Memorable meals in SoWal

**middlesister** · 03-10-2010, 07:18 PM

I am curious. Does anyone have a story about a memorable meal in SoWal? Whether it is the food, service or the whole experience. Would you rather have great food and so-so service or wonderful service and mediocre food? Of course we would all want the best of both but what do you think?

**Lynnie** · 03-10-2010, 07:25 PM

Cafe Tango! Wonderful restaurant and amazing food with a yummy wine list. All of that was memorable, but the look on our waiter's face when he realized two of our guests had fallen asleep was indeed priceless!

I've had many great meals along 30-A. And, can't think of one bad experience except those times you roll into town in the winter and most places are closed on strange days.

**middlesister** · 03-10-2010, 07:33 PM

So what would your top 4 be for instance? Also why did your guests fall asleep? Fun to read your reply. Thanks.

**Lynnie** · 03-10-2010, 09:28 PM

Cafe Tango
Hurricane's
Red Bar
Borago
Basmatis
Elmos
Angelina's
Onano
Summer Kitchen

Sorry, I got carried away. My personal faves are Cafe Tango, Red Bar and Hurricane's. Can't wait to try Chan's, though!! Guests fell asleep because they were evidently light weights! It was an extra special groovy walk home!

**SWGB** · 03-10-2010, 11:13 PM

Me and hubby had a very memorable meal at Criolla's for an anniversary one year. I still miss that restaurant.

The most memorable was a company Christmas party at Fish out of Water. Hubby hadn't come out at work yet, but brought me. Nobody was phased except for his closeted former roommate who proceeded to down cheap whiskey like there was no tomorrow. I don't know why he was nervous, I don't think that poor girl he brought ever guessed.

**Beach Runner** · 03-11-2010, 06:04 AM

Bud & Alley's: From the old menu the pasta special with a rich herb broth, various vegetables, and seafood. My favorite meal in SoWal ever!

Bud & Alley's Pizza Bar: Caprese, fileto, and fennel-sausage pizza. Now our favorite restaurant on 30A.

The old Shades at Seaside: Fried grouper sandwich. Perfectly cooked. The atmosphere at the bar there added to the experience(s).

Hibiscus Caf�: Spinach-feta frittata and (tie) pancakes with pecans, bananas, and blueberries, both served with fresh fruit salad. And Hibiscus iced tea. Served with love. BE GRATEFUL for that restaurant and its owner.

**deepender** · 03-11-2010, 08:36 AM

our favorites are Gravel Road, Hurricane Oyster Bar, and Paradis! We do go to the Hurricane Oyster bar a bit more because it's very affordable and close! Gravel Road is very good and Paradis is great for a special occasions

!

**kathydwells** · 03-11-2010, 09:06 AM

Seagrove Village Market Cafe' - Can't make a trip down without stopping by for a most wonderful Fried Oyster Po-boy, and my sister always gets the Grouper Sandwich, son usually gets one of their yummy burgers. Wow, I wish I had a po-boy from there right now!

Red Bar - I have never had a bad meal there, and the company is wonderful.

The breakfast is so, so good.

I am going to try Hibiscus on my next trip down. Can't wait.

**Paula** · 03-11-2010, 09:24 AM

lobster quesadilla at George's at Alys Beach (I don't know if they still have it, though). It wasa amazing, serves 2 easily.

**Allifunn** · 03-11-2010, 09:24 AM

Every meal in Sowal is memorable

There are so many places that I have not been to yet, regretfully. I look forward to trying Louis, Louis.
I think that good service and just so/so food is preferable, but here in Sowal, there is no excuse for either food or service to be poor. We have far too much talent on 30-A to tolerate excuses from the back or the front of the house.
I hope to see Chan's Wine World at Watercolor on this favorites list one day

**scooterbug44** · 03-11-2010, 10:14 AM

Louis Louis definitely needs to be added to the list - cleaner/nicer version of the Red Bar (newer building, fab chandeliers, and black duct tape on the furniture) and great food!

They had a veal piccata special the other night that rocked! And the asparagus was correctly - nice and crisp, not mushy.

Good pork tenderloin too!

**shakennotstirred** · 03-11-2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

Louis Louis definitely needs to be added to the list - cleaner/nicer version of the Red Bar (newer building, fab chandeliers, and black duct tape on the furniture) and great food!

