Gulf-to-table rings true at this newly opened harbor-side restaurant. Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House delivers a premium dining experience in Destin with a laid-back atmosphere.
The food
I’d done my research on Boshamps’ menu before my dining companion and I arrived on a recent Monday evening. Options including hot crawfish salad and lobster mac ‘n cheese caught my eye. However, when it came time to order I couldn’t resist the fresh catch of snapper, blackened.
We began the meal with the jumbo lump blue crab cakes. These were on par, with plenty of chunks of crab shining through. These were served with a sauce meuniere.
Other appetizers include cornmeal fried local okra, local blue crab claws, and a chilled jumbo lump crab trifle stacked with crab, avocado, green goddess and local tomato.
My snapper came served on cheese grits with local okra-tomato maque choux. I was very please with the size of the thick snapper filet which was cooked perfectly. Each forkful produced tender chunks of the delicious fish.
My friend was wanting something of the bovine persuasion and ordered the chargrilled angus ribeye. This was a monstrous piece of meat propped upon a bed of mashed red early potatoes and braised local greens, a natural reduction and green tomato chow-chow.
My friend was ever-so-gracious enough to spare a hunk of her steak for my tasting. There is only one other time I have chewed a steak with so little effort it melts in your mouth. At first I thought such a steak was a myth, but I know it to be true and rare.
Other entrée options range from Southern style fried chicken and “The Original” Snapper Destin to poboys filled with fried oysters, shrimp or crawfish.
Let’s not forget Boshamps also serves several varieties of oysters by the shot, half-dozen and dozen. Oyster backs include the pickle back (an Apalachicola oyster, Maker’s Mark and house made pickle juice) and the Sangrita (an Apalachicola oyster, jalepeno, lime and tomato).
I give the chef props for taking dishes you find along the Gulf Coast, such as the poboy and fried chicken, and giving them the Boshamps twist with accoutrements such as Tabasco sorghum and green tomato chow-chow tartar. Bobo’s burger makes my mouth water thinking about the toppings of Gruyere, pickled red onion, bacon marmalade and served with hand-cut fries.
It’s attention to the details like these I think will keep this restaurant open for a long time in the future.
The atmosphere
Boshamps opened in late April and occupies the former Flamingo Café site. It’s been beautifully renovated with floor-to-ceiling wood accents. The dining room is laid back and features breathtaking views of Destin Harbor and a little beach out back.
Boshamps serves Sunday brunch every week and usually has a band on the back deck.
The service
We had two servers, Russell and Nicole, who was training. They both were pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu.
A final taste
Boshamps prides itself on serving fresh food straight from the Gulf of Mexico to the dining table. You won't be disappointed here.
Quick Bites
Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House
Location: 414 Harbor Boulevard
Destin
Telephone:
850-424-7406
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. to midnight
Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - midnight
Handicap accessibility
Good
Children’s menu
Yes
Reservations
Not necessary
Appetizers
$8.95 to $14.95
Salads and Soups
$7.95 to $13.95
Entrees
Lunch $11.95 to $27.95
Dinner $12.95 to $36.95
Oysters
$4.95 to $14.95