Known for its chef-inspired creations made from fresh, local ingredients, refreshing cocktails and breathtaking sunset views, Emerald Waterfront Bar & Grill promises a delightful taste of the Gulf Coast in a relaxing, yet finer dining environment.
Celebrate this new beginning Jan. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Grand Opening of Emerald Waterfront Bar & Grill. Enjoy complimentary appetizers, a dessert bar, craft beer samples, live music by Stevie Hall, champagne, and valet. Come sample their new menu at their Grand Opening.
“We’re going to have an opportunity to showcase what we’re able to do here. We will be going around with some of the appetizers with the new menu items,” Head Chef Nick Brummette said.
They’ll also have samples of Lumi, 10 Wraiths and the award-winning Cherry Gozen, three local craft beers brewed at Emerald Republic Brewery, which Tommy also owns. The Emerald Waterfront Bar will bring more affordable, high-quality beer to Navarre. Pints start at $3.
During the Grand Opening, event manager Daniele Hall will have spaces mocked up of what an event or wedding at Emerald Waterfront could be. Vendors will be set up, such as a big dessert bar by Cakes by CiCi, Gold Coast Event Servics and CMS Photography.
“We have over 15,000 square-feet of sand on the west side of the restaurant, so we’re super excited to host large events here,” Daniele said. “We can easily have 300+ person events here.”
“It’s a great location. The views are beautiful. There’s not a better spot in Navarre, there’s no doubt,” Chef Nick said.
“This is the top venue in the area,” Tommy said.
“And it’s finally going to get the business it deserves, the place the community deserves,” Nick added.
Tommy is in the process of fixing up and finalizing the sale of the dock to really bring another layer to Emerald Waterfront.
“James and Judy Dabney has been incredibly great to work with. This is not a small task and they’ve gone out of their way to accommodate us. They wants this dock to be there for the community,” Tommy said. “We are hopeful that come March it will be completed and that will eventually become part of the Emerald Waterfront.”
“One of the big things that makes us different now than before is frankly we’ve given a lot of freedom to Chef Nick and his staff. They are artists who’ve invented some wonderful dishes and given people that variety that frankly Navarre has never really had before,” Tommy said.
Weekly features can easily turn into menu items by popular demand, such as Mussels Diablo and Calamari.
“No one can beat our beef. This is not the kind of meat you get at the grocery store,” Tommy said.
Emerald Waterfront’s hand cut steak sets them apart from other restaurants in Northwest Florida. They serve Braveheart Black Angus Beef with its always amazing mouthwatering flavor, grilled to perfection on their brand-new grill.
“We’re really well-known for our Whole Lobster which is a Whole Florida Lobster that’s split open and served with Royal Red Shrimp and Bay Scallops,” Chef Nick added.
“And all our fish is coming in fresh. We have two local vendors that we use for seafood. One of them is out of Apalachicola.”
Emerald Waterfront sells a variety of oysters, both raw and oven-roasted, at their oyster bar back by the outside bar. Chef Nick says it makes for a great aroma while the oysters are roasting in the oven.
Since Tommy has taken over, the average wait time has been brought down from 50 minutes to 20 minutes. The efficiency really comes down to the collaboration of everybody. It’s like a big family here.
“When you’re in the right environment, you’re happy, everyone works harder, they want to do a better job and they want something to succeed,” Tommy said. “And our community, the locals have really come out and supported us – they wanted to see this change. We’ve very thankful for them.”
Their bar is also known for their fresh-fruit infused martinis such as lemon drop, watermelon, strawberry, raspberry or prickly pear. Can’t decide – try a flight!
No one sells craft cocktails like Emerald Waterfront. The bartenders make their own simple syrup and juices from scratch, giving each drink that fresh taste.
“We make all our items. Nothing is really store bought, it’s all pure quality,” owner Tommy said.
Emerald Waterfront
8491 Navarre Parkway
(850)710-7334
Open for lunch outside Fri. – Sun. 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Open for dinner inside Sun., Tues., Weds. 3:30 – 9 p.m.
Thurs., Fri., Sat. 3:30 – 10 p.m.
Closed on Mondays