What does Gusto mean and how do you pronounce it?
Helene: Gusto, pronounced goo-stow, means both pleasure and taste in Spanish and Italian. In English it is pronounced guss toe and it also means taste, great pleasure and enthusiasm. We pronounce it like the Italians and Spaniards but either way it still captures our essence; passion for food and drink, excitement of trying new things, and a zest for life’s simple pleasures.
Doug - Either way it is all good!
Where did the idea for Gusto come from?
Helene – On a whim, we left a dreary, drizzly, depressing Oregon winter and traveled to Baja Mexico. I was running on the beach, enjoying the warmth and pondering what to do with my life. I marveled at how the warm sun could so quickly transform my bleak outlook. I knew though – that the ‘vacation bliss’ would disappear upon returning home. I pondered - how could I capture this feeling? Where else had I felt that? By the time I finished my run – I had the business concept mapped out. I would bring the taste of the sunny Mediterranean home through food and drink.
Must have been a long run?
Helene - Not really. I had been already been working on a plan for a restaurant.
Hannah – She has been talking about it for years!
When you mentioned the taste of the sunny Mediterranean - what do you mean?
The French have a term
– terroir. Literally it means soil but a more loose definition is
“a sense of place”. Differences in geography, climate, tradition
and terrain all have a tremendous impact on what is grown in that region,
how it is produced and ultimately how it tastes. Europeans have understood
this for centuries. They take advantage of what the earth has given them
and craft local specialties. They protect this uniqueness through certification
like D.O.C. Think of Champagne, only a small region if France can use
the name Champagne to refer to sparkling wine.
At Gusto, we want people to experience this region through food and drink
and see how an olive grown in Spain tastes different than one grown in
Greece.
Does that mean you serve healthy food?
Helene - Eating food
typical to Mediterranean cultures such as nuts, olives, vegetables, grains
and wine have been shown to be beneficial to your health. We use these
products in combination with small amounts of cheeses, meats & dairy
products to create delicious and authentic dishes that you can feel good
about eating.
When I think of the Mediterranean I think of a very big area. Is there an area of focus for Gusto?
Helene - Our food highlights the European countries, Spain, France, Italy and Greece, which lie on the Mediterranean Sea. There are as many similarities across these regions as there are differences. We try and showcase this through in store tastings, pairing ideas and our menu.
Why Lake Oswego?
Doug - We have lived in this community for 15 years. Our kids go to school here. We felt that owning a business in our own community would allow us to contribute to its’ health and growth in many different ways. Not only are we bringing in a new and homegrown dining and shopping option, but the business plans to contribute to local causes such as the school foundation.
Helene – It also makes for a short commute.
What do you like best about running this business?
Maddie – the
salami
Hannah – the chocolate, cheese, olives … I could go on forever
Doug – the wine
How do you manage not to over-indulge with all of this marvelous food and drink?
Helene - It isn’t about eating a lot. It is about seeking out the highest quality food, tasting and sampling, and enjoying every moment. We live life with Gusto!
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Wine making in Italy |
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The bounty of Greece |
A stroll in the
vineyards of Italy |
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A market near Antibes |
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Eating with Gusto
in France |
467 3rd Street • Lake Oswego • Oregon • 97034
Email: info@gustomarketplace.com
© 2009, Gusto Foods, Inc.
ph: 503 635-3151 fax: 503 635-0903
Tuesday - Thursday: 11:00 - 8:00
Friday & Saturday: 11:00 - 9:00