You might not know this, but Germain’s is both a place and a person, hence the possessive apostrophe. The restaurant is run by Rodney Germain and his nephew Shelton Seraphin, who both said their goal for the Gainesville restaurant is to serve the community while reflecting it. I can’t think of a better way to describe what’s going on here.
Like most places I review, I made another visit before writing this piece. It wasn’t because I forgot what the food tasted like — trust me, I haven’t. I wanted to see it with fresh eyes, not only the eyes of a critic, but also the eyes of an everyday, hungry Gainesville resident with fried chicken tunnel vision. This time around, I walked away with even more appreciation for what they’ve built.
If I had to choose one word to describe Germain’s, it’d be wholesome. The soft pastel palette and clean, minimal interior give it a polished boutique feel, while its rugged concrete floor reminds you this place may be pretty, but it’s still here to feed you. The whole vibe mirrors the food: unexpectedly elegant and deeply satisfying…