DESTIN, FL - If you're headed over the Marler Bridge into Destin and it's time to eat or you're just in the mood for a coffee and a bite, take a right at the first traffic light and visit Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille.
   
The food
Anytime is breakfast time at Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille.
   
Choices include omelets, a breakfast burrito with roasted pork, eggs and red peppers in a spinach wrap; or breakfast sandwiches.
   
The Santorini Spanokopeta bakes spinach, feta, pesto and tomatoes in a Greek pastry. The Nomand is a baked brie cheese on French bread with tomatoes.
   
Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille also offers a nice selection of baked goods. Muffins, cookies, scones, lava cakes and cinnamon rolls are available for breakfast or an anytime snack with one of their wonderful drinks.
   
Expresso-based drinks include cappuccino, mochaccino, latte, café breve and Americano and Cuban coffee.
   
The coffee beans are 100 percent premium Arabica roasted at their facility in Coffee County, Ala.
   
Most of their coffees are served hot or cold. Ask them to "skinny your drink" for a non-fat and sugar-free option.
   
Their signature coffees include such tempting selections as Midnight Delight, chocolate, hazelnut, caramel; Emerald Isle, chocolate, Irish Cream and Kahlua; and Paradise Found, chocolate, caramel and praline.
   
The coffee of the day the day of our visit was Sumtran.
   
Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille also serves tea; not your ordinary tea but Ceylon English Breakfast, Ceylon green, Rooibos red (caffeine free) and white tea.
   
They also have a selection of signature teas, fruit smoothies and artisan chocolate.
   
Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille offers a selection of kebabs and paninis.
   
A kebab platter includes two skewers and is accompanied by sides of couscous, salad, flatbread and tsatsiki dipping sauce.
   
Our choice was the Spanish pork pinchitos - lean diced pork marinated with olive oil, herbs and spices.
   
There are also chicken and beef kebabs along with a vegetarian option.
   
Our panini choice was the Emerald Estate. A generous portion of Sausalito turkey, plantain, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese was served on toasted ciabatta bread spread with a pesto sauce.
   
Other paninis include the ham, turkey, chicken and vegetarian options and are served with a side of grapes or chips and salsa.
   
If you would like a more substantial meal, add an appetizer.
   
When we visited, the soups of the day were lobster bisque, Italian wedding, potato and leek and chicken tortilla.
   
There are also lunch specials advertised on the board to the right of the cash register and several items are available for kids.
   
The atmosphere
Located in the Emerald Grande, Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille has a distinctive up-scale feel. The décor runs to the exotic; banquettes with richly colored pillows, dark furnishings and drapes hanging from the ceiling.
   
There is a kids' corner with a chalkboard, books and games that can keep the little ones occupied while the adults surf the Net or enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.
   
The service
As you walk into the Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille, you place your order at the cash register and pay. You can then choose where you would like to sit, including the covered patio area outside, and the food is brought to your table.
   
A final taste
The Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille is definitely worth a visit.

QuickBITES

Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille

Location
34 Harbor Blvd., Suite 254
Destin
(850) 654-9000

Hours
8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

Reservations
Not necessary

Handicap accessibility
Good

Children's menu
Yes

Price range
Breakfast
$4.50
Sandwiches and salads
$5.50-$8.50
Kebab platters
$9.95

Payment
Major credit cards