 CALLING ALL LOCALS if you haven't been to LA CATRINA Tacos & Tequila Bar recently then you are missing out! The restaurant has done a complete makeover from the new murals on the wall to new and exciting Authentic Mexican dishes. The secret is out (much to the chagrin of some of the regulars who have been quietly enjoying all the new recipes and cocktails!) and you must re-visit this establishment! First let's talk about the diversity of the food. Of course there are the usual great authentic Mexican suspects but they have included some fun and exciting new dishes. Start out with the Ceviche- so fresh and light, Shrimp Onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, cooked in lime juice, topped with avocado and for fun and flare add the tender Octopus(Pulpo). You won't be disappointed. Lets move on to some of the main courses. One of my ultimate favorites is the Molcajete- A hot lava stone bowl filled with grilled steak, sliced chicken breast, chorizo, shrimp, grilled cactus (so juicy and good!) onions, peppers and tomatoes, topped with special sauce and oaxaca cheese. This easily feeds two if not three people and is filled with so much flavor that you can't help but reach in for more! Than there is of course their street Tacos. I recently was introduced to birria tacos, a traditional dish from Jalisco, Mexico, with tender beef, spicy sauce, and crispy tortillas. LA CATRINA steps it up a notch with melty quesabirria tacos - that's right cheese and a flavorful broth to dip all that goodness into! Gotta love the Jaguar taco - Battered fried fish on a bed of slaw, pico de gallo, cheese, topped with mango habanero salsa. And the Chinola Ribeye Taco -Ribeye steak, topped with house chimichurri (my fav), pico de gallo, and queso fresco. Or how about being a little daring and try the Taco Lengua (you guessed it!) -Beef Tongue Taco: choice of corn or flour tortilla, topped with cilantro and onions. There are so many more to choose from and of course they have special pricing on "Taco Tuesdays!" And for variety because as you know its the spice of life! Give the Cream of Mushroom Pollo a try - seasoned grilled chicken breast topped with their very own house special cream of mushroom sauce. So creamy and good! 
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by Lori Allen My Wandering Fork  Being from Boston and Irish Italian, I’m pretty familiar with what we call Little Italy or the North End of Boston and the typical food that Italians from that area love. I was recently introduced to Philadelphia's "Southend" or what they refer to as South Philly and the foods that those Italians are proud to share and have been made famous. South Philly foods included cheesesteak, stromboli, hoagie, soft pretzel, water ice, and soda.Everyone has heard of (unless you live under a rock) of the Philly cheesesteak . But do you know the history behind the making of this fabulous sandwich? In the 1930s, the phenomenon as a steak sandwich began when South Philly's Italian-American brothers Pat Olivieri and Harry Olivieri put grilled beef on a hot dog bun and gave it to a taxi driver. Later, after Pat and Harry had started selling the sandwich on Italian rolls the cheese was melted in a separate container to accommodate their large clientele who followed kosher rules, thereby not mixing dairy and meat. Today, cheese choices in South Philly are virtually limited to American, Provolone, or Cheez Whiz. (After Kraft Cheese Whiz went on the market in 1952, Pat Olivieri realized he could heat up the entire can on the grill and put cheese on some of the sandwiches without contaminating the grill with dairy. Thus, the cheesesteak was born). We are lucky enough to have our own authentic South Philly Italian Deli right here in our area. Stephanie and her husband Joe decided that they wanted to introduce South Philly to North Florida and so Derita's was born. Stephanie has a long history of working in the restaurant business so she knows quality and only orders the freshest and finest ingredients from around the world. Just about everything is imported from Italy or brought in from Philly thus making the food the very best at providing the true Italian flavor. They, of course, have perfected the Philly cheese steak made with the tenderest of Ribeye, topped with either fresh onions or grilled (none of the other stuff that true Philadelphians would never put on a Philly cheesesteak), and of course the "wiz" but if you prefer to be a little fru-fru they will happily oblige with either cooper sharp provolone (sooo smooth and creamy) or cheddar. These are only served on Wednesdays so get your order in early! You do NOT want to miss out! Their daily menu consists of the finest of Italian imported meats as well as some amazing ones that you would not see in a typical sandwich (Hoagie) shop in North Florida. Such as Soppressata which is an Italian dry salami (dry fermented sausage), a culinary specialty of Calabria, Southwestern Italy. It is one of the staple types of salami that has different variations specific to each