Palm Valley remained a quiet area of the Beaches, between A1A and U.S. 1 for many years. There were tons of farms where produce and livestock were raised. The development of the Beaches affected Palm Valley in a way where today most farms in "the valley" have disappeared. Thus opening the land for luxurious residences overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.  

Tucked inbetween all the beautiful homes you will find a low-key Coastal Southern Cuisine restaurant with picturesque views of the Intracoastal Waterway called Barbara Jeans on the Water.

This unassuming restaurant offers some of the best authentic homestyle dishes with hearty southern size portions. Blackened CatFish white cheddar grits smothered in a spicy andouille sausage sauce comes to mind. 
​

How can you go wrong with a light white fish seared with mildly spicy seasonings ,cooling creamy grits and topped off with a sausage sauce to sop up all the goodness. Its a dish you wont forget. Lets talk about the bread, I know most times its one of those things that if you are starving you will eat otherwise its a pass, but this bread is not your average bread basket. It comes with their home made brown bread, both jalapeno and sweet fluffly corn bread and yes those big fat yeast rolls. With their whipped butter, its a feast on its own! 
A good day for me is after a day at the beach, stopping in to sit on the waterfront dock with a cool craft cocktail. The view is spectacular.   

A few other faves of mine are their lobster roll, stuffed with delicious lobster and a side of creamy coleslaw. The fresh fish bites, sounds silly but these are hand breaded made with the freshest local fish. They are so good you wont be able to stop popping them in your mouth.  And then of course their onion rings!  Being a northerner it's tough to find a good ring, but here they are made to order, lightly battered and melt in your mouth. More? yes please!

The sides and homestyle meals are some of the locals favorites but you mustn't forget the cobbler. Did you notice that I didnt say what kind?? That's because they make a different kind from the juiciest fruits everyday, They are so good you must try them all!   

Whether you are going out to enjoy the evening on the water or coming in from the beach, Barbara Jeans will take care of you.... Southern Style!

Restaurant Wars here in St. Johns?!  That's right St Johns Technical High School - Academy of Culinary Arts held their first ever restaurant wars!


This fundraising event features 18 students from the Academy of Culinary Arts in two teams for technical knowledge and skills competition in the Back of the House and Front of the House. Each team had three professional chef leaders, one for savory, one for sweet and one front-of-house director. Each team had one hour to cook, prepare and plate tasting plates of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert to paid guests. In addition, the teams provided a fully composed plate of each dish to three judges. The Front of the House students were responsible for decorating their display table along with a signature drink (non-alcoholic) and garnish.


There were special guests and chefs from all around the area to help with judging. The two teams were scored on sanitation, safety, Mise en place, cooking techniques, presentation, portion size, nutritional balance, ingredient capability, signature drink, teamwork, creativity, taste, texture and doneness.


Cajun Carnival's team consisted of a Hurricane cocktail, Mojito cocktail, Chicory coffee - Savory- Cool Cajun Chicken lettuce cups and Chicken Jambalaya - for their sweet - a Bourbon Street Bread  pudding.  Although everything tasted delcious, my favorite in this group was the Chicken Jambalaya - so deep and rich with flavor and spices.


Yokan's team consisted of a Yokan Cherry Blossom Mocktail- Chicken Sushi, Chicken Clear soup - Savory - Sesame Chicken Salad and for their sweet a white chocolate yuzu pie.  Their Sesame chicken salad I could eat everyday! Light and refreshing.


It was so nice to see these students from grades 9-11 so passionate about their trade. It was equally nice to see how they all worked together and how much the academy supports them and encourages them to share in their creativity.   How lucky are we to have such a devoted School for these students who are developing a trade that is not only a necessity but something we all enjoy! Food!   For more information you can contact St Johns Technical High School, www-sjths.stjohns.k12.fl.us   I love supporting and encouraging these talented students!

As you all know I love to hunt down some unique foods. I have seen this pasta made in a humungous cheese round and have been waiting for someone in our area to offer it on their menu. Well, my wish came true!  Bella Villa serves a version of this called Cacio n Pepe which is their 100% Italian grain pasta served al dente in a creamy sauce with black pepper tossed tableside in their signature cheese wheel. It was everything I expected and more! And as a bonus, I didn’t have to travel to Italy to get it! The pasta was so rich and velvety absorbing the nutty taste of the cheese along with just the right amount of cracked black pepper.  It is great by itself or you can add a protein, the garlic-sauteed spicy shrimp adds even more flavor if you love shrimp like I do!
Cacio e Pepe is a pasta dish from the cuisine of the city of Rome. Cacio e Pepe means "cheese and pepper" in several central Italian dialects.  All the ingredients kept well for a long time, which made the dish practical for shepherds without fixed abodes to be able to feed themselves and their families.


Fun fact: 
The Cheese wheel pasta (a.k.a. pasta alla ruota) is a style of pasta that is made tableside by mixing freshly cooked spaghetti, linguini, or any other type of pasta in a hollowed cheese wheel, most commonly parmigiano reggiano. A layer of cheese is scraped inside the wheel so it melts when the hot pasta is mixed in by hand.  Sometimes, the cheese is flambéed (i.e. lit on fire with a splash of alcohol like vodka or brandy) to induce melting. This variation made in a flaming wheel of cheese is appropriately called “flaming cheese wheel pasta”.

by Lori Allen, My Wandering Fork

As everyone knows or at least those people that love food as much as I do, November is Food and Wine month!  So the challenge is to check out all the different food nationalities in our Northern St. Johns area and see what's out there.  Of course there are many more than are listed below but here's a great sampling of places that I think you would enjoy.  Happy Food and Wine Month!


Noura - MidEastern/Lebanese
Who doesnt like a daily special?  This cute little grab and go has these amazing hot meal daily specials filled with all kinds of Mideastern specialities. Grape leaves, Kibbeh, hummus, tabbouleh along with stuffed squash and other delicacies. Sandwiches, salads and even homemade pies are ready anytime for pickup or dine in. For the sweet tooth there is baklava as well as vegetarian and gluten free options. www.nouracafe.com


1928 Cuban Bistro
The best cafe con leche around! Be adventurous and try a Cuban Sloppy Joe - Cuban seasoned ground beef, cheese, maduros on a soft bun. You won't be disappointed. Croquetas de Jamón, Papas Rellenas (Cuban MeatBalls) and Pastelitos (Guava and Cream Cheese Pastries) made daily. Get'em before they are gone!  www.1928bistro.com


Bon Chon-St Johns- Durbin
Korean Fried Chicken - Need I say more?  Double fried for extra crispiness tossed in a soy garlic sauce giving them a tangy sticky crunchy wonderfulness! (Also available in hot and sweet chilli) or try a Bibi Bap cooked in a real clay pot! Comes out piping hot filled with  rice, quinoa, kimchi, veggies, choice of protein all smothered in Bonchon Bibimbap sauce.  Delectable! www.Bonchon.com


Trattoria di Bernardone
Unique Italian dishes, try the Herb-Crusted Calamari Steak- breaded and sauteed to perfection. I love the Gemelli Aglio e Olio con
Salsiccia e Funghi - garlic/olive oil, sausage and shrooms. Delish! Don't  forget their homemade Gnocchi smothered in a gorgonzola sauce so creamy and rich!
www.trattoriadibernardone.com


Serafina's Pizzeria 
If you like NY style pizzas this is your place. I personally love getting the slices, crispy on the bottom and tons of choices for toppings from speciality to create your own. Daily specials even on the weekends! Need a slice stop on by!
www.serafinaspizzeria.com


I Noodle Ramen and Dumpling
I mean I can eat Ramen anytime but with the weather changing now is a great time to check this place out if you haven't already! The made from scratch broth is so satisfying, deep with complexity and flavor. Soft and tender handmade dumplings is a great way to start and I would highly suggest trying their Braised beef Ramen - Taiwanese style soy sauce base with beef bone broth topped with slow cooked angus beef shank, pickle daikon, pickle bok choy, soy boiled egg, corn and scallion. Delish!
www.inoodleramenanddumpling.com


Green Papaya
Let's start with their Angry Dragon roll - shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, avocado, spicy crabmeat, topped with sweet chili and eel sauce. Pink in color for fun and a meal in itself. But then just imagine digging your fork all the way to the bottom of their amazing duck dish. Duck with Curry-coconut milk, asparagus, carrots, mushroom,pepper, onion, broccoli topped with the most tender crispy rich duck. Such a marvel of flavors and textures.
www.gpasianfl.com


Tikka Bowls and Tacos
Take a step out of the norm and try this fun fusion. Tastes of India with Mexican style bowls and tacos. All the traditional indian sauces without the heat. Rice bowls filled with chicken, beef, etc, topped with lettuce, cheese, pico de galla, mango salsa, red cabbage, jalapenos, beans and this amazing cilantro chutney (I want to smother everything with this) making it so light and stuffed with flavor!  They also have the tikka tomato curry, tikka smoked curry, brown gravy and chloe chana if you prefer one of those. Anyway you choose to build your bowl or taco adding the indian flavors really creates such a flavorsome unique taste. www.tikkabowlsandtacos.com


Taste of India 210
Tangy spicy Samosa Chaat! - popular Indian street food deep fried and served with masala, chutney and spices is a great way to start any meal here. The Chicken Biryani has a wonderful strong savoury taste. This comes from frying onions and other indian spices before the rice is added. Along with either plain Naan or garlic Naan you will have enough deliciousness to feed a family! And if you like lamb which is one of my favs give theirs a try with its little Indian flare. So good!
www.tasteofindiaflorida.com


The Great Greek
Mediterranean Grill
If you want something light but filled with flavor you must try their Tzatziki. One of the best around made with greek yogurt, labne, cucumber, garlic and dill. Enjoy it alone, in one of their combo dips, salads or gyro.  Speaking of Gyro who wouldn't love their Great Greek Gyro - stuffed with lamb, beef or chicken topped off with creamy Tzatziki and feta! Love that combination! And if you want it all, have the Mezze plate filled with all things greek. Yum! www.thegreatgreekgrill.com.


