My family and I have been sampling the local restaurants every week since we moved here in February. Most of have been very good, some have been exceptional and it has been rare that we've had a bad experience.
Recently, I publicly shared one of those bad experiences when I felt my patronage was taken for granted by a restaurant owner/manager. So it is only fair that I publicly share praise when I have been treated well.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
CRIOLLA'S
Criolla's was on a long list of places we've wanted to try. But I was so blown away by a recent post written by the owner of Criolla's (Johnny) that we made reservations the next night.
Locals and visitors alike:
I won't share every detail but let's just say if you want to be treated like a king (or a rock star) :cool: , book a reservation at Criolla's and tell them when you get there that you are a SoWall'er...
The tapas were super. We had a shrimp small plate that was to die for as well as another stand out- a Brazilian quesadilla. My wife and sister in law started with the olives and goat cheese and were very happy...
For my entree I ordered the Delmonico Steak and Maine Lobster- YUM! It was dynamite! My steak was juicy, tender and a perfect medium rare just as I requested. The lobster was succulent. And although I cannot remember right now the specifics, I do recall that I really enjoyed the veggie and/or starch that came with it...
I was worried that the portion wouldn't be enough because I read a posting that compared Criolla's to an upscale restaurant in Atlanta that had small portions. This was definitely not the case with Criolla's and I am a big eater...
Just after we finished our entrees Johnny stopped by and pulled up a chair. What a great guy. It is no wonder he has been in business for nearly 25 years. And the best part- He didn't have an aura about him like this was an obligatory greeting but rather he seemed like he genuinely wanted to meet us and that he appreciated the fact that we were there...
So there you have it.
I strongly recommend Criolla's. I know it is now in my regular rotation (between trying more of these fabulous local establishments)...
Cheers to you, Johnny! Pls forward my comments to your staff. From Frank at the door (I think that was his name) to our server (can't remember his- I blame the mojitos), to the bartender and everyone else who treated us so well. You guys know what you're doing!
:clap: :clap: :clap:
GW
P.S. Forgot this so I just edited my original post to include it here-
We have two well behaved kids so we don't feel bad taking them out to dinner. Often times, we'll get funny looks or the eye roll from restaurant staff when they see us walk in with our kids. Johnny and his staff were just as accomodating to our kids as they were to us. Thanks for that!
Replies
34
Admin
Re: Criolla's
Thanks for the review! We've been getting more detailed ones posted lately and we all appreciate it. :clap:
I especially like the part above. ;-)
They say the true mark of ecellence is success over a long period of time. That is Criolla's.
Criolla's was on a long list of places we've wanted to try. But I was so blown away by a recent post written by the owner of Criolla's (Johnny) that we made reservations the next night.
Locals and visitors alike:
I won't share every detail but let's just say if you want to be treated like a king (or a rock star) :cool: , book a reservation at Criolla's and tell them when you get there that you are a SoWall'er...
Thanks for the review! We've been getting more detailed ones posted lately and we all appreciate it. :clap:
I especially like the part above. ;-)
They say the true mark of ecellence is success over a long period of time. That is Criolla's.
Beach Fanatic
Re: Criolla's
Had a recent also excellent meal at Criollas - sat with friends and had blood orange margeritas and a sampling of tapas (all of which were excellent and beautifully presented. Cannot wait to go back!!
Had a recent also excellent meal at Criollas - sat with friends and had blood orange margeritas and a sampling of tapas (all of which were excellent and beautifully presented. Cannot wait to go back!!
SoWal Expert
Re: Criolla's
Did I just read blood orange margaritas??:idontno: 😀
Had a recent also excellent meal at Criollas - sat with friends and had blood orange margeritas and a sampling of tapas (all of which were excellent and beautifully presented. Cannot wait to go back!!
Did I just read blood orange margaritas??:idontno: 😀
SoWal Insider
Re: Criolla's
we might need to go try those!:clap:
we are going thursday evening for tappas. will report back after.
Did I just read blood orange margaritas??:idontno: 😀
we might need to go try those!:clap:
we are going thursday evening for tappas. will report back after.
Beach Fanatic
Re: Criolla's
Yes!!! they were divine!
Did I just read blood orange margaritas??:idontno: 😀
Yes!!! they were divine!
