Bud and Alley's or Fish Out of Water?

[illinifan]

We will be coming to sowal in a week or so and I have made reservations at Bud and Alley's for our anniversary, but I see little written on this site about it. Would Fish Out of Water be a better pick?:idontno:

[scooterbug44]

Yes!

Bud & Alley's is great for sunset drinks, tapas etc. so you should eat at both, but IMO Fish Out of Water has much better ambience and food for a special dinner.

[closer2fine]

Yes!

Bud & Alley's is great for sunset drinks, tapas etc. so you should eat at both, but IMO Fish Out of Water has much better ambience and food for a special dinner.

I second this - for a special occasion you cannot beat Fish out of Water.

[rapunzel]

The deciding question is -- do you want to dress up or dress down?

[Smiling JOe]

...and, do you want to dine with somewhat loud patrons, or a quiet, more formal setting of people being more reserved?

[Joe]

If you go to FOW, ask John or Jerry at the bar for a Belle Pêche...AKA the Georgia Peach. Made with fresh Georgia peaches it is incredible.

[Smiling JOe]

Bud & Alleys is good, but it isn't a quiet romantic place. It is casual, fun, and busy.

[kitlit]

Fish Out of Water! My husband proposed to me there, and it was fabulous! Very memorable experience!

[bluemtnrunner]

With four different fish dishes and several pasta, steak and other entrees, I have to say you will be missing out on some incredible food by not going to Bud and Alley's. The lobster risotto with morels and sweet peas is amazing. Or try the whole roasted pompano with an orange fennel and crab salad. Check out the visit Florida magazine for a full page photo of Chef Ed with this beautiful dish.
If you haven't been to Bud and Alley's in a while, you probably need to come in and exerience what is on the menu this week!

[Ohio Girl]

We went to Fish Out of Water for the 1st time in May. It was wonderful. The food is excellent and the service is top notch. It is now my favorite 30A restaurant. I don't understand all the hype around Bud & Ally's. I think you made the right choice and you will not be disappointed.

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I echo those folks saying Fish out of Water is excellent. I agree! The atmosphere is romantic and the interior feel is elegant and urban and the food is terrific; I eat there often; the chef is top notch!!

My place, Bud & Alley's, is very casual and unpretentious with a wide variety of food offerings and different atmospheres. We have open air out door dining with entertainment, we have a glassed in porch and for a more elegant experience we have a beautiful dining room overlooking the herb garden courtyard. The upstairs bar does not serve dinner but has an excellent menu and the best view in this part of the state with live entertainment throughout the summer; open till 2 a.m.

I have attached a copy of this weekend's menu. The best way to make reservations is to go to budandalleys.com and you may have the convenience of booking directly on-line; it takes about a minute.

We are listed with Florida Trend Magazine as one of the top 20 restaurants in the state winning the golden spoon 4 years in a row. I hope you will consider the casual dining experience we have to offer as well. Either way, Fish out of Water or Bud & Alley's you will have a wonderful dining experience. Have a great weekend!!

Dave Rauschkolb
Owner/operator Bud & Alley's Restaurant

P.S. We also have the funky, fun TACO BAR if you just want quick, excellent affordable Mexican food. Located on the east corner of Bud & Alley's

I also love a new place that just opened; La Botana for an elegant Latin inspired menu and atmosphere.

[kurt]

Go to Bud & Alley's because the food is great and Dave is a good dude (and he surfs). He is so good at customer service he extends it to our forum.

[tsutcli]

The dining experiece is so different as pointed out by others that you should try and get to both. You won't be disappointed by either.

[2bohemians]

It had been a while, but we just had dinner at Buds two nights in a row .... and it was freakin' delicious !!!! Absolutely outstanding!

To us, Fish Out of Water is really not that private ... it may be more spread out and not quite as noisy, but having worked there for a while, it seemed like a busy place too ....

[yummy]

definitely bud and alley's. mr. yummy says that fish out of water has "toy food" - long on presentation, short on portions. (reminds me of that mastercard commercial.)

[bent]

Bud & Alley's is the real deal.

[foodie]

Bud and Alleys really is a one of a kind place you must visit.

[Lisa_at_the_beach]

Kuddo's to FOOW....but B &A's is my pick....you can't beat the view.....be prepared to be entertained, not only by the band, but by the crowd!!! Watch out for the Sheriff of Badtown....I hear he hangs out there :floor:

[DuneLaker]

I consider this like a "Sophie's Choice" question. You love both, but can only pick one. I say, extend your visit and your celebration and eat at both, and add a few others while you are at it. Being torn between two lovely places isn't a bad problem to have. Welcome to SoWal.

[InletBchOwnr]

B&A maybe for a casual, loud w/screaming kids and parents who seem oblivious (and this four of the last five times we have dined there), but tremendous food and preparation. Then FOOW is also casual but more of a nice shorts and shirt crowd, not the brashness of B&A's.....and food that is just this side of fantastic for the $$. I like'em both with different nights involved. Try'em both!

[goldilocks]

Both places are great B&A is more casual and Fish is more fine dinning. They both have great food and great views. B&A is open for lunch and has a great late night scene. Fish is the kind of place you would ask someone to marry you or have a special dinner at.

[tsutcli]

If you arrive late or just want a late nite snack, Fish serves a late nite menu Thur - Sat from 10 - 12. FYI

[archas00]

Go to cafe tango!!!

[jdarg]

Go to cafe tango!!!

Oh yum.....:clap:

[conched out]

Just spotted this on the forum and had to respond. Made reservations at Fish out of Water 5 days
in advance, requested a window table, emailed and called to make sure they knew it was our
anniversary. Arrived last night at 6:30 for a 6:45 reservation, first time there, excited about having
a wonderful experience but left after cocktails and ended up at Cafe Thirty A (had and amazing dinner and incredible service...(Ask for Steve)
Several empty window tables that for whatever reason we weren't privey too...hostess
was kind and said they were sorry but couldn't guarantee window tables (please tell us that when
we make the request). We were seated in a four top away from the great view and right next to a
6 top of noisy people. Cocktails took forever which might have taken the initial edge off the disappointment in our seating. Pleasant enough staff but we were deflated and disappointed and
suddenly the place felt very pretentious. We love supporting the "local" type 30A restaurants....
Fish out of Water feels a little more corporate. Love Bud and Alley's. Eager to keep trying all the
restaurants. We are in the business...have two and know how tough it is....am sure the
food at Fish out of Water is delicious but a few adjustments at the "front of the house" might have
made all the difference in our dining experience.