Raising certain expectations with Latitude 31

At times, it seems that student life forces us to substitute fine dining for fast food. Due to hectic schedules and rigid budgets, students are almost always forced to settle for less when it comes to dining enjoyment.

Just as I was starting to sink into the depths of frugality, I happened upon a quaint, little, seafood restaurant called Latitude 31. This restaurant is located in Jekyll Island, Ga., which is about a 45-minute drive from Jacksonville.

Lately, I had been in search for some excitement in my dining experience. Latitude 31 offers just that.

The initial thrill of visiting this restaurant arises from the fact that its location is outside of Jacksonville. Sometimes, just the thought of getting away is enough to put the mind at ease.

Once I arrived, I was taken aback at the outside appearance of the restaurant. Latitude 31 sits atop a clapboard pier above the ocean. There are spectacular views of Jekyll Island's lush landscape, the Atlantic Ocean, and the sunset (if you're there at the right time).

There's a refined feel to Latitude 31's interior. The restaurant is decorated with renaissance-style furniture; the floors are exquisitely polished.

The rectangular-shaped, vertical-paneled windows that align the walls allow visual access across the horizon. I was able to watch the sunset with ease and without having to strain my eyes.

I was seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant is very spacious and able to accommodate a large crowd. The hostess and servers assigned to my table were very pleasant and seemed to be genuinely interested in pleasing.

My first impression of Latitude 31 caused me to expect to have to dig deep into my pockets; however, the most expensive dish on the menu did not exceed $25.

On the recommendation of my server, Mrs. Heath, I tried Latitude 31's most popular entrée, the Surf 'N Surf. It seemed to be a reasonable choice since it came with a lot of food options for only $22.

I thought there might be a misprint on my menu because I've heard of surf 'n turf, but never Surf 'N Surf. Heath explained that this dish was made especially for those who wanted seafood, seafood, and more seafood.

The Surf 'N Surf dish consisted of a basic pick two items option, in which the choices were Atlantic salmon, oversized sea scallops, pecan-crusted tilapia, and mild Georgia shrimp.

Other than the tilapia, the preparation options are to have your seafood blackened, broiled, or fried. I chose to have fried scallops with blackened salmon.

The dish came with the option of a soup or salad accompaniment and a side item. I chose the crab and lobster bisque and scalloped potatoes.

The food arrived in record time with a mouthwatering aroma.

The Caesar salad was crisp, and I could tell that it had just been prepared with fresh ingredients.

I have tried crab and lobster bisque at several restaurants; however, I have never had a more succulent, creamy crab and lobster bisque in my entire life.

The main course was beautifully prepared and smelled scrumptious. The menu did not tell a lie, as the scallops were definitely oversized; the width of the scallops was comparable to that of a silver dollar. The outside of the scallops were firm, and had been fried to a crisp, golden brown. The inside of the scallops was simply succulent to say the least. They were meaty, sweet, and tender.

The salmon was extremely flavorful as well. It had been blackened with some of the most robust seasoning I've ever tasted. The scalloped potatoes tasted fine, but they definitely weren't the main attraction of this dish.

I washed my food down with Latitude 31's own homemade, Georgia sweet tea with a lemon garnish. It tasted great, was just sweet enough, and didn't need any adjustments.

When I received my check, I was truly refreshed to find that I owed the restaurant less than $25. In fact, I felt a little guilty. After all, I'd received exquisite service in a beautiful environment where I was served great tasting food. I felt like I owed Latitude 31 at least $100.

Latitude 31 restaurant is located in Jekyll Island, Ga. There is a toll to enter the island, but the restaurant will subtract the toll amount from your guest check. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

As a student, life can get pretty frenzied, and it's hard to find a place to relax and unwind over a good meal when you're on a budget.

Latitude 31 is a restaurant that offers all these things and more. Besides, who can say no to a mini-getaway? Sometimes, we could all benefit from that.


For more information contact the Latitude 31 Restaurant:

www.crossoverjekyll.com

1 Pier Rd

Jekyll Island, GA 31527

(912) 635-3800


Hours of operation:

Tuesday through Saturday:
11:00AM - Til

Sunday:
1:00PM - Til