There are so many more places I could go on and on!  So get on out there and start exploring!  Enjoy! Enjoy!

My brother Adam passed away recently so I’ve decided to dedicate this article to him. He loved a good cocktail and loved chatting about crazy subjects to write about. He actually came up with the idea of my TO-Go article so I saw it befitting to honor him with this article about all the great margaritas that are served up in our area. And of course it is just in time for Cinco de Mayo!  So Cheers to Adam Yourell – you will forever be in our hearts and soul. 

Los Portales 
Mexican Grill (St. Johns) 
South Lake Plaza 2245 County Rd 210
 St Augustine, FL 32092 (904) 819-1486
Who doesn’t love a great cheap Margarita after a tiring day?  Lost Portales serves up just that with their best priced house Margaritas at $2.25 all day Mon-Thur from 11-5 on Friday and Saturday

Back 40 Urban Fresh 
450 State Road 13 Ste 113 St. Johns, FL 32259 (904) 287-8226
Top Shelf Margarita is the way to go at Back40.  Here the Top Shelf Margarita replaces the normal Triple Sec with Grand Marnier and, generally, uses better tequila.  This gives the margarita a bigger orange flavor and even a little richer consistency. Delish!

Cantina Louie
10870 us Hwy 1 North  Ponte Vedra Florida 32082 (904) 217-3238
One of the fave’s here is the Fresh Guavarita - Blanco tequila, Gran Gala, lime juice, house made sour, and guava juice- which gives the tart lime a nice sweet taste. Very refreshing.  They also have Fro- Jo-Rita Monday- frozen margaritas at a special price and 7 different flavors every Monday for that weekend recovery!

La Catrina 
155 Hampton Point Dr. Suite #10, St. Augustine, FL 32092
The Blueberry Jalapeno Margarita is a must at this establishment. It is made with Jose Cuervo Blanco, Agave Nectar, Lime Juice, Fresh Blueberries, Triple Sec and Jalapeno. It’s the best of both world’s sweet and heat. So good! Another cool combo is their Blueberry Pineapple Margarita with Jose Cuervo Blanco, Coconut, Agave Nectar, Lime Juice, Fresh Blueberries, Fresh Pineapple and Triple Sec. Yum!

Hurricane Grill & Wings
CR 210 3055 County Rd 210 Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32259 (904) 230-6445
Coronarita – one of my favorite going on vacation drinks. It’s a house margarita with a corona beer slowly poured into it so as you drink down, so you get the tanginess of the margarita and the light lime freshness of the beer. It’s a win win situation!  This place does them right!

St Marys Seafood & More (World golf village)
​705 Hortons Trce, St. Augustine, FL 32095  (904) 547-2578
And for the best tasting, best Value for your money and lightest freshest Margarita around I have to choose the Elevated St. Mary's Margarita.  This enticing concoction comes in its own shaker (so you get way more than one drink) and is filled with Avion Silver, Bauchant Orange liqueur, agave nectar and fresh squeezed lime juice. It is so light and refreshing and packs a punch. If you love margaritas like me you will not be disappointed! 

I’ve come up with a little concoction of my own and named it The Adamrita Pimienta Frambuesa – a little sweet, a little tangy and just right amount of heat.  Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Lori's "Adamrita Pimienta Frambuesa" 
8oz Silver tequila
3 limes juiced
¼ cup muddled/smashed fresh raspberries 
2oz Agave or simple syrup
1tsp Crushed Red Pepper- more if you want more heat
Blend all in a shaker pour over a salted or sugar rimmed glass with crushed ice 

Fun Fact: The Margarita- so how and when this beauty was created. As the story goes, it was 1938. Carlos “ Danny” Herrera owned a restaurant between Tijuana and Rosarito in Baja, California. He fancied a dancer by the name of Marjorie King who was allergic to many spirits. But not tequila...Thus we must say thanks to Danny and love  for his creation!

by Lori Allen, My Wandering Fork

www.grumpysrestaurantco.com 
155 Fountains Way
 Building 1, Suite 1, 
St Johns, FL 32259

The District
2026 Walnut St. 
Jacksonville, FL 32206
(904)240-6539
www.thedistrictspr.com

BY LORI ALLEN, MY WANDERING FORK

​Located in Historic Springfield, The District is a newly opened Wine Bar & Beer Lounge with a modern Art Deco inspired space. Head outside to the Peacock Garden, which features our popular Boho Yurt Lounges & plenty of outdoor seating options.  Voted Jacksonville Magazine Top 50 Restaurants for our Charcuterie Board and Spinach & Artichoke Dip!

Looking for something unique or something out of the ordinary? Give a Boho Yurt a try!  The District located downtown in Springfield has come up with the unique concept of dining in a Yurt.  I gave it a try and had a blast! Because you make your reservation online the moment you arrive you are escorted to the back of this eclectic restaurant to your private tent.  As I peered inside I felt like I was transported to a scene in the Arabian Desert, from the brightly colored pillows, funny low chairs and perfectly set table you totally felt like you had stepped out of this world and into a new one. The food is top notch. I highly recommend the beef wellington or the filet and crab cake both were cooked to perfection.  The Tower as they named it is an interesting shaped tower filled with your choice of Sangria, Mimosas, or wine and of course there is plenty to share.  So step out of the box this season and wander downtown and give this place a try. 

So let’s get rid of the notion that golf courses fare only consists of cold sandwiches and lukewarm beer. We’ve moved on to a new era of upscale golf course dining.  Whether its lunch, dinner or Friday night specials you are looking for, the golf clubs have certainly upped their game. Some notable chefs have been hired and they have created some fun and exciting new menus along with nice wine lists and craft cocktails which can be enjoyed while admiring the view of the course.  I ventured out to a few around here and here’s what I found.

AJs Kitchen and Cocktails at the World Golf Village\
​King and Bear
1 King and Bear Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32092
904.615.1868


    So this restaurant has been revamped and has a nice cool clean vibe with its steel grey accents and a neat fire pit with the view of their pristine course. The menu is comfort food with a twist along with weekend chef creations prepared from fresh local products.
    To start we tried the Pretzel Charcuterie Board. This is made to share and is served on pretzel bread loaded down with cured meats and cheeses.  The best way to eat this is to rip a piece of the pretzel bread, layer it with spicy salami or pancetta, then some extra sharp Cheddar cheese or nutty gruyere and top it off with their stone ground mustard. Each bite can be your own creation. Paired with their happy hour Pinot Noir, all your taste buds are satisfied.
    We then decided on a nice light salad. I had the strawberry and goat cheese one that had succulent blackened shrimp, fennel and a touch of local honey which made it spicy and sweet all in one. The Heart of Romaine Salad with shaved parmesan and a tangy lemon Caesar dressing was equally as good.   
    Their menu is so interesting and diverse I can’t wait to go back and try their Honey Sriracha Glaze, Toasted Sesame wings, or possibly their South Burger with pork belly and pimento cheese.  Or even their Black Pepper Beef Carpaccio with capers on tarragon toast. The choices are endless and the view is so very lovely.

The Grill at the Golf Club
at South Hampton
315 South Hampton Club Way
St. Augustine, FL 32092 US


    At the Grill at South Hampton you will find some surprising items on the menu. I tried the Ahi Tuna Stack to start. The tuna was fresh with a wasabi slaw, a brown sugar soy glaze and stacked on a crispy wonton. The glaze added just the right amount of salty sweet and with the crunch of the wonton it was the perfect bite.  I could have eaten a dozen of these! The garlic wings were equally as good. But don’t let the presentation fool you, it was not fancy but they were cooked to perfection, crispy garlicy, buttery goodness.
    The homemade Greek hummus was a nice treat as well. It was a plentiful bowl of freshly made hummus topped with fresh red onions, tomatoes, crumbled feta and Kalamata olives. I loved the homemade chips, crunchy, chewy and salty all in one.
    I saw on their menu they also have a Muffuletta sandwich,  a Cuban sandwich and a Pulled Pork sandwich served on a pretzel bun that all sounded really good.  Chef Gary Gouge prepares Friday night specials you will want to try out!  And as an added bonus they have a fun Trivia night on Thursdays where you can go have dinner and enjoy the game!


