Coach-N-Four Review

Coach-N- Four is located at 1313 Lewis Turner Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Hours of Operation are 5- 9p.m. on Mon.-Thu., 4:30-10 p.m. on Fri.-Sat. and 5 -8 p.m. on Sun

Judging by outside appearances alone, one could toss Coach-N-Four onto the seemingly never-ending list of modestly priced steak houses.
However, once inside, the restaurant transforms into a warm, down-home, cowboys -and -Indians -style log cabin reminiscent of “Little House on the Prairie.”

When I arrived, there was a short line of customers on the waiting list, but before I knew it, fewer than 10 minutes had passed when our party of three was promptly seated at a booth.
Fast, good quality customer service continued to be a staple throughout the visit. Our waitress was friendly and patiently helped us decide which appetizer to order.

Since we were pretty hungry we ordered the golden-fried crab claws. They did not disappoint. There was a generous helping—definitely enough for three people.

The noise level was low, which made for a more pleasant dining experience. The crowd at Coach-N-Four seemed to be more mature, yet the restaurant is perfect for the whole family.

Coach-n-Four’s menu offers both full and half-size portions of their steaks, chicken, and seafood. I ordered a medium-cooked half-size 7-ounce New York strip steak for a whopping $12. Pricier cuts include the bone-in rib eye and porterhouse, and the filet mignon. These steaks are priced from $14-$23 depending on the portion size.

The New York strip was flavorful and tender. I could tell that they took great care in marinating and grilling the meat close to perfection as possible. However, the meat was a little fattier than I anticipated, despite claims of its leanness. The defining feature of the dish was the special grill steak sauce, a delicious rendition of Worcestershire sauce, but a little more savory than tangy.

From the side-item menu, I chose a well-balanced tossed salad with creamy, homemade ranch dressing, and a baked sweet potato that was complemented with brown sugar and butter.

Although Coach-N-Four is famous for its juicy, grilled, hand-cut steaks, there is a variety of other hearty entrées.The seafood options include fresh-from-the-Gulf-of-Mexico oysters, shrimp, fish of the day, fish louisianne served with spicy gumbo, and Atlantic sea scallops. The oysters are served fried, but the shrimp, flaky white fish, and scallops are offered blackened, grilled, or fried. The half-size portion prices range from $7.50 to $10, and the full-size portion prices range from $12 to $14.

For those who aren’t in the mood for seafood or steak—fear not, there are three chicken plates, including a 10-ounce portion of chicken-fried chicken served over garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, a half and full-size portion of grilled chicken breast served over rice, and a 10-ounce “cheesy chicken” breast served grilled over rice, sautéed mushrooms and onions and topped with cheese.

So if you’re ever on this side of town, and want an affordable, good quality meal, excellent customer service, and a comfortable atmosphere, Coach-N-Four is definitely the place to go.

Spotlight on Paul Magnus Lefcourt, Author of "Ghost Crab"

Last Thursday, author and Pensacola native, Paul Magnus Lefcourt, visited my critical reviews class to speak to us about his life and his novel, "Ghost Crab." He shared with us details about his personal journey, revelations, and writing process. Below is the profile that I wrote on Mr. Lefcourt. Enjoy.

Paul Magnus Lefcourt

When speaking of marine biologist-turned-author Paul Magnus Lefourt, the first thing that comes to mind is survivor, the second is transformation. His first novel, “Ghost Crab,” is a reflection of his own personal journey and transformation, but instead as a scientist reincarnated as a ghost crab named Max. Lefcourt was raised in New York City, near the Jamaica Bay. From childhood on, he found himself intrigued by the water and its inhabitants.

In 1963 he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the City College of New York, a Master of Public Health degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1965, then a PH.D in Environmental Science from Rutgers University in 1972.

After graduate school, Lefcourt was employed by the Environmental Protection Agency, where he worked for over 20 years. Lefcourt said his lifelong commitment is seeking improvement in the quality of natural waters. This commitment, along with his paralyzing accident, undoubtedly compelled him to tell his story. Although Lefcourt said that he always wrote a little bit, he never took writing serious until he had the accident.

