After reading the announcement that D&K's was closing I'm curious which restaurants would make your South Walton Hall of Fame?
- D & K's
- The 331 a/k/a The Blue Bar
- Seabar
- Nick's
- Salty Dog
- The Lake Place (coming back soon)
- Luna Del Mar
- Yanni's
- Criolla's
Feel free to add any I've missed. No particular order, just a way to remember the greats.
Replies
100Beach Fanatic
Wasn't the issue with Luna Del Mar that the parent company in Texas got into a financial mess?
Speaking of Lunas, I liked Blue Luna in that little shopping center in Grayton where I think Another Broken Egg is now.
Speaking of Lunas, I liked Blue Luna in that little shopping center in Grayton where I think Another Broken Egg is now.
SoWal Expert
Kenny, I'm not sure about Dallas places. Maybe Kitty can help. Can you give us more clues?
Beach Lover
Wow!
WOW, LaBleu's, now there's a blast from the past! My first grounded memory of S. Walton Co.. Around 1988, 2 years prior to my moving to Walton Co., out for a sunday drive and stopping at LaBleu's for lunch. I remember thinking "Now here's a restaurant out in the middle of nowhere" and "m r some dusty caps stapled to the ceiling". Now, when I drive by, I can't even visualize exactly where the building stood.
Also, what was the bar and grill in front of One Seagrove Place, that was torn down in the early 90's.( Has that already been mentioned?)
P.S. I make beautiful slipcovers and all other home fashions
WOW, LaBleu's, now there's a blast from the past! My first grounded memory of S. Walton Co.. Around 1988, 2 years prior to my moving to Walton Co., out for a sunday drive and stopping at LaBleu's for lunch. I remember thinking "Now here's a restaurant out in the middle of nowhere" and "m r some dusty caps stapled to the ceiling". Now, when I drive by, I can't even visualize exactly where the building stood.
Also, what was the bar and grill in front of One Seagrove Place, that was torn down in the early 90's.( Has that already been mentioned?)
P.S. I make beautiful slipcovers and all other home fashions
Beach Fanatic
I haven't seen Capo's mentioned and I forget the name before that but it was pretty good.
Beach Lover
SeaBar
331
The Silver Bucket (what was the other name?)
Cafe Sublime
the old Amore'
Baithouse for breakfast
the old Hurricanes (although, I love the Taco bar in it's place!!)
The old WaterColor Market
the old open air D&K's
Snapperheads
CoCo's...JUMBO!
...I see a pattern with this old thing...all from an old chick. I guess the real word is former.
I second the Old Watercolor market, we used to eat there all the time when the development first opened, they had the best beer selection to. I really miss that place...
SWGBAuthor
Wasn't the issue with Luna Del Mar that the parent company in Texas got into a financial mess?
Speaking of Lunas, I liked Blue Luna in that little shopping center in Grayton where I think Another Broken Egg is now.
The "financial mess" was due to the hurricanes that hit here.
I haven't seen Capo's mentioned and I forget the name before that but it was pretty good.
Mmm Capo's.

