LA import serving farm-to-table Californian-Med cuisine. Standout veggies & pizzas, but NYC spot aims for cozy & quiet.
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.
Gjelina NYC, a New York outpost of the renowned Los Angeles restaurant, offers a menu that leans into American and Italian influences with a strong emphasis on vegetables. While it boasts high-quality ingredients and some standout dishes like the grilled blue oyster mushrooms, the New York location has been described as not quite living up to the legacy of its West Coast counterpart. The ambiance is noted as pleasant but subdued, making it a potential spot for a quiet breakfast or a casual meal.
Gjelina's food focuses on Californian-Mediterranean and American cuisine, with a strong emphasis on vegetables and pizzas. Highly recommended dishes include the grilled blue oyster mushrooms and certain pizzas like the lamb sausage. However, some reviews suggest the pizzas can be a hit or miss, and certain vegetable dishes may lack distinct flavor. The menu also features pasta and meat options, such as a notable saffron spaghetti and a Berkshire pork chop.
"Standout dishes include the grilled blue oyster mushrooms, Nantucket Bay Scallops, and the lamb sausage pizza. The vegetable-focused dishes are generally a highlight, and the saffron spaghetti is also mentioned positively."
Customers generally find the food to be good, with a particular appreciation for the vegetable dishes and some pizzas. However, there's a sentiment that the New York iteration doesn't quite capture the magic of its Los Angeles original, leading to a "totally fine" but not exceptional dining experience.
Important Note
Some reviews suggest that while the New York location is pleasant, it may not live up to the reputation of its Los Angeles counterpart, with certain dishes like pizzas being described as disappointing or unremarkable.
"Gjelina was recommended as a dinner date spot."
Positive"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."
Positive"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."
Positive"Gjelina is mentioned as a potential fit for the user's request for California-style, plant-forward food."
Positive"Gjelina features an excellent 'vegetables' section on its menu that can constitute a full meal."
Positive"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."
Neutral"A commenter disagreed with Gjelina being called a 'chain', noting it has a location in LA and mentioning 'Gjusta' as a related, positive establishment."
Neutral"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
