For our final meal out in Rochester we met friends for a big group dinner at Italian restaurant Gusto. We were seated right in front with a great view of the busy street outside. Our waitress was vibrant and beautiful and cheerily shared the specials.
We started the meal with a huge basket of warm bread. The table is already set with bottles of olive oil for dipping. We ordered two portions of the antipasto to start. The presentation of the plate was beautiful and everything was fresh and supremely delicious. I was taking forkfuls of roasted red peppers and fresh parmesan cheese.
For dinner I ordered the "half and half." I chose minestrone soup and half of an eggplant panini. The soup was hearty and packed with veggies. The panini came on delicious multigrain bread served with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, basil and of course, breaded eggplant.
Next to me, two friends ordered the pizza special which was a white pizza with tomatoes, pesto and garlic.
On the other side of me, a dining companion ordered the portabello mushroom ravioli. Each ravioli pillow was stuffed to the brim with fresh mushroom. The bowl could have used more tomato sauce (we like our ravioli swimming in a deep sea of sauce), but was still quite yummy.
We were entirely too stuffed for coffee or dessert, but the menu looked promising.
Gusto is great for a group or family dinner. Its an easy, relaxed atmosphere, a large menu and great food. They also offer gluten free pizza and pasta, which is hard to come by.
Gusto has also opened an outpost in the Rochester airport. Finally a place you actually want to eat in the airport!
