Chef/owner Jim Shirley, who cooks in his granny's cast-iron skillets, is founder and president of the Society of Great Southern Chefs, a position he takes very seriously when it comes to his charming, cracker-style Seaside hot spot. Not entirely old school, Shirley's menu focuses on down-home food with a gourmet twist as seen in their house specialty, Grits-a-ya-ya: smoked Gouda cheese grits smothered with a sauce of fresh cream, sautéed Gulf shrimp, spinach, portobello mushrooms, applewood-smoked bacon, garlic, and shallots. I also loved the pan-seared crab cakes and fried green tomatoes dusted with a roasted red pepper rémoulade sauce, and for oyster lovers, inside the restaurant is the Littlest Oyster Bar, which is really just a shucking table serving an enormous selection of bivalves. Choose from outdoor porch dining or inside the cozy houselike dining room. Since the restaurant is in the heart of Seaside, the outdoor side bar is a great spot for watching the concerts and activities on Seaside’s great lawn.