August 7, 2023 · Team HG
On the bustling Poeleplein in the city of Groningen sits a bit of an oddity: Gusto Bar & Kitchen. A wine bar, right in the middle of the nightlife hustle and bustle. The building where the establishment is located will still remember the place from what used to be the Molly Malones. But that was in the very distant past.
Gusto is essentially a wine bar, opened in 2018. And one of the owners is Ard Laning. ‘In the beginning, there was no kitchen yet, and we only had snacks like bitterballen or a large charcuterie board. At some point, we noticed that we were staying a bit empty during lunch and dinner, so we decided to convert the small kitchenette we had into a kitchen from which we could serve a full dinner.’
Gusto is now a wine bar primarily featuring shared dining dishes. In addition, there are three main courses, a daily special, and dessert. "What is particularly popular, and what guests really come to the wine bar for, is the high-wine," says Laning. "That consists of five wines you can taste, accompanied by five small bites."
‘The idea behind this is to introduce guests to the various wines we have on the menu. With the high wine, you get a glass of Cava, two white wines, and two red wines. By serving appetizers alongside, we encourage guests to come and dine here as well. It is, in fact, a kind of glimpse into what our kitchen has to offer.’
According to Laning, Gusto distinguishes itself from the rest primarily through its ambiance, which he believes stands head and shoulders above the rest. ‘Gusto has a somewhat more luxurious look and is much more modern than most other establishments here on Poeleplein.’ The interior is quite dark with brown leather chairs. Large, colorful drawings adorn the walls. This immediately gives you the feeling that you are sitting in a bar rather than a restaurant.
It is Laning’s wish to grow the restaurant even more. ‘Our chef, Larissa, has ensured that we could make a leap forward regarding the food. Furthermore, we do not have the ambition to be a high-end wine bar. We want to be, and remain, accessible to everyone. Our house wines start at 4 euros per glass, up to a very fine bottle of 75 euros. In doing so, we certainly appeal to the broad crowd that comes here to Poeleplein. We can serve the student who comes to drink a bottle of wine with friends during the week, but we can also cater to those who are in the mood for a nice Amarone.’
Gusto also caters to lovers of a good cocktail. "This coming winter, we are going to make a big push with cocktails and build a special cocktail station in the bar so that we can really go all out with this," says Laning.
What else sets Gusto apart? According to Laning, it is the complete experience, the use of high-quality products, and the good and friendly staff working there. In addition, the good wines, the food, and the speed with which dishes are served to the guest. ‘We absolutely distinguish ourselves with our service,’ emphasizes Laning.
What does Laning himself prefer to drink? His favorites are a rich, full-bodied, oak-aged Chardonnay from California, and as for red wine, he goes for an Amarone Valpolicella from Italy.
Gusto Bar & Kitchen is open 7 days a week. Weekdays from 14:00, on weekends from 12:00.
https://www.bargusto.nl/
