Post for a Dinner for Two at D&K Cafe

[ItzKatzTime]

Hey there everyone! It's me, Kathy...of D&K's. Nice and rested from almost two weeks of not runnning the roads, painting, hanging pictures, tasting wine, and a bazillion other things. Now it's the quiet weeks before Christmas. Tonight I stayed home with our daughter and vegged out with Christmas decorating. Doug had to cook ...a little, but that's okay too!

I would love to give someone a free dinner for two tomorrow night. Write me and let me know if you would like to be the one...or two, whatever! Or if you have someone you know that you feel needs a night out please let me know......it's such a wonderful time to dine right now before the craziness starts.

So start writing...originality counts....you may be eating some really incredible food in less then 24 hours!

Kathy, Doug and the shadowman
D&K's Cafe
63 Hotz Avenue
Grayton Beach

[Smiling JOe]

I would be up for the challenge of writing for a chance to win the dinner, but I have the scratchy throat, and I am trying to stay away from people so that I don't contribute to the spread of the scratchy throat syndrome. So, dinner would not work for me tomorrow. I do think that you are very kind to offer a chance to win, and I cannot wait to eat at D&K's. The menu looks fabulous, and I hear from nosy people that the inside looks very nice.

[ItzKatzTime]

I would be up for the challenge of writing for a chance to win the dinner, but I have the scratchy throat, and I am trying to stay away from people so that I don't contribute to the spread of the scratchy throat syndrome. So, dinner would not work for me tomorrow. I do think that you are very kind to offer a chance to win, and I cannot wait to eat at D&K's. The menu looks fabulous, and I hear from nosy people that the inside looks very nice.

Well... the more I think about it...maybe a nights notice IS way too short...:idea: lets make it a week from tomorrow. Okay? Dinner for two at D&K's on Saturday December 9th for the winner! Oh fun...It's Christmas time and that means remembering the child in us....write about a childhood experience, memory...or just a great Christmas, someone you love, forgive, your children, Christmas at the beach....just get creative and have fun with it. I really want to hear about you ALL....and I want YOU to have a great dining experience in our new D&K's.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone....good night
Kathy@D&K's

[kurt]

Eden Gardens open house then free dinner at D&K's - now there's a Christmas tradition!

[ItzKatzTime]

Eden Gardens open house then free dinner at D&K's - now there's a Christmas tradition!

Great thought Kurt!

Okay, here I go again. I just had another idea!!! Let's include everyone. D&K's will make it 2 dinners for two...one for the local winner, who CAN come in before Christmas...AND one for the out of towners who come at least once a year to South Walton. So if you live out of town you can use yours as a gift certificate for when you DO come in. Geez, I hope I'm not making this too complicated

One day I'll learn how to attach cute pictures like you all do...but for right now I'll stick to the basics on SOWOL.

Merry Christmas!
Kathy@D&K's

[Franny]

What a wonderful and thoughtful idea! Now I need to put on that thinking cap and start writing!!

[Ocean Lover]

This is great Kathy. Good idea to include so many that don't make it to Sowal ofen enough too. Watch out posters...if Donna reads this we're all up the creek.

[ItzKatzTime]

This is great Kathy. Good idea to include so many that don't make it to Sowal ofen enough too. Watch out posters...if Donna reads this we're all up the creek.

EVERYONE has a chance...It's Christmas miracles do happen!

Okay enough of me for today...going to the cafe soon! Have a great day!

Kathy

[Scooter]

Okay - here goes. My husband and I are coming to Seaside Dec. 8-10 to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We're staying at one of the gulf-front honeymoon cottages. I've stayed in Seaside many times, but my husband has never stayed there. He thinks that I rented a little tiny inexpensive house in Seaside, so I'm surprising him with the gulf-front honeymoon cottage. We've been coming to SoWal for over 25 years, mostly staying in Grayton. We loved it so much that we purchased a lot there 5 years ago (thank goodness) and will be building in the future and calling it home. We've eaten at D&K's before when we stayed across the street in the duplex. It was a looooooooooong time ago and I remember the key lime pie was really great. Got your PM Kathy - thanks. If I don't win the free dinner I'm sure I can talk my husband into dinner there Saturday night. He actually mentioned that he would like to sit on the beach with a bottle of wine (1 bottle?) and some hors doerves from Monica Market. Little does he know that we're in a gulf-front cottage so he can lay in the hammock and look at the gulf. Okay - enough said. I've got to go get ready for the Saints to woop San Francisco. Oh and by the way - I was so worried that I'd miss the Saints game next Sunday against Dallas cause we'd be driving back to Atlanta from Seaside. Just found out they changed the game to 8:15 next Sunday night which will be 9:15 Eastern. Yippie!!!!!!!

