Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano

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This sleek West Village eatery has yet another pedigreed toque in the kitchen, and a broader Mediterranean influence to buttress its rustic Italian cuisine. Chef Ryan Lowder comes from A-list kitchens like Jean Georges and Mercat, and brings along a wide-ranging arsenal of intriguing dishes, from chilled asparagus soup with mint and tomato to pappardelle with rabbit ragu. The decor has undergone a face-lift along with the menu: Gone is the descending staircase in the middle of the dining room, although chocolate-brown banquettes and a warmer color scheme are new additions. For those who enjoy their rack of lamb with a side of trivia, impress your date with this tidbit: The restaurant's mirrored art installation was designed by the team behind the Hubble space telescope lens. Take that, Trebek.

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Greenwich Village restaurants, New York restaurants, Seafood restaurants, Italian restaurants, Mediterranean restaurants