They had a veal piccata special the other night that rocked! And the asparagus was correctly - nice and crisp, not mushy.

Good pork tenderloin too!

on the black duct tape comment! The food sounds great - can't wait to try it.

**scooterbug44** · 03-11-2010, 11:15 AM

It was a memorable moment - was scoping out the place and thinking how nice/fresh it looked, then realized some things never really change!

**sunspotbaby** · 03-11-2010, 11:17 AM

Dinner at D & K's during Halloween with our little girl.
We were impressed with the meal and the service... Little Jackie was not impressed with the impressive spooky decor.

**KerriH** · 03-11-2010, 04:15 PM

Every meal at Cafe Tango. Delicious food and superb service. Doesn't hurt that my hubby grew up with one of the servers in MS and we get to gossip about the crazies....Also, George's fish tacos were DELICIOUS last year!

**middlesister** · 03-11-2010, 06:13 PM

Where is Louis Louis? Is it new? I can't recollect it. Thanks all.

**elliedog** · 03-11-2010, 07:48 PM

The old Lake Place, the New Lakeplace, cafe 331, and Yanni's all have exceeded our expectations. Sorry to see all of them go.

**SWGB** · 03-12-2010, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by middlesister

Where is Louis Louis? Is it new? I can't recollect it. Thanks all.

If you can prove you're a local we'll point you in the right direction.

**kathydwells** · 03-12-2010, 08:23 AM

You know actually come to think of it, some of my most memorable meals in SoWal have been the one's that we (my gang of friends), have prepared and eaten with a beautiful sunset backdrop.

**kurt** · 03-12-2010, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by sunspotbaby

Dinner at D & K's during Halloween with our little girl.
We were impressed with the meal and the service... Little Jackie was not impressed with the impressive spooky decor.

Just a note to those who don't know - D&K's is closed and replaced by Shorty's.

Originally Posted by elliedog

The old Lake Place, the New Lakeplace, cafe 331, and Yanni's all have exceeded our expectations. Sorry to see all of them go.

LakePlace is closed. They may open in a new location.

Originally Posted by middlesister

Where is Louis Louis? Is it new? I can't recollect it. Thanks all.

http://www.LouisLouis.net - on north side of 98 in the old Cafe Provence location west of 393. It is new and run by the Red Bar crew.

**beachmouse** · 03-12-2010, 01:01 PM

Sandestin Applebee's in 1998. I have absolutely no momory of the food or service, but it was the place we ended up for dinner after he totally nailed the interview for the job that would make us permanent residents down here.

**middlesister** · 03-12-2010, 06:57 PM

Kathy Dwells you are so right on. Your pictures are beautiful and I agree with you. Those are the times when you think life is so beautiful. To SWGB why do I have to prove I am a local to be told where the restaurant is? I am not a local just love it there 2 x a year. Beachmouse you are too funny. I get what you are saying. My hubby and I celebrated many, many, many years ago at a place whose specialty was club sandwiches and Budweiser. He was fresh out of college and got a job offer for $17,000.00 a year! Hot damn, I was making about $8,000.00 and we thought we were set for life! We laugh now about it but it was a great time.

**Deli Love** · 03-12-2010, 09:53 PM

About 18 years ago I came down on a Halloween dive trip with a small class from Nashville. I had done lakes,quarries and the Springs down here. I panicked and blew my first dive in the gulf and I was mortified that the captain had to come in and "save me".
That evening he directed us to an out of the way place for seafood. I have no idea where it was but it was rustic and cozy. I was still embarrassed and in no mood to eat so the captain ordered 2 baskets of crab claws and I fell in love! Not with my hero but with the claws! I also fell in love with the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast! Carl and I moved here that next January.
The food was the best and the service was very informal and geared to the locals we were with so it was fun, that's what we liked and what we still look for when we go out.

**BeachbumAggie** · 03-12-2010, 11:00 PM

1st trip to the Red Bar for the music, food, and atmosphere. I don't remember what we ate but we were in love! Last trip to Red Bar when we arrived on a slower night and visited with the guys from Dread Clampitt-one of them looks freakishly like my dad 25 years ago!

Stinky's, the first time I tried the crawfish pot pie, yum, I just drooled.

Pizza Bar because I love their patio chairs! and the food :)

Getting shrimp steamed to go from Goatfeathers 2 and having a night in our rental, dining on the patio.

