Gina Mexicana
“We are looking forward to going back in the spring to enjoy the outside patio.”
“Agree with the first reviewer: they're still working out some kinks, but the food is outstanding and the ambiance is great.”
“We were pleasantly surprised by the nice patio area and the beautiful weather really made it a nice little spot.”
Gina Mexicana
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
2 reviews
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Let's begin with the obvious. New York is notoriously bad for Mexican food. Yes, there is Rosa Mexicano (the Lincoln Center location is vastly better than the original by me on 1st). And the wonderful, family-run and owned Mexico Lindo in Kips Bay (26th and 2nd), which I found quite by accident on a cold winter night after a reading at the theater close by. But those are upscale restaurants you can easily drop 50-60/person depending upon how you drink.
Buzzfeed and many sites like it always mock Mexican food in New York, adding–with maximum snark–that LA can only claim better weather and better Mexican food.
In the last year or two, tacos hit Manhattan. New York Magazine had a feature story about all the famous chefs who have discovered the wonders of tacos. But these are fine dining 10 buck tacos (for one). They have a bewildering array of ingredients with exotically prepared meats and more often than not, they are "fusion" tacos. A food truck in Queens at the Christmas in the City faire by Columbus Circle in Central Park served Korean/Mexican tacos that truly were transcendent.
But if you're looking for Tex Mex, you're s*** out of luck. There's some place on the UWS called Frida. Meh. The Bond in Brooklyn apparently has great huevos rancheros (a girl at my high school now living in Park Slope and Editor-in-Chief of Conde Nast traveler made a big deal of this when the magazine did a "day in the life" piece about the LA-raised woman). Harry's Burritos on the UWS closed and the only thing to be said for it was the location, the passable steak taco salad, and the cheap, okay but not great margaritas (which I drank for medicinal purposes between dance classes at Luigi on 68th).
So when I passed the brand new restaurant a block from the place I stay on the UES, I was ecstatic. My last night in the city, I decided to rest and get takeout. It's a cute place with a darling patio, but this is all that can be said for this pricey and obnoxious Mexican on 61st/Lex.
The young hostess–who must be some investor's daughter because there is no way any manager or owner in the city would hire someone this simultaneously dim and rude–cannot answer any questions about the menu. After my third question, she explained that she was "just the hostess" in a way that suggested she really couldn't be expected to know the menu as a server would.
The blonde older server (not hispanic, maybe Eastern European) was no better. They have a verde enchilada with sour cream I suspected might be a suiza enchilada and neither of them knew what this was. Their ignorance seemed to be my fault. Finally, the impertinent young brunette asked, "So are you going to order or not?" Uh, not.
For these prices, I will go to Mexico Lindo–truly outstanding food with great service–or Rosa.
I hope it closes in a month. I never say that about a place (3 year Elite with well over 500 reviews). But Gina Mexicana is beyond the pale.
P.S. I understand about "working out the kinks." But if there are kinks, you err on the side of solicitous and apologetic. "Go f*** yourself" is not the attitude a new restaurant should take, particularly not on the UES where people are used to getting their way.
Great for an afternoon of dishing with the girls over pitchers of sangria, fresh guacamole and chips. The fresh guac is so yummy and they keep refilling the chips, yay! Service is also super attentive.