Jacksonville Magazine, September 2019, The Food Issue by Jacksonville Magazine

September 2019

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Ube Ice Cream, Chicken Feet, Lamb Belly & More

$3.95 JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

meat up in Atlantic Beach

THE ULTIMATE FOOD TRUCK GUIDE

foodie road trips

Contents

IN EVERY ISSUE: 6

Click The latest from Jacksonville Magazine online

Publisher’s Letter Allow us a few words of introduction

THE BEST OF JACKSONVILLE EVERY MONTH // SEPTEMBER 2019 10

Seen People, parties, pictures & pets

JaxLife Hot trends, culture, travel and local style

Agenda Looking for something to do in September?

Flavor A monthly roundup of local food and dining. Plus, a visit to ABBQ

Backstory A secluded Jax park honors 33 lives lost

DEPARTMENTS: 32

Home What to consider to ensure your rental flies off the market

Health Opioid overdoses are down in Florida. That’s good, but more work remains.

Family The transition from sharing to “over-sharenting” is a slippery slope

History Jacksonville’s established Sports Complex was once a quaint residential neighborhood

FEATURES: 40

Adventurous Eats Unique flavors, secret eats and off-the-menu specials that make the local culinary scene downright delicious. Plus, a guide to area food trucks

Will Travel For Food Regional destinations with bucket-list worthy eats

Flying Colors The drama, color and overall fashion frenzy of the ‘70s and ‘80s is back

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

ABOUT THE COVER: Ice cream from Reed Thomas Southern Creamery. PHOTO BY AGNES LOPEZ

PG. 40, 58, 82 BY AGNES LOPEZ

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With more than 25,000 subscribers, Jax Mag’s e-newsletters are your links to the latest happenings across Northeast Florida. The Ticket focuses on concerts, theatre shows and other happenings. The Dish is all about food festivals, restaurant openings, reviews and recipes. The Digs covers home décor. And The Trip is a guide to regional destinations: where to go, what to do and what to pack.

Every month, Jax Mag partners with a local chef/restaurateur to host a special 50-person meal with a twist. Upcoming Secret Suppers include Coop 303 • Sep. 23 SOLD OUT! Derby House Diner • Oct. 22 Tickets @ 904TIX.com

Jacksonville Magazine’s 904 Paper Co. is an online store specializing in Jax-themed greeting cards, historical maps and frameable prints. Visit us at our website and click “shop,” or look for the 904 Paper Co. logo. 6 |

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WELCOME “The reason I breathe is you. Boy you got me blinded. Oh pretty baby. There's nothing that I wouldn't do. It's not the way I planned it. Show me how you want it to be.” So go some of the lyrics from the 2006 Britney Spears hit song, “Hit Me Baby One More Time.” Shakespeare it’s not. But for a particular target demographic, the young performer knew what fans wanted and delivered it to them via video and music. Proving not all pop stars are created equal, Spears has enjoyed a surprisingly long career, even staging a hugely successful Las Vegas show for a time.

Thursday, September 5 Big Tickle Stand Up Comedy Showcase Friday, September 6 Kaleigh Baker and Matt Walker

I bring this up not because I’m a fan. No, really, I’m not. However, my 15-year-old daughter is. She celebrated her birthday recently and of all the gifts she received from family and friends, the hands-down favorite is a Britney Spears album. And I mean an album, a pressed-vinyl record. She even has her very own Crosley record player to spin it on.

Thursday, September 12 Parker Millsap Friday, September 13 Melodime Saturday, September 14 Tennessee Redemption Thursday, September 19 The S#*! Show with Underdog Improv Friday, September 20 Nicholas Edward Williams

JOSEPH WHITE

As we approach the beginning of 2020, I find it fascinating that the same things joe@jacksonvillemag.com teens loved about records ten, 20 and 30 years ago are still be appreciated by today’s generation. In an increasingly digital world, being able to touch the product, admire the cover art, and play something physical that produces music still resonates. In fact, good ‘ol record and printed book sales have risen annually for several years in a row. As someone who produces magazines, books and printed artwork for a living, that’s a welcome indication that virtual has not taken hold over everything in the actual world.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I now have the challenge of living in a house punctuated by the musical stylings of Britney Spears. That will take some getting used to, for sure. Who knows, maybe those DVDs gathering dust in the cabinet will enjoy a renaissance of their own. Thanks for reading. And thanks for reading on something other than a screen.

Saturday, September 21 Brain Ernst Saturday, September 28 Someday Honey

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

COMING SOON:

Later this fall, Jax Magazine is introducing a new event to the region. The inaugural North Florida Floating Lanterns Festival is taking place the evening of Saturday, November 16 inside the neighborhood of Beachwalk along CR 210 in Saint Johns. The heart of the new home community is the Crystal Lagoon, a 14-acre man-made lake awash in sparkling blue water. It’s into the lagoon that participants will be invited to float their own rice paper lantern boats, creating a visual spectacle that we believe will become a local holiday season tradition for years to come. By the time you read this, the event may have reached capacity, as we had orders for nearly 1,000 lanterns before September 1. Learn more at our website and Facebook page. If you can attend, please do.