[ItzKatzTime]

Whoo Hooo....a Saints fan!!!!! I'm on the couch.....also ready to watch them take San Francisco down!!!!!

Thank you for your post....loved it! I can see this is going to be hard. Love that you are surprising your husband. Doug and I laughed about the "1 bottle of wine?" Very very funny...made my day.
Back to the couch for me

See you soon!

Kathy and Doug off today

[Jim Tucker]

There's no such thing as a free lunch. But dinner I often mooch.

[supermom262]

Here's my try! My mom and dad own the end townhouse at Grayton "AND THE FISH JUMPED OVER THE MOON." They are snowbirds from Michigan- we would like them to move here but the timing is not right for them. My dad has been very ill, his recent check up gave him the ok for now (after radiation), but needs to keep blood work checked before totally in the clear. They are usually here right at Christmas, but have drs' appts scheduled before they come and are not coming until the first week of January.

My dad walks 1-2 miles a day, when he is at Grayton, he picks up the trash along his walks and keeps the main corridor of Hotz to 30A , free of garbage. When I saw him doing this, I was so proud! I asked him about it and he said it bothered him to see people treating the area like that. So when he goes out for his walks, he takes a garbage bag with him.

My mom contributes in her own way. She can't wait to work in the yard and garden in front of their townhouse. If you ever walk by it, you can see the fruits of her labor. Even though they are only here through March, they add so much to the Community of Grayton. They love D&K and everything Grayton!
Thank You!
Glad to have you re-opened!

[Scooter]

Who dat! Who dat! OMG. My husband and family have stayed at
"Fish Jumped over the Moon" at least 3 or 4 times. We love it!!!!!!!! Only drawback is having to deal with Pompano Jim!

[supermom262]

I think he just wants a friend!

[Donna]

Twas the night before high tide, and all through the beach house...not a creature was swimming, not even those soused. When down from the skylight there arose such a clatter, that I jumped for my coverup to see what's the matter! When suddenly to my bloodshot eyes should appear, Doug and Kathy and company with a buffet of cheer.

Come Kimmi, come Mermaid, come Sueshore and Kurt...come Smilin' Joe, Tootsie, Peapod and Mango, Donna and Beachrunner, Shelley (Bah, Humbug!) and Paula. Now dash away, hash away, dash away, all! And I heard them exclaim as they dove out of sight..."Bon appetit!" to all and to all a good night!

[SoWalSally]

Who dat! Who dat! OMG. My husband and family have stayed at
"Fish Jumped over the Moon" at least 3 or 4 times. We love it!!!!!!!! Only drawback is having to deal with Pompano Jim!

If you don't get Jim, you don't get Grayton. Or a free dinner. lol

[ItzKatzTime]

It's starting to get interesting....Thanks Scooter, Supermom, and Donna for your entries. I'm not sure Jim45 if that was an entry or a comment...maybe both!

Need more incentive to write? You can find our newest menu in the front section of the Walton Sun. You can also pick up a menu at the cafe. The "Shadowman" put them in a wine bucket at the corner of the building. You WILL :!:

Interested in a glass of wine and a personal tour of our renovations ...I'm available. I would love to do one for you SoWallers. So get together with at least 6-10 people and send me a personal message. The wine and tour is on me!


Keep those stories coming......
Kathy@ D&K's
How about dem Saints
AND Dallas...what a game next week!!!!

[Scooter]

Hey - didn't mean anything bad about Jim. Have had many good and interesting conversations with him. Just one time got a little nasty with my kids. I guess he has to deal with a lot from the tourists.

[supermom262]

I always try to look for the best in everyone. I think he means well; just a little from what he has said to me - you hit the nail on the head. This includes my kids and dogs as well! I try to be polite and respectful. We all have to live together in paradise!

[iwishiwasthere]

Does the story need to be posted or pm'd to you? Should it be a happy or true story? Give me a little more direction. I would love to have a wonderful dinner!

[ItzKatzTime]

Does the story need to be posted or pm'd to you? Should it be a happy or true story? Give me a little more direction. I would love to have a wonderful dinner!

Hi there...Merry Christmas Holidays!

You can post it, no pm's necessary for that. I didn't really put any stipulations on your story, essay, paragraph, or what ever you want to write. I made some suggestions that since it was Christmas time...maybe a childhood memory, or tell us about a wish for Christmas, about kids, a loved one...someone you've forgiven or that has forgiven you. I really just left it open for you to share something that you feel would be meaningful to share. It can be funny , sad , high drama , action packed ...I only ask that no one says anything negative about another.

