The Garlic and Blu Bar
- 556 E 3rd Ave New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
(386) 424-6660
the garlic – Authentic Italian Restaurant in New Smyrna Beach
From the moment you walk through the tree covered entrance and enter the restaurant underneath lush trees and a landscape lit with sparking lights, you will realize that you are in a special place.
Opened in 2003, The Garlic perfectly combines traditional Italian flavors with laid-back Florida style. The interior transports you to Italy with multiple Old World fireplaces, gorgeous Italian pottery and eclectic décor that helps create a charming ambiance.
Boasting rustic Italian comfort food from executive chef Michael Perri, “The Garlic” also offers nightly entertainment, a full wine and cocktail selection and innovative daily specials, so there is always something new to try. As one would expect, the signature-featured ingredient is often garlic.
Whether you prefer dining indoors or outdoors, The Garlic can accommodate either preference. The layout is unique, so the whole restaurants feels indoors and outdoors at the same time. Private parties and events can also be held here with a custom food and menu created The Garlic’s team. It is a great space for family reunions, birthday parties, and business dinners.
As far as the menu, The Garlic features an impressive menu with a few signature dishes that have helped them even gain notoriety on The Travel Channel.
One of my favorites is their traditional Cioppino, a Southern Italian seafood stew with shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams, mussels, calamari, and fish sauteed in tomato-saffron broth with fresh herbs.
Other notable dishes include the Il Forno-cooked New York Strip Steak which is fire-grilled to your liking with a delicious garlic crust. Il Forno means “The Oven” and The Garlic’s oven is a beast imported from Italy that can reach temperatures of up to 800 degrees.
The Chilean sea bass is another fan fav, it is pan-seared and finished with lemon sauce and served with you guessed it, garlic mashed potatoes.
A vegetarian option is the Eggplant Tower. This specialty has layers of lightly breaded eggplant with vine-ripened tomatoes and arugula then topped with cheese and a balsamic vinegar reduction drizzle.
Another Garlic notable is the “Bocce Ball” which is a 16 oz meatball made of filet mignon and smothered in marinara and parmesan. It is huge and awesome!
On our last visit, we had an incredible waiter who was that special type of server that makes you feel like you really matter. He was always ready with a joke, funny anecdote or menu suggestion. He took great care of us and made us want to return whenever we have something to celebrate.
That day we were celebrating my wife’s birthday. We dined on the Spuntitori Italiano (which was enough to feed an army) and the Seafood Italiano because my wife wanted mussels for her birthday. We ended up so full that we had to skip dessert!
If you are visiting New Smyrna Beach or are fortunate enough to call it home, The Garlic is a memorable choice for incredible Italian cuisine.
