Thanks Detroit News for this:
Macomb County waterfront destination, Gino’s Surf, is being brought back to life by new owners after years of sitting vacant.
Gino’s Surf in Harrison Township will open soon under new stewardship and a years-long renovation project.
The new team includes Brian Jeffries (aka: DJ Godfather) of Apex Hospitality Group, which also owns and operates several downtown clubs including Love & Tequila, 3Fifty Terrace at the Detroit Opera House and others.
“First and foremost, we’re going to be focused on the locals,” said Jeffries, who lives in the area. He said that while there will be a DJ booth, high-tech lighting and more than four dozen televisions, he sees the rebooted Gino’s Surf as more of a restaurant for those in the neighborhood rather than a nightclub.
While the soft-opening phase beings this weekend, the first big event at the refurbished spot will be Sept. 1, a Labor Day Eve White Party. This bash will be similar to the kind Jeffries — who is known widely in the local party scene as DJ Godfather — used to throw at St. Clair Shores’ Beach Grill in the 2010s. Later in September, Gino’s Surf will have an official grand opening and start accepting reservations.
Once up and running, the menu will be executed by chef Richard Conover who is planning to serve a menu of American standards in the Gino’s Surf dining room and patio.
“He’ll be making seafood, steaks, pasta and some vegan and gluten-free options,” said Jeffries, adding that the chef also makes some killer chicken wings. “He makes his own ranch, blue cheese dressing and barbecue sauce from scratch, plus his own queso dip and he hand-cuts all the fries.”
In addition to hosting DJs at night after 9 p.m., and being a spot to watch sports, Jeffries plans to book acoustic acts and other performers.
Serving the area as a restaurant and banquet facility throughout the 1970s up until it closed in 2015, Gino’s Surf was a go-to spot for weddings, fashion shows and supper club-style shows with live musicians.
Jefferies says they’re taking the old Gino’s Surf banquet hall and rebranding it to be a separate wedding and events space called Vista Lago. That will be ready next year, most likely. He’s also working on the ability for guests to arrive at Gino’s Surf by boat from L’anse Creuse Bay off Lake St. Clair.
Gino’s Surf is at 37400 Jefferson in Harrison Township. Operating hours will be in flux during the soft opening phase. Follow along with their opening progress on Instagram and Facebook @ginossurf.
Buy $20tix to September 1st opening
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ginos%20Surf/216014681763497/
