While many of our "first looks" involve new restaurants, it's not the case with Gran Gusto.
This little piece of Italy in North Cambridge has been around for a couple of years and gotten some high praise, especially for its pizza.
It's been our experience that the true test of any restaurant is how it prepares the fundamentals of its cuisine. For a French bistro that might include roast chicken, steak frites and mussels. At Gran Gusto with its wood oven, pizza and pasta seemed right.
So, when we stopped by for a casual lunch last week, we tried the Pizza Margherita. It doesn't get any simpler than tomato sauce, bufala mozzarella and fresh basil. And, in this case, it doesn't get any better. Gran Gusto's promise of fresh ingredients shines brightly in a light, thin, perfectly baked pie. Even Penny gobbled-up her crust, which she usually leaves for me.
The bread also was a key part of the Piadina di speck with prosciutto, speck smoked mozzarella, and sliced tomato. So light and so-o-o good. Penny was absolutely fascinated by the Piadina, so I'm sure you'll hear more about it in future posts. Maybe she'll learn how to make it.
Our final test had to be a pasta selection. But, would there be room for the Fettucine Bolognese? One taste and we immediately became obsessed with detecting all the individual flavors coming through in each fork full. "Do you taste the wine in it?" "What mix of meats did the chef use?" Finishing it was no problem. The pasta disappeared, and every spec of sauce was mopped up with bread.
Service was another plus. Everyone around us was well cared for by our server - from the guys holding a business meeting in a corner, to the regular customer who didn't need a menu to order. When Penny asked for coffee, the server offered to turn-up the heat, if she was cold. When a couple ordered one salad, she asked whether they'd like the kitchen to split it on two plates.
All this, including a good tip for great service, came in just under $45- a testament to Chef and part owner, Giuseppe Castellano's pledge to stress quality and price.
Other things you should know...
- Beer and Wine available - we didn't indulge, but other reviewers have said positive things about the list
- Opt for espresso over coffee
- Wait for the food- don't judge this place by the decor or the piped-in radio station chatter in the background.
- 2-rooms, with indoor as well as outdoor seating
- While daytime parking is limited, their website touts free parking behind the restaurant after 6 p.m. daily.
Other Opinions:
The Chowhounds say...
http://search.chow.com/search?query=gran+gusto&search_board_id=12&search_boardgroup_id=6&sort_mode=newest&type=Topic&from_date=1+year+ago
Here's the yelp....
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gran-gusto-cambridge
Details:
Writer: Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2009 Penny Cherubino
Gran Gusto
90 Sherman Street, Cambridge, MA 01240 (map)
617-441-0400
www.grangustocambridge.com
