Fine Dining Recommendations

...oh man have I been craving that Arugula salad!!!! Go have one for me!

I tried something different this time -- a Caesar salad and veal meatballs with polenta. Yum!

If you are here for a Sunday the best brunch deal in town , I think, is at the Santa Rosa Beach Club. Great views of the beach, large selection of good eats, linen and silverware but unpretentious. Best of all the price; $15 per. Reservations recommended during in season.

If you are here for a Sunday the best brunch deal in town , I think, is at the Santa Rosa Beach Club. Great views of the beach, large selection of good eats, linen and silverware but unpretentious. Best of all the price; $15 per. Reservations recommended during in season.

Sorry it just doesn't compare to Fire's brunch. I am slightly biased, but you really can't beat bottomless champagne.

I tried something different this time -- a Caesar
salad and veal meatballs with polenta. Yum!

omg. my very favorite thing on the menu. veal meatballs with polenta. I usually order a side of angel hair with marinara.

I don't have a recommendation, but I do have a plea!

Please leave the little kids at home if you are going to any of the restaurants mentioned as fine/fine casual dining in this thread!

Especially if you're the type of people who think it's cute/ok to let them run wild, break things, and annoy other diners. :angry:

If you are here for a Sunday the best brunch deal in town , I think, is at the Santa Rosa Beach Club. Great views of the beach, large selection of good eats, linen and silverware but unpretentious. Best of all the price; $15 per. Reservations recommended during in season.

I don't drink, so I'll take the view over champagne anytime. Besides they have awesome cheesy grits and you're right, great price for the combo of good eats, view and ambiance.

Scooter? Are unruly children really a problem? I mean, most families are on vacation, may not have brought a nanny or have a sitter, and usually won't go out if their children are tired from a day at the beach or pool. Not to mention the whole family is usually jovial since they are vacationing. Unless the kid is screaming bloody hail or playing rodeo roundup with the lobsters, I enjoy seeing families eating out.
(even lobster rodeo could be fun to watch)

If you are here for a Sunday the best brunch deal in town , I think, is at the Santa Rosa Beach Club. Great views of the beach, large selection of good eats, linen and silverware but unpretentious. Best of all the price; $15 per. Reservations recommended during in season.

You better go before Mango does....if you want any grits.

I don't drink, so I'll take the view over champagne anytime. Besides they have awesome cheesy grits.

Scooter? Are unruly children really a problem? I mean most families are on vacation, may not have brought a nanny or have a sitter, and usually won't go out if their children are tired from a day at the beach or pool. Not to mention the whole family is usually jovial since they are vacationing. Unless the kid is screaming bloody hail or playing rodeo roundup with the lobsters, I enjoy seeing families eating out.
(even lobster rodeo could be fun to watch)

I don't drink, so I'll take the view over champagne anytime. Besides they have awesome cheesy grits.

Scooter? Are unruly children really a problem? I mean most families are on vacation, may not have brought a nanny or have a sitter, and usually won't go out if their children are tired from a day at the beach or pool. Not to mention the whole family is usually jovial since they are vacationing. Unless the kid is screaming bloody hail or playing rodeo roundup with the lobsters, I enjoy seeing families eating out.
(even lobster rodeo could be fun to watch)

I love kids...when fine dining, I appreciate an adult atmosphere. Kids are worn out when on vacation or just plain hyped up from being away from their normal routine. I recommend that children dine before 6:30. I've been proven wrong...some kids do fine and are well behaved...while others are plain monsters.

Thanks to everyone that suggested D&K's for this category. It's so hard to be everything to everyone....but we try. Sometimes you will see sequins and on that very same night group of tourists arrive in shorts, flaps and T-shirts. We are still evolving as each month passes......but we will always have wonderful food and plenty of art work to keep you talking.

God bless you all....I have missed you.

Kat

The children that prompted that post were! Nobody complains about well behaved and well supervised kids in restaurants There are some great kids who are welcome at the next table (or to share mine) at any restaurant I frequent - they are well behaved, enjoy the wide variety of food, and are funn. Then there are the kids who are roaming free 15-20' from their table, destroying the landscaping, moving/knocking over anything not nailed down, running into the road, breaking outdoor lights, screaming, getting underfoot of the waitstaff, and there is no adult supervision or discipline whatsoever. :angry:There are many restaurants in Sowal that are family or casual restaurants - which means there are options besides ruining other people's meals at more upscale restaurants!

The children that prompted that post were! Nobody complains about well behaved and well supervised kids in restaurants

I have to say that I have never witnessed unruly children at a "fine" dining restaurant in Sowal, but if I did, I think I would try to remember it's The Beach?, relax, ignore, and/or let the restaurant handle it.

Sorry it just doesn't compare to Fire's brunch. I am slightly biased, but you really can't beat bottomless champagne.

Fire may be good but at what price and anyway I go for the food at a brunch not the alcohol. Also, can't compare views; Fire is tucked back out of the way nowhere near the beach while Santa Rosa B.C. is right on the beach with amazing views of beach and gulf - awsome on a bright Sunday morning!!!!

I have to say that I have never witnessed unruly children at a "fine" dining restaurant in Sowal, but if I did, I think I would try to remember it's The Beach™, relax, ignore, and/or let the restaurant handle it.

its not a real problem, to my knowledge. but I guess there are families visiting who may not have a way to leave their children at "home" when they go out to eat. I'm sure it happens when a child or children misbehave in a fine dining restaurant here - and probably somewhat frequently in high season. you are right - relax. or go to Seagar's or Fleming's where you can almost bet there won't be children.

one reason I really like places like Borago is that you can bring the kids if you really want to include them for a special meal out. we typically do not dine here or other nicer restaurants with children. but on the rare occasion we will. bad behavior is never acceptable. but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened a time or two with our own.

usually its the adults that can exhibit some pretty rude behavior now and then. that is the kind of thing I can't stand during a really special evening out.

Thanks to everyone that suggested D&K's for this category. It's so hard to be everything to everyone....but we try. Sometimes you will see sequins and on that very same night group of tourists arrive in shorts, flaps and T-shirts. We are still evolving as each month passes......but we will always have wonderful food and plenty of art work to keep you talking.

God bless you all....I have missed you.

Kat

Kat, where you been gull??? Grayt to see you post again. Feeling ok?

Can't remember if anyone's mentioned Gravel Road yet, but we had a very nice lunch there today. When the waitress apologies that they don't have grouper because it's out of season, and that they're subbing snapper for the same price, it's a good sign. (lot of other places woyld have gone for a cheaper substitution)

Has anyone heard of Fleming's Steakhouse? I hear they do a great job and are kind of the neighborhood steakhouse with lots of wine.

Has anyone heard of Fleming's Steakhouse? I hear they do a great job and are kind of the neighborhood steakhouse with lots of wine.

Fleming's is a chain. I suspect that you can do better with a place that is locally owned, though I confess I focus on fish when I am there so I can't recommend a particular place for steak.