Rosemary/Seacrest - What's new?

Click here to see some of Kurt's recent photos of that area, including kids playing in the new fountain.

Smiling Joe, what is the place that is four stories where it looks like they are having some kind of reception inside? Is that Rosemary Beach, Seacrest, or where? Just curious! Nice place! Expensive looking also!

Smiling Joe, what is the place that is four stories where it looks like they are having some kind of reception inside? Is that Rosemary Beach, Seacrest, or where? Just curious! Nice place! Expensive looking also!

wow. that is a vague description. I have no idea.

What's new on the east end of 30-A? I'll be coming in a few weeks and want to know what new stores and restaurants are down that way. Did they ever get the fountain working? Anyone post photos of it in action?

I was just in that area week before last. Yes, the fountain at the Village is working. Alys Beach is coming along nicely. It's really surreal driving through the row of palms (non-native, but pretty) along 30-A, particularly at night. Rosemary is growing at an incredible rate. Had lunch at Seacrest Cafe. Not impressed. Maybe it's better for breakfast or dinner. Shades on the Loop is decent. Two other restaurants we wanted to try - Blue By Night and Onano, were places where we never made it, but both have gotten good reports.

It is the next to last picture in Kurt's pictures. There is a woman in a purple looking top and tan pants walking with a little girl in a white sleeveless shirt and plaid looking shorts down to the beach.

It is the next to last picture in Kurt's pictures. There is a woman in a purple looking top and tan pants walking with a little girl in a white sleeveless shirt and plaid looking shorts down to the beach.

That was a wedding at a rental house in Grayton Beach.

http://www.emeraldcoasttours.com/hawksnest

Thanks Kurt. Very nice place. Beautiful house. I need to explore that area down 30A when we are down. We just automatically go the other way.

It is the next to last picture in Kurt's pictures. There is a woman in a purple looking top and tan pants walking with a little girl in a white sleeveless shirt and plaid looking shorts down to the beach.

Oh, in the photos. I thought you meant in Seacrest/ Rosemary area. The Hawk's Nest is located in Grayton Beach.

The fountain at the Village is beautiful, especially at night, rainbow lights, music, lots of kids out there lately. Someone really needs (hint hint);-) to come and take some photos at night showing the rainbow lights. If you come please explain to your kids that it is not a sliding area, believe it or not a kid tried to slide and busted his chin all up and get this...the mother was inside of the Seacrest Cafe and had no idea what was going on...:bang:

The Seacrest Cafe is good, I have eaten breakfast and lunch there several times. Have never had a bad meal there nor have I know anyone that has either. They have homemade potato chips that I love, super crispy!!

Alys beach is beautiful and the Fonville Press is open for food, wine, books, newpapers, etc. Nice courtyard to sit in....

Wild Olives at Rosemary just opened a couple of weeks ago. Everything is made fresh daily. Muffins, cookies, crossiants, deli, specialty items, wine, beer, pizza, samiches, salad (I love the ceasar) and nice tables to sit outside. They have a triple decker Reuben that is to die for....The people who work there are very nice and remember you when you come back in...hmmmmmm I need to SoWAL IT....:clap_1: 😀

Shades at the loop has been open for a while...My personal opinion is that once Shades at Seaside closed and they came to the loop to work that the food quality and service went downhill....just my 2 cents:cool: I am just glad that there is a bar close to my house 😀

These are the only new places that I know of on the East end of 30-A hope you enjoy your visit!!!

Thanks! It's always nice to get the "lay of the land" before arriving!

Thanks! It's always nice to get the "lay of the land" before arriving!

You don't say when you're visiting, but if it's the weekend of June 10th, there's an arts fair at Rosemary Beach on the Saturday and Sunday. And then there's a ballet performance as well on the green. www.rosemarybeach.com

The above posts give the same information I would give. Check the SoWal calendar to see what outdoor movies and concerts are in the area. Rosemary beach now has them so that's very convenient for those of us on this side of 30A! We love Fonville Press, Seacrest Cafe Carvel ice cream (and now looking at the fountain while at Seacrest Cafe, Shades (service is slow but we like the food and think it's reasonable -- though not inexpensive -- in cost). We really haven't learned too much about Rosemary Beach yet. We always say we're going to explore it but then don't get around to it. But we will one of these trips. If you bring your laptop, you can get wireless access at Fonville, Seacrest Cafe, and Shades. Deer Lake State Park is awesome. Let us know what you liked most when you get back.

