Gigi's Brings Coastal Mediterranean Dining to Gurney's Montauk

Located on the oceanfront at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, Gigi’s is the resort’s newest dining concept, bringing a fresh take on coastal cuisine to one of Montauk’s most famous properties

Although Gigi’s debuted last August, Director of Operations Antonello Paganuzzi considers 2026 to be the restaurant’s true first season.

Paganuzzi, who helped open Scarpetta at Gurney’s 12 years ago, supported the transition to the new restaurant concept when the resort decided it was time for a change. Rather than focusing solely on Italian cuisine, Gigi’s was created to embrace the iconic scenery of its oceanfront surroundings.

“We really want to lean into the coast, coastal cuisine, and that we’re right on the beach. I thought, why are we not doing oysters? Why are we not doing lobsters?” Paganuzzi said. “And obviously we want to do more of a surf and turf with some kind of Mediterranean flair to it.”

The menu is built on simplicity, allowing each ingredient to stand on its own. “There’s a lot of seafood, and it’s all grilled. There’s no more than three or four ingredients in each plate. We don’t want heavy food, we want the proteins to really speak for themselves,” he said.

Whenever possible, Gigi’s sources ingredients from local farms, including produce from Sagaponack, while supplementing with additional vendors when demand exceeds local supply.

For returning Gurney’s guests who were longtime Scarpetta fans, introducing a new restaurant came with its challenges. But Paganuzzi believes Gigi’s broader menu offers something for every visit. Whether guests are craving fresh fish, steak, or chicken, the restaurant is designed so that visitors staying at the resort can enjoy a different experience each time they dine.

Beyond the menu, Paganuzzi says Gigi’s distinguishes itself through its waterfront setting and commitment to consistency. “We’re very, very consistent. We are pushing on consistency,” he said. “If you have a great meal here today, we want you to have a great meal every time you come.”