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The force behind the ever-popular Mexican restaurant The Black Ant, Jorge Guzman and his team opened their latest project Gardenia last night. Despite Guzman's strong Mexican leanings (he also owns Ofrenda), Gardenia is focus is Mediterranean meets Latin. There's seating for about 70, including an 18-seat bar with hand-painted tiles that go with the floral theme.
The Menu: The Black Ant's Mario Hernandez is at the helm in the kitchen here, but he's left his bugs across town. The seafood-heavy menu sort of hops around from Mexico with black tortilla tacos, to Italy with a salad of bibb lettuce, radishes, and gorgonzola dolce, to Greece with taramasalata and grilled pita. There's also a Catalan-style paella and a raw bar with oysters accompanied by smoked tomatillo mignonette. Guzman's beverage list here is broader than the ones at The Black Ant and Ofrenda, but there's still tequila and mezcal to drink along with a signature cocktail called "take me back to the ocean" (gin, grape oil, orange blossom, blood orange puree, lemon, and honey).
Guzman's team is also getting ready to open what they hope will be a 24/7 Mexican street food spot El Temerario in Chelsea, which will have Cafe Bamba, a cafe and retail shop next door. Both are slated for late summer/early fall openings.
