dining
Fort Walton Beach
Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club American. Located inside Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club. Open to the public 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. Variety of salads and sandwiches. Full bar. Specializing in on- and off-site catering including weddings, receptions and special events. 465 Regatta Bay Blvd., 850-337-8888. $ B l d
Aegean Restaurant ★ Greek. Savor the flavors of the Mediterranean at this authentic Greek restaurant. Mon–Sat 10:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. 1259 Eglin Pkwy., Shalimar, 850-613-6120. $$ l d
Benjarong Thai Cuisine & BBQ Thai and Barbecue. Barbecue, chicken, ribs, steak and spicy Thai food. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m. 251 Mary Esther Blvd., 850-362-0290. $$ l d
Lunch: Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Dinner: Mon–Fri 5–9 p.m., Sat 5–9:30 p.m. Closed Sun. 75 Eglin Pkwy. 850-243-0707. $$ B l d Helen Back ★ Pizza. The world’s finest hand-tossed pizza and cold beer in a sports bar atmosphere. Locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview and Valparaiso. Open daily 11 a.m.– 4 a.m. 114 Amberjack Dr. 850-796-1451. $ l d High Tide ★ Seafood. Delicious seafood dishes, award-winning gumbo and fresh Apalachicola oysters served for lunch and dinner. Mon–Sat 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 1203 Miracle Strip Pkwy. 850-244-2624. $
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Steak and Seafood. New Orleans-inspired appetizers, desserts and award-winning wines. Mon–Sat 5:30–10 p.m., Sun 5:30–9 p.m. Silver Shells Resort. 1500 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-337-5108. $$$ d
Ali's Bistro American. Seafood, steak, pasta, chicken, veal, sandwiches and salads in a casually cool modern space. Tue–Sun 11 a.m.–9 p.m. 171 Brooks St., 850-226-4708. $$ l d
Sarah k’s gourmet ★ Gourmet Take-out. Chef-crafted, ready-to-heat cuisine. Jumbo lump crab cakes and fresh chicken salad are the house specialties. Open at 11 a.m. 34940 Hwy. 98, 850-269-0044. $ l d
The Black Pearl Steak and Seafood. Dig into some coconut shrimp and a juicy steak while enjoying a lovely view of the Gulf. Located in The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Open daily 4 p.m. 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy., 850-833-3016. $$ d
Old Bay Steamer Seafood. Fresh, steamed and grilled seafood served in a lively atmosphere. Dinner served daily from 4 p.m. No reservations. 102 Santa Rosa Blvd., 850-664-2795. $$$ d
Tuscany Italian Bistro ★ Italian. Chef and owner, Guglielmo Ianni, prepares authentic Northern Italian cuisine using the freshest of ingredients, choice meats, fresh seafood and garden vegetables. Hours TBD. 36178 Emerald Coast Pkwy. 850-650-2451. $$ d
Buffalo’s Reef Famous Wings ★ American. This restaurant is famous for hot wings and cold beer. Ask about the daily specials. Tue–Sat open at 10:30 a.m., Sun open at noon. 116 Eglin Pkwy., 850-243-9463. $ l d
Pandora’s Steak and Seafood. Early evening specials weekdays 5–6 p.m. Happy Hour weekdays 5–7 p.m. Weekdays 5–10 p.m. Weekends 5–11 p.m. 1226 Santa Rosa Blvd., 850-244-8669. $$$ d
Clemenza’s Uptown ★ Italian. This family owned restaurant features authentic Italian cuisine, a full bar and Mama Clemenza’s famous European Breakfast. Breakfast: Sat 8 a.m.–noon, Sun 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Pranzo Italian Ristorante Italian. The Montalto family has been serving classic and contemporary Italian cuisine in Fort Walton Beach for nearly 30 years. Dinner Mon–Sat, 5 p.m. 1222 Santa Rosa Blvd., 850-244-9955. $ d
ZoËs Kitchen American. Healthy sandwiches and salads. Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Destin Commons, 850-650-6525. $ l d
on the menu
F
Magnolia Grill ★ Steak, Seafood and Italian. Steak, seafood, pasta, soups, salads and desserts. Lunch Mon–Fri 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. Dinner Mon–Sat, open at 5 p.m. Closed Sun. 157 SE Brooks St., 850-302-0266. $$ l d
rom French pastries to hand-crafted pizza, these Emerald Coast menu selections are sure to please even the most picky paletes this summer.
Breakfast
KaraBoo Bakery, Miramar Beach
Kick morning hunger to the curb and put some pep in your step with a stop at this quaint bakery. We indulged in a freshly baked galette prepared with savory spinach and tomato, while sipping on a gourmet cup of local fair-trade Amavida coffee. Owner and Pastry Chef Kara Enache, known for her incredible cakes, will customize pastry flavors, including vegetarian options, a delectable way to start the day. $5.70
Lunch
Cactus Flower Cafe, Pensacola
Satisfying our craving for authentic Mexican fare made fresh to order using traditional family recipes, we snapped up the flavor packed Torta layered with shredded beef, avocado, greens, creamy cheese and spicy mayo, all stacked high on a golden toasted roll. An added bonus was the cup of warm tortilla soup, bursting with flavor that came on the side. Delicioso! $8.95 Sergio’s Little Italy, Grayton Beach
Karaboo Bakery’s Spinach and Tomato Galette
92 August–September 2013
EmeraldCoastMagazine.com
Owner Sergio Petrov claims, “the good pizza is here,” and after trying the Lidias we can see why. The pizza dough and sauce are made from scratch daily, the pizza hand-tossed then scattered with thinly sliced prosciutto, grilled chicken, pancetta, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, mozzarella and stone fired to perfection. Named after Petrov’s mother, the divine combination of smoky flavors was delightful, and this coastal trattoria will soon become a culinary ritual. Buon appetito … y’all. $13.95
Photo by Scott Holstein
Dinner