Soho Presents Gitano Jungle Room

February 8, 2019 Susan Serena

Restaurant and Bar with Tulum-inspired Cuisine Arrives at Gitano Jungle Room in SoHo.

After testing the waters as a pop-up and being such a hit over the summer, Gitano Jungle Room plants itself as a permanent New York event space at the James Hotel in SoHo.

The Venue:

Stop browsing “Expedia” online and shoot over to the luxurious, no-passport-needed nirvana that is Gitano Jungle Room. Influenced by the Spanish-Colonial style of the Yucatan Peninsula, this two-floor escape looks like something straight out of a paradise travel brochure. This New York event space has antique brass chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, subtle pink plaster lines the space while wooden tables are perfectly sized and positioned for all sized groups, surrounded by countless tropical plants.

The Cuisine:

Formerly known for their exquisite cuisine at ACME and Bodega Negra, Chefs Mads Refslund and Yvan Lemoine combined cooking forces to produce a menu of Mexican and Mayan-inspired plates that will impress foodies. For small plates and snacks, choose from selections like the delicious radish and sesame plate, tasty tuna tostada accompanied by avocado, the honey-glazed lamb ribs with a bit of coriander and lime, or the appetizing quesadillas with Gouda cheese and black truffle.

When ordering from the larger dishes, you’ll notice these two top chefs went the audacious route. You’ll be delighted when choosing from menu options like the “pot-roasted” cauliflower (it’s basically a full cauliflower head that’s covered with black garlic mole and placed atop a cauliflower cream purée) with brook trout prepared in a banana leaf. Finalize your fare with some of the mini churros con chocolate, as you make your way upstairs for some cocktails with a view.

Beverages:

In brief, you simply won’t go wrong with any cocktail you choose from Gitano Jungle Room in NYC. Formed by co-founder and lead bartender Jeremy Strawn, the impressive cocktail menu is comprised of exotic beverages with an emphasis on Mexican spirits and seasonal ingredients.

A few cocktail favorites that standout include the “Golden God” (a CBD-infused concoction with Los Vecinos Mezcal, lemon, passion fruit, and yellow chartreuse), “The Garden Rose” (which is basically a Rosé tequila mixed with St. Germain, strawberry, lemon, and a splash of rose water), and the “Double Hot Chocolate” (chipotle-infused mezcal, ancho chiles, and coconut milk mixed with dark hot chocolate). If you’re not feeling a cocktail mix, Gitano Jungle Room does also serve an assortment of wine and beer.

Price Range:

Plates range anywhere between $12 and $32; while the cocktails are estimated at $18.

The Bottom Line:  

Gitano Jungle Room is a must see and try, particularly if you’re looking for a fashionable New York event space. Next time you find yourself looking for an escape and don’t feel like spending a full paycheck on flight tickets, we highly suggest you book a dinner reservation here instead.

Do you own or manage a New York event space that will be opening soon? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us to be featured on our website where Event Planners in NYC will be the first to know about your business.

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