Fonville Press has after beach wine get-togethers on Friday nights I believe.

Paula - can you tell me more about Deer Lake State Park? I have driven by several times and thought about exploring, but time always gets away. Isn't it amazing how you think of all the things you can do with an entire week off by the beach. And somehow all you find time to do is a little bit of nothing!

Paula - can you tell me more about Deer Lake State Park? I have driven by several times and thought about exploring, but time always gets away. Isn't it amazing how you think of all the things you can do with an entire week off by the beach. And somehow all you find time to do is a little bit of nothing!

Not Paula but we always stop in at Deer Lake State Park. It's not so large that you couldn't see it all in 15 minutes or less. Park your car and walk the wooden pathway to the beach. That's it. The dunes are absolutely spectacular.

And after your hike in Deer Lake, stop next door at the WaterSound Beach Gatehouse Cafe. It's open to all for breakfast and lunch on the outside patio (no indoor dining), with views of the interior of WaterSound Beach. Very casual and the food is excellent. A sandwich can easily be split for two people. Also some food for takeout. 😀

And after your hike in Deer Lake, stop next door at the WaterSound Beach Gatehouse Cafe. It's open to all for breakfast and lunch on the outside patio (no indoor dining), with views of the interior of WaterSound Beach. Very casual and the food is excellent. A sandwich can easily be split for two people. Also some food for takeout. 😀

Thanks Josebby, Haven't been there yet but need to try. Ditto with Paula and IBD on Seacrest Cafe (one of my favorites). You need to know what to order. Salads are very small but Steak and Cheese, Burgers and most sandwiches are great. Service also very good.

Shades on Loop - Only once ever had good service. Often terrible. Management (Danielle) seems to be oblivious to the fact that customers should be addressed within 20 minutes. Food is fine but service definitely can ruin a meal.

Fonville is just a great environment for morning coffee and scone. Sandwiches have been sporadic. Someone said they had a great one but seems they've never had a delivery when I wanted one and I got yesterday's leftovers. In all fairness, it takes time to get things going right and I think they will.

Summer Kitchen - reliable rollowups. Nice man that always gives water to Sunshine 😀

Onano's - I know it was great for Kurt and Tootsies anniversary but are just plain snoots every time I've been there which have been many. Don't know if I'll be giving them another chance even though they are steps from my home.

Must also give a plug to Yanni's which we all know is fantastic!:lolabove:

Hey josebby! How are you? Are you in WS? I hear Danny has moved down there to bartend. Our loss is your gain. :(

Thanks Josebby, Haven't been there yet but need to try. Ditto with Paula and IBD on Seacrest Cafe (one of my favorites). You need to know what to order. Salads are very small but Steak and Cheese, Burgers and most sandwiches are great. Service also very good.

Shades on Loop - Only once ever had good service. Often terrible. Management (Danielle) seems to be oblivious to the fact that customers should be addressed within 20 minutes. Food is fine but service definitely can ruin a meal.

Fonville is just a great environment for morning coffee and scone. Sandwiches have been sporadic. Someone said they had a great one but seems they've never had a delivery when I wanted one and I got yesterday's leftovers. In all fairness, it takes time to get things going right and I think they will.

Summer Kitchen - reliable rollowups. Nice man that always gives water to Sunshine 😀

Onano's - I know it was great for Kurt and Tootsies anniversary but are just plain snoots every time I've been there which have been many. Don't know if I'll be giving them another chance even though they are steps from my home.

Must also give a plug to Yanni's which we all know is fantastic!:lolabove:

Cork, you've enjoyed the food at Yanni's? We thought the service was good but the food was only very ordinary. You think we should give it another look?

Deer Lake State Park is beautiful. You just walk, ride your bike, or drive in and park (if you have a vehicle). Then you walk down a VERY long boardwalk toward the beach. If you have to go to the bathroom, use the outhouse 😱 before you start walking down the boardwalk because it's a bit of a hike (but worth it). I don't think there are real bathrooms there. It's just a beautiful walk. In the summer, I'd probably make it an early walk. Or I'd go during a time when I'd stay and play in the water. I believe the park entrance is free. A very simple, beautiful place.

I didn't know about the food at Watersound. I'll definitely have to try that out.

We also like Yanni's.

It will be interesting to see what new restaurants and shops come along on this part of 30A when Alys Beach is finished and when more join Rosemary Beach and Villages of South Walton.