36 Ardross Street, Applecross
Tel: (08) 6107 2484
www.gucce.com.au
Timeless Charm & Flavour
Gucce Pizzeria e Cucina Italiana has been a local favourite for many years. Nestled in Ardross Street, Applecross’ bustling main shopping precinct, it is casually elegant with a warm and cosy atmosphere. Whether for a casual lunch or a business meeting, everyone is made to feel welcome.
If you have come to appreciate the stability that a local spot like this brings to the neighbourhood, you have got nothing to fear. Gucce has lots of charm and appeal. With chefs, Angelo Mamode and David Pope at the helm in the kitchen, you are in safe hands.
Head chef Mamode ensures each dish showcases the freshness and quality of ingredients. The servings are still generous so, you will enjoy overfilled plates of pasta, Mediterranean-style hearty meals and, of course, woodfired pizzas.
We began our lunch with the Goats Cheese Salad with rocket, Italian goat cheese, beetroot and sultanas, drizzled with a balsamic glaze. The flavours are classic, which are not necessarily the secret to success for a simple salad. In this case, the freshness of each ingredient made the flavours really pop – the peppery rocket was cool and crisp and the goat cheese so soft and fresh it tasted as though it had been churned just that morning. This was a great start to the meal.
The Barramundi is a popular dish on the menu. The fish was flaky and skin crispy, served with panzanella salad, heirloom cherry tomatoes and fennel, drizzled with an old-style mustard and saffron sauce. The portion size was generous and every mouthful satisfactory, with enough of every component available on the fork for a full flavour experience. The crispy croutons soaked up the juices and sauce adding a gorgeous little pop of flavour in your mouth. The mustard sauce was a delicate balance between the earthy flavour of mustard and high floral notes of saffron. The sauce was perhaps my favourite component of the dish.
The wine we enjoyed during this lunchtime experience was a 2022 La Villa Pinot Grigio. This gentle Italian white wine from the Veneto region in Northern Italy was beautifully floral with notes of pear and flavours of green apple and zesty citrus. It was not overpowering, it simply complemented the flavours of each dish. I enjoyed this wine throughout and in particular, the floral complement highlighted the saffron in the barramundi dish, making it an especially clever choice.
The slow-cooked brisket is the hearty and satisfying dish you are looking for on a cold Winter’s day. Served with sweet potato hash, broccolini, pomegranate molasses and finished with a shiraz jus, the brisket was tender and rich with flavour, a nicely balanced combination against the gentleness of the sweet potato. There is also plenty of jus to be soaked up in your hash. We enjoyed this dish with a glass of 2022 Monte Guelfo Chianti. This wine offered a lovely robust flavour, nicely balanced and a great match with this dish.
The Linguine al Vongole surprised me. Visually stunning with a giant prawn displayed in all its glory on top of the bed of soft, silky, creamy linguine, little clams and salty olives dotted throughout added extra juicy hits of flavour. Roasted garlic threaded delicately through the dish. All the components came together creating rich flavour and understated elegance without being overpowering. This was easily the best dish of the day for me. It is wonderful comfort food and the fruity flavours of the Pinot Grigio highlighted the creaminess of the dish, making it a lovely combination.
One of the menu items Gucce is known for is its woodfired pizzas, so it was fitting we were served one of their best sellers. The Gucce Super Pizza is made with a soft fluffy dough and generously topped with pomodoro (tomato), mozzarella, mushrooms, leg ham, cacciatore sausage, capsicum, artichoke and olives. These traditional flavours of Italy are naturally rich in flavour making it sweet, savoury, salty and delicious.
To end our meal, we were served a classic, creamy Tiramisu, which provided the perfect sweet finish to a thoroughly satisfying dining experience. It was delicate and not too rich making me crave the next mouthful.
Gucce Pizzeria e Cucina Italiana continues to be a beloved fixture in Applecross, seamlessly blending traditional Italian flavours with a welcoming and cosy atmosphere. The new ownership has preserved the charm and quality that locals have come to adore.
The restaurant prides itself in offering an ‘ultimate dining experience like no other’ and as an event specialist offering a range of options designed to impress, making your celebratory occasion a success, whether it be a special birthday or a corporate function.
With doors open every day for lunch and dinner, Gucce Pizzeria e Cucina Italiana remains a staple in the community, promising consistent quality and an inviting atmosphere that makes every visit special. And it allows BYO wine Mondays to Wednesdays.
By Sarah Schmitt
