The Gallery Bar & Grill sits in front of the Amelia River Club on Amelia Island’s south end, tucked away off Buccaneer Trail. Being a little hidden and on the river is what makes it special. Owner Tom Miller often hears “I didn’t know you had food!” when people learn about The Gallery Bar & Grill.
Patti Burch and I met there for lunch recently. You know when you see someone from lifetimes ago? Patti had that experience with Sous Chef Miles Overstreet, with whom she had worked at an island resort. Now he was here in the kitchen where we were lunching! We missed meeting Executive Chef Kristina Grohol this day.
Patti had been wanting a Reuben, and I needed something with fish. Then why did we start with chili? Because our server Hunter assured us that their chili is truly outstanding. How good could it be, we were thinking? Then it arrived: flavorful beef and beans with just-right accompaniments of two of my personal staples, sharp cheddar and red onion. Hunter was so right!
The Reuben had all the classic ingredients and preparation. With crispy sweet potato fries, it was just what Patti had in mind. Mahi-Mahi over a Pecan & Cranberry Salad checked my boxes for crunchy, colorful, meaty, fruity, and refreshing. In addition to Mahi, you can also order shrimp salad, avocado, grilled shrimp, or grilled chicken with the salad. The Shrimp Salad comes in a handheld wrap, too. Hunter says The Par Three is a favorite, with salads of chicken, egg, and tuna.
The Par Three, the Chef Salad, or the River Burger would be my husband’s choice. However, he comes here much earlier, so happily The Gallery Bar & Grill has breakfast. The Breakfast Sandwich is his choice to keep on riding his bike, but he wants the full Eggs Benedict treatment one day. With eight items and 12 sides, breakfast can be just about anything anybody wants it to be.
“Gallery” as a golf term dates to 1860 Scotland. Watching the new game being played was an exclusive pastime, with spectators watching silently as if at a museum. This Gallery is not silent – it is a lively bar and grill. The bar hummed with people, with golfers sitting down for a drink together. With a wedding venue co-located on the property, a refreshment-seeking wedding party also came in. Small, with clean lines and dark woods, The Gallery Bar & Grill is understated, but it is also quite popular. We liked the festive atmosphere, and tables are available outside as well for a more relaxing get-together.
Dessert is not on the menu, but do ask if dessert is available. It just might be. Special cookies are always at the bar. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are marked on the menu. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m., lunch is 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the bar is open all day until 6 p.m.
Tom tells us he is cooking up plans to begin serving dinner. “I didn’t know this was public!” is another comment he hears regularly. It feels private, but it is indeed public. Watch this space to learn more about developing plans for dinner. The Gallery Bar & Grill is located at the Amelia River Club at 4477 Buccaneer Trail.