I'll Be Right Back... Gusto Girls, Vashon Island, Washington
Gusto Girls is a quirky little restaurant on Vashon Island that churns out surprisingly good sushi appetizers, boasts a full bar for such a tiny little place, and hums along in their groovy way with a retro-loungy decor that somehow works for this decidedly low-key community. The food has never disappointed me, but I have to be honest, it's not what I look forward to about Gusto Girls.
What's my favorite part? Bear with me... Gusto Girls has the coolest women's restroom I have ever, uh, experienced. The red walls and low lighting blend with the rest of the place, but what makes this loo off-the-hook cool is an addition of pure, thrift-store brilliance: an old fashioned record player.
Within reach of the throne, there sits a low coffee table that bears the turntable, and a stack of albums. On my first visit, I gamely lifted the arm --a little surprised and giddy to see the power light go on-- and placed the needle on the album that was already in place. Was it Manhattan Transfer? To be honest, I don't remember. Actually, I think it was the Bee Gees. There's something really, well, relaxing about the scratchy quality of music played on a 33, that made me smile and enjoy the moment. Once I started flipping through the albums, I came across a Kate Bush classic. In college, 'Wuthering Heights' was practically my anthem, and I hadn't heard that song in nearly 20 years. I have no idea how many people were waiting to use the restroom but I didn't care: that song has never sounded so good, especially the second and third time I played it! This year for Christmas, I gave my sister a set of Reidel wine glasses, and my husband, George, pronounced that good wine glasses make an already enjoyable experience even more enjoyable. Well, dare I say the same goes for a turntable in the restroom!
Last night I maturely resisted Kate Bush (though full disclosure: I have since downloaded it from itunes), and opted for Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 instead. Mas Que Nada! Yes! Does it get any better than this in a bathroom?! I think not!
Recently I was telling a chef colleague about the Gusto Girls restroom experience. He commented that there should be something equally stimulating for the guys room, and suggested a few power tools and a big sheet of plywood. Not a bad idea.
The last time I felt this excited about a restroom was in 1990, when I turned 21 and The Queen City Bar and Grill in Belltown became my hangout of choice, having discovered the Orange Crush cocktail specialty of Otis the bartender. I remember thinking --probably largely due to my new state of young adult inebriation-- that the restroom was just exquisite. Something about the tall ceilings, subway tile and candlelight. Does anyone else care about this kind of thing? Hey, ambiance is ambiance, no matter where you find it! At risk of your eyes rolling, kind reader, I'm now led to another restroom memory; in a salsa discoteque in Mexico City, 1997, where the 15-foot vanity was covered with make-up and hairstyling products, hair brushes, curling irons, bottles of perfume, you name it, all of it heavily used, and an attendant eager to spruce up each 'customer' as she emerged from the stall.
OK, OK, I'll stop now if you're even still with me.
http://www.gustogirls.com/
What's my favorite part? Bear with me... Gusto Girls has the coolest women's restroom I have ever, uh, experienced. The red walls and low lighting blend with the rest of the place, but what makes this loo off-the-hook cool is an addition of pure, thrift-store brilliance: an old fashioned record player.
Within reach of the throne, there sits a low coffee table that bears the turntable, and a stack of albums. On my first visit, I gamely lifted the arm --a little surprised and giddy to see the power light go on-- and placed the needle on the album that was already in place. Was it Manhattan Transfer? To be honest, I don't remember. Actually, I think it was the Bee Gees. There's something really, well, relaxing about the scratchy quality of music played on a 33, that made me smile and enjoy the moment. Once I started flipping through the albums, I came across a Kate Bush classic. In college, 'Wuthering Heights' was practically my anthem, and I hadn't heard that song in nearly 20 years. I have no idea how many people were waiting to use the restroom but I didn't care: that song has never sounded so good, especially the second and third time I played it! This year for Christmas, I gave my sister a set of Reidel wine glasses, and my husband, George, pronounced that good wine glasses make an already enjoyable experience even more enjoyable. Well, dare I say the same goes for a turntable in the restroom!
Last night I maturely resisted Kate Bush (though full disclosure: I have since downloaded it from itunes), and opted for Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 instead. Mas Que Nada! Yes! Does it get any better than this in a bathroom?! I think not!
Recently I was telling a chef colleague about the Gusto Girls restroom experience. He commented that there should be something equally stimulating for the guys room, and suggested a few power tools and a big sheet of plywood. Not a bad idea.
The last time I felt this excited about a restroom was in 1990, when I turned 21 and The Queen City Bar and Grill in Belltown became my hangout of choice, having discovered the Orange Crush cocktail specialty of Otis the bartender. I remember thinking --probably largely due to my new state of young adult inebriation-- that the restroom was just exquisite. Something about the tall ceilings, subway tile and candlelight. Does anyone else care about this kind of thing? Hey, ambiance is ambiance, no matter where you find it! At risk of your eyes rolling, kind reader, I'm now led to another restroom memory; in a salsa discoteque in Mexico City, 1997, where the 15-foot vanity was covered with make-up and hairstyling products, hair brushes, curling irons, bottles of perfume, you name it, all of it heavily used, and an attendant eager to spruce up each 'customer' as she emerged from the stall.
OK, OK, I'll stop now if you're even still with me.
http://www.gustogirls.com/
Recent Comments
You've got a great writing style.