Nikki DeVignes
Google
My husband and I made a spontaneous decision to celebrate our two-week anniversary—because why not? And what better way to mark the occasion than trying a new restaurant. Since it was last-minute, we couldn’t get a reservation at Gaia, but decided to take our chances and go early. Luckily, we snagged seats at the bar without any trouble. We didn’t ask about standard seating, but honestly, the bar was more than fine. The seats were plush and comfortable, and our bartender/server, Mark, was fantastic—top-tier service. He made us feel welcome right away, and the cocktails were excellent.
We started with the lamb chops, which were very flavorful, though slightly overcooked and a bit dry. For our main, we shared the branzino along with sides of garlic spinach and rice. The spinach was a little underwhelming—it could have used more seasoning beyond the lemon it came with, especially since the branzino also had a citrus element (lime). The rice, on the other hand, was quite flavorful. The branzino itself was delicious, though fair warning—it comes with a lot of bones!
I took off another star for the atmosphere. The concept is supposed to be a fusion of Mediterranean and Latin cultures, but I didn’t get that vibe at all. For me, it missed the mark both in the menu and the ambiance. It’s definitely chic and stylish—a great spot for a night out—but I’m not sure the cultural blending they’re aiming for really comes through.
I also took off one star because the prices are steep.
For context, we shared one appetizer and one main course and had four regular cocktails between us—and still spent over $250. If we had ordered individual entrées and another appetizer, we easily would’ve crossed the $300 mark. And we didn’t even order steak, which is the price point I’d typically expect for that kind of bill. I’d expect a prix fixe experience or something truly unique—not lamb chops and a shared branzino. When the tomahawk on the menu costs more than it does at a steakhouse in Aspen, Colorado, you know you’re overpaying.
That said, overall, we had a lovely dining experience. We’re glad we tried it—but not sure we’ll be rushing back.