Bobby Flay is an "Iron Chef". You've seen him on multiple shows on the Food Network. But the question is, can he really cook? Well, with his brand new NoHo restaurant Gato, the answer is, Yes. In fact, I was so blown away with this restaurant, after I went on Monday, I went back on Tuesday. I plan on eating everything on that menu. Every dish I had was pure joy and awesomeness. Perfectly cooked, flavorful fare, that is Bobby's expression of Mediterranean food. He is back there in the kitchen actually cooking, which is cool too.
Definitely start with some of Gato's bar snacks, they are some of the best bar snacks in town. You can choose three for $17.
White anchovies with a sour orange sauce are delectable. Squid comes with bacon and garlic, and is a dream come true. Wild mushrooms come with ricotta and hazelnuts and is great. A cripsy prawn comes with green romesco mayonnaise, and is tasty as can be.
The two bar snacks at Gato I will never forget, and are in my mind, two of the Best dishes in all of NYC, is the Artichoke heart with quail egg and sea urchin, and the Eggplant with Manchego, oregano, and balsamic. The artichoke is just a pure bite of amazingness. I love anything with sea urchin, (I'm an #uniaddict), and this snack is no exception. The eggplant snack is truly magical. Flay's Mediterranean take on the eggplant parm. #MindBlown.
Crab risotto ($18) comes with garlic bread crumbs, Calabrian red chilies, and is actually quite light for a risotto dish, but also quite fabulous!
Roasted octopus ($17) comes with tangerine, bacon, and oregano, and is pure perfection.
Pizza at Gato gets the gourmet treatment with lamb sausage, tomato jam, mozzarella, and mint. It's delicious.
Paella ($27) comes with kale and wild mushroom, crispy artichokes, and egg. And you know what? It's kick ass. Loved it.
An entree of charred beef ($35) with Valdeon blue cheese, brown butter, red wine, and broccoli rabe-farro is amazing and magical. Greatness.
End with a Fromage Blanc Cheesecake ($11) with blood orange sauce and almond crust, and all is well in the World.
Gato is a wonderful restaurant. A great place to grab a wine or a cocktail, nibble on some bar snacks, or have an entire meal of truly delectable and perfect bites, from an "Iron Chef". With Gato, Chef Bobby Flay shows New York City, he is much more than a television personality, he is a truly great chef. So drop into Gato some time, a magical night awaits.
Gato
324 Lafayette St. (bet. Houston and Bleecker)
New York, NY 10012
212-334-6400
www.gatonyc.com