Gusto Bread
California Loaf
Nixtamal Queen – Heirloom Masa Caramelized Sweet Bread
Dona – Twice Baked Raspberry Almond Croissant
Concha – Sweet Bread, Cacao Topping
Pan de Maiz – Heirloom Oaxacan Corn, Honey
Biscuit
Spelt Cookie – Whole Grain, Chocolate, Sea Salt
Opened in August 2020 Arturo Enciso and Ana Belén Salatino’s Gusto Bread actually dates back to 2013, though the techniques and Ingredients utilized tell a story centuries old in each Loaf and Pastry.
Begun as a cottage bakery after years of experimentation, the Long Beach storefront equally understated as shelves inside, guests are greeted warmly on entry where a smell of Yeast hangs in the air faintly punctuated by hints of Coffee.
California reared by Mexican parents, a dedication to native Grains evident across a menu rooted in Enciso’s Sourdough Starter, any tasting of Gusto Bread should begin with its naturally leavened “California Loaf” fed by Whole Wheat with a robust Crust and delicate, open crumb.
Not exactly a Panaderia nor Patisserie, where a naming scheme including the Spanish word for Donut is used to describe an Almond Croissant layered with Jam, Gusto’s Concha is a masterful piece of Pan Dulce textures not unlike Angelfood Cake topped in crumbly Chocolate Sugar.
More traditional with Pain de Maiz and Biscuits, the later featuring softly separating layers ready to sop up any topping of choice, those who think of Cornbread as “Soulfood” in So.Cal will be happy to know Enciso’s version uses plenty of imported Corn for moisture and enough Honey that nothing extra is needed to make it exquisite.
Self-trained prior to stages in Spain, Oaxaca and elsewhere for refinement, the “Spelt Cookie” by any other name Chocolate Chip with Sea Salt, if there is any “MUST HAVE” item in Gusto’s collection it is the Nixtamal Queen – a Kouign Amann made from Sourdough and heirloom Masa that features Butter-laminated layers and Caramelized Sugar capable of wowing those who’ve been to Brittany as well as those more familiar with traditional Mexican Sweet Breads.
www.gustobread.com