Florida Trend Names 4 South Walton Restaurants among Golden Spoon Winners

Excerpt from Florida Trend (Dec. 2017): “Fifty years ago, long before Zagat, TripAdvisor or Yelp, Florida Trend embarked on a novel project to find the state’s best restaurants. In a survey to 1,000 subscribers, editors explained “most of our readers—and all Florida Trend staff members—travel around our state a lot. The men who read our magazine like good restaurants.”  

The “Mad Men” – era language reflected notions that restaurants were for businessmen who mostly wanted steaks, lobsters and stiff cocktails. Fast forward a half-century and all Floridians obsess about food. Restaurants and chefs fill our smartphones and TV screens, cooking and eating dominate careers, leisure, business and news. Back in 1967, Florida Trends readers shared their favorites and aired complaints. They recommended top restaurants in 79 cities, from Brahma in Ocala to Top-O-The-Columbus in Miami.”

So now that you have the historic perspective, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating 50 years of honoring the state’s love of culinary excellence through the Florida Trend Golden Spoon Awards and our South Walton winners. Here are the South Walton honorees, which include the best resaturants in Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Seaside.

Bijoux in Miramar Beach

Located at 9375 Emerald Coast Pkwy #22, Miramar Beach, FL (850-622-0760) Bijoux is close enough to New Orleans to want beignets and Creole spice as well as a Gulf catch. Get them in the resort’s market mall, starting with mussels, feta and curry, blackened Brie aoir fried oyster salad. Follow with seafood and meats dolled up with charred corn, broccolini and a saucier’s full inventory. Get a big double porch chop wth red pea ragout, blueberry sauce and fried okra. 

Bud & Alley’s in Seaside

Located at 2236 E County Rd 30A, Seaside, FL (850-231-5900) Bud & Alley's is in the heart of Seaside and the New Urban dining hall of South /Walton since 1987; an edible amusement park on the boardwalk. Pizza, tacos, rooftop bars, plus shrimp and grits or whole fish with arugula and new potatoes. 

Fish Out of Water in Santa Rosa Beach

Located at 34 Golden rod Circle; Santa Rosa Beach, FL (850-534-5050) Fish out of Water is within a top-dollar resort with Gulf view and Gulf seafood sassied up with herbed grits, pork belly, succotash and other Southern accents. A handsome parade of vegetables in every course. Alabama sausage and Cajun crawfish too. Just as smart at breakfast, worth waking up early. 

Vin’tij in Miramar Beach

Located at 10859 US Highway 98 W; MIramar Beach, FL (850-650-9820) Vintij Wine Boutique features a changing menu mixes the Mediterranean and the Gulf with good cheer and spice. Griddled sea scallops can be matched with spaghetti squash and field pea relish. Paired with a smart wine list. 
Whether you’ve dined at these establishments in the past or are ready to be a first timer, we highly recommend adding them to your beach vacation “must dine” list. 

Stay and Dine in South Walton

Are you looking forward to your next beach vacation? If not, now is the time to start planning. View our premier South Walton vacation rentals online , including rentals at Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort in Miramar Beach, entals at Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort, condos at Sanctuary at Redifsh on 30A and many other beach homes and condominiums. Or call one of our friendly vacation specialists at 1-800-225-7652 to narrow your search. And always book direct to avoid hidden fees and for the best rate guarantee. 

See you @ the beach!