Gardenia

Gardenia Restaurant Review:

If the food of the Mediterranean and Latin America met up in Manhattan, it might taste something like what is coming out of the kitchen at Gardenia. The light, airy space is a proper vehicle for the health-conscious seafood-heavy menu. Sip on a French Negroni (made with orange-infused vodka) while perusing the dishes that are perfect for sharing. A Mediterranean Sangria mixes rosé, elderflower, cachaça and fresh fruit. The Bibb lettuce salad with sunflower seeds and Gorgonzola dolce is a meal in and of itself. Coca bread, a pizza-like dough from Catalonia, is topped with oxtail, tomatoes and manchego, and comes sliced and ready for the table to devour. Black tortilla tacos, filled with tuna and accompanied by fried plantains, are a winning option. For a sweet finish, consider the strawberry tart with balsamic ice cream. At brunch, huevos rancheros with salsa verde, refried beans, queso fresco and avocado may be supplemented with crab.