The Intelligence of Experience

The Best of Emerald Coast is our one-stop search engine

Allow me to touch on a cliché subject here: AI. You may love or hate its array of possibilities. I lean toward the anti-AI camp but recognize one of its particularly useful (and less controversial) applications: our new, advanced search engines that have the power to remove indecision, insecurity, and frustration from some of our most important day-to-day quandaries. Where should I take my friends for a birthday dinner, considering the birthday girl loves a good martini? Who might give me a fair price and a gorgeous end result for new flooring in my townhouse? How about a new eye doctor, women’s health practice, or gym?

AI search engines comb the web and package the chorus of online voices into a succinct and gently authoritative response. This is exactly what I love about the Best of the Emerald Coast issue. Our titular feature hears the voices of everyone who call the Emerald Coast home, hand-tallies the votes for each of our 178 categories, and compiles a comprehensive guide. These are the best businesses, meals, service providers, entertainers, and shopping destinations across our region, all found in one place. Using this roadmap to better living is even simpler than asking ChatGPT. No prompt required—just flip through to find the best of what you’re looking for. You might just need to open a note on your phone to keep track of all the places you’ll want to try.

Of course, this issue has plenty more stories that demonstrate the best of the best in our region. Our senior editor Rebecca Frett lays the foundation by introducing us to the “founding families” who were instrumental in the growth of the Emerald Coast. This year’s five delectable Michelin nods in our region are mapped out by Kari Barlow—I certainly have a few more meals to look forward to trying this fall. While we don’t award Best Jewelry, I think Merry Beth Myrick Designs would be a top contender. 

With love,

Olivia Sokolowski, Editor