Say Hello To Gitano Island, New York City’s New Waterfront Restaurant And Beach Club On Governors Island

For New Yorkers, a flight to Mexico isn’t easy. What is is a five minute ferry ride to Governors Island, the home of the new 27,000 square foot restaurant and beach club, Gitano Island. After four years of tropical pop ups in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, the team behind Gitano Island has officially launched their first brick-and-mortar dining destination, transporting the Garden of Love Restaurant to a stunning waterfront setting, just a quick minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Lined with palm trees and hundreds of tropical plants, this drinking and dining oasis is unlike any other in the city. Those who previously visited their pop ups will recognize elements like the iconic black Bedouin dining tent with 360 marble bar; the twin dining pergolas; and open fired kitchen, with the addition of exciting new elements including a Beach Club complete with lounges and cabanas, a new CLUB GITANO members lounge centered around a 40’ water feature and a giant disco ball suspended over the water.

And for the first time ever in New York City, GITANO will introduce a tented stage and an exciting program of local and international DJs and live artist performances. The music program will feature a blend of Classic and Nu Disco, House Music, Afrobeats and Latin Music. Moreover, live acts and selectors including House legends, Disco darlings, international touring acts and local talent.

GITANO Island offers a menu of signature mezcal cocktails and authentic, modern Mexican cuisine, cooked in open fire. The new menu combines the familiar favorites like the Guacamole, Chorizo Con Queso, Watermelon Salad, Crab Tostada and Branzino in Banana Leaf with some exciting new additions like Mexican Lobster Roll, Crispy Chicken al Recado Rojo, Sopes de Guisados and Tamales de Pipián.

We chatted with James Gardner, Grupo Gitano’s founder and CEO, on the concept; initial reception; fan favorites and more. Here’s what he had to say.

Talk about the concept behind Gitano Island — what can guests look forward to?

Gitano Island transports our guests out of the city to a tropical oasis, without ever leaving the NYC! Governors Island, part of downtown Manhattan, is a five minute boat ride from the beautiful Battery Maritime Building, which also houses Casa Cipriani. Gitano Island is a modern Mexican restaurant, mezcal bar and beach club that gives the feeling of being in Tulum or out East, without a flight or Hamptons traffic!

What was the catalyst in opening Gitano Island on Gov Island? Why not just another popup on SoHo?

The SoHo location was always temporary in the interim of a Public School development that is imminent. When we were given the opportunity to move to Governors Island we jumped on it, the property is bigger, its on the water with spectacular city views, and between us, it’s even better!

Many of our Soho and Tribeca regulars are now coming out to Gitano Island and love it even more! Governors Island is also having quite a moment, with more and more New Yorkers discovering the island. The Trust of Governors Island is doing a great job attracting visitors and other chic businesses like the luxury QC Spa.

What is the inspiration behind the food and drink menu?

GITANO was born in the Yucatán jungle and so Mexico has always been our main inspiration for both the food and cocktails. We started out as Tulum’s first Mezcal Bar & Kitchen at the end of 2013 and expended to include a world class modern Mexican menu, by our executive chef Antonio Maldonado.

We have taken traditional Mexican dishes, reimagined and elevated them. Much of our menu is cooked in an open fire and is designed for sharing. To reflect our customer base, which is quite varied, we serve fresh salads and healthy options along with more sumptuous offerings, meaning guests can come for a light brunch or more of an extravagant dinner.

Were you/ are you worried that guests need to take a ferry to get there?

Yes this was always a consideration and a calculated risk. We were not sure how hard it would be to get guests over the mental barrier of taking a five minute ferry, even though the total journey can be quicker than being stuck in the Varick/Canal St Holland Tunnel traffic on the way to our previous Soho location.

Given this concern we knew that the space design, menu, and programing would need to be next level to make Gitano Island even more of a destination. We were absolutely blown away by the response when we opened the first two weeks of reservations at 600 per night for dinner and 300 for brunch and were fully booked in just a few hours. We have served almost 40,000 guests in our first two months of being open!

Talk about the music program and what Club Gitano is. Why should people be excited?

Our concept is dinner and dancing, get dressed up and come for a fun dinner, it’s an entire night out! Our music and programing is central to the concept and experience. GITANO Island is the first time we have been able to program DJs and live music in NYC and this has added a whole new layer which is so exciting. We designed a tented stage with spectacular city views as a backdrop.

We erected a 30’ tipi structure and suspended our signature giant disco over the lotus pond, glistening across the entire property. We have a roster of talented resident DJs, musicians and international guests. On Mondays we have a chic and fun Burlesque show, on Thursday our friend and models King Lindo and Chris Moore DJ and host a fun party, Fridays is our glam “Island Disco” get dressed up and sparkle with DJs like Amber Valentine, Saturday is “Ceremonia” with Gospel and Tulum DJ Ariz Lockman and Sunday is our “Love Sensation” super fun LGBTQ party, with DJs like Eli Escobar, Boyyish and The Muses.

What are some fan favorite for dishes and cocktails?

Everyone loves the Truffle Tlayuda, the Lobster Tosdada and the Branzino in Banana Leaf. We have just introduced a Mexican Burger and a special taco menu for lunch, already a big hit. Everyone loves our Churros, served with a Chocolate and Jalepeno or Caramel and Mezcal sauce. The Jungle Fever is our biggest selling and most popular cocktail, its our spicy mezcal margarita with fresh lime juice, cilantro and chili.

What’s your favorite dish?

I have been very hands on with the new menu, and of course have taste approved everything but our Pollo En Recado Rojo (crispy chicken with a red sauce) is delicious, and our side dishes, wild mushrooms, chipotle potatoes and purple cabbage really compliment this dish very well.

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