Need SoWal restaurant recommendation

kkn · 03-25-2009, 07:42 PM

Have a friend here from Dallas and she wants to try a restuarant on 30 A - what would you all recommend. Maybe some place with a good wine selection. We had been to D & K a couple of times the last couple of years and loved it but just read where they have closed.

So sorry to hear that always had great service and great food.30

CathyA · 03-25-2009, 07:54 PM

Stinky's Fish Camp for sure!

BeachbumAggie · 03-25-2009, 09:34 PM

Stinky's gets my vote, too! Also Red Bar!

incredible1 · 03-25-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkn

Have a friend here from Dallas and she wants to try a restuarant on 30 A - what would you all recommend. Maybe some place with a good wine selection. We had been to D & K a couple of times the last couple of years and loved it but just read where they have closed.

So sorry to hear that always had great service and great food.30

Would help to know food style and budget
But..........

Fire
Boragos
Basmatis
Cafe Tango
Georges

Best view
Santa Rosa Beach Club, good bar & wine selection

Got cash?
Destin Chops 30a

Beach Runner · 03-25-2009, 10:41 PM

Right now we're into Cafe Thirty-A. If you want something less pricey with a great wine list, try La Botana. Surprisingly, Stinky's has an interesting wine list.

FloridaBuckeye · 03-25-2009, 11:11 PM

Cafe Thirty-A, Fire, and the Red Bar definitely all get my vote!

nolagal · 03-25-2009, 11:23 PM

Stinky's has a really interesting wine list and great food. We stay across the street and everytime we eat out somewhere else I always wish we would have just walked over to stinky's

Plays With Food · 03-26-2009, 08:35 AM

First choice, without a doubt - Cafe Tango. Excellent wine list, knowledgeable staff, gorgeous food made with love, fair prices - you must make a reservation, because it is small.

After that - tied among Stinky's, La Botana, Fire.

2bohemians · 03-26-2009, 08:39 AM

Cafe Tango gets our vote too!

Susan Horn · 03-26-2009, 09:00 AM

Summer Kitchen/Blue by Night in Rosemary Beach is a longtime fave. In good weather, it's nicest to sit outside.

Did anyone mention Gravel Road? Haven't been dining out much lately (trying to diet), but that's another spot we like to go, and to take visitors.

ozbeachmom · 03-26-2009, 05:30 PM

Stinky's and Cafe Tango's are two of our favorites. We always end the evening at Sally's Backside listening to Redd... Talk about a great evening!!

Stinky's BBQ shrimp is fantastic!
Cafe Tango's one of the best steaks I have ever had.

My mouth is watering....................... I need a Stinky's fix!

kkn · 03-27-2009, 10:45 AM

Where is Sally's Backside?

tsutcli · 03-27-2009, 11:18 AM

Can't believe nobody mentioned Fish Out of Water at Watercolor. Only 4 Diamond Rest. along 30a with great food, service, excellant wine selection and is about the only rest. with a great view right on the beach. Only one with a better view IMO would be Santa Rosa Beach Club.

tsutcli · 03-27-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkn

Where is Sally's Backside?

Behind the gas station on 30a just west of 83/30a intersection

silvershark · 03-27-2009, 10:02 PM

George"s....my current favorite

Chops 30A

Cafe Thirty A

Stinkys

Cafe Tango

Beach Runner · 03-27-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsutcli

Can't believe nobody mentioned Fish Out of Water at Watercolor. Only 4 Diamond Rest. along 30a with great food, service, excellant wine selection and is about the only rest. with a great view right on the beach. Only one with a better view IMO would be Santa Rosa Beach Club.

We can get food like that in Atlanta. We'd rather do something different when we're at the beach. Also we like to support local restaurants such as Café Thirty-A and Borago rather than a restaurant like Fish Out Of Water that is embedded in a huge corporation like St. Joe.

Miss Kitty · 03-28-2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

We can get food like that in Atlanta. We'd rather do something different when we're at the beach. Also we like to support local restaurants such as Café Thirty-A and Borago rather than a restaurant like Fish Out Of Water that is embedded in a huge corporation like St. Joe.

...Bite Me.

hnooe · 03-28-2009, 08:47 AM

Paradis (NEW! and incredible), Tango, Georges.

Beach Runner · 03-28-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Kitty

...Bite Me.

Sorry.

sbartoldus · 03-28-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnooe

Paradis (NEW! and incredible), Tango, Georges.

Ditto on Paradis. In Rosemary where Starbucks used to be. Awesome menu.

Judie · 04-08-2009, 01:23 PM

if we are wanting to try some of these for the first time, can someone give an idea of price range, type of food, and if reservations are required, recommended, or not? Also which ones only take cash and not credit cards?

any of these have specials like early dining, or other?

thanks much

Susan Horn · 04-08-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsutcli

Can't believe nobody mentioned Fish Out of Water at Watercolor. Only 4 Diamond Rest. along 30a with great food, service, excellant wine selection and is about the only rest. with a great view right on the beach. Only one with a better view IMO would be Santa Rosa Beach Club.

