Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuri Gianesini.
Hi Yuri, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Like many people, my first real job was in the restaurant industry. During college, I worked at two different restaurants, starting as a busser in one and a dishwasher in the other. By the end of that first summer I was already serving at one place and working as a prep cook at the other. The work was demanding, fast, and intense, but it taught me discipline, teamwork, and pride in doing things well.
Even though I earned a degree in Industrial Engineering, I could not walk away from restaurants. I kept working throughout college, and even on weekends after I joined the corporate world of industrial engineering and that helped me learned every corner of the business, but the back of house was where I truly fell in love with the craft. I loved the energy, the systems, the food, and the shared purpose that comes from a kitchen working in sync.
Over the years, the dream of opening my own place never stopped. I imagined creating a space where people could share good food and good moments. Eventually the opportunity showed up, and now I am proud to be one of the owners of Surfside Kitchen. It has been a journey built on hard work, passion, and belief.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish I could say it has been a smooth road, but the reality is that it is a very rocky one. In this industry there are many times that you want to quit, want to walk out and never come back, those nights after dealing with a rude table, or after a busy shift where everything seems to go wrong, or after a slow shift where you barely make any money, they are real and they test you to your limit.
What I have learned is that you have to stay focused on the bigger picture and not on the small rocks along the way. The work is demanding, but it is also rewarding. This journey is like climbing a mountain. You move one step at a time and sometimes loose rocks fall and try to knock you down. There are stretches where you feel tired or frustrated, and moments when you wonder if it would be easier to turn back. But when you finally reach the top and look back at where you started, it becomes a deeply rewarding moment because you can see every step, every setback, and every small victory that got you there.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Surfside Kitchen?
Surfside Kitchen is a coastal casual restaurant in Vilano Beach and Saint Augustine built around good food, good energy, and a welcoming atmosphere. We serve lunch and dinner all day, and brunch on the weekends and offer everything from blackened fish and shrimp plates to handcrafted burgers, fresh poke bowls, brunch favorites, and fun desserts. Our menu is designed to feel approachable but elevated, with dishes that are familiar yet packed with flavor. We focus on fresh ingredients, house made sauces, and plates that look as good as they taste.
We are known for food that feels both comforting and inspired. Guests come for classics like crispy chicken wings, pizzas or juicy grilled burgers, and they stay for dishes with a little twist, like our blackened fish plate, our tropical maple bourbon grilled chicken sandwich with arugula and grilled pineapple, or our poke bowls featuring fresh ahi tuna and house made sauces, or our pizzas creations like our bacon brussel pizza. We take pride in friendly service and a warm atmosphere where people feel at home whether they are having brunch with family, lunch with friends, or dinner after a long day.
What sets us apart is our commitment to consistency, quality, and personality. We make our own dressings, sauces, and finishing touches because we believe details matter. We do not just serve food, we create experiences that bring people together. Surfside Kitchen is family owned, and we are trying our best every single day to make sure our guests have a great experience.
Above all, we want people to know that Surfside Kitchen is built on passion and real work. We are constantly refining our offerings, listening to our guests, and striving to serve dishes that keep people coming back. Whether you are craving a bold flavorful bowl or a classic comfort plate, you will find something made with care and a touch of personality at Surfside Kitchen. We love what we do, and we hope it shows in every plate we serve and every interaction we have with our guests.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We would want readers to know that we are a family-owned restaurant, and we care deeply about what we do and how we do it. We put a lot of care into our food, our service, and our environment because every detail matters. As a neighborhood spot, we take pride in creating a warm, welcoming space where guests feel appreciated and a little special. We also invest in our team, teaching them to take pride in their work and to take great care of our customers. At the end of the day, that is what makes everything we do worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.surfside.kitchen/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surfsidekitchenvilano
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surfsidekitchenvilano
