My hubby and I went here last night to compete in a karaoke competition, so of course we ordered food to enjoy while we waited. I can't eat a lot at one time, so despite some adverse reviews I'd seen online about the fried calamari and shrimp, I went ahead and ordered it-and I'm so glad I did! It was hot, fresh, and perfectly cooked-not greasy at all! My hubby had the meatball sub-despite it not really being available during dinner hours, but he's not really a fan of pasta, so the waitress (and chef) kindly made special accommodations for him. We didn't ask, they helpfully offered to do so. Hubby said the red sauce was really good, and he enjoyed the sandwich. I felt bad because they appeared short staffed for the amount of business they had, and they had run out of a few things, but the pressed on gamely and made the best of it. All of the staff was kind and very helpful. We will definitely be going back again soon! I want to try the yummy sounding seafood risotto. read more

Been here twice now and it's consistently good with great staff/service. I prefer the bar side of the restaurant (though we don't drink)- it had small town piano-bar type vibes. It's quieter and less busy. You can tell the staff take pride in cleanliness and presentation of the restaurant. The pasta is definitely fresh/ homemade. I disagree STRONGLY with the other review that suggested it's pasta-roni style sauce. The ingredients are fresh and food was good. We've tried the Rigatoni, Gnocchi, Lasagna, Fettuccine, Lobster Ravioli, Mango Panna Cotta, and Torta Al Cioccolato and their fresh hot bread; all were enjoyable. When we've come the staff took some time to tell us a bit about the family history- passed along traditions and it's clear the recipes as well. This is a family-oriented legacy for these folks. And there's honor in that. If you're into just food, vibes, and low prices- this is NOT your venue. This is a place to celebrate a family (the owners) sharing a bit of themselves with you and yours. Note- people who complain typically mention price without thinking it's not just the food cost, but the lease, utilities, the insurance, staff wages. You're not going to get out to dinner here less than $60 for 2 (with a nominal tip and no booze). But THATS THE POINT- I'm thankful for the care, time, and heart that is put into each dish. We will be back and share this oddly-located, pretty tasty place with our friends and family. read more

I love dinner here so when I noticed they now do BRUNCH I was so excited to try it. I was not disappointed! The expansion space turned out so lovely, and they had live music starting in a bit, so we chose to eat in there. Very comfortable! Our server was super nice and took great care of us, but I'm a jerk and don't remember her name. Extra kudos for the service though! Now to the food - it all started with a warm, delicious, freshly made croissant sliced to share. An unexpected little treat to start off our visit. I had the roasted tomato and garlic crepe. Huge chunks of garlic (WHICH I LOVE) so if you order this on a date, make sure your partner eats some in self-defense. I cleared my plate - it was yummy. My daughter had a tiramisu crepe, and my son had the meatball sub which was so hearty he couldn't finish it. I look forward to returning to try out the pesto toast next time! read more

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It's same but different Same home cooked delicious Sardinia Sicilian tast but smaller portions, no br3ar or consideration. Under new leadership how did you expand yet become smaller? Yes I'll be back tho because kudos to the Chef read more

My fiance came to visit from San Diego and it's been hard to impress him with restaurants in Modesto, but he couldn't stop saying how delicious the food was here. We came for brunch & I'm absolutely in awe with this place. I can't believe I didn't come sooner. From the minute we walked in they greeted us with a friendly demeanor. I ordered a Carmel latte and it was made with love by Vinny. They brought out a delicate buttery warm croissant. Jenny was our server and she made the greatest recommendations. Jay is such a great chef, he made our Caprese and as something so simple, it was absolutely delightful. The chef in the back of the house made a phenomenal minestrone soup (made to order) I had to get some extra to go. Not to mention the pasta was made from scratch with rich flavorful sauces. This will definitely be my go to Italian place. Thank you everyone for such a great experience. read more

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Weekend dinner. We sat in the bar area and it was empty except for us...the dining area had guests so there were more patrons but were in getting at is the 1 waiter spent time talking and cling w the guy behind the bar. Definitely was nice and frequent check ins, etc. The pasta was delicious but nothing espectacular that other pasta places don't offer. The prices are high for the food they serve. The chicken was the boiled kind not grilled in any form so idk why it's $6 extra but inflation. There were a few take out orders so it must be popular but idk about anything that would make me want to go back for basic pasta dishes. There was nothing on their specials menu that attracted me either. I'm willing to pay $30-50 for a dinner entree if the food is filling or something I can't get somewhere else. read more

Awesome food. Got the seafood risotto subbed the risotto for spaghetti .... Yummm.... Would highly recommend read more

Gusto Italiano - Southern Near Me - Modesto, California

If I could describe gusto italiano in one word it would be rich. Their food is rich in that authentic Italian flavor. The main chef seems to be the only one cooking your meals which definitely adds that personal touch to your meals. I had a fettuccine Alfredo and when I tell you it was the best fettuccine Alfredo I have ever had, so decadent! Thank you Gusto Italiano! read more

We have been coming to Gusto Italiano for over a year now. We are so happy with the service very professional and friendly. The food is always fresh and full of flavor! They have wonderful vegetarian options as well and are always very accommodating. And we love the full bar! Would recommend to everyone. And Karaoke every Sunday at 8pm is a must for me! read more

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Great food and great service, what more can you ask for? Loved my perfectly cooked and seasoned salmon and veggies.

