Important note: Since this review was written, The Red Cat closed. *Sad face*

The Red Cat Restaurant Review

My friend, the talented, but oh-so humble chef, David Battin, recently began overhauling the menu at this classic Chelsea eatery. He barred me from visiting until he completed the menu’s revamp. A scroll through The Red Cat’s Instagram feed made honoring his request impossible. Staring at me was a quesadilla. With blue corn tortillas. And Oaxaca cheese. Plus charred green onions. AND MAITAKE MUSHROOMS—my favorite freaking mushroom in the whole world. A text to David revealed that El Gato Rojo is an alternate Mexican-inspired, seasonal weekday lunch menu. What’s a Chicana girl to do? Well she recruits her most fabulous Mexican friend, Jose (alias El Chiconista), to join her in sampling this alter ego menu. It’s somewhere in between Dos Caminos and Cosme. More approachable than the latter, more refined than the former, and very affordable sans booze. No regrets here and I recommend you make a special trip to sample El Gato Rojo’s take on classic Mexican dishes.

The details

Location: Chelsea, 227 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Menu: December 2017

Service: weekday lunch

Price: $$

Vibe: casual, low-key patrons mixed in with art gallery types

Good For: client lunch, solo leisurely meal, delinquent 90-minute co-worker lunch, friend or family in town and in need of lunch after walking The Highline

Standout Dish: quesadilla, tostadas, carnitas tacos

Overall Rating: 4 (Amazing)

The wrap-up

The Red Cat restaurant review is finito (just like the restaurant, unfortunately). Let's mourn the creative take on classic dishes with authentic flavors.