Food

It's been one of the busiest summers in South Walton history. The cars full of visitors have come in waves just like the surf in the gulf, but there's no lull in the visitor waves until school starts back in Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans Houston...

Meawhile the crowds clamor for the food and fun times at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach. Can you call it a hidden gem? Almost anyone who has heard of SoWal has heard of the Red Bar. But if you get a puzzled look from someone when you mention Grayton Beach in Chicago then you better believe the Red Bar is a hidden gem to them.

Are you ready for fantastic food and wine in October at Rosemary Beach? How about free tickets?

Guests of the Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company (CRC) who make a two-night reservation at the newly renovated Pensione Inn, or a three-night reservation in any carriage house, loft or flat will receive two free tickets to SoWal.com-sponsored Rosemary Beach Uncorked on October 20, 2012, a $150 value. 

Wild Olives in Rosemary Beach opened in May of 2006 as a convenient local market, deli, and bakery providing the perfect place for guests to enjoy breakfast and lunch.

As the town grew and more visitors discovered the eatery, Owner Chris Trovas expanded with longer hours to include dinner and indoor dining. When others businesses began baking breakfast items, Trovas cut back on those, but his popular scones, muffins and biscuits are still available. The latest evolution is a revamped menu and a redesigned dining room.

Rosemary Beach is bringing back one of our favorite events, the third annual “Rosemary Beach Uncorked,” a culinary and wine pairing event on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  It's likely to sell out early so get your tickets now.

Net proceeds from the event will benefit Caring and Sharing of South Walton, a volunteer group which provides food and assistance to locals in need, and Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

Many South Walton restaurants are lauded as exceptional -- for their food, ambiance, service, architecture -- any number of things can make a restaurant famous. Café Tango incorporates all those things and more.

Almost hidden from view on Scenic 30A, Café Tango is nestled about 100 feet off the main drag on Vicki Street, just about a half mile east of Gulf Place. Small and unpresuming, Café Tango occupies an old wooden beach house, with more charm and character than Katherine Hepburn.

Alys Beach, Florida is one of the newest "new urban" towns in South Walton and it is perhaps the most visually unique because of its distinct blend of mediterranean and island style. Take a stroll down the center of town along the stone-lined pedestrian path and feel yourself transported to another world.

Here are a few of our favorite things to do and places to see in Alys Beach:

The Alys Beach Amphitheater is the perfect place for families to enjoy outdoor concerts, movies and children's plays!

Entrepreneur, local restaurateur and “chef to the stars” Tim Creehan says he didn’t set out to become famous. 

“I didn’t go looking for success. I was looking for a career in culinary arts. I wanted to be a chef from the time I was 14 years old.

“When I wanted to become a chef, being a chef wasn’t cool. We were no different than plumbers or mechanics. When I left work to go to the store to buy something for the restaurant, I’d bring a T-shirt and take off my chef jacket because I didn’t want anyone to think I was a cook or butcher or whatever.”

If you want to know what's going on in SoWal, all you have to do is sit on the porch at Grayt Coffee House with owner Cheri Peebles for a half hour. And If she doesn't know what you want to know, then one of the many locals walking in and out likely will.

Bam! You can't get more fresh or local than pulling veggies right out of the ground and in to the pan at the new outdoor kitchen at the Seaside Neighborhood School's Corner Garden. Chef Emeril Lagasse was on hand to break in the brand-new burners and grill as part of the school's mentoring program.

Lagasse has a foundation dedicated to helping deserving kids get fed, and helping school kids get a healthy and nutritional meal. One school where he has made his mark increased their grade scores from the 50s to the 80s thanks to better nutrition and parent involvement.

If you have a wet suit and sandy feet on a warm and sunny beach day, there's nothing like walking up to Pickle's and ordering a juicy burger, fries, and a shake. The Seaside eatery is the scene of so many special SoWal beach memories. Now it's much, much better.