OUR NAMES (A Story In Itself): Grayton Corner Cafe (where I first met Doug 1990), Paradise Alley Cafe in CoCoa Beach (Doug and Kathy's first cafe together...we gave the name to Bonnie, our daughter), D & K's Little New Orleans Cafe (sold to Cafe Tango, little red and teal house on Vicki street by Snapperheads, we retained our name), D & K's Hungry Bear Deli (on the Mountain top of Sewanee, Tn.), D & K's Cafe and Oyster Bar, D & K's Beach Cafe AND finally.....D&K's Hotz Avenue Cafe in Grayton Beach where it all began!!! Talking about coming full circle...what a long journey we've been on. Our last restaurant...we pray. LOL
So So Sorry for not posting D&K updates sooner! And, I'm running out the door right this moment. Just wanted to let everyone know that things are starting to move faster. Doug and I have had to endure a lot of unnecessary hold ups. It looks like August before we re-open. Sometimes I feel like we are in a never-ending dream. We've waited 5 years to get to this point and when we're finished I hope everyone will be excited for us. This will give us so much more time for our family, make life easier for our staff, and offer the community a wonderful alternative.
If there is anyone out there who can help me with learning the ins and outs of using SoWol? I would really appreciate it. I could post much more...like pictures, menu, up coming events, etc.
I hope to be able to offer more news tonight when I have some quiet time .
Thanks so much,
Kathy.......Doug's out fishing today. He needed a day out on the water!!!
Thanks to Sam for grabbing him away from sanding and staining.
ItzKatzTimeItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
ItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic12,729 views
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Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow:clap_1: ...thanks for the update K! It will all be worth it in the end! I'll be there in October...can't wait to dine with y'all again!
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminThe udder day.
ItzKatzTimeItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
ItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthorKurt the wrong color was put up on the building...we'll be changing that as soon as possible. :roll: Actually already in progress.
K
K
ItzKatzTimeItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
ItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor:clap_1: ...thanks for the update K! It will all be worth it in the end! I'll be there in October...can't wait to dine with y'all again!
October...what a wonderful month in South Walton. We look forward to seeing you! Make sure to call for reservations. Already have heard from a ton of people that they will be down in October and are trying to make reservations now. Doug and I want to try to get into July before taking them. I can't even keep up with my cell phone right now. Our living room, kitchen, and breakfast room looks like a construction site. I have floor plans, carpet and tile samples, stain, paint, drawings, catalogs, magazines, etc., all over the place. I know we have a dining table somewhere underneath it all.
We will be open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. We've downsized from 70 to about 42 seats. Doug will finally get out of that 4x6 space and have a beautiful kitchen....we can't wait to get open. If you would like to be contacted by personal e-mail I will be happy to do so. I have a list of people who want to know first hand when the opening date is, seating times, menu, etc.
Gotta run....time for a movie :popcorn: .
Kathy
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeowK...look for my PM!
peapod1980peapod1980percyUp the hill from the Gateway Arch4,591 postsJoined View profileMessagepercy
peapod1980percyUp the hill from the Gateway Arch4,591 postsJoined View profileMessagepercyThe udder day.Look--Peas headed to the beach! :wub:
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminLook--Peas headed to the beach! :wub:
:clap_1:
steele mamasteele mamaBeach FanaticNewnan, Georgia3,357 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
steele mamaBeach FanaticNewnan, Georgia3,357 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticLook--Peas headed to the beach! :wub:That is hilarious! What a coincidence?:clap_1:
peapod1980peapod1980percyUp the hill from the Gateway Arch4,591 postsJoined View profileMessagepercy
peapod1980percyUp the hill from the Gateway Arch4,591 postsJoined View profileMessagepercyThat is hilarious! What a coincidence?:clap_1:Not really. He was stalking me.
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminNot really. He was stalking me.
:floor: :shock:
ItzKatzTimeItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
ItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthorD & K's most recently asked question
When you own a restaurant you get, hmmmm let me count....oh yeah, a bazillion questions. Sometimes it's the same question, just asked a bazillion times. The one that everyone keeps asking us right now is..."Why in the world did you start renovating in the summer?" Let me answer that in two words...NO CHOICE! If we had waited till the end of summer we would have been too burnt out to do it. For three years we've been trying to make this move, and we always waited for fall/winter. Makes sense don't you think??? BUT, every September Doug was not in the mood (after spring break and a long hot summer) to even think about remodeling and I was too busy with the process of helping get Kalie settled in at school and tending to elderly parents.
