Californian-inspired spot w/ standout veg dishes & pizzas. Cozy ambiance, great for breakfast or a casual bite.
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, the New York outpost of a celebrated California restaurant, offers a menu with a strong emphasis on vegetables, alongside pizzas and classic American and Italian dishes. While praised for its fresh ingredients and a standout vegetable section, some reviewers found the execution, particularly of the pizzas, to be unremarkable compared to its Los Angeles counterpart. The ambiance is described as cozy and suitable for various occasions, though some have noted it can be on the quieter side. It's considered a solid choice for a sunlit breakfast or a casual meal, especially if other nearby options are unavailable.
This American and Italian restaurant offers a menu rich in vegetables, with a dedicated section praised for its creativity and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Standout dishes include grilled blue oyster mushrooms and a well-balanced Sprouted Purple Barley with Poached Egg. Pizzas, such as the Lamb Sausage variety, are considered decent but not exceptional. While some dishes like the Saffron Spaghetti are straightforward, the overall culinary experience leans towards fresh, albeit sometimes subtle, flavors.
"The grilled blue oyster mushrooms are highly recommended, and the vegetable section of the menu is a particular strength. The Sprouted Purple Barley with Poached Egg and Lemon Buckwheat Ricotta Pancakes are noted as good breakfast options."
Customers generally find the restaurant to be a pleasant and cozy spot, with a particular appreciation for its focus on fresh vegetables. However, some feel the New York location doesn't quite live up to the reputation of its Los Angeles origins, especially concerning the pizza.
Important Note
Some reviewers feel that the New York location does not fully capture the magic of its Los Angeles counterpart, particularly regarding the pizzas.
"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
