Dining Guide

Gusto

Paris-trained chef de cuisine Oscar Unamuno and pastry chef Jaqueline Eastmond bring Mediterranean flavors with a strong South American accent to El Paso. Traditional arepas feature crispy corn cakes stuffed with spicy braised beef, melted asadero, or both; steaks are smoky and tender and large enough for two. Gusto has a warm, inviting interior, with cozy booths, a glass-enclosed wine room separating the bar from the main area, and a wall of fake grass that, oddly enough, is just cool. There’s live music most weekends and classy cocktails every night.