GulfLink Destin Blog

Happiness Begins at 4:00 PM

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Destin is made up to two types of people. The vacationer who is looking for a little R & R as well as entertainment from the moment they arrive to the day they head home. Then there is the local, who is trying to find a way to live as close to a vacationer as possible. Thus the reason “Happy Hour” is such an important phrase in our town. Honoring many requests here are 3 of the hottest “Happy Hour” spots in Destin.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a favorite for happy hour! Monday through Saturday from 4-7 you can order 2 for the price of one on any mixed drink (top shelf or well) up to 2 liquors and a mixer. This includes Margaritas, Screwdrivers, and White Russians just to name a few. Martinis are included as well as great prices on beer and wine. The bar is always busy with familiar faces and the wait staff is extremely accommodating.

790 On the Gulf offer’s Happy Hour with a breathtaking view. Located at the Inn at Crystal Beach you can enjoy your half-priced cocktails inside or out with an emerald-green ocean in the background. 790 feels happiness should begin before 5, promoting their Happy Hour from 3-8, Tuesday – Thursday and 3-7 Friday – Sunday. All well drinks and wines are $2.99 and specialty drinks such as Pina Coladas and Daiquiris are $3.99. A delicious bar menu with anything from traditional Buffalo Bites to Trout Florentine all at Happy Hour prices making 790 hard to beat!

Cuvee Bistro’s Happy Hour is among the best in town giving you a little more time for laughs. From 4:30-9:00 you can enjoy a variety of drink specials such as: $5 Martinis, $5 wines, and $3 beers, along with half-priced items from the bar menu. Cuvee’s famous Caesar salad with eggplant croutons is a must and goes perfect with their Lucky 7 Martini. All this and live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday makes Cuvee Bistro Destin’s Happy Hour Hot Spot!

Sharpen Your Swing with the Sandestin Tennis Club

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Sandestin Tennis Club brings back the QuickStart program for children of all ages. The QuickStart program is relatively new and being implemented
nationwide. It's designed to introduce kids to the game and keep them excited about tennis by using special equipment, shorter court dimensions, and modified scoring.

With much success last year, Sandestin Tennis Club invites those 12 and under to join the fun every Monday through Thursday. As their game progresses so will the equipment allowing young ones to develop confidence and passion for the game.

For those already passionate, an intermediate and advanced clinic will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This clinic is designed to improve technique and develop strategies to make every game a success!

Boasting 15 world-class tennis courts and voted #2 Best Junior Tennis Program in 2010, Sandestin Tennis Club is where you want to swing!

Bring Your Best Friend to the New Park in Destin!

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Destin Dog Park has opened its gates! The grand opening of the new Destin Dog Park took place on Saturday, January 7th with over 100 pets and owners! The sidewalks and streets of Destin were busy with dog lovers and tail-waggers visiting the park for the first time.

1.5 acres of land dedicated to dogs and their proud owners sits at the intersection of Indian Bayou Drive and Commons Drive. The Destin Dog park is gated and sectioned off so that big dogs and little dogs can enjoy the park safely. Volunteers raised more than $30,000 and the City of Destin matched it providing an outlet for owners and pets to enjoy.

The park is complete with trees, plants, and benches as well as pooper-scooper stations to keep the grounds clean. It is open from sunrise to sunset and to the public, including non-residents. Make plans with your pooch this weekend at the Destin Dog Park!

Destin’s Latest Bite for Breakfast

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

There’s a new breakfast spot in Destin right next to Mellow Mushroom and across from Another Broken Egg. As tempting as it was to turn right into a familiar restaurant that I’m assured of getting delicious food and great service I decided to live on the edge. Left I turned into a big yellow shopping plaza announcing in bold yellow letters The Pancakery.

I walk in to a friendly, eager to serve waiter that was so refreshing I failed to notice how empty the place was! While lines pile out the door across the street this somewhat concerned me but went ahead and sat down with my party of 5. Slowly couples and families would trickle in the spacious and clean restaurant. It reminded me of an old-school diner, but hip and without a gum smacking waitress named Flo.

The menu was not overwhelming but had everything you might enjoy for breakfast including Bloody Maries, Mimosas, and cold beer. That’s right; in a vacation spot like Destin it’s totally acceptable to have a beer with breakfast, even if you are a local! I was good and ordered coffee. It was delicious which, is always a good sign that breakfast will be too.

