Camellia Grill translates New Orleans well

DESTIN, FL - It is no secret that New Orleanians love their food, and for good reason. The city has a long tradition of wonderful food, both casual and upscale.
   
It is also no secret around here that many New Orleanians consider Destin their second home. So, over the years, we have seen a steady stream of New Orleans cuisine come this way.
   
It started with chefs and restaurateurs who opened places in Destin so they could live at the beach. But, more recently, we have seen New Orleans restaurant brands open up - Acme Oyster House, Pat O'Briens, Commanders Palace, and now the venerable diner Camellia Grill.
   
It can be difficult for a New Orleans restaurant to translate to the Destin Harbor. Part of the charm of the New Orleans Camellia Grill is its location along the streetcar line where St. Charles Avenue meets Carrollton.
   
The interior of the Destin location definitely as the feel of the New Orleans original. The staff is friendly, irreverent, and just plain fun. The pink and green walls are bright and cheery. A long counter where diners sit on stools serpentines through the restaurant. The grill is in full view. There is also a nice view of the Destin Harbor (from inside and from the outside seating), emphasizing the fact that you aren't in New Orleans.
   
I found the food to be every bit as good as the food in the original location. For me, Camellia Grill is all about the omelet, the Chili Cheese Omelet being my usual choice. But venturing out, I decided to try something new to me, and went for the Manhattan Omelet filled with chopped corned beef, potato, onion and American and Swiss cheese.
   
Omelets at Camellia Grill are light and fluffy from the eggs being whipped in a blender. They are also huge, taking up so much of the platter there was little room left for the fries (not to worry, they were put on top).
   
Waffles round out the breakfast fare (which is as good for lunch or dinner). Waffles come plain or with pecans.
   
Camellia Grill is well known for its chili. While it is available by the bowl, I find it is most popular topping another dish, such as the aforementioned omelet, hot dogs, fries, and burgers.
   
Burgers at Camellia Grill are 6 ounces of beef served on grilled buns. There is something about the taste that sends me back several decades to small non-franchised burger joints.
   
There are lots of sandwiches on the menu, from a simple grilled cheese to the Whole Meal Sandwiches.
   
The Camellia Special is a cold sandwich with turkey, ham, Swiss, slaw and Thousand Island dressing on rye bread. The sandwich was packed with meat that was moist and fresh-tasting.
   
A good option for a hot sandwich is the Grilled Reuben Special. The Yankee Special features roast beef, Swiss, grilled onions and mushroom sauce.
   
Salads include lettuce and tomatoes, slaw, and a grilled chicken salad. Tuna and chicken salads are also offered.
   
Portions are huge, but you'll want to pace yourself so you can get dessert. Cream pies (chocolate, banana, coconut) are good. Pecan, chocolate pecan, and apple pies can all be warmed (they actually warm the pie on the grill, flipping it over to get warm throughout) and served with a scoop of Bluebell ice cream.
   
I am a big fan of the freezes. They are made with ice cream, and blended with ice, making them lighter in flavor than a milkshake, but just as thick. It was a refreshing end to a diner meal, and was perfect on a hot day.
   
When bringing a New Orleans restaurant to Destin somethings necessarily get lost in translation. But Camellia Grill has done a good job of being loyal to the original while taking advantage of Destin's natural beauty. Plus, in Destin there wasn't a line to get in (although that definitely could change).

Camellia Grill
2 Harbor Blvd.
Destin
(850) 650-2907

Hours
8 a.m. -10 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8 a.m. midnight Friday-Sunday

Handicap accessibility
Good

Children's menu
Many items are appropriate for children

Price range
Eggs, omelets, waffles
$2.29-$8.99
Sandwiches
$2.99-$7.99
Desserts
$2.29-$4.29

Payment
Major credit cards