Destin Chops 30A boasts cutting edge décor with its steaks
New restaurant opens
For a cutting edge restaurant, only a cutting edge designer and artist will do.
To fill the bill, Jim Altamuro, owner of the new Destin Chops 30A, tapped the talents of Destin commercial designer Jennifer Browning and Santa Rosa Beach artist Teresa Cline.
Browning created a coolly sleek aesthetic environment for the restaurant that is edgy yet elegant, which she calls "classic, contemporary modern."
The look was created with using a metallic platinum stainless color palette, which continues even to the light fixtures and from the front door into the bathroom. Zebrawood accents were used for warmth in color.
Browning said she and Altamua looked at other steak houses to see what they had done, but most were dark.
"We didn't want dark. We wanted upbeat and fresh," she said. "This is not your typical steakhouse."
To give the neutral modern design the needed pop of color, classic artwork wouldn't do.
Altamura had worked with Santa Rosa Beach artist Cline in the past and was familiar with her warm, modern abstracts.
"Her art fits in and provides the pop of color," said Browning.
Cline has nine pieces of artwork from her "Ocean, sand and sea" series adorning the restaurant walls, some in large format. She is working on two more. All are for sale.
"They felt my paintings were compatible in tone and movement to the style of the restaurant," said Cline. "I am excited about it because the place is just really cool."
One standout "cool" aspect of the restaurant is the bar area. If the large screen TVs aren't entertaining enough, the lighting behind the bar changes colors every few seconds for a mesmerizing effect.
General manager and operating partner Chris Walling agreed that what sets the restaurant apart is the cutting edge décor, as well as the professional staff and the food.
"The closest prime steakhouse is at Sandestin, which is 22 miles away," said Walling.
The menu offers fresh local seafood as well as sushi, chops and prime steaks priced from $17.95 to $55, prepared by Executive Chef Erik Smith. An early dinner special is offered nightly from 5 - 6 p.m., and happy hour is daily from 5 - 7 p.m.
Smith grew up in the area. Walling is a Dallas native who was tapped for the position by Altamura who contacted him at the Royal Sonesta in New Orleans where he was director of food and beverage. He has worked in the restaurant business for 15 years.
Altamura came to the area 21 years ago and opened Marina Café on Destin Harbor. Destin Chops in Destin followed, and both establishments have garnered a number of awards over the years. Altamura closed Destin Chops in Destin last year in anticipation of bringing it to 30A. He is in the process of building a home in Destin and will be part of the community.
"We are offering the early dinner special that snowbirds and locals alike will appreciate and the happy hour," he said.
Events such as wine dinners will be included in the future once the restaurant has moved out of the soft opening stage.
"The opportunity is here now instead of Destin," he said. "I was the first steak house in Destin and now there are six. The location on 30A is a great location with no prime steak house out there."
As a seasoned veteran of the restaurant business, the current recession doesn't scare Altamura.
"We had the same conditions in Destin 21 years ago," he said.
Altamura believes that when the new airport is built there will be more people coming to the area from the northeast with a taste for fine dining.
He will be ready.
His location in Seacrest, just west of Rosemary Beach, also positions him within walking distance for the more sophisticated clientele that inhabit Rosemary Beach.
Destin Chops 30A officially opened to the public on March 5. Dress is resort casual. Dinner is served from 5 - 10 p.m.
For more information call (850) 231-4050 or visit www.DestinChops30A.com.
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