Omelets, pancakes, bacon, and eggs came out to the table promptly. All cooked to perfection! Pancakes were fluffy, eggs were not running, and omelets were stuffed with flavor! The portions were extremely generous. Next time I will share and save room for one of their delicious looking crepes.

Once the word gets out on the new breakfast hot spot lines will be out the door! So get over to The PanCakery now while you can still get in for great service, great prices, and delicious bites!

Destin Commons Welcomes Hickory Farms

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

One of my fondest memories as a child was around the age of 4. My mother was a big shopper so we visited the Westland Mall in Miami, Florida often. We would pass store after store until we came across a man standing outside a red gingham tarp offering samples of smoked cheddar. I can remember passing by the stand over and over again for another taste. So my love affair with cheese began and obsession with a store called Hickory Farms.

Living in Destin for 15 + years, I resolved to the fact that I would be without some luxuries that a bigger city like Miami provides. To my surprise, every year Destin makes sure I’m a little less home sick. First the opening of Fresh Market, following up with Sephora, and now bringing back my most cherished childhood memory, Hickory Farms for the holiday season.

Hickory Farms got their start over 60 years ago in the pastoral farm country of Ohio. The value and quality of their product has not wavered. To this day Hickory Farms continues to be a favorite among gift givers all over the Country. Fortunately for me I no longer have to place my order for savory sausages, amazing cheeses, and gourmet goodies online. I can head over to the Destin Commons, literally steps away to get my smoked cheddar fix.

Gone are my youthful days when weight was not a worry and stuffing your mouth with free samples of cheese was completely acceptable. However, I guarantee I will be on a first name basis with the sales people and Hickory Farms famous smoked cheddar will be an indulgence I enjoy all season long.

It’s Happy Time in Destin

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Destin has a new favorite Happy Hour and you can find me there any given night between 4:30 and 9:00pm, Cuvee Bistro. It’s a Trendy restaurant with a fun, locals’ atmosphere. Owned and operated by Destin’s most cherished chef Tim Creehan, so it doesn’t hurt that the food is amazing too. Cuvee Bistro is quickly becoming the “place to be” in Destin.

True to its name, Cuvee Bistro offers a fusion of French, Asian, and Mediterranean flavors as well as award-winning dishes by Chef Creehan such as: Amy Grant’s Seared Tuna Rare and Vince Gill’s Pecan Crusted Grouper. Boasting a wine list that represented Destin as the only area winner of the 2011 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence as well as fare that won the Dinner’s Choice Award and the Finest on the Emerald Coast Award 2011. Cuvee Bistro guarantees fresh ingredients using herbs grown in their own garden behind the restaurant.

Now let’s talk about this Happy Hour. Cuvee Bistro offers Happy Hour specials every night from 4:30-9:00pm. Finally, there is a restaurant that brings happiness to their patrons for longer than 2 hours! At Cuvee Beach you have over 4 hours to eat, drink, and be HAPPY! You can enjoy a variety of drink specials, including $5 Martinis and ½ off selected menu items. My Favorite is there gourmet pizzas…..delicious.

Cuvee Bistro offers the best Happy Hour in town, live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday, floating flat screens along the bar, delicious food, and a variety of cocktails. If you are visiting Destin for the first time or a local looking for something new, try Cuvee Beach. It is not just a restaurant it is a tasty experience!

'Sailgating' in Sandestin

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Football season has started and Sandestin’s Marina Beach is in on the game! Have you ever been 'Sailgating'? Second only to being in the actual stadium of your favorite NFL or College team, ‘Sailgating’ in Sandestin is an experience you don’t want to miss.

Every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, or any time there is a NFL or College game on there will be a ‘Sailgate’ Party happening at the Marina Beach. A giant outdoor screen will play game after game while you cheer on your team. You can pull up your golf cart or chair for a perfect football weekend!

‘Sailgating’ at Marina Beach is so much more than football. There is discounted cocktails and specialty fare served by the Marina Bar and Grill throughout the day and on into the evening. Your favorite games can be played such as cornhole toss, making it fun for the whole family.

'Sailgating’ at Marina Beach means no longer being accused of watching too much football. That’s right guys; date night will never be the same. Take your wife or girlfriend to one of the most beautiful, romantic spots in Destin. So there’s a big screen with football playing in the background. You can always gaze into each other’s eyes during half time.

