Geri's: Eclectic with a Side of Tradition

Andrew and Darlene Piselli, owners of Geri’s on East Park Avenue, offer a great mix of high quality meals with a casual atmosphere in a combination that’s quintessentially Long Beach.

The Pisellis formerly owned Josie’s, and now their new restaurant is named in honor of Darlene Piselli’s sister Geri, who passed away in 2005, leaving behind an impressive legacy of food and family.

Their prix fixe 3 course dinner is a sure bet, with a starter, an entrée, and a dessert all for $21.95 Sunday through Thursday.

Décor: The atmosphere in Geri’s says a lot about what they believe in. Bright colors, great music playing softly, and some eye-popping artwork that graces the walls, including large portraits of Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe. Many of the individual tables have curved booths, giving a distinctly private impression that makes for cozy date nights. They also have a private party room, with lots of fun and festive décor that make events like birthdays or even business meetings special.

Drinks: The bar at Geri’s is fully stocked and their bottled beer includes great summer picks like Corona and Blue Point Summer Ale. They also have a martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives that’s famous all over Long Beach. A wide variety of wines from around the world are also available.

Appetizers: Favorites of those in the know include the pan seared sea scallops ($11.00), served in a sweet potato puree, as well as the meatball sliders ($9.00). To start your meal off in a lighter way, try their goat cheese salad ($8.00), which has the added treat of roasted eggplant. Smaller salads, either house or caesar ($6.00) are also available.

Entrees: Regulars rave about the spaghetti and Geri’s almost famous meatballs ($18.00), which are served with fresh mozzarella. If you’re looking for a seafood meal, you have a tough decision to make, especially with the popular Cajun mahi mahi ($20.00), served with a side of basmati rice. Another seafood favorite is the pesto crusted flounder ($20.00), served with a bold zucchini chutney.

Desserts: All the desserts at Geri’s are named for her children and grandchildren. The Nicole ($7.00) offers a ricotta beignet served with a white chocolate dipping sauce in the side. If you’re looking for an extra decadent dessert, give the Anthony ($7.00) a try, with crepes filled with chocolate, topped with caramelized bananas. This is a customer favorite for good reason.  

Service: Co-owner and Chef Andrew Piselli is always on hand, though very often he’s in the kitchen preparing dishes. Out in front is Darlene Piselli, who keeps an eye on each table with the help of a dedicated serving staff that’s friendly and engaging. The attentive but casual service compliments the overall atmosphere of the restaurant, making it an easy place to stop into right off the beach, or for a refined but comfortable dinner.