Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Pizzeria Gusto - 404 Academy - The Best Espresso in Winnipeg

Have the budget for a proper dinner, but don't like things with French names or wearing a jacket? Why not join the rest of Winnipeg's 45-year old, gym-dwelling entrepreneurial assholes at Pizzeria Gusto?

As the above paragraph implies, I wasn't particularly taken with the crowd at Pizzeria Gusto, but I can't speak for their pizza - I've only had their coffee which, I have to admit, is Winnipeg's best and even pretty damn good by Vancouver standards.

The problem is they won't sell you just a coffee - I wandered in after seeing the Illy umbrellas one night when the crowd inside was thinning. The owner, who was smoking outside, invited me to try the coffee after I asked about it, but I had to mention this to the girl at the bar before she would sell me it.

I enjoyed it immensely. It had been far too long since I'd had a good Illy espresso and this one was near perfect. I missed the dark, Italian roasting style, one I've begun to prefer to critically-acclaimed North American roasters. Let my lack of complaints with the coffee be my compliment to it.

Careful not to disappoint their prosperous customers, Gusto has priced their espresso at $4.00.

I'll be returning as soon as my business venture picks up and I buy the most expensive striped sport shirt I can find.