Destin and South Walton are blessed with plenty of unique restaurants. With all the options available to locals and visitors, The Log and The Sun has asked some of our restaurant partners what sets them apart and makes their cuisine supreme.•••
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
15000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin
850-337-5108
www.ruthschrisdestin.com
“Ruth's Chris specializes in the finest custom-aged Midwestern beef. We broil it exactly the way you like it at 1800 degrees to lock in the corn-fed flavor. Then we serve your steak sizzling on a 500 degree plate so that it stays hot throughout your meal. In addition, the service you'll receive is executed with true southern hospitality and we have live music by a Billboard charting recording artist five nights a week, Tuesday through Saturday.” — Michael J Thomas, Ruth’s Chris entertainer/sales and marketing director
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Jim ‘N Nick’s
14073 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin
850-424-5895
www.jimnnicks.com
Jim ‘N Nick’s has a deep respect for Southern culture — a respect we honor by doing things with a passion for details, honest effort and a refusal to take shortcuts. Our way is low and slow — our pork shoulders steep in hickory smoke for over 14 hours. There are no freezers in a Jim ‘N Nick’s — everything is made from scratch, from the croutons that top our salads to the flour and rolling pin fresh pie crust. Jim ‘N Nick’s can fill every need — from dining-in to taking-out, tailgate parties to full-service catering events, we can create an experience and price to match any appetite.” — local owner Dave Hudson
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Joe’s Crab Shack
14055 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin
850-650-1882
www.joescrabshack.com
“With our unique menu and festive environment, Joe’s Crab Shack is a great place for friends and families to share memorable dining experiences. Joe’s Crab Shack serves buckets of crab, a wide variety of Steampots, fish, shrimp, burgers, chicken and festive vacation-style drinks amid a carefree atmosphere.” — Tara Loper, group sales specialist sales and field marketing
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The Ocean Club
8955 U.S. Highway 98 W, Miramar Beach
850-267-3666
theoceanclubdestin.com
"The most established and highly acclaimed restaurant in the area, The Ocean Club offers the best in dining and dancing for 25 years. The Ocean Club is home to the finest seafood on the Gulf Coast. With only the freshest cuts of fish and steak and the finest ingredients, our executive chef is sure to appeal to every indulgence. In addition to great food and an extensive wine list, the ocean club also provides live music and great nightlife. For an unforgettable event, make it The Ocean Club."— Owner Carey Shahid
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AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar
116 Harbor Blvd., Destin
850-837-1913
www.ajs-destin.com
“AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar is the place to be this fall and winter for great food, good times and the best in cool libations. Try our new To Go Menu with many of your AJ's favorites, prepared to travel so you can call ahead and have it waiting for you when you arrive. Our popular $7.25 weekday lunch special continues to please all ages and includes tea or coffee and a dessert. Known for our seafood and as a TOP 100 Nightclub in America, now come see us for homestyle cooking, watch your favorite games and enjoy the harbor view... AJ's style. Ask about our free Lunch Punch Card.” — marketing director at Tracy McCraw
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Shades Bar and Grill
10952 E. County Hwy. 30A, Panama City Beach
850-231-9410
www.shades30a.com
“A staple on 30A for 18 years, Shades is the locals’, tourists’ and family friendly place that everyone flocks to — whether it be for a casual meal with the family or a place to have amazing food. With all the sports packages on DIRECTV, you can always catch your favorite game. We aim to please everyone and with a game room for kids, 36 draft beers and a full bar. And with the best burgers, wings and fresh seafood offerings around, there is plenty to enjoy and fun for all ages.” — Owner Joseph Freer
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Bentley's and Maddog's
10343 E. County Hwy. 30A, Seacrest Beach
850-231-1007
www.bentleys30a.com
“Located directly on East 30A between Rosemary and Alys Beach, Bentley's and Maddog's offers an enormous and diverse menu that is retro old school dining. Thick juicy steaks, Maine and Florida lobsters, stone crabs, quarter-pound shrimp, fresh fish prepared multiple ways, flaming duck, stuffed quail and chicken Rochambeau are a few examples. Bentley's fine dining is coupled with a 10-item children's menu and all the snow crab you can eat any day, any time. Maddog's Oyster and Martini Bar features great happy-hour specials and $5 martinis.” — Owner Kandy Malocsay
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Basmati’s
3295 W. County Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
850-267-3028
www.basmatisthirtya.com
“Basmati’s offers unique serene settings on the shores of Draper Lake with exquisite, Asian-influenced classical cuisine.
We’ve been serving original sushi on the beach since 1996, and offer unsurpassed excellence in fine dining with a creative wine list and martini menu.” — Owners Penny & Gary Hunt
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723 Whiskey Bravo
3031 Scenic Hwy. 30A, Seagrove Beach
850-213-0015
www.723whiskeybravo.com
“723 Whiskey Bravo stands out from the crowd thanks to its campus-like setting, fresh design, diverse menu, expansive Gulf views and unique dining and social options that include the The Roof, a spacious, open-air roof-top bar and dining area; seats perfect for sports fans at the custom-made mahogany bar downstairs; classic seating in the main dining area with front-row seats to 30A people-watching, plus even more private event options. We believe 723 Whiskey Bravo (named for the tail number on our Cirrus airplane) has become the "ultimate friend maker" and a great neighborhood gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.” — Owners Skip and Victoria Moore.
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Marie's Bistro
2260 W. County Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
850-278-6856
www.mariesbistro.com
“We are unique because we offer a variety of cuisines affordably, under one roof. Whether you're looking for French, Italian, Middle Eastern, Cajun, Southern or Continental Cuisine; from appetizers to desserts, for all occasions and for any size party — we've done it all and have the ability to cook it to perfection every time, to please every taste! We feel that every guest is entitled to enjoy their favorite meal with their loved ones without worrying that it is only seafood, steak or what cuisine they offer. It is harder but we are moving on the right track.”— Manager Hanie Nasri.
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VKI Steakhouse
4552 U.S. Highway 98 W., Santa Rosa Beach
850-267-2555
www.vkisteakhouse.com
“We are a family owned and operated Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar. We opened in February 2012. Our menu consists of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken, including Japanese sushi, Tempura, Katsu and Sashimi. The Japanese believe that food should satisfy all the senses. The freshest ingredients are combined in ways that delight the eyes as well as the taste buds. We also feature hot and cold sake and a variety of beer and wine. Using the freshest ingredients along with perfect seasonings, our professional chefs will stir-fry your meal right before your eyes, creating a fabulous feast for the whole family.” — Owner Qun Lin
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Johnny McTighe’s Family Restaurant and Irish Pub
2298 W. County Hwy. 30A, Blue Mountain Beach
www.johnnymctighesirishpub.com
850-267-0101
“We pride ourselves on having very good food at very reasonable prices. We are really noted for our Reubens, a lobster bisque that’s off the charts, Philadelphia cheese steaks and pizza. In fact we sold 85 pizzas in one day last summer. Almost every one of our sandwiches is $8.99, and on 30A that’s pretty cheap. The restaurant is extremely family friendly with a kids’ menu and game room. For the adults, we have a large draft beer and bottle selection and a full liquor bar. But what makes us really unique is we are very much a locals’ place. In our fourth year of business, we still get glowing reviews for our very eclectic menu. We are open at 11 a.m. and close at 2 a.m. seven days a week. We are even open on Christmas!" — Owner Jack McTighe
