GUSTO Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

On a dark and stormy night, with rain tapping rhythmically against the bricks, my culinary adventures led me to the warmly lit facade of "Gusto Italian." The contrast between the tempestuous weather and the inviting ambiance of the restaurant promised a haven of comfort and exquisite Italian dining. As I stepped inside, sheltering from the relentless downpour, I was greeted by an unexpected sight: a young Bulgarian host, standing at an impressive height of 6'5". Despite his youth, at merely 18 years old, his demeanor radiated warmth and professionalism, immediately setting a welcoming tone for the evening.

With grace and professionalism beyond his years, he ushered me to a cozy spot within the elegantly adorned space, setting the stage for what was to become a memorable meal. As I settled in, my attention was caught by the diligent efforts of a 5'9" Bangladeshi busser, who was meticulously cleaning a nearby table until it sparkled, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the next guests to dine. This dedication to cleanliness and service was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to excellence.

Eager to indulge in the culinary delights that awaited, I ordered the Lasagna Siciliano, a dish renowned for its rich layers of flavor and the Burrata, a masterpiece of housemade mozzarella, stretched and filled with a creamy blend of mozzarella, goat cheese, ricotta, and herbs. Each dish promised a journey to the heart of Italy, crafted with care and passion.

The Lasagna Siciliano arrived, each layer a revelation, with perfectly cooked pasta, robust Sicilian sauce, and melted cheeses telling tales of Italian countryside kitchens. The first bite was a symphony of flavors so harmonious, it was as though the rolling hills of Sicily had unfolded before me in a single, exquisite mouthful. The experience was akin to discovering a long-lost love—familiar yet thrillingly new.

Then came the Burrata, presented with an elegance that matched its sublime taste. The delicate outer shell of mozzarella gave way to a rich, creamy heart, each component blending seamlessly with the next. The freshness of the herbs provided a perfect counterpoint to the richness of the cheeses, creating a dish that was as beautiful to behold as it was to savor. It was a testament to the art of cheese-making, a dish that captured the essence of Italian craftsmanship.

My visit to "Gusto Italian" remains etched in my memory, not only for the divine fare but for the impeccable service provided by the young Bulgarian host and the diligent Bangladeshi busser, whose efforts added an extra layer of warmth and welcome to the dining experience. The restaurant itself became a cherished memory, a place where each dish served was a love letter to Italy, crafted with the utmost respect for tradition and quality.

For those in pursuit of authentic Italian cuisine served in an atmosphere of genuine hospitality, "Gusto Italian" stands unrivaled. It is a haven where every meal is a celebration of Italy's rich culinary heritage, promising an experience that will linger in your heart and palate long after...

Had a chance to dine at Gusto the weekend of the Grand Prix, and I had to take a moment and share my great experience. First of all, while this place is only a few moments from DTSP, you find yourself stepping into a cozy world when walking in the door. There’s something about the aromatic, but not over powering scent of garlic that welcomes the senses. Not a huge place, maybe ten or so tables, and plenty of seating at the bar, and people definitely seemed to be having a good time there.

I was there with a group of 8 others, which they kindly explained to us was difficult for them to accommodate due to the small size of their kitchen and they wanted to assure that everyone received proper service. (Again this was Saturday Grand Prix and we were just walking in, needless to say it was very busy.) They were however able to accommodate us as two tables of four, which considering the size of the place and the fact that we didn’t have a reservation seemed more than fair.

Our server, though clearly busy, gave impeccable service. She gave a great explanation of the menu that really helped open our eyes beyond just the classics. We started with escargot, a true treat not readily found these days, and the house Mozzarella Wheel. Next time I will not be sharing my escargot, lessson learned. For dinner, 2 in our group had the house favorite, Pistachio Crusted Chicken and both absolutely devoured it, a third loved his lasagna and I upon the server’s recommendation, had the Rigatoni Italia with a meatball on the side. Holy wow, wow, wow, over the top delicious. Rich, creamy, decadent, with prosciutto and mushrooms, and then that meatball on the side to bring you back to earth a bit… truly an explosion of flavors leaving you absolutely divinely full without being overly stuffed. My friends enjoyed their wine and I delighted in Coke in a glass bottle.

Just when we thought that was it, our server gave us the rundown of the plentiful dessert list. Although I had already thrown in the towel, I took a cannoli to go, which I was incredibly grateful for about an hour after getting home. Others at the table shared a Lemoncello cake and at the rate it disappeared, I’d say they enjoyed it.

So just to recap, I loved it. Definitely a hidden gem, with cozy vibes. A true mom and pop place, as both husband and wife work in the restaurant each night(as was explained to us by the server). Italian comfort food with nuanced flavors beyond expectations. Parking, while somewhat limited, was available at the Tshirt place next door. But my best recommendation is to get there early, or at very least make a reservation, because they definitely...

Stay away! One of the worst service experiences I've had in my life, and to make it worse, it was with the owner. Very rude and arrogant person. The food is decent but not worth the price point, especially not with the service they provide.

I placed an order on DoorDash and immediately called them to confirm pick-up time as DoorDash gave me two different times, and I wanted to be sure so that my food wasn't sitting for a long period. I was told 30 minutes due to the kitchen being backed up (totally understandable). 10 minutes later, I got a call saying my food was ready. It was a little frustrating but not the end of the world. It happens.

When I arrived, I brought up the discrepancy to the lady who provided me with my food, who happened to be the owner, and her answer was basically, " So what? I can't predict how long food takes." I was a little taken back as I wasn't rude or anything, and I thought she maybe didn't understand what I said, so I reiterated that I had called to confirm timing so that I could plan accordingly and was told that the kitchen was backed up and food was going to take longer than expected. She doubled down on her stance and said they weren't equipped to handle DoorDash orders (makes no sense) and that it's impossible to tell a customer how long food is going to take. Now, this would make sense for a high-volume restaurant, but there LITERALLY wasn't anyone else.It would've also been completely acceptable if she had said, " I'm sorry we made a mistake", but I guess her ego is too big to apologize to a customer. Reading other reviews, it seems like I'm not the only one. Def never...