Gaia Italian Cafe was one of highly rated Italian restaurants out of dozens of Italian restaurants/delis in NYC. I am so glad we were able to stop by at the cafe to have brunch during this trip.
It was a tiny place but luckily there was no waiting line. In fact, only a few customers were relaxing there. The drink we got based on a recommendation by a lady working there was Chinotto -sparkling drink made from the juice of the fruit of the myrtle-leaved orange tree (Citrus Myrtifolia). It had a little bitterness and refreshing.
We ordered Pizza Margherita from their today's special menu on the board. The pizza came to the table, which I had never expected. The dough was unbelievably thin crispy in an organic shape. Toppings were generous mozzarella cheese melting neatly, tomato sauce that was almost like concentrated tomato paste, dried herbs (oregano, I guess) and generous olive oil. This was nothing like Pizza Margerita that we have had before. The taste was great and it was fun to bite the paper-thin dough. It was kinda oily from cheese and olive oil but not heavy at all.
We also had potatoes and meatballs in tomato sauce. It was simple and comfy like a dish that Italian mama/grandma probably makes at home.
And Polenta e Gorgonzola. Cheesy creamy. I liked their way to serve those hot dishes in a rustic tin bowl.
It was very nice brunch. I would love to come back to the cafe in the future and try their different dishes.
Gaia Italian Cafe
251 East Houston Street
New York, NY
http://www.gaiaitaliancafe.com/
