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Vibrant Mexican Arrives at Comal on the Lower East Side
June 30, 2025, 5:17.12 pm ET

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Photos: Leo Bieber

Comal, a new restaurant inspired by the vibrant food scene of Mexico City, is now open on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Located at 116 Forsyth Street, in the former Gem Wine space, Comal blends bold Mexican flavors with global culinary technique under the leadership of Chef and Owner Gaz Herbert, who was born in Cuernavaca and brings experience from London’s River Cafe, Ikoyi, and NYC’s Jupiter. The concept is a deeply personal one for Herbert, drawing from his time as Culinary Director at the Todos Santos Boutique Hotel in Baja, and a desire to challenge culinary categorization by using Mexico’s rich ingredients as a lens for global expression.

Joining Herbert in the kitchen is Head Chef Scott McKay, who has cooked at acclaimed restaurants including Atomix and Acru in New York, as well as Sweden’s legendary Fäviken. Together, they’ve built a menu that balances local sourcing with cross-cultural inspiration, while still embracing the spicy, smoky, and herbaceous flavors Mexico City is known for.

Dishes span skewers of lengua, mushroom, and al pastor, alongside starters like mussels with corn custard and potato, striped bass aguachile with lime oil, and beef crudo with chapulines and huitlacoche. Other highlights include grilled broccoli with pepitas and tonnato, and asparagus served with lardo and masa. Entrées lean deeply into flavor-forward cooking, from skate wing guiso with green chickpeas to a smoked half chicken paired with Comal hot sauce and a stuffed wing.

Desserts are equally considered, including a rotating Comal rice pudding, a chocolate and guajillo torta, and seasonal fruits spiked with chili. Until Comal secures its full liquor license, the beverage program includes a tight, curated wine list with bottles from Mexico, France, Italy, and Spain, along with Mexican beers, non-alcoholic options, and teas from the Rare Tea Co. A robust mezcal and tequila menu, in partnership with Yola Mezcal, is planned for the near future.

The design of the 42-seat space is a collaboration between Herbert and Mexico City design firm La Metropolitana—their first NYC project—alongside creative direction from Elena Martin. Artworks on display are courtesy of Elizabeth Johs and JO-HS gallery, contributing to an atmosphere that’s both grounded and transportive.

Comal is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5pm to midnight. Reservations are available via comal-nyc.com and RESY, with walk-ins welcome. For updates, follow @comalnyc on Instagram.


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