Gemma Fish + Oyster — Restaurant in Jacksonville

I really hope this finds its way to Brittany and Mike Cooney. I had hoped to love this place as I have seen it open for a few months and had not tried it out til this Thursday July 11th. Since we were off we thought we would try it out for happy hour. The experience started out very well with a very pleasant and hospitable hostess. We decided to sit at the bar and try their happy hour drinks and small plates. We ordered drinks and several small plates. Food and drinks came out and were great. Ordered a second round of drinks and everything changed. Something was off with the drinks. We explained this to the server and he took back. But to our surprise they didn’t redo the drinks but just started doctoring up the drinks by adding more strops and mixers. Now understand mine was an old fashioned. Simple bourbon and bitters so I couldn’t under why my second drink was nearly filled to the rim since I know there was no more bourbon in my glass. So what was added? Happy hour prices weren’t high so we just ordered another round and some more small plates. Still the experience was ok so we were discussing returning in the future for dinner. Asked for our check. It was here that everything went south. I noticed that my two old fashioned were nearly twice the price in the menu and my glass of wine was the same. When I pointed this out to the server, he explained that the happy hour drink was a “gold fashioned” and made with a different bourbon than their old fashioned. Not quite sure what a gold fashioned really is as I know I can’t walk into any bar and order one. Further explained that my wine was only $1 off. Which isn’t true as it clearly states 1/2 off wine by the glass. He than explained the the sauvingan blanc I ordered had been “86’d” so I was served a different one. Our server Jason snatched the bill from our hand and said he would take it off. I saw him apprising the manager David of the situation and everything got worse. After Jason slammed our new ticket down we flagged down a different Manager who then turned to David for guidance. When I explained that David had been apprised and didn’t care, David explained that he is not confrontational and he didn’t need us as customers. And we should leave. I’m confused if you don’t need as as customers, why would you take our money. Not to mention try to sneak extra charges on the bill. Worth to note the restaurant was nearly empty on a Thursday evening. Clearly I have no intent on returning and I’d strongly encourage anyone else to avoid this place as well. I personally know there are many places in town that would more than welcome you has customers. Mike and Brittany I’d strongly encourage you to evaluate wether David and Jason are what you need in your restaurant. I can promise you I’ve been in customer service for 39 years. And I would never look at a customer and say they don’t need me or anyone as a customer. Sadly this could have been different if David had simply come and addressed the situation rather than “not be confrontational “. Taking to a customer is not confrontational, it’s actually what you’re paid to do. And to be honest Jason is just too lazy to do his job and expects me to. A simple hey out happy hour old fashion is this. And hey we have two wines on our meme but we’ve done away with one so we have this one now. You lost 3 customers simply because there was no...

I have been dying to get to the new Gemme Fish + Oyster and caught the opportunity to sneak out to indulge without the kiddos because I was on a mission to begin my journey to try the highly recommended Devine variety of oysters that I've noted from other reviews. I had reservations for 8:30 and was promptly addressed and seated. Bre, the hostess was very lovely and attentive. The place itself is absolutely exquisite! It was Sunday evening and at the time I arrived there were barely many people seated and dining that evening. I ordered the Roasted Oysters. They were topped with smoked bacon, kale, panko, and parmesan cheese. They reminded me of maybe an Oyster Rockefeller. Not sure if it is usual or not, but the were extremely dry and very fishy tasting in my opinion. I probably wouldn't get them again. Yes I told my server in which he apologized but offered no alternate solution. For my main course I ordered the Angus Steak Burger with Tillman cheddar, smoked bacon, caramelized onion Mayo, with house made pickles on a potato bun, served with truffle fries. The Burger was pretty standard. Nothing stood out to me special about it and when I asked for mustard the waiter said they don't carry mustard. Strange?? Oh well, after eating half he came back after his 3rd walk outside and said he did have some Dijon honey mustard. I decided I was done with the Burger and I'd take the other half home to add mustard and reheat. The bun was deliciously golden brown it shimmered with a warm glow in the lights and was soft and fluffy and held together perfectly. I could have had a basket full of them. Then the STAR OF THE SHOW was the TRUFFLE FRIES!! OMGosh!! They are to die for. I had to question what kind of ketchup they served in that little side cup because I thought it was the ketchup making the fries taste so good! He came back after checking and said it's just regular Ole Heinz. Well then, hands down the truffle fries were the BEST I ever had! Key lime pie, with lime chantilly was definitely the Co-Star! After paying the check we were offered by Bre, the hostess from the beginning to take a tour of their wonderfully designed rooftop with lovely greenery of beautifully placed ferns, outside heaters, softly lit led lighting and just an all around very romantic and intimate atmosphere! If I give them another try, which not sure of because of a few things, Oysters being 1 (I REALLY REALLY WAS HOPING FOR ROCKSTAR OYSTERS), I'd definitely dine on the rooftop! I chatted with Bre about the Oysters too, but dinner was done and she wasn't our server (wish she was). She made the experience of us coming for the first time...

A Five-Star Tribute to Gemma Fish + Oyster Bar: My New Go-To for Memorable Dining

This marks my second time dining at Gemma Fish + Oyster Bar, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned—this place doesn’t just serve food, it serves experiences. Both visits were nothing short of unforgettable, and on this occasion, I brought two very important people: my 80-year-old father and my wife, whose birthday we were celebrating. Let’s just say, Gemma rose to the occasion—and then some.

From the moment we walked in, we were met with an ambiance that struck the perfect balance between upscale class and fun-spirited charm. The kind of place where you’re just as comfortable raising a glass as you are sharing a laugh. The lighting, the music (perfectly tuned—not too loud, not too soft), and the vibrant-yet-refined crowd made it easy to settle in and be present.

Now let’s talk service—because if food is the soul of a restaurant, then service is the heartbeat. And our heartbeat that night? A shining gem named Madison. Let me just say: Was she named after the mermaid from the 1984 movie Splash? Because she certainly had that magical, otherworldly presence that made the entire evening sparkle. Her attentiveness, timing, personality, and intuitive sense of hospitality elevated the experience to something extraordinary. Madison, if you’re reading this—thank you for making us feel like we were the only table in the world.

As for the food—every single bite was worth every penny. Cooked to precision, plated beautifully, and (bonus points here) it looked exactly like the drool-worthy photos we saw on Google Maps. That rarely happens. The drinks? Not watered down in the slightest. Bold, well-crafted, and bursting with flavor. You can tell they take pride in every detail, right down to the cocktail shakers.

And desserts? Let me pause to breathe before I rave too hard. The bread pudding and key lime pie—we ordered them to go and ended up devouring them in the car, unable to wait until we got home. That’s how good they were.

In a world full of restaurants that get lost in trends or forget the importance of soulful hospitality, Gemma stands tall. It’s not just a place to eat—it’s a place to celebrate. To slow down. To mark moments with the people you care about most.

This is now my go-to spot when I want to splurge, relax, and share a genuinely memorable evening with someone lucky enough to be there with me.

Don’t blink. Don’t wait. Just go. Ask for Madison. The mermaid. You’ll see what I mean.

Thank you, Gemma and Madison …We’ll be back—this...