Gusto at Barkly

Basic Info:

Name: Gusto at Barkly
Address: 587 Barkly St, West Footscray
Phone: 9396 1755
Website: www.gusto-barkly.com.au

Opening Hours:

Wednesday to Sunday - 9am - 11pm

Little Eats ‘soundbite review’:

This new kid on the West Footscray block is a top spot mid-week for coffees and free babycino’s, a big weekend brunch or an early pizza tea.

Highchair: Yes
Change table: No
Pram access: Yes
Separate kids menu: Yes
Normal menu suitable for kids: Yes
Friendly staff: Yes
Play area for kids: No
Activities provided for kids (eg: crayons): Yes, pencils and paper
Vibe/atmosphere: Local, simple, casual, no frills

Prices: Standard

Little Eats detailed review:

On a wet and cold Sunday morning, we pulled on our gumboots, jumped in the car and headed out for some puddle-jumping and splashing followed by a big breakfast and a much needed hit of caffeine.

A lot of other west-side families and couples had the same idea, as considering the weather, the cafe was practically full. Perhaps because there is nothing really else like Gusto in West Footscray and that locals have been crying out for a decent feed and cup of coffee for a while now, and have as a result welcomed Gusto with gusto!

And why wouldn’t they? With quality food and coffee, foodie favourites including Istra bacon, Zeally Bay bread, Mt Zero olives, T2 tea, Coffee Supreme and Bonsoy, and a casual venue that easily combines coffee and brunch and pizza and wine, it is fast becoming a local favourite. Local Mums flock here during the week for coffees and free babycino’s, and families can enjoy anything from a big weekend brunch through to an early pizza tea.

The breakfast menu is pretty standard - big cooked breakfasts, porridge and fruit toast. Lunch, dinner, and snacks in between include antipasto, eggplant chips, pumpkin ravioli, lamb ragout with parpadelle, Turkish pides, Sicilian meatballs, risotto and of course pizza.

A couple of weeks after our original breakfast visit, this Mamma needed a night off from cooking, so we were back again for din-din’s. The pizza was good, not the best I have had, but then again I have eaten a LOT of pizza, and I am very fussy with how I like it. Pizza is one of those personal things where everyone’s tastes can vary so much, and everyone has their own preferences on how they like it - the base, the toppings, the sauce, the cheese. The pizza menu is split into three sections Pizza Rosso (red base), Pizza Bianchi (white base) and Pizza Traditional. They also offer gluten free bases. With space for a few prams, highchairs, and a the ability to have tea at the family friendly time of 5.00pm, it is a hit with local families at din-din's time.

There is a Wee Breakfast section on the menu - an egg with bacon on sourdough toast, house baked beans on toast, or for the little sweeties a strawberry pancake with ice-cream. No kids menu for lunch or dinner, but the “medium” sized pizza is actually very small and would be a good size for a little one to enjoy their Hawaiian or Margarita. There are mini milkshakes for $2.50, Nudie juices and of course the free babycino’s.

The owners are friendly and accommodating, and although they do not have children of their own, they understand that young families make up such a big part of this growth suburb in the inner west, and as a result are warm and welcoming to little ones and families.

There are even more plans in the pipeline to make the space have a stronger kid-focus, with perhaps a blackboard and chalk in the outside walkway, and the development of a safe, enclosed back courtyard area. Stay tuned.

Not only are they kid-friendly, but also Bulldog-friendly too. (As in the football team). So if that’s your thing, sorry but it ain’t mine, then you can also grab yourself a special members deal or discount.

And if you ever happen to be “sans enfants” and need a spot for a coffee and some laptop time, there is free wifi too.