Capt. Dave's offers tried and true seafood

If you want a little slice of Destin history with your meal, visit Capt. Dave’s on the Gulf on Old Highway 98. Capt. Dave’s has been serving local seafood since 1968, and they aren’t kidding about the name ‘on the Gulf’ as every table has a view of Destin’s beautiful emerald waters.

THE FOOD

Capt. Dave’s has a one-page menu, and I like it that way. It means it doesn’t take too long to make a selection and, for the most part, it means the restaurant has perfected what they do.

The evening we visited Capt. Dave’s, the restaurant was bustling. Spring break tourists occupied almost every table, but the vibe was still laid back and we didn’t feel rushed to place our order.

From the appetizer list of eight selections, we chose the bacon-wrapped scallops. I almost sprang for the hot dang shrimp as well, but thought better of it when I glanced over at the entrees and decided I’d better save room for fresh Gulf catch instead.

While we waited for our appetizer, our server brought us a loaf of fresh French bread and butter to munch on. It was good, but I needed to pace myself.

The scallops arrived piping hot, and the maple mustard sauce added a spicy kick. The applewood smoked bacon paired well with the scallops creating delicious, melt-in-your-mouth morsels.

When it came to selecting an entrée, I knew I wanted local fish, and there were lots of choices from snapper to grouper to the fish of the day which happened to be mahi mahi.

I chose a meal under the heading Dave’s Favorites, the grouper Pontchartrain, which consisted of broiled grouper topped with a fried soft-shell crab, sweet basil béarnaise sauce and honey-roasted almonds.

The server asked me if I was familiar with soft-shell crab because, instead of eating just the inside, the entire crab is fried and edible. I assured her I would eat it, but was glad she gave me forewarning.

My meal came with homemade hush puppies, a choice of salad or cole slaw and one side from the list of: wild rice, fried okra, fries, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetable (cooked sweet carrots), baked potato or, for a $1.99 extra, a twice-baked potato. I decided to go with the fried okra and a side salad.

As for my guest, he ordered the fish of the day, and he chose to have his mahi mahi blackened. His meal also came hush puppies and with the choice of one side and a house salad or cole slaw, and he also chose fried okra and salad.

Our salads came out well before our meals, so we enjoyed them with our appetizer and bread as we talked.

When our entrees arrived, we were ready to dive in, and they did not disappoint. My grouper Pontchartrain was creamy and delicious, and the soft-shell crab reminded me of fried calamari.

My guest ate all of his meal and commented the hush puppies were exceptionally good, this coming from someone who normally leaves his hush puppies behind.

Dessert was a daily offering with four choices the day we visited. There was a Key lime cheesecake, and two other choices that escape my memory because I was so excited by the fourth choice simply called a chocolate bomb. Yep, that sounded good.

The chocolate bomb was the perfect finish to our meal. Inside of a shell of thin, dark chocolate was chocolate mousse on top of a fluffy chocolate cake. It was delicious, and we cleaned the plate.

THE ATMOSPHERE

Capt. Dave’s on the Gulf offers Gulf views in a relaxed, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Every table has a view of the Gulf, although once it gets dark, the water is not visible.

Fish tanks line the tables along the wall with tropical fish swimming lazily inside, and the evening we visited a musician played island tunes such as “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” throughout the course of our meal.

THE SERVICE

Everyone at Capt. Dave’s seemed seasoned and familiar with the tourist crowds in Destin. The experience was smooth and didn’t seem like anyone was stressed or overwhelmed with the busy dinner service. Our server was friendly and efficient and helped us make our food selections.

FINAL TASTE

Capt. Dave’s on the Gulf is a tried and true Destin restaurant for fresh Gulf seafood and a relaxed dinner date. My guest and I really enjoyed our food, and the portions were perfect. Next time I am craving seafood, I will definitely make my way back, only I will go before sunset.

QUICKBITES

Capt. Dave's on the Gulf

Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Sunday; closed Tuesdays

Location: 3796 Old Hwy. 98 in Destin

Phone: 850-837-2627

Website: www.captdavesonthegulf.com

Price range: Appetizers, $8.99-$19.99; soup and salad, $6-$8.99; baskets & sandwiches, $11.99-$15.99; Dave's Favorites, $23.99-$35.99; steak & chicken, $15.99-$36.99; Grilled, blackened, fried and broiled seafood; $21.99-$29.99, surf & turf; $21.98-$61.99.

Kids menu: Yes

Payment: Credit cards accepted

QUICKBITES