d i n i n g
Restaurant Paradis b y S u s a n L . C a n n i z z a r o
Wasabi Pea Encrusted Ahi Tuna
Diver Scallops with Sweet Pea Risotto
The main menu focus is fresh seafood with items such as lobster encrusted grouper or gulf coast snapper.
Lobster Encrusted Grouper
Photos courtesy Alissa Aryn Photography
W hen searching for a dining option that offers a unique experience, there is a restaurant in Rosemary Beach that is worth the visit. Fresh caught seafood, locally sourced produce, seasonal menu options, a staff that always makes you feel welcome, and more are all available at Restaurant Paradis. The co-owners and operators of Restaurant Paradis, Danny and Monica Cosenzi, have a combined total of over 45 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Originally from Massachusetts, Danny moved to Atlanta after college. While working at The Palm Restaurant in Buckhead, he met his future wife Monica, who came from Michigan. Soon after they married, Danny had several career opportunities that relocated the couple to various states across the country. After the births of their son and daughter, they were able to move back to Michigan to be closer to family, where Danny was GM of Hyde Park, a high-end steakhouse. After a few years, Danny was ready for a change and reached out to some of his best friends that had started a partnership called 101 Concepts; and in 2014 he seized the opportunity to own and operate Restaurant Paradis. The couple also owns Back Beach Barbeque in Panama City Beach and 101 Steak in Atlanta. Monica handles the marketing and social media for Paradis and goes in a few nights a week to visit with guests. She claims Danny is excellent at this part of the business. “Danny is the ultimate host. He knows how to talk to people and I learn everything from him. It was a big change moving from Michigan to Rosemary Beach. We are so blessed at Paradis, we have had the same chef
from day one and most of the same staff; they all stayed when we took over,” she adds. “This means the
really hard on service and our servers are to be commended on how hard they work and get to know our loyal customers that keep coming back.” Tammy and Steve Carr are big fans of Restaurant Paradis. “We consider them our beach family. Danny and Monica always greet us warmly and over the years we have gotten to know most of the staff. This is the kind of restaurant we like to frequent but we wouldn’t continue going if the food
world to us to have such dedicated staff. We hang out with these great people on Super Bowl Sunday as we are closed that day. We have our staff holiday party with both of our Paradis and Back Beach Barbeque families, and everyone really looks forward to this event,” adds Danny. March 2019 will be the 5th year that the Cosenzi family has operated Paradis with the same chef, same menu, and same name. “We feel so fortunate to have some really great people that work with us. Michael Wood is the GM and he has been with us through thick and thin. Mark Eichin is the Executive Chef since the restaurant opened. Donny Sellers is our MVP (who) does pretty much everything and has been there since the beginning. We have 3 amazing bartenders that have been (here) since the beginning and regulars recognize them right away,” says Danny. The main menu focus is fresh seafood with items such as lobster encrusted grouper or gulf coast snapper; but according to Danny, the cast iron filet cooked in duck fat is the best in 30-A. “We do change the menu seasonally, so you know what you are going to get, but you know it will have a special flair,” he says. “We work Photo courtesy Todd Douglas LLC
was not good. We have tried everything on the menu; however, our favorites are the crab cake appetizer, any of the salads, and the cast iron filet,” says Tammy. Monica says, “We are known for hosting rehearsal dinners and anniversary parties. We don’t have a private dining area, so guests need to rent the restaurant for the whole night. We recently were voted most romantic/ special occasion restaurant in the Best of the Emerald Coast 2018 survey of Emerald Coast magazine and we are very proud of that accolade.” In 2019, Emerald Coast also awarded Paradis with Best Place for a Date and Best Chef – Mark Eichen. Restaurant Paradis is located at 82 S. Barrett Square in Rosemary Beach. The hours are Sunday-Thursday 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 5:00 - 10:00. The early bird special is every night from 5-5:45 p.m. and you receive $10 off any entrée. Call (850) 534- 0400 for reservations or go to Restaurantparadis.com
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