GATO Awards

GATO Restaurant Review:

It wasn’t a huge shock when Bobby Flay announced in 2013 that he was shutting down his flagship restaurant on Fifth Avenue, Mesa Grill. New York fooderati had long forgotten about the Southwest establishment. But after opening up this NoHo place in early 2014, Flay has landed on his feet solidly. GATO is a Spanish/Mediterranean destination and be forewarned: it’s perpetually mobbed. Perhaps deservedly so. Flay roasts his octopus (instead of grilling it) and then pairs it with bacon, tangerine and oregano, a combination that works wonderfully. Creamy crab risotto is sprinkled with garlic bread crumbs and pizza comes out topped with lamb and tomato jam. There are also entrée-size dishes like saffron-spiked halibut and a tender roasted rabbit leg. Desserts include a winning Meyer lemon tart. The wine list is pricey and heavy on Spanish and Italian bottles with a couple surprise selections from places like New Mexico.