We just lunched at the brand-new swanky Italian restaurant, “Pazzo Italian”, in Destin Florida. “Pazzo Italiano” means “crazy Italian”. It wasn’t crazy at all – but it was posh and elegant!  The first thing that struck me was the sleek decor, suspended lighting and touches like the contemporary metal map of Italy on the wall.

Our waiter, Art, was very professional and attentive.  He explained that one of the owners, Alfonso di Bonito, was from Naples, Italy, and emphasized that that was the home of the original pizza (which it is!). The other owner, Levente Tischler, is from Romania, and the two created the restaurant of their dreams (dei loro sogni), according to the website for Pazzo Italiano. My lunch date ordered the white pizza porchetta for $16.00, which had artichokes and smoked gouda, along with the featured porchetta (roasted pork).  It was a large pizza, enough for her lunch and dinner! She thought it was excellent and definitely “artisanal”, which they tout as their specialty. While eating, we heard the banging of the pizzaiolo, which means “pizza maker” in Italian, in the open kitchen toward the back of the restaurant. It added quite an authentic atmosphere. I was healthy at lunch, ordering un’insalata cesare con salmone (salmon ceasar salad) for $11.00, but we will be back for cena (dinner) with our mariti (husbands) soon.  Then I will splurge on the rest of the fabulous looking menu, especially the pacherri della mamma (jumbo rigatoni with shrimp and gouda cheese).

Pazzo Italiano is located next to Barnes & Noble on Highway 98 at 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin.  They are open Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Call 850-974-5484.

Lunch prices are between about $9.00 to $17.00 and dinner prices are also reasonable, between $9.00 to $18.00. There is also a separate menu for “Bambini” (children).

Non vedo l’ora di ritornarci. Buon Appetito!

(By the way, if you are interested in joining a local Italian speaking group, check out my Destin area Meetup Group Parliamo Italiano Emerald Coast!)

It’s Wendy… It’s Sold!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, 30A, Miramar Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Florida.

The post Pazzo Italiano – New Destin Italian Restaurant first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

We were looking for some place different to have lunch in Destin, Florida, a little off the beaten track. Hmmmm….  I think often overlooked is the Grande Vista Bar & Grill, inside the Emerald Grande condo complex on Destin Harbor. Most people don’t know it is open to the public, not just dining for guests and owners.  I happen to have a listing in Emerald Grande, so we decided to have lunch and have a preview. My friend and buyer specialist, Rhonda, and I went on a very window day. It wasn’t the day to wear a hat, as I did! I parked in front of the lobby, luckily, as often parking is difficult outside. My hat almost blew off and I almost blew over! Rhonda parked in the multi-level parking garage.

The Grande Vista Bar & Grill can be reached by elevator from the lobby to the Grande Vista level.  I’ll tell you – the whole place is just sumptuous and elegant!  Trimmed out, wood floors, pictures on the walls of old Destin, a fireplace –  to me it felt like South Florida estate type decor. I loved it.

Rhonda and I were “good” and both had salads.  I had the Emerald Greens salad with marinated, grilled chicken breast. It was actually extraordinary.  The chicken had a slightly picante-sweet taste that was unique. The greens were plentiful. At $16.00, it was a little more costly than most other Destin restaurants for lunch, but the setting was worth it. Other menu items are Smoked Snappy dip with snapper and the Grande Combo Platter for $25.00, with hush puppies, calamari, french fries, chicken tenders and fried pickle chips!  There are four types of salads with home made dressings and possible toppings like grouper, snapper, shrimp or chicken.  The menu also offered crab cake, boneless chicken wings, peel-n eat shrimp, soup, sides and dessert.  There is a small bar with a view of Destin Harbor. Overall, I would say the atmosphere was intimate, luxurious and welcoming.

After lunch, we walked up to see my Emerald Grande condo listing W226, a stunning four bedroom corner unit with views of Destin Harbor, the pass, Crab Island and the Destin Bridge. Ahhhhhhhh!!!! Here are some final shots of the view and my listing.

It’s Wendy… It’s Sold!

Search all Emerald Grande condos for sale.

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, 30A, Miramar Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Florida.

Grande Vista Bar & Grill is located at 10 Harbor Boulevard, Destin Florida
Telephone (850) 337-8100 Ext. 1550

The post Grande Vista Bar & Grill – Restaurant at Emerald Grande, Destin Florida first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

Hidden, sleek, metro.  I like Chan’s “The Wine Bar” in Destin, Florida. It’s a restaurant inside Chan’s Wine World, the mega wine and liquor store that’s been around the Emerald Coast for many years.  Located next to the bountiful cheese shop inside Chan’s, there’s a very cool restaurant that feels like a secret club.  Put it this way, if you were shopping the aisles of Chan’s store, you wouldn’t know the restaurant was there unless you wandered over.  It almost has a speak-easy feel.

The menu at Chan’s “The Wine Bar” in Destin features appetizers of Cheese Flights with three to five cheeses or the Gran Cru Board for $50.00 with a smorgasburg of olives, cured meats, cheeses, nuts, baguette, etc.  We ordered the beet hummus plate for an appetizer for $8.00 which included lavash, celery and carrots. The hummus was a gorgeous smoky red and had a delicate taste. For lunch, I ordered the Roasted Chicken and Pesto Panini for $12.00 and my friend the Seared Ahi Tuna Salad for $14.00.

My panini came with a light side salad with shaved parmegiano cheese. The warmed sandwich had melted mild cheese, roasted red pepper, caramelized onions and basil pesto on a ciabatta roll.  I would have preferred the roll a little more crunchy, but it was delicious.  My friend’s Ahi Tuna Salad  had a dressing of cucumber-wasabi dressing, sesame seeds and picked-ginger. The tuna had a sweet soy glaze.  When we finished we wandered around Chan’s and looked at some nice Italian Brunelli wines and lusted after the cheeses on display.  Next time we are at “The Wine Bar” in Destin, we’ll combine our lunching with stocking up and maybe a little splurging!

It’s Wendy… It’s Sold!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”.  Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, 30A, Miramar Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Panama City Beach. 

The post Chan’s “The Wine Bar” Destin Florida – Wine, Cheese and More first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

Acclaimed Chef Tim Creehan, Destin’s “celebrity chef”, is owner, so I knew the food would be good. . And it was….

Crabmeat Spring Rolls with Sweet Thai Chili and Soy Dipping Sauces

Escargot Broiled with Garlic Butter (just what I was hoping for)

Panko Fried Maine Lobster with Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes

14 oz. Grilled Pork Rib Chop, Mac & Cheese, red cabbage

Atmosphere? You got that,  too. Cuvee Bistro in Destin Florida has one of the most vibrant happy hours in town. In fact, look for the Rulnick Realty team there this Friday!

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

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The post Cuvee Bistro – Hip Destin Florida Dining first appeared on Rulnick Realty.