I look forward to hearing yours. Good Luck!!!!
Kathy@D&K's

[FL Dawg]

I will never forget the Christmas that wasn't. We were living in Atlanta at the time and our daughter was 4 years old. We would alternate between Christmas in Atlanta (where my family lived) and Alabama (where my wifes family lived). Since this was the year to spend Christmas in Alabama, we had already made arrangements for all of Santa's gifts to be delivered to Alabama. Well wouldn't you know it, 2 days before Christmas, I threw my back out and there was no way I was going to be able to travel 4.5 hours in a car. Heck I could not even walk to the bathroom. I made my wife take our daughter without me; otherwise, she would have no Santa on Cristmas day. Now that little girl is a Sr. @ South Walton High School and fixing to leave for college. How soon they grow up!!!

[Mango]

Feast of the Seven Fishes

My mother is Italian, so we were raised with many Italian traditions, one of them being on Christmas Eve, we have a feast consisting of 7 different fishes. It's pretty common in the Northeast.
Usually they are spread out over numerous courses, then desserts, and this continues throughout the evening as family and friends come and go. Then you go to midnight Mass.

When I was dating my husband, one Christmas Eve we spent with his family. I never asked what they were making since they raised their family here in New York. They lived 4 hrs away, so when I got there, I found out that we were having a turkey They also don't like garlic or spices, so I thought I was definitely in he!!.

I cried because I thought it was in the Bible that you were not supposed to eat meat and that you were supposed to have fish.
I called home in tears and told my family that I was celebrating the holiday with hevens.

My now father in law who is a church going man told me that no where in the Bible does it say that one can not have meat on Christmas Eve. I went to midnight mass with him and the other parishoners verified this.

But, I still bring my own fish and some to share whenever I visit his family for the holidays minus the garlic.

[Paula]

Ahhh, The Christmas eve fish, Mango! What memories we share with our Italian backgrounds. Did you have dried, salted codfish, known as baccala? Did you have semolina pie? How about you, Tootsie? We always had that on Christmas eve at my great uncle and aunt's house (who passed away a few decades ago) and we now have their table at the cottage which brings good karma to anyone who eats on it!

[ItzKatzTime]

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...at D&K's! I left the Shadowman out in the cold doing his magic...and it is looking beautiful. Can't wait to see all the lights tomorrow night!!! Thanks J.Landreneau-it-all (the D&K shadowman).

I remember a Christmas that my 2 sisters and I had to beg our Mother to get rid of the Turkey....which she did, and she made us Gumbo, Fried Soft-Shell Crabs, Boiled shrimp, and Stuffed Flounder. All that and many more of her down south goodies. Pecan Pie, Fudge, Divinity, Pralines, Raspberry filled butter cookies. And her famous Heavenly Hash 4-Layer Cake iced with fudge!!!! Our guest arrived and were shocked... But WE loved it and ate as much as we could fill our stomachs with...then came back for more later that afternoon!!! And the guest....well, they went home with doggie bags and said it was the best dinner they had ever had

So thank thank you for your story Mango...loved it! We're so glad to see ya'll are getting into this little contest. Good job FL Dawg...lucky daughter. And yes they grow so fast...and time has it's way with us. I'm still in shock that my daughter went from little Butler elementary to middle school at Seaside AND that was almost three years ago!!! She goes to South Walton next year : shock:

Okay this is getting harder and harder, hmmmm who will win
Good job everyone ....but I think the locals are falling behind in their post. Come on you guys an incredible dining experience awaits you.

Look for a D&K Christmas present coming your way soon!

Back to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for now...WOW

See you soon....Kathy@D&K's
December is Drink Champagne with someone special month

[Beach Runner]

Like a t-shirt I saw on Saturday at the Georgia Dome (and tried to buy off the guy's back) said:
We're the best. Nothing more to say.
Go Gators.
So we're two members of the Gator Nation who'd appreciate a dinner for two. BTW we've patronized your establishment in the past, if that's worth any brownie points. PM me for my cell number.

[Mango]

Ahhh, The Christmas eve fish, Mango! What memories we share with our Italian backgrounds. Did you have dried, salted codfish, known as baccala? Did you have semolina pie? How about you, Tootsie? We always had that on Christmas eve at my great uncle and aunt's house (who passed away a few decades ago) and we now have their table at the cottage which brings good karma to anyone who eats on it!

Yes, we have baccala either mixed in a cold salad or cooked separately and added to the pasta sauce. We have not made Semolina pie. We do have homemade biscotti, and of course, the best regular and chocolate Cannolis and other Italian pastries that we pre-order at the bakery.

