Destin-ation

Going for the first time to that well known KY tourist trap....but before the mobs hit...next week....I put a note in the Travel section of Louisville Hotbytes but got no response...thought this section might get more traffic...are there any good, reasonably priced seafood restaurants??...we are not too proud to eat "Early Bird" either....

From what I've seen the best restaurant in the area seems to vary from year to year. Your best bet probably would be to check with a few of the locals when you get there. There always early bird specials available at several restaurants and they are normally well advertised. Hope you have a good trip.

Sallie....
One source I always check for dining destinations while traveling (besides this one) is TripAdvisor....if you haven't been there, it might be worth checking out....go to their website: http://www.tripadvisor.com. Then type in your destination on their search engine; you'll get a series of links for that city that lists visitor comments on hotels, dining, activities, etc. They have rarely steered me wrong.

Sallie,

( I was worried about that when we created the new forum...I never remember to check it)

We don't eat out that much while we are down there, but here are some very good places( not necessarily seafood):

La Paz ( Gulf Shore Drive) Great mexican restaurant that serves much more than standard Tex-Mex fare. Their guacamole is amongst the best I've had, and I really enjoy their fish tacos.

The Red Bar- in Grayton Beach. This place has quite a following and is well worth the drive down to this part of the coast ( about 20 minutes from Destin). Very casual- great food- funky atmosphere. If you go, take a little drive and check-out Seaside- a beautiful planned community like an out beach town- no honky-tonk and great for walking around.

There is now a Commander's Palace by the Causeway. We only went for dessert in the bar, but it was drop dead gorgeous and from what we experienced service-wise, I'd expect the food to be fantastic. It was dead the night we were there- felt so sorry for the staff. They have 25 cent (!) martini's with a reasonably priced prix fixe lunch. Also Brunch.

Deb

I too would recomend the Red Bar. I believe the complete name is Piccilo's at the Red Bar on Grayton Beach. The food there has never disappointed and it is as fresh as it comes. No menus here...justa chalk board that they carry around to your table with about 5-7 options...fish meat and some veggie. This place has a very cool and funky atmosphere.

In the evenings they have a band that plays there that includes John Jab-O Starks. If you are into soul and funk music, this guy is a god. He was the drummer along with Clyde Stubblefield in James Brown's band...yes, the funky drummer.

Enjoy. DD

Derrick,

Man, I really messed that one up. Thanks for the ( very low-key) correction.

Deb

Sallie P.,

Check out Stinky's Fish Camp in Santa Rosa Beach. It's on the Destin end of Hwy 30A (a few miles west of Grayton). http://www.stinkysfishcamp.com/stinkysf ... efault.htm

You should also try D&K's Cafe in Grayton (across the street from The Red Bar). We had our rehearsal dinner there. They don't have a website of their own, but here's a copy of their menu posted on a SoWal forum. The poster "ItzKatzTime" is one of the owners. http://www.sowal.com/bb/dining-food/126 ... -cafe.html

Last thought... Unless things have changed recently, The Red Bar doesn't take reservations and can have very long wait times. You may want to try to get there early; especially if you have more than four in your group. (My strategy is usually to eat dinner at D&K's. Then stroll across the street to The Red Bar for the music & cocktails)

At the risk of being seen as rude, snooty or just niave I could not ever eat at a place named "Stinky's Fish Camp" It may be the second coming of James Beard/Julia Child/Bobby Flay/Kathy Carey but with a name like that I would never darken the door. MY .01 ( recession indexed)

Nor:
Flatulent Flats
Entrails are us
Sweetbreads on a Stick
Donner's Party

[Robin Garr]

Sweetbreads on a Stick

I could eat that.

John,

I do have to admit that Stinky's Fish Camp sounds like something you'd find at a theme park for children. However, I can assure you that it is a good seafood restaurant. Not fine dining, but good & fresh. I've eaten there several times now. We usually try to get the bar seats by the oyster shucker (I think his name is Dave). He's a former golf pro who moved to Santa Rosa after Katrina wiped him out. Did you take a look at the menu? http://www.stinkysfishcamp.com/stinkysf ... ysmenu.htm

The Acme Oyster Bar harbor side in San Destin has excellent fsea food for the price. We have never been disappointed. If you want to splurge, Fish Out of Water in Water Color, has wonderfully fresh seafood.

Try Louisiana Lagniappe.

Great seafood with a cajun touch. their specialty is fresh grouper in a variety of ways.

It's in Destin Harbor.

Leann, we have stayed across the street from D&Ks. At GB Duplex East owned by Captain Sam Wesley and his family. I think Louisville is 3 degrees of separation.
I recommend http://graytonbeach.com/. Under community info, the message boards. Also, the board itself.
http://www.30a.com/
Don't forget Bud & Alley's at Seaside. Sunset.
Go to church at Seaside. The lead singer is so good. (He had a piano bar down there until the economy...)
Rosemary Beach has wonderful restaurants I've heard. They are so inviting. One reminded me of Blue Dog Bakery but bigger.
We liked the pizza place at Watercolor. The other spot is rather pricey but has wonderful pastries, croque monsieur type food.
Goatfeathers was very old school. Bait House was terribly overpriced. I hope Elmo's is open still. It wasn't at Xmas time.
Even the Lee's Famous Recipe has good food. That's their 'lab'. Some of the people have a Louisville connection. I worked with them at KFC. How great is that. That live at the beach and do R&D work! They also are active at the Seaside church.
Too much information.
Counting down to my first two week vacation - even if I lose my job tomorrow at Brown-Forman. Maybe I'll take a longer vacation

Sweetbreads on a Stick

I could eat that.

I would eat there, I would tell friends, family and strangers on the street.

Also wanted to mention our favorite culinary find in the area: Local Tupelo Honey. If you haven't tried it , it's amazing- unlike any other honey I've tasted ( I was talking to a KY beekeeper at the market and he said he's heard that Tupelo is the "queen" of honeys).

We brought some back from Destin last year and loved it so much that this year, we made a special trip back to the same farmstand ( run by the 80 year old owner). The place is a little farmstand called "Cotton's Produce" on the south-bound side of US 331, not too far from 98. (As you are heading home to Louisville it's probably 10-20 minutes from the 331/98 junction) This time bought 3 pints! Love that Tupelo Honey!

Deb