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Phantom Gourmet: G Bar And Restaurant In Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT - Meatballs with toasted mozzarella. Pasta with tomato sauce and sausage. Bread Pudding that will make chocoholics swoon. With all of this outstanding fare, you'd think the 'G' in G Bar would stand for 'gourmet.'

Instead it stands for Gregg Brackman, the chef behind the line at this small but spirited spot on Swampscott beach. It boasts a cozy, come-as-you-are atmosphere, which makes customers feel welcome the second they walk through the door.

"People are definitely going to feel comfortable. I think that's one of our strengths," said Gregg. "Often times people don't want to get up and leave. It's really a fun place to be."

Back in the fishbowl like kitchen, you can usually spot Gregg tending to his dishes, as he closely monitors the dining room in the wall mirrors, to make sure every customer has a smile on.

"Of course that's the ultimate joy; to see an empty plate or a happy face, or an 'ooh' or an 'ahh'."

It's hard to find a disappointed face in the house. There's crispy shrimp garnished with sriracha and lemon shallot aioli, and heart-warming meatballs served in a tangy marinara with toasted mozzarella. For a low calorie alternative to Buffalo wings, try G Bar's Buffalo Cauliflower.

G Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Buffalo Cauliflower at G Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

"The Buffalo cauliflower was kind of a healthy way to get that buffalo wing flavor in your mouth without having all of those fat calories," Gregg explained. "So what we do is we flash fry the cauliflower 'til it's nice and golden brown, and we toss it with our hot love hot sauce, and it sits on top of wasabi whipped cream with some nice Maytag blue cheese. You take one bite and you have a lot of flavors working together."

For something as pretty as it is tasty, order G Bar's Tuna Tower. The multi-level stack of deliciousness is layered with sushi grade tuna, creamy avocado, and spicy wasabi whipped cream, and served alongside crispy wonton chips.

"It's really beautiful on the plate but once you dive into it, it quickly disappears," said Gregg.

G Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Tuna Tower at G Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

G Bar also offers a range of perfectly seared steaks like the Filet Mignon served over bacon-cocoa Brussel sprouts, or the Rib Eye- presented in a stack over horseradish whipped Yukon potatoes in a veal demi-glace - a personal favorite of Gregg's.

"Our rib eye is a classic in my opinion. Like a last supper steak dish. It's just a pan roasted, grass fed rib eye. There's a little less fat content and more flavor in the meat, and it sits on top of the mashed potato. And then we take some beautiful sweet Vidalia onions and fry them nice and crispy and sit those on top of the steak."

G Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Rib Eye at G Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

If you're craving some carbs, go for G Bar's Pappardelle pasta, smothered in a tomato cream sauce and spiked with spicy sausage. For something out of the ordinary, order the Baked Stuffed Squash. This delicious dish features a roasted acorn squash stuffed with a blend of crab, shrimp and herb focaccia crumbs, sautéed to order before getting torched and plated with a creamy hot tomato sauce.

G Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Baked Stuffed Squash at G Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

For something with some Asian flare, order G Bar's Duck. Cooked until crispy and served on a bed of Chow Fun noodles in a hoisin sauce, it's no surprise that this is one of the restaurant's most popular dishes.

"We go through about 40 pounds every two weeks of Chow Fun noodles, and we only use it for that one dish - so that's a lot," stated Gregg.

G Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Duck over Chow Fun noodles at G Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

Desserts at G Bar are a family affair because Gregg's wife Amy happens to be the mastermind behind the Apple Crisp.

"She taught us all how to make it and we serve it with a fresh vanilla bean whip cream that we make here as well," Gregg explained. "It's really nice. You get that fresh apple taste and the crumbles on top are nice and crispy, and then you round it out and soften it with that vanilla whip cream and it's really, really fun."

G Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Apple Crisp at G Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

The neighbors at Newman's Bakery get involved when it comes to the Challah Bread turned bread pudding.

"He's been making it for years and years and years, and it works really well with the bread pudding."

While it may seem like a grind to prepare food like this, day in and day out, there's nothing Gregg would rather be doing.

"I think people really appreciate me being here, whether it be behind the line or on the floor. This is my dream. I was blessed with the hands that I have and I feel like when I use those hands and the gift that I have, it's what I was meant to do."

You can find G Bar and Kitchen at 265 Humphrey Street in Swampscott, and online at grestaurant.com.

Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.

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