03/06/2026
This one isn’t just “new dishes.” It’s a marker. It’s proof that Ivy & Ale is still moving forward — still sharpening, still learning, still building. I’m proud of where we are, but I’m not interested in pretending we’ve “arrived.” This is the next evolution of Ivy, not the end point.
As the chef, I wanted this menu to feel more intentional — more layered, more grown up, more us. The juxtaposition of simple and complex is where this new menu finds its home. Just honest, from-scratch cooking with flavors that make sense, plates that land with confidence, and a standard we can stand behind every single night. The kind of food that reflects the work we put in when nobody’s watching.
As with every menu release, this isn’t the final draft. The first few weeks, we play with ingredients. Figure out what works, and what doesn’t. Dial in sauces. Hone methods. All with the deliberate intention of providing you food that’s on par with the best restaurants in the world, as well as pushing ourselves.
As the owner, I’m carrying something bigger than just a menu. I’m carrying a team. I’m carrying families. I’m carrying a place that a lot of people have decided matters — and I don’t take that lightly. Every change we make is built on long days, tight margins, mistakes we owned, systems we rebuilt, and the decision to keep showing up anyway.
And I want to say this clearly: the reason any of this keeps moving is the community around us.
That was never more obvious than at our first Animals of Ivy event — Kittens & Crawfish. The support we felt that night was overwhelming in the best way. It reminded me that people here want meaningful things to grow — things built with effort, quality, and purpose. Animals of Ivy means a lot to me. It’s mission-driven. And the long-term goal is big: within two years, I want us opening a burger and dog bar concept that can financially support the rescue work in a sustainable way — without asking the community to carry it forever on donations alone.
And I also want to be clear about this: that vision does not take away from finishing Decades. Decades is still coming. It’s taking shape day by day — piece by piece — and we’re getting closer and closer to being ready to share that creation with this town. Both of these things are happening for the same reason: we’re building with intention, and the community keeps showing us that the work matters.
I’ve always believed this street can become something bigger than a few businesses sitting next to each other. I want it to become a real food district — a place people are proud to bring friends to, a place that feels alive, a place that raises the bar for what’s possible in Fort Walton Beach. Not for ego — for the community. We need more places committed to providing high-quality experiences here. We need more people willing to build things the right way, even when it’s hard.
And if you’re someone out there sitting on an idea — whether you consider yourself an entrepreneur or not — I hope this encourages you: chase it. Build something meaningful. Put effort behind it. Care about quality. This town is ready for more of that. And I want Ivy & Ale, Animals of Ivy, and Decades to be proof that it’s possible.
To my coworkers: thank you for buying in. For holding the line. For caring when it would be easier not to. This doesn’t work without people who take pride in the details. You’re not just staff — you’re the reason this place keeps getting better.
To our patrons: thank you for the patience, the encouragement, the honest feedback, and the loyalty. You’ve supported Ivy through the messy middle — the growing pains, the experiments, the nights that were rough, and the nights that reminded us why we do it. You’ve given us the runway to keep improving, and I’ll always appreciate that.
So here we are. New menu. Same mission. Higher standard.
Thank you for being part of it.
— Clint
