Kevin G.
Yelp
I had a chance to try Gato during their soft opening and thought it exceeded expectations in every possible way. The decor leans full-on maximalist (which I love), with super cute tropical wallpaper, greenery hanging from the ceiling, and incredible woodworking with alligators and jaguars carved right into the tables.
The cocktails (Sapo Pero, Tijuana Taxi, Tres Leches Colada) were all reasonably priced, balanced, and a good mix of complex/refreshing/boozy.
Food wise, everything we tried tasted incredibly fresh and hit the spot. The calamari was complemented well by the cherry peppers, cabbage, and mango it was served with, and the lengua tacos/quesadilla were tender and rich without feeling heavy. For those apprehensive about lengua, I'd encourage trying - I'm always surprised by how tender it is.
Overall, it's the rare place that nails atmosphere, drinks, and food equally well. Make no mistake, this place will get busy very soon so get in before it gets too crowded!