The Bridge at St. Johns Golf
and Country Club.
205 St Johns Golf Dr
St. Augustine, FL 32092
904-940-3200


    After the dust has cleared from the new renovations at St. Johns Golf & Country Club a new restaurant and chef have emerged.  The Bridge with its new menu inspired by local flavors and ingredients offers a fun dining experience!
    I loved their craft cocktails.  They had several choices which all sounded so good. I tried the Bridges lemonade – it has a splash of grapefruit soda which made it light and refreshing. We also tried the Aimies’ CBC lemonade. Made with Two TitMice Vodka, Lemonade, Strawberry and Basil Puree ($2 from each purchase goes to help Aimie Crush Breast Cancer) - a really nice combination and for a good cause as well.
    For Apps we went with the Blue Cheese Chips, homemade kettle chips smothered in goodness. Tangy blue cheese dressing, tomatoes, scallions, bacon and blue cheese crumbles. Each bite came with a punch and coolness to get your palate going.  Steamed shrimp sounded like it would be good and it was.  They were plump and juicy drenched in buttery old bay seasoning. Yum!
Several salads were on the menu and I kept eyeballing the golden beet salad with apples, candied pecans and feta but we were in the blue cheese mode so went with the wedge. Chilled crisp iceberg lettuce, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and Danish blue cheese, it did not disappoint.
    I went back and forth for my main and ended up with the Menorcan pasta. The bowl came out steaming with large gulf white shrimp, juicy little neck clams and linguini all tossed in datil pepper vodka sauce then topped off with crispy fried calamari.  Each bite you got a taste of the sea then the creaminess of the vodka sauce with just the right amount of heat. It was delicious!
    The "& GRITS” caught my eye which are made with Tasso Sausage, Tomato Ragout and Stone ground Pepper Jack Cheese and choice of fish, chicken or shrimp.  I also hear that the Caribbean Grilled Chicken is to die for. The chef smokes the chicken first then tops it with avocado served over a bed of black beans and rice.  Garlic parmesan chicken tenders brined in pickle, battered and fried sounds like an upscale chick-a-fil meal and who wouldn’t want to try that?
    The chef is a pastry master so you must try one of his homemade desserts made daily.  The amazing view, live music (Thursdays) and a great staff (Maren treated us right!) along with delicious food makes for a great evening. So go and enjoy!

My Wandering Fork; foodie blog

Ember & Iron
60 Shoppes Boulevard, #80
St. Johns, Fl 32259


​

We've got a new place in town and boy have they stepped it up a notch! Ember& Iron is a must-try!   Chef Mike and wife Brittany have created a restaurant that I like to refer to as Casual Chic.  This is a restaurant where you can feel the cool vibe but yet it's not overly formal. It has a bar area that is lively and filled with unanticipated bar brands. It’s a place where you can share laughter, friendship, sumptuous meals, amazing hand-crafted cocktails all within a stylish comfortable atmospheric surrounding.


So my friends and I jumped at a chance to see what all the commotion was about! Drinks first! The cocktail that caught my attention was the “Real Housewife of SJC”, named after our county! Of course, they know what they are doing because this cocktail is light and effervescent made with gin a splash of bubbly and sweetened with orange and hibiscus.  It is so refreshing and makes it a perfect accompaniment to their super fresh raw oysters. These oysters have a lemon zest champagne mignonette poured over them so when slurped (yes, the only way) down you taste the saltiness of the oysters, the sour of the lemon, and when washed down with a sip of the sweet tingling RHSJC. You can’t go wrong!


Another great oyster/drink combination I tried was the Not Your Average Margarita. This delicious concoction is made with tipplers orange liqueur, hibiscus, and smoked sea salt. (Note that none of the mixers are store-bought everything is made from scratch) along with their roasted oysters topped with this ingredient they called preserved lemon which is really cool, kind of like dried lemon candied bits along with an herbal horseradish butter giving it just the right amount of bright lemony, salty, and bitterness.


We then decided to go for the cornbread because it seemed like a non-traditional kind of appetizer. And because this place is known for its rustic yet elegant fair using their custom oak burning grill, it’s got to be good right?? And it was. The cornbread came out piping hot right from the flames, served in a cast-iron skillet (which we all know keeps all the flavors within), and served with three different spreads, honey butter, pepper jelly, and a sweet jam. I slathered the honey butter on the warm cornbread and popped it into my mouth.  It was the best fluffiest, sweetish cornbread with the creamiest of honey butter! Yum! The pepper jelly was equally as good, adding just the right amount of sweet heat.  Of course, I did wash it all down with another one of their specialty cocktails called the ‘Honey I'm Not Coming Home’ cocktail created with Rye (I know I’m not a Rye kinda girl either, but this combination was great!) honey and cream. The cornbread was sort of like an adult milk and cake combination and who doesn’t like that??

I could not wait to try the beet salad. I am all about a beet (I used to steal all the marinated beets out of the fridge from my mom) and love to see what different twists chefs can create. This one had ember roasted beets (of course), goat cheese, and cashews- which I found very unusual all atop of some peppery arugula tossed with a tart sherry vinaigrette.  So you got the earthiness of the beets, creaminess of the goat cheese, nuttiness all mixed together with the peppery tartness. Such a unique and tasty combination!


Cesar was also selected and of course, this chef knew how to amp it up a bit. The romaine is grilled on the ember fire (and if you never have had grilled romaine this is a must for you!)  Garlicky dressing draped over the leaves and sundried tomato pesto on the side for dipping into. Delish!


For some reason, I was craving something from my roots so I went with the Lobster mac and cheese.  Beyond creamy with its 5 cheese sauce and yet still infused with flavor from the sea.  Ooey, gooey with chunks of lobster just what I was looking for. Pretty darn close to a dish made from my New England hometown.


Hanger Steak was the next thing I managed to get my wandering fork into.  Coming straight off of that ember flame it had the seared charr grilled outside and yet perfectly medium-rare inside.  The chimichurri served with this added that herbaceous tang to each bite and the crispy fried rosemary potatoes were so good you couldn't stop eating them!


Their signature dish buttermilk marinated roasted chicken is not your ordinary chicken. The way they marinated it makes the chicken so fork tender, yet you still have the crispy skin on the outside from the fire grill. It is then stuffed with grilled lemon, roasted pepper, and herbs which create each bite drenched in flavor.  With a choice of two sides, I highly recommend the beef dripping fries. I was so surprised when I ordered these thinking that they would come with some sort of gravy on top, NOPE!  These fries I am guessing are deep-fried with a combination of canola oil and beef drippings giving them extra crispiness yet a beefy flavor. Ingenious! Trust me you won’t be able to stop delving into these!


Chef Mike said he is inspired by all the memories he made cooking with his grandma and grilling over an open flame with his family. He also loves to experiment with fresh seasonal veggies. You can taste the heart and soul that he puts into each dish meanwhile enjoying Brittany’s casual chic ambiance.

by Lori Allen, Local Foodie and Author of the blog... My Wandering Fork

Photo courtesy of the Tini Martini Bar

So for our last issue of what has been an unprecedented year 2020 in our lives, I’ve chosen to share with you my special holiday traditions in our beautiful city.  Over this past year, we have learned to adjust and find the little glimmers of light and hope wherever we can.  St Augustine Nights of Lights is one of those wonders that provide me with that very glimmer. It is one of the most stunning and spectacular sights and I feel so very fortunate to be able to view it year after year.  People in the past have come in droves from all over the world just to see what we get to see for two magical months.  This year might be a year of limitations but the city will not be any less spectacular.  It is not just the twinkling bright white lights that make it so wonderful but you can hear the laughter, smell the aromas and feel the holiday spirit in the air.

Christmas spirit - The code of generosity, kindness, and charity toward others is enforced by no one other than ourselves. There are places where this code is strong, and these places (or people) are said to have strong Christmas spirit.

 The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine provides that place for me. We love to visit this church to light a candle in remembrance of our family that we have lost and say a special Christmas prayer/wish to them to let them know that they have not been forgotten. For some reason, the ritual of lighting the candle gives a tiny bit of comfort and envelops our hearts which brings on the Christmas spirit.  Afterward, as we step outside of the church we are immediately immersed in all the beautiful twinkling white lights, it's breathtaking!  