Amazing!! First time trying Gusto Italiano and I will be back. Right when we sat down the owner came over and made us feel at home. Everything looked amazing so we asked him to just keep bringing us food so we can try it all. Everything that came out was prepared perfectly and had great flavor. The seafood was fresh, pasta was cooked to perfection and the flavors were insane. The wild boar was the most surprising. Wasn't sure how I would like it but it was one of my favorites. Even after eating a lot more than I usually do, I didn't feel heavy or weighted down like I would when I eat pasta. This is so fresh and homemade that it doesn't give you that feeling. It is a very cozy spot and it is a great place for a group of friends that like to share, laugh, enjoy wine and have a good time. read more

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Looks like they are out of business. Was closed all last week and now the phone is disconnected. So just be aware before you drive over there and realize they are closed. read more

Good food and service. We got there early and were seated right away, we didn't have reservations. The exterior doesn't match the interior which done well. Our dinners were tasty, I had the veal and she had the boar. Both were delicious. The tiramisu was good. read more

Clearly the best restaurant in Modesto! New owner but same chef. Excellent food and great service. Head Matre'd is Vinny who used to own Chefs of New York. He brings a warm welcome and great suggestions. Please give this charming and excellent restaurant a try. read more

A hidden gem for sure! Authentic fresh pasta with fresh ingredients. Staff was very knowledgeable and assisted us with our sons allergies. We enjoyed the service the menu. Desserts were outstanding. Can't wait to be back. read more

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Service was good. We went in about 8:30pm. I feel they have a limited selection on their menu for dinner. You can't order off their lunch menu at dinner time the waiter said. So no sandwiches or flat breads. They had 1 soup option. I thought it was on the pricey side for what you get. I wasn't impressed and probably won't return. We been trying to find a good Italian spot in Modesto since Chef's of New York went out of business. No luck yet. The only good spot seems to be Pietro's in Lodi. read more

I hate doing reviews that aren't positive, but I left very unhappy with my experience. We tried this place on a Saturday night around 7:30pm and it was very slow, only about 3 tables. However due to the mix of reviews we decided to give this place a try for ourselves. We started off with the complimentary bread which was the best thing we had all night. We then decided to order the calamari and it was cold, flavorless, and hard. I got the crab penne and it was not the greatest. Little crab, very acidic tomato sauce, and fishy. I personally wouldn't get it again especially for the price. My husband got the gnocchi, it had an odd smell and tasted like meat sauce from a glass jar that I could have bought myself from the store. One thing I can't complain about is our waiter, he was overall nice. As for drinks, the bar looked promising however the Long Island my husband got was just okay. The ambiance is nice but having a nice atmosphere with mediocre food doesn't matter to me. I am willing to spend any amount of money for great food but with their prices, how unsatisfied we were with our food, and our overall experience we will never be back. read more

Delicious food. Friendly staff. Clean dining room. Reasonable prices. What more could you ask for?

The atmosphere is so relaxing and welcoming. The staff is very attentive and this is one of the best service experiences I've had at a restaurant in Modesto. The food was absolutely delicious and they know what they're doing when it comes to true Italian cuisine. I highly recommend anyone come here and experience exactly what I'm talking about! read more

Delicious!! Try any risotto on the menu you won't be disappointed Also had the lamb yum!

What we ordered: Penne Al Granchio (added shrimp) and Fettuccine Al Formaggi (added chicken). Cons: Price -$67 for two dishes and small amount of bread. Added chicken -small pieces that were dry and tasted old. Pasta and sauces-mediocre tasting (pasta roni vibes). Pros: Atmosphere-clean with nice ambiance. Very disappointed in this place to say the least. Food was way overpriced and nothing special. Will not be returning! read more

The food was amazing, it's the best Italian restaurant in Modesto by far! The staff is very attentive and friendly. The restaurant is very clean and ample seating. I will definitely recommend Gusto Italiano to family and friends. read more

We've been to this place quite a bit over the years. Unfortunately things have started to turn for the worse from a price perspective. I realize everything is more expensive these days but it's gotten excessive. The real kicker was a fish special they had with a side of mashed potatoes that was average at best with mini salad for $50. This wasn't a $50 dish in my opinion. Food overall is good but the prices are getting out of hand. Unfortunately we probably will look elsewhere in the future. read more

The best Italian food in the area. Reminds me a lot of my Nonna's food. Staff is always friendly. Reservations are a must.

