Is it possible to eat exceptionally delicious, perfectly paired food and drinks, served by 1st class servers and still have sand between your toes? Let’s find out!
If you only eat out once while visiting Fort Lauderdale, make it GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill.
After a day playing at the beach, enjoying the Florida sun, sand and warm ocean water, we cleaned ourselves up and made our way to GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill. This restaurant gives a casual twist to fine dining…and that’s a good thing.
I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. I knew we had chosen a place that had outstanding cuisine, but I was surprised at its comfortability.
From the moment we sat down at our table, GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill felt incredibly relaxing, but yet fine dining all at the same time.
Perhaps it was because our table looked out over the ocean. Or perhaps it was the golden setting sun, painting the sky in gorgeous reds, pinks and oranges. Maybe it was just the simplicity of warm evening air coupled with a seasoned waiter who seemed to understand perfectly how to treat guests like everyone was a VIP.
Whatever it was, our entire family relaxed.
Here’s why if you only dine out once on your Fort Lauderdale vacation you must make it GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill:
1. Gorgeous Waterfront Dining
It’s hard to find a more beautiful place to eat dinner than sitting outside on the deck watching boats slowly return to dock while the sun goes to bed for the night. Though I’m sure the inside of GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill is pleasant too, I don’t think it can possibly compare to the gorgeous setting of eating outside.
Home for us is much more north, where it’s often too cold to eat outside. So a table directly on the intracoastal waterway in the middle of winter where we can feel the warmth of a Florida evening is just glorious. The noise really only comes from the boats returning to harbour and the soft discussion of other people enjoying dinner.
When you come to GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill, be sure to request an outdoor table. I’d even suggest you wait for it. The view and relaxation is really worth the wait.
Cool Fact: The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is not the ocean. The ICW is actually between the barrier island on the ocean and the mainland. It’s a lively channel filled with boats and yachts going by. It was dredged during the sedan world war so that barges could go up and down the US coast with supplies and avoid U-boat attacks.
2. Intricately Selected Food & Beverages
GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill is simply a foodies paradise.
When a plate is set before you with brussel sprouts that you can’t stop eating, it’s not because you love brussel sprouts. It’s because the way those brussel sprouts were prepared took your tastebuds to a whole new universe where the vegetable that gets a bad wrap actually tastes like something you’d like to continue eating.
GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill takes quality ingredients and combines them to perfection.
I’m not kidding or even exaggerating. The food was absolutely impeccable.
The drinks too impressed us. With an extensive wine selection you are sure to fine the perfect pairing for your meal.
Mouth-watering steak to satisfy even the toughest of critics. Fish that melted in my mouth and filled my desire for seafood. Five different exotic wild mushrooms, sautéed in bone marrow. Exquisitely prepared appetizers with the ahi tuna on won tons with the perfect balance of crunch and raw ahi fish. And I can’t leave out the show-stopping pow pow shrimp. Believe me, there’s a reason it’s the most commonly ordered appetizer.
And when it came time for dessert, we all found a bit of extra space in our tummies for chocolate, bread pudding and Florida’s famous key lime pie. But when my son’s almond basket came with the gelato scooped inside, we all looked in wonder at how they even can make sure a delicate bowl.
3. Comfortable Feel, Yet Fine Dining All At The Same Time
Is it possible to eat exceptionally delicious, perfectly paired food and drinks, served by 1st class servers and still be able to sit back and relax? Normally I would say no. Fine dining almost always means formal and elegant, sophisticated and stuffy.
But at GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill, we found we could come in after a day at the beach and feel relaxed and welcome. GG’s is the type of place that will welcome you even with a bit of sand still on your toes. There’s no uppity pretence here. Just wonderful service and exceptional food.
While it’s also okay to dress up, you won’t feel out of place if you don’t. It’s just a very comfortable bar & grill whether out on a special date or with the whole family.
4. Professional, Knowledgeable, Courteous Staff
Our server was the absolute best. He was patient while we perused the menu. He took the time to explain what we could not understand. And his gentle approach to serving was different than I had experienced before. Without being pushy, he suggested some wonderful selections. His ability to notice the small details like a child’s napkin slipping off their lap, brought me secret joy.
At first I thought we lucked out with a good server, but I watched others do the same. This place must know how to train their staff to remain relaxed, yet vigilant.
Jay even noticed it as he admired the “pick up window” where all the servers wait for their table’s dishes to be ready.
He said it was like watching a smooth dance in the kitchen.
They were all so polite and kind.
Pushing out a lot of quality food smoothly without looking frantic can be incredibly difficult unless that’s just how it’s done here. They all spoke to each other with kindness…not a common sight in the restaurant industry.
So it makes me think that courtesy for one another even occurs within management. It sure makes for an enjoyable environment.
I couldn’t imagine a more perfect choice for dinner in all of Fort Lauderdale.
Everything was exceptional. And we were able to enjoy a quiet, relaxing evening out as a family. It was definitely a splurge for us as we don’t tend to eat at such fine establishments very often. But on this holiday, when we wanted something extra special, GG’s Restaurant Bar & Grill fit just right.
My mouth still waters at the thought of how good the food was and these pictures take me back to a perfect night.
So check it out for yourself. You will be so glad you did.
GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill
Website: ggswaterfront.com
Virtual Tour: ggswaterfront.com/contact/
Menu: This menu will keep you coming back night after night.
Tip: Plan for at least a 3 hour dining experience if you want to get the most out of GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill. You will most definitely want to make a reservation to guarantee your table. This is a more expensive restaurant, especially for a whole family so be sure to check out the menu and set a budget ahead of time.
Google Map Directions: How To Get To GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill
While the Traveling Islanders were special guests of GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill our thoughts and opinions remain our own as always.
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