Tapas, Food, Love, and Friendship in Rye

Rye has evolved into a suburban culinary mecca with celebrity chefs, elevated cuisine from sushi to steak houses to Italian to oysters.

October 10, 2024
3 min read
Gordito Kitchen Guacamole

FINALLY! Gordito comes to Purchase Street.

Rye has evolved into a suburban culinary mecca with celebrity chefs, elevated cuisine from sushi to steak houses to Italian to oysters. It seemed we had it all covered, but did we? Even with all those options, there was always a clear missing link and everyone, including myself, wished for a casual spot with an excellent vibe to grab some Mexican food.

Who knew we would be in store for something even better when the folks at Gordito were dreaming up their new venture featuring Latin Fusion fare? It not only serves up a delicious Latin and Spanish inspired menu, but it has a bright vibe and is full of fantastic energy.

It starts the moment you step in and are greeted by a stunning woman with the most fantastic Italian accent, Elisa Violani, one of the partners. She and Chef Raffaele go way back to their New York City days at the original Rafele. She is passionate about restaurant life and helps create the hopping atmosphere along with the amazing art and décor which is also a huge contributor to the festive feel.

I sat down with Elisa and Ann Cacase, another partner, to talk about how everything is going and scored a mind-blowing tour of not only Gordito, but of the giant kitchen and prep space where all the magic happens as well.

As you probably know, Chef Raffaele is the wizard behind both Rafele and Gordito and it takes a ton of organization and fine precision to run not one, but two restaurants right next door to each other. It was fascinating to learn how they expanded and created a private event space that fits 100 people, all the while maintaining a cozy, intimate feel.

One story in particular stands out to me which highlights why Gordito feels different from just another restaurant. They went on a chip tasting tour in search of the best tortilla chip. This is a trip I’d love to have been on! When you think about it, a chip, is NOT just a chip. There is something amazing about an excellent chip and you know it when you bite into it. The chips at Gordito are homemade, addictive, and do not disappoint. This is the level of detail and enthusiasm they have for their cuisine. Chef Raffaele does the deep dive into his research and recipe development; he just got back from a three-week trip to Spain. I cannot wait to see what inspiration shows up on his Specials menu.

Gordito Kitchen Chicken Quesadilla
Gordito Kitchen Chicken Quesadilla

Gordito provides many incentives to check them out, including a brunch menu Saturday and Sunday noon to 3:55 p.m., a kids’ menu, and Happy Hour every Sunday to Thursday from 5-7 p.m., where they offer unique and delicious margaritas, wines, and beers along with the special housemade chips and pico de gallo. My personal favorite is their spicy margarita.

While we were chatting at the bar, out came a glorious looking hearty chicken quesadilla along with their signature chips and guac. The chicken was full of flavor, the tortillas perfectly crispy, and the guac is some of the best I’ve had. I will definitely be trying to replicate them at home. Oaxaca cheese is found at most grocery stores where you would find packaged cheese, not in the specialty cheese section. Queso Fresca is sprinkled on top and that too is in the same section of the grocery store and can be substituted with cotija cheese or a little feta.

Other menu standouts from past visits include, the gambas al ajillo (spicey shrimp and garlic), papas bravas (spicy potatoes, aioli), crispy Brussels sprouts, seared steak with chimichurri sauce, and the tacos.

In addition to Rafele and Gordito, this team also includes Bianca, which is located on Greenwich Avenue. The restaurant world is hard work; it entails a lot of hours, and hospitality is an art form. When asked about juggling three restaurants, the answer made perfect sense. They said the team is like family, not only that, but actual family members are also part of the team and often work at all three restaurants.

It is that spirit that spills over into every aspect of the experience from the moment you walk in the door, through every delicious bite to how you feel when you say goodbye. The Gordito mantra is “tapas, food, love, and friendship” which sums up the perfect restaurant experience.

So go check out Gordito’s Latin fusion fare, order the chicken quesadilla and then go home and see if you can replicate it from the recipe generously shared with us from Chef Raffaele.

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