Marina Beach offers breathtaking views of the bay, serving delicious food and cocktails from the Marina Bar and Grill in a laid back atmosphere that welcomes the weekend. Start a new trend this season and join Sandestin for a ‘Sailgate’ Party like no other.

Destin Fishing Rodeo Continues its Beloved History in 2011

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

October 1st 2011 will kick off another Fishing Rodeo in Destin, FL. Since 1948 anglers and excitement seekers eagerly anticipate this momentous annual event. Over $200,000 will be awarded to the best catches of the approximately 30,000 entrants -- numbers higher than any previous year. Spectators, too will number in the thousands enjoying the Seafood Festival that coincides with the Rodeo.

The Destin Fishing Rodeo truly enjoys a lively and beloved history. The first few Rodeos included some memorable prizes - a brand new kitchen to the King Mackerel winner and a lot in Destin valued at $500 – a price that evokes a laugh from realtors and landowners today! Apart from the prizes changing to include stocks, vacations and cash the Rodeo rules have expanded as well. The 1948 Rulebook recognized 15 eligible species and a few divisions and now it’s grown to 33 species and 29 divisions. Such expansion has created a platform for anglers of all ages and skill levels to experience the thrill of participating in this amazing tournament.

All of Destin enjoys this event and local businesses go out of their way to impress visiting fisherman and their families with their best seafood and entertainment. Thousands of spectators and hundreds of volunteers look forward to daily weigh -- ins with a cold beer in hand. Many times it’s only possible to see the big shark or tuna catches from a balcony overlooking the docks or by watching the evening news.

There is no charge for entering the competition but private boats and charter boats must register to enter the Rodeo at least 24 hours prior to weighing a fish. There is no entry fee for anglers on registered vessels either- a tradition that has made this event so popular and well-received for over half a century. There are also plenty of local accommodations to choose from.

See it in Style at Grand Boulevard

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Grand Boulevard at Sandestin announces they will open a new state-of-the-art movie theatre in the summer of 2012. Loved for the ability to shop, dine, play, and stay all in one spot, Grand Boulevard can add entertained to the list come July of 2012. Summer fun at Sandestin can soon be had outdoors and in!

The new Carmike theatre, named the Montecito 10, will feature ten screens with total seating for 1,800 and will be highlighted by a “BIGD” auditorium, and Ovation Club, Carmike’s premium theatre environments. What is “BIGD” in layman's terms? Bigger screens, bigger sound, and luxurious theatre seating, basically the ultimate entertainment experience!

The Ovation Club is a showcase within the theatre allowing you to experience movie-going on a much Grander Scale. Enjoy your movie in lush leather seating, with swing around tables, and a wall-to-wall screen. The Ovation Club offers premium food and beverages such as: Crab Cakes with Lemon-Dill sauce, Caribbean Jerky Shrimp, hand prepared tasty sandwiches, and their signature dessert, the Ovation Brownie Bottom Pie. Of course if you’re in the mood for good-old-fashioned, buttery popcorn, you can order that too. In the Ovation Club however, you can have that popcorn served with an ice cold beer by its side. Wine and beer will be on the menu along with a variety of soft drinks.

Grand Boulevard’s Town Center is located on Northwest Florida’s Beaches and offers a dynamic lifestyle experience with convenient access to exclusive shopping, dining options, entertainment, and lodging. In summer 2012 stop by Grand Boulevard’s Town Center to shop, dine, play, stay, and be entertained at the Montecito 10. For more information, please call (850) 654-5929 or visit http://www.grandboulevard.com.

2012 Boating Magazine Swimsuit Edition Shoot Coming to Destin

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Boating Magazine's annual swimsuit edition will be shot in Destin, Florida along the Destin Harbor. Beginning on August 19th, 12 beautiful models will pose in the picturesque locations of HarborWalk Marina, the Emerald Grande and HarborWalk Village.

Models from all over the country competed to be selected as one of the 12 swimsuit models for this year's November/December issue. During the photo and video shoot, some 20 models, photographers and editors will be calling the Emerald Grande their home base.

"What a perfect way to showcase the Emerald Coast and all it has to offer," said Bruce Craul, COO of Legendary, Inc. "This high profile happening will bring our area extremely positive national exposure and attention."