Lobster Tail serves delicious dinner, view

When it comes to dining with a view, nothing can beat being right on the beach watching the waves and the sunset. So when it came to trying the new restaurant at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, Lobster Tail, I was excited to see and taste everything they had to offer.

THE FOOD

After being seated at a window table facing the beach, my husband and I were almost too distracted by the beautiful view to look at the menu. However, it didn’t take long to narrow down what we wanted to eat, as the choices were laid out in a precise double-sided menu.

For our starter we chose the Lobster Flatbread from the nine available starters. Runners-up for our appetizer choice were the Fried Lobster Bites and the Lobster Eggrolls but, alas, those will have to wait for another time.

Our flatbread came out quickly and consisted of four generous pieces of grilled flatbread topped with lobster, bacon, tomato, mozzarella, arugula, pesto and a lemony balsamic glaze. It was delicious, and left my guest and me wanting more.

For my entrée, I decided to stick with the lobster theme and ordered the Stuffed Spiny Lobster. On the day we visited, I was given the choice of Florida Spiny lobster or Maine lobster for my meal, and I chose to stick with the Florida Spiny. The lobster was stuffed with Gulf shrimp, and Key West conch and came with a side of wild rice and sautéed mixed vegetables.

I have had lobster on only a handful of occasions, so when my meal came out, I was excited. Unfortunately, I had to send the lobster part of the meal back to be heated up again as it was not hot. The server kindly took it back and once it was warmed up, it was delicious and lived up to all of the lobster hype the restaurant promotes.

As for my guest, he ordered the Lobster Tacos. The two tacos were stuffed full of fried Caribbean lobster, avocado, tomato, cilantro slaw and roasted poblano cream sauce. The meal was served with straw fries. My guest said the tacos were good, but he did suggest that next time he would ask for hot sauce to spice them up a bit. 

Of course, not all of the menu items are lobster dishes. There was also a fish of the day platter, which was cobia the day we visited. There was fried chicken, petite sirloin, fish and chips and pasta Florentine to name a few. Also, for those who love a good steamer, there were seafood buckets that came with a whole lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, corn, new potatoes and sausage.

When it came to dessert, there are two choices — bread pudding or Key lime pie. We were so stuffed from our meals, we decided to opt for a to-go order of Key lime pie to share later. When we pulled it out that evening to munch on, it was refreshingly tangy and delicious.

THE ATMOSPHERE

Lobster Tail has a nautical theme throughout with paddles on the ceiling and a long narrow dining room reminiscent of a dining room on a ship. Seating is mainly along the windowed wall facing the Gulf of Mexico although there is also a bar and a covered outdoor dining area.

My guest and I were impressed with the view, which left us itching to walk the beach after our meal.

THE SERVICE

Everyone at Lobster Tail was friendly and ready to help.

Our server was quick and helpful with the food service and selection.

Even other members of the wait staff were friendly to us, as one kind server offered to take a lobster out of the tank for our toddler to admire.

A FINAL TASTE

Lobster Tail is the perfect date night spot, with delicious food, a great view and the chance to walk on the beach after your meal.

We will definitely be back to try more lobster-themed menu items and watch the sunset over the Gulf.

QUICK BITES

Lobster Tail

Location: 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE on Okaloosa Island within The Boardwalk, Fort Walton Beach

Telephone: 850-833-3016

Hours: Daily 4-10 p.m.

Children's Menu: Yes, $5.99-6.99

Price Range: Appetizers, $5.99-$14.99; Lobster-themed meals, $16.99-$29.99; Seafood Bucket, $39.49-$75.99; Everything else (dinner plates), $14.99-$35.99.

Payment: Credit cards accepted

QUICK BITES