seagrove beach

October 27, 2022

Café Thirty-A to host Christmas Charity Ball Dec

Proceeds to benefit Caring and Sharing of South Walton

Oct. 27, 2022
Special to 30A Food & Wine

SEAGROVE BEACH – Café Thirty-A will host its annual Christmas Charity Ball benefiting Caring and Sharing of South Walton on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

Cafe Thirty-A Christmas

From 6 to 10 p.m., the restaurant will be transformed with festive holiday décor for the annual evening event. Attendees will be greeted upon arrival with complimentary valet sponsored by Corcoran Reverie along with a glass of champagne. Inside, they’ll enjoy passed heavy hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet, and a cash bar sponsored by Foundation Title and Escrow Series, LLC. There will be music by DJ Wub Control sponsored by Centennial Bank, along with a commemorative Epic Photo Co. photo booth sponsored by McNeese Title Company. Guests are encouraged to dress in evening attire, black tie optional.

The event will boast a large silent auction featuring items from various local businesses, as well as a generous raffle package from Hotel Effie, with all proceeds benefiting Caring and Sharing of South Walton’s efforts to provide food and financial assistance to local area families and individuals in need. In 2021, the annual Christmas Charity Ball raised over $35,000 through ticket sales, donations, raffle tickets, and auction sales. For area businesses interested in silent auction donation, please contact Jessica Bracken at jessica@proffittpr.com.

“We look forward to this event every year and we know a lot of our regular customers and loyal patrons do too,” said Café Thirty-A owner, Harriet Crommelin. “We invite everyone to join us to kick off the holiday season and give back to those who need it most in our local community. The holidays can be tough for a lot of people so we hope this event will bring relief to a lot of those families.”

Cafe Thirty-A is located at 3899 E. Co. Hwy. 30A. Ticket prices will be $125 per person with 100 percent of the ticket sales and auction proceeds benefiting Caring and Sharing of South Walton. Funds raised from ticket sales will go directly to providing neighbors in need with access to food, financial assistance, mental health counseling, case management, and connection to other community resources. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cafethirtya.com.

July 24, 2022

Surfing Deer: Celebrating a storied history

Blog, Home Page Blog

By Sarah Murphy Robertson
July 24, 2022

SEAGROVE BEACH – There’s lots of talk about the good old days, but what if sitting down and sharing a meal is still alive in these good new days?

The storied history of the land where Surfing Deer sits, now called Seagrove Beach, starts three quarters of a century ago with a man with a vision. C.H. McGee knew beauty when he saw it and became one of the first property owners in this area.

Interestingly, his son, Cube McGee, kept an unusual pet – a deer. They were often seen together along the water’s edge, playing in the surf. Hence the origins of this restaurant’s name: Surfing Deer.

Skilled cookery

While doors officially open at 5 p.m. for dinner service, Surfing Deer begins their prep work early in the morning as cuts of meat are braised, vegetables are diced, and sauces are made for that night’s service.

Inspired by the seasons, but rooted in the fundamentals of skilled cookery, the culinary team at Surfing Deer sail under the stewardship of Executive Chef Greggory Smith. Smith’s high attention to detail and impeccable work ethic is a key element to the restaurant’s success.

Warmer temps and springtime availability mean seasonally fresh, regional produce and lighter sauces highlight their snapper and grouper dishes, Smith shared. He also divulged that their spring menu will bring back the much-requested, much-craved Banana Pudding Cheesecake.

While Surfing Deer does rotate menus seasonally, their filet is always offered year-round. Owner George Hartley described the certified Angus cut as served with a bacon onion jam which “sends it over the top.”

Their beef is the bomb, but Surfing Deer takes great care in adapting to all diets.

“Our offerings for vegetarians and vegans are miles ahead of what you find at most places,” Hartley explained. Surfing Deer doesn’t phone it in when it comes to plant-based dishes, either. Take their Sichuan Rice Bowl. This beauty is composed with crisped miso-glazed tofu, black rice, sweet peppers, shimeji mushrooms, and sugar snap peas, all topped with a flavorful peanut ginger sauce.

