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Grupo Gitano Launches its Newest Location in SoHo, Manhattan

GRUPO GITANO announced in January of this year the opening of the GITANO Jungle Room NYC, a year-round tropical restaurant and bar that re-imagines the Group’s Jungle Room in Tulum, inspired by the colonial architecture of the Yucatan Peninsula, a beautiful dramatic room hidden in the jungle for 100 years. Following success of the first season of GITANO NYC, a tropical garden oasis located on an entire city block entrance on Grand Street, the GITANO Jungle Room is the latest addition to the Grupo Gitano portfolio, and is designed, developed and operated by visionary entrepreneur and Founder James Gardner. The restaurant and lounge resides inside the adjacent James New York in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood and offers a modern take on Mexican and Mayan cuisine, with a menu developed by Michelin-starred, Consulting Chef Mads Refslund in collaboration with Head Chef Yvan Lemoine.

“We are excited to continue our journey connecting our homes in Tulum, Mexico and New York City, where I have lived and worked since 1994. The GITANO Jungle Room brings a taste of Tulum and the Yucatan Peninsula to NYC with an elevated in-door experience at the James New York – SoHo.” says Gardner. “We look forward to surprising and delighting our guests with a one-of-a-kind culinary and beverage experience delivered at the highest level of service and hospitality. It’s Part Two of our hidden tropical oasis in the heart of downtown Manhattan.”

Owned by Thor Equities Group, The James New York – SoHo has been named one of The Best Hotels in New York City by Travel + Leisure.

“After falling in love with Gitano on my visits to Tulum, I am pleased to be able to bring a part of that special experience to SoHo, one of New York’s signature shopping and dining destinations,” said Joseph Sitt, Chairman of Thor Equities Group.

DESIGN

Inspired by the lush tropical jungle of Tulum Beach and the Spanish-Colonial architecture of the Yucatan Peninsula, the GITANO Jungle Room is located in a subterranean space within The James New York – SoHo and also includes the Jungle Bar & Terraces located one floor above, covering a total of 12,000 square feet. The entrance to the main dining room immediately transports guests to the tropics, with a welcoming one-of-a-kind 10’ tall illuminated crystal palm tree, complementing a shimmering, giant disco ball that literally descends from within the 20’ skylight connecting the Jungle Room and Jungle Bar above.

The Jungle Room restaurant sits 120 for dinner and up to 150 for cocktails, and is finished with a delicate GITANO pink plaster, filled with lush tropical plants, lined with rustic wood and ancient Mexican architectural elements and textiles curated by Gardner together with his husband, artist Andrew Cramer. Set under a soft glow from the tropical, vintage brass chandeliers, colonial sconces are lush black velvet banquets, Indian print cushions of gold and pink and wooden tables set for groups of all sizes.

The Jungle Bar lounge area upstairs, accessed by a private elevator, is designed with a similar bohemian, rustic aesthetic, and plastered in the iconic GITANO gray also found at the Tulum location. With seating for 20 and standing space for up to 50, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlook SoHo and provide a birds-eye view of the downstairs restaurant bar and glistening disco ball.

FOOD   

The modern Mexican and Mayan inspired menu is developed by Gitano Grupo Consulting Chef at Large, Mads Refslund, co-founder of Noma and former Executive Chef of ACME in collaboration with Executive Chef and Partner Yvan Lemoine, former executive chef of Bodega Negra. GITANO Jungle Room offers fresh and flavorful Mexican and Mayan dishes with international influence. The full menu is available in the main dining room, while the upstairs lounge offers signature cocktails as well as a selection of light bites.

The menu is broken down into five categories (Snacks, Small Plates, Large Plates, Sides, and Desserts) although everything is for the table and recommended to be shared. For snacks and small plates, highlights include the Tuna Tostada with avocado, radish and sesame, the Truffle Quesadilla Oaxaca with huitlacoche, gouda and black truffle, and the succulent honey glazed Lamb Ribs with coriander and lime.

The Large Plates feature a flavorful Brook Trout cooked and served in a banana leaf, Carne Asada with a bold chimichurri marinade, and Pot Roasted Cauliflower, a full head of cauliflower covered with black garlic mole that sits on top of a cauliflower cream purée. Diners have the option to include a “Taco Add-On” to their order, inclusive of lettuce wraps, fresh herbs, as well as Chef Lemoine’s homemade corn tortillas and hot salsas.

The Dessert category includes options ranging from light and tropical to pure decadence. The Coconut Panna Cotta is served in a coconut shell and topped with almond granola and seasonal fruit, and the mini Churros Con Chocolate are served with spiced Mexican dipping chocolate balanced with a side of vanilla ice cream.

BEVERAGES

Veteran Head Bartender Jeremy Strawn, an owner in Mulbery Projects and formerly of Death & Co, Merchants Hospitality, and The Standard Hotel, has created a cocktail menu that takes the beverage offering to the next level. Composed of refreshing tropical libations with an emphasis on Mexican spirits and fresh seasonal ingredients. The list includes The Garden Rose made with Rosé tequila, St. Germain, lemon, strawberry and rose water; a dairy-free milk cocktail, Campari Punch made with whipped coconut milk, orange juice, pineapple juice and lemon juice. Not to be missed is the Golden God, a CBD-infused cocktail with Los Vecinos Mezcal, passion fruit, lemon, and yellow chartreuse, and the Total Tropicalism infused with reposado tequila, ginger, lemon, honey and Banhez Mezcal. Wines by the bottle and glass are also available, along with a selection of beers.

GITANO Jungle Room NYC is located in the James New York – SoHo with its own private entrance at 23 Grand Street at the corner of Avenue of the Americas. The restaurant and bar is open daily for cocktails from 5pm and for dinner from 6pm closing at midnight in the week and 1am on the weekends Thursday – Saturday.

For more information and online reservation visit GRUPOGITANO.COM/NYC