Global Grill — Restaurant in Pensacola

It brings me great shame to not support this long-standing stalwart, fine-dining restaurant in my home town. But after trying amazing food in bigger cities, and even just-as-amazing food in Pensacola, the Global Grill has got to be better.

Everything about the ambiance and the service was perfect, actually. A beautiful dining room with a classy-looking bar and giant windows looking out at the hustle and bustle of Palafox Street, particularly beautiful when it's all dressed up for the holidays. And the server was on point. Our glasses were never empty, and he was quick to make realistic and good recommendations on what we should order. No issues here.

Now for the food. We looked at the entrees they offered, and decided to order just a bunch of their hot tapas, two off their regular menu, and two specials they were having that night.

Lamb Lollipops (Israeli Couscous & Sun Dried Tomato Jus). The flavor here was very good, but the cuts of the lamb were everywhere, very irregular. And the sides of the chops were seared to an overcooked degree, hiding the beautiful medium rare they are probably supposed to be.

Pork Tenderloin Medallions (Espresso & Chili-Rubbed, Chorizo Gravy, Apple Chutney). Again, very good flavor. Love the espresso/chorizo combo. But many, these poor little medallions were killed and turned basically into pork jerky. Super sad.

Another one we had was a scallop special they were running, with a cream sauce and some noodles. The chef must have been frustrated with how many things he was killing, so these scallops were actually undercooked. I've never seen that in all my days.

Now actually, the crispy fried red snapper special we got was really good. It was served with some sorts of rice and creamed spinach. And it was super delicious. Actually cooked very well, and I loved the spinach/rice combo. It felt very homemade, but still elevated.

Then it was time for dessert! Gooey Centered Spanish Chocolate Cake (Housemade Basil Ice Cream, Pecans). I loved the sweetness of the cake and how it played well with the basil ice cream. I know the cake was supposed to have a gooey center, but dang, could it at least look like a cake and not a smattering of racoon dung?

Anyway, as hard as this review was to write, I had to tell the truth. Global Grill was one of the pioneers of fine dining in Pensacola, but the lack of attention to details in the kitchen has certainly lost them a customer here, Especially with two amazing amazing restaurants less than three blocks from them. So sorry, Global Grill. Rest in peace,...

Tucked into the heart of downtown Pensacola, Global Grill remains a consistent standout among the city’s culinary gems — a true white linen experience where sophistication meets Southern soul.

Our recent visit was nothing short of exceptional. Opting for a tapas-style dinner, we sampled three standout dishes, each one executed with thoughtful precision and rich layers of flavor.

We began with the Southern Fried Oysters on Grits, which were everything you'd hope for in a Gulf Coast delicacy. Perfectly crisp oysters crowned a velvety bed of stone-ground grits, balancing brine and butter in each bite. This dish was a comforting nod to tradition, elevated by its presentation and seasoning.

Next came the Brussel Sprouts in a Smoked Gouda Sauce with Bacon. These small but mighty sprouts arrived caramelized and tender, enrobed in a creamy sauce that struck the right chord between smoky and savory. The crisp bacon added texture and depth — a decadent, shareable plate that disappeared quickly.

Our third selection, the Seared Scallops, were nothing short of artful. Plump and perfectly seared, the scallops were paired with two towering tempura onion rings, which added crunch and a whisper of sweetness. The contrast in texture made this dish both playful and refined.

To complement the meal, I enjoyed a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned, expertly mixed and served with a large ice cube that melted slowly — the kind of cocktail that quietly reminds you you're in good hands.

Our waiter, Gary, was attentive without being overbearing, and the ambience — warm lighting, intimate tables, and a lively but not overwhelming crowd — provided a fitting backdrop for a truly memorable evening.

Final Verdict: Global Grill nails the balance of upscale dining and Southern charm. Each dish was masterfully prepared and portioned generously for tapas. If you're looking for a place where flavor, atmosphere, and attention to detail align beautifully, Global Grill deserves a top spot...

I just want to start out that our waiter Gary was the absolute best. Big shout-out to him, the service and the manager were reasonable to say the least. So walking into this illustrious restraunt for the the first, I was hit with an off the bat expression, the 2 hostesses were just sitting there playing on their phone, now normally this wouldn't phase me as I had to say something to get their attention, but their eyes were glued to these screens, I've never had this lack of attentiveness from even an applebees of a chili's, so off that bat that knocked a star off for me as it set the tone for the night. Off to the topas and cocktails. The cocktails were decent I had no complaints, the topas on the other hand, that was literally the best Crab Cake I have ever had, the Lamb Lollipops were fall of the bone mouth watering. I'm impressed with how well the topas held up this review. Moving onward into the entree, the Chicken Cordon Bleu was fine, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing memorable about it, the mashed potatoes were a little too dry for my taste but It was washed down well with my wine. Now the Filer mignon initially came back grossly over salted (and believe me I love salt) I had to say something and they quickly fixed it and brought me back a new medium rare steak, but I'm not sure where the confusion was, this time it wasn't salted enough or even at all, now due to the delicacy of this restaurant there is no table salt or pepper. So, I cut my losses and decided to take it to go. Now they did comp the cheesecake off the final price, but I tipped Gary more than well, and appreciated ther service from him, the manager, and the chefs in the back (not the hostesses) I will be coming back and hopefully my experience is a little better and that way I can update my review. Overall, for the price tag and my experience, Its not something that I will go out of...