The Brooklyn Eagle’s Lore Croghan sat with with Giovanni Ventura and Yovany Quisquina, the owners of Gallito’s Kitchen, the newest eatery on Montague Street.
In the profile, they discuss how they’re sourcing local ingredients, sunk their savings into opening the restaurant and how they’re striving to make “really, really good” margaritas.
Brooklyn Eagle: The duo searched for a restaurant site for two years, in Park Slope, Greenpoint and Williamsburg as well as Montague Street.
The kitchen at 140 Montague was left intact after Gandhi Palace departed; the two chefs took it as is and saved themselves a pricey buildout.
“Our budget is tight,” Ventura said. “This is our savings for several years. And we borrowed money from family.”
There’s family involvement in day-to-day restaurant operations as well. Ventura’s wife, Idemar Aldrey, works as Gallito’s manager.
For now, it’s dinner only, with a menu that’s a mix of Mexico City street tacos such as braised Berkshire pork or beef tongue and entrees like duck enchiladas with mole sauce and fire-grilled shrimp marinated in chipotle and chocolate. Chipotle is also a surprise ingredient that gives a kick to an instantly addictive sweet plantain side dish.
What do the locals think? We checked Yelp and BHB contributor Matthew Parker, who we know is not a Yelp sock puppet, has already weighed in:
Muy Bien. Finally, a restaurant on Montague Street that doesn’t suck.
The tacos are quite good with excellent ingredients and home made tortillas. Also noteworthy is the creamy chicken soup — I can see a 3 taco and soup meal and perhaps their excellent churros for dessert for a tasty and relatively inexpensive dinner.
Very good sangria (both red and white), and they also serve a coconut milk concoction that’s addictive. Also tried the grilled calamari, while good, wasn’t a standout. Freshly homemade chips and salsa are excellent. Decent guacamole, but I make better at home.
I’ll be back.
Gallito’s Kitchen
140 Montague St
(between Clinton St & Henry St)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 855-4791
