As featured in Northside News October 2007:

Di Gusto Italian Grille & Bar

By Mark Geil

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, land of orange orchards and olive groves, is part of Italy, but maintains a character all its own. The recipes from the Familys rich past remained in the family, traveled across continents, and are now ours to enjoy at Di Gusto Italian Grille and Bar.

Translated, Di Gusto means “tasteful”, and the name fits in a couple of different ways. First, a great deal of thought and effort has been devoted to make the atmosphere tasteful. Di Gusto opened in early June 2007, and its creators sought to create a “throwback to an old Italian villa,”

We received attentive and warm service during our recent visit; we were greeted with a smile and the smiles kept coming. Our server, Erica, was gregarious and particularly knowledgeable of the menu.

Ah, the menu, the other example of what’s tasteful about Di Gusto. I started with the Italian Wedding Soup, a personal favorite. The recipe was outstanding, with well-proportioned orzo and petite meatballs. Another popular starter is the calamari, tender and lightly fried. My wife considered the antipasti sampler as an entrée. It features the calamari alongside signature bruschetta and fried mozzarella. She opted instead for the calzone, an ample and surprisingly affordable offering. A la carte pasta sides and salads can complement anything on the menu, and all of the choices are made fresh daily.

For my entrée, I chose the homemade baked lasagna, a family recipe direct from Sicily. Beneath the golden-brown cheese the flavors were surprising; in particular, the tomato sauce is sweet, reflecting regional varieties in Italian cuisine. Other highlights on the menu include Mussels Giovanna, served over linguine, and Calamari Alla Diavola, a spicy dish sautéed with garlic and white wine.

One of Mr. McCoys favorites is the Baked Tilapia Alla Romano, a fillet coated with Romano prepared with basil, garlic, and fresh tomato. He also recommends the Vitello (veal) and Pollo (chicken) Piccata. For a change, consider the Italiano Burger, served on ciabatta and topped with – see if you can imagine this taste – roasted red peppers, green peppers, onion, seasoned tomato sauce, bruschetta toppings, and provolone cheese.

An Italian restaurant would almost feel incomplete without pizza, and plenty of options are available, both conventional and exotic. Signature pizzas include the Mediterranean, featuring artichoke hearts and feta, and the Chicken and Spinach Alfredo. And though I did not try this personally, I have heard a little secret about the Di Gusto menu: you can request your pizza “Chicago style”, and the word on the street is, it’s outstanding.You might wish to share your Di Gusto experience with your next gathering. Catering is available and a popular option. A party room with faux-brick walls fits seamlessly into the tasteful structure and seats 25 guests.

The Owner summed up the Di Gusto experience this way: “Great food and service. We have a personable staff that can entertain our guests, not just serve a meal. We want people to come in and enjoy the experience.”

Di Gusto Italian Grille and Bar is located at 3150 Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw (across from Wal-Mart, next to Zaxby’s; Di Gusto telephone 770-529-4200. They are open Sunday-Monday 11AM-9PM, Tuesday-Thursday 11AM-10PM and Friday-Saturday 11AM-10:30PM Di Gusto After Dark Dance Party Friday-Saturday 10:30PM-3:00AM ©