Memorable meals in SoWal

[beachmouse]

Sandestin Applebee's in 1998. I have absolutely no momory of the food or service, but it was the place we ended up for dinner after he totally nailed the interview for the job that would make us permanent residents down here.

 

[sisters4]

Kathy Dwells you are so right on. Your pictures are beautiful and I agree with you. Those are the times when you think life is so beautiful. To SWGB why do I have to prove I am a local to be told where the restaurant is? I am not a local just love it there 2 x a year. Beachmouse you are too funny. I get what you are saying. My hubby and I celebrated many, many, many years ago at a place whose specialty was club sandwiches and Budweiser. He was fresh out of college and got a job offer for $17,000.00 a year! Hot damn, I was making about $8,000.00 and we thought we were set for life! We laugh now about it but it was a great time.

 

[Deli Love]

About 18 years ago I came down on a Halloween dive trip with a small class from Nashville. I had done lakes,quarries and the Springs down here. I panicked and blew my first dive in the gulf and I was mortified that the captain had to come in and "save me".
That evening he directed us to an out of the way place for seafood. I have no idea where it was but it was rustic and cozy. I was still embarrassed and in no mood to eat so the captain ordered 2 baskets of crab claws and I fell in love! Not with my hero but with the claws! I also fell in love with the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast! Carl and I moved here that next January.
The food was the best and the service was very informal and geared to the locals we were with so it was fun, that's what we liked and what we still look for when we go out.

 

[BeachbumAggie]

1st trip to the Red Bar for the music, food, and atmosphere. I don't remember what we ate but we were in love! Last trip to Red Bar when we arrived on a slower night and visited with the guys from Dread Clampitt-one of them looks freakishly like my dad 25 years ago!

Stinky's, the first time I tried the crawfish pot pie, yum, I just drooled.

Pizza Bar because I love their patio chairs! and the food

Getting shrimp steamed to go from Goatfeathers 2 and having a night in our rental, dining on the patio.

Really all meals on our vacations to SoWal are great because it's all about good food, nice people, and a good time.

 

[Beach Runner]

Getting shrimp steamed to go from Goatfeathers 2 ...

What she said.

 

[sisters4]

One of our traditions is to get shrimp from Goat Feather's, my aunt cleans it and steams it in her own way (there are lemons and beer involved somewhere) and one of my sisters makes the most killer mac and cheese from scratch and we have a wonderful salad full of the freshest things. We set a pretty table with a lot of candles and flowers (from Publix). We open a few bottles of wine and have the best night ever. We are all happy and tired from our day at the beach. We are freshly showered and put on the best music. Does it get any better than this To those of you who live there. You are so lucky.

 

[CastlesOfSand]

I agree with you Allifunn! "All meals in Sowal are memorable!" I agree with you too Kathydwells! We too have cooked some incredible meals and enjoyed them with our family while hanging at the beach. I see a few new restaurants that I will be sure to check out next time we are there! Thanks!! I must say though that I love the pan seared scallops with soft cheese polenta and roasted tomato butter sauce with a glass of wine at Boragos!! Most excellent! We also enjoy Cafe thirty-A and we never miss crab cakes at the Red Bar! We usually have a pizza night too, I personally like Angelina's in Seagrove but we like Amore as well. We hit some of the smaller places for lunches and snacks, all good. Wow, I'm getting hungry now!!!

 

[KuriousKat]

OK...first things first: All meals in sowal may be memorable, but not always for the right reasons. Poor or indifferent service can turn a good meal into a so-so meal. (And no, I'm not going to call any restaurant names. I deal with the managers when service is poor and will not drag names through the mud in a public forum. They deserve a chance to improve.)
That said, impeccable service can also turn a good meal into a great meal. Such was the case Sunday. We visited Cheeseburger In Paradise after church. Arriving shortly after they opened, the place was just beginning to get a few diners, so the staff had plenty of time to address the needs of each table.
My experience that the wait staff at CIP is better than average. On Sunday, David (wish I knew his last name) waited on us and was absolutely terrific. He made suggestions without being pushy. Got drinks back quickly. Gave us ample time to look over the menu. Delivered the food in a timely manner. And kept the tea coming! (I hate an empty beverage glass!) He was personable, kept a check on us throughout the meal without being intrusive...and treated his other tables as well as he treated us.
As usual, the food was good, but David's service made the experience a great (and memorable) one.
IMO, Cheeseburger in Paradise and Carrabba's are two local chains than stand above the rest when it comes to service. The managers insist on great service from their staffs, and the staffs deliver.

 

[Matt J]

Kathy Dwells you are so right on. Your pictures are beautiful and I agree with you. Those are the times when you think life is so beautiful. To SWGB why do I have to prove I am a local to be told where the restaurant is? I am not a local just love it there 2 x a year. Beachmouse you are too funny. I get what you are saying. My hubby and I celebrated many, many, many years ago at a place whose specialty was club sandwiches and Budweiser. He was fresh out of college and got a job offer for $17,000.00 a year! Hot damn, I was making about $8,000.00 and we thought we were set for life! We laugh now about it but it was a great time.

Town pot stirrer and smart ass here.

Usually if I end something with "biggrin" then it means I'm being sarcastic or joking.

Having said that the joke was simply that a joke. Back when we had the 331 we loved it and spent many an evening watching the endless line of headlights coming over the bridge. The tourists never seemed to find it because they associated that area with nightmarish traffic.

 

[sisters4]

SWBG: I thought you were saying I was the town pot stirrer and smart ass and then I re read your post. OK what is "biggrin". I don't know all of the ins and outs of sowal.com but I love it. I must be sensitive. It has been quite a winter here and we are all suffering from SAD!