Top 10 AT THE BEACH
Tags thicket
see attachment for my recent article published in thicket magazine for their Beach Guide, plus a great article, "go west," written by Ann Williams, focusing on the areas in South Walton, west of Grayton, such as Redfish Village and some of the surrounding businesses. You can subscribe to thicket at www.thicketmag.com.
Thicket is based in Alabama, but has many readers who are very familiar with our area in South Walton.
(My articles are posted below.)
Top 10 At the Beach
by Murray Balkcom
In our special little beach area of Florida’s Emerald Coast, there are no big-box stores, dance clubs, and chain restaurants. Some people want that from their beach vacation, and tend to stay in the bigger towns of Destin and Panama City Beach. But for folks wanting something different, then south Walton County is the place for you. We ’re for the visitor who‘s never heard of Sally’s in Blue Mountain Be ach and has no clue that Sally’s has the absolute-best fried chicken they will ever eat, but after a tip from an insider like me, you’ll go home with that little gem tucked away for future vacations.
My list of 10 hidden gems follows (in no particular order), and I highly recommend all of the places on this list, along with encouragement to find your own secrets on the Emerald Coast. For more information on what to do, where to eat, or just to meet some other lovers of our area, visit www.SoWal.com. It features input from many people: locals, second-home owners, and visitors. Be sure to sign in (free) and look in the “Forum” section. It is the best resource for all there is to know about this stretch of paradise.
1 Whether you are surf fishing from the beach or chartering a small boat from Grayton Beach to take you out to deeper water, there are plenty of fish to be caught. A great source for fishing supplies, charter boat reservations, kayak sales and rentals, as well as bicycle rentals is Yellowfin Ocean Sports, with two locations along Scenic Highway 30A.
www.YellowfinOceanSports.com
2 In the architect’s dream community of Rosemary Beach, you’ll also find a great place for casual and gourmet foods. Wild Olives market, café, and deli is also a place to peoplewatch as you sip a glass of wine, beer, or even an imported lemonade.
www.wildolivesmarket.com
3 Kayaking on one of the 15 rare Coastal Dune Lakes, or in the Gulf, should not be missed. Western Lake is one of the largest Lakes and perhaps the easiest to access, and you can follow it all the way to Grayton. For a guided kayak tour and nature walk, make your reservations with Matt Labo at Blue Sky Kayak Tours.
www.BlueSkyKayak.com
4 The comfy Italian restaurant Trattoria Borago mixes classical and traditional Italian dishes with robust portions. You cannot leave without trying one of their fabulous specialty martinis—they also have a great wine list. Borago is open for dinner only, and reservations are
strongly encouraged, as this gem was long ago discovered by locals and visitors alike.
www.BoragoRestaurant.com
5 My favorite hidden gem in South Walton is unknown to even many locals, but slowly they are discovering it. Hibiscus Coffee and Guest House, nestled under the live oaks of Grayton Beach, offers a romantic getaway and delicious vegetarian breakfast. Be sure to get a hug from Cheri!
www.HibiscusFlorida.com
6 The 20-mile stretch of Hwy 30A in South Walton has a multi-use paved path running parallel to it, providing a great way to burn off some of that delicious food and take in the scenery. There are also miles of trails to hike or bike in the Point Washington State Forest. Bring your own bikes, or for rentals, sales, trail maps, or fullservice repairs, give the guys a call at Big Daddy’s Bikes and Beach Sports, located in Blue Mountain Beach. Free local delivery.
www.bigdaddysrentals.com
7 Looking for a relaxing massage, organic groceries, home-made soaps, a tasty smoothie, or just a friendly welcome? For the Health of It, located in Blue Mountain Beach, has it all. Locally-owned and operated, this store is one of the best treats around. It’s like a little Asheville at the beach.
www.ShopForTheHealthOfIt.com
8 After Hurricane Katrina tracked through New Orleans, the owners of the New Orleans restaurant, Fire, moved to South Walton, and many of their staff also followed. They reopened Fire, just north of Grayton Beach. Sunday brunch is a favorite of many locals, and I’m positive that it has nothing to do with the bottomless glass of champagne that comes with the meal!
www.RestaurantFire.com
9 Raw and Juicy, located directly on Hwy 30A in Seaside, is a great source of some of the best fresh organic juices and smoothies and delicious raw foods made to order while you wait. You will begin to feel healthier just waiting in line. Look for the small silver Airstream trailer near the Post Office overlooking the amphitheater.