The next stop is the Tini Martini bar (24 Avenida Menendez St. Augustine 32084 (904) 263-4882) located on the veranda of the Casablanca Inn on the bay front. We love to take a moment and enjoy and this is the perfect spot to sit among the thousands of twinkling lights as well as sipping a martini of course. One of my favs is the Sparkling Raspberry which has raspberry vodka, Chambord, cranberry juice and LaMarca Prosecco float. The combination of raspberry and cranberry along with a little bubbly is truly a festive cocktail! My hubby loves the Tahiti Tini (I think he wishes he was in Tahiti during the holidays- don’t we all?) Between the mango vodka, banana liqueur a little grapefruit to round out the sweetness one sip of this and you are immediately taken away to the islands. I love that this place does not skimp, you get the entire shaker left with you to refill as you wish!

Dinner is at Pizzalley's Chianti Room (60 Charlotte St St. Augustine, FL 32084 P: 904-825-4100) It is one of the only 20 restaurants to receive the National Award of Excellence from the American Culinary Federation across the country. You will know you have found the right spot when your nose hits the door and all the aromas of garlic, tomato sauce, and simmering herbs and spices fill your senses.  I love that you can sit right up front and watch the chefs prepare all the enticing foods. There are so many dishes to choose from, like the lobster ravioli stuffed with chunks of juicy main lobster then smothered with a creamy crabmeat roasted pepper sauce or their Mediterranean chicken topped with tangy feta, black olives, and fresh homemade bruschetta.  Of course, their Pizza is excellent as well.  The dining experience is so warm and friendly that it really gives you that festive holiday feeling. There can be a wait during the holiday rush so they provide you with a text when your table is ready. This always works well for us because we like to try out the next place before our meal.

 The Rendezvous Restaurant - Beers of the world (106 St George St. St Augustine 904-824-1090)

This truly is a hole in the wall but such a unique gem. Any local can tell you where it's at and it is a must-stop for us on our holiday trek. They have so many unusual and exotic beers from around the world that there is no way I could name them all!  They are constantly bringing in new ones so you never know what else you may want to try.

The staff is so knowledgeable and will tell you all about the beers and even pour them into the proper glass. Different beers need room to breathe to get the most hops and flavor out of them so the glass is important.  Sometimes we try and find a beer that’s the furthest away like Africa and other times we let the staff know our likes and go with their suggestions. We have tried some with caramel flavor that had very little fruit from the hops but actually picks up more of the hop bitterness especially in the aftertaste. And some that had a more subtle hop flavor picking up some grapefruit tones.  We even love the traditional German beers which are light and crisp. I had to laugh at this one they had on tap one time…Blue Point Toxic Sludge Black IPA but I wasn’t ambitious enough to get it…maybe you should give it a try!

Did someone say dessert?  After admiring the sparkling beautiful lights or possibly taking a Trolley Ride we are ready for a sweet treat. Depending on our mood and if we have the time to relax and enjoy a nice glass of wine or cocktail. Old City House (115 Cordova Street St. Augustine, FL 32084T: (904) 826-0113) is where we will be.  They prepare this baked Apple dessert that puts any apple pie to shame. Light flakey buttery crust wrapped around a semi-tart grannie smith apple stuffed with all the cinnamon, cloves and other holiday spices then baked and served piping hot along with some rich cream. You really will be in the Christmas spirit after one mouthful of the oozing apple goodness. Another option is their crème Brule that is so creamy it will glide across your tongue. Yum!  

If we are short on time we will head over to Cousteau’s Waffle and Milkshake Bar. (15 Hypolita St, St Augustine, Fl 32084 (904) 342-5627)Their sweet and chewy waffles are made in-house from dough filled with Belgian pearl sugar, then cooked and caramelized made fresh to order on their hot cast iron press. They have some fun and flavorful toppings such as candied pecans, candied bacon, fresh berries, and homemade marshmallow fluff!  My son is all about the Ping Island milkshake.  It is made with vanilla soft serve, peanut butter, chocolate sauce, marshmallow fluff, and graham cracker crumbs. The smile on his face when they serve him says it all! (Merry Christmas to me!)  My hubby on the other hand prefers a more “grownup” milkshake...if there is such a thing.  He gets Air Kentucky. Which is made with butter pecan soft serve, real maple syrup, candied pecans topped with Bourbon whipped cream.  It’s nutty and sweet all rolled into one fantastic milkshake!

So after our Christmas tour and food coma, we stumble on home. But we know that we will be back, for there are endless places to try and experience all while enjoying the stunning Nights of Lights.

Happy Holidays to you all and may you and your families be safe during the holiday season and especially safe during this pandemic. Hug your loved ones even if it’s virtually. Life is oh so short!

​Social unrest, the pandemic, job losses across the state of Florida.  As we get closer to the holidays, we all need something to look forward to. 

That’s why Action News Jax and Bozard Ford Lincoln of St Augustine are joining forces to give you the chance to win a 2 year lease on either a  Ford F-150 pickup truck, or a Lincoln Aviator SUV!  “We wanted to do something big and positive, as a way to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in 2021,” said Craig Davenport,

Director of Marketing for CBS47 and FOX30.  “Bozard Ford Lincoln is one of our Family Focus community partners, and we enjoy working with them because they are so involved with giving back to the St Johns community.  So, when we approached them about this idea, they were all in.”

 Bozard has been busy lately, adding a new Lincoln Showroom to their St Augustine dealership, as well as opening the much anticipated new Ford’s Garage Restaurant, described as a neighborhood burger and beer joint with the vibe of a 1920’s service station complete with vintage Ford vehicles, gas pumps and fixtures.  With seating inside as well as outside, it’s a dining experience everyone is talking about!  

“We’re excited to be a part of this giveaway contest with Action News Jax,” said Jeff King, Vice President & General Manager of Bozard Ford Lincoln.  “We understand that 2020 has been a challenging year for many, so to have the chance to drive away in a new vehicle, or to come in and have lunch or dinner with the family on us, we’re more than happy to provide that.”  

In addition to the vehicle giveaway, every day on Action News Jax This Morning, two people will have a chance to win a $100 gift card and basket to Ford’s Garage!

 The “Drive and Dine Giveaway” starts on Monday, October 26th and runs through November 25th.  Every weekday morning, between 6:30am and 7am, watch for the “word of the day” on CBS47 and FOX30 Action News Jax and text the word to 46757 for your chance to win.  For additional information and for the official rules for the contest, visit actionnewsjax.com

by Lori Allen, Local Foodie

Who has the best take out? Isn't that the question of the year? With Covid-19 and social distancing Take Out business is booming and rising. But who does it better?  I know for myself there is nothing worse than the anticipation of arriving home with a meal you have been dreaming about all day only to end up with a flavorless, lackluster soggy mess.
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During this time my experiences have varied so I'll talk about the good ones.  St. Mary's seafood offered up a family meal of 50 fried shrimp along with 4 sides for $25.  We found that the shrimp were crispy and plentiful. They had the ingenious idea of putting tin foil in the Styrofoam container that not only kept the shrimp warm but crispy as well. Usually the Styrofoam steams up inside when fried hot food is placed in it. Then you get the condensation which causes the fried food to become soggy.  Using tin foil decreases the condensation and so you arrive home with nice crispy fried foods.  The sides are all placed in individual containers and you have some great choices such as creamy coleslaw, rice pilaf and I personally love their fried squash it’s a bit more but worth it!  So what have you seen as far as take out fried foods? Are there any restaurants that follow this simple but great concept??


TAKE OUT
I think Italian places like Benito’s, Maggiano's and Vito’s just to name a few are pros at getting the take out meal right.  Yes the containers are not microwavable but I think that it is so worth it! The food keeps warm longer in those tins and you can easily heat them up in the oven. To me heating the food up this way makes it taste as if you were sitting in the actual restaurant but instead you are sitting in the comfort of your home. So it’s a win win situation.  Maggiano's even goes as far as putting the reheating directions right on the top of the containers. Brilliant!

I recently ordered Hurricanes on County Rd 210 Taco Tuesday to go. I was pleasantly surprised that they had taken the time to separate my tacos and put the sauces on the side so that when I got home I was able to reheat and add the sauce on top. I had the Baja fish taco, and banging shrimp taco. Both had just the right amount of heat along with a cool creamy sauce and the tortilla was soft and not soggy. At a discounted price you can’t go wrong. Great job!

Have you had any take out and were pleasantly surprised?

Al fresco
So how about outdoor dining or as us foodies like to call it Alfresco! Isn’t the key to dining outdoors is to provide us with a safe environment as well as delicious food?? I have been searching and researching and have found a multitude of places that advertise that they are taking precautions, here just a few.
Bartram Walk is a great place to head to for outdoor dining because you have several options and you know we all like options.

Iggy’s Grill and Bar (104 Bartram Oaks Walk #101, Fruit Cove, FL 32259)  I found that the servers all wear masks and use disposable utensils and cups. Their fried shrimp is always great and they have a really nice grilled Sea Bass that is worth a try as well. Their drink specials are cold and refreshing!

