Galveston.com Review

We arrived without reservations on a Friday night to discover a bit of a wait. We enjoyed visiting with similarly forgetful friends in the comfortable seating/waiting area for a brief 15 minutes, over a friendly glass of wine. Next time we'll call ahead.

Once seated we were provided fresh bread with herbs and olive oil, which paired nicely with our wine from their extensive offerings. Our appetizer, large and exquisitely fresh iced Gulf shrimp with homemade remoulade sauce, arrived quickly. The best!

My dining companion went right for the essence of the Gulf, and ordered charcoal grilled Red Snapper. The "complete" dinner came with soup or salad, and he selected the gumbo which he described as deep and rich, and not overly salted. He opted for the snapper without toppings in order to fully enjoy the delicious fish, prepared to perfection: tender, fresh and tasty, "just right". It was served over pecan pilaf which was satisfyingly al dente (is that a term to use with rice?).

Although I usually go for something in the area of lump crab or oysters, it wasn't exactly their seasons so I decided to try a steak. I began with a cup of shrimp bisque which was DELISH. The filet mignon arrived exactly as ordered, a perfect medium rare, and was actually almost fork tender. It was well flavored as well. I have heard that Gaido's offer great steaks but had never tried one. The rumors are true!

There is a wide variety of side order choices. Ours selections, of au gratin tomatoes, au gratin potatoes, and sautéed vegetables, were superb. I particularly enjoyed the tender-crisp zucchini and broccoli and carrots.

We had to try dessert....so we splurged and had two. I could not resist my usual favorite, pecan pie. It was a good as I remembered. My companion ordered the crème brulée. That was a stroke of genius, because it was a delight, with a crispy-crunchy caramelized top, and all smooth and creamy underneath.

Gaido's has a reputation for consistently fresh and well-prepared food. On this visit we found the reputation to be well-deserved. The menu has many options, from simple to complex and complete meals, so there is something for everyone. If you've not dined at Gaido's, you haven't really explored Galveston.