10 If you are looking for that intimate evening and a great dining experience, make your dinner reservations at Café Tango. I have too many good things to say about this place, and not enough room to write them all. I will guarantee you that you will remember Café Tango long after you leave the beach. Reservations strongly encouraged. Located near Blue Mountain Beach just off of 30A on 14 Vicki Street.
850.267.0054
10 Ameninties at The Beaches of South Walton
Guest Blog by Murray Balkcom
You haven’t been to South Walton if you haven’t been to the world-famous Red Bar, tucked away in the sleepy little community of Grayton Beach. The Red Bar is open for lunch and dinner, and recently added breakfast. No reservations accepted, so be patient, because the Red Bar is very popular. Be sure to catch the Red Bar Jazz Band on Fri or Sat evenings, or Dread Clampitt on Sundays from noon-3pm. www.TheRedBar.com
Want to see some of the best live entertainment along the Emerald Coast? The Seaside Repertory Theatre hosts excellent plays, movies, and comedy, and also has acting camp for kids. Check their schedule online and reserve your seats in advance, as the tickets to the small theatre sell quickly. www.SeasideREP.org
For a great escape from people, there are several must-see State Parks along the beaches in South Walton. Tops’l State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park, and Camp Helen State Park are among the best in all of Florida. Cabins fill early, so make your reservations well in advance. Eden Gardens State Park, located four miles north of the beach on the Choctawhatchee Bay, is a great place to have a picnic lunch on the grounds, under the canopy of 20- year-old oak trees. Find more detailed information on each of these parks at www.floridastateparks.org
If you need an escape from the beach, stroll through the back of Seaside, known as Ruskin Place. The art galleries in Ruskin Place are a treasure. One of my favorites, Eileen West Gallery, features folk art, and some of the artists have works on permanent display in the Smithsonian. www.EileenWestGallery.com
For all of the coffee fans, Amavida Coffee, with Seaside and Seagrove locations, roasts its own beans. Owners Dan and Sally know so much about coffee roasting that they roast their “Fair-Trade” beans for many coffee houses located along the entire Emerald Coast. Amavida Coffee also serves some delicious food, great wines, and organic beers, and often has local musicians performing on the patio. www.Amavida.com
When you begin to crave a traditional breakfast, fresh donuts (you haven’t eaten a donut until you eat one from this place), big burgers, or other sandwiches, the very casual Donut Hole Bakery Cafe is the place to go. Sunday mornings are probably their busiest time, so expect a wait. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner.
6745 US Highway 98 E, Santa Rosa Beach - (850) 267-3239
For a change of pace, JamBone, located on Hwy 98 in Santa Rosa Beach, slow roasts some of the best championship BBQ in the Southeast with more than six different unique sauces, and also offer many other delicious foods, priding themselves on using hormone and steroid-free, free range, organic meats. Owner Scott Alderson has done it right, offering almost every beer imaginable. You’ll often find all of the locals at JamBone in the evening, listening to some of the best live music in town. www.jambone.net
Long ago, in the early years of the development of Seaside, Scott and Dave opened Bud and Alley’s, named after a dog and cat. After 23 years of being open, they still pack the house with a good mix of locals and tourists. Being open that long doesn’t happen by chance. Their rooftop bar is THE place to see a sunset overlooking the beach and Gulf, while enjoying a drink from the full service bar. They celebrate the sunset every day, as though it was the last.. www.BudAndAlleys.com
WaterColor, nestled between Grayton Beach and Seaside, is home to Fabrice. A French Patisserie and Café, they bake and prepare some of the finest food in South Walton. Enjoy dining in the warmth of the sun, or if you can resist the temptation of all of the many pastries, try dining in the quaint dining area inside. Every sandwich is served on freshly made bread, and is absolutely delicious! 850-231-9910
There is much debate about which is the best pizza in South Walton. I recently learned about what may be a contender for the best. With a small dining room, excellent service, and authentic Italian pizza, Fat Clemenza’s Brick-Oven Pizzeria gets some of best around. Located west of the Outlet Mall at Sandestin, it is only a short drive from the Scenic 30A area, and well worth it. www.FatClemenzas.com
Thicket is based in Alabama, but has many readers who are very familiar with our area in South Walton.
