Distillery 98

September 20, 2023

Distillery 98 launches Emerald Coast Spirits Fest Sept. 23

VIP event scheduled for Friday, Sept 22

Sept. 19, 2023
Special to 30A Food & Wine

INLET BEACH – Distillery 98, the award-winning micro-distillery and home to Half Shell Vodka, is proud to host the first-ever Emerald Coast Spirits Festival in partnership with the Florida Craft Spirits Association. Slated for Saturday, Sept. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at 30Avenue, distillers from across the state will come together to showcase their products, with complimentary tastings and specialty cocktails for spirits enthusiasts, along with live entertainment and food sampling from local restaurants.

Emerald Coast Spirits Festival

Inspired by the FCSA’s Jacksonville-area Sunshine Spirits Festival, Distillery 98 is collaborating with the organization and sponsors including Emerald Coast Magazine, Cultural Arts Alliance and Driftwood Wine and Spirits to create an event that elevates local businesses in Santa Rosa Beach’s 30Avenue district and attract tourists to the world famous Emerald Coast beaches.

Exclusive cocktails crafted with spirits from participating distillers will be created by Better Together Beverage; Manifest Distillery, St. Petersburg Distillery, Big Storm Pinellas LLC, Severessence Distilling Co., Fish Hawk Spirits, LLC, Tapì USA, 30A Distilling Co., and Rollins Distillery.

Food will be provided by amici 30A Italian Kitchen, amigos 30A Mexican Kitchen, and Cuvee 30A. Guests will enjoy music from local artists and Alaqua Animal Refuge will be onsite with animals looking for their forever homes.

VIP and general admission tickets available

The festival weekend kicks off with a special VIP event Friday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m., held at Distillery 98, 835 Serenoa Road in Santa Rosa Beach.

General admission and VIP tickets are available here. The 30Avenue Business District is located at 12805 US-98 East, Rosemary Beach. Both events are adults only and 21-plus; bring a valid driver’s license or ID.

May 21, 2023

Digital Graffiti: A night of lights and bites

Blog, Home Page Blog, Uncategorized

Projection art exhibition pairs nicely with local cuisine

By Michelle Farnham
May 20, 2023

ALYS BEACH – The stark white architecture of Alys Beach is a stunning sight during the daylight hours, but at night, it transitions into a blank artist’s canvas unlike anything you’ve seen before. The site of the 16th annual Digital Graffiti Festival May 19 and 20, guests strolled the streets of this idyllic beach town, viewing projection artwork while enjoying locally sourced food and drinks.

Friday night was an all-inclusive experience, offering small plates like prime steak from Seagar’s; herb cavatelli with lamb shoulder and a cucumber yogurt soup from Roux 30A; and fried rice with green apple kimchi and carrot gazpacho by The Citizen.

Bites among the lights

Smoked bay scallops with sea urchin espuma by RC Weddings + Events.

Idyll Hound Proper served Divide N’ Conch fritters.

Oxtail marmalade and grit by Marrow Private Chefs.

Pink Coyote Dessert Co. offered strawberry lemonade sorbet and ice cream sandwiches.

Even the seating areas got their glow on!

Marrow Private Chefs was an early stop along the exhibition path.

“Tonight we’re serving oxtail marmalade and grits. It only took us three days to cook the oxtail for you,” laughed Marrow Executive Chef Richard McCord.

Idyll Hound Proper, the gastropub expected to open at 30Avenue this July, got a jumpstart on festival season, deep frying Bahamian-style Divide N’ Conch Fritters on-demand, by the light of a headlamp.

“These fritters are from our chef, Nick Walton – he’s an island guy – and are infused with our double IPA Divide and Conch’r and served with spiced mango chutney,” said Dan Tinghitella, CEO of No Reservations Restaurant Group.

There was plenty to sip on as well, from such purveyors as Good Clean Wine, Castle & Key Distillery, Lugo’s Craft Spirits and Herradura Tequila. Santa Rosa Beach-based Distillery 98 shook up “Lights, Camera, Action,” featuring their Dune Laker Vodka, lemon, blackberry and bay leaf syrup.

Glow on!