Admin
Re: Criolla's
That's OK - I was busy anyway :sniff: :lol:
Had a recent also excellent meal at Criollas - sat with friends and had blood orange margeritas and a sampling of tapas (all of which were excellent and beautifully presented. Cannot wait to go back!!
That's OK - I was busy anyway :sniff: :lol:
Meow
Re: Criolla's
Throw in a straw and I am all over this! :clap:
Did I just read blood orange margaritas??:idontno: 😀
Throw in a straw and I am all over this! :clap:
Beach Fanatic
Re: Criolla's
Had the shrimp and cornbread pudding tapas last week. :clap: :clap: :clap:
Had the shrimp and cornbread pudding tapas last week. :clap: :clap: :clap:
Beach Fanatic
Re: Criolla's
Should have called you and Toots!!!! After Criollas went with Mathamadear and friend to Seaside Rep to see Underpants, then to Taco Bar at Seaside and back to Rep for some improv - felt like a college gal all over again!!!! I need to stay out more often :cool:
That's OK - I was busy anyway :sniff: :lol:
Should have called you and Toots!!!! After Criollas went with Mathamadear and friend to Seaside Rep to see Underpants, then to Taco Bar at Seaside and back to Rep for some improv - felt like a college gal all over again!!!! I need to stay out more often :cool:
SoWal Expert
Re: Criolla's
I am so full I can barely type.
Bdarg, Kate, and I went to Criolla's tonight- were we ever WOWED! From the minute we walked in out of the pouring rain, our clothes and coats and umbrellas dripping everywhere, to waddling back out the door, we were treated so well by everyone. Spoiled rotten actually! 😀
So, about the food. Chef Shane, please correct my descriptions if I mangle them! Bdarg ate all the oysters which were lightly breaded and had a sweet dipping sauce. He must have liked them because they vanished quickly. We shared an appetizer of beets and goat cheese and we were both going after the "last bite"! Kate had a salad made just for her with a beautiful edible flower on top. Guess that is how we will be fixing salad for her in the future.
Our entrees were lick-the-plate wonderful. Bdarg had the lamb chops with a sweet potato and spinach dish that I had to keep stealing from his plate. There aren't many things tastier than a lamb chop in the hands of a great chef. (We looked like pigs in slop BTW). I had the scallops with an amazing fennel seasoning and they were perfect! The children's menu would be suitable for adults as well. Kate had penne pasta with cheese sauce and grilled chicken, and it was a portion large enough to last for a few meals, which is a good thing since she announced she wants to eat every meal at Criolla's.
Thank God I wore the stretchy skirt, because out came the desserts! Kate had homemade ice cream and chocolate sauce (we stole ice cream from our child:lol:). We had banana beignets and a triple chocolate mousse. Remember, I did say we waddled out of there.
The presentation of all dishes was beautiful, and the flavor combinations were great- I really liked the sweet potato/spinach combo.
The tapas menu looked interesting and had plenty of substantial dishes on it that you could sit at the bar and have a light dinner too. The barbecued shrimp cooked at the bar cooktop smelled addictive- I can't wait to taste that dish!
Thank you Chef Shane (try saying that 3 times) and the entire staff at Criolla's for a lovely evening- we will be back soon. Especially since I forgot to get the blood orange margarita! :wave:
A 4 "applause smiley" was earned!! :clap::clap::clap::clap:
I am so full I can barely type.
Bdarg, Kate, and I went to Criolla's tonight- were we ever WOWED! From the minute we walked in out of the pouring rain, our clothes and coats and umbrellas dripping everywhere, to waddling back out the door, we were treated so well by everyone. Spoiled rotten actually! 😀
So, about the food. Chef Shane, please correct my descriptions if I mangle them! Bdarg ate all the oysters which were lightly breaded and had a sweet dipping sauce. He must have liked them because they vanished quickly. We shared an appetizer of beets and goat cheese and we were both going after the "last bite"! Kate had a salad made just for her with a beautiful edible flower on top. Guess that is how we will be fixing salad for her in the future.
Our entrees were lick-the-plate wonderful. Bdarg had the lamb chops with a sweet potato and spinach dish that I had to keep stealing from his plate. There aren't many things tastier than a lamb chop in the hands of a great chef. (We looked like pigs in slop BTW). I had the scallops with an amazing fennel seasoning and they were perfect! The children's menu would be suitable for adults as well. Kate had penne pasta with cheese sauce and grilled chicken, and it was a portion large enough to last for a few meals, which is a good thing since she announced she wants to eat every meal at Criolla's.
