just got back from a few days on 30A. I saw the new Whiskey Bravo and heard it opens this Saturday. It looks fantastic. I was also told the little "houses" behind Cowgirls will be a dress shop, an artists, and one other.
I would think this place can be very popular and add yet another great dining option!
Replies
54
Beach Lover
You should never expect much from a restaurant's first month (or more) around here. It is extremely difficult to staff especially. A bad review on here for a new restaurant in SoWal could sink their ship before they even get any wind in their sail. Not fair IMHO especially since they could have all new suppliers, staff, and even management next week.
Dawn, I completely understand what you are saying. In the past, reviewers would deliberately wait 6-10 weeks before visiting new restaurants for that exact reason. The explosion of social media, such as this site, has changed that.
I think most people would agree that if a restaurant is open for business and charging full price, they need to deliver value for that money. I think most diners understand and don't expect perfection from a new restaurant, but it all comes down to how the house handles the problems, not so much whether there are problems (and that is true of older restaurants also).
Beach Fanatic
I think with the high cost of eating out in most of 30a's restaurants, you hope for good food and good service right off the bat. We do cut a new restaurant some slack because they are dealing with new employees, and in that line of business, it is sometimes challenging to find quality staff. We really appreciate waiters and waitresses who seem to love their job and tip accordingly. Good service can make mediocre food taste better. Hopefully, Whiskey Bravo will be a success. Restaurants seem to come and go so quickly on 30a, it's difficult to get a gift certificate and use it while the place is still open. I still think there needs to be more reasonably priced restaurants here. I would rather patronize our local places but we sometimes end up at a chain because of the cost.
Beach Lover
Questions, comments & concerns for Whiskey Bravo
I went to Whiskey Bravo last night for a visit.
A question is why do they say home made Bloody Mary Mix when the bartender was pouring out of a Zing Zang bottle? Good mix yes, accurate - NO!
Another Q: why when so busy after 7pm is there not a hostess or someone guiding patrons on where to sit or when there may be a table coming available? Observed a # of customers asking staff all sorts of these questions and getting confusing/conflicting answers. A group or 2 actually left because of this.
Comment(s): Beautiful build out. Nice furniture. Great views. Terrible uniforms. Nice prices on alcohol.
Concern(s):
Having large trash bin 30 feet from the rooftop deck will prove interesting in the very hot days coming ahead. Even if they have pickup everyday, which is unlikely. And only one restroom for both ladies and gents will prove interesting on the roof. Parking nice, but more probably needed. Sure owners would agree.
I went to Whiskey Bravo last night for a visit.
A question is why do they say home made Bloody Mary Mix when the bartender was pouring out of a Zing Zang bottle? Good mix yes, accurate - NO!
Another Q: why when so busy after 7pm is there not a hostess or someone guiding patrons on where to sit or when there may be a table coming available? Observed a # of customers asking staff all sorts of these questions and getting confusing/conflicting answers. A group or 2 actually left because of this.
Comment(s): Beautiful build out. Nice furniture. Great views. Terrible uniforms. Nice prices on alcohol.
Concern(s):
Having large trash bin 30 feet from the rooftop deck will prove interesting in the very hot days coming ahead. Even if they have pickup everyday, which is unlikely. And only one restroom for both ladies and gents will prove interesting on the roof. Parking nice, but more probably needed. Sure owners would agree.
Beach Comber
I ate at Whiskey Bravo last night for dinner and it was so-so. The view and comfy chairs are great, and I'll definitely be back for drinks and another meal once the restaurant gets the kinks worked out. But yesterday wasn't the best service or food. I got the Big Fish Taco, which was pretty tasty. The fries were cold. My dining partners order appetizers, which came out with our meal and were not correct. It took another 15 mins for them to bring us the correct appetizer, which came out at the end of our meal. I understand that the restaurant needs some time to get going and that's why I'll give it another try down the road. It will be a great spot to drink some beer and hangout regardless of the food.
Beach Lover
Given the amount of cash invested in the venture and the unlikelihood that it was financed, I'm guessing they get the kinks worked out fairly quickly. Or at least they better.
Beach Fanatic
Zing Zang is the best!!!!! Wouldn't order a bloody mary without it!!!!! BTW - We add our own little touch to our Zing Zang Bloody Mary's and would say that they're homemade!!!!!
Beach Fanatic
yeah- if you can make a better Bloody Mary than Zing Zang bring it on!
Beach Comber
We gave Whiskey Brave two chances and both times our food was cold and over cooked. The second time we waited 50 min for our food and we were lied to by our server being told a big party arrived and backed up the kitchen..which never happened. We really wanted to like this place. The rooftop deck is great and 30a is in need of a place like this. We ll give it a month and 1 more chance!!! You hear me WB!
