Caffe Buon Gusto is open for business in Riverdale.

Located across the street and down the block from Hayden Hall at 4576 Manhattan College Parkway, the compound bar-restaurant-coffee shop fully opened for business last week.

Caffe Buon Gusto had been serving coffee and light pastries for three weeks before the kitchen opened last week, offering a wide variety of tried-and-true Italian favorites. Riverdale is Caffe Buon Gusto’s fourth location, adding to restaurants on the Upper West Side, Lower East Side and Brooklyn Heights.

The Menu

Caffe Buon Gusto’s broad menu is packed with favorite Italian standbys. Appetizers include traditional dishes like burrata, calamari, and prosciutto with melon, ranging from $8 for a mixed green salad to $22 for a large cheese platter built to share.

Entrees include a wide array of specialty pastas, including homemade ravioli and tortellini with choice of sauce ($18.90) and several meat dishes, including pancetta wrapped filet mignon ($33.95) and chicken parmigiana ($20.95). For dessert, cheesecake, flourless chocolate almond cake and tiramisu were on offer.

Vegetarian options include personal pizzas (from $9.95) and eggplant.

The Ambience

Caffe Buon Gusto is separated into two parts: the coffee shop and the restaurant. The coffee shop has a cozy feel, with a dark color palette and comfortable furnishings. The restaurant side of Caffe Buon Gusto has an open floor plan leading from the bar into the dining room. Exposed brick and large windows facing Manhattan College Parkway give it a bright feel that is simultaneously upscale and casual.

For Lunch: Homemade Spinach Ravioli with Pesto

For lunch, I had the spinach ravioli with pesto ($18.90). Though the prices are high, the portions are more than ample. The ravioli were well cooked, with an al dente texture and a firm filling of spinach and ricotta. The pesto sauce was light and slightly creamy, contrasting well in the heft of the pasta and the dense filling.

For Dessert: Flourless Chocolate Almond Cake

For dessert, I had the chocolate almond cake. Decadent and rich, the cake packed a powerful punch of cocoa flavor with hints of almond sneaking through in each bite. This dessert is quite a mouthful and is perfect for sharing.

When to Go

Caffe Buon Gusto is open for coffee and pastries from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The kitchen opens for lunch at noon and closes at 10 p.m. Even though Jasper Dollars are not yet accepted, the restaurant offers a 10 percent discount to Manhattan College students.

The Lowdown

Caffe Buon Gusto has an upscale, but relaxed environment that is perfect for reading a book, writing a paper or just grabbing a cup of coffee on the go. Its location is ideal for making quick stops between campus and the subway. The restaurant offers a wide variety of tasty Italian-American standards. However, despite the 10 percent student discount, a full meal at Caffe Buon Gusto comes with a hefty price tag.

To learn more, visit cbgnyc.com