Best of Emerald Coast
Food & Beverage Best Appetizer
Bonefish Grill Whether you are looking for surf or turf, Bonefish has the Best appetizer to get your meal started right. Try the famous Bang Bang Shrimp tossed in a creamy spicy sauce or the Wagyu Beef and Ginger Dumplings, handmade with American-style Kobe and pan-seared with crispy shallots, Thai peppers and soy sauce. Destin, Pensacola, Panama City and Panama City Beach
Best Bagel Shop
Not Just Bagels The aroma of freshly baked bagels, breads and pastries fills the air of this gourmet bagel shop. With as many as two dozen flavors to choose from and a variety of cream-cheese flavored toppings made fresh daily, Not Just Bagels will have you in comfort-food heaven. Looking for a light meal? As the name implies, Not Just Bagels serves breakfast, sandwiches and salads, too. Destin
Photo by Kansas Pitts (Pettis)
Best Bakery
NEW
KaraBoo Bakery If you’re in need of a sweet treat, this locally owned bakery takes the cake. With delicious desserts for any occasion, KaraBoo Bakery’s homemade cakes (wedding and otherwise), pies, cupcakes and pastries will satisfy even the largest sweet tooth. If you are in the mood for something savory, try a fresh sandwich from its beachside café. Miramar Beach
Best BBQ
Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q Slow-smoked baby back and spareribs, hand-pulled pork and sliced
Angus beef brisket are a few favorites on Jim ‘N Nicks mouthwatering menu. Refusing to cut corners, the restaurant smokes meats for 14 hours in hickory. The attention to detail and Southern-style barbeque will have you licking your fingers after every bite. Destin
Best Beer Selection
Miller’s Ale House Three cheers for the Ale House Restaurant! With more than 75 varieties of beer to choose and a full service bar that also includes wine and liquor, you will be toasting all night long. Pair the cold ale with a delicious steak, seafood, salad or pasta dish, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this neighborhood family restaurant. Destin
Best Bloody Mary
The Red Bar Winning the hearts of locals, visitors and celebrities, The Red Bar is a favorite in Grayton Beach. Offering simple yet delicious lunch and dinner menus and an award-winning Bloody Mary, the eclectic bar is a popular indoor entertainment spot. Sit back on the funky furniture, and enjoy the sounds of live music with family and friends. Grayton Beach
Best Breakfast
Another Broken Egg Café Another Broken Egg scrambles up some of the best breakfast food in town. Serving more than 130 delicious, home-cooked breakfast, brunch and lunch foods, this warm and cozy café has earned Best Breakfast for more than a decade, proving it has cracked the code and found the secret ingredient to win
Best Chef Dan Pettis Chef Dan Pettis, owner of One 20 A Modern Bistro, showcases a mixture of his Southern upbringing and worldly travels in every dish. With a love for fresh and local ingredients Chef Pettis, an Emerald Coast native, utilizes his farmer’s market located adjacent to the restaurant. Niceville
diners’ hearts. Destin, Miramar Beach and Grayton Beach
Best Brunch
Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast Fresh ingredients and homemade attention to detail are staples of this weekend brunch spot. Try the Lemon Curd Ricotta Pancakes, Flourless Espresso Biscuits and Italian Breakfast Panini; with prosciutto, eggs and Gruyere, all made from old Sicilian family recipes. Fort Walton Beach
Best Buffalo Wings
Buffalo’s Reef Famous Wings Offered in a variety of different flavors, the made-to-order wings are worth the wait. If you are in the mood for something spicy, the Hot or Super Hot flavors won’t disappoint. Can’t take the heat? No worries! The Honey BBQ, Teriyaki, Honey Mustard or Garlic Parmesan flavors might be for you. Fort Walton Beach
Best Cajun
NEW
790 On The Gulf Enjoy some fresh Florida seafood with Louisiana flavor. Serving fresh shrimp, salads, seafood and homemade comfort food favorites, this authentic Cajun and seafood restaurant brings a taste of the bayou to the beach. Complete with an outdoor patio allowing diners to enjoy the evening sunset, 790 on the Gulf offers the best Cajun classics in town. Destin
Best Onsite Catering NEW
Bijoux Catering Put something “special” into your next private party, wedding or corporate event with the experienced staff at RSVP/Bistro Bijoux. Now a joint venture, it offers onsite catering for large events that will make use of the entire restaurant. For smaller onsite celebrations, check out the private dining guide. Miramar Beach
EmeraldCoastMagazine.com October–November 2013
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