Moon Dog Pie House-(116 Bartram Oaks Walk, Fruit Cove, FL 32259) has a great covered outdoor area and for me one of the best slices in town. The slices are huge, crispy on the bottom, cheesy on top and the dough is so good you actually WANT to eat the crust. These are the foldable kinds of slices, come on New Yorkers you know what I'm talking about! I also love that you can get one plain slice and one loaded down with all your favorite toppings and it won't break the bank.  We recently visited there and they let us take our beers outside on the walkway while we waited for our outdoor table. Talk about hospitality, we will be back!

Vito’s Italian Restaurant (116 Bartram Oaks Walk #101, Jacksonville, FL 32259) now has outdoor tables as well. I can't help but get their garlic aioli pasta every time I go! So garlicky and light it's one of the best in town. Add a glass of their Chianti and you have an I-talian meal to die for. 

On an upscale note I noticed that Black fin also has dining alfresco that is a few doors down. So the area is just filled with choices!

Many waterfront restaurants have adapted Covid-19 ways of sterilizing, social distancing and mask wearing. So why not stop on by?

Caps on the water (4325 Myrtle St, St. Augustine, FL 32084) does an excellent job of keeping us safe. You are required to wear a mask upon entering as well as be temperature screened and their staff has been trained on the covid-19 sterilization process.  The restaurant boasts of fresh local seafood cooked with both southern and Mediterranean flavors. I for one love their oysters and their fish dishes which are creative and so darn fresh you would swore the fish came right from their dock!

King Fish Grill (252 Yacht Club Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084) follows the same rules and is located just under the Vilano Bridge so the views are amazing. Their sushi and shrimp and grits dishes are stuff with flavor. And with the chef being from New England you know their clam/seafood chowdah is Top-notch.

I have heard some good things about Culinary Outfitters located by the St. Augustine shipyards. The friends that have visited have raved about the crispy deviled eggs, seafood truffle pasta, smoked wings and lobster roll. I am looking forward to trying them out soon as they too follow the Covid-19 rules and have dining alfresco!

  Al fresco (outdoors) is the word…So Go! Tell me where is wonderful? 

by Lori Allen

Stromboli is made up of dough shaped into an elongated rectangle, then rolled to create a long skinny and cylindrical shape.  It is typically made with low moisture mozzarella cheese which helps the interior dough to cook fully and you can add in any of your favorite meats and veggies or just cheese works as well.    The difference between a calzone and Stromboli is that a calzone is generally a single serving, half circle shape and it contains ricotta whereas a Stromboli does not. The Stromboli was named after the Italian isle of Stromboli and on that island there is a giant volcano called Mt. Stromboli.

At Zulos their Stromboli is ginormous and comes out all ooey gooey! It is baked in a handmade customized brick oven (gas vs flame) which makes it crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the in.  Along with this masterpiece you get a side of their homemade sauce (gravy as the Italians call it) which is made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, spices and other fresh ingredients that gives it a rich robust tomato flavor.   Tear off a piece of the baked cheese dough and dip it into the “gravy” and you will have a true Italian experience!

I love meatballs and it is difficult for me to find ones that come close to my Italian roots.  At Zulos I found that they were made with just the right meat combination and enough garlic to satisfy even my tastes.  The key I think is that they use their custom oven to cook them in. This gave them a nice sear so they are firm on the outside and tender on the in. Mama Mia! So good.

Sicilian style pizza is also on the menu. This type of pizza is vastly different than regular pizza.  The dough is made with more oil and looks fluffy and heavy like brick.  The bottom technically gets fried. I found it to be light and airy on the inside and crispy on the out. If you like thick pizza you need to give this a try!

Speaking about dough, Zeppolos is what I like to call the Italian version of the New Orleans beignet.   They are hand rolled made to order deep fried dough. Powdered sugar is then sprinkled gingerly adding just the right amount of sweetness to the dough.  I rarely find these down south so I was delighted to try them. You can have them as an appetizer or as desert.  I decided to have them to start and take the remaining ones home to my family.  They came out piping hot and smelled sooooo good. I waited just a few seconds for them to cool then popped one in my mouth..the next thing I knew a second one found its way into my belly as well. I had to stop so that I didn’t eat them all before I got them home!

As everyone knows Nutella is as Italian as it gets for that rich dark creamy chocolaty hazel nutty snack. Have you ever tried Nutella Gelato?  This is the best of both worlds, you have the coolness of the gelato and creaminess of the Nutella all scooped into one.  And as an added bonus it's less calories than ice cream so go ahead and finish your meal with a scoop. You won’t be disappointed!

Tony and Madeline Mazulos i.e. Zulos are the real gems of this restaurant. They greet you with such genuine warmth and smiles that you instantly feel like famiglia!

*Outdoor seating is available as well as live music on Wednesdays and during the weekends.

by Lori Allen

​Ok so let’s face it as much as we would like to be dining out during this time instead we are all cooking and experimenting at home. So why not try something different and exciting??! FreshJax organic spices have come up with some really great combinations of seasonings for all kinds of foods.  Their seasonings are made by hand in small batches using only organic spices, herbs, and salts but more importantly it’s the incredible flavor that makes these so good.  Anyone that knows me knows I love to hit the salt shaker to enhance my food but there is no need with these gems. They provide enough salt and seasoning even for me!

For my first try I was working on cooking up some “healthy baked fries”.  I had researched some recipes (because what else is there to do during this stay at home time?)  And all of them suggested using cayenne to give the fries that extra flavor without being fried.  So I cut up some fresh potatoes, let them soak for a bit so that the starch gets removed which results in a crispier fry. Dried them off, and then tossed them in some EVO and FreshJax Peppered habanero seasoning replacing the suggested cayenne.   These fries baked up crispy and the peppered habanero added just the right amount of heat …when I bit into them I for sure was thinking did these come from one of those fast food places?  My son devoured them in minutes!

For my next blast of flavor I hit the grill and decided to try a multitude of FreshJax spices. I cut up some zucchini and summer squash then tossed them in a little EVO and used the Grillmaster seasoning on them. Grillmaster is a combination of cracked pepper, onion, garlic and fennel just to name a few of the spices. The seasoning brightened up the veggies and when grilled produced a nice flavorful char on them.  Steak was next and I opted to use the Sunrise Cowgirls coffee rub.  This seasoning has a 5 pepper blend, coffee, cherry wood sea salt, cocoa, ancho and chipotle along with others to create a sweet, savory complex flavor.  I have used cocoa in my chili before but never on a steak so this proved to be a really nice combination.  My last grilled item was some fish.  Citrus Pepper blend was calling my name.  After all, citrus and fish are no brainer!  The seasoning enhanced the fish with zesty flavors of orange lemon and lime keeping it light and fresh.

Now that I have one of FreshJax 5 piece gift sets I can’t wait to see what other combination of food and flavors I can come up with!  After all there’s no place like home especially right now and especially with these fun and inventive seasonings!  Get some for your pantry and let’s see how creative you can be!

FreshJax® spices are handcrafted in Jacksonville, FL. They offer free shipping options within the US and are happy to send spices directly to your door. Their spice kitchen is not open to the public.  For more information  visit www.freshjax.com

​Looking for something different? Do you want to feel like you stepped into another part of the world? Are you a chocolate lover? How about just a delicious breakfast or lunch? Belgian Sweet house has got your name all over it! This hidden away gem is Julington Creek's best kept secret and now you are in the know!

My family loves breakfast so I decided to treat them to something authentic and unique. The atmosphere of this place is so warm and inviting. You couldn’t help but notice all the Belgian decor as well as the variety of tables, some communal and some individual. It really does have that true European vibe. We immediately started in with a Belgian coffee. The warm cup of joe is much smoother and richer than what we are used to and doesn’t require any cream at all. I got the truffle one which is beligian coffee with a truffle on the side that you can use to sweeten per your taste and my husband got the caramel one, equally as rich with a gentle note of caramel. We both thought ok there’s no reason to go back to American coffee after these!!

The boys opted for the waffles and Chantal Bierchen the owner of the Belgian Sweet house told us that she has her flour shipped over via a cargo ship from Europe. To her it is worth it because it has less gluten and bleach which makes the waffles so light, crispy and flaky! Of course my son had the Nutella and my husband opted for the fresh fruit. Both loved them! They were served with homemade whipping cream to top it all off. The shop offers some Belgian syrup that Chantal brings back from her many trips abroad that is worth a try. Absolutely nothing like our maple syrup, it has more of a date flavor vs maple. I went out of the box and tried what they call their Croque or hot sandwich which was a grilled ham and melty cheese, with a runny egg (Belgian style) bacon and more cheese on top. To add to it all it came with some creamy mushroom sauce to pour all over the sandwich. The cheese inside was so creamy, then the runny egg yok mixed in along with a spoon full of earthy mushroom sauce…a creation like no other!

