Inside Destin Florida » Restaurants

The Beach Walk Restaurant in Destin, FL

Destin Florida Insider — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:52:00 +0000

The Beach Walk Restaurant in Destin, FL is a great place for an intimate dinner for two, a special occasion or just excellent food with a group of friends. This adult-only, fine dining restaurant has recently moved just a short distance from its original location. Chef Tim Creehan has reopened his highly admired restaurant in the perfect beachside location, along with a slight name change. Beach Walk is now located at the Henderson Park Inn overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Gulf.

Chef Creehan has garnered quite a reputation throughout his career and has served many celebrities. Among those are Debra Winger, Cybil Shepherd and Timothy Hutton. Creehan also served as Chef de Cuisine at the wedding of Vince Gill and Amy Grant. His rise in reputation can be attributed to exquisitely appetizing dishes displayed with elegance. This chef’s creed is to “Secure the best and freshest. Prepare with style, simply.” And that is exactly what he does. While only in his early forties, Creehan is a Certified Executive Chef, teacher, inventor, author and a contributor to his community.

For lunch, guests can enjoy the delicious smoked tomato and shrimp soup along with a light sandwich or the heartier Pecan Crusted Grouper Vince. Top off your meal with a slice of refreshing key lime pie with fresh cream. If you’re dining out for dinner, why not begin with a lobster cocktail or the delicious Caesar Salad. For the main course, seared rare Tuna or oven roasted Sea Bass would be excellent. The White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie will be just the right touch for dessert.

The menu does change occasionally as Chef Creehan adds excitement with French, Asian or Italian influences. Be on the look out for favorites such as the amazing Crusted Eggplant with Crabmeat , Springs Rolls or the Hot Crawfish Salad for appetizers. Venison Steak and Bone-In Filet would be superb for your entree. Popular desserts include White Chocolate Pie and Chocolate Filled Cake. Your after dinner coffee will be served in a French Press and is outstanding.

While enjoying your evening in their beautiful dining room or on their spacious deck outdoors, the splendid beach scenery will add to your meal. A romantic dinner while watching the sun go down is especially appealing to guests at the Beach Walk in Destin, FL. The expert staff will make your experience even more pleasurable.

Guests have commented that the Beach House Restaurant holds its own against some of the best restaurants in Florence and Rome. Among other offerings, they provide an excellent wine list and wonderful martinis. Because of the popularity of this top-notch restaurant, evening reservations are highly recommended. Though the menu is rather pricey, guests appear to feel that it’s definitely worth it for the exquisite meal and overall dining experience.

Chef Tim Creehan’s Beach Walk Restaurant
2700 Scenic Highway 98 East
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-7100
www.beachwalkdestin.com

If you’ve eaten at the The Beach Walk Restaurant in Destin, Florida be sure to let everyone know what you thought by using the comment form below. To see other great restaurants in Destin, FL check out our list of the best places to eat in Destin, FL.

The Beach Walk Restaurant in Destin, FL is a post from: Inside Destin Florida

McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery in Destin, FL

Destin Florida Insider — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:45:11 +0000

When you visit Destin, McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery is one of the “Must-Do” places to go. This New York Irish Saloon style pub is a bit touristy, but also very unique, interesting and lots of fun. It has a character all of its own, from the expansive menus, to their themed rooms and even their very own brewed bears.

When you first walk in to McGuire’s, one of the first things you will notice are the many dollar bills hanging from the ceilings and some of the walls. When McGuire and Molly first opened their pub and brewery, Molly took her first tip and tacked it to the back bar for good luck. Her idea caught on and has become a huge tradition at McGuire’s. Customers are welcome to add their own dollar bills with a personal note to the collection. The staff will gladly provide you with a sharpie and a stapler. There are, in fact, thousands of those famed dollar bills hanging throughout this pub!