“I believe we all experience, at some time in our lives, a singular event, an event so powerful, so full of personal meaning and significance, that our life, from that time forward, is forever changed,” Lecourt said.

On August 22, 1987, Lefcourt was celebrating his early retirement at a bar on Pensacola Beach when that singular event took place. That night, he said he was happier than he’d been in years—then tragedy struck. As he tried to step onto his boat, he fell into the water, slamming his head against the boat on his way down, causing his head to snap back, pushing a bone spur that he from a previous injury, into his spinal cord. This accident left him paralyzed from the neck down.

While he was submerged in the water, Lefcourt said he heard a voice speak to him—a voice similar to his own. The voice told him, “Relax Paul, this will be over in a moment,” he said. “It really is a good time to die.” At that instant, Lefcourt told the voice that he wanted to live, and he was miraculously washed onto land, twenty to thirty feet from his boat, which was tied in the cove.

“While I was lying in the water, I was thinking about the crabs eating me. After all, there was nothing I could do if the crab came up to me and decided it wanted to eat me, there was nothing I could do. The only good thing is I wouldn’t feel it because I had no sense of pain.”

Lefcourt said a couple years after the accident he began writing “Ghost Crab,” and while he was in the hospital, he reminisced on his experience and the meaning of life.

“The concept of living is to live and experience, but what you experience, you don’t understand, you cannot understand it because there are so many forces working on your mind as you live,” he said. “And only when you die is it revealed, and how is it revealed?” You are given a psychotherapist.” His psychotherapist in “Ghost Crab” was his lover Peaches, also reincarnated as a ghost crab.

“I started writing this story about this guy who is conscious, but he’s dead and he doesn’t understand it and that’s the beginning of ‘Ghost Crab,’” he said. “He’s spiraling through whatever, and when he finally focuses he’s inside a ghost crab.” Sound familiar?
Lefcourt said he took time writing the self-published “Ghost Crab,” and that he wrote most of the book during the night after he dreamed.

“When you’re living by yourself in a boat, and you don’t have to go to work, it’s a big advantage,” he said. “My time is my time. Whenever I’d feel like writing, I’d write. Sometimes there would be weeks when I didn’t write anything, there was no inspiration. So it’s very inspiring, whatever the hell that means.”

Lefcourt said that he began writing a sequel to “Ghost Crab,” but after he completed 20 chapters, he lost his inspiration.

“I think that there are a lot of writers like that, they’re essentially one-book writers,” he said, naming “Catcher in the Rye” author J.D. Salinger.

A self-described ego-maniac, Lefcourt’s writing includes a book of poetry, poetry that also reflects his life, such as his childhood, high school and college years and relationships.

“Ghost Crab,” Lefcourt said, is a more creative work than his book of poetry because he had no fear of inventing things such as making Max a genius, and his father, who is also Max’s son, one of the most famous scientists in the world.

“Read this book, and you’ll find out what a screwball I really am, but I’m very lovable," he said.

Flow

Just as a exercising should be a habit, a flow, so should writing. Just as the muscles begin to disinegrate after a period of physical inactivity, so does the writer's "personality", his imagination.

After a 25-minute rigorous cardio session at the gym, this analogy seems the most convenient. I am in the recharge mode, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have the momentum to improve myself in every area imaginable, so why not start with the foundation?

I've made it a goal to write on this blog atleast twice a week, every week. I am determined to tap back into myself as a writer and as a person. This blog allows me that oppotunity. It's where I reflect on my day, my week, gather my thoughts, write them out, say them outloud, and feel content with it all. It's a step towards personal improvement and emotional well-being.

I want to fully experience every experience. I want to relive emotions, recollect dialogue. This is my outlet to really breath, really live. What better for a journalism student, than to journal her own life? Isn't that what I'm in college for? Although college has tought me to form healthy habits in preparation for the world, it is up to me to be productive.

The time to form HEALTHY habits is now. I have never been more ready.