PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

As admirable as it is to eat organic food, there’s still kind of a Birkenstock-wearing hippie connotation to it. This is probably because, as with vegetarian and vegan food, most organic-only restaurants (at least until recently) have been rather one-note. Fans of variety, authentic ethnic dishes, and interesting preparation methods were forced to dine elsewhere. But restaurants like Gusto Grilled Organics are changing all of that.

The food at Gusto could best be described as Argentinean with a modern twist, and of course it is all 100% organic. Grilled empanadas and steak sandwiches serve as the focal point of the small menu, while grilled flatbread pizzas reflect the massive Italian influence on Argentinean cuisine. The really brave (and hopefully dateless) can order the Fugazza ($4.45), which is topped with heaps of grilled onions and olive oil, but perhaps the coolest pizza option is the Tenderloin ($7.95), with hunks of grilled sirloin, tomatoes and green olives. The empanadas are equally good; try the Humida ($3.95), which is stuffed with corn, homemade salsa blanca, and oregano, for a satisfying afternoon snack or light lunch. All other dishes aside, beef is for all intents and purposes the national food of Argentina, and it is given appropriate reverence at Gusto with their grilled steak sandwiches, which are kept very simple in order to highlight the flavor of the meat.

The cafe culture of Buenos Aires is also nicely represented at Gusto with their breakfast menu, which allows you the chance to start your day with a strong coffee and a media luna (croissant) like the Portenos do. Of course, a true Argentinean wouldn’t be caught dead out on the town before midnight, so it’s a shame Gusto closes so early (11pm on the weekdays, midnight on weekends). They have all the makings of an excellent after-dinner lounge, with a great wine list, scrumptious desserts like Dulce de Leche ice cream and Sweet Bread Pudding (all $3-5), Yerba Mate, cocoa, coffee and tea drinks. Despite this cultural inconsistency, Gusto Grilled Organics is still a fantastic (and guilt-free) place to eat.