The restaurant in Destin, Florida is quite huge with 20,000 square feet of themed dining rooms, 400 seats and around 200 friendly staff. Even at this size, there are times that you may have to wait a while for a seat at the very popular locale. They even offer live Irish style entertainment for guests in the later evening hours.

At McGuire’s you can find quite a variety of Irish dishes, right along with many American favorites. The menu is expansive, so you’re sure to find something for everyone in your party. Be forewarned that you will be served very generous portions. Unless your appetite is really big, plan on sharing your meal with someone or taking the extras with you.

If it’s Irish food in Destin, FL you’re seeking, you might try the delicious Shepherd’s Pie or Corned Beef and Cabbage. They also serve Irish Lamb Stew, Irish Steak and Mushroom Pie and many other choices.

For those whose tastes lean more toward delicious beef, McGuire’s cooks up a tantalizing steak and enormous gourmet steak burgers. The steaks have been voted “Best of the Gulf Coast”. They serve U.S.D.A. Certified Prime Steaks, which is not very common. Only about 5% of all Beef in the United States is good enough to be graded as Prime. Their steaks are never frozen and are hand cut daily. You won’t find this beef in your local grocery stores.

Their popular hand made burgers are 3/4 pound of lean beef with their own blend of seasonings. And these are not your typical hamburgers, they are actually Black Angus Steak burgers. McGuire’s custom grinds their steak trimming to create these excellent burgers. And you get to choose your own gourmet toppings. You can top them with everything from blue cheese, sauteed vidalia onions, wasabi or fiery jalapenos, to something as crazy as pizza flavors or Skippy peanut butter. With more than 25 choices, they have a burger for all tastes!

The most amazing burger on the menu would have to be The Grand Burger. This elegant burger is made from custom ground Filet Mignon! It is then char-grilled and served with…. a side order of Cavier! And to wash down this filet burger, nothing would be appropriate than your own bottle of Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne. Sound like something you might want to try? For the hefty price tag of $100 McGuire’s will be more than happy to serve you The Grand Burger meal. And surprisingly, they do serve quite a few of these.

Some other menu items that deserve mention are the fall-off-the-bone tender barbecued ribs, corned beef sandwiches, delicious seafood platters, the Irish Fisherman’s Bouillabaisse (stew) and their brunch with fancy omelets or eggs Benedict.

As the name implies, McGuire’s has its very own brewery where they create their famous beers. They use only the finest malted barley hops and yeast from the British Isles. And they’re very proud of the fact that they do not use any chemicals or additives in their brews. Their menu states, ‚”This is a brewery, not a beer factory,” a fact they are very proud of. They brew their own Root Beer too.

McGuire’s Irish Pub is a very hopping place for the night crowd. They open at 11 am for lunch and stay open until the wee hours of the morning. Though it’s fine for older kids during the day, evenings are more suitable for the grown-up crowd.

If the weather is nice, try to get a seat on the huge covered deck on top of the building. It offers a great view and is set up for dining. There’s so much more to experience at McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery in Destin. We can’t tell you all of it here, so you just need to go experience it for yourself!

Oh yeah…. something you really need to know before you go. Be sure to read the restroom door signs very carefully. You don’t want to end up in the wrong place!

McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery
33 Hwy 98 East
Destin, FL 32541

(850) 650-0000
(850) 654-0567

http://www.mcguiresirishpub.com

If you’ve eaten at the McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery in Destin, Florida be sure to let everyone know what you thought by using the comment form below. To see other great restaurants in Destin, FL check out our list of the best places to eat in Destin, FL.

McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery in Destin, FL is a post from: Inside Destin Florida

Fat Clemenza’s Italian Restaurant in Destin, FL

Destin Florida Insider — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:14:39 +0000

In many vacation areas, Italian restaurants and pizza joints come a dime a dozen. Fat Clemenza’s in Destin, Florida, affectionately called Fat C’s, is definitely one of the treasured exceptions to that rule. It has earned the reputation as one of the best restaurants in Destin, FL. The locals always know the best places to eat, and this is one of them. They were voted “Best Italian Restaurant” in 2008 by Emerald Coast Magazine readers. Fat C’s also received top honors with the highest ratings by Northwest Florida Daily News and The Beachcomber Restaurant Review.

