The light board has been affixed to the facade of 162 East Broadway for months. Now, its lit up with the greeting, Hola Chinatown! We see you. This is how the plant-based newcomerJaJaJa is announcing itself to the Chinatown neighborhood it invaded.

It opens to the public on Friday.

JaJaJa (Plantas Mexicana) is a vegan Mexican restaurant helmed by Gelso & Grand proprietor Nima Garos and partner Koorosh Bakhtiar. The concept has been in the works for more than a year, and evolved along the way. For one, the establishment previously went by Gracias Mama, and also, the menu wasnt always strictly vegan. Now theyre trying capitalize onthe Dimes and Dirty Candy vibe/crowd.

The new cantina describes itself as a hybrid venture that caters to the unique way New Yorkers eat, meet, and share. Heres more babble fromthe Facebook page.

[JaJaJa] will feature an extensive Tequila and Mezcal program, traditional Mexican beers on tap, Mexican-style lagers and pilsners from local microbreweries, fresh pressed juices, and plant based Mexican fare with options for both comfort and health.

Bakhtiar and Garos caused quite a stir from the outset (when it was still Gracias Mama) having dispensed with two long-running Chinese businesses in its commercial space (newsstand and bakery). Their departure from 162 East Broadway came shortly after Garospartner in Gelso & Grand Hassan Gholizadeh purchased the buildingfor $6.6 million(December 2015).

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Vegan Mexican Joint 'JaJaJa' Opens Friday on East Broadway ... - Bowery Boogie