New food rec's

[BeachbumAggie]

We'll arrive in Seagrove 3 weeks from tomorrow for a 2 week stay.

Stinky's became my new favorite last year for their crawfish pie as well as every other yummy thing we tried on our 2 visits. I am a fan of gyros at lunch at Yianni's. I love Ciao Bella pizza so we'll go into Destin for that. We are Red Bar fans as well. There's also a chinese place in Destin that I love for lunch, I know where it is but always forget the name.

This year we're trying D&K cafe based on the great reviews I've seen here. I'm thinking we'll try gravel road as well. Any other places ya'll recommend we try.

I've considered Criollas but their menu looks kind of fancy with lots of aioli's and such-I don't like my food all stacked up and covered with sauces so I'm not sure on that one.

Last year our fine dining night was at Royal B's, great gumbo and shrimp creole but disappointing snapper and peanut butter pie.

Any rec's would be appreciated! 4 other couples with kiddos ranging from 6-14 will meet us for week 2 of our trip so any rec's including or for them are appreciated as well.

[foodie]

Sounds like you all like to eat out a lot--I don't blame you! But if you decide that you want to eat in & don't want to spend your precious vacation time in the kitchen, you could call me! I am a personal chef; I mostly cook for large families/groups of friends that are vacationing in the area. When you start talking about large groups going out to dinner, you can save a lot of money by hiring a personal chef & spliting the cost. Just an idea!

As far as where to eat out, there are so many wonderful restaurants in the area, it is hard to narrow it down to just a couple! One of my favorites is Jasmine Thai restaurant in Destin, next to Chan's Wine World, just down from Pier One. It's not fine dining, but really good, reasonably priced thai food with outdoor dining. D&K is an excellent choice, glad to hear you are trying them out! You already mentioned Gravel Road which is a great choice, as is Borago. The list could go on & on. Enjoy & give me a shout if you are interested in being catered to in the comfort of your place!

[BeachbumAggie]

Vacation means not cooking dinner in my world! I cook a nice breakfast daily, we snack during the day and we enjoy our dinner and drinks in the evening!!

I'll talk to the group and see if they'd be interested in a chef night. What types of dinners do you do? We're NOT into fancy but we are into flavorful!

We're planning to do steamed shrimp and grilled steaks and sausage the night the other 4 families arrive to avoid the rush and allow for maximum arrival day time in the water.

We always go to the Lighthouse in Destin, I know others say it's gone downhill but we always have good food and it's such a part of our family tradition. These days there's no wait so at least half the group is going there one night.

[beachmouse]

I'll second the rec for Jasmine Thai. Just know that even their medium can be pretty hot depending on who's in the kitchen. Far better than Royal Orchid by the outlet mall, which has slipped in recent years, IMO.

Not sure which Chinese place you're thinking of but Miss Chen's by the harbor lost their lease and closed last year.

Closer to the condo, Fabrice's in Watercolor has great pastries to take out and more yumminess if you decide to eat in.

[appalach]

If you want flavor, try JamBone in Santa Rosa Beach for some outstanding barbecue! It is a new restaurant on 98 located where Coco's used to be. Here is a link to their menu...

http://www.jambone.net/Menus.html

I can personally vouch for the cuban bbq. Unbelievable! If you want great food in a relaxed atmosphere, you won't be disappointed.

[appalach]

Relaxed as in not "stuffy." Not relaxed as in always quiet and low key. They have live music, tv's, wifi, etc. Fun place!

[30A Skunkape]

Relaxed as in not "stuffy." Not relaxed as in always quiet and low key. They have live music, tv's, wifi, etc. Fun place!

Not to mention a staggering selection of beers!

[peapod1980]

Not to mention a staggering selection of beers!

150!

[BeachbumAggie]

We'll put Jasmine and Jambone on our list! Cuban barbeque sounds great, we tried cuban food in Key West in May and we thought it was fabulous!

The chinese place may be called Dynasty, it's in a shopping center towards Destin, west of Sandestin and the outlet mall, south side of the hwy, it's been there for several years; we usually do lunch there the day I hit the outlet mall.

[WlzMom]

Amore!!

www.amore-pizzeria.com

very low key. awesome food.

[Beach Runner]

Breakfast:
Fruit and cereal at home
Hibiscus Café
Amavida Seagrove

Lunch:
Red Bar
Flip Flops
Wild Olives
Taco Bar

Dinner:
Steamed shrimp or grill some fish from Goatfeathers plus a salad and corn
Amoré
La Botana
Taco Bar

Splurge Dinner:
Borago
Café Thirty-A
Bud & Alley's

That's pretty much where you'll find us when we're there.

