Veteran chef John Brill promises a new and unique dining experience
Locally sourced, internationally inspired cuisine is the concept behind the recently opened 7 Gerard in Huntington Village. Under the guidance of veteran Long Island chef John Brill, who has cooked beside top toques, including Bobby Flay, draws inspiration from Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, with a wealth of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian selections.
“We always try to use local seasonal ingredients,” Brill said. “Mother Nature will always produce the best and healthiest dishes. We are very lucky to have so many fresh vegetables grown locally here on Long Island.”
Appetizers ($10 to $16) include 7G lettuce wraps with wok-seared chicken, shiitake mushrooms, sesame ginger sauce and water chestnuts; and vegetarian tacos with shredded pulled barbecued jackfruit. Much of the menu centers around a custom, 6-foot mesquite wood-fired grill. The Simply Grilled section ($26 to $34) highlights the wood-fired grill entrees like ahi tuna, Faroe Island salmon, 12-ounce grass fed ribeye and ocean scallops. 7 Gerard also offers a Two Share section on its menu. The shareable starts ($12 to $18) include surf and turf sliders with angus beef.
“Our eggplant meatballs with ricotta and oregano oil are very popular,” Brill said. “We also serve espresso-crusted lamb loin, beef sliders topped with chopped sriracha tuna tartare and cucumber wasabi creme, and a selection of flatbreads including a wild mushroom option with coach farms goat cheese, white truffle oil, and crispy garlic.”
A comprehensive sushi selection from sushi chef Chulo Choi, who hails to the restaurant from Cipriani, complements the menu. Guests can expect an array of original rolls, such as the 7G roll, a shrimp tempura roll topped with avocado, lobster meat, crunch and the chef’s special sauce.
“We wanted to create a healthy, flavor-forward menu with plant-based proteins so we can offer our customers more creative dining options,” Brill said. “7 Gerard is a lifestyle choice—people will think of us when they want to eat healthy and dine stylishly.”
Located at Joy Mangano’s former restaurants Porto Vivo and Jema, interior designer and restaurant co-owner Eileen Kathryn Boyd reimagined the space for the casual American grill. Upon entering the three-tier eatery, its voluminous nature immediately scales down as cozy and inviting, as Boyd created several dining atmospheres throughout the restaurant. From convivial areas for large groups to cozy tables for two, there’s even a communal farm table with views of the kitchen.
The main dining area exudes a modern industrial style with oversized studs mounted to black walls and metal-panned warehouse windows that let in natural light. The centerpiece in the foyer, a black and glass staircase, houses floor-to-ceiling commissioned artwork by Long Island abstract artist Diego Garcia. Upstairs the restaurant continues its nod to creatives, featuring abstract paintings by Manhattan artist Kerry Irvine, a native of Huntington, and a gallery wall of black-and-white celebrity photos by the late famed fashion photographer Bill Cunningham.
The space has a subterranean wine cellar that boasts a selection of fine wine, which complements its beverage menu that features cocktail concoctions using fresh ingredients.
7 Gerard is located at 7 Gerard St. in Huntington. It is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner with the bar open until 1 a.m.
