by Kara Pound

​The St. Augustine Distillery is proud to announce the official release date of its eagerly awaited Florida Double Cask Bourbon, the first bourbon to be put into barrel in the State of Florida since Prohibition. Florida Double Cask Bourbon will be available at the distillery’s gift shop on Friday, September 9th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and select retailers, bars and restaurants shortly after.  

    “Developed by the best craft distillers in the world, Florida Double Cask Bourbon is a celebration of the Sunshine State, its agriculture and unique maritime climate,” said Philip McDaniel, co-founder and CEO of St. Augustine Distillery. “Florida’s year-round heat and humidity ages our bourbon faster and with greater intensity than anywhere in the country. Our distillers have a running joke that our barrels ‘age in dog years.’”   

    St. Augustine Distillery’s production team utilized several industry legends to assist in this release. Jake Norris, Founding Distiller of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, developed the mash bill. Dave Pickerell, former Master Distiller of Maker’s Mark, designed the production facility and guided the final blending. 

    Florida Double Cask Bourbon is a dark amber, malted bourbon distilled and bottled on-site using local ingredients to capture the distinctive flavors of the region. The spirits in this first bourbon release range from 16 to 28 months. 
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    “New federal regulations require the ‘stated age’ be that of the youngest spirit in the blend,” McDaniel explained. “We aged our whiskey in a sequence of new, wine quality 25-gallon and seasoned 53-gallon barrels. To achieve our flavor profile, we hand-selected dozens and dozens of barrels to blend a unique and robust bourbon.” 

ABOUT FLORIDA DOUBLE CASK BOURBON
• Tasting notes: full-bodied, deep, and complex with notes of caramel, dark fruit, oak and dark chocolate. 
• Triple Gold Medal winner in the 2016 MicroLiquor Awards and Triple Gold Medal winner for package design.
• Bottled at 93.8 proof with 46.9% ABV.
• Price in the gift shop will be $50/750 ml.

​The setting at Aunt Kate’s gets me every time. Its like going back in time to what I imagine Florida was like in the old days. I love driving down the old beachy road and coming up on those giant live oaks and then to the restaurant set along the intracoastal marshlands.  The views are truly spectacular.  This is one of our favorite places to bring the kids but we also go on little date nights for just the two of us.
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    Specializing in old Floridian style food, Aunt Kate’s serves a variety of seafood and other tasty dishes. The simple yet incredibly delicious cornmeal crusted fresh caught flounder is one of my favorites - its the whole fish simply prepared.

    We also love the datil pepper cornbread and clam chowder.  The datil peppers are locally sourced.  Another thing to try is the pilau (perlo), an old-fashioned Minorcan rice dish.   Our kids tried fried gator here for the first time and they say it is delicious.  

    Chef Jake Hollander creates many seafood specialties.  On a recent visit we tried the Sesame Seared Tuna. It's a 6oz Ahi tuna steak pressed in sesame seeds and seared to rare, topped with orange teriyaki and an Asian slaw and garnished with crispy wonton strips.  And the Cajun Mahi Florentine, a blackened 6oz Mahi fillet topped with a Cajun spiced spinach cream sauce and topped with flash fried leeks.  Mouthwatering goodness!
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    Of course, the best way to finish to off your visit to Aunt Kate’s is with a sunset over the Tolomato River and  a short walk to soak in the view and help digest your meal.

by Debbie Gaylord

​​    “We are lucky to be standing here,” said the woman next to  me at the Reef.  “This place could have been destroyed by the hurricane but magically it is still here, intact”.

    My husband and I were at The Reef for the famous Sunday Brunch and I had been thinking the same thing.  It was the first St. Augustine restaurant we visited since the storm and as we drove down A1A, lined with rubble and buildings with orange x marks, we were saddened but grateful to see the familiar ship-like exterior of The Reef. 

    What could be finer on a Sunday morning than escaping for a little day date at a St. Augustine (Vilano Beach) icon. The Reef, known for its casual elegance, is welcoming for families as well as those who wish to linger and enjoy leisurely dining experience with an unmatched view of the sea.  We arrived around noon and we were able to get a seat on the patio on this perfect fall day. The downside of patio dining is that we couldn’t listen to the lovely live music inside.
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    If you haven’t tried Sunday Brunch at The Reef, save up your appetite and expect to spend a few hours devouring some of the best food in town.  (And don’t plan on eating dinner later – you’ll still be full). We began with a Mimosa for hubby and a glass of champs for myself and these were magically refilled by our sweet server whenever their contents dipped below halfway.
    I started with the chef’s creations, including datil pepper chili, okra and tomatoes, Asian braised short ribs, andouille sausages and peppers and baked manicotti. Stand-outs were definitely the smoky flavor of the datil pepper chili and delicious goodness of the Sriracha spiced cheese grits.  
    

Next up was the chilled salmon with capers and onion, cooked to perfection, followed by the carving station with a delicious roasted beef, very tender and spice encrusted, with a mild horseradish sauce.  My husband loves his omelets so he enjoyed a made to order omelet.  Although we did not try it you can order Eggs Benedict from the kitchen as well.

    We then decided to go to the sweet side and shared some excellent Belgian waffles and cheese blintzes with a light orange zest. We had to go back again to have a few more blintzes because the cheese filling was that good.

    Lest we not forget the seafood station including crab legs with fresh drawn butter & jumbo shrimp.  There was a lovely salad station and extensive cheese offerings, including blue cheese & brie. There was literally everything you might be craving.  I tried to space it out so I could have a nibble of everything but I had to skip the salad offered simply because there was no room and I wanted another Belgian waffle!

