Restaurant Spotlight: Gitano
If you’re desperately seeking a vacation…
Channel some vacation vibes at Gitano! I’ve come here before Covid with big groups gathered close together around a table with loud music playing and shared plates. The dining experience is a little different now, but you still get a very gorgeous garden atmosphere, smack in the middle of Soho and TriBeca.
Gitano started in Tulum, and then created this outpost in New York City a few years ago. The overall atmosphere and decor for this NY restaurant is to recreate the jungle beach environment of Tulum, and it’s turned out pretty cute!
What To Expect
The restaurant recommends you make a reservation.
When you walk up to the restaurant you’ll see there is a bouncer, and he’s not there to help your friends cut the line as you enter the club - he’s going to have you fill out an agreement form for their Covid rules and for contract tracing. Then he’s going to take your temperature.
~ It’s 2020 ~
There are tons of private seating areas around the restaurant, and a hostess will seat you. Just note the bar isn’t really an area you can hang in - staff will ensure you’re staying at your table.
You can order everything on your menu digitally, to reduce contact, which makes splitting the bill with a big group really easy. The restaurant is spacious, and you can fit a larger party, and trust me it is not easy to find a table for 9 people right now!
Start with some drinks, but you have to place an order of food for the table as well.
Beers are pretty standard pricing for New York, but the cocktails are $PRICEY$ - like $22. Your jaw might drop if you’re not from New York, and even if you are. But they are also delicious so pretend you are on vacation and get a fun one.
I got the margarita, not very wild but very good.
The food is authentic Mexican cuisine, and it’s easy to share plates. Ryan and I tried the chorizo con queso, the truffle tlayuda which is like a flatbread, the carne asada, and shrimp tacos.
Overall it’s a good spot to dine with a big group, and definitely has a nice atmosphere. You barely know you are in New York, other than the skyline behind you.
Things close down pretty early these days, so we were on our way home by 11:30pm and that was perfectly fine for me!
If you are in New York and looking for something different, check it out!
Xx Gab