Spread the word: you must also save room for their bread course and later, for dessert. From skillet cookies topped a la mode to their freshly made honey wheat loaves and jalapeño cornbread (all served warm with clover honey butter), Pastry Chef Rachele McCulley is conductor of a harmonious symphony. She is incredibly talented and her creativity means diners savor every morsel of their meals.

“Every sauce and component of our desserts are made in-house,” Hartley emphasized.

Reservations recommended

With meals this impeccable, word of mouth travels fast. Planning ahead for your dinner visit at Surfing Deer is important.

“We often hear, ‘I am back and I brought my friends,’” Hartley laughed. Recommendations from local hotel concierges and property managers also ensure Surfing Deer stays booked up, so making reservations is necessary.

Dining out gives us all the chance to put down our phones and connect through a slowed down, shared experience around the table. Mealtime is not just about eating. It’s about celebrating our relationships, trying new things, and celebrating the retelling of old stories.

Surfing Deer is located in Seagrove Beach at 2743 E. Co. Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 to 9:30 p.m. for dinner, reservations are highly recommended. Reach them by phone at 850-213-4200 or online at www.surfingdeer.com.

October 12, 2021

Seagrove Village MarketCafé: Serving up a side of Seagrove history

Blog, Home Page Blog

By Laura Holloway
Oct. 7, 2021

SEAGROVE BEACH – Imagine that all of your favorite beach foods could be found in one place, and it was a place that felt like a vacationer’s escape and coming home all at the same time. A place that was a short stroll from the Gulf, serving up shrimp, burgers, crab cakes, and a fried grouper sandwich so good you may have to head back out front to make sure you didn’t cross through the pearly gates before placing your order.

“The best compliment we’ve ever been given is that we preserved a large part of Seagrove history and that it feels like ‘family.’” – Ann Hartley, co-owner

The success of the Seagrove Village MarketCafé is due largely in part to the simple perfection of the food, but maybe even more is that the restaurant itself feels so familiar and welcoming that both visitors and locals claim it as an old friend and have for years.

Co-owner Ann Hartley of the Hartley Restaurant Group (with husband George) takes great pride in the MarketCafé and its place in the history of Seagrove and the hearts of its residents.

Seagrove Village MarketCafé — The restaurant’s motto is to buy it fresh, cook it to order and serve it with a smile!

“The best compliment we’ve ever been given is that we preserved a large part of Seagrove history and that it feels like ‘family’ in that sweet little spot … serving yummy food that multiple generations have loved for years,” she said.

In fact, it’s often the first stop for out-of-towners when arriving in town, and the Hartleys have become an unofficial welcome wagon.

“George has often been called the ‘mayor’ of Seagrove!” Ann laughed.

In true 30A local fashion, the restaurant operates on beach time and does not take reservations, so show up early and expect a small crowd. What is it about the food that warrants a packed house?

“George’s short answer that he learned from Ernie and Betsy (prior owners) is to buy it fresh, cook it to order and serve it with a smile!” Ann explained.

Baskets — Traditional beach fare baskets are popular, served with two sides and hushpuppies.

Nibbles and Favorites

A mouthwatering ‘Nibbles’ menu offers a nice start, including Smoked Tuna Dip, Fried Okra, Jalapeño Pimento Dip, Basket of Hushpuppies, or the Nibbles Trio (a sampling of three choices). The MarketCafé’s famous Gumbo is well worth ordering, made with shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage and fried okra. Traditional beach fare baskets are a popular choice, featuring fried oysters, shrimp, fish, crab cakes or a combination of these, served with two sides and hushpuppies, and any selection can be fried, blackened, or grilled.

The Favorites menu is aptly named, with delightful choices like BBQ Shrimp and Grits (with Cajun butter sauce over cheese grits, served with one side and Texas Toast), Chicken and Waffles (three fried, grilled or blackened tenders, a Belgian waffle and maple syrup), and Grouper Tacos (two tacos fried, grilled or blackened served with poblano lime tartar sauce, Pico de Gallo, and one side).