I second the Old Watercolor market, we used to eat there all the time when the development first opened, they had the best beer selection to. I really miss that place...
Don't miss it, get close to it. Check out Wild Olives over in Rosemary. IIRC the chef/owner/manager is the former chef/manager of the old WaterColor market.
Beach Comber
Are the people from Cafe Sublime still around anywhere? We realy liked that place.
Is the new Amore' open? Is it similar to the old one?
Is the new Amore' open? Is it similar to the old one?
Beach Fanatic
You're right! I snoozed, I loozed.And now it is is time for my own brainphart. What was the name of the place that you and Doug had down on 30a... Cafe Tango? I walked in there one night for the first time many hundreds of years ago, in Jeans and polo type shirt and immediately realized how underdressed I was you made me feel right at home. You've always made folks feel at home.
I know this whole recession/depression thing is going to get worse before it gets better, and maybe we'll all be eating ramen noodles for months, standing in cheese lines and living in tents, but thankfully we'll have our memories of great restaurants gone by....;-)
I meant that in a sincere way.
That would be our first D&K's....DKA!
14 Vicki Street
1995 right after Hurricane Opal
Doug and I turned an old summer beach cottage into
"D&K's Little New Orleans Cafe"
We were there until 2000 and sold it to the now famous Cafe Tango,
who made a wonderful spot into a Fantastic place!!!!
This was such a great little cafe with so many memories and stories....many that are in the D&K's Cafe Cookbook that Yummy keeps talking about on the D&K's Countdown thread.
Thank you DKA for remembering us!!!! Out of all our restaurants I have to say it was my favorite. ( Wellll, maybe a tie with our Paradise Alley Cafe 1992-95 in Cocoa Village) Good times and great memories...sighhhhh
P.S. It was at this time, 1995-96 when we left late from Lil D&K's, and headed for Indigo's Wine Bar!!!
14 Vicki Street
1995 right after Hurricane Opal
Doug and I turned an old summer beach cottage into
"D&K's Little New Orleans Cafe"
We were there until 2000 and sold it to the now famous Cafe Tango,
who made a wonderful spot into a Fantastic place!!!!
This was such a great little cafe with so many memories and stories....many that are in the D&K's Cafe Cookbook that Yummy keeps talking about on the D&K's Countdown thread.
Thank you DKA for remembering us!!!! Out of all our restaurants I have to say it was my favorite. ( Wellll, maybe a tie with our Paradise Alley Cafe 1992-95 in Cocoa Village) Good times and great memories...sighhhhhP.S. It was at this time, 1995-96 when we left late from Lil D&K's, and headed for Indigo's Wine Bar!!!
Beach Fanatic
The Whiskey Bar
WOW, LaBleu's, now there's a blast from the past! My first grounded memory of S. Walton Co.. Around 1988, 2 years prior to my moving to Walton Co., out for a sunday drive and stopping at LaBleu's for lunch. I remember thinking "Now here's a restaurant out in the middle of nowhere" and "m r some dusty caps stapled to the ceiling". Now, when I drive by, I can't even visualize exactly where the building stood.Actually, it was named "Diamond Jims". We all knew it as Whiskey Bar (it had a package store too). I think Greg France owned it. Wonder what became of him?
Also, what was the bar and grill in front of One Seagrove Place, that was torn down in the early 90's.( Has that already been mentioned?)
P.S. I make beautiful slipcovers and all other home fashions
Beach Fanatic
Hard core trivia
Anybody remember the mexican place that was in The Red Bar building for one summer? The food was great, but the operators left suddenly. Lots of suppliers took a bath, as it turns out. The name escapes me...
Anybody remember the mexican place that was in The Red Bar building for one summer? The food was great, but the operators left suddenly. Lots of suppliers took a bath, as it turns out. The name escapes me...
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
I moved to South Walton in 1992 and opened Lazy Daze Cafe with Theresa Barrett. It was an interesting time. WE had six tables and no employees. 30-A was sleepy. We fought hard to make a buck. After selling to Sandor in 94, Jeff Lane and I opened Indigo Wine Bar. The Beach began to pick up and the summer of 95 was pretty magical with Red Bar and us just opening. Great memories.
I miss Ernie's burgers at Village Market, having a glass of wine with Al at Angelinas, Ollie making him & I late night pasta at the Red bar after close, the house I rented at 675 Eden, coffee at Hisbiscus, the swwet sound of Mrs. Modica's voice every morning as I fetched my coffee, and brunch at Bloom's Cafe. Scott Alderson who owns Jambone, is still my dearest friend,and I hope to visit in April. Maybe we can have an Indigo Wine Bar reunion!
Kevin Boehm
Chicago, Illinois
It's time to come on home....Beach Fanatic
Are the people from Cafe Sublime still around anywhere? We realy liked that place.Cafe Sublime was the baby of Justin Gaffrey. He is an artist on canvas these days.
Is the new Amore' open? Is it similar to the old one?
Edited
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
I really miss the Wheelhouse.
And although I never made it to D&K's when it was open, I have friends who ate there many times and loved it. Never missed it when they were in town.
And although I never made it to D&K's when it was open, I have friends who ate there many times and loved it. Never missed it when they were in town.Beach Fanatic
Anybody remember the mexican place that was in The Red Bar building for one summer? The food was great, but the operators left suddenly. Lots of suppliers took a bath, as it turns out. The name escapes me...
Cancuns was in that beautiful building "now it's a home" across the street from The Red Bar that leads down to the beach. It had that beautiful bar overlooking the Gulf and lake. But, if you sat down the windows were too high to see the view. Amy, Maggie worked there and didn't Justin chef there too? 1990.....time flys
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Different Mexican
Cancuns was in that beautiful building "now it's a home" across the street from The Red Bar that leads down to the beach. It had that beautiful bar overlooking the Gulf and lake. But, if you sat down the windows were too high to see the view. Amy, Maggie worked there and didn't Justin chef there too? 1990.....time flysI remember Cancuns' well. What a strange building for a restaurant. It did make a nice house! But the place I was refering to was actually in the current Red Bar. They even painted the place dark green when they opened. Did not last long... The building was also Aladins' Paradise for a short while. Egyptian fellow named Hanie had it. I tended bar for him on the coldest New Years Eve ever- ther was no heat and a few broken windows! If those wall could talk!
Beach Fanatic
I remember Cancuns' well. What a strange building for a restaurant. It did make a nice house! But the place I was refering to was actually in the current Red Bar. They even painted the place dark green when they opened. Did not last long... The building was also Aladins' Paradise for a short while. Egyptian fellow named Hanie had it. I tended bar for him on the coldest New Years Eve ever- ther was no heat and a few broken windows! If those wall could talk!
So true Amy! Those walls could talk forever! Do you remember when it was Bay Cafe, Oli was chef and Rebecca bartender. Pierre from his French Cafe (right under the bridge in Fort Walton Beach) was trying to make a go at it. Rebecca hired me as hostess....I lasted 1-2 weeks. That was before Doug and I were married and he, Jack, Paul, and Nicki used to run over after they closed The Grayton Corner Cafe around midnight. Actually almost everyone working on 30A in restaurants with the locals all congregated in the bar. Oli needs to get on and tell his stories about those early years after Paradise Cafe and before The Red Bar. Grayton beach was such a different place back then. I loved the winters that we all helped each other get through.

