IN THE MEDIA
IN THE MEDIA
October 2019, Forbes Magazine—
“On North Ocean Drive, dive into seafood and snap selfies with spectacular sunsets at GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill, owned by veteran restaurateurs Dan and Lise-Anne Serafini, where chef Russ Aaron Simon reels in such crowd-approved dishes as harissa-spiced octopus (with marinated peppers, golden raisins, cured olives, potatoes and Moroccan chermoula); elote (Mexican street corn with cotija-crema aioli, tomatillo salsa verde and popcorn shoots); and local Wahoo crudo (with juzu-chili marinade, spicy mayo, shiso, radish and micro-flowers).
That’s just for starters. Main courses include seared ahi tuna (with black garlic tapenade, eggplant, cauliflower, balsamic onion, charred radicchio and arugula), cioppino (with clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, calamari and local fish); and roasted salmon (with miso-ginger glaze, baby carrots, snow peas, bok choy and shiitake mushrooms). Save extra eating energy for pastry chef Dani Veit’s bananas Foster bread pudding (with Valrhona milk chocolate, caramelized white chocolate, candied walnuts, brûléed banana and butter pecan ice cream); chocolate bombe (with chocolate mousse, salted caramel, dark chocolate crumb and black raspberry sorbet); and Key lime pie (with macadamia-graham crust, white chocolate, strawberry coulis and dehydrated lime). At Sunday brunch, listen to live Caribbean music.”
View full article here.
Awarded 2016-2018 “Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence”
The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.
Open Table Diners’ Choice 2014-2018 Winner
NEW TIMES Best Bar South Broward Reader’s Choice 2016
Open Table Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America, 2016
Open Table names GG’s Waterfront to thier Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America, 2015 – Sun-Sentinel
(read the full article here!)
Today, GG’s — an abbreviation of its former name — has evolved into the type of place you go for fresh seafood and alfresco dining, enjoyed with cocktail in hand on a mild South Florida evening.
-By Nicole Danna, New Times, January, 27, 2015
(read the entire review- CLICK HERE)
“2015 Best Outdoor Dining Restaurant in America” – Open Table
Diners Choice Award “Top Ten Best Lunch Places” – Open Table
“Certificate of Excellence 2014-2017” – TripAdvisor
The Sun-Sentinal Raves: Eating Here, You’ve Got it Made!
Ever notice how visitors to South Florida want to eat with a water view? They’d do no better than at GG’s! The servers are professionals who know a thing or two about service.
“Restaurants like GG’s continue to raise their game when it comes to wine, and we are particularly proud to present this year’s winners,” – said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor & Publisher, Wine Spectator.
GG’s menu may be best described as classic steak and seafood meets modern South Florida. I can’t say enough about their bouillabaisse, which includes a half Maine lobster along with clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp and calamari in a classic saffron tomato broth. And it takes a real talent in the kitchen to pair
coconut and mango curry with seafood, but it’s done expertly with pan-seared Florida Grouper. Another winner- the seafood risotto.
Red meat is a good choice. New Zealand lamb chops are marinated in herbs and citrus, and come off the grill wonderfully tender.
You can start with shrimp cocktail, or raw oysters, tuna tartare with kimchi and sesame or spring rolls filled with grilled chicken and roasted vegetables. There’s a fine Tiramisu on the dessert menu, but the real star is the unconventional Napoleon which starts with Phyllo dough instead of puff pastry, and gets classic cream filling topped with fresh berries and preserves.
-John Tanasychuk, Sun-Sentinel, April 2012
(read the entire review by John Tanasychuk- CLICK HERE)
“Some of the best fresh seafood you’ll find in all of Florida… Service is phenomenal and the food is to die for. Best for: Stunning views, fresh crab and impressing a date… Guests can enjoy the delights of this quintessentially American menu… my choice (for lunch) is the lobster roll”
–Anna Walker, Reader’s Digest, 2018
“GG’S Waterfront… an iconic favorite” – City & Shore Magazine, 2018
“The Bachelor Inspired Honeymoon Ideas… If you’re a fan of The Bachelor, check out some of these ideas that appeared as date ideas on the show.”
– Donna Kim, The Knot, 2018
The Miami Herald Says: Good Times, Gorgeous Sunsets at GG’s
We dove into a generous bowl of Prince Edward Island mussels in an aromatic sauce of white wine, garlic and fresh thyme with a splash of citrus… another GG’s keeper, Garden of Eden flatbread, its snappy crust laden with grilled zucchini, yellow squash and red bell peppers and Kalamata olive slices, complemented by a pesto spread and a dusting of feta.
The stand-out entree was a seafood risotto special that easily could have feed two – a feast of a Maine Lobster half, plump shrimp, pan-seared scallops and calamari with short-grain rice to soak up the sea-salty juices.
… the pan-seared sea bass was rich and moist, set atop sauteed baby spinach and plated with roasted tomato and basil aioli. Meat and potato choices include center-cut pork chops brightened by a shitake-cognac sauce… GG’s is already a place for good times, gorgeous sunsets, and of course, a little romance.
–Rochelle Koff, Miami Herald 2/2011
Service was phenomenal. Our waiter was incredibly friendly and was always checking on us to make sure everything was satisfactory. He could tell how much we enjoyed the food as he took a look at our clean plates and said “Wow I can see you didn’t like anything!
– Vanessa P. on Yelp
They have a nice waterfront patio & bar area where we were hanging out for most of the time. The bartenders I interacted with were all cool and made some good drinks and when they had to cook up 150+ dishes at once (for our holiday party), my filet came out perfectly cooked, juicy & delicious.
– Ian G. on Yelp
This is one of our favorite places to dine along the shore. Fabulous bars both inside and out under the stars! Dining space also both in & out overlooking the Intracoastal. Food is wonderful – especially the seafood. There’s a paella served over orzo rather than rice and a bouillabaisse that would feed a family! The simple fish preparations are light and fresh. Service is unobtrusive but attentive. You cannot go away unimpressed.
– Open Table Diner
A landmark Hollywood restaurant is being reborn, with new owners, a different name, an invigorated menu and a fresh new look at a familiar location.
Indeed, the couple (Dan and Lise-Anne Serafini) who partnered in East Side Mario’s in Aventura Mall replaced 14 years of Greek flair and fare with casual American elegance. “We’ve taken a lot of what Giorgio’s was and transformed it to more approachable dining on the waterfront,’’ said Dan Serafini.
Gone are the rounded Greek columns, traditional artwork, a painted sky blue ceiling and a nightclub dance floor. Now, the place brings the outside indoors by emphasizing rustic wood, vanilla walls, cool lighting and black-and-white photographs depicting the beach, Hollywood broadwalk and Dania Pier.
– Eileen Soler, Miami Herald
“Build Up a Serious Appetite…You’re Gonna Need It! It’s near mandatory that you chow down on the local delicacies… Expect to feel VERY full after visiting! GG’s beautiful waterfront bar and grill is known for their fresh seafood and stone crab, as well as breathtaking views of the waterways while luxury yachts cruise by your table.”
–Sophie Boyden, MTV.com, 2018
“Sample the freshly-caught crab and lobster at GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill in Hollywood… The restaurant provides excellent yacht-watching opportunities…”
–Daily Star, 2018