Best of Emerald Coast
Best Frozen Treat
Twirl Frozen Yogurt Beat the heat of the Florida sun with a big cup of Twirl’s soft-serve frozen yogurt. The frozen yogurt buffet offers a variety of changing flavors and scrumptious fruit, nut and candy toppings. Want the convenience of a cup with the taste of a cone? Build your own confection creation and enjoy the goodness. Destin
Photo by Scott Holstein (Osaka,Aegean) and Courtesy Romona Robbins Photography (PiÑa Colada Cake)
Best Italian Restaurant
NEW
Clemenza’s at Uptown Station Born from a love of cooking, deep Italian roots and a desire to delight its patrons, Clemenza’s encompasses all that is Italian cuisine. From woodfired pizzas and traditional red sauces to pasta and clams, paired with one of our premier wines, Clemenza’s offers a classic taste of Italy. Clemenza’s also boasts a full bar of premium liquors plus a wide array of specialty cappuccinos and espressos for an authentic and delicious Italian experience. Fort Walton Beach
Best Locally Owned Restaurant
Callahan’s Restaurant and Deli This locally owned and operated restaurant in the heart of Destin wins again with its great selections for brunch, lunch and dinner. Callahan’s generous portions of comfort food served in a casual atmosphere are sure to satisfy. Salads, sandwiches, soups, specials and your choice of a customcut prime rib and steak are offered on their diverse menu. There’s certainly something for everyone. Destin
Best Margarita
Cantina Laredo Cantina Laredo’s Casa Rita
Margarita is made from fresh lime juice and the finest tequila. Pair it with an authentic Mexican meal, then sit back and enjoy the sophisticated charm of this upscale cantina. Stop into this Mexican Citystyle restaurant where Cinco de Mayo is any day you choose it to be. Miramar Beach
guacamole made with only Hass avocados and handmade tamales. The extensive menu features á al carte options, combination meals or full entrees with beans, chicken, steak, shrimp or fish served with refried rice and beans. Destin, Miramar Beach and Niceville
Best Martini
Best Outdoor Bar
Bonefish Grill Bonefish is the place to gather with family, friends and colleagues for specialty martinis, including refreshing tropical flavors like fresh watermelon, pomegranate, raspberry and summer Georgia peach. Order the Ocean Trust mango martini, and $1 will be donated to Ocean Trust to work toward ocean conservation. Destin, Pensacola, Panama City and Panama City Beach
Best Mediterranean
Aegean Restaurant Transport yourself to the shores of sunny Greece with each bite at this family owned and operated Mediterranean restaurant. From the Greek waffles served with yogurt, honey and walnuts for breakfast, to the homemade hummus and traditional gyro sandwich for lunch and then the petite rack of lamb for dinner — every dish on the menu is a flavorful favorite. Miramar Beach and Shalimar
Best Mexican/ Latin American Restaurant
Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant Come on in for some traditional Mexican dishes featuring freshly made salsas,
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar With balmy breezes coming off the Destin Harbor, great live entertainment on a large outdoor deck and an extensive menu of fresh local seafood that includes some of the tastiest oysters in town, you have a recipe for success at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar. No wonder locals and visitors alike flock here for fun year after year. Destin
Best Outdoor Dining NEW
Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House Enjoy fresh oysters and watch the sunset from one of Boshamps’ four decks that tier down to the water. All decks have seating for guests to watch the boats that dot the harbor. Stop by even if it’s raining; Boshamps provides a covered deck with a bar and seats for dining. Destin
Best Oysters
NEW
Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House Experience true Southern hospitality while you sit on the deck overlooking the harbor and savor the Best oysters on the coast. Whether you savor a dozen raw, within a cocktail or the house specialty of baked oysters served with caramelized Vidalia onion, Alabama fest and house-made bacon marmalade, you’re sure to find
Best Restaurant in the County
Best Restaurant, Escambia County
NEW
Jackson’s Steakhouse Jackson’s Steakhouse has more to brag about than just their steak. With a full seafood dinner menu it’ll be hard to choose between a delicious steak or the grouper, scallops, Yellowfin tuna, salmon and crab cakes. Steaks can be topped with lump crab, grilled shrimp or lobster tail. Pensacola
Best Restaurant, Okaloosa County
NEW
Clemenza’s Uptown A meal at Clemenza’s is an experience to be savored. Begin with an antipasta starter or perhaps the homemade soup of the day. It will be hard to decide between the many pasta dishes such as Seafood Linguini or Clemenza’s Classic Neapolitan, the hand-tossed wood-fired pizzas and authentic Italian entrees such as Chicken Parmesan and Veal Marsala — all are delicious favorites. Just be sure to save room for the Cannoli with chocolate chips and pistachios, a slice of Tiramisu or the classic homemade Italian cheesecake! Delicioso! Fort Walton Beach
Best Restaurant, Walton County NEW
Fat Clemenza’s Fat Clemenza’s serves up authentic Italian cuisine like mama used to make. In addition to its family recipes of traditional Italian pastas, wood-fired pizzas, soups, chicken and veal dishes, Fat Clemenza’s has a blackboard with daily specials like “Fresh Fish Fridays,” when fresh fish caught locally is served on Friday night. And don’t forget to save room for one of the homemade deserts such as Panna Cotta! Miramar Beach
EmeraldCoastMagazine.com October–November 2013
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