Oh my! Let’s not forget the chocolates!! The truffle one for my coffee was rich deep and dark with just the right amount of bitter sweet. Balsamic that’s right balsamic was next. Who would have ever imagined those 2 together? It was dark chocolate with a creamy slightly acidic middle. The combination was so good! My son liked the next one..Ginger! A rich dark deep chocolate outside with a smooth ginger center. The ginger was slightly sweet which balanced off the chocolate.Such unusual combinations but really really good. We of course had to take a variety to take home with us. It for sure is a chocolate lovers delight in this little quaint shop, so many innovative and creative ideas! Valentines or anytime show up with these and they are sure to be a show stopper! And you will forever be loved!

by Lori Allen

Earth Fare on CR 210 West

Its holiday party time and you are working on those ugly sweaters or searching for that sparkly red dress or both! Those last minute invites are rolling in and the panic of getting everything ready for the holiday is setting in. Well I did some fun foodie research and found a quick easy solution, Earthfare!  They are known for their artificially free/no gmo foods but what I found was some really scrumptious quick pickups for the holidays.


Take the stress out of the holiday preparation and let Earthfare do the work!


Let’s start with the hot platters that are so popular at all the parties.  Earth Fare offers a ton of options for example you can get bacon wrapped scallops, bacon wrapped shrimp, shrimp stuffed peppers, oysters Rockefeller, coconut curry crab cakes, sweet potatoes tornado shrimp, hatch chili crab cakes all for $1each. In 30minutes you will have a feast to serve to your guests or to put on a nice Christmas platter and off you go. You will be the hit of the party!   If you are in a hurry you can grab one of their self-serve trays and create an amazing olive platter.  From feta stuffed olives to olives from all around the world these would not be a disappointment on any party table.  How about a cheese tray? There are so many varieties of cheese and crackers all in one spot that it would only take a few minutes to create a masterpiece.  What I found that was really cool is that they offer some really nice Jams of all different varieties, what a great way to step up that cheese tray a notch! Maria one of their managers told me you can order these cheese platters and others ahead of time but even if you are last minute they can help you quickly create a beautiful charcuterie board and amaze the host.  If you are like me and need a quick girls Nite munchie dish there are some premade antipasto packages that include wonderful things like 4 different kinds of salami (my fav) and even ones that have cheese, meats and olives in them! So easy and convenient.


For the sweet tooth in ya, they have macaroons which are beautiful, elegant and taste so good. As wells as a big variety of specialty small bite size cookies by the pound.  You could almost pass them off as homemade! (Shhhhhhh)


Last but not least but you know me I have to throw this in….they have a very nice wine and beer selection to go with any of your goodies. But best of all they have this really cool machine that is filled with fresh oranges and makes fresh squeezed juice right then and there. It’s cool because of the way it’s designed none of the bitterness from the rinds ever get into the juice…now if that doesn’t say the best Mimosas in town I don’t know what does!  Cheers and have a wonderful holiday season!

Ok so I know you must have gone by this place a million times and had various thoughts of stopping by to give it a try and then thought otherwise. I know I did and I’ve been here a long time! The place I’m talking about is the building with the big red letters HONG KONG heading towards St Augustine airport if you are going north on US1 and just past the airport if you are going south.  The building doesn’t appear to be much so you think I’ll just head up US1 a little further…well you just need to put on those brakes and pull on in! If this place doesn’t say China Town, I don’t know what does! When you open the door you are immediately transported to those hidden gem, really good basement restaurants in China Town, NYC.  So I thought that this would be a great place to bring our 210 tasting group. As I loaded up the van I told them that we are going to try a unique place tonight so get ready to enjoy the experience!

      Our group is the sharing kind so we started off with some apps or often referred in Chinese restaurants as Dim Sum….crispy Vegetable spring rolls, shrimp dumplings, crispy roasted duck dumplings, spicy steamed pork buns and skewers.  Everything was a new adventure in taste and freshness. The rolls were crisp, light and filled with fresh veggies. The dumplings were soft and melted in your mouth and the skewers had so much Chinese seasoning on the meat that kept it tender and you reaching for more.

      They served us Miso and Wonton soup next.  The bowls were HUGE! The miso soup came highly recommended and we all could see why. It was packed full of mushrooms, seasoned tofu and herbs all in this light delicate broth. So good! And the wonton soup was stuffed full with pork wontons and scallions that brought tons of flavors to every bite.
   
​ By this time you would have thought that we would have been full  but luckily we share everything so there is always plenty of room for the more.  Main dishes consisted of chicken fried rice and vegetable fried rice to start.  These were not your typical fried rice dishes they both were loaded with bean sprouts, shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions and even chopped peanuts in the chicken one. This gave the rice so much more depth and richness that you could easily have just eaten this and been very satisfied. Green bean and chicken dish was next and this dish had rich dark sauce flavored with ginger, hoisin garlic with crisp snappy green beans. It was very popular but probably our favorite dish of the evening was the most unusual one, it was the pumpkin chicken. That’s right pumpkin! When combined with chicken, carrots and a light sauce it takes on the likeness of maybe a turnip but has more mild sweeter taste. I think that we all need to add pumpkin to our stir fries this fall! Who knew??  So be adventurous and stop on by…try something new or stick to your staples either way you will be enjoying some really authentic Chinese cuisine. Xiǎng!

Odd birds you say? Odd Birds was a Pop up Bar located at 33 Charlotte Street, but has put down its roots and is here to stay. The concept of the Odd Birds bar originated during the 450th anniversary of St. Augustine celebration when the owners created a craft cocktail bar where the rule is oddness.


I have been watching this unique craft bar blossom.  You probably have walked right passed it a thousand times.  But if you dared to open the door you would see this quaint little patio which leads to the bar where all the magic happens. It epitomizes the hole in the wall concept along with a friendly casual vibe.


I had heard that you just need to let the spirits designer (bartender just doesn't describe the magic these guys create) talk to you for a bit and bam! He’s creating a masterpiece for your senses. So, my not so shy self… discussed with this spirit designer all my likes and dislikes and he concocted this really cool blue drink in a juice box!  It wasn’t too fruity nor too sweet, it had a little tang to it (anyone that knows me knows I like my lime!) with just the right amount of all their natural syrups and juices to make it oh so good. Back off kids, this is not your average juice box!


For my next visit I started off with one of their craft cocktails on their menu.  A Ganario which is made up of rum, ginger, turmeric, lemon, simply syrup and bitters. It was light and refreshing. As I enjoyed my beverage I chatted with Scott ,the spirits designer, about all the craft cocktails and how cool it is that people are coming up with such unique cocktails. He shared with me a little secret about craft bartenders and said if you are fellow craft bartender (spirit designer) you offer them a shot of Fernet to welcome them. So of course he was kind to offer me some seeing how I was talking his ear off.  This was such unique liquor that it’s entirely too hard to describe. The best I can do is Yager meets something earthy meets something medicinal. It goes down smooth and leaves this weird aftertaste. I noticed that they had several drinks made with this liquor so if you are willing, give it a try!


I ended my evening with their most popular drink, the Old Fashion. I had to laugh thinking that this drink has been around for decades. Of course Odd Birds put their spin on it with the perfect glass, cool square ice cube (so not to water it down) and just a splash of this and that to make it interesting and new again.  If you are an odd bird like myself, give this place a try! Its kooky and fun!

by Lori Allen

So the 210Tasting Group was out and about again searching for fun unique places that put a “twist” on food and we found The Press!  I had heard about their award winning burger and wanted to give it a try so we packed up and headed down to the corner of a small plaza on State Rd 16.  As you walked in the aromas from the grill and the friendly smiles at the bar made you feel instantly comfortable. They have a great selection of specially selected wines and hand-crafted beer so we all grabbed a drink as we waited for our table to be ready.  So you get the idea, this is not a huge place but one that smells and feels very inviting.

    On to their award winning “best of” burger called The Conquistador!   The description reads, "a datil pepper stuffed burger topped with bacon, chorizo, manchego, onion straws, lettuce tomato raw onion, pickles and chimichurri, all on our house made bread".  So to break it down; it was a fresh made to order patty stuffed with a cream cheese and datil pepper(medium spice) mixture in the center; a Spanish, not too strong, melted cheese on top; then chopped up bacon and sausage on top of that, crisp onion straws that give a little crunch but get soft when mixed with all the cheese and creaminess that add just enough onion flavor but not too harsh; some fresh veggies on top of that to lighten it up (yeah right??); some of their homemade bread and butter pickles, then homemade chimichurri sauce consisting of  parsley, garlic and vinegar, among other things, which does give it a brightness from all the rich flavors. And finally it’s all stuffed into their house made bun. It is for sure more than a mouthful but I attempted to taste all of the flavors at once and it was definitely an award winning bite!

    Our group tried the Datil Burger which was a made to order patty stuffed with that creamy somewhat spicy datil pepper and scallion cream cheese served on their house made bun, so if you want to try a stuffed burger that oozes out some spicy cream cheese give this a try!

