It’s a theme: restaurants on the move

Visitors on County Road 30A won’t have to travel to Destin to enjoy a dinner at Destin Chops 30A, one of Jim Altamura’s restaurants.

Altamura opened Marina Cafe in 1988 and Destin Chops in 1997. Last fall, he closed Destin Chops to concentrate on the completion of his new restaurant.

While keeping the familiar Destin Chops name, Altamura added 30A to identify the change in location,

Private preview parties on March 3 and 4 gave guests a chance to check out his newest restaurant, but on March 5, paying customers were finally welcomed to the upscale eatery.

Guests can settle down in a cocktail lounge that shimmers with distinctive blue and green backlighting. The elevated seating along one wall in the lounge offers the opportunity to check out new arrivals.

The steakhouse has a sushi bar and there are plans for outdoor dining when the weather warms up. In the dining room, Destin Chops 30A features traditional steakhouse fare including prime steaks, Maine lobster and fresh Gulf seafood.

Many staff members from the Destin restaurant are serving at the new restaurant. Chris Walling is the general manager and operating partner.

Dinner is available from 5 to 10:30 p.m., with early dining specials from 5 to 6 p.m. A two-hour happy hour begins at 5.

The restaurant is at 10343 East County Road 30A at The Villages of South Walton in Seacrest Beach.

Reservations are recommended and can be made at (850) 231-4050.

Follow Sandor’s progress as it relocates

Alys Beach marketing director Mike Ragsdale announced plans to move the old Sandor’s building in Seagrove to Alys Beach, where it will house George’s restaurant.

Ragsdale said it had been a tough secret to keep. So many folks wondered how George’s could open this summer when there was no building under construction at Alys Beach. Rather than rebuild Sandor’s, George and Ann Hartley, owners of George’s, decided to recycle the old restaurant.

Now that the permits are completed and work has begun to move Sandor’s, Ragsdale wanted South Walton residents and visitors to be prepared for the delays that might occur during the seven-mile trip down 30A.

The building will be put on jacks and loaded onto a trailer this week, he said. The roof has to be removed because of power lines along the route, so the actual move will be planned when there are about five days with no anticipated rain.

If all goes as scheduled, the building will be moved by the end of next week, he said.

The old building will be placed on a foundation on the north side of 30A at Castle Harbor Drive. There’s a sentimental attachment to the building that housed a fish place and later a fine dining establishment, and though there will be renovations inside and a deck added for outside dining, the restaurant will retain its authentic look, Ragsdale said.

In Good Company is a weekly column by Walton Sun Business and Real Estate reporter Joyce Owen. To let the community know what’s happening in your company, contact her at joyce_owen@link.freedom.com, (850) 267-4555 or fax (850) 267-0929.