Described as chef Nuno Sousa’s ode to his native Portugal, an ambitious concept called Galo is being planned for 142 W 10th St. in the West Village. According to a statement provided to What Now New York, Galo aims to provide a comprehensive map of the country’s culinary landscape, from its rugged coastline to its pastoral interior. The menu will focus on Portuguese-style tapas called petiscos, fresh seafood, and traditional rice dishes. It is set to open in September.
The stars of the show are set to be “heritage centerpieces” — large-format dishes meant for sharing that are rarely seen on New York menus. These include a whole stuffed rooster (Galo Recheado) and a whole roasted goat leg (Perna de Cabrito Assada).
According to recent permit filings, the restaurant will feature a full liquor license and a total of 52 seats, with 42 reserved for table service and 10 at the intimate bar. The beverage program is set to offer a massive selection of Portuguese wine, including effervescent Vinho Verde, wines from the volcanic terroir of the Azores, and ports from the Douro Valley.
To bring the vision to life, Sousa tapped Lisbon-based Studio Asolfi for the interior design. The space, housed in a historic West Village building, aims to strike a balance between the rustic intimacy of a traditional Portuguese wine cellar and West Village sophistication, complete with handmade ceramics and Portuguese craftwork. Galo will be open for dinner during the week, with expanded lunch and dinner service on the weekends.
Sousa’s first restaurant, Leitão, located just a few blocks away, has already established the chef as a key figure in the city’s Portuguese food scene. With Galo, Sousa appears ready to offer a more expansive and elevated exploration of his homeland’s heritage.
