TLDR
A cozy NYC spot with an acclaimed vegetable-forward menu [4] and delicious pizzas [1]. Chef-approved favorite [1] suitable for solo diners [6] and group dinners [15].
Instagram Posts References
The reviewer and friends were invited to dinner at Gjelina. Their favorite dishes were the dry-aged ribeye and the saffron spaghetti. They also enjoyed oysters and dessert. The dinner was comped, but they ensured to tip the waiter.
Hank, the chef and owner of Salt Hank's, enthusiastically declares Gjelina as his favorite restaurant in all of New York City. He appreciates its beautiful stained wooden tables, which contribute to its positive ambiance.
Willa Moore reviews Gjelina NYC, an American and Italian restaurant in Noho, noting its pleasant but ultimately unremarkable vegetarian dishes and pizzas, which fail to live up to the legacy of its LA counterpart.
Details
This Manhattan restaurant offers a blend of American and Italian cuisine, with a notable emphasis on its vegetable dishes and pizzas, reminiscent of its Los Angeles origins. While the NYC location may not fully capture the magic of its West Coast counterpart, it provides a pleasant dining experience with standout items like grilled blue oyster mushrooms and a generally well-regarded vegetable selection [1]. The ambiance is described as cozy and suitable for various occasions, from solo dining to group gatherings [6], [15].
Food Overview
Gjelina NYC serves American and Italian dishes, with a particular focus on its vegetable offerings and pizzas [1]. While the grilled blue oyster mushrooms are a highlight [1], and the vegetable section can constitute a full meal [4], some pizzas are considered a letdown [1]. Dishes like the dry-aged ribeye and saffron spaghetti have been positively mentioned [2], and the overall food quality received a positive note during a Mother's Day brunch [9].
Highlights / Recommended
"Standout dishes include the grilled blue oyster mushrooms with tarragon butter and the dry-aged ribeye. The vegetable-forward menu is a strong point, with some dishes noted as being great for a full meal."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •food(2)
Customer Sentiment
Customer feedback is generally positive, with many praising the delicious food, cozy atmosphere, and suitability for different dining situations like solo meals or group dinners [6], [15]. Some reviews highlight specific dishes as favorites, though one article suggests the NYC outpost doesn't quite live up to the legacy of its LA sibling [1].
Caveats
One article suggests that the New York iteration of Gjelina does not quite live up to the fame of its Los Angeles counterpart, describing the atmosphere as "too-quiet" and the pizzas as a letdown [1]. Another commenter noted that its original incarnation in LA is considered superior by some [1].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About GJELINA
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Wheres A Forlorn Gal Taking Herself Out To Dinner
"The commenter recommended Gjelina for its great food quality and lively atmosphere, suggesting it might be a place to meet people."
PositiveFrom post: Les Group Dinner Recommendations Near The Gutter
"This commenter suggested Gjelina as a good option for family-style dining for a group, noting it's a bit further up from the immediate LES area but still close."
PositiveFrom post: Gjelina Breakfast Pizza Duck Hash And Fingerling
"The commenter found the service at Gjelina to be pretty good, describing it as comfortable rather than overly attentive."
PositiveFrom post: Gjelina Breakfast Pizza Duck Hash And Fingerling
"The commenter also used their Chase Sapphire Reserve credit at Gjelina and enjoyed the experience, even preferring it over Razza. They noted many other tables were also using their credits."
PositiveFrom post: Gjelina Breakfast Pizza Duck Hash And Fingerling
"The commenter asks about the service at Gjelina, comparing it to a potentially negative experience in LA. They later express that good service is a positive change, given the food is delicious."
PositiveFrom post: Gjelina Breakfast Pizza Duck Hash And Fingerling
"The commenter's mother's day brunch experience at Gjelina was positive, with good service and surprisingly good food. They would return, especially noting they received a credit from Chase Sapphire Reserve."
PositiveFrom post: Dinner Date Spots In Sohonolita
"Gjelina was recommended as a dinner date spot."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Solo Dining Spots To Sit At The Bar
"A user inquired if Gjelina's menu is suitable for a solo diner, as they typically associate it with shared plates. The response confirmed that the menu works well for one person, and leftovers can be taken home."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Solo Dining Spots To Sit At The Bar
"Gjelina is described as super cozy with music that isn't too loud, making it suitable for solo diners who might want to read, and the menu offers dishes that work well for one person, with leftovers easily taken home."
PositiveFrom post: California Style Joints Fresh Light Plant Forward
"Gjelina is mentioned as a potential fit for the user's request for California-style, plant-forward food."
PositiveFrom post: Best Vegetable Forward Restaurants
"Gjelina features an excellent 'vegetables' section on its menu that can constitute a full meal."
PositiveFrom post: Chase Sapphire Reserve New Benefits Restaurants
"A commenter reiterated that classifying a restaurant as a 'chain' simply because it has another location in a different city is an imprecise definition, implying Gjelina should not be categorized as such."
NeutralFrom post: Chase Sapphire Reserve New Benefits Restaurants
"A commenter disagreed with Gjelina being called a 'chain', noting it has a location in LA and mentioning 'Gjusta' as a related, positive establishment."
NeutralFrom post: Chase Sapphire Reserve New Benefits Restaurants
"A commenter viewed Gjelina as a decent option on the list but noted it is a chain and suggested its original incarnation (likely in LA) is superior."
Neutral