MAN=go has gotten used to all the food (and secretly I know he likes it) but one year we had Xmas Eve at my mothers cousin house and she put about 10 courses out separately. Started at around 6 or 7 and did not finish until midnight, and well, he nearly bust a gut, and his butt was glued to the chair and my sister and I had to pull him off. he still talks about it.

I remember a Christmas that my 2 sisters and I had to beg our Mother to get rid of the Turkey....which she did, and she made us Gumbo, Fried Soft-Shell Crabs, Boiled shrimp, and Stuffed Flounder. All that and many more of her down south goodies. Pecan Pie, Fudge, Divinity, Pralines, Raspberry filled butter cookies. And her famous Heavenly Hash 4-Layer Cake iced with fudge!!!! Our guest arrived and were shocked... But WE loved it and ate as much as we could fill our stomachs with...then came back for more later that afternoon!!! And the guest....well, they went home with doggie bags and said it was the best dinner they had ever had

So thank thank you for your story Mango...loved it!
Back to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for now...WOW

See you soon....Kathy@D&K's
December is Drink Champagne with someone special month

That meal sounds scrumptious and if I were there, no one would have gotten doggy bags.

Hubby gets to watch the fashion show, I get to have my 7 fishes on Xmas Eve, life is good.

[Paula]

I remember a Christmas that my 2 sisters and I had to beg our Mother to get rid of the Turkey....which she did, and she made us Gumbo, Fried Soft-Shell Crabs, Boiled shrimp, and Stuffed Flounder. All that and many more of her down south goodies. Pecan Pie, Fudge, Divinity, Pralines, Raspberry filled butter cookies. And her famous Heavenly Hash 4-Layer Cake iced with fudge!!!! Our guest arrived and were shocked... But WE loved it and ate as much as we could fill our stomachs with...then came back for more later that afternoon!!! And the guest....well, they went home with doggie bags and said it was the best dinner they had ever had

What a meal! We need a drooling smiley...

And, Mango, we had our baccala cooked with potatoes, garlic and onion. We didn't have good bakeries nearby to get cannoli -- your meal sounds scrumptious as well.

[Poodleone]

Mango- Thanks for solving a mystery. I had been looking at Christmas Eve/Day dining options on an NYC forum and came across several mentions of the Seven Fishes Dinner. Now I know what it is about!

[supermom262]

I'm still pulling for my mom and dad for the out of towners, but for locals, here goes:

SoWal Haiku:
Grayt dinner for two
No one more deserving than
Camp Creek Kid and Spouse (husband is too many syllables!)

Ps. I'll even babysit!

[Paula]

I'm still pulling for my mom and dad for the out of towners, but for locals, here goes:

SoWal Haiku:
Grayt dinner for two
No one more deserving than
Camp Creek Kid and Spouse (husband is too many syllables!)

Ps. I'll even babysit!

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I had the same thought,
About CCK and Spouse, too

Why? For those of you who were on this board after past hurricanes, you may remember that CCK so kindly, quietly, and quickly checked on people's homes and provided lots of support, took photos, etc. At times when the board got a bit "challenging" and people would push each other's buttons, CCK was a great "psychologist" who kept people in line with good humor and thoughtful responses. CCK (and hubby) are active in the community and invested in the community. And CCK does all this with several young children and whenever I see her she projects a sea of calm! Perhaps because they live so near SoWal's lovely emerald sea of calm.

Of course, using similar criteria there are several people on this board who are deserving of a lovely D&K dinner. Kurt, SJ, and others were so helpful to people during and after the hurricanes and are also very committed to SoWal. I figured that because CCK does all this with several little ones at home at the same time, she deserves extra credit and should get the first D&K dinner for two!

I also think Kurt deserves a nice D&K dinner for two because he started this great online community and brought us all together.

[kurt]

Thanks!

But I prefer to pay for my meals and support locals.

[Mango]

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I had the same thought,
About CCK and Spouse, too

Why? For those of you who were on this board after past hurricanes, you may remember that CCK so kindly, quietly, and quickly checked on people's homes and provided lots of support, took photos, etc. At times when the board got a bit "challenging" and people would push each other's buttons, CCK was a great "psychologist" who kept people in line with good humor and thoughtful responses. CCK (and hubby) are active in the community and invested in the community. And CCK does all this with several young children and whenever I see her she projects a sea of calm! Perhaps because they live so near SoWal's lovely emerald sea of calm.

Of course, using similar criteria there are several people on this board who are deserving of a lovely D&K dinner. Kurt, SJ, and others were so helpful to people during and after the hurricanes and are also very committed to SoWal. I figured that because CCK does all this with several little ones at home at the same time, she deserves extra credit and should get the first D&K dinner for two!