Gosh I almost forgot.......PATRONES!!!!! Located "In the Heart of Grayton" That's where I had my first "Dessert Shop" Okay....someone needs to come on and tell all about Patrone's. That is a book in itself! Gene, B.J., Art, animals, "Crab", snowcones, hamburgers, beer, t-shirts, canoes on the lake, those dang roosters, Gene's parties all the time out on the covered deck over the lake, ahhhhhh just too many memories....
Okay I'm finished!!!!:roll:Beach Fanatic
WOW, LaBleu's, now there's a blast from the past! My first grounded memory of S. Walton Co.. Around 1988, 2 years prior to my moving to Walton Co., out for a sunday drive and stopping at LaBleu's for lunch. I remember thinking "Now here's a restaurant out in the middle of nowhere" and "m r some dusty caps stapled to the ceiling". Now, when I drive by, I can't even visualize exactly where the building stood.
Also, what was the bar and grill in front of One Seagrove Place, that was torn down in the early 90's.( Has that already been mentioned?)
P.S. I make beautiful slipcovers and all other home fashions
The Island Grill and Bar was next to One Seagrove Place, owned by Greg France. CLosed in 91' I think. Now that is a blast from the past!!!
Meow
I don't want his head ANY bigger, but kudos to swgb for this thread. 
I am loving all the historians chiming in! Keep it up!
Pics would be nice, too!

I am loving all the historians chiming in! Keep it up!

Pics would be nice, too!
Beach Fanatic
This whole thread has made me think of so many memories...
Oh, and LeBleau's was actually ShallowFuzz's favorite place. In fact, it was just about his only source of nourishment before I came along. "Code D" as it was known at the South Walton dispatch for the Sheriff's Office. We had our rehearsal dinner there. Been a long time.
The "original" Donut Hole II was "Code G." ;-)
I like the days we have now, but I sure miss the old ones.
Oh, and LeBleau's was actually ShallowFuzz's favorite place. In fact, it was just about his only source of nourishment before I came along. "Code D" as it was known at the South Walton dispatch for the Sheriff's Office. We had our rehearsal dinner there. Been a long time.
The "original" Donut Hole II was "Code G." ;-)
I like the days we have now, but I sure miss the old ones.
Beach Fanatic
The Island Grill and Bar was next to One Seagrove Place, owned by Greg France. CLosed in 91' I think. Now that is a blast from the past!!!
Wow! That is a blast from the past. Anyone remember Emory from the wheelhouse location. I had my first restaurant job there washing dishes. 8 hours and 15 dollars later i never went back. And then in the same location, Docs? This thread brings back lots of memories.
Beach Fanatic
I moved to South Walton in 1992 and opened Lazy Daze Cafe with Theresa Barrett. It was an interesting time. WE had six tables and no employees. 30-A was sleepy. We fought hard to make a buck. After selling to Sandor in 94, Jeff Lane and I opened Indigo Wine Bar. The Beach began to pick up and the summer of 95 was pretty magical with Red Bar and us just opening. Great memories.
I miss Ernie's burgers at Village Market, having a glass of wine with Al at Angelinas, Ollie making him & I late night pasta at the Red bar after close, the house I rented at 675 Eden, coffee at Hisbiscus, the swwet sound of Mrs. Modica's voice every morning as I fetched my coffee, and brunch at Bloom's Cafe. Scott Alderson who owns Jambone, is still my dearest friend,and I hope to visit in April. Maybe we can have an Indigo Wine Bar reunion!
Kevin Boehm
Chicago, Illinois
Long time Kevin! Hope you are well. I still surf every once in awhile with Jeff. Next time I visit Rockford I will come see you. I remember one crazy night at Indigo with my bro, Marsha, and Bev
. Look us up when you get in town. Maybe we could all meet at Jambones. Take Care,
Bobby Johnson
Beach Fanatic
The Mediterranean restaurant in Rosemary Beach - was it Mezza? Short lived but superb.
SoWal Insider
Capo's was short-lived. It was just a cool hang-out bar before that, but the name escapes me. Diamond Jim's was quite a place. I remember giving Scott Wykowski a piece of my mind about how B& A's could charge a dollar more a beer than Greg France did, when they got the stuff from the same distributor.
Beach Fanatic
The Island Grill and Bar was next to One Seagrove Place, owned by Greg France. CLosed in 91' I think. Now that is a blast from the past!!!
I do remember this place sgg. Do you remember the bar, Wisteria....in what was once called the "brickyard" in Blue Mountain? Played darts there!
I think it changed the name though. 
And, there was another one in that little house by Butler School (east side) in with the big Pine tree growing through the porch. And, later it was an ice cream shop and antiques?
OMG :funn: sounds like we did nothing but go to bars.

Beach Lover
The only thing that beat a Hubba-Hubba Sunday at Baily's, was a Hubba-Hubba and Silverado Sunday at Baily's!
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...I see a pattern with this old thing...all from an old chick. I guess the real word is former.