Gaia Restaurant

It is restaurant week! Great excuse to go out and check out different restaurants! For our first one this year, we checked out Gaia. It's a really nice Mediterranean spot..the food and service were amazing. Our waiter was so sweet. He saw me taking photos of the complimentary pita and spread. So he asked, "do you want to take photos of the food before I split it for you guys to share." -Warmed my heart- The decor was so nice too! I'm so glad we went!What we ordered:Complimentary pita and spreadAppetizers:~ Calamari (it was seriously grilled to perfection)~ Salmon Tartare (I never had it with apple garnish, and orange and lime juice)Entrees: (Disclaimer, we were hungry so we forgot to take the photos before our servers split the food for us. But no regrets the food was really good) ~ Fish of the day: Sea bass, with tomatoes and a celery puree ( it just melted in my mouth and I usually don't like celery, but I didn't mind the puree)~ Lamb Chops (you can never go wrong with lamb chops) there is a $18 supplement, but it was so worth it!)Dessert:Ekmek Kataifi Greek Yogurt Cheesecake (reminds me of a NY cheesecake

Love love LOVE the ambiance. Classy and the interior is just breathtaking. Service was good although we did wait quite a bit for our main entrees.The cocktails were pretty good. Had the purple princess.Octopus was delicious but the salmon tartare wasn't quite memorable.Same with the entrees. The Branzino melts in your mouth but seafood risotto was just okay.Overall a good experience and I'll come back but just for a cocktail and that octopus.

I recently dined during Restaurant Week at Gaia, a Mediterranean (primarily Greek) restaurant. The staff warmly greeted us upon entry. The interior is beautiful, supplying a feast for the eyes, with a stained glass artwork worthy of a museum.We opted for the three-course prix fixe menu, and the waiter convinced us to add the tuna tartare to share, which was an excellent suggestion. Seafood seems to be their specialty.For starters, we had the lobster-pumpkin soup and the meatballs. The meatballs were extremely tender--unexpectedly so--and very delicious. For the main course, we chose the risotto and the sea bass. The sea bass was a generous portion with a mild flavor.Despite the generally good atmosphere, the noise level was extremely loud. We found ourselves shouting at each other, and the waiters had to raise their voices to take orders. Then, live music started, compounding the noise level. I like to have conversations with my dinner companions, and this made it impossible. As a result, I probably will not return, which is unfortunate because I think the restaurant has a lot to offer.

Seriously, wow. My wife and I had the opportunity to dine at GAIA the other night. Again - wow!!! The smaller storefront in no way reflects the interior. The place is so spacious and so pretty, it is hard to inventory all of the special features in the building. The two floor restaurants has amazing detail and touches throughout. There is marble and gold, linen and beautiful glassware, it is a work of art!Speaking of works of art, the Mediterranean themed menu doesn't miss a beat. Our group had a sampling of apps, main dishes and desserts so we got to share. The apps included various seafood items. There a bread service with olives, hummus, and warm pita. We shared lamb, beef, and two preparations of fish for main courses. And then dessert - such good options from cheesecake to profiteroles to a small fried dough followed by fruit.Service was friendly, professional, and attentive. They knew the menu inside and out. And never overbearing - they stayed in the shadows and popped out as needed! What a great addition to the NY restaurant scene. It's a celebration spot, romantic dinner destination, a wonderful bar to grab a drink or just a casual dinner on a weeknight.If I haven't sold you already, give it a try yourself! You won't be disappointed!

Gaia is a standout in NYC's dining scene! The ambiance is a lovely blend of modern elegance and cozy warmth, making it perfect for both romantic evenings and lively gatherings.The food is exceptional. We started with the snapper ceviche, paired with a refreshing gazpacho sauce, followed by the freshest jumbo prawns and a whole fish grilled to perfection. Each dish showcased the chef's skill and passion for Mediterranean cuisine.The live saxophone player added a sophisticated touch to the atmosphere, making our meal feel extra special. Service was top-notch, with owner Sean and his staff treating us like family. They also providing fantastic recommendations for food and local bars. If you're after exceptional food in a vibrant setting, don't miss Gaia--it's truly a gem!

Amazing new addition to the area! The apps are light, unique and very tasty. The octopus is a must try. The fresh seafood, is really tasty, the steak is also a hidden gem (owner ran a major steakhouse for many years, so he knows what he is doing). Couldn't recommend this place enough. Place has an awesome vibe, great service, with great cocktails if you just want a drink at the bar as well!

We came in for appetizers and some cocktails. Reagan was our bartender and she was amazingly attentive and the food was delicious. We had the mussels and the Greek sausage. So good! Definitely a great new find!

I rarely leave reviews, but I feel so compelled here. Gaia is a MUST. Operated by experienced NYC restaurateurs, this establishment is brand new and deserves to last as long as possible. You're paying for authenticity, exemplary service and ambiance, and authentic, fresh, exceptional Mediterranean cuisine. My husband and I honeymooned in Greece, and our dinner transported us back to the Aegean. Everything was fresh, the olive oil alone is other-worldly, let alone the rest of our phenomenal dinner - I truly cannot remember the last time I had a dining experience like this. Located conveniently smack in Midtown Manhattan just off of Herald Square, a block and a half away from Penn Station, a few blocks from Grand Central, Gaia needs to be on your list. I cannot wait to return and try the rest of the menu. On our first visit, we got the branzino carpaccio, stuffed grilled calamari, and the Greek salad to start. Even down to the vegetables in the Greek salad, the last time I had bell peppers so fresh was when I was in Greece, and I'm not exaggerating. Entrees were a grilled Faroe Islands wild salmon (which was imported, along with the majority of their incredibly fresh fish), and lamb chops with Greek lemon potatoes - easily the best lamb chops I've ever tasted. Dessert of loukoumades (Greek donuts) that were fresh out of the oven and heavenly. Go to Gaia!!

I'm declaring Gaia NYC's best new restaurant. The space is beautiful, the food very good, and the staff very polite. I stopped in for lunch, and I planted myself at the bar. I ordered a glass of Pinot Noir so that I could unwind. I perused the menu, and I ordered Grilled Calamari to begin. It was tender, and tasty. As my entre I ordered the Lobster Pasta. It was very good, and it contained a generous amount of Lobster. The complimentary Pita Bread and Olives were delicious too. I ended with Cheese cake. It was smooth and creamy. The bill was steep, but worth it.

Amazing ambiance and service! The high ceilings make the place feel very royal!The menu is extensive with options for everyone. Wine list is long with great choices from amazingly tasty affordable bottles to some of the higher end ones, to accomodate various preferences.Great place to take work colleagues or go with friends or family for fun! There is an upstairs area which allows for private parties while still being able to enjoy an open atmosphere and not feel closed in.It is walking distance to grand central and a perfect choice to stop by before or after a broadway show, after work, or after a long day of sight-seeing in the city.