Edited
Skunky
We gave Whiskey Brave two chances and both times our food was cold and over cooked. The second time we waited 50 min for our food and we were lied to by our server being told a big party arrived and backed up the kitchen..which never happened. We really wanted to like this place. The rooftop deck is great and 30a is in need of a place like this. We ll give it a month and 1 more chance!!! You hear me WB!
Just out of curiousity, why would you expect this place to be firing on all cylinders less than a month after opening? No restaurant is going to be at peak performance any sooner than two or three months. Let our tourist friends serve as culinary lab rats until maybe May or June, then I think we can go and see what this place really has to offer.
Beach Fanatic
The not so good reviews on the board may turn some tourists away.I've eaten at restaurants down there locals have raved about that I hated and I'm not calling them out. Every new place has kinks to work out and surely they will befor bad reviews cause them to close.
Beach Fanatic
Just out of curiousity, why would you expect this place to be firing on all cylinders less than a month after opening? No restaurant is going to be at peak performance any sooner than two or three months. Let our tourist friends serve as culinary lab rats until maybe May or June, then I think we can go and see what this place really has to offer.
I agree with you.
On the other hand it ain't rocket science and amateurs seem to make the same mistakes again and again. It's a mighty big investment not to get off on the right foot.
1. Open at least 2 months before March to work out problems.
2. The shortage of quality food-service labor is well known in SoWal. If you don't start out with a good core you're dead.
3. Plan on losing money at first to gain a reputation of good value for portions / prices.
4. Cater to locals. They tell tourists where to go and keep you alive in the off season.
5. Engage customers directly in the establishment and on forums like this.
6. Have a marketing plan. (why anyone would open without contacting the owner of this website is beyond me.)
7. Have a grand opening and invite community leaders and wine and dine them.
Beach Lover
We've been there twice and had good experiences both times. I'm surprised to hear the negative comments about the burger, because that's what my husband ordered the first time we went, and it was delicious. And that was during the first week they were open! I had a flat bread pizza each time we went, and they were both good. My husband liked the gumbo - I wasn't overly impressed with it, but then again I grew up in New Orleans so I am pretty picky about gumbo. Overall the food is good - not gourmet dining by any means, but solidly good. We had good service both times, and the view from the roof top deck is great. We were happy with it and we will definitely be back!
Beach Comber
I work in the restaurant industry and have opened up several places. If you haven't fixed your food problems in a week you are in trouble. And I think I stated I would give it another chance after 2 less than stellar meals did I not? And don't have your staff lie to customers...not good. Posters who have had a bad experience are entitled to there opinions to good sir...it is up to WB to fix there problems or they will close...not because of bad posts. Understand that....
Beach Fanatic
We'll give it a try when we're in town. I'm a sucker for comfy chairs on a roof! I think all new restaurants should figure out how places like Stinky's and Liar's Club and George's succeeded in getting off the ground. Unique environment, unique food, consistently good friendly service and special food (not always perfect, but perfect most of the time so that it's easy to cut them some slack every now and then). I hope it all works out great for WB! Is there a happy hour?
Beach Fanatic
They should have made the utility company bury the power lines.
Beach Lover
Had dinner there last night and really enjoyed it. We had the fried green tomatoes, fish taco, bread pudding, fried green tomato BLT, all of which were wonderful. We also had the sweet potato chips which weren't crispy enough, but other than that, everything was very good. Liked the atmosphere and the value is amazing for 30A! Three people, two appetizers, dessert, three sandwiches, two beers, for under $60.
Beach Lover
zing zang is the best!!!!! Wouldn't order a bloody mary without it!!!!! Btw - we add our own little touch to our zing zang bloody mary's and would say that they're homemade!!!!!
straight off the menu - "our homemade bloody mary mix with a kick and signature garnish"
several points to make, and wow all on just one cocktail:
*went again for sunday brunch and again sat at the bar upstairs
*you can see your drinks being made there
*especially when there is only a total of 6 customers at said bar
*zing zang is great mix
*zing zang hardly "homemade"
*"little touch" must refer to bartenders hand touching vodka bottle and zing zang bottle, because...
*all that went into our bloodys were, ice, vodka and zing zang
*oh...signature garnish....wait for it...
*celery stick and an olive
*had to ask for a lemon
*yep its a signature alright...only who's?
Bottom line not accurate at all...
Had to wait to place said order AND then switch to draught beer because bartender was using cell phone out on the dining room floor on the roof.
Seriously!?!?!?
Two tries and two strikes...
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Had to wait to place said order AND then switch to draught beer because bartender was using cell phone out on the dining room floor on the roof.What does beer and cell phone useage have to do with each other?
