Our recent dining experience at Cuvee Beach started with the waiter informing us that the restaurant had new ownership and a new chef from Napa Valley was coming in three days. We laughed and said we should come back in four days. Instead we stayed and were very disappointed. I discretly told the manager that 7 months ago we had really enjoyed our dining experience but we were very disapointed with the quality and preparation of food we were just served. I also told him the food was not up to the standards of the better restaurants in the Destin area. He graciously took 25% off our check. I would recommend waiting until the new chef has had time to turn the restaurant around and local critics have had time to sample the new menu.

Our first mistake was trying to eat at a restaurant in Destin on July 3rd (night before the holiday). Every place was packed. We chose Cuvee Beach because we drove by it and didn't see people standing outside (like Pompano Joe's, where we tried to go). It started out great. Nice atmosphere, friendly bartender, good drinks. Seems like a place well-dressed locals may go. We only had to wait 15 minutes for a table, but that was soon changed to a 30 minute wait. Then, because the kitchen was 'backed up' according to our waitress, Lindsay, we waited forever for our food to arrive. It must have been over an hour. She was apologetic and offered a free drink, but by that time, we had had enough and were just sleepy and ready to walk out. When our food arrived, 2 of our guests enjoyed theirs; however, mine was just o.k. at best. I had tuna (which was cold, not just in the center) and wasabi mashed potatoes which had too much wasabi :( My mother had the shrimp and scallops which she thought were great.
The meal, which was not the greatest, ended up with a $200 bill for the four of us, and we didn't even have any wine. I will try elsewhere next time.

Everything about this Bistro is outstanding...food, wine, martini's, etc... If you are in the area, you really must try it!