What an eye opener.....taking care of my mother who was on hospice for 2 1/2 years. Her doctors would put her on it for 6 months...take her off, then put her back on it. What a nightmare. She died in September of 2003. Then a year later my sweet sister Jennifer Leigh passed away after being on hospice for only a month. This took a tremendous toll on both Doug and I. Fall has not been good for us over the past few years.
There is no ONE thing that kept us from starting sooner this year. It was a combination of so many things. Doug and I like to believe things happen for a reason. Believe me, it's no cakewalk renovating in the summer, but soon it will be finished and only a memory. All I want right now is AIR CONDITIONING! Thank God, it's being turned on this week!
Now, for the opening date.....sometime in August is all we know at this point. Things are beginning to come together fast! YEAH!!!!
Thanks so much for your support. We have heard great things from so many of you. I can't begin to tell you how much it helps. :bow:
Kathy
When you own a restaurant you get, hmmmm let me count....oh yeah, a bazillion questions. Sometimes it's the same question, just asked a bazillion times. The one that everyone keeps asking us right now is..."Why in the world did you start renovating in the summer?" Let me answer that in two words...NO CHOICE! If we had waited till the end of summer we would have been too burnt out to do it. For three years we've been trying to make this move, and we always waited for fall/winter. Makes sense don't you think??? BUT, every September Doug was not in the mood (after spring break and a long hot summer) to even think about remodeling and I was too busy with the process of helping get Kalie settled in at school and tending to elderly parents.
What an eye opener.....taking care of my mother who was on hospice for 2 1/2 years. Her doctors would put her on it for 6 months...take her off, then put her back on it. What a nightmare. She died in September of 2003. Then a year later my sweet sister Jennifer Leigh passed away after being on hospice for only a month. This took a tremendous toll on both Doug and I. Fall has not been good for us over the past few years.
There is no ONE thing that kept us from starting sooner this year. It was a combination of so many things. Doug and I like to believe things happen for a reason. Believe me, it's no cakewalk renovating in the summer, but soon it will be finished and only a memory. All I want right now is AIR CONDITIONING! Thank God, it's being turned on this week!
Now, for the opening date.....sometime in August is all we know at this point. Things are beginning to come together fast! YEAH!!!!
Thanks so much for your support. We have heard great things from so many of you. I can't begin to tell you how much it helps. :bow:
Kathy
SHELLYSHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
SHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderRe: D & K's most recently asked question
How about a sample of your menu??
Now, for the opening date.....sometime in August is all we know at this point. Things are beginning to come together fast! YEAH!!!!
Kathy
How about a sample of your menu??
30A Skunkape30A SkunkapeSkunkyBackatown Seagrove10,329 postsJoined View profileMessageSkunky
30A SkunkapeSkunkyBackatown Seagrove10,329 postsJoined View profileMessageSkunkyRe: D & K's most recently asked question
I know the place is heading in a different direction, but can we ever expect to see the fried grouper po-boy again? :wub:
How about a sample of your menu??
I know the place is heading in a different direction, but can we ever expect to see the fried grouper po-boy again? :wub:
Bobby JBobby JBeach FanaticBlue Mountain beach4,041 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bobby JBeach FanaticBlue Mountain beach4,041 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI have personally had the luxury of eating some of Doug's goodies since the Paradise Cafe Days! The early to mid 80's! The bottom line is he is one of the best chefs in the area. Doug is one of the founders of fine dining in South Walton. I was upset when he stopped doing what he excels at! I also think it is very cool how Doug and Kathy like to mix it up a bit. My hat is off to you both!!! :clap_1: One last thing Doug, be sure to close on the 4th next year. For old time sake!!!! I wish you both the best and can not wait until you open!
ps. Crabmeat Louisanna!!!! Please..... :lol:
ps. Crabmeat Louisanna!!!! Please..... :lol:
DBOldfordDBOldfordBeach FanaticNapa Valley, CA990 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
All good things in their own time. One of the greatest things about the old D&K was that no one could push Doug. If he had enough gumbo for that night, you might get to buy enough for a small pot to take back to the house. Same with the key lime pie...if he didn't need it for customers, you might be able to buy one. And if it had been a killer day, well maybe he wouldn't cook every item on the menu.
One thing about experiencing losses such as the ones Kathy has described is that it definitely puts you on a different time reference. Things seem to take on a more majestic, and less frenetic pace.
We will all be so happy with this restaurant once it opens that we won't even think about missing it this summer. I am just so thrilled that Kathy and Doug will still have it, because I know they will do a good job and one that is reflective of all the special things about Grayton.
One thing about experiencing losses such as the ones Kathy has described is that it definitely puts you on a different time reference. Things seem to take on a more majestic, and less frenetic pace.