region. In Northern Italy, it is called “sopressa”. Soppressata’s overall savory flavor is from dry chili flakes, salt, and assortments of pepper used to season it. On the other hand, the most common salami variants are usually seasoned with salt, vinegar, and garlic. That is why its taste is more garlicky. Derita's has many choices that include this meat but I would highly recommend trying the hot Soppressata, it's not as hot as you may think but it adds so much flavor to your already stuffed hoagie it's like adding icing on the cake! Mortadella- is another meat that is not typically seen on the menu. Some may call it the bologna of Italy, Mortadella is rich and fatty and the spices and pistachios are designed to give the meat several layers of flavor. The pistachios and spices (typically myrtle berries or black pepper) add freshness and vibrancy — and a bit of bite or spice — to the otherwise smooth, mild meat. Very rarely will you see this meat in any sandwich shop in this area but Derita's has come up with a combination of a Hoagie made with Mortadella, Fresh Mozzarell, and Pistachio Pesto! Are you kidding me Pistachio Pesto!? Something seriously unique ..give it a try! These handcrafted, hand-sliced made to order Hoagies (Derived from "Hog Island" sandwich; hence, the "hoagie". It was declared the official sandwich of Philadelphia in 1992) also come with some flavor-packed toppings such as roasted red peppers, pistachio pesto, arugula, Sauteed Broccoli Rabe ( known in Italian as rapini, a green vegetable that looks like leafy broccoli but is more closely related to the turnip. Broccoli rabe (Brassica ruvo) is also called rapini, raab, or rabe (both pronounced "rahb"), bitter broccoli, and turnip broccoli. It's botanically closer to turnips and the taste is more like mustard or turnip greens.) and their famous Long Hots. I had to have a deep discussion about what a long hot was. So here's the lowdown- Long Hots - peppers are known for their mild to medium level of spiciness. In terms of flavor, Long Hots offer a subtle sweetness with a hint of heat, making them a favorite among those who enjoy a milder spice profile and are imported from Italy (Stephanie suggested that it's like the datil pepper which is indigenous to here) . There is also a Long Hots pepper oil that Derita's keeps in stock so ask for it and you may just surprise yourself at how much you love the flavor! A Philly-style Italian pork sandwich is a thing of beauty, or so the South Philly's think.. It is heaped with roasted pork, smothered in drippy broccoli rabe (or spinach, depending on who you’re talkin’ to), topped with peppers, laden with a base of gooey provolone cheese, and served on a perfectly crisp yet soft Italian roll. Some say that because it's layered with flavors it is far more satisfying than your average cheesesteak. Let us let you decide! Derita's serves this every Sunday. Sunday only you ask? This Italian roll sandwich popularized in Philadelphia by Italian immigrants is a variation of the Italian street food dish known as porchetta. Roast Pork is commonly served during Christmas celebrations and on Sundays. So keeping up with traditions, Derita's serves this every Sunday. But make sure you call ahead so that it doesn't sell out on you! Last but not least the Chicken Cutlet. Hand-breaded and deep-fried to a golden brown, this well-seasoned tender chicken cutlet is good on its own, but add some of Derita's special combinations and you have something like no other. My personal favorite is the DDD, tender juicy chicken cutlet, fried eggplant (yes and so good) Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarell, Roasted Red Peppers, Broccoli Rabl, Long Hots, and a balsamic glaze. This sandwich is packed with so much flavor that you can not stop taking bite after bite! And trust me the small is good enough for two but I ain't sharin! My son is all about the Cutlet Parm..that's right, a chicken parm dinner served up in the most perfect bread brought in from Liscio's Bakery(Philly) Soft on the inside and crusty on the out. Just perfect to hold all the juicy chicken, melty mozzarell, and homemade tomato sauce. Perfection! Derita's food is as authentic as it gets and they are proud to serve the finest imported ingredients which make their hoagies a step above the rest! Philadelphia became home to the second-largest Italian-American population in the United States. The legacy of the Italian and Italian-American identity endures in Philadelphia and it’s a testament to a strong beautiful culture filled with lasting traditions, deep community ties, and incredible pride, something that Stephanie and Joe have brought with them to Derita's and is hoping to share with you all! Next time you order dont forget to ask for brah-zhoot, gabagool and mozzarell added to any Hoagie and the Derita's will know where you come from! Until Next time #MyWanderingfork by Lori Allen My Wandering Fork Featured Local Restaurant Julington Creek Fish House & Oyster Co. 112 Bartram Oaks Walk, Suite 102 St. Johns Florida 904 -217-8620  