Entries categorized as ‘Dining with Friends’
January 12, 2008 · 1 Comment
What can we say? This chain of restaurants in Pensacola (and elsewhere) is a franchise and a down-market franchise at that, but we love their BBQ! Sonny’s is absolutely perfect for a particular type of situation: When you are hungry and want lots of tasty food fast, without the need to get dolled-up to go out. Which is exactly when you crave BBQ, is it not? Sonny’s is that place we go when we don’t want to cook, we don’t want to drive far, don’t want to get cleaned, up, and just want to dive into great food. The service is friendly and accomodating. The meat is all slow cooked all-day, so its ready to hit the plate as soon as you order it. Sonny’s is one of the last restaurants in Pensacola to have a GREAT salad bar to get food right NOW. And the bill is very reasonable.
Since it is a BBQ place and we love our BBQ, let me take a minute to lead you in the right directions. First , let’s talk sauce. All of Sonny’s sauces are exactly how they are tagged: Mild, Sweet, Sizzlin’ Sweet, and Smokin’. Don’t expect the Smokin’ to be super hot, but it is spicy. I like the Sizzlin’ Sweet for the best of both worlds. On a good night, you just can not beat Sonny’s baby back ribs. Be careful- the Sweet and Smokey ribs can be dry at times. (I like to ask for a one rib sampler, or I just go with Baby Back, which are almost always great!) The pulled pork and the beef brisket are also winners.
We listed one dining location below. It’s the one we most frequent. But there are other locations in Pensacola as well.
Name: Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ
Location: 6757 North 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL, 32504
Phone: 850-476-7618
Price: $-$$
Website: http://www.sonnysbbq.com/
Categories: BBQ · Dining with Friends · Dining with Kids · Food · Location · North Pensacola · Pensacola · Restaurant · Salads · Sandwiches
Tagged: 9th, avenue, BBQ, brisket, creighton, Pensacola, Pit, Pork, Pulled, Restaurant, ribs, road, Sauce, Sonny's, wal-mart
December 26, 2007 · 1 Comment
Its Christmas and at Christmas we all think about home. Since this is a restaurant blog, I think about Restaurants in my hometown. I was born in Philadelphia, and when one think about Philadephia food the first thing that comes to mind is CHEESESTEAKS! The second thing is hoagies. While Pensacola restaurants offer us many different food options, from seafood and steak to sushi and thai, one has to hunt long for a cheesesteak or a hoagie. Never fear. I have found a restaurant in Pensacola that serves cheesesteaks as good as any in Philly. Its called Philly’s (ironically enough!)
Let’s first do a bit of background study on the food itself. Wikipedia says this: “The cheesesteak, known outside the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area as the Philadelphia cheesesteak, Philly Steak and Cheese, Philly cheesesteak, steak and cheese, or simply a Philly is a sandwich principally of thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese on a long roll. A cheesesteak without cheese is locally called a steak sandwich, or a Philly Steak in other parts of the country. The cheesesteak is a comfort food for natives of the Philadelphia region. It was invented in the city in 1930 and is considered to be a city icon along with other foods such as Tastykakes, water ice, the Philadelphia soft pretzel, hoagies, and scrapple.” The best places to get cheesesteaks in Philadelphia is Pat’s or Geno’s. The former claims to have invented the cheesesteak.
I grew up eating all these things in abundance, and still do a couple times a year, when I get back to southeast Pennsylvania. Hoagies became known in other parts of the world as italian subs, but hoagies are different. They come on the same roll as a cheesesteak. Those rolls are special. In fact, as Ross, the owner of Philly’s in Pensacola, tells the story, he woudl have opened Philly’s sooner if he could have figured out how to get the rolls fresh in Pensacola. He now has them specially shipped to his shop. It is important that the bread is fresh to a great cheesesteak or hoagie. Philly’s has them fresh.
Philly’s in Pensacola is every bit as good as Pat’s or Geno’s in Philadelphia. (You’re welcome, Ross) It’s not a glamourous place (sorry, Ross), but neither s Pat’s or Geno’s. They are all essentially grill counter sandwich shops that are entirely focused on giving you the real product, which is a belly full of delicious juicy meat, grilled onions, peppers, bread, and cheese. Both cheesesteaks and hoagies are traditionally served with fries and soda, with a dessert of Tastykakes. Philly’s has it all. There are a few tables but most business is takeout!
If you are a southerner looking to step above the mason doxon line, or you are a Yankee looking for a taste of home, Philly’s can not be beat. And it is a must for anyone seeking to expand their culinary horizons. I’d love to see Philly’s expand their operation to more tables and a downtown location.
