My Wandering Forkwritten by Lori Allen
St. Johns Magazine's exclusive reviews of Local Restaurants by Local Foodie
Lori Allen |
My Wandering Fork... |
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 |
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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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