Calling all food lovers!! Anyone looking for great food deals during the week? After all, who doesn't like the "chef's special" or "special of the day"; Especially now that the kids are back in school and everything is go go go! Wouldn't it be nice to have some great food you don't have to cook at a great price? Well, listen up… I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoy the nightly specials at Julington Creek Fish House and Oyster Company at Bartram Walk. Monday Let's take Mondays for example, you've carted around everyone all weekend, so why not take a break and stop in and get yourself a pound of the juiciest crab legs for a fraction of the cost. Big tender crab drenched in warm butter. I personally need to have at least 2 pounds because they are that good. Tuesday Or Tuesday after dropping the kids off at practice, or stopping off from work for a quick break. All-you-can-eat SHRIMP! and it comes in three different ways. Grilled or Blackened both skewered and cooked to perfection. Or lightly breaded and deep fried to golden deliciousness. And guess what, you can try them all! Just start off with one kind and work your way through all three after all it is all you can EAT. Wednesday Hump day (Wednesday) Fresh Oysters on sale! along with sipping a cool glass of white wine sounds like the perfect hump day to me! I love them raw with a little lemon, horseradish, and just a little melted butter…crazy I know but so so good. Lightly steamed for my second batch (yes they are that cheap) with melted butter and topped off with a dab of cocktail sauce served up on a cracker. My Hump day is complete! Thursday Of course, this former New Englander's ultimate favorite is Thursday Lobster nite. A full steamed lobster with a side, you can't buy it and make it yourself for what they charge you here..and guess what… there is no mess for you to clean! Winner! Personally, I like to dive right in there cracking and pulling out that tender juicy lobster, dipping it in the butter, and plopping it into my mouth so fast that the butter dribbles down my chin. Trust me not one part of that lobster ever gets wasted! It all goes into my happy belly. I would be remiss if I didn't mention their homemade sides. I know they are an afterthought from the main course but the ones here at the Fish & Oyster Co, someone must've told them that we ain't serving no average sides, I mean grilled asparagus tossed in Steak butter, topped with parmesan and fried onions, or how about their flame grilled broccoli topped with chimichurri...are you kidding me chimichurri? and my ultimate favorite fried rice, green onion, carrots, and peppers topped with Nori, and fried garlic, outta this world. So cash in on those nightly specials at the Julington Creek Fish House and Oyster Co, you won't be disappointed. My Wandering Fork... |
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| Cordova Coastal Chophouse combines the artistry of fine dining and elegance with the simplicity of our southern charm, along with some Spanish roots. So why not slip away from the familiar streets of downtown and enter another world at Cordova. The cool Clasico design with intimate dining, chophouse classics, local seafood, and cuisine that celebrates our coast with Moorish and Spanish influences. For me, it sounds like a slice of heaven! Now on to the good stuff... Hand-crafted innovative cocktails are amazing and each served in a specially designed elegant glass, Rose Thyme Aperol Spritz for example, thyme-infused Aperol, prosecco rose’ and a splash of club soda. Refreshing and intriguing, the thyme adds an unexpected herb flair. I also tried their Lavender 75. Not sure what the 75 stands for but it’s made with smooth Hendricks gin, lavender syrup prosecco(bubbles), and lemon. It was like a soothing cocktail with a twist, warm sweet, and bubbly. I was so excited that they had tartare on the menu. I love anything tartare (I’m weird like that) but I find that whether it’s tuna or beef you get the authentic taste of the meats/fish mixed with some really fresh herbaceous seasoning. Here they mixed fresh tuna pickled apple, castelvetrano olives, cucumber, radish, and along with their fresh seasonings to make the perfect bite. I was feeling adventurous and went for the grilled octopus and pork belly. Seemed like an odd combination to me. Grilled octopus & Pork Belly topped with a citrus vinaigrette, tomato jam, and crushed almonds. It tasted like a little bit of the sea mixed in with the land, it was so tender and juicy with a touch of acid to cut the fat. I would order it over and over again. Beets and Burrata..need I say more? Heirloom Beets, Burrata, and pistachios with some sprinkled citrus on top. The rustic earthiness of the beets with the fluffiness’ of the cheese..Yes! Allen Brothers prime filet, butter roasted garlic, and truffle butter. Let me tell you it doesn’t get any more top-notch than that. If you have ever had any meat from the Allen Brothers you know it’s a cut above all others. Built on a legacy rooted in Chicago, Allen Brothers pour