The Chicken and Waffles comes with fried, grilled or blackened tenders, a Belgian waffle and maple syrup.

The MarketCafé’s burgers, sandwiches, and po’boys are events in themselves, with selections that include the BBQ Bacon Burger, Andouille and Shrimp Po Boy, Philly Cheese Steak, Crab Cake Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, a Fried Green Tomato BLT, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and the Surfing Deer Vegan Burger.

“My favorite thing on the menu is the fried grouper sandwich,” Ann admitted. “I’ve loved it since the first day we ever went in. But, the fried shrimp po boy and all its yummy-ness is the reason we bought the MarketCafé in 1999! And back then the kitchen was electric burners and FryDaddies. It’s a hoot remembering it back then: a grocery with the restaurant in back!“

The Seagrove Village MarketCafé is located at 2976 South Highway 395 in Seagrove Beach, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Although reservations are not accepted, you can find out more by calling 850-231-5736 or visiting www.seagrovevillagemarket.com.

June 10, 2021

Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta: Building a pizzeria from the dough up

Blog, Home Page Blog

June 6, 2021
By Pam Windsor

SEAGROVE BEACH – When it comes to local favorites, Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta ranks high on the list.

The family-style Italian restaurant featuring homemade pizza and specialty pasta dishes first opened its doors in February of 1994. Owners Brian and Jan Ethridge got the idea for Angelina’s after reading an article in Entrepreneur Magazine about another husband and wife that opened a successful pizzeria in California.

“I thought, we can do this!” Brian recalls. “So, we started looking at different locations.”

They had already decided on South Walton as a great place to live and raise their daughter, and with only one pizza restaurant in the area at the time, it seemed the perfect spot to open their new business. They also had unique backgrounds that Brian says prepared them well for this type of restaurant.

“Jan went to Johnson & Wales University (for culinary arts and restaurant management), and I worked in pizzerias and restaurants growing up. In fact, I lived behind a pizzeria in New Jersey and that’s where I learned to make pizza.”

“I’d say that’s pretty much the key: making your own ingredients. And we hand-toss all of our pizzas to order.” – Brian Ethridge, co-owner

At Angelina’s, the pizza – and just about everything – is made in-house.

“We make our own dough, we grate our own cheese, and we make our own sauce,” Brian says. “I’d say that’s pretty much the key: making your own ingredients. And we hand-toss all of our pizzas to order.”

While Angelina’s is well-known for pizza, there are many specialty pasta dishes that also keep customers coming back. Like the chicken piccata.

“It’s not like most chicken piccatas,” Brian explains. “We marinate the chicken in Italian dressing and when you do that, and you put it into the flour, it almost creates a batter on the chicken. And when you finish that off with butter and lemon and capers, how can it not be good?”

Lasagna is another popular dish, made here with beef and sausage. Then, there is the Stromboli.

“The Stromboli is to die for,” says Brian with a laugh. “We use a pizza dough, then add provolone cheese, salami, ham, pepperoni, and mozzarella. Then we roll it off, bake it in the oven, and serve that with marinara. It’s really good!”

Along with the expansive food menu, guests can choose from a variety of beverages like Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and more. Beer and wine are also available, and for a little something special, the white sangria comes highly recommended.

Desserts include the classic tiramisu, along with French silk, key lime pie, and others. Specialty coffees are also available.

While carryout is always available, guests choosing to dine-in can enjoy a warm, cozy atmosphere.

“We have the checkered tablecloths, and my wife has an Italian background, so she has her Italian family pictures on the wall. It’s a very home-like environment.”

Nearly three decades after opening its doors, Brian, Jan, and the entire staff at Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta remain dedicated to serving exceptional food and offering a memorable dining experience, every single day.

Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta is located at 4005 E. Co. Hwy. 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. No reservations needed; reach them by phone at 850-231-2500 or online at www.angelinas30a.com. Open seven days a week, Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

May 15, 2020

Angelina’s offering limited inside dining

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SEAGROVE BEACH – Angelina’s Pizzeria and Pasta is again offering inside seating while abiding by the governor’s 25% capacity rule. The restaurant is serving guests during regular operating hours, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The full menu is available and takeout is still encouraged and recommended. Call 850-231-2500 or visit Angelinas30a.com to order.

Angelina’s serves hand-tossed pizza, calzones, stromboli, salads and pastas dishes, and is located at 4005 E. Co. Hwy. 30A in Santa Rosa Beach.

May 13, 2020

Cafe Thirty-A offers indoor, outdoor seating

Blog

Updated BOGO special includes all entrees

May 14, 2020
Special to 30A Food and Wine

SEAGROVE BEACH – Cafe Thirty-A has welcomed diners back inside the restaurant, operating at 25% capacity. Only guests with reservations are being seated between the hours of 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. daily, both inside and outside. For the immediate time being, reservations will be required for dining at Cafe Thirty-A and parties must be kept to groups of 10 or fewer.

A new version of the famous BOGO will be offered: Buy one get one half off from 4:30 to 5 p.m. daily. Orders must be in the kitchen by 5:15 p.m. and all entrees are included. Until further notice the restaurant will also be offering (at regular price) curbside pickup and delivery.

Call 850-231-2166 to order to-go or to make a dining reservation. Cafe Thirty-A is located at 3899 East Scenic Hwy. 30A in Seagrove Beach.

April 28, 2020

Spotlight: Surfing Deer Chef Greggory Smith

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April 28, 2020
By Phil Heppding

SEAGROVE – If you have spent any time in South Walton exploring the culinary scene, inevitably you have experienced fare from one of the area’s top chefs, Greggory Smith. Smith is currently refining the concept and menu at Surfing Deer in Seagrove.

While the restaurant is approaching its third anniversary, Smith has been a staple on the dining scene for over three decades. He brought his experience from restaurant ventures in Oklahoma City, Birmingham and the Dallas area to Bay County where he helped run the family-owned Wheelhouse Restaurant. Locals to 30A may remember him from his days with George and Ann Hartley at George’s at Alys Beach. He has followed them to Surfing Deer, where they continue to elevate the dining experience in South Walton.

The vegan Charred Avocado is served with pistachio gremolata, shaved baby vegetables and preserved lemon vinaigrette.

We recently caught up with Chef Smith to get his take on the culinary scene in South Walton, and his recommendations for an ideal dining experience for a new guest at Surfing Deer.

30AFW: What has changed in the culinary scene over the three decades you have been in the area and in South Walton?

GS: 30A has got a great food scene. I’ve recently had the opportunity to go to Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, and New Orleans for Chef Emeril’s Boudin, Bourbon & Beer. You see what’s out there and how these areas are changing. It’s really a matter of this great group of chefs out here in South Walton, trying to keep up the pace with what people around the U.S. want. We not only have to be trendsetters down here, but we have to keep our eyes open with what’s going on all over the country.

Okra plate — The menu at Surfing Deer is broken down into three categories: To Graze, To Peck, and To Feast.

30AFW: What are some trends in the national or global culinary scene that you are incorporating here at Surfing Deer?

GS: I’m big on shareable plates. Our menu is designed to be real diverse but we also like the idea of families coming down to dine. So the sharable concept is one that we try to use. Three to four of our appetizers are sharable and our salads are sharable as well. People come in and see all these items they want to try and will order a little of everything – especially the big parties – to have a great experience. I love that concept.

30AFW: How important is sustainability and local sourcing to you and your guests?

GS: Very important. The farm-to-table movement is huge and will only get bigger and bigger. As folks have more health issues and dietary needs, they become more focused on local, healthy options. My own family leans towards all the healthier options. Just sourcing local and sustainable food helps that movement.

30AFW: As a new guest to Surfing Deer, what can someone expect on their first experience?