    A chicken sandwich was also given a shot, but it was not your ordinary bird. Pollo Rustica was its name. Blackened chicken breast, with goat cheese, roasted peppers, and balsamic onions (yes they took the onions and marinated them til they were soft from the balsamic vinegar) then topped with their house basil dressing and of course served on the bun!

    One of our adventurous girls opted to try their nightly special - Mahi Mahi Francaise with a lemon, mushroom garlic and white wine butter sauce. The fish was cooked to perfection, flaky and tender and not overly battered. The garlic lemon, wine and butter sauce added a nice zing to the fish which kept you coming back for more.

    We read about their house brined fried pickles so an appetizer was ordered to share. They were the bread and butter kind not dill so they had a sweet saltiness which was so good. They came with a horseradish mustard dipping sauce that brought out even more flavor.
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    I know  I keep talking about their bread and there is a reason.  House made buns that do not get used that day are used to create this amazing white chocolate bread pudding.  They serve it topped with whipped cream and a caramel sauce.  It’s not the heavy kind of bread pudding you are used to, this is light and fluffy and went so fast at our table I almost didn’t get to try a bite!  Luckily my wandering fork (or should I say spoon) found the last spoonful. It was the perfect bite after such a world of flavorful food!

I love finding off the beaten trail hidden away restaurants.  Whats even more of a find is one that has been refurbished revamped and has come alive again.  Milltop Tavern is just that restaurant.  If you blink an eye you will pass its entrance which is right off of St. George Street in St. Augustine. Upon entering you will find a cool bar area, a place for a band and seating overlooking several courtyards.  You can enjoy drinking, dining and dancing al fresco!  A group of us girls tried several of their specialty drinks, the Pick me up was just that! Made with Baileys, Amaretto, half n half, coffee and all topped with whipped cream.  So cool and creamy it gave you that “pick me up” to continue going the rest of the day.  The other favorite was the Purple Lollipop, made with grape vodka, grenadine, blue curacao and lemonade and came with a purple sucker. So refreshing and so fun!  The food has been revamped as well. The peel and eat shrimp was plump and juicy. The pretzel bites were tossed in just enough garlic and parmesan that kept you reaching for more.  We were just snacking that day but my mom and I went back for dinner to give the fried shrimp a try.  It had a nice light seasoned floured batter and tasted very fresh.  I opted for the potato salad instead of fries and it had just the right amount of mayo, not too overpowering that you couldn’t taste the potatoes. Yum!  They had a limited menu during spring break but they will have their full menu up and running in April.  So if you are in the mood for some great drinks, fun, food and entertainment and want to take a break from all of the hubbub downstairs…search for the Milltop sign and head on up!


Fun facts: The Milltop was originally a gristmill, built in the 1880s. It first became a bar in the 1950s. The building was expanded in the 1970s and became known as Milltop Tavern and Listening Room. They were well known for their live music, the unique treehouse feel, and wonderful location on St. George Street. In 2016, this building required a complete renovation.  Because of the historic site, the city of Saint Augustine performed an archaeological dig, and unearthed interesting items like pottery shards, a well, and even a two foot diameter gopher tortoise shell! After Hurricanes Matthew and Irma they are finally rebuilt. They were even able to salvage their Pecky Cypress paneling and reused it on the stage and bar!

by Lori Allen, Local Foodie

Here we are, out and about again and have traveled over to the Mandarin area in search of some fun food finds.  Season’s Dumpling and Bakery did not disappoint.  It is located in a small older shopping plaza on Old St Augustine Rd but it is relatively new and you can see at first site when entering that everything is bright, clean and modern. What first catches your eye is the dumpling making in progress right as you walk in! The kitchen is all clear glass which enables you to watch your meal making in progress.          I thought it would be fun to add a twist on the Perfect Bite Foodie Blog and so the 210 Tasting Group evolved. This is a group of friends that like to eat and try new things as much as I do and give me their opinions as well.  Now I get to taste even more dishes and see what other places others have found to try! This was our first adventure.
    So, we all got seated and were excited to try a multitude of different things. Each girl ordered their favorite and we all shared with the group. It was a great way for everyone to try something that they may not normally try and at this place there were definitely things that I personally have not tried before!
    Seeing how we are at a dumpling restaurant, the dumplings are a must of course.  There were many variations to try from.  So to start we ordered what they call the soup dumpling (XIAO LONG BAO).  This comes in one of those metal steamer type pans and is served piping hot. So don’t be an amateur like I was and try to put one in your mouth as soon as they come out because they are hot! hot! hot!, as in heat not taste. So let them cool down just a bit before digging in.  The dumpling is made out of soft wonton like dough, and there is a rich broth in there and then you have some ground pork mixed with their  seasonings such as soy sauce, rice wine, cilantro, just to name a few.  You just need to surrender to the aromatic symphony of the filling tickling your senses. Ok, now go ahead, slowly bite into it. An explosion of rich, steaming, hot juice oozes into the groove of your tongue, dribbling down the side of your chin, and you try to catch any escaping broth with your spoon. No, don’t just stop at one!  The looks on the girls faces was priceless as they ate these. It was first curiosity then delight and then a little laugh as they wiped their chin and dug in for a second one.
    On as side note, if you are curious like me…. Inside the dumpling are little pockets of gelatinized broth made from chicken, pork and cured ham. When you steam the dumpling, the broth gelatin melts which of course creates the delicious broth. Voila!  Xiaolongbao, or literally, "little basket bun", is thought to have originated in Shanghai. Legend has it that its inventor was a man named Huang Mingxian, a restaurateur in Shanghai.
    We also tried some of pan fried and boiled dumplings that were different than the soups ones. They did not come filled with any liquid and were created more like a pot sticker.  We had some filled with pork and cabbage and beef and mushroom.  Both of them had a mild seasoned meat and noodle that tasted great when dipped into some sesame oil the flavor popped. We liked the pan fried ones the best though because they came with a spicy peanut sauce over them that gave them a little extra punch.

We moved on to the buns, or Guabao. It is a flat, clam-shaped steamed white bun with soy sauce braised pork belly, pickled mustard vegetables, peanut powder, sugar, and cilantro inside.  When you first bite into it you get the taste of the richness of the pork belly and the soft bun, then your taste buds move on to the brininess of the vegetables and the sweetness of the peanut powder. It’s a pretty interesting combination and works really well together.
Our favorite shareable by far was the stuffed chive pies. It took me a second to figure these out but I didn’t mind because they tasted so good!  The chive that they use is much different than what we would consider a chive. The Japanese chives are big leafy greens and aren’t as bitter as our chives. They have a fresh herb taste which is tossed in some of their special spices, stuffed into some fresh wonton dough and deep fried. They kind of look like a little tart. Each mouthful is filled with the fresh herbs and seasonings and then the crunch of the wonton. Really good. We also love the Fived Spice fried Calamari. It comes tossed in a seasoned beer battered mixture then flash fried. The breading is a light and the calamari sweet and tender. They are prepared with a lot of seasoning on them so you may want to add a little duck sauce for dipping.
Veggie stir fry was the next on the menu.  This is seasonal so for our dinner we got a plate of steaming baby bok choy that has been seasoned to perfection. I am not sure what their method is for adding flavor but it allows the fresh veggies to shine.  This would make any vegetarian satisfied.
Even with all our appetizers and shareables we did manage to order one bowl and I was so glad we did! It was called 3 cups chicken.  It was a stir fry of chicken, scallions and fresh basil. It was a bit spicy but I loved it.  The chicken was coated so it held in all the different spices that they use, you could taste the sesame oil, soy sauce and some other Taiwanese spices. If I had to guess they spiced it up by using the red chili peppers that Taiwanese are famous for. When you go you will notice that there is no salt or pepper on the tables, but chili oils, sesame oils, and soy sauce to flavor and salt your dishes. 
Nosey me went around and checked out several other tables and the aromas that came from all the different bowls smelled so wonderful I thought I’ll need to come back and try a rice or noodle bowl next time!
So a pleasant treat is that they have a bakery attached to their restaurant.  This is so worth trying out if you want to try some authentic Japanese inspired Taiwanese-style milk toasts and buns. They only use high gluten flour to infuse protein and great texture in each loaf. Because their recipes only contain fresh ingredients it allows you to enjoy the flavor without the overpowering sense of sweetness.  They use a process known as Poolish or Biga and due to their strict policies of never using chemicals or preservatives they are able to use this process to rise the dough for sixteen hours, four consecutive times, so the bread can slowly and naturally flourish.  This gives the bread an incredible lightness and the soft texture and tastiness that will leave you wanting more.