their pride into everything they do, from sourcing, to aging, to hand-cutting their meats. They have a level of consistency and quality that doesn’t exist anywhere else! If you want a steak this is for sure the way to go! Only the best. One last food dish I just had to mention Roasted Halibut- Calabrian chili pesto, peperonata (peppers and onions), and saffron cauliflower. I was drooling over this dish and I was not disappointed. Come on pesto?? for real? It infused its goodness into the fish with this nutty, basily, garlicky topping, each bite was as good as the next. I was able to try some of the chef’s specialty deserts (chocolate orb?? wow) and they were amazing! But the expresso martini with Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Starbucks expresso (brewed right there), and Kahlua just completed me. I was a happy camper and totally enjoyed my Staycation experience. This Wanderingfork gives them a +++ ! | On a side note the hotel is breathtaking and a nice place to hang out and have a cocktail. They also have a “hidden” room where they put on an intimate Magic show which I never knew. They say that it is an interactive mind-bending illusion that happens right before your face! Sounds pretty cool too~ Adios’ til my next adventure. #Mywanderingfork |
www.pescavilano.com
by Lori Allen, My Wandering Fork
| Has this weather been something or what? One day it's freezing, the next it's so hot it makes you want to head to the beach.! I guess that's why I love it here so much. I get just enough of the cold for my northern roots then back to the warmth and sunshine that I crave. So with Spring break and Summer heat just around the corner I found the perfect place to hang out and enjoy the views, the ocean and some really good eats. Vilano beach is the new "hot" spot with its revitalized area that gives off that cool Miami beach vibe, pastel colors and all. Here you will find Pesca by Michael's (Pesca Vilano) located in the new Hyatt Hotel. The owner and creator is one of our very own, Chef Michael Lugo ( From Michael's Tasting room) and if you know his food you know what an amazing and inventive chef hes is and once again he doesn't disappoint! His new adventure inspired him to go back to his native roots, Puerto Rico and bring to us some Caribbean flavors with a latino flare. While the main dining room offers a really exquisite dining experience (lobster paella or caviar anyone?) It's the rooftop restaurant/bar that had my attention. I'm not one to miss a good viewing rooftop bar and tapas and this one is awesome. The view is spectacular, on one side you can see our historic beloved St. Augustine downtown and on the other side you can smell the salt of the ocean and hear and see the waves crashing in. There is no way to go wrong up here! So let's get to the point as to why My Wandering Fork is checking this place out...It's the food and hand crafted cocktails don't you know it! | Oysters, two different kinds, one roasted and the other raw served with a passion fruit mignonette that is so light and tangy that it compliments the natural saltiness of the oyster. You will want to slurp down as many as possible of these! Next fresh Poke tuna tacos. Tossed in furikake that has a savory umami flavor served in a crispy wonton taco topped off with a touch of wasabi. The crunch mixed in with light fresh tuna is heaven in a bite. Octopus you say? No Not Calamari but real marinated octopus, the kind the Caribbean is famous for. Pesca's named their dish Salpicon de Pulpo which basically means finely minced together garlic,onion,pepper and a squeeze of lime. This style of cooking brings out the juiciness of the octopus while maintaining its freshness. I love that they serve it in a homemade plantain cup topped off with a cool creamy avocado crema. If you are even a little bit adventurous this one's for you! So they have these Yuca Croquettes, think mozzy sticks elevated! Yuca is a starchy vegetable root much like a potato commonly used throughout the Caribbean and other countries. The yuca is boiled, seasoned and formed into a ball, then  |
The Art of Culinary Fusion | stuffed with ooey gooey cheese, rolled in panko and deep fried. A pure mouth bomb of goodness. Anyone love bao buns ? Those super soft, almost sweet like buns originating from China are usually filled with all kinds of goodies. At Pesca's they make theirs stuffed with tamarind short rib that is the tenderest, pickled veg, cilantro, and a little fresh Jalapeno to add just the right amount of heat. Warm buns, marinated meat and a little heat. Sounds like a winner to me! I could go on and on with all that Tapas that Pesca's has to offer, from fresh seafood to burgers and chicken, lumpia, churros, homemade desserts and more! All served so uniquely with that caribbean latin flair. But you must not forget to try a uniquely handcrafted cocktail (or two). Their lavender mojito is soothing and minty all in one! I was lucky enough to try their famous Pesca Punch's made with Lugo’s Pitorro Rum(Puerto Rico born owner) , guava, pineapple, lemon, bitters all served in this fantastic fish mug! So refreshing and light a perfect cocktail for a sunset and warm ocean breezes....Simply enjoy! Well My Wandering fork is off to find another adventure...see you all soon! |
