Florida Trend Magazine has awarded six of Beaches of South Walton’s restaurants among “Florida’s 500 Best Places to Dine.”
Crowning the list are:
- Café Thirty-A, Seagrove Beach, casual fine-dining
- Bud & Alley’s, SEASIDE, Mediterranean cuisine
- Fish Out of Water, WaterColor, casually chic, fresh cuisine
- Vin’tij Wine Boutique, Miramar Beach, eclectic coastal food
- Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, Sandestin, exquisite fine dining.
- New this year - Destin Chops 30A, Seacest Beach, recognized for its premier steaks and trendy vibe and
- Caliza at Alys Beach made the “Best Newcomers” list and is listed as one of the best new eateries in the state.
“We are honored to have Florida Trend recognize seven of our local restaurants,” said Tracy Louthain director of communications for Beaches of South Walton TDC. “South Walton is very fortunate to have such talented chefs that all bring their own style of cooking, but all adhere to a similar philosophy of using fresh and local ingredients.”
Along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, locally grown foods are readily. Area chefs develop strong relationships with the local farmers and fishermen to create menus that are adapted on a daily or weekly basis depending on what’s fresh or what can be obtained within a 100-mile radius. A commitment to “eating local” has become a tradition adopted by the area’s chefs, who say relying on the “eating local” approach can be challenging, since they are at the mercy of weather and the seasonality of Florida produce. But all agree that using the freshest ingredients is what delivers great meals.
Creativity is also a common characteristic of the area’s chefs as well as the desire for achieving excellence. In fact many of this year’s Florida Trend award winners have also been recognized by Wine Spectator, DiNORA and the James Beard Foundation. The Florida Trend Golden Spoon Awards and the list of Top 500 Restaurants in the state is developed by Florida Trend restaurant editor, Chris Sherman.
Creativity is also a common characteristic of the area’s chefs as well as the desire for achieving excellence. In fact many of this year’s Florida Trend award winners have also been recognized by Wine Spectator, DiNORA and the James Beard Foundation. The Florida Trend Golden Spoon Awards and the list of Top 500 Restaurants in the state is developed by Florida Trend restaurant editor, Chris Sherman.