(My articles are posted below.)
Top 10 At the Beach
by Murray Balkcom
In our special little beach area of Florida’s Emerald Coast, there are no big-box stores, dance clubs, and chain restaurants. Some people want that from their beach vacation, and tend to stay in the bigger towns of Destin and Panama City Beach. But for folks wanting something different, then south Walton County is the place for you. We ’re for the visitor who‘s never heard of Sally’s in Blue Mountain Be ach and has no clue that Sally’s has the absolute-best fried chicken they will ever eat, but after a tip from an insider like me, you’ll go home with that little gem tucked away for future vacations.
My list of 10 hidden gems follows (in no particular order), and I highly recommend all of the places on this list, along with encouragement to find your own secrets on the Emerald Coast. For more information on what to do, where to eat, or just to meet some other lovers of our area, visit www.SoWal.com. It features input from many people: locals, second-home owners, and visitors. Be sure to sign in (free) and look in the “Forum” section. It is the best resource for all there is to know about this stretch of paradise.
1 Whether you are surf fishing from the beach or chartering a small boat from Grayton Beach to take you out to deeper water, there are plenty of fish to be caught. A great source for fishing supplies, charter boat reservations, kayak sales and rentals, as well as bicycle rentals is Yellowfin Ocean Sports, with two locations along Scenic Highway 30A.
www.YellowfinOceanSports.com
2 In the architect’s dream community of Rosemary Beach, you’ll also find a great place for casual and gourmet foods. Wild Olives market, café, and deli is also a place to peoplewatch as you sip a glass of wine, beer, or even an imported lemonade.
www.wildolivesmarket.com
3 Kayaking on one of the 15 rare Coastal Dune Lakes, or in the Gulf, should not be missed. Western Lake is one of the largest Lakes and perhaps the easiest to access, and you can follow it all the way to Grayton. For a guided kayak tour and nature walk, make your reservations with Matt Labo at Blue Sky Kayak Tours.
www.BlueSkyKayak.com
4 The comfy Italian restaurant Trattoria Borago mixes classical and traditional Italian dishes with robust portions. You cannot leave without trying one of their fabulous specialty martinis—they also have a great wine list. Borago is open for dinner only, and reservations are
strongly encouraged, as this gem was long ago discovered by locals and visitors alike.
www.BoragoRestaurant.com
5 My favorite hidden gem in South Walton is unknown to even many locals, but slowly they are discovering it. Hibiscus Coffee and Guest House, nestled under the live oaks of Grayton Beach, offers a romantic getaway and delicious vegetarian breakfast. Be sure to get a hug from Cheri!
www.HibiscusFlorida.com
6 The 20-mile stretch of Hwy 30A in South Walton has a multi-use paved path running parallel to it, providing a great way to burn off some of that delicious food and take in the scenery. There are also miles of trails to hike or bike in the Point Washington State Forest. Bring your own bikes, or for rentals, sales, trail maps, or fullservice repairs, give the guys a call at Big Daddy’s Bikes and Beach Sports, located in Blue Mountain Beach. Free local delivery.
www.bigdaddysrentals.com
7 Looking for a relaxing massage, organic groceries, home-made soaps, a tasty smoothie, or just a friendly welcome? For the Health of It, located in Blue Mountain Beach, has it all. Locally-owned and operated, this store is one of the best treats around. It’s like a little Asheville at the beach.
www.ShopForTheHealthOfIt.com
8 After Hurricane Katrina tracked through New Orleans, the owners of the New Orleans restaurant, Fire, moved to South Walton, and many of their staff also followed. They reopened Fire, just north of Grayton Beach. Sunday brunch is a favorite of many locals, and I’m positive that it has nothing to do with the bottomless glass of champagne that comes with the meal!
www.RestaurantFire.com
9 Raw and Juicy, located directly on Hwy 30A in Seaside, is a great source of some of the best fresh organic juices and smoothies and delicious raw foods made to order while you wait. You will begin to feel healthier just waiting in line. Look for the small silver Airstream trailer near the Post Office overlooking the amphitheater.
