New Dewey Destin location worth finding

DESTIN, FL - Dewey Destin's seafood market and restaurant on Calhoun Avenue has the reputation of not being an easy place to find. That's also true of the new location on the harbor.
   
But then would it be Dewey Destin's if it was easy to find?
   
For those of you who have been around for a while, the restaurant's parking lot is the location of the former Blue Room.
   
For you newcomers, if you're headed east through Destin, turn right just past Designer Consigners. If you're headed west, you have to make a u-turn first.
   
The food
A meal at Dewey Destin's Harborside begins with a choice of several appetizers.
   
Our choice was the seafood gumbo, a spicy, tomatoey concoction, brimming with large pieces of fish and shrimp.
   
Other choices include a crab-and-shrimp chowder, crab cakes or claws as well as hot crab or tuna dip.
   
The seafood baskets are offered fried with French fries, coleslaw and hush puppies; grilled or steamed.
   
The grilled and steamed baskets are served with coleslaw, corn on the cob and boiled new potatoes served with clarified butter.
   
Our choice was the fried oyster basket. Large, plump oysters were cooked perfectly in a light batter.
   
The coleslaw is mild and slightly sweet with lots of cabbage.
   
Dewey Destin's also offers two chicken baskets, fried chicken tenders and grilled chicken.
   
They also offer USDA Choice Black Angus beef.
   
For a lighter meal, try one of the salads: grilled shrimp, chicken or tuna. They also offer shrimp or tuna salad over lettuce.
   
Dewey Destin's also offers steamed seafood by the pound. If your taste runs to a sandwich with fries and coleslaw, Dewey Destin's offers 16 sandwiches. Several specials are offered each day. The day of our visit, the specials included a grouper meal, which I ordered grilled. A large portion of perfectly cooked fresh grouper was served with corn on the cob, boiled new potatoes and coleslaw. Dewey Destin's and Chef Jim Shirah know fresh fish. Don't forget to order a slice of Key lime pie for dessert.
   
For the kids, Dewey Destin's offers a hot dog, chicken tenders, fried mahi-mahi and fried shrimp, all served with fries.
   
The atmosphere
The restaurant is in the former home of Olin Marler. Built in 1928, there is some debate over whether or not it is the oldest home on the harbor.
   
You enter the restaurant through a lovely courtyard set under large, old oak trees with wrought iron tables and baskets of red geraniums and ferns.
   
White walls and dark woods create a cool oasis inside the restaurant or, if you prefer, you may sit on the deck at a table under a large red market umbrella and look out on Destin Harbor.
   
If you are in a romantic mood, ask for one of the three tables on the second floor deck.
   
The service
The one thing that struck me at Dewey Destin's is it doesn't seem to matter who your waiter is. If they are passing with a pitcher, they are more than happy to refill your glass or answer any question you might have.
   
When I commented on this, I was told that, "We're not family - just proud sponsors."
   
A final taste
In traveling, we have found some of our favorite restaurants in out of the way places.
  
Dewey Destin's Harborside has definitely been added to our list of favorites.

QuickBITES

Dewey Destin's Seafood

Location
202 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-7525

Hours
11 a.m. - until daily

Reservations
Accepted

Handicap accessibility
Good

Children's menu
Yes

Price range
Salads
$10.95 - $12.95
Appetizers
$4.95 - $9.95
Entrees
$7.95 - $39.95
Dessert
$3.50
Kid's Menu
$3.95 - $6.95

Payment
Credit cards accepted