I've had inconsistent experiences there on those occasions when I was lucky enough to be treated to dinner there. Service always good; food might be fabulous, might be embarrassingly bad.

kurt · 04-08-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judie

if we are wanting to try some of these for the first time, can someone give an idea of price range, type of food, and if reservations are required, recommended, or not? Also which ones only take cash and not credit cards?

any of these have specials like early dining, or other?

thanks much

I was surprised today to see a sign out in front of Cafe 30A 2 for 1 entrees from 5-6.

silvershark · 04-08-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judie

if we are wanting to try some of these for the first time, can someone give an idea of price range, type of food, and if reservations are required, recommended, or not? Also which ones only take cash and not credit cards?

any of these have specials like early dining, or other?

thanks much

Chops 30A in Seacrest has a great 5-6 reduced price dinner...something like 17.95 for
entree (small filet, chicken or fish and sides?). Takes reservations. Pretty pricey menu
otherwise. Sometimes hard to get off the beach and get ready by then. We like to eat out
almost every night and love to support the locally owned places. There are lots of great
places...sometimes we narrow it down to how far we want to drive and take it from there!
Where are you staying? Glad to see Cafe 30A offering a "stimulus package". Spent way too
much last time we went, love it there but were hoping they might offer some less expensive
choices on the menu. As homeowners (here part time)...we're very invested in wanting the
restaurants to succeed and do our best to make that happen!

Judie · 04-08-2009, 08:28 PM

thanks for helpful input ... and for confirming that my eyes did not deceive me today when I thought I saw a sign saying buy one entree get one free at Cafe Thirty-A ... I thought perhaps I imagined it ... =-)

We love to try new places and love the referrals here on this site for great restaurants around ... but it sure helps to have some idea of price range, cash only vs credit cards accepted, atmosphere, reservations required or suggested, etc. -

chefed · 04-09-2009, 10:57 AM

I love all the restaurants mentioned above and go to them myself. I would like to invite y'all to Bud and Alley's. Great view, amazing food (if I do say so myself), wonderful staff, and beautiful new chairs which really make the dinning room perfect. Of course, the Pizza Bar is the newest big hit on 30-A.

Joe · 04-09-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt

I was surprised today to see a sign out in front of Cafe 30A 2 for 1 entrees from 5-6.

Wow, awesome deal. According to their menu only 3 items are excluded (Lobster, Filet Mignon, Rack of Lamb).

http://www.cafethirtya.com/menu.pdf

Ohio Girl · 04-09-2009, 06:15 PM

Love Stinkys as well as Cafe 30A and Fish out of Water. For a great pulled pork sandwich go to Cocoons for very good food to go.

Beach Runner · 04-09-2009, 08:13 PM

Right now we're all about Pizza Bar, La Botana, Pizza Bar, La Botana, ... with a Red Bar thrown in for lunch and breakfast (even though they don't have Cheerios

) and a Stinky's for lunch.

I haven't prepared a meal except for Cheerios and strawberries since I've been at the beach. I plan to continue that trend. I can (i.e., need to, due overabundance of chain restaurants) cook every meal at home unless I drive into the city, so I'm cool with not cooking for a week.

JUL · 04-09-2009, 09:56 PM

Geroges
I will have to check out Paradis and the wine list at Stinky's

Beach Runner · 04-09-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUL

Geroges
I will have to check out Paradis and the wine list at Stinky's

We were sitting next to some foodies at Pizza Bar tonight, and they strongly recommended Paradis.

Love the Tuna Salade Niçoise at George's. The grouper sandwich is good, too. We were there this week as well.

scooterbug44 · 04-10-2009, 05:45 PM

I finally made it to Stinky's (in the new building) and it rocks!

They get the Scooterbug stamp of approval for the food, service, decor, and views of the lake. Love the wood interior and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and their food.

Love their salads - good lettuce blend, green beans, corn (kernals, not mini ears), and a range of toppers - panne chicken, fried oysters, fried shrimp, crab cakes, etc. Their house dresing is SO good too!

jdarg · 04-10-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

I finally made it to Stinky's (in the new building) and it rocks!

They get the Scooterbug stamp of approval for the food, service, decor, and views of the lake. Love the wood interior and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and their food.

Love their salads - good lettuce blend, green beans, corn (kernals, not mini ears), and a range of toppers - panne chicken, fried oysters, fried shrimp, crab cakes, etc. Their house dresing is SO good too!

I think next time eat on the upstairs deck overlooking the lake!

Beach Runner · 04-11-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

I finally made it to Stinky's (in the new building) and it rocks!

They get the Scooterbug stamp of approval for the food, service, decor, and views of the lake. Love the wood interior and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and their food.

