Random SOWAL ramblings

[30A Skunkape]

We made a SOWAL run last weekend, last minute accomodations courtesy of Inlet Beach Dweller ( ). This was my first trip in several months. Here are some thoughts I wanted to share in no particular order:

Fish Out of Water-Dinner there was on par with the best I have ever had in New Orleans as was the service. Sweetbreads as an appetizer and duck (to die for) for entree. Great wine list. Wonderful.

Soap Peddlar-Finally met the lady who brewed up all the nice soap Mrs SkunkApe buys. Super nice entrepeneur selling the goods at West Indies Market. Bought five bars of the stuff.

Rosemary Beach-Retail development coming around. Had breakfast at the new Tapas place (Sweet Olive I think is the name) on opening day. Nice folks, good breakfast fare, REASONABLE PRICES

Blue By Night-The kids who work there (during the daytime conception) always seemed a bit jaded and things didn't seem much different this time. We came in off the beach and had lunch on the patio. It was obvious it was near quitting time-the young lad who had taken my order came out and asked if he could clear my place before I had finished eating. I guess he must have thought I was REALLY dumb and couldn't take a hint, so he began sweeping and ran the broom over my feet! I kinda laughed and asked him if he was in a rush to get out of there and he said "Not really" but allowed that his day was finished as soon he cleaned our table

Alys-The palms lining 30A look nice, especially at night. I also really think they did a nice job with dune restoration. A hike on the beach showed a snowy white dune and freshly planted sea oats.

Hilton House-At first I kind of thought the place was cool, but now I think it is too odd. There is a silo type thing facing 30A that looks all the world like R2D2's head. I am convinced that the structure will never be finished and perpetually under construction ala the Winchester House in California.

Smiling Joe-I have no idea what he looks like, but wherever we went I saw some guy and wondered if that was him. That is a sport in and of itself

Prominence-What the HECK is that monstrous pit?! It looks like they are setting up a trap for King Kong.

Worst name for a development to date-Has got to be Chateau de Paris!!! Oh, how freakin' cheesy can you get? Can't you just imagine the suits dreaming up a name and thinking they would really connect with the desired demographic with that name

Amore-Yum, and SOWAL stickers to boot

Spicy Noodle-All I need to say is the waitress told me "Wow, hardly anybody can finish a plate of that" when I was finished

I could go on, but this is way too much already. Can't wait to come back!

[Lady D]

Thanks for the review of the Spicy Noodle. You must have had a monster plate of pasta of some sort. The street we stay off of is south of there right across the street from the Spicy Noodle. After viewing the menu last year in the townhouse we rent, I decided then that we would try their food this year when down. Their menu looked great!

[Miss Kitty]

Loved your review Skunkape! Glad you got so much food in!!!

[Rita]

Thanks for your "ramblings" skunkape!

I was especially glad to hear Sweet Olive (?) finally opened.


.

[skippertoo]

Excellent Ramblings

[Allifunn]

you have inspired me...I must post ramblings of my own! What a great week I had!
Your ramblings are excellent!

[scrltbegonya]

Those are great...please continue!

[Mermaid]

I like your ramblings. I see you too noticed "Chateau de Paris." Isn't that the dopiest thing you ever saw? That wall around it is way too corny for me. Maybe it's going to be a miniature golf place?

[dbuck]

Glad you had a great time on your get-away. Enjoyed reading your reviews. You can ramble any time you like.

[pk305]

Skunkape, your ramblings are very FUNNY!!! Thanks as I needed a good laugh!!

And what IS the deal with the CHATEAU DE PARIS thing?!?!??! it is gross!!
Is it a joke??

We need more funnies!! THANKS AGAIN!

[InletBchDweller]

I am glad you enjoyed your place.....

Soap Peddler...she does make great soap... it!!!

I have to admit that I know the developer of the "chatau de paris" and you should see the renderings of the drawings I should try to get a copy and post them...you would not believe....we tried and tried to tell him but he wants to....get a load of this...
build them to look like castles so that you can have a castle by the sea!!!

