While in Atlanta a couple of months ago, the couple next to me at a hotel where I was staying began talking of Local Catch on 30A. I thought this was ironic as I had passed the new sign in Blue Mountain Beach several times, and was waiting with anticipation of what was to come. Long story short, Executive Chef and Co-Owner Adam Yellin’s family was there that day, and news was traveling fast.
On my return I spoke with Whitney Rowan the PR Gal for Local Catch about visiting the restaurant, and quickly made arrangements as it was opening week.
I arrived to the restaurant at 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon. There was a nice crowd around the bar eating, and two tables were filled in the dining area. Rowan had just sat down to enjoy her lunch, a plate of pork nachos, and before she could offer me a bite, I had already pulled a flour triangle from the stack.
The nachos were piled high with in-house smoked pulled pork on homemade flour tortillas, and topped with fresh tomatoes, house-made pickled jalepenos, cheese and other delights. They quickly became a favorite dish, and one that I will return for.
Chef Yellin says he prefers flour over corn as it does not over power the food. He also hand crafts the most amazing sauces on site, like the house white sauce which many are already asking him to bottle, including me.
Chef Yellin is from New Orleans, but met General Manager and Co-Owner Jimmy Hasser, and Whitney Rowan while at The University of Alabama when they were freshman. Hasser actually took Rowan to the Auburn vs Alabama game. She says, “Jimmy was my first guy friend I met before Rush.”
After graduation they all went separate ways. Hasser focused on restaurant management and opening restaurants.He has worked at many hot spots, locally and in the region, and says, “I want my hands in everything, I’m not an office guy!”
Yellin went on to manage restaurants, became the manager for World Famous in San Diego, and decided his passion was in food, cooking rather than managing. He pursued his dream, and graduated at the top of his class at Le Cordon Blue, Austin. Chef Yellin has worked locally at Fire, The Fish House, and Commander’s Palace in New Orleans.
For more than two years Hesser and Yellin discussed opening a restaurant together, and they finally settled on the Blue Mountain Beach location and the name Local Catch. They knew it would be a locals place, especially in the off season, and they wanted their friends working with them, serving fresh local food, with local art on the walls, and local bands playing live music.
The menu is developed on what Chef Yellin likes to eat, and he wants to keep the food fresh and simple. I appreciated his focus on the natural tastes of the food, and not over seasoning. The goal at Local Catch is to serve classic combinations on a common level, using the best ingredients, served in a relaxed casual atmosphere, and I think they have succeeded.
Local Catch is located at 3711 West County Highway 30A in Blue Mountain Beach. Their phone number is (850) 622-2022. Hours of operation are 11am-12am Monday thru Sunday. For more information please visit their website at www.localcatch30a.com.