Here are a few comments from The 210 Tasting group:

I loved the unique delicious flavors and extremely friendly staff, and the company of course.- Debbie G

I enjoyed trying so many different items at one time! My favorites were the soup dumplings, veggie stir fry and the stuffed chive pies!- Pat

This food was out of my comfort zone and I was pleasantly surprised with the flavors and taste. I really enjoyed the soup balls and the pork slider.- Trish

Having the opportunity to eat freshly prepared authentic Chinese cuisine is in itself a treat but nothing compares to the burst of heaven you get when you order their soup dumplings. Yum Yum!- Ali

One last thing I found very cool…they offer Dumpling classes! So you can go back and learn how to make those tasty treats all for yourself!  
 

by Lori Allen, Local Food Blogger

St. Augustine, Fla. – November 8, 2018 – St. Augustine Distillery, recently voted 2018 Best Whiskey Tour in North America, will launch the world’s first barrel-finished old fashioned bourbon, The Saint, on Friday, November 23. The Saint is a 114.4 proof, old fashioned finished bourbon. The release is limited with only two barrels and priced at $199 in a decorative 750 ml bottle.

    Unfiltered and barrel strength, The Saint is created by taking three-year old stocks of bourbon and finishing the spirit in barrels which produced the distillery’s signature Old Fashioned Mix.

    “This unique combination creates a barrel strength bourbon that drinks like a 90 proof and tastes like it’s 10 years old,” said CEO and co-founder Philip McDaniel. “We made only two barrels in this first release. 30 percent of the product has already been pre-ordered by our bourbon club members and we expect the remaining bottles to sell out quickly.”

    The company’s first holiday gift pack, Old Fashioned Kit, will be available on Friday, November 30. The set includes a 750ml Double Cask Bourbon (93.8 proof), with one engraved 10 oz. rocks glass, two sample bottles of the distillery’s Old-Fashioned Mix, and is priced at $60.
​
    The following week, on Friday, December 7, the distillery will release its new flagship bourbon, Florida Straight Bourbon. The bourbon is aged for a minimum of three years in 53-gallon new oak barrels and is 88 proof. The bourbon will be priced at $50.

    St. Augustine Distillery is operation seven days a week with gift shop and tours open from 10am to 6pm. Free tours and tastings every half hour. Follow on Instagram @StAugustineDistillery and Facebook @StAugustineDistilleryCompany. For more information, call 904-825-4962 or visit www.staugustinedistillery.com.

by Lori Allen

​Its that time of year again! Shopping for the holidays and enjoying some good food and wine!  Here are a few places to check out.

​Coastal Wine Market & Tasting Room
(Nocatee) 641 Crosswater Parkway b, Nocatee, FL 32081 . (904) 395-3520
www.coastalwinemarket.com

So when you open the door to this ornate yet not pretentious, quaint Tasting Room you are greeted right away with warm friendly smiles and hellos. You can see all the wonderful wines displayed and a chalkboard listing all the specials. Because it was the holidays my friends and I decided to go with a little sparkling Rose seeing how it was the special of the evening.  It was light and somewhat fruity with lots of bubbles, a perfect pairing for some cheese and crackers. We went with just one cheese, a nice sharp Manchego that was served with toasted bread and herbed Pecans.  This set the tone right away with every bite complimenting the sparkling wine.  Our next wine was a Pinot Noir and we choose some Coastal Wine Potato Wedges or as others would refer to them as loaded potato skins. They were filled with wild boar, Karst Cave Aged Cheddar and were served with a side of Lemon Chive Aioli for dipping.  They were not huge, hence the name “small plates” but they were packed with flavor! You could taste the meatiness of the boar and sharpness of the cheese cooled down with the Aioli. Really good. We also tried the Rustic Stuffed Mushrooms and had to fight over who got the last one! These are filled with Italian cheese and crispy prosciutto and of course a nice tangy cabernet reduction. Swipe those thru the reduction and pop them in your mouth for a bite of rich creamy mushroom flavor with just a tad bit of “zing” from the wine.   YUM!  Our last bite of flavor was their market meatballs. You can order as many as you want because they are priced per piece.  They come with what they call “Homemade Jersey Gravy” which is essentially a wonderful garlicky red sauce that the meatballs are simmered in and then they top it off with some fresh Basil Ricotta Cheese.  You can’t stop dipping your meatball in that soft creamy cheese!

The Cellar upstairs at San Sebastian Winery 
157 King St, St Augustine, FL 32084.  (904) 826-1594.  
www.sansebastianwinery.com

The cellar upstairs at San Sebastian Winery is another great place to stop by in St. Augustine.   Their food menu has grown and they have choices such as a cheese platter, meat and cheese platter, Beef Carpaccio- my favorite which is espresso rubbed shaved beef tenderloin served with a 3 pepper sauce, topped with shaved parmesan. This dish is meaty and savory but yet light because of the thinly shaved beef. It pairs well with a nice Cabernet Sauvignon. Baguettes, pretzels, sandwiches are also on the menu as well as some local craft beers. Live music can be heard most weekend afternoons and Saturday nite from the roof top bar which also boasts of a great view of the city and sunsets.

Cooper's Hawk Winery 
& Restaurant 4850 Big Island Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32246.  (904) 559-4999. 
 www..chwinery.com

For a fun place to take a break at while shopping at the town center hit the bar at  Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant where there is always something going on.  Most evenings they offer wine tastings and sometimes if you are lucky free samples as you walk in the door!  There is a full service restaurant but the bar area is lively and offers lots of great deals.  They have what they call Dana’s Pineappletini which tastes as good as it sounds, tart and sweet all rolled into one. I like to get the Ahi Tuna Tacos blackened and Seared Rare and then topped with citrus Slaw, Pico de Gallo, Avocado, and Cilantro Wasabi Cream.  The blackened tuna is so tender and the cilantro Wasabi cream adds the tang and heat. Flatbreads are on the menu and there are several choices. My favorite is the one with Italian Sausage& whipped Ricotta, Pesto, Mozzarella and grated Parmesan which goes excellent with their house red.

​Cheddars Scratch Kitchen.
4954 Town Center Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32246
www.cheddars.com

If you are thirsty and need an extra pick me up to continue on shopping at the town center stop on by Cheddars Scratch Kitchen. They have this insanely good watermelon margarita that is served with a huge slice of watermelon, so cool and refreshing.  It goes great with their Spicy buffalo Cauliflower bites, just enough heat to go along with the cooling margarita. I love that they have a Spiked Cherry Limeade which brings back some old time memories. If you really want to quench your thirst try their Texas Sweet Tea made with Firefly Sweet Tea vodka, amaretto, lemonade, and more vodka. Limit 2 per guest! So don’t be trying to shop afterwards because who knows what your Visa will say in the morning!?  
  

Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill 
377 South Roscoe Blvd Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

When you are done with shopping Palm Valley Outdoors is right under the bridge heading out or coming back from Micklers. Not to be confused with another similar named restaurant (although both are good) this one is more casual and you can rent water sporting equipment from them.   They have a large selection of some great wines and crafted drinks but at this place I’m all about the buckets!  Anchor Bucket, Treasure Chest and my favorite Totally Crushing it! Stoli Crush Grapefruit, Pineapple, Champagne and more! It goes great with their blackened fish tacos or one of their specials of the month. I was lucky enough to get the lobster special and it was cooked to perfection along with a little Ol’bay seasoned button and beautiful sunset. Definitely a place to go and “chill”.


South Kitchen & Spirits 
Ponte Vedra (Nocatee)
150 Pine Lake Drive, Suite A Ponte Vedra 
www.south.kitchen

Another good stop before or after the beach is South Kitchen & Spirits. You can have dinner or just a snack and drinks. The menu is seasonal so you never know what inventive and exciting new entrees or snacks will appear. They make everything in house so no matter what you try it’s gonna be good.  I love their crispy chicken legs with molasses buffalo wing sauce. Sweet and heat can’t be beat!  And of course their homemade blue cheese cools everything off. This goes great with a drink called the Ice Pick which is Citrus Vodka, Double Strength Tea, Lemonade served in their Mason jars.  It kind of reminds you of the Long Island tea but Southern style.  They also have plenty of good wine choices and serve half bottles of wine which you don’t see often. Their Happy hour is every day! And you get half off any drink (no matter what it is) and half of appetizes as well served in the bar or out on the Patio. Now that that weather is cooling off this is a great deal and a fun way to relieve the shopping stress!


Carrera Wine Cellar
35 San Marco Ave.St. Augustine
www.carrerawinecellar.com

If you are heading down to Saint Augustine to find that unique gift and need a break give Carrera Wine Cellar a try. They are close to all the antique shops on San Marco so they are great spot to take in a nice glass of wine and figure out your next stop.  There is a small outdoors area as well which is nice when the weather is good. They have an extensive choice of wines as well as a small snack menu. I love that they offer all kinds of fun classes and events throughout the months but what is really cool is their Enomatic. It is apparently America’s favorite Wine Sampling Machine which is a fun and interactive way to taste a variety of wines, so give it a try!


While you are in the Nocatee area don’t forget to stop by Coastal Wine Market and Tasting room. You can pick up that last minute gift (who doesn’t like a nice bottle of wine or a basket) and have a glass for yourself while you are there.


Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!