[Paula]

Skunkape: I agree with other posters that its funn and useful to read your SoWal ramblings. We should encourage more of this when people visit so that we can all enjoy SoWal when we are not there (and get ideas for when we get there). Thanks!

[Miss Kitty]

I am glad you enjoyed your place.....

Soap Peddler...she does make great soap... it!!!

I have to admit that I know the developer of the "chatau de paris" and you should see the renderings of the drawings I should try to get a copy and post them...you would not believe....we tried and tried to tell him but he wants to....get a load of this...
build them to look like castles so that you can have a castle by the sea!!!

Okay, I get it....but why Chateau de Paris? Chateau de Sandee? Chateau de da' sea? Hit him over the head IBD...or at least let him see this site!

[aquaticbiology]

Skunkape: I agree with other posters that its funn and useful to read your SoWal ramblings. We should encourage more of this when people visit so that we can all enjoy SoWal when we are not there (and get ideas for when we get there). Thanks!

mmmm...pasta....no sauce, just shrimp dredged in garlic oil and tossed with dill and fennel!

a thoroughly excellent trip report! - i only wish mine could be as well done as yours was!

trip reports give hope to those who have yet to sample the delights this year - we should be seeing a lot more trip reports since everyone is going en vacances

can't wait for more!

[InletBchDweller]

you have to know the man to understand.... Yes I should send him this site....

Okay, I get it....but why Chateau de Paris? Chateau de Sandee? Chateau de da' sea? Hit him over the head IBD...or at least let him see this site!

[Paula]

mmmm...pasta....no sauce, just shrimp dredged in garlic oil and tossed with dill and fennel!

a thoroughly excellent trip report! - i only wish mine could be as well done as yours was!

trip reports give hope to those who have yet to sample the delights this year - we should be seeing a lot more trip reports since everyone is going en vacances

can't wait for more!

Ok... mmmm...pasta...add olive oil, hot peppers (e.g., the kind they sprinkle on pizzas from your herb cabinet, not fresh hot peppers), mashed up anchovies, some tuna, garlic, black olives, tossed with Italian herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley. That's Pasta Putanesca.

Why are we doing quick pasta recipes for SoWal ramblings? I must say that I keep pasta and these ingredients at our cottage in SoWal because all can be canned and stored (if you don't use fresh spices) at the cottage for when we need a quick meal upon arrival and don't have time to go to the grocery store.

[kathydwells]

Loved the ramblings ape....can't wait for more!!!

[Cork On the Ocean]

Ok... mmmm...pasta...add olive oil, hot peppers (e.g., the kind they sprinkle on pizzas from your herb cabinet, not fresh hot peppers), mashed up anchovies, some tuna, garlic, black olives, tossed with Italian herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley. That's Pasta Putanesca.

Why are we doing quick pasta recipes for SoWal ramblings? I must say that I keep pasta and these ingredients at our cottage in SoWal because all can be canned and stored (if you don't use fresh spices) at the cottage for when we need a quick meal upon arrival and don't have time to go to the grocery store.

And where is your restaurants of sowal report Paula? I think we hit half of them, didn't we?

[MKH]

We made a SOWAL run last weekend, last minute accomodations courtesy of Inlet Beach Dweller ( ). This was my first trip in several months. Here are some thoughts I wanted to share in no particular order:

Fish Out of Water-Dinner there was on par with the best I have ever had in New Orleans as was the service. Sweetbreads as an appetizer and duck (to die for) for entree. Great wine list. Wonderful.

Soap Peddlar-Finally met the lady who brewed up all the nice soap Mrs SkunkApe buys. Super nice entrepeneur selling the goods at West Indies Market. Bought five bars of the stuff.

