Fine Dining Recommendations

Is Borago really "fine dining'? I guess I need to know how the original poster defines that as, IMO, there aren't many fine dining establishments around.

My definition is: you have to "dress" for dinner (you would never think to wear flip flops, shorts, t-shirts or jeans); the menu is innovative and changes often, and includes a daily Chef's special or special Chef's menu - prices are on the high end because the Chef, who is highly trained, uses the best available ingredients - it's the kind of things you wouldn't know where to buy to cook the dish at home; the wine list is more high end overall; real linens are used on the tables; and the atmosphere is calm.

The few places locally that fit my definition that I can think at this moment are Fish Out of Water, Cafe Provence, Basmati's and Cafe Thirty-A (although Thirty-A is a bit noisy). If I think of any others, I'll post - suffering from end-of-the-day brain freeze.

Definitely depends on your perspective. For some fine dining probably means there isn't a drive-thru!

To me, fine dining means a restaurant with no small children or TVs, uniformed and professional staff, great food skillfully prepared, great service, and real furniture.

Vintij and Fire have some of the best food, presentation, and service around, but I wear jeans and there isn't a tablecloth.

I don't think any of the restaurants on 30A have dress codes. That I am aware of anyway. I have eaten at Fish out of Water dressed in business attire and I've eaten there in jeans and flip flops.

Borago, Vintij, Bistro Bijeau (in Sandestin) are all very good. If you're willing to venture west to Destin, Marina Cafe is at the top of my list.

Is Borago really "fine dining'? I guess I need to know how the original poster defines that as, IMO, there aren't many fine dining establishments around.

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hmmmm.. I think I understand what you are saying here Indigo J. I would like to add that we are a unique community with many kinds of fine dining experiences. so, let's talk fine dining in an untraditional sense.for one, many love borago because it is precisely that. fine dining in a casual atmosphere. plus, its just such a comfortable and funn place to relax and enjoy the experience of great food we know we love and keep coming back for. its a unique place where people love going back and back and back because the food is outstanding and because it is comfortable, and feels just right. it can be noisy too - but only adds to the atmosphere. also, the people working here make us feel so welcome, and like part of the family. very great place to have in SoWal. It has become an important gathering place and we could not live without it. FINE it is. Fine dining is definitely found at D&K. we all know this first hand! and you can dine on scrumptious seafood and steak in the small private Ann Rice room overlooking the gulf. Fleming's may be a chain, but it is a fine dining experience if there ever was one in SoWal. romantic. makes me feel like I'm on vacation in a city somewhere far away. Onano - fine dining in a warm & romantic/intimate atmosphere. love love love the food and wine experience here. Many are loving Fire - I've only been for lunch. didn't knock my socks off. need to go for dinner. but if these guys are out of NO, then I totally believe they are fine. Bistro Bijou - Baytowne Wharf. a lovely place and quite fine. We are so fortunate to have such a great number of fine dining establishments in SoWal. Especially as they are each unique and can't be replicated in another town.. it just wouldn't be the same. (except the chains of course... but Flemings... yummmm).

Tootsie, let me know and we will keep a chair warm for you at brunch!

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hmmmm.. I think I understand what you are saying here Indigo J. I would like to add that we are a unique community with many kinds of fine dining experiences. so, let's talk fine dining in an untraditional sense.for one, many love borago because it is precisely that. fine dining in a casual atmosphere. plus, its just such a comfortable and funn place to relax and enjoy the experience of great food we know we love and keep coming back for. its a unique place where people love going back and back and back because the food is outstanding and because it is comfortable, and feels just right. it can be noisy too - but only adds to the atmosphere. also, the people working here make us feel so welcome, and like part of the family. very great place to have in SoWal. It has become an important gathering place and we could not live without it. FINE it is. Fine dining is definitely found at D&K. we all know this first hand! and you can dine on scrumptious seafood and steak in the small private Ann Rice room overlooking the gulf. Fleming's may be a chain, but it is a fine dining experience if there ever was one in SoWal. romantic. makes me feel like I'm on vacation in a city somewhere far away. Onano - fine dining in a warm & romantic/intimate atmosphere. love love love the food and wine experience here. Many are loving Fire - I've only been for lunch. didn't knock my socks off. need to go for dinner. but if these guys are out of NO, then I totally believe they are fine. Bistro Bijou - Baytowne Wharf. a lovely place and quite fine. We are so fortunate to have such a great number of fine dining establishments in SoWal. Especially as they are each unique and can't be replicated in another town.. it just wouldn't be the same. (except the chains of course... but Flemings... yummmm).

