Emeril’s Coastal
Emeril Lagasse opened his first Northwest Florida restaurant several years ago at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin because of his love of the water and his appreciation of the abundant fresh local seafood, which results in a menu focusing on coastal delicacies and an atmosphere of casual, comfortable elegance. Chef de Cuisine Tommy Wachter, with twenty-one years of experience under his belt, has been with the Emeril family of restaurants since 2007, and now brings his experience to Emeril’s Coastal.
The latest innovation at Emeril’s is the Sunset Wine Down Happy Hour held Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:00. There is live music by Sean Van Blerk on Tuesday and Thursday, drink specials every day, including specialty cocktails, select wines, and draft beers. In addition to providing great entertainment twice a week, Van Blerk also works as a server in the restaurant when he’s not making music. The cocktail menu features such intriguing treats as French Quarter Kisses, with whipped vodka, razzberry liqueur, and pineapple juice, the Aperitivo Spritz, a refreshing concoction containing Cappelletti Aperitivo, fresh lemon, prosecco, and soda, and the ever-changing Daily Spiked Sunset, dreamed up each day by the in-house mixologist. There are also a number of wines by the glass, and a selection of draft beers on special.
The appetizer choices are just as innovative and appealing as the beverages. New Orleans BBQ Shrimp with a just-baked rosemary biscuit and Crispy Fried Duck Wings with a chili glaze join Chargrilled Oysters, Yellowfin Tuna Nachos, and Baked Pimento Cheese Dip on the menu, along with the 2 Buck Shuck, which, as the name suggests, is a raw oyster on the half shell, served with horseradish, cocktail sauce, saltines, and mignonette. This selection can and does change occasionally, or the chef might add a daily special now and then.
The full dinner menu is available Tuesday through Saturday, with a great selection of entrees from the sea, and also from the land. There is always a blackboard special – a fresh catch that truly lives up to the name. In addition, the seafood menu features Bob Doyle’s Crab Cake, Shrimp & Grits with tasso ham, mushrooms, and charred tomato, Fish & Chips, prepared with an Abita Beer batter, a fried seafood platter, and several pasta preparations. The dishes from the land include Emeril’s Dry Aged Pork Rib Chop, Fried Chicken accompanied by whipped potatoes, root beer-braised collard greens, and a rosemary biscuit and honey butter. There is also an eight-ounce filet, house-made linguini with a mushroom cream sauce, and Emeril’s Double Worcestershire Burger. There is always a Shrimp & Andouille Gumbo and a Soup of the Day. Salads and sides are fresh and inventive.
A lavish but laid-back Sunday Brunch featured from 10:30 am until 2:00 pm. Many of the popular items from the dinner menu and the happy hour menu show up here with some modifications. Some of the brunch-specific items include the Crab Cake Benedict, the Prime Ribeye Hash made with trinity (peppers, onions, and celery for the uninitiated) and served with crispy onions, poached eggs, and hollandaise as well as Stuffed French Toast with cream cheese, strawberries, whipped butter, and maple syrup.
The Sunset Wine Down Happy Hour at Emeril’s Coastal provides a time and a place to do just that – wind down, enjoy the surroundings and the atmosphere, experience the ambiance and the cool but lively vibe. Give it a try!
Emeril’s Coastal
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
435 Grand Boulevard
Miramar Beach FL 32550
850-608-7040
Emerilsrestaurants.com
