Gulf fish
Nestled between the bustling cities of Destin and Panama City Beach is highway 30A and the quaint new urbanism community of Rosemary Beach. Named for the Rosemary herb that grows in the area, you will find an intimate neighborhood peppered with parks and landscaped footpaths that are tucked behind architecuturally renowned homes.
The town of Rosemary Beach evokes a West Indies feel with living spaces and business fronts dripping in earthtone shades of mustard, terra cotta, spice and sage, and boardwalks that stretch over the sand dunes to the sugar white beaches and emerald waters the area has become known for. This old world style European village offers a gathering place for family and friends to linger night and day, whether shopping in one of the savvy boutique’s or enjoying a leisurely meal.
The flagship restaurant in the heart of it all is Restaurant Paradis. Established in 2009, Danny and Monica Cosenzi are the proud new owners. ’The couple are established restaurateur’s that moved to South Walton after a visit, and decided this was the place they wanted to call home and raise their young children. A warm neighborhood feel is what you will find upon entering Paradis, a draw that the Cosenzi’s could not resist.
With welcoming doors that open to the comfortable and inviting full service lounge, patrons will find this the perfect spot for an intimate gathering of two, a casual business meeting or a place to meet good friends. A beautiful white granite bar top and impressive bar seating make for a wonderful space from which to entertain, and on hand eager to be of service are Byron, Lindsay and Jeff that have been with the restaurant since it opened. Danny says, “We bought the restaurant, and the tight-knit talented staff came along with it. Those here are already like family. We would not trade them for anything!” After a long day at work or soaking up the sun on the beach, Paradis beckons it loyal followers to enjoy a glass of wine from the extensive award winning wine list or to sip on one of the restaurant’s refreshing specialty cocktails like the Blueberry Lemon Drop or the Desperate Housewife.
Paradis Beef
When ready, moving on to the dining room becomes a culinary adventure in a space that boasts an understated coastal elegance with local charm. Paradis has a focus on sustainability and crafts their our own sparkling and still waters filtered to 0.5 microns. This leaves trace minerals that they believe makes their water the best around, and they offer the refreshing waters in signature blue reusable glass bottles, preventing thousands each year from ending up in landfills.
Paradis is committed to serving fresh seasonal ingredients sourced within one hundred miles of the restaurant from trusted regional farmers, fishermen, producers, and artisans. Just celebrating five years of working together at Paradis, Executive Chef Mark Eichin, Chef de Cuisine Will Wiehl and Sous Chef Shane Kirkland design and execute by the bold and cutting edge menu. Coastal Gulf seafood is at the forefront along with Paradi’s signature filet and 1855 rib eye, tantalizing diner’s taste buds with their rich flavors.
Fresh Scallops
Signature dishes to delight in are the line caught grouper over lobster mascarpone mac & cheese served with grilled Zepher squash from Covey Rise Farms, and the Gulf Coast snapper with lobster coconut yellow curry cream. For an appetizer try the diver scallops served over wild mushroom and sweet pea risotto, or the pan seared fois gras duo. For an equally impressive finale, try a decadent dessert from the chef’s rotating créme brûlée menu. The key lime is one of my favorites, as is the dark roast Amavida coffee served in a French press.
Make sure to stop by Paradis and welcome the Cosenzi’s to South Walton, and to see and savor the new menu items while enjoying the updated coastal feel.
Creme Brûlée
Restaurant Paradis is located at 82 South Barrett Square in Rosemary Beach, Florida 32461. They are open seven days a week in season for dinner from 5 – 10 p.m. Phone (850) 534-0400 for more information, or visit their new website at http://www.restaurantparadis.com.
Eat-Drink & Be Rosemary!
Here is how to enter!
Restaurant Paradis is offering (TWO) Free tickets to Rosemary Beach Uncorked, a value of $170 taking place October 18, 2014 from 2-5pm. They will Pick a winner Oct. 1, 2014 by 12:00 pm using Random.org from the individuals who “LIKE” Paradis’ Facebook page starting today, Go here: https://www.facebook.com/ParadisChics?fref=ts, and they will make the winning announcement on Facebook after contacting the winner. Winners must make arrangements to pick up tickets at Paradis upon arrival to South Walton by calling Monica at 850-534-0400!
