Gus & Gabriel

Cuisine: American/Gastropub
Location: 222 W 79th St b/w Amsterdam & Broadway
Phone #: (212) 362 7470
Method: Eat in
Price Range: $$
Food: B
Value: B
Service/Atmosphere: B+
Overall Rating: B

Taking comfort food to the max, Michael Psikalis has opened a "gastropub" in the space that one of his other restaurants, Kefi, used to reside in. Kefi is one of the best restaurants on the UWS and was so popular that it more than outgrew this tiny space on 79th St. It is now located in a space that is probably quadruple the size on Columbus (review forthcoming). The fact that Psikalis opened Kefi certainly gives him credentials, so I couldn't wait to try the unique dishes like Mexi Mac & Cheese and Cheddar & Pork Tater Tots at Gus & Gabriel.

What I Liked
Warning: do not bother coming to Gus & Gabriel if you're trying to eat healthy. Although it is possible (if you want to order the Brook Trout ($17.95) or the Arctic Char ($18.95)), you're better off going to a seafood restaurant for healthy dishes and sticking to the incredibly tasty fattening stuff like Smothered Chicken ($13.95) or Beef Brisket French Dip ($12.95) when coming to G&G. The app's and "beer snacks" are definitely more notable here than the entrees. You might as well order one each of the unique and tasty beer snacks, which are Hot Potato Chips w/ garlic & chive dip ($2.95), Fried Mozzarella Balls w/ spicy marinara ($4.95) and best of all, the Cheddar & Pork Tater Tots ($3.95). Yes, you just read that right: all 3 of those dishes cost a grand total of $11.85. All of 3 of these snacks are excellent, but those tater tots are truly remarkable. Rather than just potato stuffed inside the tot, these are also stuffed with cheddar and pork. Dip them in the spicy BBQ sauce and jalapeno fondue and you're in heaven. Other than the entrees noted above, the Gnudi ($11.95) was also pretty special, as was the special entree the latest evening I was there, which was the Beef Tostada. It has a very impressive presentation and was the most memorable main dish I've tried at G&G.

What Could Use Work
For all the imagination that went into the appetizers at this self-proclaimed restaurant for "the adult kid: the kid in you," the entrees were pretty plain (apart from the tostada). Perhaps in the future they will change them up.

Killed It!
Yes, you guessed it: I loved the Mexi Mac & Cheese ($7.50). This blessed dish contains their delicious mac & cheese topped with pulled pork, monterey jack & cheddar, guacamole, jalapeno béchamel, sour cream, pico de gallo, crispy tortilla and chicharron. It is not comparable to a dish like you would get at a place like S'Mac; rather you can just taste the higher level of quality in the ingredients. Spicy, delicious and absolutely worth a try for anyone willing to trek up to the UWS.