THE story of Gucce bears many similarities to famed children’s story, The Ugly Duckling.
When Domenico and Basilia Iasenza purchased the Applecross restaurant in 2002, business wasn’t exactly booming.
However, after a facelift, a lot of elbow grease and single-minded determination, Gucce has become something of an institution among the regular diners who come from near and far.
While the restaurant is renowned for its wood-fired oven pizzas, Gucce offers so much more from authentic pastas and risottos, to traditional Italian dishes featuring steak, lamb, chicken, veal and fish.
Indeed, many items have become long-term fixtures on the menu including ‘linguine alla vodka’, ‘agnello al forno ’ (slowly braised tender pieces of lamb, cut on the bone) and ‘calamari fritti’.
Domenico, who is also the head chef, described the restaurant as “not fine dining, but not a café”.
The style is more ‘middle-of-the-road’ and this is reflected in the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and friendly, attentive service.
Many of the staff have been at the restaurant for several years – regulars will instantly recognise Shaun, the restaurant manager who mans the front desk, and Lumi, the pizza chef.
Gucce is also a popular venue for functions – the back area (which was previously al fresco before Domenico and Basilia enclosed it) easily seats 55 people and the restaurant can be booked out in its entirety. If one thing is certain, under the ownership of Domenico and Basilia, Gucce has well and truly blossomed.
So if the past six years are anything to go by, the future of the restaurant looks extremely promising.
Address: 36 Ardross St, Applecross
Telephone: 9316 9311
Liquor: Fully licensed
Opening hours: Lunch - Friday, 12 to 3pm; Dinner - every day, 5pm to late