Congrats to our SoWal area winners!
Bijoux
9375 Emerald Coast Pkwy, #22
Miramar Beach
850-622-0760
www.bijouxdestin.com
AWARD: Golden Spoon
Close enough to New Orleans to want beignets and Creole spice as well as a Gulf catch. Get them in the resort's market mall, starting with mussels, feta and curry, blackened Brie or fried oyster salad. Follow with seafood and meats dolled up with charred corn, broccolini and a saucier's full inventory. Get a big double port chop with red pea ragout, blueberry sauce and fried okra.
Vin'tij
10859 US Hwy. 98W, #103
Miramar Beach
850-650-9820
www.vintij.com
AWARD: Golden Spoon
Changing menu mixes the Mediterranean and the Gulf with good cheer and spice. Griddled sea scallops can be matched with spaghetti squash and field pea relish. Paired with a smart wine list.
Bud & Alley's
2236 E. County Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach
850-231-5900
www.budandalleys.com
AWARD: Hall of Fame
Heart of Seaside and the New Urban dining hall of South Walton since 1987; an edible amusement park on the boardwalk. Pizza, tacos, rooftop bars plus shrimp and grits or whole fish with arugula and new potatoes.
Fish Out of Water
(WaterColor Inn) 34 Goldenrod Circle
Santa Rosa Beach
850-534-5050
www.watercolorresort.com/florida-gulf-coast/restaurant.asp
AWARD: Hall of Fame
Top-dollar resort with Gulf view and Gulf seafood sassied up with herbed grits, pork belly, succotash and other Southern accents. A handsome parade of vegetables in every course. Alabama sausage and Cajun crawfish, too. Just as smart at breakfast, worth waking up early.
QUESTION: What are the Golden Spoons and when did they start?
Florida Trend’s Golden Spoons are the oldest and most coveted dining awards in the state. The magazine started the awards 40 years ago as a guide to executives traveling around the state.
Q. Can any restaurant become a Golden Spoon?
No. Florida has almost 20 million people and thousands of restaurants. Our awards are highly selective and include approximately 100 top restaurants, which means only a handful of establishments in many markets. They cannot include all the fine dining choices in the state; having high prices, longstanding popularity or current buzz does not guarantee a Golden Spoon.
Q. So, what is the standard to judge if a restaurant merits a Golden Spoon?
Our chief criterion is the food, made from top ingredients sourced carefully and prepared with imagination and authenticity from entrees to vegetables and breads.
We and our readers also expect a setting that is well cared for and service that is knowledgeable and enthusiastic but not intrusive.
Q. How many restaurant awards does Florida Trend give?
In addition to awarding the Golden Spoons, we recognize achievement in other categories, including the Hall of Fame, Best New Restaurants and Best Brands.
Q. How does a restaurant qualify for a Golden spoon?
The classic Golden Spoon recognizes outstanding fine dining restaurants that have demonstrated consistency in high standards and longevity, usually earned after three years in business or more.
Q. How do they get into the Hall of Fame?
Restaurants that have earned repeated Golden Spoons are eligible for the Golden Spoon Hall of Fame.
Bijoux
9375 Emerald Coast Pkwy, #22
Miramar Beach
850-622-0760
www.bijouxdestin.com
AWARD: Golden Spoon
Close enough to New Orleans to want beignets and Creole spice as well as a Gulf catch. Get them in the resort's market mall, starting with mussels, feta and curry, blackened Brie or fried oyster salad. Follow with seafood and meats dolled up with charred corn, broccolini and a saucier's full inventory. Get a big double port chop with red pea ragout, blueberry sauce and fried okra.
Vin'tij
10859 US Hwy. 98W, #103
Miramar Beach
850-650-9820
www.vintij.com
AWARD: Golden Spoon
Changing menu mixes the Mediterranean and the Gulf with good cheer and spice. Griddled sea scallops can be matched with spaghetti squash and field pea relish. Paired with a smart wine list.
Bud & Alley's
2236 E. County Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach
850-231-5900
www.budandalleys.com
AWARD: Hall of Fame
Heart of Seaside and the New Urban dining hall of South Walton since 1987; an edible amusement park on the boardwalk. Pizza, tacos, rooftop bars plus shrimp and grits or whole fish with arugula and new potatoes.
Fish Out of Water
(WaterColor Inn) 34 Goldenrod Circle
Santa Rosa Beach
850-534-5050
www.watercolorresort.com/florida-gulf-coast/restaurant.asp
AWARD: Hall of Fame
Top-dollar resort with Gulf view and Gulf seafood sassied up with herbed grits, pork belly, succotash and other Southern accents. A handsome parade of vegetables in every course. Alabama sausage and Cajun crawfish, too. Just as smart at breakfast, worth waking up early.
QUESTION: What are the Golden Spoons and when did they start?
Florida Trend’s Golden Spoons are the oldest and most coveted dining awards in the state. The magazine started the awards 40 years ago as a guide to executives traveling around the state.
Q. Can any restaurant become a Golden Spoon?
No. Florida has almost 20 million people and thousands of restaurants. Our awards are highly selective and include approximately 100 top restaurants, which means only a handful of establishments in many markets. They cannot include all the fine dining choices in the state; having high prices, longstanding popularity or current buzz does not guarantee a Golden Spoon.
Q. So, what is the standard to judge if a restaurant merits a Golden Spoon?
Our chief criterion is the food, made from top ingredients sourced carefully and prepared with imagination and authenticity from entrees to vegetables and breads.
We and our readers also expect a setting that is well cared for and service that is knowledgeable and enthusiastic but not intrusive.
Q. How many restaurant awards does Florida Trend give?
In addition to awarding the Golden Spoons, we recognize achievement in other categories, including the Hall of Fame, Best New Restaurants and Best Brands.
Q. How does a restaurant qualify for a Golden spoon?
The classic Golden Spoon recognizes outstanding fine dining restaurants that have demonstrated consistency in high standards and longevity, usually earned after three years in business or more.
Q. How do they get into the Hall of Fame?
Restaurants that have earned repeated Golden Spoons are eligible for the Golden Spoon Hall of Fame.