Name: Philly’s Cheesesteaks & Hoagies
Location: 3900 Creighton Rd, Pensacola, FL, 32504
Phone: (850) 969-0087
Price: <$
Website: www.phillysonline.com
Categories: BBQ · Dining with Friends · Dining with Kids · Food · Location · North Pensacola · Pensacola · Restaurant · Sandwiches · Steak
Tagged: cheesesteak, creighton road, Florida, hoagie, lunch, north, Pensacola, Restaurant, Sandwiches, take-out, tastykake
This is a relatively new chain restaurant for Pensacola, and in general. There is 10 locations across the south United States. In a nutshell, the food is great but the service is lacking. I’ve eaten here over a half dozen times in the last year (and recently) in a varitey of settings- lunch, dinner, meeting room. Overall this assessment stands true. I ate lunch at Zea Rotisserie and Grill recently with an associate, and we sat for over ten minutes until we were approached for a drink order.That being said, they have some fantastic stuff on their menu. Their dry rub ribs are absolutely excellent and their salads are delicious. The atmosphere and decor are clean and warm, with special touches everywhere. If you can get service, it is the perfect location and environment for a business lunch. The tables are not too close and sound doesn’t travel. In addition, Zea offers something that is curiously rare in a beach town like Pensacola- outdoor dining! Its not a big area, but it is protected and you can actually see the bay! Its a hidden treasure. Ask for it. Zea should work on its training and management programs if it is to experience sucessful growth, but it has potential.Name: Zea Rotisserie and Grill
Location: 605 West Gregory, Pensacola, FL, 32502
Phone: (850) 433-2159
Price: $-$$$
Website: www.zearestaurants.com
Categories: BBQ · Burgers · Business Lunch · Dessert · Dining with Friends · Downtown · Food · Gregory · Outdoor Dining · Pensacola · Restaurant · Seafood · Steak
Tagged: Downtown Pensacola, Restaurant, Seafood, Steak, Business Lunch, Dining with Friends, Outdoor Dining, Dining with Kids, Gregory Street, BBQ, Sunday Brunch, Pensacola, Zea, grill, rotisserie
Eat! is a downtown Pensacola restaurant adding location and services all the time. Eat! is characterized by a trendy metropolitan atmosphere, fine cuisine, and outstanding service. During lunchtime, this place is all business, one of the preferred lunch meeting places in the downtown area. In the evening, the restaurant switches to fine dining and does it well. The deco bar offers a great place to start your evening and relax before dinner.
Eat! ’s menu offers some items not otherwise found in Pensacola restaurants. For example, try the delicious Rabbit Quesadillas. Yes, that’s rabbit meat! Without fail, all of the menu items are tasty, with some outstanding fare. There is plenty of variety and adventure to be had, as well as standard dining choices that won’t disappoint.
I am constantly impressed by the service. It is highly professional but relaxed and comfortable. Again, a trendy metropolitan atmosphere. This is once you are seated. I am occasionally dismayed by how long I wait at the door before being approached. However, once approached, service is excellent. Ask for Frances as your server and the back room if you have a party of less than six and want some privacy. Outdoor dining, while available, is not altogether comfortable.
Name: Eat!
Location: 286 N. Palafox, Pensacola, FL, 32502
Phone: (850) 433-6905
Price: $-$$$
Website: www.eatmorefood.com
Categories: Business Lunch · Dessert · Dining with Friends · Downtown · Drinks · Food · Location · Outdoor Dining · Palafox · Pensacola · Restaurant · Romantic Dinner · Salads · Sandwiches · Seafood · Steak
Tagged: Palafox, Restaurant, Pensacola, eat, Food, dine, Downtown, salad, romantic, dinner, business, lunch, frances, excellent, service, outdoor
November 9, 2007 · 1 Comment
Just west of the intersection of Avalon Blvd. on Highway 90, about 10 minutes from I-10,this BBQ joint is worth the drive to Milton from Pensacola. It is a country atmosphere with a focus on the barbeque, and oh my, is it ever. Regular specials provide all-you-can-eat opportunities, but you’ve got to have a big appetite to go for seconds. Everything about Red Barn’s fare is tasty. Even the fries are perfect. They offer a selection of house sauces that hit every note just right.I’m not sure that can write anything more to praise a BBQ place then what I’ve already written. BBQ should be an experience quite unlike other dining experiences. Red Barn BBQ delivers.
