GETAWAYS
because of currents and boat traffic. Boat rentals and charters are plentiful, however. When it comes to fine dining, the Emerald Coast has an embarrassment of riches — all of those already mentioned, and a roster of others, such as WaterColor’s Fish Out of Water, Cuvee Bistro, Louisiana Lagniappe, Beach Walk Café at Henderson Park Inn, Marlin Grill in Sandestin and Ocean Club Restaurant. Great seafood restaurants line Highway 98, which is the coastal highway that gets you pretty much anywhere between Point A and Point B in coastal Walton County. But sometimes, you’re looking for those places where the locals go for good food and good times. Here are a few from my list: The fish doesn’t get any fresher than Harbor Docks; which has its own seafood market. You can see it in action if you get there early enough (they serve breakfast) and peer over the patio railing. It’s also known for “Mama’s” Thai food and for its sushi, created there for more than 25 years by Chef Yoshi Eddings. Dewey Destin’s, owned by one of the area’s original fishing families, is right down the street. But for a true “native” experience, travel a bit further down the road to its location near Crab Island. You have to navigate a bumpy, twisting track, there’s no AC, and you can see the water through the wooden floor slats, but the baskets of steamed and fried seafood are a treat. It doesn’t get more touristy than Fudpuckers, a 500-seat restaurant where the in-season wait for a table can be an hour and a half. But it’s kid friendly, there are live alligators, you can write on the walls, the burgers are great, and the portion sizes are epic. The Gulf, on Okaloosa Island, is a new, trendy spot that’s as much about the setting and the vibe as it is about ever-changing, locally sourced menu. Located at the western end of the Choctawhatchee Bay, you can reach the waterfront location by land or sea. The two-story azure blue building is constructed of shipping containers with an abundance of decks and porches, as well as a fairway grass lawn and sandy “beach” lit at night by giant globes. At the end of the day, make your way to Bud & Alley’s. A landmark restaurant in Seaside for 31 years, Bud & Alley’s was farm-to-table way before it was cool — and the attention to great food (try the crab cakes and barbecued head-on shrimp) earned it a spot in Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Hall of Fame. While you can eat there all day long, the sunset “ceremony” on the rooftop bar is a not-to-be-missed treat. Patrons are invited to guess the time the sun will set, a ship’s bell is rung, and you can toast to the end of another perfect day on the coast. ][
Want to Know More? For information on 30A, Destin and many of the places mentioned in the story, here are some websites to visit:
VISIT SOUTH WALTON visitsouthwalton.com
THERE’S PLENTY TO DO IN TALLAHASSEE, TOO
EMERALD COAST CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU emeraldcoastfl.com
To entice you into a weekend stay, Tallahassee offers a tempting array of fun and cultural events when the weather is beautiful in the spring. Here are a few highlights:
THE HENDERSON hendersonbeachresort.com hendersonparkinn.com
MARCH 31–APRIL 1 Springtime Tallahassee In response to efforts to move Florida’s state capital, local leaders created this festival to showcase Tallahassee’s beauty and hospitality. And, 49 years later, they’re still rolling out the welcome mat with a weekend of fun activities that include a grand parade through downtown as well as concerts, entertainment, food, and vendors. Downtown Tallahassee springtimetallahassee.com
SANDESTIN sandestin.com baytownewharf.com HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH GOLF RESORT & SPA hiltonsandestinbeach.com seagars.com serenitybytheseaspa.com THE PEARL thepearlrb.com SHOPPING premiumoutlets.com/outlet/silver-sands grandboulevard.com destincommons.com DESTIN HISTORY & FISHING MUSEUM destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org EMERALD GRANDE – HARBORWALK VILLAGE emeraldgrande.com RESTAURANTS thegulf.com/okaloosa-island budandalleys.com harbordocks.com destinseafood.com (Dewey Destin’s) fudpucker.com
APRIL 7–9 Word of South Only in its third year, this weekend-long festival of literature and music features an array of artists speaking and performing throughout Tallahassee’s picturesque park in the shadow of the Capitol. Cascades Park wordofsouthfestival.com APRIL 15–16 Lemoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival This two-day festival draws thousands of visitors and more than 150 artists every year. In addition to art in a wide variety of media, the event also includes entertainment, children’s and educational activities, and food. Chain of Parks — Downtown Tallahassee chainofparks.org MAY 12–14 Southern Shakespeare Festival This year’s annual tribute to the Bard will be a roaring ’20s take on the comedy “As You Like It,” in this interpretation, set on the shadier side of Chicago. Throughout the weekend there will be other performances, activities for kids, some sword fighting, and sonnet reading. Capital City Amphitheater at Cascades Park southernshakespearefestival.org SPRING 2017 INFLUENCE | 53