10 If you are looking for that intimate evening and a great dining experience, make your dinner reservations at Café Tango. I have too many good things to say about this place, and not enough room to write them all. I will guarantee you that you will remember Café Tango long after you leave the beach. Reservations strongly encouraged. Located near Blue Mountain Beach just off of 30A on 14 Vicki Street.
850.267.0054
10 Ameninties at The Beaches of South Walton
Guest Blog by Murray Balkcom
You haven’t been to South Walton if you haven’t been to the world-famous Red Bar, tucked away in the sleepy little community of Grayton Beach. The Red Bar is open for lunch and dinner, and recently added breakfast. No reservations accepted, so be patient, because the Red Bar is very popular. Be sure to catch the Red Bar Jazz Band on Fri or Sat evenings, or Dread Clampitt on Sundays from noon-3pm. www.TheRedBar.com
Want to see some of the best live entertainment along the Emerald Coast? The Seaside Repertory Theatre hosts excellent plays, movies, and comedy, and also has acting camp for kids. Check their schedule online and reserve your seats in advance, as the tickets to the small theatre sell quickly. www.SeasideREP.org
For a great escape from people, there are several must-see State Parks along the beaches in South Walton. Tops’l State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park, and Camp Helen State Park are among the best in all of Florida. Cabins fill early, so make your reservations well in advance. Eden Gardens State Park, located four miles north of the beach on the Choctawhatchee Bay, is a great place to have a picnic lunch on the grounds, under the canopy of 20- year-old oak trees. Find more detailed information on each of these parks at www.floridastateparks.org
If you need an escape from the beach, stroll through the back of Seaside, known as Ruskin Place. The art galleries in Ruskin Place are a treasure. One of my favorites, Eileen West Gallery, features folk art, and some of the artists have works on permanent display in the Smithsonian. www.EileenWestGallery.com
For all of the coffee fans, Amavida Coffee, with Seaside and Seagrove locations, roasts its own beans. Owners Dan and Sally know so much about coffee roasting that they roast their “Fair-Trade” beans for many coffee houses located along the entire Emerald Coast. Amavida Coffee also serves some delicious food, great wines, and organic beers, and often has local musicians performing on the patio. www.Amavida.com
When you begin to crave a traditional breakfast, fresh donuts (you haven’t eaten a donut until you eat one from this place), big burgers, or other sandwiches, the very casual Donut Hole Bakery Cafe is the place to go. Sunday mornings are probably their busiest time, so expect a wait. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner.
6745 US Highway 98 E, Santa Rosa Beach - (850) 267-3239
For a change of pace, JamBone, located on Hwy 98 in Santa Rosa Beach, slow roasts some of the best championship BBQ in the Southeast with more than six different unique sauces, and also offer many other delicious foods, priding themselves on using hormone and steroid-free, free range, organic meats. Owner Scott Alderson has done it right, offering almost every beer imaginable. You’ll often find all of the locals at JamBone in the evening, listening to some of the best live music in town. www.jambone.net
Long ago, in the early years of the development of Seaside, Scott and Dave opened Bud and Alley’s, named after a dog and cat. After 23 years of being open, they still pack the house with a good mix of locals and tourists. Being open that long doesn’t happen by chance. Their rooftop bar is THE place to see a sunset overlooking the beach and Gulf, while enjoying a drink from the full service bar. They celebrate the sunset every day, as though it was the last.. www.BudAndAlleys.com
WaterColor, nestled between Grayton Beach and Seaside, is home to Fabrice. A French Patisserie and Café, they bake and prepare some of the finest food in South Walton. Enjoy dining in the warmth of the sun, or if you can resist the temptation of all of the many pastries, try dining in the quaint dining area inside. Every sandwich is served on freshly made bread, and is absolutely delicious! 850-231-9910
There is much debate about which is the best pizza in South Walton. I recently learned about what may be a contender for the best. With a small dining room, excellent service, and authentic Italian pizza, Fat Clemenza’s Brick-Oven Pizzeria gets some of best around. Located west of the Outlet Mall at Sandestin, it is only a short drive from the Scenic 30A area, and well worth it. www.FatClemenzas.com
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Thanks for the plug Murray! Rebecca sent me this yesterday - good job!Posted 03-10-2009 at 08:10 AM by kurt
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