Totally agree, Tootsie - we have many great restaurants that serve amazing food - I didn't say otherwise. I said, IMO, we don't have many "fine dining establishements". Most restaurants in SoWal would be catagorized as "upscale casual", not "fine dining".

I guess a better explanation of what I would consider "fine dining" are those restaurants ranked highly in the Zagat guide or a coveted ranking in the Michelin Guide, or who have received AAA Four or Five Diamond status - all of which are standards used in the industry. I forgot Criollas - I believe it has been given Diamond status.

she says that fine dining doesn't exist in sowal.

And I absolutely didn't say that either - I said there are not many fine dining establishments.

Fine dining in SoWal is truly relative. this town is not Atlanta nor should it ever be, despite efforts of some to make it so.

Fine dining in SoWal is truly relative.

Fine dining to me is being surrounded by fine people and good food.

Now this is what I call a nice and review, that is also on point.;-)

http://www.emeraldcoast.com/dining/article_display.php?a=265

Make your reservations quickly. And enjoy!

Fine dining in SoWal is truly relative. this town is not Atlanta nor should it ever be, despite efforts of some to make it so.

Yes...as signified by the arrival of such upscale chains like...Flemings (located in Atlanta).

Now this is what I call a nice and review, that is also on point.;-)

http://www.emeraldcoast.com/dining/article_display.php?a=265

Make your reservations quickly. And enjoy!

Have heard a lot about Seerings - thanks for link to the review! Looks like a neat dining experience - we'll be there soon.

Fine dining to me is being surrounded by fine people and good food.

I'll drink to that! Some of the best dining experiences I've had have been at places none would consider "fine dining." Good food, prepared with care, and shared with people you love, beats dinner at a fancy restaurant any day.

Yes...as signified by the arrival of such upscale chains like...Flemings (located in Atlanta).

yes, and other chains coming into the "mall" areas as well. while select few are nice to have locally and to visit occasionally, they will never define the area or compete in 30A/SoWal character. but they do serve sandestin resort perfectly.



:roll:

Casual excellent dining; Smiling Fish Cafe

Casual excellent dining; Smiling Fish Cafe

you said it. one of my all time favorite spots on 30a.

Totally agree, Tootsie - we have many great restaurants that serve amazing food - I didn't say otherwise. I said, IMO, we don't have many "fine dining establishements". Most restaurants in SoWal would be catagorized as "upscale casual", not "fine dining".

I guess a better explanation of what I would consider "fine dining" are those restaurants ranked highly in the Zagat guide or a coveted ranking in the Michelin Guide, or who have received AAA Four or Five Diamond status - all of which are standards used in the industry. I forgot Criollas - I believe it has been given Diamond status.



And I absolutely didn't say that either - I said there are not many fine dining establishments.

Watercolors Fish Out of Water has a AAA 4 Diamond Rating but is very casual re: dress code.

Fine dining in SoWal is truly relative. this town is not Atlanta nor should it ever be, despite efforts of some to make it so.

Amen, sister!

That's one reason we don't support the chain restaurants to the west and east of 30-A when we're down here. We get enough of those in the Atlanta area. We want a different experience here (although something like a Doc Chey's would be nice -- it's a chain of five ;-)).

Florida's dress code is totally different no matter where you go. it's always casual. from bathing suit casual to going out on the town/cocktail casual. coastal casual. in other words, just about anything goes around here. suits me.

We always said at UF that you could tell the full professors from the associate and assistant professors because they were the only ones who didn't wear flip-flops to class.

My friend and I went and ate at Pandoras and it was amazing! I have been to the bar area but never sat down and ate, great steaks.

I'de pass on Bargo, unless they have just done it, they have not changed their menu in two years.
...

It's true that their menu doesn't change often, but for someone coming to the beach no more than once or twice a year, they won't think about the menu not changing. For local frequenters, that's another story. Most people tend to repeatedly order the same menu item at any given restaurant anyway.

It's true that their menu doesn't change often, but for someone coming to the beach no more than once or twice a year, they won't think about the menu not changing. For local frequenters, that's another story. Most people tend to repeatedly order the same menu item at any given restaurant anyway.

True.dat. As in "The Kitty Special."

True.dat. As in "The Kitty Special."

...oh man have I been craving that Arugula salad!!!! Go have one for me!

In the spirit of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" I don't have a problem with restaurants having the same basic menu, but I always enjoy seasonal dishes or a special (or 3) to break up the monotonony for frequent diners.

IMO the chef isn't using the freshest ingredients if every dish is the same 365 days a year. ;-)