Where to Eat: Florida

I am currently living in England with my husband and I have been here over a year. I'm so homesick for food from the Panhandle of Florida!!! That is one of the things that I miss the most from the states, my family goes without saying. I wanted to share some restaurants from where I grew up and highlight few of my favorite dishes.

Seafood
Old Bay Steamer
102 Santa Rosa Blvd Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548
Phone: (850) 664-2795

This is our #1 favorite seafood restaurant. Old Bay Steamer simply makes me think that this is what a seafood restaurant should be. It has a great relaxed atmosphere and the food wonderful! I'm the type of person who always orders the same thing once I find my favorite. They have a house salad that is unique and I always look forward to it. For the main course, we usually order a platter for 2 that are piled high with: snow crab legs, King Crab legs, HUGE shrimp, clams, mussel, oysters, potatoes, and corn on the cob. I believe that they serve desserts here but I'm always too full to order any.
You also have to love their motto, "No fried crap!!"

Why should you go here? Great atmosphere, great value, great food, because you love seafood!!!

Mexican
La Paz Restaurant & Cantina
950 Gulf Shore Dr Destin, FL 32541
Phone: (850) 837-2247

This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. I found this restaurant because most of my high school friends worked as bus-boys and hostesses here. They have a unique seafood-slash-Mexican menu. I would say that La Paz had a beach feel to it. The have a festive color scheme that is very bold.

To start they offer the traditional chips and salsa, except they also offer a mild green salsa that is my personal favorite. Upon reading the menu, I haven't been there in over a year, it seems that they no longer serve what was my star pick, shrimp tacos with a mango cha-salsa. :(

Why should you go here? A different twist on Mexian. You are tired of the same old thing.

Sushi
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
34745 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin, FL, 32541
Phone: (850) 650-4688

I love sushi! I think that Osaka's has a very unique menu. They have the traditional rolls (California, Shrimp Tempera, Eel, etc.) but I really love their volcano roll and Ichiban roll. They have unique rolls that don't have seaweed. Instead they use the peel of a cucumber and roll the ingredients inside. They are one of my favorites and it is so yummy!!!! My friend's favorite was the Fried Grouper roll. If you think that sushi doesn't fill you up, you should give this place a try. I always order much more than I should because everything is so great.
***They also do hibachi which is an entertaining show and very filling and delicious.

Why should you go here? Great atmosphere, unique rolls, fresh sushi.

Gourmet
BeachWalk
The Inn at Crystal Beach, 1st Floor 2996 Scenic Highway 98 East Destin, Florida 32541
Phone: 850.650.7100

Chef Tim Creehan runs the Beachwalk. My husband and I went here after we got married. They have an interesting menu. For my entree I had Ahi Tuna, one of my favorites. The best part of Beachwalk for me was that it signified a special occasion. It offers a wonderful presentation from the ambiance to the delicious editable artwork.

Why should you go here? Any special occasion.

Below: A special Congratulations from a chef.