Rosemary Beach-Retail development coming around. Had breakfast at the new Tapas place (Sweet Olive I think is the name) on opening day. Nice folks, good breakfast fare, REASONABLE PRICES

Blue By Night-The kids who work there (during the daytime conception) always seemed a bit jaded and things didn't seem much different this time. We came in off the beach and had lunch on the patio. It was obvious it was near quitting time-the young lad who had taken my order came out and asked if he could clear my place before I had finished eating. I guess he must have thought I was REALLY dumb and couldn't take a hint, so he began sweeping and ran the broom over my feet! I kinda laughed and asked him if he was in a rush to get out of there and he said "Not really" but allowed that his day was finished as soon he cleaned our table

Alys-The palms lining 30A look nice, especially at night. I also really think they did a nice job with dune restoration. A hike on the beach showed a snowy white dune and freshly planted sea oats.

Hilton House-At first I kind of thought the place was cool, but now I think it is too odd. There is a silo type thing facing 30A that looks all the world like R2D2's head. I am convinced that the structure will never be finished and perpetually under construction ala the Winchester House in California.

Smiling Joe-I have no idea what he looks like, but wherever we went I saw some guy and wondered if that was him. That is a sport in and of itself

Prominence-What the HECK is that monstrous pit?! It looks like they are setting up a trap for King Kong.

Worst name for a development to date-Has got to be Chateau de Paris!!! Oh, how freakin' cheesy can you get? Can't you just imagine the suits dreaming up a name and thinking they would really connect with the desired demographic with that name

Amore-Yum, and SOWAL stickers to boot

Spicy Noodle-All I need to say is the waitress told me "Wow, hardly anybody can finish a plate of that" when I was finished

I could go on, but this is way too much already. Can't wait to come back!

Skunkape,

Thank you for all this-it's great to hear all of your recollections. Can you tell me a little more about Sweet Olive in Rosemary Beach?

[Cork On the Ocean]

Skunkape,

Thank you for all this-it's great to hear all of your recollections. Can you tell me a little more about Sweet Olive in Rosemary Beach?

Yes do tell! Walked by it Sunday and noticed it was open but had Sunshine so didn't go in. what's the deal? Deli Sandwiches? Groceries? More like Modica or Watercolor Market?

[Paula]

And where is your restaurants of sowal report Paula? I think we hit half of them, didn't we?

We sure did! I had a great time. For casual food, I really liked the Seacrest cafe because the food was good, it was casual, we got to sit outdoors, and we got to watch the new fountain. For groups, I really liked Amore because the pizza was very good and I love sitting outside up high on the rooftop with the white lights around me and the little fountain there too (I must love fountains...) I also liked Cafe Spiazza -- crab cakes were good and again got to sit outside (didn't notice a fountain, though).

[Cork On the Ocean]

We sure did! I had a great time. For casual food, I really liked the Seacrest cafe because the food was good, it was casual, we got to sit outdoors, and we got to watch the new fountain. For groups, I really liked Amore because the pizza was very good and I love sitting outside up high on the rooftop with the white lights around me and the little fountain there too (I must love fountains...) I also liked Cafe Spiazza -- crab cakes were good and again got to sit outside (didn't notice a fountain, though).

I was eating twice a day at Seacrest Cafe until they fixed the fridge. They either loved me or were sick of me. Can't tell . We'll hit some more when you get back. You also forgot Fonville for AM coffee. I love that courtyard.

[CastlesOfSand]

Rambling is always a good thing in my book!!!!

[aquaticbiology]

Ok... mmmm...pasta...add olive oil, hot peppers (e.g., the kind they sprinkle on pizzas from your herb cabinet, not fresh hot peppers), mashed up anchovies, some tuna, garlic, black olives, tossed with Italian herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley. That's Pasta Putanesca.

no good unless you can have it on the beach (or on the water)! anchovies and tuna could spoil!

nevermind - i can't help it - i hear of a good meal and it starts the memories flowing all over the keyboard

mmmm....fountains!

[seagrovelover]

I wish more folks would ramble here on the board after a good trip to Sowal!!!

Thank you!!!