Gusto closes in Bethesda

Gusto Farm to Street has closed at 4733 Elm Street in downtown Bethesda. Their Silver Spring location was still open when I went by last night. The fast casual Italian restaurant opened here in 2015, and has expanded to several other locations in Virginia and North Carolina since.

America's infomercial king goes live from downtown Bethesda patio (Video)

Even if you are just a tourist, you've likely spotted infomercial celebrity Matthew Lesko or one of his vehicles around downtown Bethesda - the man and his machines are both emblazoned with Riddler-esque question marks. An area resident who has written a tall stack of books on how to get free money from Uncle Sam, Lesko is best known for his manic infomercials seen nationwide.

Many authors who have sold 4 million books would move to SoHo or Beverly Hills. But instead, when not on TV, or YouTube, Lesko is supporting the downtown Bethesda economy on a regular basis.

WATCH: Matthew Lesko on Periscope live from Bethesda

A few days ago, the marketing master tackled a new media platform, Periscope, live from downtown Bethesda. In the process, he gave burgeoning homegrown chain Gusto a worldwide plug. Gusto smartly has beverage cups with its logo, and that gave some free exposure for the restaurant to viewers from watching from Bethesda to Brazil.

Gusto Italian Grill rebrands as Gusto Farm to Street in Bethesda (Photos)

Not long after celebrating its first anniversary in downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring, Gusto Italian Grill has shortened its name to Gusto, with the addition of the phrase "Farm to Street." The changes have been underway for weeks online and in advertising materials, but yesterday new signage was installed to make it official.

During this fall, Gusto has added a number of new menu items, including a cauliflower crust pizza and new salads. They also pulled off an impressive win in the North Bethesda Market tomato sauce contest.

On Saturday, December 17, Santa Claus will stop by for lunch at the Silver Spring location, and dinner at the Bethesda Gusto. There will be free candy canes, and kids will eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.

Gusto Italian Grill applies for liquor license in Bethesda

Gusto Italian Grill has applied for a liquor license from Montgomery County, to serve beer, wine and spirits. Their hearing will be on June 16. Gusto is located at 4733 Elm Street in downtown Bethesda.

Gusto Italian Grill to open Thursday, October 22 - Here's a sneak preview (Photos)

The long-awaited Gusto Italian Grill will celebrate its grand opening this coming Thursday, October 22, at 4733 Elm Street in Bethesda. An Italian spin on Chipotle, Gusto's menu will center around the piadino, an organic Italian flatbread with your choice of fillings.

A rainbow selection of
Gusto Pops

Another signature menu item was on display yesterday at Gusto: the Gusto Pops - gelato pops of various flavors. As you can see, the patio is set up for outdoor dining.

100% of proceeds from the grand opening will go to Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Whitman and Walter Johnson high schools in Bethesda.

Choose your fillings

Gusto Italian Grill installs permanent signage in Bethesda (Photos)

Well, we just found out about Tropical Smoothie Café opening on Elm Street. Now let's check in with another nearby new arrival, Gusto Italian Grill.

Yesterday, the future restaurant installed its permanent signage on the building facade, located at the corner of Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue. I first reported on Gusto last December, when it took over the former Kraze Burgers and Haagen-Dazs space. You may recall it has a "Chipotle-of-Italian" concept.

Gusto Italian Grill adds more Coming Soon signage in Bethesda (Photos)

The future Chiptole of Italian, Gusto Italian Grill, has added some more promotional signage to its windows. Gusto will open in the former Kraze Burgers space at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Bethesda. The restaurant specializes in Italian burritos.

GUSTO ITALIAN GRILL TO TAKE OVER KRAZE BURGERS SPACE IN BETHESDA

We've had the Chipotle of Asian food (ShopHouse), the Chipotle of pizza (Blaze Pizza), and the Chipotle of the Mediterranean (Cava Grill)... now get ready for the Chipotle of Italian.

Gusto Italian Grill has just signed a lease for the former Kraze Burgers space at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Bethesda. Gusto Italian Grill is built around its signature item, the Gusto Italian Roll-Up. An Italian burrito of sorts, this tortilla-like Italian flatbread is organic, and will hold your choice of Italian flavors from pasta or beans to meats, cheeses and signature sauces.

Those many choices, and the burrito-style product, are reminiscent of Chipotle, as is the bowl option. You can also get a salad bowl entree, house-made breadsticks and your choice of organic Italian sodas. Desserts will include gelato Gusto Pops. As with many new restaurants today, there will be an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients.

Designwise, Gusto's interior will be centered around the Gusto Tavola, a large communal table. Venetian textured gray and white walls, stained concrete floors, industrial metals, limestone tiles, beams and weathered woods, and handblown glass light fixtures will round out the interior design of Gusto Italian Grill.

It sounds good so far, and I look forward to giving Gusto Italian Grill a try when it opens (stay tuned for an opening date).

Gusto Italian Grill

4733 Elm Street