GG's Waterfront Bar and Grill Shines With Fresh Seafood and Water Views

A 15-ounce, bone-in rib eye has all the tang, depth, and juice you'd expect from a $36 cut of meat. Grill marks are seared into a griddle pattern that, once cut, gives way to a rush of juice and a blood-red interior -- for us, the perfect shade of rare.

It's hard to argue against the cioppino despite its $34 price tag, especially when it comes as a caldron-sized bowl of seafood that includes a half Maine lobster, calamari, clams, scallops, salmon, mussels, and shrimp. The ocean-sized portion of fish is hidden beneath a flavor-laced tomato soup.

Serafini recently hired Christina Pietrantonio to take the role of dedicated pastry chef. Hailing from San Francisco's Hakkasan, Pietrantonio has taken the dessert menu up a notch, delivering hand-made pastries, including a Cuban-American-inspired guava cheesecake. Delicate mascarpone gives the cheesecake a velvety consistency, balanced on one side with a gelatinous layer of gummy-sweet guava and cradled in a crispy, butter-rich crust.

From a seedy past, to a bottomed-out slump, to a chic and modern seaside eatery, GG's has been through decades of change. And although much of this ocean-side Hollywood strip can feel rundown and forgotten, there's a new buzz of excitement hanging in the air. The nearby Margaritaville Resort is coming, and with it what the Serafinis hope to be a renaissance of sorts.

"It's what the city has been asking for," says Serafini. "Hollywood needs that shot in the arm. It will change everything here. Our goal with GG's was similar -- to bring new energy and to attract a younger demographic. The past four years have been better than we ever expected, and I have to say I'm extremely proud of this restaurant. We have nothing but high hopes for the future."

GG's Waterfront Bar and Grill is located at 606 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Call 954-929-7030, or visit ggswaterfront.com.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.