The Gusto site was saved last year as part of an acquisition deal but will now be rebranded and reopened under a new name and concept
Italian restaurant GiGi Gusto Griglia will open in the building later this month(Image: Supplied)
A ‘bold’ reimagining of landmark Deansgate restaurant, Gusto, has been announced. Italian restaurant GiGi Gusto Griglia will open in the building later this month.
The restaurant, which is being billed as a grill room and cocktail bar, is being launched by Jamie Barber, the restaurateur behind Hush in Mayfair, London, alongside Ed Standring, who bought it through their Cherry Equity Partners Limited investment fund.
Gusto Manchester was one of the few branches of the Italian food chain that was saved last year as part of a deal with Cherry Equity Partners. The brand closed six sites as part of the acquisition deal with seven flagship sites including Manchester, Cheadle Hulme and Knutsford among those saved.
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Gusto Italian was founded in 2005 by Jeremy Roberts and the late Tim Bacon, from Living Ventures Group. In 2014, it gained private equity backing from Palatine, however in the last few years some of its main branches, including Didsbury, were closed – heralding a major change for the brand.
Its first city centre restaurant opened in December 2014 following a £1.3m refurbishment. The venue, inside the Grade II listed Elliot House on Lloyd Street, was completely unrecognisable from its former Olive Press incarnation.
Gusto Manchester
Now, the Deansgate restaurant, which is also located inside the historic former City Library, will be transformed into a venue inspired by the ‘glamour, energy and style of Italy’s golden age’.
The new team have said the restaurant will bring together open-fire Italian cooking, handmade pasta and pizzette, expertly made cocktails and live entertainment, all inspired by the glamour and energy of 1950s and ’60s Italy.
GiGi’s kitchen will be led by Manchester chef Sam Astley-Dean, formerly of Onda and Lina Stores, while the restaurant has been created by Jamie Barber.
The new team have said the restaurant will bring together open-fire Italian cooking, handmade pasta and pizzette, expertly made cocktails and live entertainment, all inspired by the glamour and energy of 1950s and ’60s Italy.(Image: Supplied)
The menu has been created using the best seasonal ingredients a la griglia (on the grill) fired, blistered and charred plates all made with Gusto from the open kitchen and grill room. The kitchen will be serving up steak Florentine, prawns, lamb chops, rare breed cuts, antipasti, spuntini, fresh pasta and pizzette.
Sam Astley-Dean says: “The menu is designed for sharing, in the spirit of Italian famiglia dining. The dishes feel familiar, but the quality of the produce and the care taken in the kitchen make them special. It is proper cooking, served generously and without fuss.”
At the venue’s heart will be Bar Eleganza, Manchester’s ‘first’ House of Negroni, complete with a baby grand piano, live musicians, DJs and a secret speakeasy entrance on Jackson’s Row.
Bar Eleganza’s drinks list has been developed by leading Manchester’s drink specialist Errant, the team behind Stray. It will specialise in negronis as well as martinis and Sgroppinos alongside a considered list of wines.
At the venue’s heart will be Bar Eleganza, Manchester’s ‘first’ House of Negroni(Image: Supplied)
Jamie Barber said: “I wanted, quite selfishly, to build a restaurant I want to go to, somewhere I can sip a proper Negroni, share handmade pasta and pizzette, listen to great music and finish with a well-rested piece of rare-breed steak.
“From the kitchen to the piano, bar to the DJs and management, every part of GiGi is designed around the pleasure of eating, drinking and staying out. That’s why we’ve spent the last year working with the best talent in Manchester to create something truly special alongside beautiful interior design from the well renowned Russell Sage, who bring timeless, classic and lavish finishes.
“We have huge respect for where Gusto came from and the people who grew up with it. GiGi is the next step on. More glamorous, more ambitious, and a proper night out.”
GiGi Gusto Griglia will open in late September.
