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Today:
Two for $20: Gusto!
Posted: Dec 19, 2007 in Dining
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VENUE INFO
Fountain Square, one of Indianapolis' six cultural districts, is known for its arts scene.
Gusto!, the little restaurant where Jen and I dined, blended the area's love of art with delicious food.
It is a small Italian eatery stuffed into the Murphy Building, which houses galleries and artists' studios. As Jen and I discovered, a pizza place is just as good a gallery as any.
The mood
The food was wonderfully gooey and palate-pleasing, but the surroundings were the highlight.
Instead of framed Italian family photos or an abundance of red and green, Gusto! appropriately chooses paintings and other artwork by local artists to deck its walls. The majority of the works are for sale -- some already sporting "sold" signs -- and provided us with something to look at as we were waiting.
Jen and I perused the art a few times, with me wishing that I had a few Benjamins in my wallet to decorate my own pad.
Instead of Italian opera blaring over the speakers at Gusto!, it's alternative rock. I dig it.
On one side of the long, narrow restaurant are two bars and window seating; the other offers tables and chairs and the glorious gallery.
Old wood floors provide a hint as to the age of the building. Emerging from the back of the restaurant I found a passage to studios -- surrounded by art, we were.
The food
The variety on this menu isn't overly impressive, but too many options do not necessarily make for a good restaurant.
We started our meal with an order of Cheese Styx ($4.99). Bread Styx are available, but who can pass up the cheese? Appetizingly spiced and served with marinara, they were a good starter.
A small 8-inch pizza struck Jen's fancy. She ordered it Hawaiian-style with ham, pineapples, red onions and banana peppers ($7.99). The peppers were a nice, tangy addition to this potentially personal pizza, but she ended up taking some to go.
I had my eye on the Greek sandwich ($6.99). A huge slice of sub bread is stuffed with herbed chicken, sun-dried !tomatoes, banana peppers, red onions, black olives, artichoke hearts and feta cheese.
The innards: scrumptious. The bread: not so much. I'm a bread-aholic, but the quantity on the sammie was too much, making the entire thing taste like...bread. I ended up going open-faced and devouring it with my fork.
Gusto! also offers wine and beer for those so inclined. We had to head back to the office, so that was a no for us.
The drinks
Ice waters all around.
The damage: $21.56
Gusto! was great. A feast for the eyes was almost more welcome than that for our bellies. And while the crowd was sparse during our visit, the mood of the place wasn't affected. I've heard it gets hoppin' in the evening, especially on First Friday, the monthly art tour sponsored by Indianapolis Downtown Artists & Dealers Association.
Gusto might be the best kept secret downtown... let's hope that changes. I gotta get back down there for a slice... or heck, let's just open one in Ripple!
I stumbled upon Gusto about 6 months ago. I stopped in for lunch for a sandwich. I commented to the owner how amazing his Italian sandwich was and actually had another patron tell me their baked ziti was to die for. Never one to dismiss a raving review, I stopped in the next week to try the ziti. It was indeed, amazing. I bring friends by the restaurant and give them the same advice. The result is always the same. They've all said it was the best they've ever had.
Personally, I'm stuck on the 12" pepperoni pizza. I've not been able to find a decent pizza in Indy since living in Chicago. After trying the pizza at Gusto's, I make it a priority to stop by at least once a week for lunch. The staff are extremely friendly, and they go out of their way to try and remember you. You definitely get a "neighborhood" feel when you eat there.