La Famiglia Italian Restaurant, a Destin favorite for over 10 years, recently relocated from the Destin commons to the Island Palms Shopping Center adjacent to Walmart. Owned and operated by Stefania Tozzi and her extended family, La Famiglia has earned a reputation for serving some of the finest homemade...
By Scott Miller As I sit here watching Florida St. vs. Clemson, 14-0 Clemson winning so far, I am reminded of why college football is so special. Just listen to the crowd. Just listen to the crowd’s passion at any given college campus stadium each and every Saturday. The passion...
It seems like fall dropped in our laps with cooler weather. That weather makes the taste buds pop as we think of pumpkin pie, cranberry relish, and all the other fixins.’ Here at Emerald Coast Olive Oil, we’re over the moon about two new products. Crown Mulling Spices make...

A Destin Thanksgiving

As locals, one of the benefits of living in Destin is the variety of dining options and seasonal events—and that includes Thanksgiving! Eat. Drink. Beach (or Boat). Then, once that’s done, it’s... Eat. Drink (some more). Shop. Beach. Skate. Feast. Visit. Shop (some more). Ooooh and Aaaah. Relax. Marvel....
By Cali Hlavac It doesn’t get more local than the story of how Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar and Grill came to be in our tourist town of Destin. The 36-year-old restaurant’s history was shaped by the growth of the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village and became one of its most recognizable landmarks. Back...
By Scott Miller With summer squarely in the rearview mirror, fall is now in full swing. Now, that brings a few thoughts to mind—cooler weather, the holiday season is on its way and…football season is rocking and rolling again! As always, true passionate football fans have already experienced some ups...
Matt Demoreski started working for Poppy’s Restaurant Group when he was 17. It was supposed to just be a summertime job. “I came here with my buddies and never left,” stated Demoreski who is now Chief Financial Officer for Poppy’s, and a partner. Demoreski is originally from New Jersey, His...
By Susan Benton As a food writer and blogger living by the water’s edge of the Emerald Coast, one of the first questions locals or people ask when they visit our area is how they can be certain that they are buying or being served fresh seafood. It would appear...
Bryce Jarvis and Captain Gary Jarvis, the proud owners of Sunset Bay Cafe, located in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, recently announced their newest venture: Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House. Located in the space formerly occupied by Acme Oyster House, Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House promises fresh...
By Susan Benton, 30Aeats.com Not long ago I was invited to a Love Locals event held at The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort, in Destin. This amazing hotel property is the swankiest we have in the Florida Panhandle, and offers incredible views of the Gulf and the state...