Due to the unassuming location of Fat Clemenza’s, it is often quite a surprise for guests to learn that this restaurant is so fabulous. It’s tucked away in the Holiday Plaza strip mall on Highway 98 close to the Silver Sands Outlet Mall and one mile east of the Bass Pro Shop.

The Pizzas are very popular here and guests who try them are in for a real treat. These authentic Italian pies are compared to the best pizzas of Italy. Fat C’s is said to have the “Best Pizza This Side of Naples.” Those guests who have experienced the truly authentic Italian pizzas in Italy are very impressed. That may have a lot to do with the fact that the chef is from Naples! The staff is extremely nice and the owner often walks through the dining area visiting with the guests.

The dough for the pizza and calzones are made and hand tossed by their pizza maker from Italy. The sauces are also freshly made. Pizzas are fired in a wood burning brick oven at 900 degrees. These thin crust pies are absolutely delicious and leave you wanting more.

Fat Clemenza’s is not just a pizza restaurant, they also have a great menu with authentic Italian dishes. Start with appetizers such as bruschetta, calamari or Mimmo’s Homemade Garlic Rolls. You might also try their delicious soup of the day or the fresh House Salad.

The Fettuccine Alfredo and Lasagna are fabulous. Guests also like to order Ravioli or the Pasta Carbonara with Pancetta. Pick your own sauce from their choices of Alfredo, Marinara, Bolognese or their specialty, Vodka sauce. The wood-fired Calzones are very popular and come in four styles.

And, of course, the very tasty dessert menu includes some Italian favorites. They offer Cannoli, Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, Spumoni and Homemade Cheesecake. They are all so good, it’s really hard to choose.

Even thought the menu at Fat Clemenza’s does not change often, the owners like to spice things up a bit with their daily specials. Regular customers look forward to trying out the new dishes to see what they come up with next. When you walk in the door, you will always find the blackboard, which will list the daily specials along with the soup of the day.

Many people are interested in the name of this restaurant and how it came to be. Fat Clemenza is the nickname of the Pete Clemenza character in the popular movie, The Godfather.

Everyone will feel right at home at Fat C’s. Bring your friends and family to eat at this casual Italian restaurant. You will want to stop by Fat C’s early on during your trip to Destin, FL because you will probably find yourself making time for a second or third meal at this wonderful restaurant.

Fat Clemenza’s
Holiday Plaza
12273 US Highway 98
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 650-5980
http://www.fatclemenzas.com

If you’ve eaten at the Fat Clemenza’s in Destin, Florida be sure to let everyone know what you thought by using the comment form below. To see other great restaurants in Destin, FL check out our list of the best places to eat in Destin, FL.

Fat Clemenza’s Italian Restaurant in Destin, FL is a post from: Inside Destin Florida

Marina Cafe in Destin, FL

Destin Florida Insider — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:07:51 +0000

Marina Cafe in Destin, FL is an upscale adult contemporary dining restaurant. One look at the menu will tantalize your taste buds. Contrary to what the name implies, this is not your typical cafe. The thirty foot window near the bar and waterfront dining room offers a beautiful atmosphere with a breathtaking view of the Destin Harbor. The food ranges from Pan Asian and Mediterranean, to classic Creole and American. They also have a sushi bar. The chef changes quite a few of the menu items as often as weekly, but many of the tried and true choices remain.

Very popular among the diners of Marina Cafe in Destin is the buy one, get one free special from 5 to 6 pm daily. Guests order from the regular menu and all meals except the steaks are included. As the prices match the upscale atmosphere and food, this early dining option is great for those wanting to enjoy a fine restaurant in Destin at a more reasonable price. Be sure to check before you go to make sure they are still offering this great value.