 Pastry Chef Rebecca Reid & Chef Michael Lugo |  |
By Lori Allen, My Wandering Fork
Palm Valley Fact # 2:
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.
Low-Key Coastal Cuisine
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.
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.
Dishes You Won't Forget
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!
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!
by Lori Allen, My Wandering Fork
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!
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!
Bella Vista
540 SR 13 #10
Fruit Cove, Florida 32259
www.bellavistaitalian.com
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 Vista 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”.
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”.
Check out all the different
food nationalities in
our Northern St. Johns area!
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!
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!
Boston's North End Comes to CR 210 West
by Lori Allen
|
The North End or otherwise known as Little Italy has come to our little slice of the world on County Road 210! Being from Boston and a frequent visitor of the North End as well as NYC, I have been known to search out the best Italian joints around town. I am so excited now to have two great choices right here in our own backyard!
Poppy's Italiano 104 Ashourian Ave, Ste 101. St. Augustine, Fl 32259 904-679-3657 Poppys Italiano is a family owned no-nonsense Italian comfort food restaurant with a full bar and a drive thru for easy pickup. A favorite is their pasta combo sure to fill your Italian cravings! It is a combination of creamy cheese and meat lasagna wrapped in pasta layers, cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and spinach for a different take, seasoned meat stuffed ravioli and baked rigatoni all covered in their rich homemade marinara sauce smothered with a blanket of Mozzarella then baked in the oven. This dish comes out piping hot with all of its ooey, gooey deliciousness. There are tons of dishes to choose from that celebrate all of the Italian classics and more! I love that they have early bird specials from 3pm to 5:30pm Monday thru Saturday and from 12pm to 5:30pm on Sunday. These specials come with soup or salad and even a glass of wine or beer if you choose. What a deal! At Poppy's, you're there to eat, drink , relax and enjoy authentic Italian Cuisine that will leave your belly full and your heart wanting to come back for more! Al Dente Ristorante Italiano 90 Shops Blvd Unit 60, St Johns, FL 32259 ( 904) 217-3255 Mounsif Ghninou owner of Al Dente’s Ristorante Italiano, started his culinary journey in 1983 working in Boston’s North End as a chef in an authentic Italian restaurant and decided to bring the flavors of Boston’s North End to our neighborhood. One of my favorites is their Bruschetta which is lightly toasted garlic bread topped with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, crisp red onion, salty sweet prosciutto and creamy fresh mozzarella finished off with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette glaze. Its so fresh and light yet fulfilling. Their garlic shrimp that are just soaking in this garlicky white wine sauce are so good that you will want extra bread to sop up the extra goodness. One of the best happy hours around with their 1/2 off appetizers along with their drink specials, 4$ drafts, 5$ wines, 6$ wells served Mon-Fri 2pm-6pm/Sat-Sun 3pm-5pm. At Al Dente you will enjoy great authentic Northern Italian dishes along with a fun atmosphere and warm friendly faces enticing you to always come back again. |
by Lori Allen, My Wandering Fork
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
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
| What’s for breakfast, what’s for breakfast that is all I hear every Saturday and Sunday mornings. I don’t know about you but this Grumpy gal is like can’t you just find something and let me sleep in? Well instead of listening to me one day the boys decided it was time for me to get my Grumpy butt out of bed and head over to a new restaurant that they have been dying to try right here on Cr210. You guessed it! Grumpys! Home of the bad mood dude! A Family owned restaurant that has been serving Orange Park for years and has now expanded over to our area! Well the minute I stepped inside I knew that “Grumpy” was not happening here! The staff was so friendly and welcoming and the place was warm and bustling with lots of gaieties and wonderful smells. Our waitress Jess wasted no time in coming over and happily served this no longer grumpy gal some fresh flavored coffee of the day, Crème Brule – it was so rich and creamy it instantly put a smile on my face. As I perused thru the menu I was pleasantly surprised at