Gabriela’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Specialties

Opening their doors in 1992, Gabriela’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar was an instant Upper West Side restaurant sensation. Famed restaurateur Artie Cutler and Gabriela Hernandez are the brains behind this operation, bringing Gabriela’s exquisite cooking to the table. Never before had Artie tasted any food that featured authentic flavors and dishes in a time when tex-​mex was the norm.

The menu for the Mexican restaurant was derived from recipes by Gabriela’s family in Mexico. These beloved dishes are still featured in the restaurant today; perhaps the reason behind their popularity with New Yorker’s craving an authentic Mexican meal.

Since their opening, Gabriela and her family have retired from the business leaving Artie’s nephew Nat Milner in charge. Under his ownership the restaurant has expanded and moved to a new location at 93^rd and Columbus, bringing Chef Fernando Aquino and General Manager Moises Galarza into the mix…

History

Established in 1992.

Gabriela Hernadez worked in the house of famed restauranteur Artie Culter. Artie would come home after working on his renowned restaurants such as Carmine’s, Virgil’s, Dock’s, Ollies, and Haru and would find wonderful and unique dishes being served. He was blown away by the intese flavors and Mexican style, when most every mexican restaurant of the time featured Tex Mex style. He told Gabriela that togther they had to open a restaurant like this!

Gabriela enlisted the help of her extended family, with uncles and cousins comming on board to help, and with Artie’s backing they created Gabriela’s Restaurant. Gabriela’s was an instant sensation.

After a fabulous 10 year run and two locations, Gabriela and her family retired to Mexico. The old leases expired but a new grandeous location was found on 93^rd and Columbus. Currently Arties wife, brother-​in-​law, and nephew carry on Gabrielas family tradition of Modern Mexican Cuisine served in a casual yet elgant neighborhood setting.

Meet the Business Owner

Nat M.

Business Owner

Nat grew up watching his uncle Artie navigate the openings of serveral popular UWS restaurants, and learned from him a deep love and appreciation of food. He developed his own tastes through his extended travels throughout the world, eventually living and starting a family in Alaska. However when the opportunity to be a part of this family business presented itself it was an easy decision to relocate to NYC. He was the point person on the construction and build out of the restaurant, and now is there daily as the managing partner.

Currently Nat lives on the UWS within a few blocks from Gabriela’s. He is a neighbor and business owner, and takes great pride of his role in the community. It is his mission to give the neighborhood a fun and friendly place to share great times with friends and family. Where the food and service are down to earth, and exceed every expectation!