Gusto Bistro Italiano and Wine Bar, Moultrie Square, 4255 US 1S  Suite 8, St. Augustine, FL  32086. Tel: 904-342-2433

By Irene Merenda

We continue our quest for good, authentic Italian food nearby.  Our recent attempt was Gusto Bistro Italiano and Wine Bar.  Because of COVID, my husband and I try to only dine outside.  Although the outdoor ambiance is lacking (they are located in a strip mall on Highway 1 with a view of the parking lot) the food and service were quite good. 

The owner, Antonio, has owned the small restaurant for 3 years.  Previously, there was a pizzeria in the same location.  He told us that, although Gusto does serve pizza, his vision was to make it first a “good Italian restaurant.”  Our waitress, Antonio’s daughter, (this senior reviewer forgot her name) was delightful and attentive.  She brought us warm, crusty Italian bread and butter almost immediately to have with our wine while we looked at the menu. 

We began with a Caprese appetizer.  Thick slices of fresh mozzerella were drizzled with a balsamic reduction, garlic and olive oil, and topped with fresh basil.  The tomatoes were disappointingly flavorless, but I’m a Jersey girl, so have been spoiled by delicious, juicy sweet Jersey tomatoes.  You other north-easterners know I speak the truth!

All entrees are served with choice of salad or soup.  My husband had the Pasta Fagioli and Mom and I had the Italian Wedding Soup with more mini-meatballs than I’ve ever seen in wedding soup.  The wedding soup had spinach instead of escarole, which I have considered the typical green for this soup. The Pasta Fagioli had bits of sausage, which was interesting, as I always thought of this as a vegetarian soup. Both were very good, even if not exactly what I was expecting.

My husband ordered Cannelloni Del Vicolo, which is pasta tubes stuffed with ricotta, spinach, parmigiano and mozzarella topped with a pomodoro sauce.  It was rich, tasty and smothered in sauce that was excellent, but excessive.  The portion was large enough that he had the remainder for lunch the following day.

My mother-in-law ordered the Linguine with Clams in a very garlicky red sauce.  There were tons of fresh tender clams in their shells and the pasta, cooked al dente, was excellent.

My entree, Melenzane alla Parmiggiana (eggplant parmigiana), had a light breading, not overly breaded or heavily fried.  The eggplant was tender but not  over-cooked as it often is.  It was accompanied by a very large side of spaghetti in red sauce.  I’m not a huge eater, but I would have liked a larger portion of eggplant and a smaller portion of pasta.

Appetizers range from $9-12,  $15-$17 for pasta entrees, and $17-$27 for meat and seafood entrees.  Gusto is not elegant nor is it a destination for a special celebration.  What it offers is good, traditional Italian food.  We plan to try it again.  The restaurant has a large wine list as well as a take-out menu.

3 and1/2 spoonbills out of 5.