by Joey Stewart
This popular destination for tourists and fishermen is about a 6-hour drive from Dallas and houses dozens of restaurants featuring fried fish, BBQ and burgers. Over the last few years, however, it’s become a town where chefs from all over have made their home and brought with them award-winning dishes and concepts that rise above the “fried seafood platter”. The area also hosts several food festivals each year such as “Coastal Flavors Weekend” and “Oysterfest”. So next time you find yourself as one of the lucky ones relaxing, fishing, swimming, or boating, head over to one of these gems and enjoy a fine meal and a glass or two of wine.
Executive Chef Mike Lynch
Executive Chef Mike Lynch grew up in Rockport but trained in Dallas under many of our best. He was a sous chef under Michael Weinstein at the pre-Brian Luscher era at The Grape, and the same with John Tesar at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. He only serves fresh fish, shops at farmer’s markets, and has teamed up with 4 String Farms to provide organic pork, poultry, farm fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables and herbs. Enjoy a meal in their large air-conditioned ocean-themed dining room or outside overlooking the marina. The adjoining “Grog Bar” serves up specialty cocktails, wines, and craft beers.
Chartroom 39 Mazatlan Dr, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-2450
Chartroom’s Local Jumbo Gulf Shrimp on a Prickly Pear Cornbread Cup with farm raised okra, tomatoes and etouffee sauce
Karey B Johnson
Owner and Chef Karey B Johnson worked in restaurants in Houston beginning at age 15. She did time after college in New York at Sardis, and eventually moved to London where she ran a successful catering business for eight years. She moved back to Texas with her family and restored an old boathouse into what is now GLOW, a charming restaurant dedicated to sustainable seafood, local ingredients, and free-range wild game.
Glow 1815 Broadway St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-2644
Glow’s Crab Cakes and sparkling white wine
Latitude 28º02′ Restaurant & Art Gallery
Photo by Elaine Brackin
Husband and wife team Craig and Ramona Day turned a strip center into this local favorite almost 14 years ago, and it’s still one of the most popular restaurants in the area for a well-made drink at the bar or a special occasion. Ramona spent her childhood working for her mother’s catering company, and Executive Chef Craig honed his craft working his way up the chain in many of Corpus Christi’s best restaurants. Seasoned GM Mark Lauer has extensive culinary experience and managed the popular Key Allegro Yacht Club for over four years. Diners are seated inside an airy art gallery, which features works by over 70 local and regional artists. The menu focuses on fresh, local seafood as well as classics like Steak Oscar and Chicken Florentine. Many locals return over and over simply to sit at the bar, eat oysters, and tell stories about the one that got away.
Latitude 28º02′ Restaurant & Art Gallery 105 North Austin St, Rockport, Texas 78382 (361) 727-9009
Latitude’s Blackened Gulf Snapper with a chipotle cilantro cream sauce and crawfish
Co-Owner Debbie Parker
Located in historic downtown Rockport and across the street from Latitude, Winery on the Bay is a boutique winery that produces wine from all over the world. Owners Dan and Debbie Parker, who also have “Winery on the Gruene” in Gruene, Texas, import the juice from other vineyards and blend, ferment, filter, bottle and label all of their wine. They offer all the traditional reds and whites, as well as fruit-infused and dessert varietals. The space has a patio with views of the bay, and the interior is open and relaxing. You can buy wine by the bottle, glass, or tastings of 4 kinds for $3, or for a buck more you can keep the glass. Additional tastings are only $1 more each. You can pair your wines with cheese, crackers, sausage, chocolate and flavored olives that you pluck out of the house fridge yourself on site.
Winery on the Bay 106 South Austin Street, Rockport Texas 78382 (361)727-9888
Wine tasting with cheese and sausage
Reblogged this on The Pink Book of Goodness and commented:
Here is some Rockport, Texas foodie love.
Interesting ….
There’s a new place I am very impressed with: The Bleu Crab. The first thing I noticed was the furniture, it is very comfortable, and attractive. Next was the menu! It was tough to make a choice, but I settled n the crab BLT. It was delicious! I look forward to my return. Hats off to Bill Fox!
I can’t wait to try it. I walked inside and chatted with the manager. They had only opened up two days prior, and were still byob. One of the chef’s was previously at Chartroom, listed above, so I have high hopes for it, too.
Joey
Loved your article. Quality writing.