In this economy there are certain phrases that are music to my ears: Rainbow Cinemas, two for one, metropasses for post-secondary students and prix fixe. Il Gusto happens to incorporate one of those, though I wouldn't mind if it included the others.
I decided not to dick around and ordered the Prix Fixe special. House salad, a pasta dish and a lovely soda can circumference creme brulee. My group decided to order some goat cheese dip and bruschetta. The goat cheese dip was flavoured with jalapenos and served with tortilla chips which I would've been down with it it was a Mexican restaurant but alas, until someone proves the Italianity of tortilla chips I'll remain disappointed. The bruschetta was served in toonie-sized slices which is so not kosher because bruschetta was invented as a cheap way to get rid of kitchen produce leftovers and stale bread. All of my indifference towards the appetizers vanished when I lowered that first bite of pasta in to my mouth. So friggin' good. I got a dish with clams that was pretty damn awesome, the marinara sauce had a great kick and was a nice departure from my usual rose sauce.
On to the creme-brulee-moment-of-truth. I had this stunning epiphany as I tried desperately not to shovel the entire petite serving in to my mouth. I need more creme brulee in my life. I knew it existed and that was enough. I felt like it was a pretty average desert, one that didn't get much love in my belly. All this has changed, I now covet creme brulee like I covet the perfect cream cheese icing.