THE best risotto!!!! Great service. This was our first time eating here. Hard to believe we live a mile away and we waited this long to enjoy the food/service/atmosphere. We will definitely be back! read more

Gusto Italiano - Funghi Risotto - Southern Near Me - Modesto, California

The food and ambience was good. VERY pricey. I think I was there on Valentine's Day so it was busy, but they could have been better prepared. read more

Wonderful dining experience. The food was delicious and the service outstanding. The staff went out of their way to make my beautiful wife's birthday special. read more

I have heard several people recommend this place, so decided to pop in. It's really small inside, though quite cute. (I would recommend calling to see if they have seating before coming so you don't have to wait as there's not a lot of room to stand around inside.) The owner is very involved and hands-on, which was fantastic! He recommended the wine that we had which was quite delightful and paired well with what we were eating. We got the halibut and the lamb. The halibut was amazing, but the lamb was a little bit under seasoned. Everything else on the plate was fantastic. We will definitely be back!! read more

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My first time here (7pm Saturday night) and I wanted to like this place but there were so many things that went wrong. We start off with the drinks, I ask for a draft Italian beer. Nope, they don't have it. No big deal, I'll get a bottled beer. My wife ordered a dirty martini, nope they don't have olives. She asked for a red wine, we're told that they don't have most of their red wines on the drink menu. Waitress comes back and takes our order, we order the calamari and our entrees. Waitress comes back, sorry we don't have any calamari. Finally, entrees get here. The "special" that I got was a spaghetti and prawn mix. It smelled sour and I gave the sauce a try, tasted sour as well. Something in it was way past the expiration date. I didn't want to gamble with food poisoning so for the first time in forever I had the waitress take back food. The only good thing I can say is the ambience and staff are nice. Good luck! read more

Excellent cuisine, friendly staff, and a full cocktail lounge with a beautiful patio to host an event of your choice. Seating is also available with a view overlooking the patio. Come by and see the owner, Misty, she will take great care of you. The staff and owner will greet you with a smile and great service. Gusto's is the place to be! read more

Great service and good food The food is always consistent and very flavorful and the service is always amazing everyone has a smile and they are happy to serve you extra bread and will never find a drink empty read more

Delicious, fresh, wonderful...there just aren't enough adjectives! Do yourself a favor and eat here!!

Have been wanting to come here forever since it's right in my neighborhood. But the pandemic (it's a pretty cramped space) made us wait it out. I was hoping they wouldn't close, but it appears word has gotten out about how fabulous this place is. What it lacks in ambiance it more than makes up with their food and service. I had the pappardelle with wild boar, and hubby the seafood risotto. The boar meet wasn't ground, but small chunks, and the tomato ragu was really good. The tapenade they provide each table with the warm bread was delicious. Highly recommend making reservations ahead of time. Looking forward to returning here! read more

The service was top notch. The food is amazing and freshly made as you watch the chef. The appetizer of Artichokes was amazing balls of delight with the best marinara I have had in a very long time. I had the Special Branzino, it was perfectly cooked and had great flavor. Keep up the fabulous work. Not your typical Italian food. This is Italy on a plate in Modesto. read more

Great Sicilian meals. It reminds me of the cooking school vacation I had in Italy. And the service is very friendly. read more

Great service and great food. The most authentic Italian food in the area. Will definitely be back.

We waited more than a couple of minutes to be seated even though there was plenty of open tables. Albeit, we were apologized to as one of the other servers was running late. But literally, only 2 other tables on the entire floor were occupied. I counted. The ambiance does not deserve the ~$30/plate this place is charging. Strings Italian cafes have better ambiance. 3 out of 4 dishes on our table tonight were overly salty. Wayyy too salty. We felt like horses having salt licks. We chose not to send the plates back and we chose not to box the leftovers to take home. The waitress acknowledged our feedback but that was all. There was a 'checkout fee' applied. From what we could tell, they are covering charges for using credit cards. At prices that steep for their dishes this should be covered. 10/10 will not revisit. read more

This place is a hidden gem in Modesto. Authentic Italian food with homemade pasta. As a first-time diner, we were greeted by the owner who told us about the special as well as showing us pictures. He spoke about him as well as his chef, who both were from Italy. The atmosphere was friendly and invitoing. Though I have never been to Italy, I would imagine authentic Italian food to taste as it did. HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more

Went thier for dinner with my son Walked in 5min after they opened the place was empty, I asked for a table for 2 , they asked if I had reservations I told no they immediately told that I couldn't get a table ,I pointed out that thier was no one thier it was empty, they said they couldn't help us ,all along the whole staff just stood there and starred at us ,so much for the reviews that talk about how friendly they are..! I won't be going back obviously if they don't want Mexicans in thier establishment they should post it outside on the door to save people the embarrassment of being denied a table at an empty restaurant. read more

Gusto Italiano - Southern Near Me - Modesto, California

Would love to give GI more stars because it deserves it. Good food, decent atmosphere, Elliot, the server was knowledgeable and attentive. So what's the BUT...the owner, understand her name is Misty, never came over to greet her guests. Instead, she sat 100% of the time I was there, at the bar, enjoying her beverage. It made me very uncomfortable. I made it clear to Elliot that I was a first time customer, one would think if an owner of an establishment, who really cared about the business, would relish the opportunity to welcome her customers, particularly a first timer. Oh well! read more