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Relish in Hauppauge is undergoing a complete transformation.
Giuseppe Sasso, general manager of Relish locations in Hauppauge and Kings Park, is bringing an authentic “taste” of his home country of Italy with his new restaurant, Gusto Osteria & Wine Bar.
Sasso said he is looking to relaunch the restaurant later this fall in the now-closed breakfast and lunch space at 551 Hauppauge Road.
“The concept will be an Italian osteria wine bar,” Sasso said. “Osteria is traditional, comforting food and includes the wine bar … a big square bar for more conversation, a community table, and a beautiful wine station in the dining room for everyone to look at.”
Behind the bar, Sasso said, he is setting up a charcuterie station, where a chef will assemble meat and cheese platters.
Gusto — which translates to “taste” in Italian — will offer a simple, traditional menu, but with a more modern twist.
For example, one dish Sasso described is spaghetti with clams, mussels, lemon zest, and aged black garlic, which creates a black sauce.
“The black garlic taste is like dates, so it is sweet,” Sasso said. “Simple ingredients, but different.”
Sasso said he wants to attract customers of all ages with his concept, as well as create an atmosphere where guests can “hang out and socialize,” while experiencing various wine and food pairings.
In addition to Gusto Osteria & Wine Bar, Sasso will continue to be the general manager at Relish Kings Park (2 Pulaski Road in Kings Park) and plans to operate a new waterfront seafood and steakhouse in the area called The Inlet Restaurant (coming soon).
Sasso said Gusto’s menu has something for all tastes, and that he hopes he will attract patrons with the eatery’s boutique selection of wines.
“[Gusto’s] menu is designed in a way that you can come into the restaurant, drink a glass of wine for $12, eat a meat and cheese board, spend $40 a person, or you can have a Tomahawk steak and buy a $300 bottle of wine — it’s for everybody’s pocket,” Sasso said.
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Top photo: Exterior of Relish in Hauppauge. (Relish/Facebook)
