Life's a Beach

It's that time of year again.  We are at the beach.   Okaloosa Island the be a little more precise.  It is the beach front section of Fort Walton and is located just a couple of miles from Destin.   The Condos are located on Santa Rosa, a nice little dead-end road off the beaten path.  We are staying at the Island Princess this year.  One of the three elevators is out of order.  Naturally it is the one closest to our condo, but we are making due.  The stairs work fine, except after a big plate of fried seafood!

 

So far we have dined at The Back Porch and Pompano Joe's.  Both nights I have ordered what some places would call The Captain's Platter, a big plate of fried shrimp, scallops, fish, and oysters, knowing that I wouldn't be able to finish it and would be eating the leftovers for lunch the next day.  Oh the misery of it all.  I think I have gotten my fix of fried seafood and perhaps I will try something more adventurous tonight.

 

Now a few notes on TBP and PJ's.  Even at this time of year, showing up for dinner at 5:30 pm will incur at 30 to 60 minute wait.  Sunday night we arrived at TBP about 5:30.  The wait was just under a half hour.  There is plenty of space for waiting outside.  Our service was good this year and the foot came out fast.

 

Monday night we drove to Pompano Joe's.  PJ's is located a few miles to the other side of Destin which can seem like a considerable drive from Okaloosa Island if the traffic is bad through Destin.  Fortunately, it is the off season and traffic is not bad.  Parking at PJ's is always horrible, even this time of year.  I dropped the fam off at the door and parked the Tahoe a short distant away, less than a quarter of a mile, more than an 1/8th.  The walk not too bad and I took the opportunity to phone up my Father to see if he had any stock tips.  (Buy low, sell high.)   The wait was a little bit longer here, but still less than an hour.  G had the pasta with scallops.  It looked very good.  Both the waiter and the guy delivering the food made a comment about how much they enjoyed it.  Like TPB, PJ's has a row of window tables across the beach side looking out over the gulf.  Actually most of their tables look out to the beach and the windows are open so that you can hear the waves and feel the breeze when there is one.

 

I like both of these places, but one must be prepared to wait.  And don't expect fine dining but if your in the mood for some good seafood either of these will do fine.  Both places have a few picnic tables out on the beach where you can sit while you wait.

 

This evening we will probably try someplace we haven't been before.

 

I took at look back at the blog to see where we dined last year.  Turns out I forgot to do a write up.  No mention of Cafe 331 anywere.  Shame on me.

 

Tomorrow is Brianna's Birthday.  She is so sweet and she is growing up so fast.