cafe hibiscus

Story By: Natalie Haddock

The 30A Songwriters Festival is finally here!

This festival is a truly unique experience as it takes place over three days, along the full stretch of Scenic Hwy 30a, and among 25 different venues. From Dune Allen to Rosemary Beach, attendants can enjoy a variety of music, wine, food, and entertainment. Some of us have a couple of favorite restaurants we like to frequent, sure, and there are certainly big acts and big venues we want to see (like Graham Nash at the Gulf Place Amphitheater), but the festival also gives us a chance to discover new tastes and tunes in a variety of eclectic, contemporary, lavish, and lively settings.

So enjoy the 30a Songwriters Festival and be sure to check out these 3 for 30A that you won’t want to miss.

Friday, January 16 – The Kickoff party begins at Pandora’s Steakhouse in Grayton Beach, the perfect place to fuel up, fill up, and loosen up for the weekend. This fine dining restaurant is no stranger to live music and local favorite Boukou Groove will go on at 11:00 PM as part of the festival line up. Their quality steak and seafood menus offer a little something for everyone and their cocktail menu is sure to please; however, be sure to save room for a plate of fried strawberries for dessert. For more information go to http://www.pandorasgraytonbeach.com/pandoras_steakhouse_grayton_beach/

Saturday, January 17 – This sunny Saturday afternoon, stop by the Hibiscus House to watch Friends of Lola play at the intimate and earthy “Backyard of Love”. Stop in the café for a tasty chai tea, hot cocoa, or lemonade. Delicious breakfast burritos, soups, salads, and even a veggie burger or brat on a bun are available as you sit under the shady palm trees in this southern home setting. To view the menu that is available during the festival and for further information check out their blog at http://blog.hibiscusflorida.com/blog/

Sunday January 18 – Caliza is an elegant rooftop restaurant in Alys Beach with worldly cuisine and soft breezes. Normally closed for the off season, the 30a Songwriter’s Festival allows a sneak peek of the luxurious infinity pool and private cabanas that will reopen in March 2015. Get there early and enjoy the Gospel Show starting at 10:00 and have a serene Sunday at the beach. In anticipation of their exciting happy hour, dinner, and dessert menus go to http://www.calizarestaurant.com/caliza-restaraunt/menu/