The beloved Gaia Italian Cafe shuttered last July after nearly a decade on East Houston, one of scores of eateries that closed due to complications from coronavirus. Exactly one year later, the fan favorite is back!

Namesake chef-owner Gaia Bagnasacco signed a lease for the ground floor of 119 Essex Street, last home to Char Sue (another pandemic victim). In doing so, the restaurant is a multiple of it’s former self, and now above-ground to boot.