Deer Park may not strike most Cincinnatians as a culinary hot spot, but the northeastern suburb is home to a handful of eateries serving well-executed international cuisine. Case in point: Il Gusto Pizza and Pasta, where owner Doni Dervisholli serves up wildly good pizza and Italian dishes. First, the pizzas are New York–style pies that earned Il Gusto recognition from Yelp as the 17th best pizza place in the Midwest.
The Margherita—with its fresh mozzarella over a flavor-forward sauce, topped with chopped basil and a heavy drizzle of Il Gusto’s specialty olive oil—is the obvious star. Other specialty menu standouts include the meat lover’s (pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, and ground beef) and the white spinach, a no-sauce pizza loaded with mozzarella, spinach, and generous dollops of ricotta cheese. Diners can also opt for a cauliflower crust cheese pizza or craft their own creation from a variety of toppings.
