CLOSED: Dining Solo with a Beach View at Sandestin’s Elephant Walk

Note: This restaurant has closed.

Last weekend, I tasted yet another fantastic Florida restaurant with a beach view just as delicious as its food. It’s Elephant Walk at Sandestin in Northwest Florida. Have you been?

If you’re like me, a Florida beachside restaurant with “elephant” in its name seems a little odd but there is reason to it. I was told the chef and owner were Elizabeth Taylor fans especially since she frequently visited the Emerald Coast. In her honor, they named the restaurant after the 1954 movie of the same name in which she starred alongside Dana Andres and Peter Finch. There’s even a dish on the menu to celebrate the famed actress called Grouper Elizabeth.

Although tempted to try the restaurant’s signature dish which has been on the menu since the eatery’s inception in the mid-1980s, I opted for the award-winning Crispy Grouper Sandwich. Yeah, I know. A stereotypical Florida lunch but after taking my first bite, I knew I made the right choice.

The sourdough bun was soft and slightly sweet which contrasted nicely with the flaky grouper. The fish, I was told is locally caught and brought in daily, was deep-fried to a delightfully light crunchiness. In other eateries, I’ve had grouper sandwiches with a mushy coating and/or soggy bun, but this sandwich was perfect to my liking. It was topped with an over-sized lettuce leaf, juicy tomato slice, and a dollop of the restaurant’s house made e-walk tartar sauce.

Lunch entrees are served with a choice of side dishes which include creamed spinach, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, burgundy mushrooms, Tillamook cheddar grits, shoestring onion rings, hand-cut fries, and side salad. Decisions, decisions. I opted for the fries which had a light batter coating and were deep-fried.

Other lunch options included soups, salads, sandwiches (such as hamburgers), a variety of fresh seafood dishes and entrees for the non-seafood fan.

I ended the meal with one of the house-made desserts, white chocolate crème brûlée. Oh, boy. The decadently sweet, rich treat was topped with a handful of blueberries and a strawberry and the melted sugar crust was thin making it easy to eat.

As for the view, I was given the choice of sitting inside, surrounded by African safari-themed décor, or outside on the deck and enjoy the view. Of course I chose the view of the white-sand beach, emerald-green Gulf of Mexico, and hypnotizing tropical breezes. It’s a good thing I sat on the deck. Almost after I sat down, I knocked my glass off the table and to the ground spilling water all over the place. I was impressed the glass didn’t break, but UGH! I’m such a klutz.

Elephant Walk serves lunch and dinner as well as Sunday brunch. There’s also a private dining area ideal small functions, such as a small wedding party or business meeting.

I stayed at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and my beachside condo was within walking distance of the restaurant. Although Sandestin is gated, anyone is welcomed to taste the culinary creations of Elephant Walk.

Elephant Walk
4009 S. Sandestin Blvd.
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Tel: 850-267-4800
www.elephantwalkatsandestin.com