Gardenia

Being without gas for over one month after purchasing our new home hasn't been too good on our belly's or on our wallets. Eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner can get quite boring and expensive after awhile especially when there's four of us. Realistically theres only so much you can eat. I get sushi one day, Indian, Dominican, Italian, and Mexican another.  It almost seems like a routine and I'm not too fond about routines. So when Gardenia invited me over to try their food.. I accepted.

I first heard about Gardenia a few months ago when I was still in the process of purchasing my house. To my surprise house hunting was more time consuming than I thought. Cutting to the chase, I didn't have time to visit until now and since I love sharing cool restaurants who serve delicious food.. here is one. Gardenia.. has Happy Hour Monday-Saturday from 4PM-6:30PM. It is located on 64 Drowning St. New York, NY 10014.

Gardenia is known to be a modern Latin-accented Mediterranean restaurant serving intricate cocktails in a bright airy setting. More like.. all my prayers answered!

From the outside it looks like an airy restaurant perfect for first dates. After entering it becomes so much more. I love how open and delicate the space is, how the plants hang off the middle of the room and how it's equally as beautiful during the day and at night.

Below you'll find all that my friend and I ordered.
Everything was delicious!!

Ceviche

Baby grilled octopus had a unique chard crunch as well as flavor. Tender tentacles grilled to perfection accompanied with roasted potatoes.  

TUNA AND CRAB TARTARE
fresh guacamole and root vegetable chips

CATALAN PAELLA
saffron, shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, spanish chorizo, roasted peppers, sweet peas

GRILLED BRANZINO
roasted Yucon herbs, potatoes, organic extra virgin olive oil.

cannot forget dessert!