Henderson Beach Resort in Destin announced the reimagined Primrose restaurant, featuring Executive Chef Scott Plumley and a completely new menu that blends Italian traditions with Gulf Coast influences.
- The new coastal Italian concept draws inspiration from the sun-drenched shores of Italy and the abundance of the Gulf, creating what the resort describes as rustic elegance with regional flavor for a dining experience that is both elevated and inviting.
“At Primrose, we wanted to create more than a menu — we wanted to create a feeling,” said Plumley. “Each dish tells a story of land and sea, of Italian heritage interpreted through the lens of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The result is bold yet simple, rustic yet refined — and always made with intention.”
Plumley joined the resort team several months ago to lead the restaurant’s transformation from its previous concept. The new Italian approach represents a significant shift for the restaurant at the nearly nine-year-old property.
- “We wanted to do something that wasn’t just gulf to table or just prime steaks,” Plumley said. “It seemed like there was a niche in the area for a nice Italian restaurant, and we wanted to go coastal with it since we can see the gulf from the hotel.”
The restaurant’s new menu emphasizes house-made pastas, locally sourced seafood and vibrant Mediterranean ingredients.
“We’re making all of our pastas in-house, including the gnocchi and I believe that does make a difference,” Plumley said.
Area General Manager John Carns said the concept was developed to better serve both hotel guests and the local community. The resort team recognized guests were leaving the property for Italian dining options and wanted to capture that market while creating an approachable family restaurant.
The transition began over a year ago with sketches and ideas in a downstairs room, with Plumley’s arrival bringing the vision to life. The experienced service team includes five staff members with a combined 35 years of experience at the property.
Standout offerings from the newly debuted menu include Blue Crab Zeppole with Gruyère and Parmesan fritters, Gulf blue crab and serrano-cilantro aioli, and Lobster & Summer Stone Fruit Caprese featuring butter poached lobster, stracciatella, heirloom tomatoes, stone fruit and aged balsamic.
- House-made pasta selections include Linguine al Frutti di Mare with littleneck clams, PEI mussels, jumbo shrimp and Gulf grouper. The restaurant also offers prime beef selections including 6-ounce and 8-ounce filets and a 16-ounce prime ribeye.
Dessert options include Tiramisu Classico with espresso-soaked savoiardi and mascarpone cream, dark chocolate and amaretto crumble and Henderson Butter Cake with mixed berry jam and fresh berries.
The resort made additional changes to its dining program, moving its sushi offerings to the rooftop on May 1. The rooftop sushi program operates seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Local residents receive special benefits at all Henderson Beach Resort restaurants, including Primrose Coastal Italian. Locals receive a discount year-round and complimentary valet parking when visiting any resort restaurant.
- Primrose Coastal Italian serves breakfast daily from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Dinner service runs Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The restaurant accepts reservations through the Henderson Beach Resort or OpenTable, and also accommodates walk-in guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Henderson Beach Resort is located at 200 Henderson Resort Way in Destin.
