A PIZZA BAR IS BORN!!! Open for lunch & dinner in Seaside

Yesterday was just a crappy day all the way around. However, it was saved by one of the best meals I have had in South Walton - dinner at the Pizza Bar with our friend Gypsea. We decided if we were going to go, it should be last night before Atlanta spring break hits today.

I think we all agreed it was amazing and a restaurant concept and food that we have needed here for a long time. The new back porch area will be so fantastic when finished!

We ate in the regular dining room, but walked over to the pizza oven side a couple of times- we will definitely eat on that side on our next visit because the pizza making process is very entertaining, especially for kids!

Oh the food...and I had been pretty good this week. The white beans on the homemade grilled bread were perfect. An order of the bread is only $4, and with a salad, is a perfect meal! We also had the caprese salad- where do these beautiful tomatoes come from at this time of year? Delicious. We also had calamari, which had the most flavorful breading and was very tender, not rubber-bandy like calamari can be. Of course we ordered a quattro formaggio pizza (because Kate wasn't into beans, tomatoes, or squid), and loved the airy crust, sauce, and wood oven flavor.

I love knowing that I can go there and get pizza if I want, but there also other very delicious options! Congrats Dave and crew- winner!!! Thanks for ending my day with a happy tummy and a smile.

Anybody want to meet at the Pizza Bar for wine on the patio tonight around 7:30? There are still so many dishes I haven't tried yet and the weather, for the moment, is perfect.

Love the sign and the interior! Can't wait to try the pizza! You need some art for those walls!

Thanks, The Art's a comin' I promise. Dave

We are looking into several artistic options; just have not found the perfect fit. Getting open was our first priority, Thanks, Dave

Love the sign and the interior! Can't wait to try the pizza! You need some art for those walls!

Love the sign and the interior! Can't wait to try the pizza! You need some art for those walls!

When it's bustling like it was last night with happy people, servers, chefs, and beautiful food, it looks just right. Once your food is on the table you don't notice anything else.

I wish Pizza Bar was open for breakfast.

I wish Pizza Bar was open for breakfast.

Leftovers are rare. You might need to order an extra pizza for breakfast.

the decor and food are all works of art in the Pizza Bar!

btw, the capellini pomadori is absolutely perfect. a large bowl piled with pasta with a sauce that includes garlic/red pepper flakes slowly roasted in olive oil and combined with beautiful tomatoes and basil, a little parmesan cheese. spicy and simple oil and tomato on pasta. Served by Chef Ed himself. I will have it often.

I've never really cared that much for lentil soup. I like enough, but would never order it at a restaurant. well, we had a sampling, and let me just give you a tip: the lentil soup at Pizza Bar may be the best soup of any kind anywhere. very rich and delicious!!! eat it with a piece of wonderful warm tuscan bread.

I just stopped by the Seaside Farmer's Market and picked up some local organic produce from Off The Vine. These will all be on the Farmer's Market Pizza today. Stop by the farmer's market for a taste or come on in to the Pizza Bar and enjoy an entire pie all your own.

Would love to hear your about your adventures in Italy sometime! Did you eat at Da Brandi in Naples? I was a little disappointed with the birthplace of Pizza Marg. But otherwise, the food was remarkable. I did see the olive oil routine on pizza. The server would bring the bottle to the table, much like American servers bring the pepper grinder. I have only seen the Pizza from your place-- the owner did not offer a slice! But I will be there very soon, and often, I imagine. Best Wishes!

Can I ask those who often dine at B & A's and other Seaside eateries, where the hail do you park?

I actually got Fuzz & Squirt to agree to try Pizza Bar late yesterday afternoon "before the crowds hit", but after one round through the town center and one round through the west parking lot with no reasonable parking to be found, we wound up having dinner in Freeport. Which was enjoyable, but I wanted sunset at Pizza Bar...

Can I ask those who often dine at B & A's and other Seaside eateries, where the hail do you park?

I actually got Fuzz & Squirt to agree to try Pizza Bar late yesterday afternoon "before the crowds hit", but after one round through the town center and one round through the west parking lot with no reasonable parking to be found, we wound up having dinner in Freeport. Which was enjoyable, but I wanted sunset at Pizza Bar...

Well you could park at our house in BMB and ride our bikes>>>

Took the bicycles out today and ended up at the Pizza Bar (My bum is a tad sore). Had a wonderful Margarita Pizza, marinated artichokes and a glass of chianti.....Excellent.

Looking forward to the patio by the dunes....

BTW....Dave, please feed the poor Japanese girl who does bussing......She must be a size -1

She was very sweet though and so was our waitress Amanda....

Keep up the great work!

Parking in Seaside

There is almost always an abundance of parking behind the Seaside School. There is a big circle behind the building Rendezvous is in.

Can I ask those who often dine at B & A's and other Seaside eateries, where the hail do you park?

I actually got Fuzz & Squirt to agree to try Pizza Bar late yesterday afternoon "before the crowds hit", but after one round through the town center and one round through the west parking lot with no reasonable parking to be found, we wound up having dinner in Freeport. Which was enjoyable, but I wanted sunset at Pizza Bar...

There is almost always an abundance of parking behind the Seaside School. There is a big circle behind the building Rendezvous is in.

That's usually where I park on busy days. There is always parking at the Van Ness Butler access between WaterColor and Seaside. It is a short walk and often calories are needed to be burnt coming to and from Seaside. ;-)

That's usually where I park on busy days. There is always parking at the Van Ness Butler access between WaterColor and Seaside. It is a short walk and often calories are needed to be burnt coming to and from Seaside. ;-)

Thanks, Kurt. I'll remember this in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, my designated driver will too.