I also think Kurt deserves a nice D&K dinner for two because he started this great online community and brought us all together.

Agreed.

[steele mama]

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I had the same thought,
About CCK and Spouse, too

Why? For those of you who were on this board after past hurricanes, you may remember that CCK so kindly, quietly, and quickly checked on people's homes and provided lots of support, took photos, etc. At times when the board got a bit "challenging" and people would push each other's buttons, CCK was a great "psychologist" who kept people in line with good humor and thoughtful responses. CCK (and hubby) are active in the community and invested in the community. And CCK does all this with several young children and whenever I see her she projects a sea of calm! Perhaps because they live so near SoWal's lovely emerald sea of calm.

Of course, using similar criteria there are several people on this board who are deserving of a lovely D&K dinner. Kurt, SJ, and others were so helpful to people during and after the hurricanes and are also very committed to SoWal. I figured that because CCK does all this with several little ones at home at the same time, she deserves extra credit and should get the first D&K dinner for two!

I also think Kurt deserves a nice D&K dinner for two because he started this great online community and brought us all together.

And all the people said...........

[Paula]

Thanks!

But I prefer to pay for my meals and support locals.

Of course, Kurt! It's so very good to support locals and we have many very wonderful local businesses. Sometimes, it's also so very good to let locals celebrate each other and that's another way of showing support. Pleeeze let us have our fun expressing our appreciation to you - it makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Pleeze make room in your stomach,
And take free food from a local business if it comes to deserving you.


(I'm really so sorry about that...)

[hippiechick]

Prior to moving here, I lived in South Georgia. For the last 10 years that I lived there I made a special trip to a very special place on Christmas day with my 2 children. My children and I look for ways to make those who have very little feel special during the holidays. But the ones people never think of are the ones who can't speak for themselves. By that I mean all the precious dogs,puppies,cats and kittens at our local Humane Society who are looking for a loving family to adopt them. Those that were lucky enough to become gifts for the holidays were gone by Christmas. So every Christmas day, I would bundle up the kids and head out the door with arms full of warm blankets, chew toys, and homemade treats for all the little eager faces looking for love. It broke my heart to think about them being behind cage doors, but made us all feel so good to make them feel happy and loved on Chistmas day. After all, isn' t that what Christmas is all about?

[ItzKatzTime]

Prior to moving here, I lived in South Georgia. For the last 10 years that I lived there I made a special trip to a very special place on Christmas day with my 2 children. My children and I look for ways to make those who have very little feel special during the holidays. But the ones people never think of are the ones who can't speak for themselves. By that I mean all the precious dogs,puppies,cats and kittens at our local Humane Society who are looking for a loving family to adopt them. Those that were lucky enough to become gifts for the holidays were gone by Christmas. So every Christmas day, I would bundle up the kids and head out the door with arms full of warm blankets, chew toys, and homemade treats for all the little eager faces looking for love. It broke my heart to think about them being behind cage doors, but made us all feel so good to make them feel happy and loved on Chistmas day. After all, isn' t that what Christmas is all about?

This nearly broke my heart!

[DD]

This nearly broke my heart!

Mine too!

[Jdarg]

This nearly broke my heart!

And a good reminder- when you are at the store buying stuff for food bank contributions, grab a few extras (paper towels, dog/cat food, cat litter, garbage bags) and drop them at your local animal shelter. Raid your linen closet for old towels. Some shelters have a need for newspapers too.

Sorry, thread hijack. Back to Christmas stories!

[DD]

And a good reminder- when you are at the store buying stuff for food bank contributions, grab a few extras (paper towels, dog/cat food, cat litter, garbage bags) and drop them at your local animal shelter. Raid your linen closet for old towels. Some shelters have a need for newspapers too.

Sorry, thread hijack. Back to Christmas stories!

Thanks for this reminder. Will do!! But mr. dd will have to drop off, cause I would come home with some new family members--and he would file for divorce.

[Teresa]

Twas the night before high tide, and all through the beach house...not a creature was swimming, not even those soused. When down from the skylight there arose such a clatter, that I jumped for my coverup to see what's the matter! When suddenly to my bloodshot eyes should appear, Doug and Kathy and company with a buffet of cheer.

Come Kimmi, come Mermaid, come Sueshore and Kurt...come Smilin' Joe, Tootsie, Peapod and Mango, Donna and Beachrunner, Shelley (Bah, Humbug!) and Paula. Now dash away, hash away, dash away, all! And I heard them exclaim as they dove out of sight..."Bon appetit!" to all and to all a good night!