It’s all in the name – Busta, a fun play on words of the Italian translation to stop (basta), an essential in the vocabulary when Nonna keeps loading up your dinner plate, basta! This sets the tone for the warm and welcoming neighbourhood vibe at Busta. Its light open plan dining room, busy bar top and guests spilling out onto the terrace of Pittwater Road is perfect for relaxed dining with friends. Owner Luke explains, when opening in 2019 the plan was all based around, “fresh pasta and snacks, with good people and personality,” tick, tick, tick.
Busta is not Luke’s first go in the restaurant game. It’s 10 years since opening Manly’s favourite Mexican, Chica Bonita, things look a little different now. From the humble beginnings of restaurant owner/builder/ maintenance man with guests sitting on milk crates enjoying tacos and margaritas, to the elegantly savvy Busta. Luke’s ethos is unchanged – be as local as possible, build relationships within the community and trust that people will enjoy and want to come back. And they have!
The menu at Busta ranges from bite size snacks, starters, pasta and mains. It changes with the seasons and regulars love coming back and trying what’s new. We popped in at the start of truffle season and tried the Truffle Crostino snack, shaved fresh Manjimup black truffle on top of whipped ricotta and crisp bread, alongside a lively tropical Busta Spritz. We add Focaccia and a starter with Burrata cheese, the oozing creaminess from the Burrata was paired with sweet in season persimmon fruit and balsamic dressing, mopped up with the incredible Focaccia. Perfecto.
The drinks offering is impressive, a variety of spritz cocktails using artisan Italian aperitifs, bitters and home-made concoctions like the Busta Spritz, as well as old favourites like the Negroni. The wine list is mostly Australian and Italian wine makers and splashes of interesting internationals. There is focus on organic growers and natural wine styles. We try a Sangiovese from the Mallaluka vineyard in Gundagai NSW, it’s a warming medium body red wine with inviting sweet spice and sour cherry.
For the mains we had to try the signature fresh pasta, the Tagliolini, served with prawns, tomato and bottarga in a bisque enlivened by a chilli kick. Divine. We could very easily be in Sicily right now. We follow this with two generous slices of perfectly crispy skinned Porchetta and salsa verde. There is something truly special about juicy pork and crispy skin, the lining of fat you say you will cut off but somehow can’t resist, basta, basta per favore.We can’t leave without a sweet, opting for the little Sicilian Cannoli’s. Four life changing bite sized treasures, packed with house made lemon ricotta and pistachio explode when crunched through the crisp pastry shell. Yep, we can finally say it and mean it, BASTA.
We can’t leave without a sweet, opting for the little Sicilian Cannoli’s. Four life changing bite sized treasures, packed with house made lemon ricotta and pistachio explode when crunched through the crisp pastry shell. Yep, we can finally say it and mean it, BASTA.
We recommend:
Busta Spritz to start, some Focaccia and a bite sized crostino, followed by a glass of orange wine and any of the amazing changing fresh pastas and most definitely a Cannoli to finish.
Visit busta.com.au to book your table now.