Keeping it Reel from the Gulf Coast
Many new restaurants and fun attractions have popped up since last year, offering a bit of new and surprise. Luckily, this time of year allows for us to still grab a table for dinner. Reservations will soon be required everywhere.
On the harbor in Destin you will find Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House. Bo what? 
Boshamps, a name and style you won’t forget .The new restaurant opened April of 2013, the new kids on the block are actually well known natives of Destin. Miller Phillips and his sister Ashley are the next generation from the Phillips family, previous owners of the well known, Flamingo Cafe. First lets get the name down and what is behind it. The name comes from a combination of names from family Labrador retrievers and Miller Phillip’s initials. They wanted their restaurant to be about them and their lives and history here on the gulf coast. Noticeable to all that enter is the beautiful wooden decor showing years of change from days long ago in Destin. Hints of the memories from Flamingo Cafe can be found throughout. The back of the restaurant welcomes the beautiful sunset on the harbor beyond multiple large decks that lead down to the boat docks and a large beach area. The boat docks provide a perfect place for anglers to dock and bring in their local catches, especially fun during tournaments. The owners are true to the area, serving local fresh fish caught from our Gulf and offer a variety of southern dishes. It is no surprise however, that the Phillips family would have well known Chef Andi Bell at the helm of their kitchen. Chef Bell, a top honors graduate of The Florida Culinary Institute in Palm Beach, spent years of creating wonderful dishes for the Flamingo Cafe, bringing together his creative style to fresh dishes. Recently I had fresh cobia grilled to perfection, there is truly nothing better than fresh fish. Boshamps has the best Oysters in town. With a great Oyster bar serving raw and a variety of oysters , including Oyster Bienville, baked with gulf shrimp and lump crabmeat. To have Miller Phillips and his sister Ashley at Boshamps, alongside Chef Andi Bell gives us a unique story for a great new locally owned and operated Seafood restaurant. These people represent what Destin is all about.
The newest addition to Harborwalk Village in Destin
is Jackacudas, which has just opened this spring. Jackacudas, named for a local fishing hole has other surprises in store. Jackacudas is locally home grown, literally. The owners, Tyler Jarvis, Chris Ruyan and Chef Tyler McMahan have been friends since kids and attending FWB High School. Executive Chef Tyler McMahan’s culinary experience from Bay Cafe and Tommy Bahama’s has shaped his talent in the kitchen. The Sushi Chef Efrain Tirado comes all the way from California, bringing his personal touches and artistic flare with house made sauces. Their amazing menu of seafood and sushi as well as a little something for everyone. My son couldn’t resist the Chicken and waffles and the cookies and milk. The owners aren’t the only thing that is local at this restaurant, the fish is. Their pride shows thru their dishes which feature only fresh ingredients and fish from our local fisherman in and around Destin. Sitting outside and watching the boats pass through the harbor, eating sushi made from our gulf waters was a wonderful way to spend this Mother’s Day with family and friends.
Together these restaurants share what is best about our community, Our food, our flare and keeping with the local charm of our little fishing village. They are Keeping it Reel from the Gulf Coast.