DESTIN, Fla. — FUEL at North Light, a new restaurant providing coastal fare with island flare by North West Floridian tastemaker and chef, Dan Pettis, will open at North Light Yacht Club at 113 E John Sims Parkway. The 100 seat, casual, fine dining destination will provide locally sourced food in a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere with expansive, breathtaking, waterfront views.
Pettis will lead his kitchen’s seasonally driven menu with natural flavors of the freshest ingredients to create tapas style small plates and daily specialties with a twist, such as Sesame Crusted Tuna Yakitori, Lump Crab Meat Fritters with Peach and Jalapeño Dipping Sauce, Baja Fish Tacos, Kung Pao Crisp Shrimp, Loaded Lobster Mac & Cheese along with a selection of farm-fresh garden greens and decadent, hand-made desserts. FUEL will also feature a full service bar providing hand-crafted cocktails and Chef Dan’s local craft beer on draft from his 3rd Planet Brewing Company. New World fine wines and Old World classics will also be available by the glass and bottle.
Pettis’ southern roots and the landscape of Northwest Florida continually inspire his approach to food and restaurant concept design and lend special significance to his latest venture.
“Food and drink is fuel for the mind, body and soul. The Bayou landscape balances those attributes with the great equalizer – water – a key ingredient in life, cooking and our Floridian culture. With its expansive views and position in the recreational community, North Light Yacht Club provides the perfect backdrop to highlight all those attributes and bring the culinary vision to life with a modern twist,” says Pettis.
This is the third Gulf Coast venture for Pettis who honed his skills under the tutelage of Chef Tim Creehan. As the Chef/Founder of One 20 Bistro and Spork Eatery, Pettis has earned attention and accolades for his unique fusion of Asian and Caribbean flavors. His southern inspired cooking and passion for simple fare with international flare caught the attention of North Light Yacht Club leadership several years ago, ultimately inspiring a completely new vision for club dining.
“With a background in culinary arts and restaurant design, I immediately recognized something special about Chef Pettis’ talent and approach to food craft, which is refreshingly simple yet unpredictably delicious. When I relocated from St. Louis, I learned that we shared the same ideas about culinary artistry, local sourcing and impeccable service,” says North Light Director of Development, Jeff Orbin. “I knew that Chef Pettis could help elevate the dining experience we extend to our members and guests. Recently, the timing proved right for both parties to kick-off an exciting, new collaboration.”
The new space, currently in development, will open in four to six weeks. It will feature a mix of new materials and marine salvage finds to create an upscale but family-friendly space with a modern, nautical vibe replete with casual touches, like chalkboards announcing daily specials and the unique natural ambience of a moonlit harbor.
Versatile seating and enhanced service will make FUEL ideal for lunch with a colleague, dining with friends for dinner, or hosting a gathering for a special occasion.
Open 7 days a week, FUEL is located on the southern side of the Marina in the North Light Yacht Clubhouse. The restaurant will be open for Lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, dinner hours are Monday through Thursday from 5:00 – 9:00 pm and Friday and Saturday 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Sunday Brunch hours are 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Boat side food and drink service, cooler preparation, and “hook-n-cook” options will also be available.
A soft opening is planned. More details will be unveiled to the media and at http://www.northlightmarina.com as the project progresses in the coming weeks.
About North Light Yacht Club (NLYC):
North Light Marina is a full service boutique yacht club and marina featuring 275 dry storage and 55 wet slips. It is located in Niceville, Florida at the northern point of the Choctawatchee Bay, just minutes from the Destin Harbor, Crab Island and the Intercoastal Waterway.
North Light’s passion and primary goal is to provide experience-rich, hassle-free lifestyles that contribute to the vitality of the exquisite Emerald Coast. That has been accomplished for nearly a decade by staying true to service principles rooted in southern hospitality, treating members like dear friends and elevating the standard for yacht clubs in an affordable, picturesque, waterfront destination that balances comfort and class.
North Light Yacht Club, 113 E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578; 850-678-2350.
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