The first section guests see on the menu will be Small Plates. For those of you not familiar with Small Plates, they can serve several purposes. First of all, they make wonderful appetizers to begin your dining experience. Those who prefer a light meal may order a Small Plate accompanied by a salad or other side. And lastly, diners who like to try a little of everything can order two or three Small Plates for their meal. Larger parties may choose quite a variety of items from the Small Plates menu and share them. Some of the choices are Ahi Tuna Tartar Tower, Grilled Portabello Mushrooms, Gulf Shrimp and Lump Crab Spring Rolls or Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops. Small Plates tend to add new options to spiff up a menu.

Delectable salads range from the Mediterranean Salad with kalamata olives and feta cheese to the “Ugly” Heirloom Beefsteak Tomatoes on a bed of arugula with grilled sweet onions and Asiago cheese.

The specialties such as Pan Seared Yellow Grouper, Maine Diver Scallops, Seared Duck Breast and Ginger-Scallion Crusted Norwegian Salmon are very inviting. The Pan Seared Andouille Crusted Redfish is absolutely magnificent. They also offer Lamb, Pork Rib Chops, Filet Medallions and Prime Rib Steaks, along with pizzas and pasta. The entrees come with a vegetable side, but additional options are available from their menu. Steamed Asparagus, Braised Garlic Spinach, and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes are among the choices.

Marina Cafe offers a list of sumptuous desserts. Among the favorites are the Grand Marnier Cheesecake, Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee and Rum Raisin Bread Pudding Souffle. Be sure to save some room for one of these delicious creations, or at the very least share one with someone else in your party.

Marina Cafe is an excellent choice of dining in Destin, Florida for a quiet romantic evening with a beautiful view of the sunset. It is also very appropriate for a pleasant dinner among friends. Dress resort casual is recommended, so just wear something nice. You’ll also want to call ahead for reservations.

Marina Cafe
404 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-7960
www.marinacafe.com

If you’ve eaten at the Marina Cafe in Destin, Florida be sure to let everyone know what you thought by using the comment form below. To see other great restaurants in Destin, FL check out our list of the best places to eat in Destin, FL.

Marina Cafe in Destin, FL is a post from: Inside Destin Florida

Boathouse Oyster Bar

Destin Florida Insider — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:04:35 +0000

The Boathouse Oyster Bar in Destin, FL claims to be the best kept secret in Destin, and most of their customers would have to agree. If you’re looking for an upscale, fancy place to eat, this is NOT the place for you. They are exactly what the name claims. It is a boathouse and bar that serves oysters. This is your classic hole-in-the-wall restaurant that customers love to return to again and again.

Awesome dive, great oysters and seafood, best hang out spot in Destin, great view, and the best crab and seafood gumbo around are just some of the phrases you will hear to describe the Boathouse Oyster Bar.

Wanda “Mamma Gumbo” Green and Paul “Action” Jackson took over this business in1986 as a small detached building behind the boathouse. Since then, they have added the Boathouse and doubled in size. Even now, this location on a dock in the Destin Harbor is still not a very large establishment. The Boathouse has an extremely comfortable and laid back atmosphere. No one here tries to impress, so come as you are and just be yourself. It is a very simple wood structure and you can even see outside through the walls in some places.

The menu is very simple but delicious. For starters you can choose between shrimp steamed in beer, delicious smoked tuna dip, nachos or their famous Cajun boiled peanuts. A cup or bowl of their award winning crab and seafood gumbo also makes a great beginning to your meal.

Sandwiches, all served on onion rolls, include cheeseburgers, tuna steak, grilled crab cake, mesquite chicken, bbq pork or the fantastic grilled grouper. They even have grilled cheese and hotdogs. The sides are very simple and include potato chips, corn on the cob and cole slaw.