[Jdarg]

Amore!!

www.amore-pizzeria.com

very low key. awesome food.

We managed to eat there 2 nights last week.

The current seasonal salad is a marinated summer vegetable over lettuce salad - I could drink the dressing!

[TreeFrog]

Breakfast:
Fruit and cereal at home
Hibiscus Café
Amavida Seagrove

Lunch:
Red Bar
Flip Flops
Wild Olives
Taco Bar

Dinner:
Steamed shrimp or grill some fish from Goatfeathers plus a salad and corn
Amoré
La Botana
Taco Bar

Splurge Dinner:
Borago
Café Thirty-A
Bud & Alley's

That's pretty much where you'll find us when we're there.

BR - Good list. My picks differ a little, but yours are all good.

La Botana is fine, but with their prices, I'd include them in the "Splurge" list. Dinner for 2 there Thursday with 3 small plates, 1 side each of beans and rice, 2 Pacificos, 1 glass of wine was $77 after a 20% tip.

[Allifunn]

I've considered Criollas but their menu looks kind of fancy with lots of aioli's and such-I don't like my food all stacked up and covered with sauces so I'm not sure on that one.

Just wanted to interject here. There are so many wonderful places, along 30-A and beyond, to eat!
I have had the pleasure of being privy to the workings at Criolla's. We are changing much of the dinner menu, and right now running nightly specials to test the waters. We have some AMAZING new dinners, appetizers and desserts. (as well as new tapas menu at the bar). I have been very pleased to see that Criolla's uses the freshest of ingredients, and everything is made from scratch. I think of the dishes as being a wonderful layering of flavors, that, when tasted in the final dish are amazing and complement eachother. The new snapper and scallop dinners are some of the best I've ever tasted!
That being said...I love many of the other restaurants in the area , I just don't have privy to the kitchen. I, too, still have a list of places to eat.

[Chops30A]

Chops 30A would make a great dining highlight during a visit to 30A or on the regular night-out rotation!

We would be thrilled to have you join us for one of our amazing specialty martinis or the world-class sushi prepared by one of the most talented sushi artists on the coast... Relax in the contemporary bar area or enjoy a seat in our cozy dining room to experience one of the many pleasing options on our menu. From the prime meats to the wine list, we aim to satisfy the most discerning tastes, but still like to keep it simple!

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about Chops 30A, or to help you make plans for an unforgettable evening! Feel free to send us a message, email, or call at 850-231-4050.

Best,

Chops 30A

[Allifunn]

Chops 30A would make a great dining highlight during a visit to 30A or on the regular night-out rotation!

We would be thrilled to have you join us for one of our amazing specialty martinis or the world-class sushi prepared by one of the most talented sushi artists on the coast... Relax in the contemporary bar area or enjoy a seat in our cozy dining room to experience one of the many pleasing options on our menu. From the prime meats to the wine list, we aim to satisfy the most discerning tastes, but still like to keep it simple!

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about Chops 30A, or to help you make plans for an unforgettable evening! Feel free to send us a message, email, or call at 850-231-4050.

Best,

Chops 30A

I've had sushi at Chops! very good and an interesting presentation of the cucumber salad!

[Teresa]

great food is everywhere in sowal. this year I've really enjoyed some new ones: flip flops, stinky's, and fat clemenza's. also pasta grill at PCB. special lunches at Modica are great.

but to pick up dinner at Lee's Famous Chicken at Redfish Village, Blue Mt Beach, has become a favorite thing to do around here. beach chair, sunset, fried chicken and biscuits and all the fixins. yummy!

[Allifunn]

great food is everywhere in sowal. this year I've really enjoyed some new ones: flip flops, stinky's, and fat clemenza's. also pasta grill at PCB. special lunches at Modica are great.

but to pick up dinner at Lee's Famous Chicken at Redfish Village, Blue Mt Beach, has become a favorite thing to do around here. beach chair, sunset, fried chicken and biscuits and all the fixins. yummy!

Lee's Chicken on the beach!
Fat Clemenza's and

[tolynne]

Where is Chops 30 A ?? I know about the great steakhouse at SanDestin but do they also have a place on 30 A? Is it new? Just curious, we usually go to Cafe Thirty-A on our nice dinner out during our stay, but now I may change my mind, better yet, go to both!! Also Borago and Criolla's and Fish out of water!! What is a girl to do????? Any further recommendations? I am really curious about the Chops 30A too. Its one week and counting!!!