We will all be so happy with this restaurant once it opens that we won't even think about missing it this summer. I am just so thrilled that Kathy and Doug will still have it, because I know they will do a good job and one that is reflective of all the special things about Grayton.
ItzKatzTimeItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
ItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthorI have personally had the luxury of eating some of Doug's goodies since the Paradise Cafe Days! The early to mid 80's! The bottom line is he is one of the best chefs in the area. Doug is one of the founders of fine dining in South Walton. I was upset when he stopped doing what he excels at! I also think it is very cool how Doug and Kathy like to mix it up a bit. My hat is off to you both!!!
Thank you Bobby :bow: ....I'm so glad that you acknowledged that Doug was a founder of fine dining in South Walton. So many people think we are leaving our norm for something we want to try. I'm sure you agree, our menuhas always been and will continue to be local friendly. And, as always, generous portions of mouth watering selections. Doug and I have cooked, catered, served, and partied with some of the finest people all over the south. I've had my desserts flown on dry ice from South Walton and South Florida to the East coast, the West coast,the Rocky Mountains...even as far as Paris, France. Doug has made his famous Seafood Stuffed Snapper for sports legends, celebrities, chefs from all over, but more important, to friends and family. We've even cooked and served a wedding party in a Seaside Honeymoon Cottage using toaster ovens and crock pots!
Our main focus has always been making people feel comfortable and full. Of course the first D & K's had a magical ambiance. If you ate with us in the little red house on Vicki Street, then you know how it felt to be a guest in our home. I'm trying my best to bring that feeling into Grayton Beach.
You are so right we do like to mix it up a bit. We believe the newly renovated building will give us such a perfect opportunity to do just that. It will be simple, cozy, fun, elegant, intimate but most of all, it will be a mixture of the two of us....Doug and Kathy. I don't think we are in the same category as most fine dining restaurants that are so successful here in SoWal, because we just do our own thing in our own way. There are no carved in stone rules. Most of the time we make them up as we go! :rolling:
Now see what you've done...you got me started and it's hard to stop. I just want everyone to know that we do not profess to be perfect, but we promise to do our best to make your evening a memorable one when you dine at D & K's.
Doug and I send you and Beverly and that precious son of yours a very very special thanks for your support. How could so many years have gone by??? The best is yet to be!
With much love,
Kathy & Doug
ItzKatzTimeItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
ItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthorAll good things in their own time. One of the greatest things about the old D&K was that no one could push Doug. If he had enough gumbo for that night, you might get to buy enough for a small pot to take back to the house. Same with the key lime pie...if he didn't need it for customers, you might be able to buy one. And if it had been a killer day, well maybe he wouldn't cook every item on the menu.
One thing about experiencing losses such as the ones Kathy has described is that it definitely puts you on a different time reference. Things seem to take on a more majestic, and less frenetic pace.
We will all be so happy with this restaurant once it opens that we won't even think about missing it this summer. I am just so thrilled that Kathy and Doug will still have it, because I know they will do a good job and one that is reflective of all the special things about Grayton.
Donna the days are going by fast and it will soon be October :clap_1: ! Sometimes when I'm standing in the middle of the cafe looking at all that still needs to be done I wonder if we will be open by then. Yesterday I spoke with a man who was heartsick that we were not open. Said he'd been thinking about the gumbo all the way here. BUT, he had a big smile on his face and wished us well, telling me even though they only get to come down every two years he would look forward to coming back in another two years to experience the food we will be serving then. I wanted to hug his neck. Instead I sent him down to Bonnie's Paradise Alley Cafe at the General Store for gumbo. He'll be happy!
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, my losses have definitely put me in a new time reference. Ive spent the last two years grieving and staying close to home. I am now ready to get back to business and to seeing people once again. It won't be long now.
I am in the fun part of renovating now...the decor. When you create a new restaurant it takes on a life of itself, and things just seem to happen the way they're supposed to. Now to give it the feeling that you're dining in our home, offering some good old southern hospitality!
Take care & many thanks.....K
ItzKatzTimeItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
ItzKatzTimeBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach2,660 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthorRe: D & K's most recently asked question
Menu will be coming in a few weeks. Don't want to give anything away this soon! ;-)
How about a sample of your menu??
Menu will be coming in a few weeks. Don't want to give anything away this soon! ;-)
laurawoodlaurawoodBeach Lover202 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
Doug is a extremely wonderful chef. Have grown up in & around his restaurants........ am hoping oysters beinvillle makes it on the menu.
New kitchens are extremely exciting!!!
Will be the perfect restaurant to eat dinner at sunset.
That building is continually changing..... laurap
New kitchens are extremely exciting!!!
Will be the perfect restaurant to eat dinner at sunset.
That building is continually changing..... laurap
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