Oysters are one of their specialties and they only serve Appalachacola Oysters when possible. Order your oysters raw, steamed or baked. The Baked Oysters come in two styles. First is the Baked Action variety that comes covered in butter, bacon bits, onions and mozzarella cheese. The second style is the spicier Baked SOB. These are smothered in cheddar cheese and jalapenos and accompanied by cocktail sauce and nacho chips. If you can’t decide between the two, no worries. Just order the Baked Half & Half to get a taste of both styles.

In addition, dinner meals are offered that include the Crawfish Platter. They only serve crawfish fresh from New Orleans. Other choices are Beer Steamed Shrimp, Grilled Grouper, Snow Crab and Steamed Vegetables. They have several choices of ice cold bottled or draft beer, along with wine by the glass, ½ carafe or full carafe.

It’s not a great place for the kids, but if you have to bring them in order to try the great food, be sure to come early. After eight nightly, the live music starts up and things get rolling. It’s pretty simple here. Don’t dress up. T-shirts and flip-flops are fine. The walls in this old building are covered in dollar bills with customers’ names and messages, blow-up dolls and even ladies’ unmentionables. So don’t bring anyone with you who may take offense. The Boathouse Oyster Bar is loved by locals and visitors who are lucky enough to find out about “the best kept secret in Destin, FL!”

Boathouse Oyster Bar
228-B Harbor Blvd East
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-3645
http://www.boathouseoysterbar.com

If you’ve eaten at the Boathouse Oyster Bar in Destin, Florida be sure to let everyone know what you thought by using the comment form below. To see other great restaurants in Destin, FL check out our list of the best places to eat in Destin, FL.

Boathouse Oyster Bar is a post from: Inside Destin Florida

The Best Places to Eat in Destin, FL

Destin Florida Insider — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:07:53 +0000

If you plan on visiting Destin, FL then there’s one thing you’re almost guaranteed to do…eat! There are plenty of places to eat in Destin, FL and deciding which restaurant to choose can be a difficult decision. Fortunately for you, we’ve piled through numerous reviews, list, opinions, awards, etc and have compiled a list of the top 10 best places to eat in Destin, Florida. If you’re looking for a great restaurant in Destin then this list will provide you with some excellent options sure to please anyone.

The Best Places to Eat in Destin, FL

Chef Tim Creehan’s Beach Walk Restaurant
2700 Scenic Highway 98 East
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-7100
www.beachwalkdestin.com
McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery
33 Hwy 98 East
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-0000
(850) 654-0567
http://www.mcguiresirishpub.com
Fat Clemenza’s
Holiday Plaza
12273 US Highway 98
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 650-5980
http://www.fatclemenzas.com
Marina Cafe
404 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-7960
www.marinacafe.com
Boathouse Oyster Bar
228-B Harbor Blvd East
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-3645
http://www.boathouseoysterbar.com
La Paz Restaurante & Cantina
950 Gulf Shore Drive
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-2247
http://www.lapaz.com
Pompano Joe’s Seafood House
2237 Scenic Gulf Highway
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 837-2224
http://www.pompano-joes.com
Lillie’s on Pig Alley
9848 Hwy. 98 West
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 654-3911
http://www.lilliesq.com/LPA_HOME.html
Royal Orchid Thai Restaurant
11275 Emerald Coast Pkwy
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-2555
http://royalorchidthaicuisine.com
Kenny D’s Beach Bar & Grill
2964 Scenic Gulf Drive
Destin, FL 32550 (Miramar Beach)
(850) 650-0755 or (850) 585-7720
http://www.kennyds.com

If you’ve eaten at any of these restaurants in Destin, Florida then let us know what you thought by using the comment section below. If you know of a good place to eat in Destin, FL that belongs on this list then be sure to let everyone know as well!

Also, be sure to check out our list of the best Destin coupons to save money on dining and many other things in to do in Destin, Florida. Our list of the best hotels in Destin will give you plenty of options for places to stay. Finally, check out our list of the best things to do in Destin, FL to have the best time during your vacation to Destin!

The Best Places to Eat in Destin, FL is a post from: Inside Destin Florida