{"id":479,"date":"2008-02-01T15:35:00","date_gmt":"2008-02-01T21:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/02\/nyc-news-from-the-front-organic-eatery-opens\/"},"modified":"2016-12-17T22:43:53","modified_gmt":"2016-12-18T04:43:53","slug":"nyc-news-from-the-front-organic-eatery-opens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/02\/nyc-news-from-the-front-organic-eatery-opens\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC news from the front: Organic eatery opens"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Gusto_2\"<\/a>
\nBy Samantha Chapnick<\/em><\/p>\n

The sign on Gusto<\/strong><\/a> — a new New York City<\/a><\/strong> restaurant — read "Coming Soon" and "100% organic foods for New York." <\/p>\n

The sign of almost any new indie restaurant is enough to get this New York gourmet’s blood pumping. With this one so close to my child’s school, and with the world "organic" thrown in, my anticipation went into overdrive.<\/p>\n

Gusto finally opened a few weeks ago at 14th Street and Avenue of the Americas, a short walk from several New York hotels<\/a><\/strong>. We were there, and it was worth the wait.<\/p>\n

\nWe went for the organic gourmet pizza<\/strong> and lemonade. The first sign we
\nwere getting something different was the slice’s ($5.95) almost defiant
\n9 x 6 rectangular shape. The crust was chewy and slightly sweet — a whole
\nwheat that’s somewhere between a pretzel and pita. A crosshatch of
\nslightly browned small mozzarella cheese straws with just an inflection
\nof tart olive oil and tomato sauce sat atop — a good contrast. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The lemonade ($3.75) was a perfect balance of fresh-squeezed lemons,
\nwater and sugar — not too sweet, not too sour, and not too watered down
\nas so many are.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe service was excellent, with staff who were friendly, enthusiastic and
\nseemingly genuinely knowledgeable about the food and the company.<\/p>\n

\nIn time, we are hoping Gusto will expand beyond its current menu of
\npizzas, empanadas,<\/strong> desserts<\/strong> and grilledsteak to include a wider
\nvariety of grilled vegetables. Still, people looking for reasonably
\npriced (well, for New York, at least) healthy meal in a convenient and
\ncontemporary setting should try Gusto.<\/p>\n

\nThe decor is Southwest,<\/strong> with brushed concrete floors and walls, rustic wood
\ntables and muted colors of nature. If it weren\u2019t a restaurant, it might
\nmake a nice yoga studio. Rumor has it, free wireless is on the way. <\/p>\n

I’m
\nnot holding my breath.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n