As you know, olive oil is a delicacy as well as a staple in Italy. Trying different oils in different regions is as serious as wine tastings. Every oil is different and unique, even from orchard to orchard. Families and companies take great pride in their products and the variety is overwhelming. The real stuff is hard to get and very expensive in the US.

Ditto for Spanish olive oils. One of our best friends is a Spaniard, and we love visiting him and his wife in Barcelona and trying different olive oils. They like different acidities for different purposes, such as cooking versus dipping, all of course extra-virgin (at most .8% acidity). They sent us a bottle of the L'Estornell Quincentenary Christopher Columbus for Christmas. It was excellent.

Back on thread, can someone tell me, based on the huge crowds here now, what would be the best time of day to go to Pizza Bar and avoid a long wait?

There is almost always an abundance of parking behind the Seaside School. There is a big circle behind the building Rendezvous is in.

I will remind Fuzz of that. I am thinking he already knew that from his stint working security out there, but except for political rallies and FSU ball games, crowds make him nervous. :roll:

Guess I'll have to force Squirt to go...;-)

That's usually where I park on busy days. There is always parking at the Van Ness Butler access between WaterColor and Seaside. It is a short walk and often calories are needed to be burnt coming to and from Seaside. ;-)

I love this parking lot- it is what, 3 blocks from Seaside, if that? Especially when Seaside is crowded, it is a much saner parking spot that trying to navigate kids, bikes, strollers, and 10 people jockeying for the one available spot. No thanks!

Park at the Butler access and enjoy the stroll.

Not much of a long wait yet at PIZZA BAR

So far we have only had a short wait for a table at PB. One day this week we will be opening the
"IL Terrazzo" open-air dining/lounge area whether I have a roof or not( still waiting on the material). This space will seat close to 40 more guests so I doubt waits will be too much of a problem. The best times seem to be between 2 and 4 for no wait and a pick of the seats.

I expect my cushions and comfy pillows will arrive next week and Randy Horton will be finishing the cocktail tables. In the short term we are having some cocktail tables built to get us into the space. If we go on a wait after that area is open we will have pagers for customers so they may shop or stroll nearby while they wait for a seat. Attached is a photo of the space that inspired the TERRAZZO, This is in Ischia, Italy an Island off Naples. We will have a clear roof with the bamboo to create the same shadow effect shown in the photos. My wife, Carol and Leo and Tara Casas traveled there last June on a research trip for PIZZA BAR.

Ditto for Spanish olive oils. One of our best friends is a Spaniard, and we love visiting him and his wife in Barcelona and trying different olive oils. They like different acidities for different purposes, such as cooking versus dipping, all of course extra-virgin (at most .8% acidity). They sent us a bottle of the L'Estornell Quincentenary Christopher Columbus for Christmas. It was excellent.

Back on thread, can someone tell me, based on the huge crowds here now, what would be the best time of day to go to Pizza Bar and avoid a long wait?

Wow. I think I may just have to move in. Hey Toots- wanna be my roomie at the Pizza bar?

What great pics Dave! Thanks for sharing - they give me chills that is such a beautiful place. And the countryside looks amazing. Your place will be just as special, as we look out over the gulf and recline and eat pizza that looks and tastes just the same. I'm guessing once it's finished I won't be able to get to enjoy it much until after the season as I know it will be a favorite hangout for vacationers. I think I'll start a new tradition. When the sunset bell is rung at the Tarpon Bar above Bud & Alley's, I will shout from the Pizza Bar Terrazzo "Keep it down over there"!!!

Today I had the farmer's market pizza, with the fresh vegetables from the Seaside Farmer's Market yesterday. It is the 6th different one I've tried and may be my favorite. The fact that it had local organic veggies on it I think means it has to be the favorite so far. I will let y'all know when I find a bad one on the menu.

A lady next to me ordered the caprese salad after seeing one for the first time on someone else's plate, and when hers arrived she was moaning until it was gone. One of her kids said his pizza was the best he ever had. She was on the phone with her husband at one point telling him to come get pizza and she was having to talk him into it, but she told him there were also tacos nearby. Once we get the sushi/thai/vietnamese Bar going you'll have all the bases covered.

I was there at noon and although 1/2 of Atlanta is in Seaside there were some empty spots opening and closing. The food comes out fast and people are busy shopping and beaching. It will probably be harder to get a table at night the rest of the week.

So far we have only had a short wait for a table at PB.

Thanks, Dave!

We tried it tonight and had a fabulous time! It was the best time we've had in Seaside yet. We always have a little one with us, so we aren't always comfortable at the restaurants down there, but the Pizza Bar was absolutely perfect! Plus there were crayons!

As it happened we ran into the Dargs and Gypsea and Capn Crazy, a nice treat in itself.

On to the food -- WOW. It was great and such a good value. The kids split the Formaggi (four cheese) and Mr. TFT and I shared the Funghi (mushroom). The calamari was amazing. I shared the Caprese salad with our little one, who loves tomatoes, and it was a big hit with both of us. I was the only one who would eat the broccolini, but I really liked it! We had an easy drinking bottle of Chianti. Our server, Amanda, was extremely attentive and helpful, even though she was very very busy.

It is frankly hard to believe you have been open only a week. The place was packed but the food was excellent and everything appeared to be running fairly smoothly. Thanks Dave for one of our new favorite spots, and for being such an asset to the community in so many ways!

Hey, girl. How did we miss you and jdarg? Maybe because we were at the bar? I had on a bright yellow Burberry jacket. Hard to miss.

Hey, girl. How did we miss you and jdarg? Maybe because we were at the bar? I had on a bright yellow Burberry jacket. Hard to miss.

Darn! I had three kids with me. Hard to miss.

Not sure where the Dargs and Co. ate. We always find it best to be close to an exit.