Gabriela's Restaurante & Tequila
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Message from Gabriela's Restaurante & Tequila
Named after a family friend, Gabriela's has been dedicated to making authentic Mexican cuisine since 1992 and our chef Fernando Aquino brings classic dishes as well as new creative ideas to your plate and palate as well. We pride ourselves on our fresh ingredients, our comfortable and familial decor, and the satisfaction of all our customers. Come by and indulge in one of our signature margaritas, plan to have your next private party/ dinner with a group of friends, or enjoy a scrumptious brunch on the UWS with us. There's a rolling bar, a festive atmosphere, handmade tortillas and much more. All that's missing is you! Come see us today!
Reviews for Gabriela's Restaurante & Tequila
If you like NYC Mexican food, you will certainly like this place. The ambiance is pleasant, there are always quite a few people enjoying the food and the bar has also large selections of tequilas.
Posted 01/09/09 | Report Abuse
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I found a LIVE insect in my salad. It was by far the most disgusting thing I have ever witnessed.
A few people around my table encoountered this and left.
The worse part was the Manager admitted she was aware of the problem and that she has been seeing alot of them in the kitchen.
No one should be eating at this place!
Pros: None
Cons: Terrible Service and found a Live insect in my Salad
Posted 08/27/09
This is a favorite restaurant of mine, one that my friends and I often end up staying in for hours until closing. Last night did not disappoint. You can live just off of the appetizers and the drinks alone! The Honey glazed chipotle ribs are divine, the crust for the chicken empanadas are excellent, the quesadillas, the shrimp rellenas are just great. You just can't go wrong getting the enchiladas or even the paella (full of chicken, pork, chorizo, mussels and clams) for a main course. The flavors will not disappoint and you will not leave hungry or broke. The atmosphere is wonderful for a modern Mexican feel. A must in the city!
Pros: Everything
Cons: Can't think of any
Posted 05/08/09
I had the chicken enchaldas and sangria. The rice was just ok... needs more flavor/season. Chips and Salsa was good. Sangria good, fruit tooo fresh, they did not soak it enough. It was good though. I would go back. I'm from Southern California, and it was very close to home...
Pros: Food, Good Date spot, clean and good service
Cons: Rice could be a bit more authentic.., price
Posted 01/18/09
From beginning to end this place was good! Went there with my partner ,she ordered the fish tacos, I ordered the cheese enchiladas, as appetizer we ordered the mushroom and cheese plate (forgot what it was called). The fish tacos were wonderful!!! Cheese enchilada were delicious especially if you are ALL about the queso! They are not shy with the portions. It was busy the night we went but the host (she was great!) still was composed and didn't mind that we didn't want to sit next to the door but remembered us even after she was running a list (super sweet). Our server was busy but tried his hardest and another server helped him out by taking our order, this hardly happens in the city. I have no complaints. We even had dessert. This place is closer to what I call MexiCali cuisine, but hey, some of us like that!
I rate this place two hard nipples (even a third, including my partner's) with no ice cube in sight.
Pros: food, nice people, good service
Cons: none
Posted 05/02/08
I was skeptical when they reopened and was less than impressed on my first visits however I have gone there three times in past few months and each time seems better. The service is friendly and attentive, the food is fantastic (I love the chicken and my wife loves the Gabriela's salad), and the margaritas are incredible. In the summer the outdoor cafe is one of the very best on the UWS. Im so glad that indpendent family owned neighborhood restaurant can still make it on the UWS. It seems they have passed the opening blues and are reaching thier stride. They have made a believer out of me!! Im going there again this weekend!
Pros: Awesome outdoor cafe, incredible chicken, large strong margaritas, Friendly service
Cons: Crowded on weekends.
Posted 11/29/07
We stumbled upon this place after wandering down Columbus for a few blocks and were so happy we did. The outdoor area is perfect for sitting outside (it's covered so you bake in the sun). The margaritas were good and strong. The enchiladas suizas was fantastic! Going back again this week and next!
Pros: Food, drinks, outdoor area
Cons: n/a
Posted 06/19/07
I like Gabriela's, especially in the summer when you can sip on your margarita outside on their patio but they are REALLY not known for great quality food. It's all so-so to me. The black bean soup was delish but my lobster quesadillas felt like they were dipped in grease. Our waiter forgot about us several times and we had to keep begging them to refill our glasses. When our waiter didn't write down our order and sure enough he had to come back to make sure he had got it right... which he didn't!
But the worst part of it all was the fact that they cancelled my OpenTable order even though I said I had made a reservation on OpenTable and arrived on time! I called them to ask what happened and they HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK! The whole point of OpenTable is to accrue points and restaurants REALLY don't get it.
Pros: Delicious flavored margaritas
Cons: They do not return phone calls!
Posted 02/23/07
I've lived in this neighborhood for several years and, like most of the locals, I was distraught when Gabriela's closed and delighted when it re-opened. One of the other reviewers complained about the new Gabriela's. It is more expensive than before, but the proces are still reasonable. The food is still very good and the service is fine. There were some service snafus when the restaurant opened, but things seems to be pretty smooth now. I am a fan of the frozen margaritas and the shrimp quesadilla. The best thing I can say about this restaurant is that it is one of the only UWS restaurants for which my friends from other areas of the city will make the trip. That's no small praise. Also my friends from Mexico and the Southwest say that it is pretty authentic Mexican food compared to other Manahttan Mexican restaurants. I like it and I recommend it.
Pros: Good food, nice ambiance, family friendly
Cons: long wait for dinner, family friendly (lots of kids during early dinner hour)
Posted 02/16/07
We used to live by the old one and when we moved into the 100s we were so happy that we'd be near the new one. It's totally different. They kept us waiting 40 minutes after our reservation and brought the entrees 2 minutes after the appetizers. The portions are smaller and the prices are higher. The food still tastes good but I'm sorry to say, I'm going to Mary Ann's or Mama Mexico from now on.
Pros: food tastes good
Cons: poor service and high prices
Posted 11/28/06
Gabriela's may be out of the way for most Manhattanites to get to, but the food, service, and ambience are absolutely worth it. The rotisserie chicken, quesadilla, fish tacos... I haven't found anything that's not delicious yet. Meant to try the dessert, but was so stuffed every time that we never got to it. We have been back there at least twice a week in the past 3 weeks!
Pros: everything
Cons: location?
Posted 08/03/06
Well Gabriela's finally re-opened about a month and a half ago and the place looks beautiful! The service is great! I have been there about 5 times already! The food is really good and the highest price on the menu is $20. I suggest having the ribs, quesadillas, fajitas, and the shrimp tacos are delicious. After your meal, don't leave without eating the Fried Ice-C r e a m. May sound weird, but it is the BEST dessert they have!!
Pros: Service, Food
Posted 06/28/06