Dining Out: Gatsby’s on the Bay offers top notch ambiance, food

If you’re in Staten Island looking for a unique, historic and quaint ambiance to go with exceptional new American cuisine, look no further than Gatsby’s on the Bay.

The restaurant is designed to mimic the 1920s. It features live jazz music, tons of décor from the beloved American era, and terrific food

Owner Sam Jibladze wanted to create an experience to coincide with his exceptional menu. “Everybody used to say that I was born in a different era because I love the Jazz Age,” he told this paper. “My passion was to have something that is quaint and nobody had before that includes live jazz, blues, saxophone. People were excited about the idea of a ’20s restaurant.”

When designing the restaurant, he was hands-on with its look. “Every single piece is bought by me. It’s a historic touch. It’s not that you just dine and you go home,” he said.

The restaurant, opened in 2013, has already been embraced by the community and received accolades. The eatery won two medals from Taste of Staten Island for Best Ambiance and Best Entrée.  It also participates in the March of Dimes and does restaurant crawls every six months.

Jibladze, who was recently named a King of Staten Island, an event sponsored by the Star Network, always had a love for food. “I come from the republic of Georgia. My father headed a restaurant there,” he said. After working for TD Bank for nine years, he decided to follow his dream. “It’s a big change to work with the restaurant, but it’s been great. I don’t consider this my job. I consider this my passion.”

We sampled three of the restaurant’s most popular items, each delicious in its own right.

First, we tried a new item that will soon make its debut on the menu, the Shrimp Cocktail ($14). The dish is kept simple, with the sauce and toppings consisting of ketchup, horseradish and various seasonings. However, the result is sweet with a hint of spice and a kick that doesn’t dominate the taste of the succulent shrimp. The seafood is perfectly boiled before it’s cooled down. The seasoning and the well-prepared shrimp combine to makes this the perfect starter dish.

Next on the agenda was the unique spin on one of Gatsby’s signature dishes, the Salmon ($24). This delicious dish is filling and hits all the right notes, with a delicious pineapple chutney dressing that is out of this world, as well as peppers, onions, and shallots. The salmon itself is incredibly tender, flavorful and sweet, and tastes very fresh.  The combination of the sauce and the fish make for a delightful choice.

Finally, we tried my personal favorite, the Filet Mignon ($34), in a healthy eight ounce portion that is grilled to perfection. The meat cuts smoothly and is incredibly juicy and soft. It’s  topped with onions and is served with asparagus and grilled potatoes, both of which complements the beef.

Jibladze doesn’t believe there’s a single favorite item due to the restaurant’s selective menu. “I don’t have a five-page menu. I have 25 items plus a couple of side dishes. People love every single item,” he said, adding that people come from all over the five boroughs to eat there.

GATSBY’S ON THE BAY
695 Bay Street
Staten Island, NY 10304
718-442-8729
gatsbysonthebaysi.com
Tuesday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.
Friday, noon-12 a.m.
Saturday, 3 p.m.-12 a.m.
Sunday, noon-10 p.m.