    I plan to return to The Reef on a Sunday morning in the near future with all my out-of-town guests as well as in town friends to enjoy another Sunday morning at the beach. So grateful The Reef was spared by the storm.  

On our way out we purchased a St Augustine Strong T-shirt *The shirts are available at any SAIRA restaurant and proceeds will benefit families severely affected by Hurricane Matthew. Check here for a list of restaurants. www.staugustinerestaurants.com/

By Nikki Lyn Holme

​I consider myself a salad snob. Maple Street Biscuit Company makes noshing on lettuce, combined with various textured ingredients, taste like a party in your mouth.  Although they made a name for themselves with their decadent, gravy enhanced biscuit creations, I'm very excited to have healthier options at this creative, local establishment.  What makes dining here even cooler? Well, aside from their twangy country music, that reminds me of a trip to see Disney's "Country Bear Jamboree," another magical touch is their "Question of the month." It's very personal, and interactive. I love placing my order, and being asked nostalgic or fun, conversation prompting questions, such as: My favorite children's book, last song heard, or favorite band. Such a great ice-breaker when meeting with clients too. 
    Another wonderful part of this dining experience is eating their Mason jar packed salads, and emptying it out on a paper lined, silver tray. The "Grazer” is my absolute favorite: Fresh spinach, sprinkled with chopped pecans, strawberries, avocado, and goat cheese. Drizzled with their homemade balsamic dressing, and complimented by a tiny veggie biscuit, with just enough kick and veggies to “justify” the carbs.  
    Whether I add thick pecan wood smoked bacon or roasted chicken, this salad always gives me a five star vibe for satisfaction, taste, and presentation. By the way, they also offer fried chicken, but I would recommend saving that protein for the RBC: Romaine, Bacon, Cherry Tomato and Cheddar cheese salad. 
    With the holiday season upon us, I love knowing that there we can make healthier choices (if we really want too) by choosing from their “field to fork” section.  Clean eating is not always possible, and Maple Street Biscuit Company now offers the perfect fitness-minded, fabulous-foodie options. #Grateful

​What you need to know:
Breakfast and Brunch Type food: Entrees under $10 (& Kid friendly atmosphere) 

1627 Race Track Rd, Fruit Cove, FL 32259  / 904 460-2483
*Other locations in St. Augustine 
& Jacksonville

​A little-known fact about me is that I lived in South Korea for three years as an English teacher. I have eaten my fair share of authentic sushi and Asian food and my standards are high.  One of my favorite things to do in Korea was to visit the local revolving sushi bar where little color-coded plates of freshly made sushi would literally revolve around the bar and guests would pick their meal.  We do not have a revolving sushi bar here but we do have a fresh sushi bar with a chef who makes really good sushi to order right here on 210 at Sumo Sushi & Japanese Steak House.
    My kids would eat here basically every night if I let them – they are always craving sushi and Sumo Sushi  is one of our favorites .  I love bringing my daughters for lunch.  We sit at the bar where we can watch the sushi chef design our meal.  It is truly an art form.  Favorites for them are the California roll or spicy salmon roll, while I usually opt for the perfectly shaped sushi nigiri, a slice of fish over sticky rice with a touch of wasabi paste.  I like the salmon, tuna yellowtail and eel best.  The miso soup offers an excellent complement to the sushi.
    Sumo also has excellent hibachi options.  When we want a fun dinner experience we take the whole family out for hibachi.  Sumo has a great atmosphere with neon lighting and the hibachi chef will shoot water into your mouth and do some fancy knife tricks if you are lucky.  But beyond the experience the food is flavorful & delicious.  On the hibachi menu, you may choose from steak, chicken, shrimp of veggies.  Since we have six in our family we usually have a variety to choose from and there is lots of sharing going on.  Even then, we usually have leftovers – yum.
    If you are like me and looking for the authentic taste of Asia – Sumo is perfect for satisfying those cravings.
{Location: 107 Nature Walk Pkwy, St Augustine, FL 32092 (904) 230-1999}

by Lori Allen, Local Foodie

​Here’s a little foodie scoop down here on 210… Its funny how people base their opinion about a place by sometimes only trying one thing on a menu but sometimes it’s being in the know of what places have to offer that will really grab you.  Here’s a few things to try down here on 210.
    
    Taps has some awesome garlic, parmesan wings that are buttery, garlicy with sharp parmesan shavings on top… So good!  But if you want something a little tangy and spicy, try the Sweet Thai chili wings. They give you that sweetness with just the right amount of heat!  And to make it even better they offer them for $.60 on Thursdays! A basket of those for $6 bucks along with a ton of craft beer choices. You can’t go wrong!   

    Hurricanes is another great plac. Try their blue cheese and jalapeno queso dip.  Its melted white cheddar with blue cheese crumbles on top with some Jalapeños for some heat. It comes with homemade chips that have just enough salt on them that keep you wanting more.  They also offer seasonal flavored wings which are really cool. Depending on the time of year you can get some Caribbean flavors, some with rosemary and thyme really flavorful something different to try! For the heat lovers they offer the 'Boss sauce' on their regular menu which is a mixture of medium Buffalo sauce and garlic ranch, making the wings somewhat spicy but oh so good!   The boneless are pretty tasty as well, not like the frozen kind you get at the grocery store. They are chunky and juicy with all the same choices as the regular wings. Get a basket of them along with the garlic fries. YUM!