Thank God I wore the stretchy skirt, because out came the desserts! Kate had homemade ice cream and chocolate sauce (we stole ice cream from our child:lol:). We had banana beignets and a triple chocolate mousse. Remember, I did say we waddled out of there.
The presentation of all dishes was beautiful, and the flavor combinations were great- I really liked the sweet potato/spinach combo.
The tapas menu looked interesting and had plenty of substantial dishes on it that you could sit at the bar and have a light dinner too. The barbecued shrimp cooked at the bar cooktop smelled addictive- I can't wait to taste that dish!
Thank you Chef Shane (try saying that 3 times) and the entire staff at Criolla's for a lovely evening- we will be back soon. Especially since I forgot to get the blood orange margarita! :wave:
A 4 "applause smiley" was earned!! :clap::clap::clap::clap:
SoWal Insider
Re: Criolla's
Shameful, stealing ice cream from a princess. Aren't there laws against that? :lol: Grayt review Jdarg. I have been wanting to try Criolla's and it's on my list. :wave:
Shameful, stealing ice cream from a princess. Aren't there laws against that? :lol: Grayt review Jdarg. I have been wanting to try Criolla's and it's on my list. :wave:
SWGB
Re: Criolla's
Don't miss this, and don't miss the BBQ shrimp. I've eaten at Criolla's several times and have never been disappointed.
:clap::clap::clap::clap:
Shameful, stealing ice cream from a princess. Aren't there laws against that? :lol: Grayt review Jdarg. I have been wanting to try Criolla's and it's on my list. :wave:
Don't miss this, and don't miss the BBQ shrimp. I've eaten at Criolla's several times and have never been disappointed.
:clap::clap::clap::clap:
Beach Comber
Re: Criolla's
Did they close their doors today?
Did they close their doors today?
SWGB
Re: Criolla's
Are you saying permanently? I can't believe that. :idontno:
Did they close their doors today?
Are you saying permanently? I can't believe that. :idontno:
SoWal Expert
Re: Criolla's
I was told a total remodel. Will re-open in February I think.
Did they close their doors today?
I was told a total remodel. Will re-open in February I think.
SWGB
Re: Criolla's
Didn't they just remodel the bar? Oh well, I'm waiting for Criolla's or Johnny's response on here.
I was told a total remodel. Will re-open in February I think.
Didn't they just remodel the bar? Oh well, I'm waiting for Criolla's or Johnny's response on here.
SoWal Expert
Re: Criolla's
I heard it from the chef. New kitchen too.
Didn't they just remodel the bar? Oh well, I'm waiting for Criolla's or Johnny's response on here.
I heard it from the chef. New kitchen too.
SWGB
Re: Criolla's
Oh okay, I'll definitely take your word for it.
I heard it from the chef. New kitchen too.
Oh okay, I'll definitely take your word for it.
Beach Comber
Re: Criolla's
Greetings SoWal Family!
As we normally do, we are closed for the winter and will go through renovations and will open in the spring.
I can't wait to share more of the details in the coming weeks and our SoWal friends will be among the first to know.
I appreciate your patience, but I can tell you that it's exciting to have such a creative and passionate new company of successful leaders who are so committed to delivering convenient & uniquely comprehensive resort solutions. And as always our team is focused on the highest level of service. (Naturally, food and wine will be a part of the new company.)
South Walton has been so good to us all and as Florida's best place to live and visit we have so many reasons to be excited about the future.
I am counting on our SoWal family's continued support, and as always you can call on me.
Best wishes,
Johnny
Greetings SoWal Family!
As we normally do, we are closed for the winter and will go through renovations and will open in the spring.
I can't wait to share more of the details in the coming weeks and our SoWal friends will be among the first to know.
I appreciate your patience, but I can tell you that it's exciting to have such a creative and passionate new company of successful leaders who are so committed to delivering convenient & uniquely comprehensive resort solutions. And as always our team is focused on the highest level of service. (Naturally, food and wine will be a part of the new company.)
South Walton has been so good to us all and as Florida's best place to live and visit we have so many reasons to be excited about the future.
I am counting on our SoWal family's continued support, and as always you can call on me.
Best wishes,
Johnny
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