Chefs nibbles to begin, the Delice 10″ pizza, calamari for a start and funghi tagliatelli main

A new Italian restaurant is putting the final touches to its menu ahead of opening in Preston.

Expanding from its base in Bamber Bridge it will be the second restaurant for Vito Bruno.

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Il Gusto D’Italia invited Blog Preston down for a first look inside what used to be Ribble Cycles.

Vito and family have stripped out and refurbed the former shop, along with what used to be a sandwich shop next door.

Serving drinks in Il Gusto, and the main restaurant area

Facing into the Watery Lane and Strand Road junction in Ashton-on-Ribble it is a busy spot and the decor is modern and upmarket.

This is a much bigger restaurant than the existing Bamber Bridge Gusto, with two floors it can hold between 80 to 100 diners.

The menu is being road tested and it’s good quality Italian fare with a mix of pizza, pasta and salads.

Il Gusto is also offering lunch deals with paninis to sit in and enjoy or take away.

Serving up chefs treats

We sampled a pizza, the Delice, with bacon and olives (lots of olives!), and also the tagliatelli funghi with plenty of mushrooms.

Around 15 staff have been taken on by Vito for the opening of the new restaurant, and he’s been forced to change the name due to a legal wrangle.

As we reported back in February he was due to expand Gusto Italia, but chain restaurant Gusto threatened legal action if Vito didn’t change the name. Hence the new branding.

Vito, right, with his chef and entertainer

He’s also being forced to rename his Bamber Bridge restaurant which has traded for nearly a decade.

Vito said: “This is a family restaurant and we’re pleased to be able to open in Ashton.

“There’s already been people coming in and asking for reservations so it shows we’re wanted.

“The name thing is a pain, but we’re focused on opening really.”

Alongside the main meals there’s also traditional Italian ice cream on offer, we tried the bubblegum flavour and banana and butterscotch. Both delicious.

Il Gusto D’Italia opens to the public on Friday 10 June.

Blog Preston was a guest of Il Gusto D’Italia, they knew we were coming. We went along so we could give you an idea of what it’s like. This isn’t a review, it’s a first look.

Will you be heading down to Il Gusto? Let us know what you think in the comments below