Love their salads - good lettuce blend, green beans, corn (kernals, not mini ears), and a range of toppers - panne chicken, fried oysters, fried shrimp, crab cakes, etc. Their house dresing is SO good too!

Exactly. You know it's fresh if the kernels are contiguous and not separate.

Love the interior design except for one thing -- the drink station should be hidden in a corner, not a feature in the center of the dining room. It's surely more practical for the servers, but it is not aesthetically pleasing. But, hey, I obsessed over our house plans in Georgia, and am still annoyed by a few mistakes I made. C'est la vie.

We really like the basic menu at Stinky's.

dmarie · 04-12-2009, 05:55 PM

Does anyone have opinions on Wild Olives? We are always looking for a breakfast place and it was suggested to us. We usually eat at Broken Egg and Fabrice.

Beach Runner · 04-12-2009, 06:17 PM

We haven't tried breakfast at Wild Olives or Fabrice. We love Hibiscus, Red Bar, and
Cheerios with strawberries and bananas.

scooterbug44 · 04-12-2009, 09:29 PM

Don't like bananas in my cereal, but it's hard to beat Cheerios w/ raspberries for breakfast. Strawberries or blueberries are an acceptable substitute.

bluemtnrunner · 04-14-2009, 06:50 PM

Chefed and I had a nice dinner at Cafe Thirty-A last night. Cobia is in and boy was it good with Israeli Couscous. I conned Ed out of a fried oyster and it was really plump and juicy. I had to let him have some of my duck though. We had a wonderful night and ran in to many old friends.

cherijean · 04-15-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmarie

Does anyone have opinions on Wild Olives? We are always looking for a breakfast place and it was suggested to us. We usually eat at Broken Egg and Fabrice.

Hibiscus Cafe in Grayton for breakfast... waffle wonderful... waffle topped w/chunky peanut butter, fresh fruit, coconut, pecans & honey. Multi grain pancakes.. w/fresh bb, bananas, choco chips, pecans... some of it, all of it or plain. Spinach & Feta Frittata, Artichoke w/mushroom & tomato frittata, Mexican Quiche.. black beans, green chiles, corn & tomotoes... Oatmeal.. topped w/fresh fruit, brown sugar & pecans w/organic 3 seed toast... fresh fruit smoothies...biscuits & soysage gravy... vegan bake... cinnamon roll french toast... and more...... All cooked and served with LOVE!

beachgrl · 04-20-2009, 09:28 PM

I vote for Stinky's....we ate there in Nov. and it was awesome and great service as well...

SWGB · 04-20-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachgrl

I vote for Stinky's....we ate there in Nov. and it was awesome and great service as well...

Yes they are awesome, but you forgot to mention that reservations are always a good idea at Stinky's.

shakennotstirred · 04-21-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWGB

Yes they are awesome, but you forgot to mention that reservations are always a good idea at Stinky's.

Does Stinky's take reservations?

Miss Kitty · 04-21-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWGB

Yes they are awesome, but you forgot to mention that reservations are always a good idea at Stinky's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakennotstirred

Does Stinky's take reservations?

Good question, shaken. I know The Lake Place takes reservations, but unless it is something new, Stinky's did not.

SWGB · 04-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Kitty

Good question, shaken. I know The Lake Place takes reservations, but unless it is something new, Stinky's did not.

So the hostess was just ignoring me when the phone rang and she started flipping through the big book that said "Reservations" on it?

Here4Good · 04-21-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWGB

So the hostess was just ignoring me when the phone rang and she started flipping through the big book that said "Reservations" on it?

Huh - you learn something new every day, I guess. It would have been neat if the reservationist had mentioned this the last three times I stopped in, found out there was a 2 hour wait and left. She even recognized me from the old place.

Has anyone done this with success - made a reservation and then not had to wait for a table?

shakennotstirred · 04-21-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWGB

So the hostess was just ignoring me when the phone rang and she started flipping through the big book that said "Reservations" on it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here4Good

Huh - you learn something new every day, I guess. It would have been neat if the reservationist had mentioned this the last three times I stopped in, found out there was a 2 hour wait and left. She even recognized me from the old place.

Has anyone done this with success - made a reservation and then not had to wait for a table?

I am familiar with that 2 hour wait as well. I just checked their website & it said "No Reservations". Perhaps the hostess was taking reservations for Lake Place. Or maybe you need a secret password to get a reservation.

RDeMars · 04-24-2009, 03:56 PM

Stinky's website does say no reservations. I have a group of 10 to take out on an upcoming Thursday night. The next day is a very full day of business presentations, so I was looking for something fun and casual. I called Stinky's and they said that we would definitely have a wait, possibly lengthy. With that many people, some of whom I have never met, that's too risky.

All of the suggestions look good, but since I am looking for a large group, does anything jump out as a fun place to go? We don't really need privacy, and a band would be great, but not a must. Also, if it's not in the top three in terms of cost, that would be a plus.