When visiting Apalachicola...

In episode 411 I visit Crescent Moon Organic Farm in Sopchoppy, Florida.   It's a small operation run by a couple of non-farmers who decided to try their hand at working the soil.  They've found success selling their produce at local farmers markets and restaurants in the region. 

One of those restaurants is "Avenue Sea" in Apalachicola, Florida. (side note: how about those town names in the Florida panhandle?  Sopchoppy.  Apalachicola.)  The restaurant is located inside the Gibson Inn hotel.  

We met the owners  of Avenue Sea David and Ryanne Carrier on our first night in Apalachicola.  David hails from New York City. Ryanne near Pittsburgh via Chicago.    Both have very impressive culinary resumes...we're talking "The French Laundry" in California and "Blackbird" in Chicago.  But we didn't find out about their passion for excellent cuisine until the second night.  Our first impression was David's karaoke skills at a nearby neighborhood bar.  This town of 3000 knows how to have a good time, and a big part of that involves impressing friends and neighbors with singing prowess.    

We visited the restaurant after spending the day harvesting Tupelo Honey (episode 403).  Ryanne is the pastry chef for the restaurant and she features the honey in her delicious delicacies.   David uses fresh vegetables from Crescent Moon in his dishes.   After we spent an hour or so in the crammed kitchen shooting footage, we decided it would be best to get out of the way...and eat.  

I can honestly tell you that this was one of the best meals I've ever eaten.  And I've eaten quite a few places traveling for this show!   If you are a "foodie" you need to make your way down to Apalachicola and check it out.  

Why is the restaurant named "Avenue Sea", you ask?  Any ideas?  

Jason