Name: Red Barn BBQ
Location: 5887 Highway 90, Milton, FL 32583
Phone: (850) 983-9771
Price: $-$$
Website: none available
Categories: BBQ · Dining with Friends · Dining with Kids · Food · Milton/Pace · Sandwiches
Tagged: Barn, BBQ, Dining with Friends, Dining with Kids, Florida, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, pulled pork, Red, Restaurant, rib
Though I think this Pensacola restaurant got a rough start and much of the art on its walls is atrocious, we have become quite the fans of The Global Grill recently. It has become a weekly stop and we’ve even begun to develop a regular order. This restaurant has become additionally attractive as we have begun a carb-controlled diet.Let’s first address the atmosphere, which will further explain the ”rough start” comment. The Global Grill is well recognized in Pensacola for its…um…”cooler than thou” attititude. To be sure, it is one of the coolest restaurants in Pensacola, with its hip “tapas” menu, artsy atmosphere, designed decor, and downtown location. The servers are noted for the same hip, artsy, pierced, model-like attitude. And while all this could lend itself to a patron’s feeling of inclusion in a hip set, a restaurant can not survive by decorum alone. The Global Grill quickly became home to a rather happenstance happy hour crowd (still evident to this day), but gained the solid support of some notable Pensacola professionals. The restaurant coasted on this professional patronage and “cool” for some time. Service suffered. Food quality followed.I note all this because I found it offensive. Not because of its substance, but because of its nature- that a potentially great restaurant woud allow itself to stoop that low.Fortunately, someone pulled it all together. Food quality is now consistently stellar. Service, while still quirky (which I like), is superior. The kitchen is remarkably brisk. And better art now compliments the orginal pieces. The crowd is now a better mix of Pensacola demographics and more friendly. Prices remain healthy, but in my opinion. you do get what you pay for.
The only complaints I now have is that the “blue room” is consistently too cold. Let’s see what we can do about that?
Our favorite tapas include:
- Herbed Focaccia with Olives and Feta Cheese
- Crab West Indies and Avocado Martini
- Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce
- Peppercorn Beef Brochettes,Smoked Gouda Cheese Sauce
All the desserts are to-die-for. This is the second local restaurant reviewed that you can go just for a late night dessert-only indulgence. The wine list is superb, featuring one of our favorite red vineyards: David Bruce. The Russian River Reserve 2 (Pinot Noir) is a great bottle for a fair price.
Name: The Global Grill
Location: 25 S Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 850.469.9966
Price: $$-$$$$$
Website: www.dineglobalgrill.com
Categories: Dessert · Dining with Friends · Downtown · Drinks · Food · Palafox · Pensacola · Restaurant · Romance · Romantic Dinner · Salads · Seafood · Steak · Sushi
Tagged: appetizers, art, Dessert, Dining with Friends, Downtown Pensacola, Drinks, Global Grill, globes, Palafox, Pensacola, Restaurant, Romantic Dinner, Seafood, Steak, tapa
There are people in Pensacola that swear upon Franco’s as the end all of Italian food. They say that if you ever want REAL Italian food, not that commercial stuff you get at Tres Fratelli or Carrabbas (both excellent restaurants), Franco’s is the place to go. Franco’s is in a great location, downtown, admist powerhouses like MacGuires, Zeas, Outback, The Melting Pot, and Carrabbas. When you enter you know it is genuine Italian. There is bad art of Italian landscapes on the wall, and a table full of people talking Italian in the back… you know, mobster style. But either it is all a hoax, or these are Italians that don’t know how to cook. The food is tasteless at best. The sauces are acidic. The pasta, while fresh, was thick. The recommended wine was, well, horrible. The service was friendly, but there was an angry man behind the bar about to destroy the cash register (yes, that’s right, an old traditional cash register).We were the only guests. Need I say more?
Name: Franco’s Italian Restaurant
Location: 523 E Gregory St, Pensacola, FL, 32502
Phone: (850) 433-9200
Price: $-$$
Website: na
Categories: Dining with Friends · Downtown · Food · Gregory · Italian · Pensacola
Tagged: Downtown Pensacola, Business Lunch, Dining with Kids, Gregory Street, Pensacola, Italian, bayfront, pasta, lasagna, fettucini, linguini
O’Brien’s is truly unique in Pensacola. For starters, it is small and intimate. This is not a easy charateristic to find in this town. Its food it delicious, its wine list is magnificent, and its service is (usually) sophsticated yet friendly. That few short sentences say it all. It is one of the few restaurants in Pensacola in which you can truly feel that you are someplace special. Sometimes it shows its age, and falters, but it delivers something that you can’t find elsewhere in Penacola.Recommendations? The entres range from seafood to steak. The atmosphere is “neighborhood fine dining”. Try their specials. The wine list is stellar. Spend some time with it to find some unusual gems. If you have a chance, let Jim O’Brien recommend your dinner and wine.
