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New York City foodies need to check out one of Iron Chef, Bobby Flays’ most important restaurants – GATO. This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is located on 324 Lafayette St. in the NoHo neighborhood.
Bobby Flay has been cooking professionally for over 30 years. He is Chef/Owner of GATO, Bar Americain, also located in NYC and CT, Mesa Grill in Las Vegas and Paradise Island, and Bobby Flay Steak in Atlantic City. For over 20 years, Flay has had various programs on Food Network, including Iron Chef America. Flay, being a proud New Yorker, often notes on his various shows that “the city is my kitchen,” utilizing its diverse cuisines, amazing styles and infectious energy as inspiration for his restaurants.
Before we head any further, what does “GATO” even mean? For those of you who are not aware, “GATO” means “cat” in Spanish and if you are an avid follower of Bobby Flay on social media, you would know that he is an adamant cat lover. In fact, the name GATO was inspired by a mysterious orange cat that walked through Flay’s feet on Lafayette Street while he was waiting for a real estate broker to show him the space for the first time. The cat has not been seen since, but his initial appearance made a permanent impression.
As most faithful foodies restaurateurs know, each component in a restaurant is important whether it is the food, atmosphere, mood, music, or service. Flay strives for GATO to express the essence of Mediterranean food, drink, and design. The NoHo location is a 100-year-old building, giving off the historical vibe intertwined with a New York twist of the food selections. GATO is the first restaurant to reside in that building, and GATO combines its NYC roots with a European sensuality which gives off a casual approach, a energetic environment, and a dedicated passion to its cuisine.
Anybody who is interested in making a reservation, patrons may call the restaurant at 212-334-6400 or make an online reservation on their website at gatonyc.com.
-by Albany Reed
