East Village sweet shop offers authentic Italian treats

Daniel Yeom for WSN

Alphabet City is now offering a scrumptious selection of Italian desserts. Casa Gusto, which opened on Feb. 1, specializes in authentic desserts, all imported directly from Turin, Italy.

Owner Christine Huynh wants to provide New York with the “good stuff.” The products Casa Gusto offers reflect Huynh’s personal favorites.

“One day, my husband returned from a business trip in Italy and brought me chocolate,” Huynh said. “I fell in love.”

Daniel Yeom for WSN

After a year-long search for the perfect brand of authentic Italian sweets, Huynh settled on chocolate products from Venchi, an Italian chocolate brand renowned for its original recipes. Chocolates are delicately wrapped in foil and sold by the piece. Huynh recommends the “classic Giandujotto” ($1.25), a soft hazelnut-flavored chocolate.

Global Liberal Studies freshman Susan Lee loves the delectable sweet.

“[The Giandujotto] is really smooth and feels like fudge,” Lee said.

Macarons ($2.50) are equally tempting. Casa Gusto’s macaron flavors include salted caramel and raspberry.

Daniel Yeom for WSN

Gelato is also a popular choice. Favorite types of gelato include chocolate, dulce de leche and coconut. Next month, Casa Gusto will offer an additional eight flavors.

The store also offers a few beverage options, including Casa Coffee ($4.25) and the Venchi hot chocolate ($4.25). Huynh is planning to expand the drink menu.

Though the store opened only recently, customers are already frequenting it.

“People who like chocolate keep coming back for the chocolate, and people who like gelato keep coming back for gelato,” Huynh said.

Casa Gusto is located at 199 Avenue A.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Feb. 27 print edition. Daniel Yeom is a contributing writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.