds; I would come and eat here again.