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GUSTI Italian Grill is tucked away in Beachcliff Market Square on
Detroit Rd. in Rocky River. If you haven’t been there, your missing
something special.

Founder Pat Burns, a 35-year veteran of the restaurant industry,
has made it his mission to educate Northeast Ohioans on the fast casual
art of Italian cuisine. Since the inception, Chipotle has been
the main catalyst. Other types of food are being adapted to this
style, but Gusti is the first in Northeast Ohio to attempt Italian.
Between scouting the country and drawing from his rich career as an
Applebees, T.G.I. Friday, and Red Robin executive, Burns was
convinced of one thing: He wanted to have total control and produce a
concept that he would be proud to call his own.

In the case of GUSTI, this means that everything is prepared from
scratch daily, without hormones or antibiotics in the proteins. All
purveyors are local rather than national, thus keeping all the
business in greater Cleveland. Furthermore, creating everything daily
on-site ensures that there is no massive commissary preparing GUSTI’s food.

Being distinctive also meant separating himself from the pack from an
offerings standpoint. Unlike standard casual dining that dictates the
entrees from a menu, this segment offers much more for consumers
because they can customize their own entrees.

Some customers seem confused when entering GUSTI, thinking they should
be hearing Italian music and dining on red tablecloths. Instead, they
are welcomed by a chic contemporary design. Vibrant colors and rustic
woods set the tone for the Chipotle-style service line. Just like the
burrito joints, you select an entree, choose a grilled item, and add your
sauces and veggies. Whether you choose a salad, wrap, or pasta bowl,
the proteins wont let you down. House-made chicken meatballs, Tuscan
chicken, Italian sausage, and shrimp bruschetta are just some of the
highlights.

So challenge your perceptions and embrace change. After a meal at
GUSTI, both your stomach and your wallet will thank you.

Suggested combination:

Pasta
Chicken Meatballs
Banana Peppers
Artichokes
Creamy Alfredo

Jason Beudert
“I call it how I eat it”

GUSTI Italian Grill
19310 Detroit Road
Rocky River, OH 44116
P: 216-712-7791
gustiitaliangrill.com

This article appears in Oct 31 – Nov 6, 2012.

Jason Beudert has had a dynamic career as a leader with The Walt Disney Company, ESPNZone, The Cleveland Indians, and as a restaurant entrepreneur. He is utilizing his twenty years of hospitality experience along with his love for the Cleveland food scene to contribute exciting and insightful food pieces for Scene. Along with being one of our food writers, Jason is also the food critic for WOIO 19 Action News, and makes a weekly appearance on Q104's Fee's Kompany radio show to promote food and the Scene. Jason is also a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure Magazine.

4 replies on “First Look – GUSTI Italian Grill”

  1. Sounds freaken Delish!!!
    But lets not get all James Beard and Michelin in this place…
    Keep it simple!!!!!!!
    The BEST food is simple comfort foods!!!
    But chicken meatballs????
    YUM!!!!!!!!

  2. Pasta Bowl + Meatballs + Zesty Red + Feta +Kalmata Olives + Pepperoncini + Blue Chese + Red Onions + Zesty Zesty Red = fast, fresh, fairly priced lunch. I’ll be back for sure.

  3. They should be thinking of music by the finest folksinger of them all: Gusti. She’s made that name legendary in this area starting 51 years ago. I don’t know how I’ll feel walking into a fine restaurant with the name of the most well-known singer in the city during the 1960’s and 1970’s. She’s still active here.

  4. “your missing something special” great proofreading.

    It seems Gusti has closed shop without notice. Disconnected phone, website offline, facebook page deleted…right after nearly 1,000 people purchased their Groupon deal. Big trouble in little river?

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