Good Citizenship

A Happening Dining Experience in Alys Beach

By Jordan Staggs | Photography courtesy of The Citizen

Warmer days are here, and with them comes the promise of more sunshine, happy hours with friends, and weekend getaways that recharge the soul. The Gulf Coast community of Alys Beach celebrates spring and summer with a lineup of fantastic events for the whole family, plus beach and pool days galore. When lunchtime rolls around or the day is done, locals and visitors alike can flock to the upscale oyster bar and cocktail hotspot The Citizen, whose executive chef Coleman Jernigan and team have rolled out a new menu for the season.

Since opening in 2021 at the coveted corner of Scenic Highway 30-A and Mark Twain Lane in Alys Beach, The Citizen has drawn a lively crowd of affluent diners looking for a coastal dining experience with big-city energy. The “modern coastal tavern” is the brainchild of Quest Hospitality Concepts owners Jeremy and Angela Walton.

“Given that so many great food cities are situated near coastlines, we wanted to draw inspiration from any and all of those coastal cuisines,” says Jeremy.

Chef Coleman Jernigan

The latest menu certainly reflects that mission, with worldly influences accompanying fresh seafood options sourced from the nearby Gulf of Mexico, Southern-inspired favorites, a variety of oysters, and a tempting list of craft cocktails and mocktails.

If you need help deciding what to order for dinner during your next visit, the Hearth Roasted Snapper is a Citizen team favorite. It is served with pecan romesco (a hearty tomato-based sauce originating in Spanish fishing towns), citrus, and a spring onion salad. The bartenders’ tip for the best beverage accompaniment: “We love it paired with a glass of Surrau ‘Limizzani’ Vermentino di Gallura.”

Simply put, it’s fun.

Oysters are a year-round staple at The Citizen, whose raw bar menu also includes a red snapper ceviche, smoked shrimp salad, smoked tuna dip (a local favorite), yellowfin tuna, and an impressive seafood tower that always carries a wow factor when guests see it heading to the table. Gulf Coast, East Coast, and West Coast oysters are available on the half-shell. Those who love them should be sure to stop by during Oyster Happy Hour every Tuesday through Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Select beers, wines, and cocktails are also on special.

For those ready to say, “It’s five o’clock somewhere,” the new Hemisphere Dancer cocktail is a “refreshing tribute to the laid-back vibes of Jimmy Buffett.” This margarita with hints of cucumber, mango, lime, and jalapeño comes garnished with an umbrella, making any beach vacation (or any day of the week) complete!

The Bali Daiquiri also offers a twist on an island classic. The Citizen infused Batavia-Arrack van Oosten rum (an Indonesian spirit and boat drink staple since the late 1600s) for this vibrant cocktail that also includes the restaurant’s special Bali mix and lime juice for a refreshing zing.

The vibe at The Citizen—particularly at the bar in the evenings and on the patio during pleasant afternoons—seems to have grown more lively as more people discover its great food and atmosphere and the destination of Alys Beach Town Center. This is precisely what the Waltons hoped for and is a delight to the chef and his talented team.

“I love being part of higher volume restaurants; The Citizen is most certainly that,” shares Chef Jernigan. “Combining the open kitchen and the quick pace, knowing that there are ‘eyes’ on you the entire time, makes for a unique work environment. Simply put, it’s fun. For an adrenaline junkie like me, it’s a rush. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Just across the green from The Citizen lies Fonville Press, Quest Hospitality’s other Alys Beach gem. The design-forward café, market, bar, and bakery is a reimagination of the original Fonville Press coffee shop that was a local favorite just down the lane for many years. Both these stunning and satisfying spots are featured in VIE’s latest luxury coffee-table book, COOK: Cocktails. Cuisine. Culture. The beautiful volume chronicles the stories of many Gulf Coast restaurants, chefs, restaurateurs, event planners, and more, accompanied by recipes and stunning photography. We proudly share these fantastic dining experiences and look forward to many more good times at The Citizen and Fonville Press!

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To learn more about The Citizen or see the latest lunch, dinner, and happy hour menus, visit CitizenAlys.com. To purchase your copy of COOK: Cocktails. Cuisine. Culture. by VIE, published by The Idea Boutique®, go to VIEmagazine.com/shop-vie.