Let’s go to Tulum! But leave your suitcase at home, because the vibe you’re looking for is right here in NYC.
Gitano Island, formally Gitano Garden of Love, moved from its inner City location to Governor’s Island at the start of the Summer. It’s a Tulum Inspired beach club that definitely has the ability to make you believe you’re on vacation, if only for a couple hours.
Because it’s on Governor’s Island, you’ll have to take a Ferry there (We caught the one from Manhattan on 10th St.). And don’t say you heard this from me, but although we did pay for our tickets ($4 p/p), we were not asked for them. Now, I’m not telling you to steal a ferry ride or anything, I’m just saying 🤷🏽♀️.
But anywho, we chose this place for our date night. Here are the details……
Venue
Hospitality: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hosts were polite and fast with service . We did, however, receive a dish we didn’t order, and an entrée we did order was unavailable. But still, we were accommodated swiftly and professionally.
Environment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A VIBE!!!!! If you like shaking your a** at upbeat and electric type atmospheres, this is the place for you! Starting at 4pm, there’s a live DJ and non stop partying with the liveliest crowd. But if you’d prefer a more relaxed setting, you can opt for the Jungle Brunch instead.
Family friendly: ⭐️ ⭐️
Children allowed (there were a few there during our visit), but adults recommended.
Food
Taste: ⭐️⭐️1/2
I don’t think I’ve ever given a restaurant a rating this low before on taste, but the options here just didn’t do it for me. Of course, this is my opinion based on my own preferences and our specific entrée’s.
First, let me start by saying nothing was HORRIBLE. I guess, just not what I expected. The Watermelon salad was amazing, though. But of course, I’m bias when it comes to watermelon because I love it so much 😋 🍉. Besides this, everything else came out cold or room temperature, and the taste was just ok. Again, I’m only speaking from my own opinion in regards to the items we ordered. Perhaps I would have had a better experience if we’d tried something else.
The drinks were great 👌🏾.
Take a look at their menus, here.
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The food was presented exactly the way I would have expected. Served on banana leaves and wooden dishes, it gave that earthy Tulum feel. The plating couldn’t have been more on point.
Price: $$
The average price for entrée’s and drinks are between $22 and $30. Not too bad if you ask me.
The takeaway…… Nice place to visit but I don’t suppose I’d be going back. My reason for visiting in the first place was for the aesthetic and some cute pics. Mission accomplished ✅.
Have you been to Gitano? Which location? Let’s chat!
TTYL ✌🏾,
LEXI 💋