Really all meals on our vacations to SoWal are great because it's all about good food, nice people, and a good time.

**Beach Runner** · 03-13-2010, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by BeachbumAggie

Getting shrimp steamed to go from Goatfeathers 2 ...

What she said.

**middlesister** · 03-13-2010, 08:09 PM

One of our traditions is to get shrimp from Goat Feather's, my aunt cleans it and steams it in her own way (there are lemons and beer involved somewhere) and one of my sisters makes the most killer mac and cheese from scratch and we have a wonderful salad full of the freshest things. We set a pretty table with a lot of candles and flowers (from Publix). We open a few bottles of wine and have the best night ever. We are all happy and tired from our day at the beach. We are freshly showered and put on the best music. Does it get any better than this To those of you who live there. You are so lucky.

**CastlesOfSand** · 03-14-2010, 01:51 PM

I agree with you Allifunn! "All meals in Sowal are memorable!" I agree with you too Kathydwells! We too have cooked some incredible meals and enjoyed them with our family while hanging at the beach. I see a few new restaurants that I will be sure to check out next time we are there! Thanks!! I must say though that I love the pan seared scallops with soft cheese polenta and roasted tomato butter sauce with a glass of wine at Boragos!! Most excellent! We also enjoy Cafe thirty-A and we never miss crab cakes at the Red Bar! We usually have a pizza night too, I personally like Angelina's in Seagrove but we like Amore as well. We hit some of the smaller places for lunches and snacks, all good. Wow, I'm getting hungry now!!!

**Not-A-NIMBY** · 03-15-2010, 09:13 AM

OK...first things first: All meals in sowal may be memorable, but not always for the right reasons. Poor or indifferent service can turn a good meal into a so-so meal. (And no, I'm not going to call any restaurant names. I deal with the managers when service is poor and will not drag names through the mud in a public forum. They deserve a chance to improve.)
That said, impeccable service can also turn a good meal into a great meal. Such was the case Sunday. We visited Cheeseburger In Paradise after church. Arriving shortly after they opened, the place was just beginning to get a few diners, so the staff had plenty of time to address the needs of each table.
My experience that the wait staff at CIP is better than average. On Sunday, David (wish I knew his last name) waited on us and was absolutely terrific. He made suggestions without being pushy. Got drinks back quickly. Gave us ample time to look over the menu. Delivered the food in a timely manner. And kept the tea coming! (I hate an empty beverage glass!) He was personable, kept a check on us throughout the meal without being intrusive...and treated his other tables as well as he treated us.
As usual, the food was good, but David's service made the experience a great (and memorable) one.
IMO, Cheeseburger in Paradise and Carrabba's are two local chains than stand above the rest when it comes to service. The managers insist on great service from their staffs, and the staffs deliver.

**SWGB** · 03-15-2010, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by middlesister

Kathy Dwells you are so right on. Your pictures are beautiful and I agree with you. Those are the times when you think life is so beautiful. To SWGB why do I have to prove I am a local to be told where the restaurant is? I am not a local just love it there 2 x a year. Beachmouse you are too funny. I get what you are saying. My hubby and I celebrated many, many, many years ago at a place whose specialty was club sandwiches and Budweiser. He was fresh out of college and got a job offer for $17,000.00 a year! Hot damn, I was making about $8,000.00 and we thought we were set for life! We laugh now about it but it was a great time.

Town pot stirrer and smart ass here.

Usually if I end something with "biggrin"

then it means I'm being sarcastic or joking.

Having said that the joke was simply that a joke. Back when we had the 331 we loved it and spent many an evening watching the endless line of headlights coming over the bridge. The tourists never seemed to find it because they associated that area with nightmarish traffic.

**middlesister** · 03-15-2010, 06:58 PM

SWBG: I thought you were saying I was the town pot stirrer and smart ass and then I re read your post. OK what is "biggrin". I don't know all of the ins and outs of sowal.com but I love it. I must be sensitive. It has been quite a winter here and we are all suffering from SAD!

**SWGB** · 03-15-2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by middlesister

SWBG: I thought you were saying I was the town pot stirrer and smart ass and then I re read your post. OK what is "biggrin". I don't know all of the ins and outs of sowal.com but I love it. I must be sensitive. It has been quite a winter here and we are all suffering from SAD!

Amen to that last sentence, and we didn't even get snow here.

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