30A area restaurants [Archive]

View Full Version : 30A area restaurants

merbel

10-10-2007, 09:11 AM

Have been down here for almost two weeks and was here in mid September as well. First time back down since the spring. Looking forward to spending 10 days in November. We cook in alot, both because I like to cook and it is great to get such fresh fish and shrimp. By the way, good seafood market nearby? I usually drive over to Shrimpers as they seem to be consistently good.
In general, I have found the restaurants down here overpriced and inconsistent (with a few exceptions) but am glad to see some promising newcomers. In the past few weeks, we have eaten alot at Bud and Alley's for lunch-mainly for the atmosphere, view and open air dining. Used to go to D and K alot for lunch for the same reason. Went to Seagrove Market last visit (have been several times) and was very disappointed, oysters tiny and overcooked. When they are on they are great, but seem to be inconsistent.
Discovered Hurricane Oyster and had some of the best gumbo I have ever had. Went back and had the red beans and rice-OK but not the bellringer the gumbo was and the sausage really fatty. Would like to try more there-anyone else been and have some recommendations?
Tried Gravel Road a while back and did not have a good experience and never went back. Have read good things since.
Find Cafe Tango too heavy. Went to Fish Out of Water many moons ago and it was fantastic but a repeat visit a year later was a disappointment. Have not been in a year-any feedback? Went to Cafe 30A last night and the softshell crab was outstanding-he rest was just OK but I must say we just did starters and salads, no entrees but if you are serving a beet salad, make sure your beets are fresh! Went to Stinky's last visit and I thought it was good, my eating companion less enamored. Plus I prefer not to drive that far for diner. Had enjoyed Rendevous but our last visit there was not great-the sushi was well below par. Great Southern disappointed. Have not been back to Basmati's in a long time after a medicore meal. Find Borago OK but nothing special. Had a good meal at Florida Fish House at the sushi bar but I have heard to stay away from the rest of the menu. Fire looks promising and hope to try it soon. And Bud and Alley's 3 for $25 (thanks to the poster on that one) makes my more likey to have dinner there.
Had guests down last week, one of whom loves to cook, so have not been out much this visit but hope to try some places before we leave and when we return in November.
Any feedback from other gourmands out there is appreciated....

jdarg

10-10-2007, 09:19 AM

I think you covered just about every restaurant on 30A.:idontno:

Take a look at the dining forum- losts of recent posts about several good restaurants.

scooterbug44

10-10-2007, 09:20 AM

You seem to have made the rounds and have it pretty well figured out.

Definitely think you should try Fire - I think you'll find what you have been missing/criticizing at the other restaurants you no longer like to frequent.

My visitors love Shrimper's crab cakes - here we get them fresh and have them on table water crackers for hors 'd oeuvres, then they get a bunch of frozen to take home for dinners.

I haven't been to the new D&K's yet but there have been many good reports.

merbel

10-10-2007, 09:26 AM

Oops, forgot to add Fabrice. Went there for lunch yesterday and it was wonderful. The shrimp sandwich was delicious-best bread I have had in a very long time. Other half got the tuna and it was good as well. Came home with the chocolate cookies-WOW!
Highly recommended based on that one experience.

scooterbug44

10-10-2007, 09:33 AM

I forgot Fabrice too - yummy!

Have you tried Blue Orleans?

merbel

10-10-2007, 09:39 AM

I have tried Blue Orleans and liked it alot. My other half didn't like it as much but I thought it was good and priced well. Haven't been there this fall-feedback?

scooterbug44

10-10-2007, 09:45 AM

I haven't been there recently, but have always enjoyed it on past visits. Good food, good music, good atmosphere.

jdarg

10-10-2007, 10:46 AM

Criolla's?:idontno: We met darling Chef Shane and his gorgeous wife the other night- can't wait to go to Criolla's! I hear their tapas are great!

BTW- if y'all are lurking, get registered already. I was sitting across the table from you at dinner.;-)

kathydwells

10-10-2007, 10:50 AM

I'm Hungry.

whiteyfunn

10-10-2007, 12:17 PM

I'm Hungry.

Bo-ra-go. :drool:

merbel

10-10-2007, 12:55 PM

You know, I somehow forget about Criolla's. Had a good meal there long ago but not something that pulled me back. I'll give it another try.
Forgot to mention I have had some good lunches at Smiling Fish though not such great dinners.

greenroomsurfer

10-10-2007, 01:08 PM

Crab cakes at The Red Bar on Friday and Saturday night. Time travel is possible on the Redbar Margarita!:drink2::drink:

kathydwells

10-10-2007, 01:13 PM

Crab cakes at The Red Bar on Friday and Saturday night. Time travel is possible on the Redbar Margarita!:drink2::drink:

I could sure use one of those right now!!!!!!

kathydwells

10-10-2007, 01:13 PM

Bo-ra-go. :drool:

Yummy. :wave:

Roadroo

10-10-2007, 10:08 PM

Well you miss one great restaurant, Criollas. We had dinner here last week and was greatly impressed. We tried most of the tapas, 2 entrees and a dessert all for around $90for food. Great price for a couple with fantastic food and very fresh seafood. Service was on the money and the wine list will blow you away. Also have a great by the glass and cocktail selection. We were very impressed and can not wait to go back.