[tolynne]

Sorry, it is Cigars (sp) not destin chops at Sandestin.

[DuneLaker]

But, just so you know. Seagars at Sandestin Hilton is in Miramar Beach, not Destin. Even though they are some of the last hold outs to use a "Destin" address, they are not in Destin, and have NEVER been in Destin. They are in South Walton, call it Miramar Beach or Sandestin. It was a strange address quirk that happened for a few years. Maybe because of a few top owners that lived in Destin. But, Seagars, a great steak restaurant, is NOT IN DESTIN, no matter what you might see in any advertising. Seagars is in SoWal. You'll find some of the best dining in Florida and the world in South Walton; Criollas, Cafe 30A, Fish Out of Water, Bud & Alleys, Boragos, etc. etc. etc. Then, even our casual dining is exceptional. You can't go wrong on 30A and South Walton. (fyi BeachBumAggie, Howdy. I'm class of 77)

[Allifunn]

Where is Chops 30 A ?? I know about the great steakhouse at SanDestin but do they also have a place on 30 A? Is it new? Just curious, we usually go to Cafe Thirty-A on our nice dinner out during our stay, but now I may change my mind, better yet, go to both!! Also Borago and Criolla's and Fish out of water!! What is a girl to do????? Any further recommendations? I am really curious about the Chops 30A too. Its one week and counting!!!

Chops 30-A is in Seacrest Beach.
All of the mentioned restaurants are wonderful. If you do go to Criolla's I recommend the West Indies Snapper dinner or the New Scallop dinner! The chefs have created some wonderful new tapas and appetizers as well.

[Paige]

I'm sorry. I've given Fish Out of Water 4 chances and have yet to be impressed, esp. for the price. Will not go there again. Borago, on the other hand, I love.

[rapunzel]

Cafe Tango, Cafe Tango, Cafe Tango. Great food, best atmosphere and service on 30A.

Also, although I have to admit I wasn't expecting it to be in the splurge category, George's was exceptionally good. The watermelon salad with goat cheese and herbs -- to die for. The scallops were fabulous. Others at the table had the lamb and the clay pot chicken. Everyone raved. Worm pasta, a last minute substitute for the frog pasta, was also a hit. The service was amazingly attentive for day 2, as well.

[Teresa]

my favorite is and always will be Borago in Grayton Beach. but, another long time fave is Basmati's in Blue Mt Bch. Onano in Rosemary Beach is wonderful as well. Fat Clemenza's is the newest addition to my top 10 list - and it is number one. these are all fine dining, but with casual and funn atmosphere and not at all the fancy artistic tiny dollops of morsels on a plate. just extraordinary food, service and vibe.

[tolynne]

Thank you for all of the information..now i am not sure where to go because the list gets longer and longer! My favorite is Borago. I like to go to new places too, so the recommendations I have read will help. We are leaving on the 30th and staying in Blue Mtn. My husband and I will eat out every night while we are there. This is a short mini escape for us--(gotta escape from the medical industry, stress!!) I am looking forward to seeing the beach and eating at the best resturants in the country! I love the beaches of south walton, visit at least 2 times a year, and hope to live there one day!

[La Botana]

BR - Good list. My picks differ a little, but yours are all good.

La Botana is fine, but with their prices, I'd include them in the "Splurge" list. Dinner for 2 there Thursday with 3 small plates, 1 side each of beans and rice, 2 Pacificos, 1 glass of wine was $77 after a 20% tip.

Hey Tree Frog, thanks for dining with us, especially if you felt like it was a splurge. We would love for people to feel like it is a fine establishment and each visit an indulgence! When is your birthday? Come in that week and we will give you a free bottle of champagne to add value to your meal and help you celebrate life!

The concept we are striving for is to be a wine bar with small plates to compliment the social experience of enjoying a fine glass over a casual conversation. The menu is priced and portioned to be delightful and affordable without being overwhelming. We have 13 items on the menu and it would cost a whopping $128.50 to order one of each, averaging less than $10 per plate. In a standard dining experience, that would be enough food to serve 6 people appetizers, entrees, and desserts all while allowing them to enjoy a large variety of authentic recipes. At less than $22 per person for a genuine 3 course meal, we hope all of you will come and "splurge!"