In June 2026, Fleming and I visited Gjelina to use our Chase Sapphire Reserve dining credit ($150) which was expiring on June 30th. We won Off-Broadway lottery tickets to see Cecily Strong in What Happened Was at the Audible Minetta Lane Theatre, a thirteen minute walk away from Gjelina. Overall we had a great experience and would dine at the restaurant in the future, even without the credit, if win the area.

This post reviews Gjelina and also how to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve dining credit.

THE CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE CREDIT

First, on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I have very mixed feelings on the it nowadays. It burst onto the scene 10 years ago with a welcome bonus of 100,000 points, which were easily worth $1,500 at the time. Since then, the price has crept up and the benefits have become more difficult to use, especially for those not in a large city.

One of its benefit is a new-ish $300 dining credit. The credit is split in half – $150 to use Jan-June and $150 to use July-December. The credit is only usable at select Open Table restaurants, which list of restaurants constantly changes (for example, Roscioli NYC used to be on it but no more). There are generally numerous good options for the New York City area, but options dwindle for those in smaller areas.

GJELINA NYC

Gjelina NYC recently opened in New York and is a brach of the Gjelina Group out of Southern California. Located in NoHo with indoor and outdoor seating, the space is clean and modern with an elevated casual vibe. We sat at the bar, as all other tables were booked (this was a last minute resy due to the lottery win).

Gjelina’s interior. 

THE DRINKS

I like to have drinks with dinner, and I find New York City to be a minefield. In 2026, you can have an absolutely fantastic, complicated cocktail for $18 at one bar/restaurant and a mediocre, boring, too sweet cocktail for $26 next door. It always seems like a risk. Fleming and I were both thrilled with the cocktails we had at Gjelina, especially with the prices are around $17-19 each (a steal for this quality in NYC). We began with Coconut Negronis, which were fantastic ,and Fleming ordered a Rhubarb Cosmo, which was also great. We finished with a simple Fernet & Soda, which unfortunately did not take advantage of the robust list of Amaros and digestifs at the bar (that was on us).

At the bar.

THE FOOD

The food at Gjelina was good across the board, with the cocktails edging it out slightly. The menu changes seasonally but it offers a small menu of salads, pastas, pizzas, a raw bar, and a selection of seasonal starters and sides. For example, a “pickle plate” and thumbelina carrots when we visited.

For our meal, we shared the Soppressata Pizza ($29), Hand Cut Frites ($16), an Agnolotti Special ($32), and the Buttermilk Panna Cotta and Fruit Tart with Maple Whipped Cream for dessert (each $16). We were happy with all of our choices but the Buttermilk Panna Cotta topped with Candied Basil was one of the better desserts I have had in some time.

PRE-THEATER LOGISTICS

Fleming and I had a 7:30 PM curtain at the Audible Minetta Lane Theatre for What Happened Was…. We finished dinner comfortably and made the walk with time to spare. From 45 Bond Street, the walk to 18 Minetta Lane is about 13 minutes. If you are seeing a show at the Minetta Lane, Gjelina works well as a pre-theater dinner. The pacing of the meal does not require rushing, and a couple of Coconut Negronis is a fine way to start a night at the theatre.

And, while What Happened Was… is now off, it was a fantastic show!

A NOTE ON THE CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE CREDIT

As of June 2026, Gjelina was available through Select Tables on OpenTable for the Chase Sapphire Reserve dining credit. As always with this program, the restaurant list rotates and is not large. Verify availability before planning your evening around it. If Gjelina shows up on the Chase list when you are in New York, book it immediately. And really, if you are in the area, go to Gjelina anyway.

STEAL OUR DINNER

Gjelina NYC: 45 Bond Street, New York, NY 10012. Dinner daily 5:30 to 10:00 PM. Weekend brunch 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Reservations necessary and can be made via OpenTable.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Dining Credit: $150 available January through June, $150 available July through December. Book through Select Tables on OpenTable. The participating restaurant list changes frequently. Double-check current availability before booking.  If you don’t yet have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, apply here: Fleming’s Chase Sapphire Reserve referral link.

Audible Minetta Lane Theatre: 18 Minetta Lane, New York, NY 10012. 13-minute walk from Gjelina.