GS: From the moment you come through the front door, you are going to have a fabulous experience. From the time you arrive until the time you leave, you better plan on spending two to two-and-half hours to truly have the best dining experience. It is an experience and you aren’t just popping in for one course and heading out. It’s about the table-side service right down to the timing of the food leaving the kitchen and arriving at your table.

30AFW: How about your locals and regulars? What will they notice that is different this year?

GS: They keep coming back! Kitchen-wise is that we have adapted the menu – not just that there are a lot of offerings but that we have daily changes. We have a vegan dish which leans toward our healthy options and a daily change in our fresh catch. So whatever the fresh fish is I usually try to do something unique so that I can go all over the place with the flavors.

30AFW: How important is the team here at Surfing Deer and what challenges do you face with hiring that maybe restaurants in bigger cities don’t face?

GS: We have a great food scene on 30A but it is hard to find really good kitchen help in this area. I run a really tight ship and the people that we do hire tend to stay with us awhile. We have a really great atmosphere here and we’ll feed 400 to 500 people (per night) during the summer and we communicate really well. We treat them right and they want to stay.

30AFW: Which selections would you recommend to create a fabulous dining experience?

GS: I would suggest starting with the clothesline bacon. It has been huge with guests. We also do a version of a lobster taco that is our number one appetizer. Then try our Caesar salad that we present with fried oysters. Our catch of the day is usually number one because it is a nightly change. We tend to lean Southern on most of it in terms of preparation. The scallops are beautiful and it’s a great dish. We usually have something curry on the menu that is spicy, but not over the top spicy. Our guests really like our Thai red curry with coconut shrimp. That should get them started!

30AFW: And finally, what’s in store for 2020 here at Surfing Deer?

GS: Hopefully bigger and better. We have almost honed it in to what we want it to be as far as concept and service. We have a few tweaks we still need to make, but we are almost there.

Surfing Deer is open daily for dinner starting at 5 p.m. and is closed Sunday. Surfing Deer is located on the corner of 30A and 395 at 2743 Co. Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach. For more information visit www.surfingdeer.com or call 850-213-4200.

January 22, 2015

“3 for 30a”

Blog, Cowgirl Kitchen in Rosemary, Seacrest Sundries

Story by: Natalie Haddock

The diverse communities along 30a offer a “small town feel” with big town taste. Residents and visitors can walk from the condo to the beach, to shopping centers, and to restaurants. But when a little shop offers great food and a little something extra, it’s certainly noteworthy. This week’s installment of 3 for 30a is to highlight the small, but special, markets and café’s along Hwy 30A.

Friday January 23 –The first stop for many after arriving at the beach is Seacrest Sundries, where market groceries meets beach store meets café. Begin with a quick bite of their addictive “Crack” Salad Sandwich (homemade chicken salad) and then peruse the market for a few essentials like hats, towels, bottled water, wine & beer. They also have basics for your condo like condiments and detergent. Full café menu available at http://www.seacrestsundries.com/

Saturday January 24 – “Praise the Lard!” The Perfect Pig Café and Gourmet Market in Seagrove Beach boasts hand-sliced ham and bacon as their specialty along with hickory smoked pulled chicken and pork. They also serve homemade sauces and sides and offer a variety of gourmet market items such as pancake mix, jellies, mustard, sauces, chips, snack crackers, and coffee. Be sure to stop by anytime from 8:00am – 9:00pm or visit their new location in Gulf Place, opening this weekend! For a full menu check out http://theperfectpig30a.com/

Cowgirl Kitchen in Seagrove Beach. Photo courtesy of Natalie Haddock

Sunday January 25 – If you didn’t get enough southern BBQ by Sunday, the Cowgirl Kitchen has you covered. The Pulled Pork Tacos are a house favorite, but if you’re still in the mood for breakfast the Praline Bacon along with their full breakfast menu is happily served until 2:00pm. Wake up for their “Grumpy Hour” at 8:00am to enjoy 2 for 1 draft beer and $1 off wine and libations. Their market includes fresh take-and-bake casseroles, specialty sauces, and a variety of wine. Visit http://www.cowgirlkitchen.com/ for more info.