After studying abroad, one of my traveling companies and I would get lonesome for the relaxing evenings we had overlooking Rome and eating mountains of pasta. Such moods would often lead us to Caffe Buon Gusto, where you can compliment any pasta with any sauce (much like the famed Pastarita Pizzerito "chain" in Italy). The food is fantastic, the atmosphere at both locations is relaxing, and the service is always wonderful... especially when your dining companion attempts to set you on fire.
Often times I'll complain that restaurants in New York try to cram in too many tables. Then I remember that life is a business, and they need to serve more customers. Caffe Buon Gusto is a small restaurant, where the table generally consists of a bread basket, candle, oil and vinegar, your plates and glasses and not an inch of visible tablecloth. Now, the delicious bread basket has a fatal flaw. No, not that it magically gets refilled, but because they line it (or at least that day they did) with a paper napkin. Well folks, I'm pretty sure you can see where this story is going. Candle + paper napkin + small table + fearful friend = blow it out in the direction away from fearful friend and closer to me. Needless to say, we all had a great laugh after and were returned a bread basket (napkin free) and continued our evening.
While I have only ordered a non-pasta entree once, I hear that when you have it delivered (as many of my fellow classmates in law school did) they provide you with your entree, a side of pasta, a small salad and bread for the same price. Pretty fantastic, I think. What I go for however, is the pasta. It's pasta here, not macaroni. The other day I caught myself saying I never had good carbonara in the United States. I think I might have tricked myself into remembering this falsehood because carbonara is so deliciously bad for you. But when in Rome (or the Upper East Side), one can indulge in a fresh pasta complimented by a lavishly rich sauce, or any of their other numerous sauces (my flaming dining companion loves their pesto). You can also add on some protein to the pasta dish, I go for the sausage. If a seemingly endless bowl of pasta isn't your thing, try one of their delicious eggplant dishes (they do the trifecta: parmigiana, rollatina or bolognese). And you'll most certainly want to leave room for dessert. Great for a date, or an intimate dinner, but I wouldn't go here with a terribly large party unless you plan on renting out the place.
PS - This location only takes Amex so, Visa and Mastercard holders, stop bye the ATM first.
WHAT TO BITE? Carbonara over your choice of fresh pasta, $11.95
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