Taste of the Beach

Casino Beach was hoppin' this weekend as more than 20 island restaurants turned out for the third annual Taste of the Beach.


Each business offered small plates of their signature dish or drink. Prices ranged between $2.00 - $5.00.


And at the end of the festival a People's Choice Award was presented to the restaurant which received the most votes.

The Dog House Deli received praise from my husband for their Red Beans and Rice.

There were several new participants this year, including Margaritaville Beach Hotel, Frank & Lola's Love Cafe, Castaway's, The Grand Marlin, and Beach Pops.

This is becoming a very popular event, so be sure to bookmark the new Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce website and watch for the dates next year!

Taste of the Beach

Just a reminder that this is a big weekend on Pensacola Beach. The second annual Taste of the Beach will be held at Casino Beach on Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. More than a dozen island restaurants will be participating, offering their signature dishes for $5.00 or less! You may see a list of restaurants and their signature dishes by clicking HERE.

Also at Casino Beach on Saturday will be the Miracle Strip Corvette Club's 'Vettes at the Beach show. You may click HERE to see photos from last year. And on Sunday the Chrome Zone Motorcycle Display will be there.

Most exciting for me this weekend is the Be Kind to the Beach recycling and reuse program that the Pensacola Beach Advocates, Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, and Santa Rosa Island Authority are teaming up to promote. The Pensacola Beach Advocates will be selling 26 oz. stainless steel water bottles (see photo below) next to the Hospitality Tent. If you buy one of the Taste of the Beach water bottles for $5.00, you can come back to the tent and get it refilled free all day long.



Doing what I can to curtail the use of plastic water bottles has become very important to me after seeing the number of them washing up on our beach during my patrols. Some people recycle their plastic bottles, but it is estimated that more than 90% of plastic bottles are not recycled. Then there is the fact that it will take approximately 490 years or longer for a plastic bottle to decompose... and the health concerns of Bisphenol A...and the fact that more than 25% of bottled water comes from a municipal water supply...

I hope you will take time to watch this video about the use of plastic water bottles:



And if you you're still reading as I step down from my soapbox, please stop by and say hello to me at the Taste of the Beach Hospitality Tent. I'll be there Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Everyone who buys a stainless steel waterbottle also gets a free hug from me!

Taste of the Beach

It was a walloping great day to be on the beach! There were all kinds of things going on!

The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring 'Taste of the Beach'. It's a two-day event which kicked off today and showcases signature dishes from the best restaurants on the beach. Here's your chance to try a bit of everything.


Some mighty fine food and a great selection.


Folks who lined up couldn't have asked for a more pleasant day on Pensacola Beach with their family and friends. Those attending 'Life's a Vette at the Beach' were pretty happy to see all the best beach restaurants lined up and waiting for them, too.


Stop by and get a tee shirt - I think we're starting a new tradition!


Then work your way around to all the tents. Paradise Bar & Grill was serving up Rene's signature shrimp salad and honey-wasabi grilled fish sandwiches.


Yummm.... have you tried the homemade brownies or the walnut-crust key lime pie from Native Cafe?


Sidelines Sports Bar & Restaurant had grouper nuggets and fried shrimp.


Beach-style shrimp from H2O.


Yo! It's the balloon man!


Dancingly Yours dancers enjoyed their balloon animals after a performance.


Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce sponsored events include activities for kids. We love kids out here on the island, probably because we're all kids at heart ourselves. This young fella is determined to get an apple in the bobbing contest...


And there was pumpkin decorating, and sack races, and sand art in a bottle!

You still have one more day to come out for a 'Taste of the Beach'! You'll probably see me tomorrow, chowing down on pizza from the Florida Pizza Kitchen or brownies from Native Cafe, but for sure you will see me selling beverages at the Chamber Tent from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Come out and say hello!