Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 850-653-4687;
www.houseoftartts.com
;
50 Ave F; r $120-135, carriage house $215; )
With creaky wooden floors, fireplaces and rustic log cabin-ish walls, this charmingly low-
key guesthouse feels every bit of its 125-plus years. A shared kitchen and a lack of daily
housekeeping make this seem more like staying at a friend's house than staying at a B&B.
The carriage house is great value for families.
Gibson Inn
INN
( 850-653-2191;
www.gibsoninn.com
; 51 Ave C; r from $120; )
This grand 1907 cracker-style inn has 30 somewhat creaky rooms with bright colors and
high antique beds. Ask for a 2nd-floor room that opens onto the sprawling veranda - or, if
you're game, request reputedly haunted room 309. The hotel restaurant
Ira's
does wonder-
ful homestyle dinners.
Eating & Drinking
The Historic District is packed with cute cafes and bistros; nightlife pretty much consists
of watching the moon dance over the bay.
Up the Creek Raw Bar
SEAFOOD
( 850-653-2525850-653-2525;
www.upthecreekrawbar.com
;
313 Water St; mains $7-20;
noon-9pm)
We reckon these are the 'best' oysters in town. There's a variety of toppers, but we loved
the 'classic': lightly cooked with Colby-Jack cheese, chopped jalapeños and bacon - a great
way to introduce oyster virgins to the bivalve. Oh, and the crab and lobster bisque is to die
for! Order at the counter and pull up a pew in the shade-house or on the deck.
A bunch of tasty burgers and salads are available. You just can't beat the combination of
the food, the view and a cold beer.
Owl Cafe & Tap Room
MODERN AMERICAN
(
850-653-9888;
www.owlcafeflorida.com
;
15 Ave D; mains $16-28;
11am-10pm Mon-Sat,
10:30am-3pm Sun)
