790 on the Gulf lovely setting for good food

DESTIN, FL — Although 790 on the Gulf is one of the newest eateries in Destin, the restaurateurs are well known in the area.
   
Ed and Christine Ward, owners of 790 North in Fort Walton Beach for the last six years, opened the beachfront location in June to the delight of many locals.
   
The food
The restaurant’s menu indicates that the it offers, “Florida seafood with Louisiana flavors.” This is very apparent in its gumbos.
   
You can choose from three types of gumbo: crawfish and shrimp, chicken and sausage, duck and andouille or try a Louisiana sampler of all three.
   
The gumbo is a variation on traditional gumbo, using a lighter base, but it has generous quantities of ingredients.
   
Appetizers at 790 on the Gulf include everything from fried chicken livers to a baked crawfish and crab dip.
   
They even offer their delicious classic Southern hushpuppies as an appetizer.
   
Salads include one of my favorites from the Fort Walton Beach restaurant, the tropical chicken salad.
   
A marinated grilled chicken breast is tossed with toasted cashews and poppy seed dressing and served over mixed greens with tomatoes, oranges and grapes.
   
The restaurant offers four to six lunch specials and three to four dinner specials each day.
   
The day of our visit, one of the lunch specials was a grouper sandwich that I chose grilled though they also offer their seafood fried and blackened.
   
It was a good choice with their homemade tartar sauce.
   
Other sandwiches include hamburgers, pastrami on rye, poboys and the “Crescent City” muffelatta with ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese and homemade olive salad.
   
A number of the entree items are priced either for lunch or dinner and include everything from meatloaf to seafood and steaks.
   
Steaks are a new addition to the 790 restaurants. They offer a size for everyone’s taste.
   
There is an 8-ounce bacon-wrapped filet, a 10-ounce heart of ribeye and a 12-ounce Cajun blackened ribeye. Make sure you save room for dessert. The day of our visit, we chose a slice of mango cheesecake and a slice of chocolate cake. Both were delicious. The children’s menu includes popcorn shrimp, a cheeseburger, fried chicken fingers and fried catfish.
   
A “Sunset Happy Hour” is held each day from 4 to 7 p.m. with $2 wine and beer.
   
The atmosphere
The interior of 790 on the Gulf is understated with muted shades of yellow, green and beige, but when one entire wall of a restaurant looks out onto the sugar-white sand and emerald green water of the Gulf of Mexico, you don’t need more.
   
There is a large outside seating area that will get you even closer to the beauty. Large market umbrellas shade the tables, and pots of herbs that are used in the restaurant are scattered around the patio.
   
Parking is to the left as you enter the Inn at Crystal Beach’s lot and is plainly marked as parking for the restaurant. 
   
The service
The service was friendly and professional. We never felt rushed.
   
Lingering over a delicious dessert with a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico from the air-conditioned comfort of a dining room is a wonderful way to spend a sultry August afternoon.
   
A final taste
Whether you are a local or a visitor to the area, stop in at 790 on the Gulf and enjoy a good meal in a beautiful setting.

QuickBITES

790 on the Gulf
Inn at Crystal Beach
2996 Scenic Highway 98
Destin
850-650-4853

Hours
Lunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Dinner, 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Closed Monday

Reservations
Not necessary

Handicap accessibility
Good

Children’s menu
Yes, $5.89-$6.89

Price range
Appetizers
$3.49-$8.99
Salads, sandwiches
$8.49-$12.99
Entrees
$8.89-$21.99

Payment
Major credit cards