The word “freestyle” is thrown around a lot in reference to Giusto. It’s a term that allows chef-owner Kevin O’Donnell some liberties in a traditional Italian kitchen, as well as a marketing tool to announce something unexpected. It’s not entirely accurate though. Giusto is unexpected if you’re comparing it to Federal Hill but there’s nothing on the menu that suggests O’Donnell is making
it up as he goes along.

Quite the contrary. This is a well-oiled machine from conception to execution and, if it occasionally presents itself as a simple snapshot of pastoral Italy, it’s only to hide the gears and engines in the open kitchen.