Among the 50 digital artists represented from around the world, Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School got in on the action, presenting compilation works titled “Who Are We, Digitally?” and “Our Personal Digital Brand.” Each student and their parents were given a ticket to Saturday evening’s exhibit. Robyn Wallace, the school’s art teacher, spoke about the young artists’ process.

“A lot of this was a self-reflective piece,” explained Wallace. “Our fifth- and sixth-graders really dug into logos and then they had to think about themselves and how they would represent themselves digitally. They used primarily Google Drawing.

“For the seventh- through 10th-graders, we did a self portrait and the back images are photographs they’ve taken either off their social media or that represent themselves, and then they had to recreate themselves using Google Drawing as well. This was their first experience with anything digital. It was an opportunity to dig in and determine how they could change shapes and manipulate them to represent themselves.”

Ticketholders wrapped up the evening with an after-party at Caliza Restaurant, featuring a light show across the iconic pool.

Catch video of the inaugural Digital Graffiti livestream here.

Photos by Michelle Farnham

Caliza Restaurant hosted the after-party.

October 23, 2022

Grace Pizza and Shakes opens second location on 30A

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Oct. 23, 2022
Special to 30A Food & Wine

GRAYTON BEACH – Grace Pizza and Shakes will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, Oct. 29 at their newest restaurant, located in the old Pickle Factory at 38 Clayton Lane in Grayton Beach.

Grace Pizza

Founded in 2021 by Adrian Hembree and Vincent Nandlal in Alvin, Texas, Grace is the story of their mission and values expressed through the art of food, leadership, and serving others. The name “Grace” comes from a time when both Hembree and Nandlal faced hardships in their personal lives, and turned to their faith for grace, leadership, and love.

Nandlal and his father long knew that they wanted to open a pizza restaurant but didn’t have the knowledge or expertise of the business. They turned to their friend Adrian Hembree, who they had become close with through community service work including Hurricane Harvey relief, the Pearland Police Officer Benefit, and volunteering after the Santa Fe School Shooting. Due to their close bond, Hembree decided not only to advise on the business but partner with Nandlal to bring the concept to life. They both share the same passion and idea that food, a love for people, and serving others brings people together. Today, their goal is to extend Grace to the community, one slice of pizza, or one fun shake, at a time.

“Adrian had an idea for a pizza concept but wanted to shake it up with something different,” Nandlal said. “I love the milkshake idea, so I was able to help Adrian put together an over-the-top menu, and with his many years of restaurant experience and my passion for creativity, we were able to create this cool, unique concept.”

After vacationing to 30A for decades, both Hembree and Nandlal knew they wanted to open a business in the area to have a more concrete connection to the community and be in the area full-time. The decision became clearer when a friend let them know a restaurant space would soon become available and that they should take the opportunity to expand.

“We prayed and God told us to go for it, so we made an offer and the rest is history,” said Nandlal. “The Grace concept is perfect for locals and visitors because it brings a family friendly, cool environment that everyone will love, no matter what age you are. We are so beyond blessed and grateful to be here.”

Grace Pizza and Shakes 30A offers a wide variety of hand-crafted pizzas, salads, local craft beers, and over-the-top ice cream shakes, including their signature 30A Cake Explosion, made with locally sourced baked items. Their founding principles are based off the old proverb, “To each, his own,” meaning that none of their pizzas are the same and each is unique in flavor.

Community members, guests, and children are invited to the locally owned and operated restaurant from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 to commemorate the official grand opening and taste some of the restaurant’s most popular fare. The Halloween-themed event will offer samples of various pizza pies and shakes, along with craft cocktails from Distillery 98, craft brews from Grayton Beer Company and the Lewis Bear Company, along with sips of Good Clean Wine. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and the best costume will be awarded a special prize. There will also be live music from Nashville-based recording artist, Cole Degges, along with kids face painting and a DJ later in the evening.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ohana Institute, a non-profit, private, exploratory, and innovative school serving middle and high school students. The school operates year-round on a flexible calendar that emphasizes project-based learning and combines both theoretical and real-world experiences for students through an engaging and broad array of subjects.

The new Grace Pizza and Shakes 30a is 1,000 square feet with an intimate dining area along with a plethora of outdoor seating options. The new restaurant has created 30 to 40 jobs in the community and since their soft opening in May 2022, they have partnered with several local businesses and organizations to give back to the community.

