Destin Florida ... your ideas..

The R. wrote:
> Wayne M. wrote:
> >  Going to Destin first week of March ... would welcome ideas,
> >  suggestions ... sightseeing, restaurants, etc.  Thanks.
> There are many good restaurants in the Destin/Emerald Coast area.  One in

Don't forget Seaside, between Destin and Panama City.  There was a restaurant there a few years ago called Bud and Allie's.  Allie (sp?) is the cat there.  Bud's the owner.  There's also another restaurant that's a part of Seaside that served EXCELLENT food, all the way down to the cole slaw.  I wish I could remember the name of it.

Cat
Cat Stanton-------------------------------- |\      _,,,--,,_  ,) --------- [email removed]                                 /,`.-'`'   -,  ;-;;' [email removed]               |,4-  ) )-,_ ) /\ http://www.webcom.com/~feline/ --------- '---''(_/--' (_/-' -------F.Lee---

I second the recommendation for the Back Porch.  Caporellis, just across the bridge from Ft. Walton is also a good Italian seafood place. Louisianna Ligniap (spelling?) is an ok cajun place, but overpriced for the size portion you get.

Catherine S. wrote:
>
> The R. wrote:
> > Wayne M. wrote:
> > >  Going to Destin first week of March ... would welcome ideas,
> > >  suggestions ... sightseeing, restaurants, etc.  Thanks.
> > There are many good restaurants in the Destin/Emerald Coast area.  One in
>
> Don't forget Seaside, between Destin and Panama City.  There was a
> restaurant there a few years ago called Bud and Allie's.  Allie (sp?)
> is the cat there.  Bud's the owner.

OK now, I have to put in my .02 worth here.  Seaside is a fine little fantasy village of very expensive houses on tiny little lots crammed together to create a superficially pleasant Disneyland-style village (better bring your VISA card, AND your American Express).  Quite pleasant in a way, but in no way similar to Destin.

Aside from the obvious beach-related things to do in Destin, and the tourist-related activities, there are a few things you can do to get a better feel for this old fishing village.  First off, please don't make Captain Dave's your fondest memory of Destin.  It's an OK place, and if you get a good table, it has a very nice view of the marina (spoiled now by the many high-rise condos on Holiday Isle), but the food is not exceptional,and the prices are a bit on the high side.  If you have access to a grill (if you don't, pick one up a the Wal-Mart) stop in at the seafood store on Hwy. 98 in Destin and pick up some fresh shrimp or whatever and do your own.  Take a drive through Destin.  I particularly like the road along the bay and Indian Bayou. There's a little public park on the bay that's nice for kids when the surf is too rough or the water's too cold.  If the weather is good and the water is clear, nothing can compare with a little sightseeing trip in a small boat through the various "bayous" along the bay, and then out through East Pass (but be careful if the weather's bad 'cause East Pass can be dangerous depending on the tide and wind).  You can also drive in to Ft. Walton and shop the tourist traps, or go on up toward Niceville and see the Air museum - it's pretty good.  Of course for the ultimate "old Destin" experience, you would have to rent one of the remaining cabins at Silver Beach in Destin.  This is practically the only remnant of the old Destin, before it became such a tourist attraction and before the condos started to appear along the beach.  In the summer, it's the first place along the beach from East Pass that isn't 3-deep with rental beach umbrellas and chairs.  If you're into it, there are a number of places for nighttime entertainment, both in Destin and in Ft. Walton.
---Randy

In article , [email removed] (Wayne A Muth)
>writes:
>
>  Going to Destin first week of March ... would welcome ideas,
>  suggestions ... sightseeing, restaurants, etc.  Thanks.
>--
Okay...to start off in Destin for restaurants... The first I would recommend is Miss Chen's on HW 98 just before the bridge over to Fort Walton Beach.  It doesn't look look much from the outside but it's a freindly place with some excellant Chinese food.

Over in Fort Walton Beach there are a few I can recommend.  First and formost I'd recommend The Bay Cafe.  It is on Alconese Avenue on the water and serves excellant French food.  For Italian I'd say go to Perri's on Eglin Parkwat NE.

And for bier lovers in the crowd a MUST stop is the Bitburger Gasthaus at 169 Miracle Strip Pkwy.  It's a good bar with pool tables dart boards and most importantly Bitburger Pils served on draft poured properly in German Pils style.

Enjoy...SteveO

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         << Views expressed are mine, not MITRE's >>