Last weekend Fiona announced that she had a couple of VIP invites to the opening of Gusto, a new restaurant on the famous Newcastle Quayside, and would Jess and I like to go as her representatives. So last night we toddled along to take a look-see.

What a night!  We were greeted with Gusto Bellinis and quickly found ourselves a table where we enjoyed the thoroughly attentive waitors the delicious taster menu and alcohol on tap. As soon as you took a sip from a glass someone was at your elbow asking whether the drinks were alright and suggesting the next thing you should taste. I’ve never known such polite and attentive service! I felt utterly spoiled.

My favourite item was the Mucho Gusto Martini, a heady kiwi and fruit cocktail with a lingering and refreshing aftershock of cucumber, garnished with a red grape and a ring of kiwi:

Muddle together
1/2 peeled kiwi fruit
5 red grapes
1/4 oz lemon
1/4″ cucumber
1/2 oz gomme

Add 1.5 oz Belvedere vodka  and 1/2 oz elderflower cordial.

Shake and strain into a martini glass.

After the eating and drinking a swing band started up and we had a good old dance – a bit of salsa, a bit of swing, lots of rat pack. The crowd was slightly older and slightly wealthier than Jess and I are used to – quite “new money” and a lot of tasteful designer classics and suits. One lady in particular stood out in the most fabulous long-sleeved animal print dress with a short fake fur bolero. Unfortunately, my camera decided not to fit into my bag (a huge relief as the strap snapped on the walk home, and the NEW camera would probably have died an early death when it hit the pavement!), otherwise I would certainly have snapped her for you – she looked wonderful!

The goody bags contained an Elemis face cream, a Gusto pen, various vouchers and the Mucho Gusto Martini recipe – along with a kiwi fruit and a small bottle of Belvedere vodka with which to make one! Which probably explains why I had strange dreams about pineapples. I’m seeing a fruity theme!

The cocktails, while free-flowing, were clearly made from high-quality ingredients as I feel fine this morning. In fact, I woke up at 6am with “Mack the Knife” running round my head and decided to get up to write about it! Must have been good!