To learn more about Grace Pizza and Shakes 30A, visit www.gracepizzaandshakes.com and follow their social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook.

August 29, 2022

Bloody Mary Festival to spice things up Oct. 22

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Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity – Walton County

Aug. 29, 2022
Special to 30A Food & Wine

MIRAMAR BEACH – The Market Shops will host its seventh annual Bloody Mary Festival benefiting Habitat for Humanity – Walton County Saturday, Oct. 22. The annual event, powered by Step One Automotive Group, will feature unlimited tastes of South Walton’s most creative and innovative bloody Marys, made with Distillery 98’s Dune Laker Vodka and served by the finest restaurants and bars on the Emerald Coast. Flier

For a $60 donation to attend, guests are invited from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy up to 20 of South Walton’s most coveted bloody Marys served in specialty cups provided by Compass Builders of Florida. Restaurants confirmed to compete for the 2022 title of “Best Bloody Mary in South Walton” include Auston’s on 98, The Beach House, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Cannery Lane Cantina, Chanticleer Eatery, Chiringo, Harry T’s, The Henderson, Louis Louis, Ovide, Red Bar, The Ruby Slipper Café, Signature Catering of 30A, Sunset Bay Café, SunQuest Cruises, and more. A panel of select food critics and local celebrities will judge each bloody Mary to select the winners for the most delicious and most creative.

New this year, each bloody Mary will be scored on their creative toppings for the “Best Bloody Accoutrement” award. There will also be a highly coveted first-, second-, and third-place People’s Choice Award that is selected by each guest in attendance with votes tallied by Hill Coleman, CPA.

Apart from the bloody Marys, there will also be plenty of food from the various restaurants located directly in The Market Shops, including Ben & Jerrys, Chicago Hot Dogs, Clean Juice, Hunter’s Chicken and Burgers, Parlor Doughnuts, Pizza by the Sea, and Tuscany Italian Bistro along with shopping opportunities from merchants, including Mountain High Outfitters.

For the non-bloody Mary aficionado, there will be local craft brews served by Idyll Hounds Brewing Company along with champagne, provided by Hey Mama Wines, from the Bubbly Bar sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and the Hyatt Place by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. Guests will be able to cool off at the hydration station sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. A lounge area with additional seating and cornhole games provided by Vacayzen will be set up on the main lawn, along with SEC football streaming on the big screen courtesy of Insurance Zone.

While sipping bloody Marys, guests can enjoy an interactive Epic Photo Co. photo booth courtesy of Legendary Marine, music by DJ Dad, a cigar bar by Shore Thing Cigars, and exclusive shopping opportunities from The Market Shops merchants. Headlining the event will be a live performance from the Luke Langford Band on the main stage brought to you by Carter & Company CPA, LLC.

Parking will be available at The Market Shops on the day of the festival but is expected to fill up fast. There will be additional parking available at The Beach House located in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and a complimentary shuttle, provided by Emerald Coast Luxury Transportation courtesy of Beachworx, will travel to and from the festival from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

For guests traveling from out of town, there will be special room rates available through the festival’s official lodging sponsors including the Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, The Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and The Hyatt Place Sandestin. Visit www.themarketshops.com for more details.

Tickets are currently on sale through 850Tix for the pre-sale price of $60 or can be purchased the day of the event at the door for $75. To learn more about The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival and to buy tickets, visit www.themarketshops.com. If you would like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity on the day of the event, please email volunteer@waltoncountyhabitat.org.

Over the past six years, the annual event has raised over $80,000 for local charities. Money raised during the seventh annual event will benefit Habitat for Humanity – Walton County, a local nonprofit housing organization that works toward building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.

“We are so appreciative of The Market Shops for naming us the benefactor of the Seventh Annual Bloody Mary Festival,” said Teresa Jones, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity – Walton County. “The funds they raise are crucial for us to continue building homes, community, and hope in Walton County. Like many nonprofits, COVID-19 hit us hard and slowed our building capacity when it was needed the most. The success of this event directly supports our efforts to increase the number of homes we are able to build in a year.”

Photo courtesy of Amber Yonker