the abundant choices. There’s Grumpy Breakfasts, Grumpy Brunches, Grumpy lunches and anything in between. Which for me is perfect because sometimes I want lunch for breakfast, I know I’m a bit weird like that. But on this particular morning I was looking for something special so I asked Jess what one of the favorites was. And much to my surprise it was their Fried Chicken Benedict. So I was like here we go, Breakfast and Lunch all rolled into one! Sounds like a plan to me! Not your typical benedict for sure! Before my eyes appeared one of the flakiest homemade biscuits you’ll ever taste, lightly battered fried chicken a perfectly cooked poached egg all oozing with a spicy buffalo hollandaise on top. I mean come on biscuits, chicken, egg and creamy buffalo sauce! I couldn’t stuff it into my mouth fast enough! The warmth of the chicken and biscuit, along with the sumptuous egg topped off with a sauce that had the perfect amount of heat. You can say it..YUM! So as you know most southerners have a love for cinnamon buns, creamy nutty doughy goodness. At Grumpy’s they have out did themselves with their Cinnamon Bun pancake creation. Who wouldn’t want to delve into a plate full of large made to order fluffy pancakes filled with walnuts topped off with rich creamy icing, powdered sugar and an entire cinnamon bun! I know my boys were in heaven and there was plenty to share! Along with their fresh squeezed orange juice (it’s a really cool machine they use and fun to watch!) The boys were set! Well at least for the next few hours. |    |
The ultimate
Jacksonville Experience
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.
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.
by Lori Allen, My Wandering Fork
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!
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!
by Lori Allen
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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??
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.
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!
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!
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!
Now that's a stimulus package!
Ford's Garage Restaurant! Opening Soon!
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
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
Safe & Delicious Dining during Covid-19
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.
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!
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?
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?
You can reply to this article at www.stjohnsmag.com/the-perfect-bite-new or visit me on Instagram at #mywanderingfork I would love to hear from you! - Lori
Stromboli, Meatballs Sicilian-Style Pizza & Nutella Gelato
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.
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
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
by Lori Allen, Local Foodie
| Belgian Sweet House 445 State Road 13, #5 Fruit Cove, FL 32259 904-703-4021 |  |
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!
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!
Our Local Foodie Visits a New Market in Town with Holiday Party Time in Mind.
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!
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!
 |  |
by Lori Allen
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!
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!
St. Johns Mag
Guest blogger and foodies exploring local restaurants.
Lori Allen is a local who moved from the Boston area to attend Flagler College and never left. She is a family person that loves the beach, football, working out and finding new places to try. Her love for food comes from her northern background and her love of cooking as well as meeting new and interesting people. She has never met a stranger nor has she ever been afraid to try an intriguing place. (Check out all her reviews on stjohnsmag.com)
Lori now has her own instagram page -check it out at mywanderingfork
Lori now has her own instagram page -check it out at mywanderingfork
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Favorite Coffee Houses In St. Johns
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Freshjax Handcrafted Spices
Good Italian Cuisine On CR210W
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Hong Kong Cafe
Hoptinger Bier Garten
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Kingshead British Pub
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Memphis Jax BBQ
Milltop Tavern
Moon Dog Pie House - Pizza In Julington Creek
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Seasons Dumplings & Bakery
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St. Augustine Distillery Releases Bourbon
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The Press
The Reef - A Taste Of The Good Life In St. Johns
Timoti's Seafood Shak
Valley Smoke BBQ
Zulos Pizza
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