Skunky
We somewhat accidentally ended up at WB last night. I honestly expected the worst but was pleasantly surprised by the place. We sat at the bar downstairs and had very attentive service. I had the fish taco. If the standard of excellence on 30-A to compare another fish taco to is Smiling Fish's offering, I would say WB's is pretty close. Not quite there, but very good. It came with french fries (which I find kind of odd pairing) that were of the skinnier cut variety. Pretty good. Everyone else seemed happy with what they ordered. I would caution anyone against thinking this place is going to be a high end eatery-just remind yourself, "it is bar food, it is bar food, it is bar food", then think about the bar food you have had previously, then I think you can get a pretty decent reading of WB. We will certainly go back.
Beach LoverAuthor
They should have made the utility company bury the power lines.Sorry,but laugh when I see comments like this. If they did, your bill would go up--very noticeably. Underground power is a premium, and as such, everyone pays for it.
SoWal Insider
Seaside did it. Dune Allen did it. It can be done. I think there are areas, such as through Old Seagrove, where the overall benefit would be huge. It's something the entire community could be proud of. Unfortunately, there is no real cohesive community of Seagrove that could come together to foot the bill.
Beach Lover
Who opened this place? Who are the owners?
Beach Fanatic
Who opened this place? Who are the owners?The story of 723 Whiskey Bravo is the story of Skip & Victoria Moore. This Atlanta couple fell in love with 30A, deciding it was the perfect spot to bring their vision of a great neighborhood gathering place to life. A welcoming, comfortable place where people felt like a friend was serving them. No where else in their travels had they discovered a community that so aligned with their personal ideals for thoughtful development.
723 Whiskey Bravo will be a place that combines excellent food with gulf views from a rooftop area, a great location, a casual family atmosphere and a perfect place to watch sports. No other restaurant on 30A offers this exact blend of relaxation and activity because no other restaurant on 30A has the space to create a campus feel quite like Whiskey Bravo. The Moore's hope to return this wonderful property to its former glory as a landmark destination for the community.
About the Name Skip & Victoria are passionate about their commitment to their family (Lee, Lane, Blake & pooch Bo), about spending time together, about enjoying an active lifestyle, traveling and enjoying the experiences of an abundant life. They are equally passionate about their love of sports and share a passion for aviation.
This love of flight is where the name 723 Whiskey Bravo originates. With hundreds of hours spent in the sky in their Cirrus SR22, the couple wanted their plane to have a name that was personally significant. 723WB incorporates their wedding anniversary date of July 23rd with their favorite call letters from the aviation alphabet. W for whiskey and B for bravo.
Beach Fanatic
We have been watching this thread and the interesting opinions and finally decided to give it a try today during Lunch.
The View. Gorgeous Spring day with the GOM glistening like diamonds. IMO, the view is very nice and an added attraction to our beautiful area. For those complaining about the powerlines, seriously? We had no problem seeing a spectacular view period.
The setting. Fantastic with superb comfortable outdoors dining. We could have stayed there all day. Much more comfortable than an "older" establishment with high chairs just down the road
The menu. Excellent selection with very reasonable prices for this area. We ordered the Fried Green Tomato BLT with fries. Very good sandwich. The FGT were cooked to perfection, bacon perfect and the roumalade style dressing offered a very good balance. The fries are shoestring style, but cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside.
The waitstaff. It was lunch and they were about 2/3rds full. Our service was excellent and very attentive. Young gentleman (Chez) I believe was the name. No complaints at all....All the staff was smiling and very polite.
I can assure you that we will be back for more of their food and definitely for drinks in those comfy settings.
Bravo 723WB we are glad that you are calling SoWal home!
The View. Gorgeous Spring day with the GOM glistening like diamonds. IMO, the view is very nice and an added attraction to our beautiful area. For those complaining about the powerlines, seriously? We had no problem seeing a spectacular view period.
The setting. Fantastic with superb comfortable outdoors dining. We could have stayed there all day. Much more comfortable than an "older" establishment with high chairs just down the road
The menu. Excellent selection with very reasonable prices for this area. We ordered the Fried Green Tomato BLT with fries. Very good sandwich. The FGT were cooked to perfection, bacon perfect and the roumalade style dressing offered a very good balance. The fries are shoestring style, but cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside.
The waitstaff. It was lunch and they were about 2/3rds full. Our service was excellent and very attentive. Young gentleman (Chez) I believe was the name. No complaints at all....All the staff was smiling and very polite.
I can assure you that we will be back for more of their food and definitely for drinks in those comfy settings.
Bravo 723WB we are glad that you are calling SoWal home!
Edited
beats on hood
We went to WB for the first time tonight. The atmosphere, the decor, the vibe, and the service were excellent. Our favorite dish was the gumbo with a dark roux. Such an enjoyable place to relax in our neighborhood! We look forward to our next visit.
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.