Name: O’Briens Bistro
Location: 4350 Bayou Blvd, Pensacola, FL, 32502
Phone: 850-477-9120
Price: $$$-$$$$$
Website: na Technorati Profile
Categories: Business Lunch · Cordova · Dessert · Dining with Friends · Drinks · Food · Pensacola · Restaurant · Romance · Romantic Dinner · Romantic Lunch · Seafood · Steak
Tagged: Romantic Dinner, Restaurant, Seafood, Steak, Business Lunch, Cordova, Pensacola, wine, bistro, o'briens
Another chain that delivers! The Melting Pot is not mainstream, even in larger cities than Pensacola. Dinner at The Melting Pot can not be “grabbed”. You have to commit to it. You are there for two and a half hours minimum. Your service is attentive and thorough, they may even have to teach you a few things. Because of these time/labor factors, you are going to pay a few dollars for your meal. The quality of the food? Well, that is up to you, because YOU cook it at your table!If you have never eaten a fondue dinner, Melting Pot is designed to introduce you. Fondue parlors are few and far between, even in large metropolitan areas, so the Melting Pot may be your only opportunity. In fact, I find it a bit surprising that Pensacola has such a cosmopolitan venue.The basics are thus. You engage in a three or four course meal that is cooked exclusively at your table in a fondue pot. Your first course is typically a cheese course. A mixture of chunk cheese and spices is brought to your table. It is tossed into your fondue pot and melted down. You are given some skewers and a variety of breads and vegetables to dip into the pot. Your meal continues in this way with a meat and veggie course (or two) based in a variety of broths or oils, and a dessert fondue. With this last, you are absolutely remiss if you do not have chocolate and a ton of it.The Melting Pot in Pensacola boasts a rather sophisticated mid-range wine list. You are going to drop $25-$45 per head on dinner. You might as well do the same with one of the great wines in that range. Take your time eating the meal, sip the wine, dip the food.
One more thing. You needn’t go for dinner. The Melting Pot is probably the single best place to go for a romantic dessert, and not just in Pensacola, where it is probably the only place. A couple glasses of wine and a chocolate fondue will have you drooling over each other. Or it would create great memories for a group of close friends.
Name: The Melting Pot
Location: 418 E Gregory St # 500, Pensacola, FL, 32502
Phone: (850) 438-4030
Price: $$$-$$$$$
Website: HTTP://www.meltingpot.com/
Categories: Dessert · Dining with Friends · Downtown · Drinks · Fondue · Gregory · Pensacola · Restaurant · Romance · Romantic Dinner · Seafood · Steak
Tagged: Business Lunch, chocolate, Dessert, Dining with Friends, Downtown Pensacola, Fondue, Gregory Street, melting pot, Pensacola, Restaurant, Romantic Dinner, Steak, wine
What a surprise! This is a chain. It is not unique to Pensacola. I am not a huge fan of chain restaurants and do not frequent them often (aside from Carabas, but that’s a different review). To further set the stage on this review, I have eaten at this Bonefish location in Pensacola on three prior occasions. I found the food bland and uninteresting on all three occasions, as you would expect at any franchise restaurant.
Last Tuesday however, I had a completely different experience. We dropped in to use a gift certificate, and walked out impressed. We started with the chicken spring rolls. They were tasty but nothing extraordinary. The salad was less exciting, though the bread is always a great touch. We both order the tilapia special, because our server sold it so well. Tilapia Withdrew, or something like that. It is a healthy piece of grilled, but delicately spicy tilapia, covered with a spinach-gouda cream sauce topping.
This plate is fantastic. It rivals anything that the Fish House may create and truly trascends the franchise restaurant fare. We will return to see if this experience can be duplicated. Stand by for that review.
Name: Bonefish Grill
Location: 5025 N 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504
Phone: (850) 471-2324
Price: $$-$$$
Website: http://www.bonefishgrill.com/home.asp
Categories: Business Lunch · Cordova · Dessert · Dining with Friends · Dining with Kids · Drinks · Food · Pensacola · Restaurant · Romance · Romantic Dinner · Romantic Lunch · Salads · Seafood · Steak
Tagged: Romantic Dinner, Restaurant, Seafood, Steak, Dining with Friends, Cordova, Pensacola, grill, bonefish