T.Cline

10-11-2007, 05:10 PM

Bo-ra-go. :drool:

YUMMY! I agree, Borago is my favorite!

Tootsie

10-12-2007, 12:06 AM

borago (dinner)
smiling fish (lunch)
fabrice (breakfast/lunch)
coco's (mexican lunch/dinner)
nick's on the bay (dinner/fresh seafood)
onano (special occasion dinner)
fat clemenza's (italian lunch / dinner)
pizza by the sea (lunch/dinner)
amore' (lunch/dinner)

those are our faves!!!

jdarg

10-13-2007, 08:54 AM

run from Fire unless you like getting burnt

Guess you got fired, huh?

Thankfully, nobody on this board listens to posters with sour grapes and axes to grind. Go whine to your mama.:roll:

merbel

10-17-2007, 09:57 AM

Well, back in Atlanta and yearning for the white sand....
Final recap-
Went to Fire Friday and enjoyed the food but we had an interminable wait. We were seated immediately and orded a nice bottle of wine (good recommendation from the owner) and ordered only entrees as we had been to the Watercolor reception prior. We waited, and we waited and we waited. Finally got some bread (which I did not really enjoy) after about 20 minutes and then finally our entrees almost an hour after we ordered. Not good.
Went back a few times to Hurricane oyster Bar and experience not matched with our initial positive. Went to Taco Bar a couple of times and find it pretty good for a casual meal. Had lunch at Smiling Fish and it was good. Miss the Larder...
Look forward to heading back at Tgiving and trying some other spots.

singinchicken

10-17-2007, 12:08 PM

merbel

10-17-2007, 01:15 PM

Where is Shades?

Bikermomof2

10-17-2007, 01:28 PM

I think Shades is at the end of 30-A closest to PC Beach - just past Inlet Beach.. Never been, is it worth the trip? Love, love , love RED BAR - never a bad meal there. Food is great (Amen to the crab cakes!) - reasonably priced. We always go twice while there. Also love 30A (w/out the kids). Spicy Noodle has good pizza and a fettucine alfredo that's yummy. Yanni's is also good- grouper sandwich!
Really like Basmati's, but it seems prices are going up every time we go.

singinchicken

10-17-2007, 02:47 PM

Where is Shades?

Last right turn off of 30A before you hit 98 past Rosemary Beach. Good menu, great beer selection. Haven't eaten there in a while, but the last time I did it was darn good. They don't have a stagnant menu so I can't attest to what they have. now. I think they are worth the trip. It's the same Shades that used to be on the circle in Seaside. They just moved and changed a bit. They are a part of the Taco Mac full restaurant family up here in Atlanta.

jdarg

10-23-2007, 08:46 AM

Cafe Tango was a big winner last night.:clap:

We have very special friends in town this week, and they had heard us and many others rave about Cafe Tango. The pistachio crusted grouper was amazing, also the grilled scallop app. The atmosphere was just what I needed after a crazy busy month- candlelit and cozy. We all "licked our plates" !

It was very busy- and it was Monday night. Kind of says it all, huh?:clap:

ItzKatzTime

10-23-2007, 10:36 AM

luvthebeach

10-23-2007, 01:40 PM

Crab cakes at The Red Bar on Friday and Saturday night. Time travel is possible on the Redbar Margarita!:drink2::drink:

Grouper at Red Bar is right up there with the crab cakes:drool:

Paula

10-23-2007, 02:45 PM

I haven't been to shades by the loop in about a year but they used to have great oyster po boys. Seagrove market is another place with great oyster po boys. Where else on 30A are there great po boys?

seaside2

10-23-2007, 03:27 PM

UUUUUHHHH, way west in NO?:idontno:

cherijean

10-23-2007, 04:43 PM

Don't forget Hibiscus for breakfast...cooked and served with love!:wub:

peapod1980

10-23-2007, 04:55 PM

Don't forget Hibiscus for breakfast...cooked and served with love!:wub:
See you next week! :clap::wub:

olive

10-23-2007, 05:02 PM

Don't forget Hibiscus for breakfast...cooked and served with love!:wub:

It's become my Sunday morning ritual!:wub:

peapod1980

10-23-2007, 05:07 PM

It's become my Sunday morning ritual!:wub:
Olive, meet you there! I think I'll start with breakfast at Hibiscus, move on to Red Bar for brunch, then Amore after kickball. The perfect day!
merbel, if you missed pizza at Amore, you missed a lot.