SEACREST – A few weeks ago, while driving along County Road 30-A near Rosemary Beach, I noticed a restaurant tucked into The Village of South Walton Beach. The Village is a vacation-oriented development with upscale shops and diversions at its center.

From the street, Seacrest Café, which has been open for about a year, looks like several small establishments, including a café, coffee shop, and Carvel ice cream parlor. The interior is actually a cavernous dining area on one side, a display kitchen at the center, and an ice cream parlor that is visually separate from the rest.

Because of the size of the room, the relatively small number of tables, and the uncluttered décor, the initial impression was that the atmosphere was cold. But that changed as we were warmly greeted. The staff was friendly and enthusiastic.

Keith Golden, executive chef and manager, invites you to join him for breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Seacrest Café in Seacrest Beach. Photo by Daily News photographer, Debi Haussermann.

Breakfast service was homey and friendly, while dinner service was polished and professional. And although the restaurant is family friendly, soft music and subdued lighting seemed to keep the noise level in check.

My first meal at Seacrest Café was breakfast. Pancakes, waffles, French toast and crepes were offered, as were a halfdozen omelet variations, fresh fruit, and a long list of side items.

Our French toast was delicious, with a nicely browned exterior, and soft, faintly sweet interior.

Omelets were generously filled. Fillings include ham, bacon, spinach, mushrooms, onion, red pepper, and American and Swiss cheese.

Biscuits were light and fluffy, and a seasonal fresh fruit plate was thoughtfully composed so that it was pretty as well as tasty.

The lunch menu is dominated by sandwiches. An herb-flecked egg salad on toasted white bread was simple but perfect (more flavor of egg than mayonnaise).

Burgers are char-grilled to order and packed with flavor. Poboys are offered with crawfish, oysters or shrimp. Grilled sandwiches include a take on a Cuban sandwich (with sweet pickles, spicy mustard and tomato chutney), and a Reuben on rye.

More upscale fare is found among the salads and entrees on the lunch menu. Salad choices include a Caesar, steak salad, and chicken or tuna salad.

A favorite was the Seacrest Café Salad of greens dressed with a honey Dijon vinaigrette, Granny Smith apples, walnuts, and Fourme d’Ambert (a blue cow’s milk cheese from the Auvergne region of France).

Lunch entrees include grilled chicken with spring pea and baby leek risotto, fish of the day with Silver Queen fritters and ratatouille, and grilled beef.

Appetizers were Frito Misto (a mix of fried seafood that included oysters, shrimp, fish and calamari) and Chips and Dip (housemade potato chips with a tangy charred onion and mascarpone dip). Both appetizers were excellent, and both were also offered at dinner.

Other dinner appetizers included seared scallops with tomato and avocado relish; a terrine of grilled vegetables, goat cheese and pesto; and tuna carpaccio.

Dinner entrees were superb, with attention paid to freshness of ingredients and preparation. Nothing is too fancy or over the top. Everything is delicious.

Fish entrees include panseared or grilled fish of the day, as well as tuna with wild mushrooms and vegetable spring rolls, and a fried seafood platter (the remoulade sauce served with the platter has a nice spicy quality and loads of flavor).

Pork was perfectly seared and served topped with crispy fried leeks. Rich and creamy grits studded with kernels of corn were served alongside. Lamb and beef are also offered, and the best value on the menu is found in the chicken dishes that are well-under $20.

Desserts included Key lime pie, Oreo Cream Cake, cheesecake, and brownies. Or you can choose something from the Carvel ice cream selection (which is the way I would go).

The wine list has been designed to offer reasonably priced wines that pair well with the food. Wines were offered by the bottle and the glass. Imported and domestic beer is also offered.

Seacrest Café has a relaxing atmosphere, good service and very good food. While it is casual enough for anytime, the quality of the food makes each meal feel special. My only disappointment with Seacrest Café is that I didn’t find it sooner.