Saturday, February 23, 2013

RANDOM VAGABOND ALERT - OLD WORLD JAVA IN THE MIDST OF NEW URBANISM

The Architecture Is Cliche' - But The Coffee is Killer


I have never been a big fan of the school of architectural planning known as New Urbanism that exploded with the launch of the Seaside Community in the early eighties, in the sleepy panhandle of Florida about thirty miles west of Panama City Beach, infamously referred to as The Redneck Riviera when I was a kid. My how things have changed! The formerly bucolic Gulf Coast from Panama City Beach to Destin is now packed with McMansions galore and all the development that comes with serving this ever growing region of Northwest Florida. But  I digress. I'll save the architectural criticism for another day. This Random Vagabond Alert is to tell my fellow Nomads who happen to be heading for that part of Florida this travel season - and I know there are many - about a great little coffee shop that will satisfy even the most discriminating drinker of hot java.

The Amavida Seaside Cafe is right on Highway 30A in the heart of Seaside. Serving a variety of organic, small batch coffees, within a simple, minimalist designed space, it's the perfect place for bleary eyed Nomads to meet the day. It also has a small patio/deck area for al fresco java enjoyment, which not only makes for a nice cup of coffee, but affords one  a pleasant outdoor space for conversation, reading or people watching.
 
And, if you are going to this area, The Watercolor Inn is a stone's throw away just down the road. It is pricey but can make the claim as the only AAA Four Diamond Rated Hotel on the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. Of course, there are countless other residences, condos and villas to rent in the area. But no matter where you stay, or even if you are passing through, go early enough to stop and get your morning mud fix and a nice pastry. They also have a limited menu of sandwiches and other munchies if you feel the need. And for the non-coffee Nomad, they have all the organic teas a discriminating tea drinker could ever want.
 
Happy Mojo 
  
d.l. stafford
 
 
 
 
 





 

No comments:

Post a Comment