Dining Out Gulf Coast: Saltwater Grill, Panama City Beach, FL

When we vacation in Panama City Beach, we always set aside one evening for what Sweet Harold and I call our "fancy dinner out." This year, we wanted to try somewhere new.

After asking for recommendations in a Facebook poll, one restaurant kept coming up over and over again—Saltwater Grill. With that many people singing its praises, we knew we had to give it a try.

Originally, we planned to go on Saturday night, but we waited too long to make reservations. Lesson learned! Instead, we reserved a table for our last night of vacation, Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Watching the crowd in the waiting area and seeing several groups turned away without reservations, I can confidently say this: make the reservation.

While we waited just a few minutes for our table, we enjoyed one of Saltwater Grill's most recognizable features—its enormous aquarium.

The waiting area is spacious, and it's hard not to find yourself mesmerized watching the fish glide through the water.

And just in case you aren't already hungry...

...there's a dessert cart sitting right beside the host stand.

Yes, that chocolate cake really does have seven layers.

More on dessert in a bit.

We were seated shortly after 7:00, and Lacey took wonderful care of us throughout the evening. The restaurant was quite lively when we arrived, so conversation required speaking up a little. As the evening progressed and diners finished their meals, the noise level dropped considerably, making it much easier to visit across the table.

Sweet Harold ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, while I decided vacation was the perfect excuse to splurge on a Lemon Drop Martini.

Both were excellent.

Before our appetizer arrived, a basket of warm focaccia bread was brought to the table with seasoned olive oil for dipping.

The focaccia had a wonderfully crisp crust with a soft, airy center, making it perfect for soaking up the fragrant olive oil. Lightly seasoned with herbs and cracked pepper, the dipping oil was simple but full of flavor. It was one of those little touches that immediately lets you know you're in for a great meal.

We had every intention of saving room for dinner...

We failed.

We ordered the Cherry Wood Smoked Grouper Dip, made with cream cheese and topped with pickled chili peppers. It came with a choice of house-made pita or house-made potato chips.

We chose the pita.

Not only was the presentation beautiful, but the portions of both the dip and the pita chips were extremely generous.

Since we'd eaten very little all day, an appetizer wasn't even a question.

The dip itself was outstanding. The smoked flavor was subtle rather than overpowering, and the grouper wasn't fishy in the slightest. Every bite was balanced, creamy, and flavorful.

The real surprise?

Those pita chips.

They arrived warm, thick, slightly chewy, and absolutely delicious. We both agreed we made the right choice.

I already knew this meal was going to be large.

I didn't care.

I had come to try the lobster bisque.

The "cup" portion was what I would call a bowl anywhere else. It arrived piping hot with a smooth, velvety texture and a generous amount of lobster throughout. The crispy fried wonton was a nice touch, but honestly, the bisque could have stood completely on its own.

It was outstanding.

Both entrées included a spring mix salad with balsamic dressing.

Again, the portion was generous, the greens were crisp and cold, and I really enjoyed the fresh flavor of the dressing.

Sweet Harold ordered the Grouper Imperial:  grilled Gulf grouper topped with blue crab, garlic-infused mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a classic beurre blanc.

Everything about this plate was perfection.

The mashed potatoes were well seasoned, the asparagus was cooked perfectly, and the grouper itself was a beautiful, generous piece of fish. The blue crab and beurre blanc pulled everything together into a meal he couldn't stop talking about.

He was one happy camper.

I struggled with my decision.

For a while, I was leaning toward the Crispy Flounder, but finally settled on the Blackened Red Snapper with jasmine rice, roasted baby carrots, and lemon beurre blanc.

I have absolutely no regrets.

Red snapper naturally has a firmer texture than many fish, making it perfect for blackening because it holds together beautifully during cooking.

This was an incredibly thick piece of fish.

I wanted to photograph one bite just to show how perfectly flaky it was.

The lemon beurre blanc added just enough brightness without overpowering the fish. The roasted carrots were cooked to that perfect point—not crunchy, not mushy—while the jasmine rice rounded out the plate nicely.

Now...

This is where sensible people would have stopped.

We should have thanked Lacey (for about the tenth time), wished her a wonderful evening, and headed back to the condo.

We did not.

Instead, we asked to see the dessert tray one more time.

We debated.

We justified.

Then we ordered one dessert to share.

Y'all...

Seriously.

Y'all.

Yes, we ordered this enormous slice of strawberry cheesecake.

Everything about it was exactly what great cheesecake should be.

The filling had that slight tang cheesecake lovers hope for. It was rich, dense, and creamy without being heavy. The crust stayed thin enough to support the filling without stealing the spotlight, and the strawberries, sauce, and whipped cream were the perfect finishing touch.

We didn't even finish half of it.

The rest went back to the condo, where four grandchildren happily helped us solve that problem.

Everything about this evening was enjoyable—from the food and atmosphere to the excellent service.

From our table, we had a wonderful view of the aquarium throughout dinner.

If you're curious, here's a look at the menu.

Yes...they also serve sushi. 

Thank you, Saltwater Grill, for giving us one of our favorite meals of the trip.

And a special thank-you to our server, Lacey, for making the evening even more memorable.

Would we go back?

Without hesitation.

Saltwater Grill delivered everything we hoped our "fancy dinner out" would be: excellent food, generous portions, attentive service, and an atmosphere that made our last evening in Panama City Beach one we'll remember for a long time.