Gus and Gabriel’s Gastropub: Gussying up Gotham’s Upper West Side
ByThe Upper West Side restaurant scene has always been a bit like the Bugaboo-pushing parents that crowd its sidewalks: eminently practical, perfectly tasteful … and very much middle-of-the-road. Locals have never been starving for good quality eats, but anyone looking for a little pizzazz had to look elsewhere.
That’s been changing of late. Joining relative newcomers like West Branch and old standouts like Ouest, Gus and Gabriel’s Gastropub gives the ‘hood some instant foodie street cred. Housed in the former home of Kefi, chef Michael Psilakis’ other gift to the UWS, Gus and Gabriel’s is equal parts “gastro” and “pub.” (Sometimes, with spiced-up versions of old bar food faves like Hot Potato Chips, Fried Mozzarella Balls and Cheese and Pork “Tater Tots,” it’s both at once.)
Named after Psilakis’ dad and son, Gus and Gabriel’s maintains a family vibe throughout without shortchanging the grown-ups in taste or quality. The front is all dark wood and flat-screen TVs with plenty of quality booze. (Look for a fantastic deal on gamedays: $15 for a beer, burger and nachos!) The dining room packs customers in with warm, kitchy decor like giant silverware and a shiny suit of armor, and there’s always a flat-screen TV in sight for those devoted souls who can’t eat without checking the scores. Though the menu’s full of more sophisticated fare (friends have raved about the Pork Belly and French Dip), I can never pass on their gourmet burgers—of course, that’s “gourmet” with two capital G’s. My favorite’s the Roasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Gruyere Burger, but you can’t go wrong. Trust me. I’ve taken it upon myself to try them all, over and over again …
I wouldn’t be a good chocoholic sport if I didn’t mention the desserts. There are exotic shakes and sundaes that quite literally make customers’ mouths water—and their eyes tear—when they’re delivered to another table. The Mint Chocolate Cake tastes like a giant Andes’ candy a la mode with fresh whipped cream and a hint of Thin Mints thrown in for good measure. Put it this way: as far as I’ve tasted, any dessert on the menu warrants a visit of its own.
Gus and Gabriel’s Gastropub
http://www.gusandgabriel.com/index.html
222 West 79th Street
New York, NY 10024
212-362-7270
No Reservations
Cash Only
