Royal Palm Grille- serving global fare at Surfside

New restaurant Royal Palm Grille is set to open its doors next week at Surfside Resort in Miramar Beach. Royal Palm will serve up favorites like seafood, steak, oysters and sushi as well as other global cuisine, says co-owner Nicki Cox.

Cox adds the food is all “very high quality, everything is fresh,” and will also feature a sushi bar.

“Our chef is amazing, he’s from Sierra Leone and he trained in France” Cox said about Head Chef Ahmed Koroma.

She said Chef Koroma has worked in hotel restaurants around the U.S., like the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. as well as the Hilton and Ritz Carlton in Virginia and many others.

“He comes from a fine-dining background, so he’s taking that quality and bringing it here,” Cox said.

The atmosphere is “up-scale casual, but come as you are” says Cox.

Located on the second floor, guests can dine while looking out to the Gulf through big, spacious windows. Local artwork from artist and photographer Callie Gardiner will also be featured, enhancing the coastal vibe this restaurant plans to bring.

Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., lunch and dinner menus will be available, with weekly specials and happy hour at the bar. The restaurant will also offer catering, to-go orders and room service for resort guests.

“We’re going to have live musicians out on the pool deck during the summer months with outdoor seating,” said Cox.

“It’s not a resort only restaurant,” said Cox. “We want everybody to know they are welcome to enjoy our views, amazing food and atmosphere.”

Royal Palm Grille is currently taking reservations for Valentine’s Day with a special menu which can be viewed on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“It’s going to be our first big event here,” she said. “We’ve got our menus up and we’d love for everyone to make their Valentine’s Day plans with us to try our food and check us out.”

The newly renovated event room at the restaurant will be set aside for big parties and receptions, says Cox, and will have its own bar.

Cox is also owner of Islands Sands Beach Weddings, and said the event room can seat up to 140 people.

“It’s a great wedding location,” she added, emphasizing the close proximity of the resort to the beach.

 “We have something special to offer everyone, from pizzas, sushi, to all the good comfort Southern foods and local seafood” Cox said. “We’re really looking forward to serving the community.”

Royal Palm Grille is located on 1096 Scenic Gulf Dr. inside Surfside Resort in Miramar Beach.