Gitano's Lush Outdoor "Garden Of Love" Opens This Week

A certain square block area of Soho, just above Tribeca, has slowly been turning into Tulum. Last summer, Gitano made its NYC debut with a sprawling outdoor oasis in a lot-turned-rain forest between Grand and Canal. Despite a rough start (which included being briefly closed by the health department), the watering hole was nevertheless one of the hottest places to see-and-be-seen all season. Then, in January, Grupo Gitano unveiled yet another offshoot just across the street at The James Hotel: Gitano Jungle Room, a bi-level restaurant and lounge boasting all the tropical vibes in a year-round location. While it was then unclear whether that meant the group was abandoning its seasonal spot, the palms seemed to stick around the original space all through winter. 

Now, it's official: Gitano has indeed brought back its open-air outpost. Renamed Gitano Garden of Love, the 24,000-square-foot venue brings the beach to the concrete jungle, along with a "dream team" of international chefs, including Atla's Daniela Soto-Innes and Michelin Star-boasting Mika Bagale, who have helped to curate the Mexican-inspired menu. Amid the 30-foot coconut palms, hundreds of tropical plants, and wooden pergolas, guests can sip tequila and mezcal-focused cocktails, snack on tacos and ceviche, and even take part in daily meditation sessions at sunset. It seems the spot has finally developed some of the programs it advertised last year, such as an urban farm (which will be used to educate local public school students) and a branded retail concept.

Click through for an inside look at the new and improved summer go-to.

GITANO Garden of Love, 76 Varick Street

[Photos courtesy Gitano]