For 35 years Jacksonville Magazine has told the stories of our city and all of Northeast Florida. Our publications are written and designed to help readers get the most out of living here.

EDITORIAL PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Joseph White EDITOR

Virginia Chamlee DIGITAL EDITOR

Emily Bailey PROOFREADER

Kathy Weedon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Josue Cruz, Laura Hampton, Ally Sorrells, Brentley Stea, Ashley Williams INTERNS

Casey Craig, Deanna Pisacreta, Cameron Rogers

CREATIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jennifer Compton DESIGNER

Heather Kruse STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Agnes Lopez

SALES & MARKETING ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Amy Robertson SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jessica Lindsay ACCOUNTING / OFFICE MANAGER

Wendy Castro ADVERTISING COORDINATOR / SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR / 904TIX

Mandy Niesen CIRCULATION MANAGER

Reggie Jolly SUBSCRIPTION REQUESTS / INQUIRIES

904-389-3622, ext. 313 circulation@jacksonvillemag.com

1531 Osceola St., Jacksonville, FL 32204 (904) 389-3622 • Fax: (904) 389-3628 Website: JacksonvilleMag.com JACKSONVILLE (ISSN 1070-5163), (USPS 749870), September 2019 Volume 35 Issue 8. Published monthly with seven supplements annually for $19.90 per year by White Publishing Co., 1531 Osceola St., Jacksonville, FL 32204, (904) 389-3622. All editorial contents ©2019 by White Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Periodical postage paid at Jacksonville, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to JACKSONVILLE, 1531 Osceola St., Jacksonville, FL 32204, (904) 389-3622. PRINTED IN THE USA. SEPTEMBER 2019 / JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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PEOPLE, PARTIES & PICTURES

On August 17, Kanine Social hosted a Craft Beer Festival in honor of its one year anniversary. In addition to a dozen regional breweries—with more than 24 beers on tap—the dog-friendly event included music by Barett Thomas and eats from Funkadelic Food Truck. u PHOTOS BY ARIANNA RODRIGUEZ

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

S The Friends of Hemming Park hosted the annual Bluegrass, Beer and Barbecue Festival July 20. Visitors and their pets enjoyed free concerts with performers such as Brett Bass and Melted Plectrum, Salt & Pine and Remedy Tree. In addition to the expected smoked meats and cold beverages, there was an on-site market with local vendors hawking handmade goods. u â&#x20AC;&#x201D; LAUREN WILLINS // PHOTOS BY ARIANNA RODRIGUEZ

SEPTEMBER 2019 / JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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With This Ring Northeast Florida couples say “I do.”

KASEY + JONATHAN Kasey and Jonathan were married April 13, 2019 at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. “We were married under a macrame arch that we made. Our sweet dogs were our ﬂower girls and walked down the aisle with Jon,” says Kasey. “Under the night sky we sang karaoke on the famous mushroom stage and danced the night away. My vintage boho dreams came true with thrifted brass and glass details, tie-dyed table runners and the most beautiful ﬂorals.” —PHOTO BY YAZI DAVIS

ANDREA + EDSEL Andrea Crealese and Edsel Garcia were married March 9, 2019. The ceremony was held in the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) Chapel and the reception took place at Crosswater Hall at Nocatee. “Because I love art, I hired a wedding artist who ﬂew in from Colorado to paint our ﬁrst dance during the reception. She was able to give us our painting that very night,” says Andrea. “It was one of the priciest things, but so worth the original picture we now own.” —PHOTO BY ANGELITA ESPARAR

ALONDRA + GARRETT The Fall 2019 edition of Jacksonville Magazine’s Bride is available online and at newsstands. The issue is packed with info, including local reception sites and the region’s top wedding service providers.

Recently married? Announce your wedding in an upcoming edition of Jacksonville Magazine. Details posted at JaxMagBride.com. Or email emily@jacksonvillemag.com.

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

Alondra and Garrett were married March 15, 2019, at The Ribault Club. “I actually work at Gregory’s Jewelers in Jax Beach, so I had let Gregory know what styles I liked and to expect Garrett sometime soon,” says Alondra about their engagement. “When I saw the ring I liked was no longer in the case, Gregory made up a story about how a sailor came in and bought it for his girlfriend because he was getting deployed. I thought nothing of it at the time. Little did I know that Garrett had been in and the jewelers were working on my ring in secret!” —PHOTO BY CAILIN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Picture Pawfect PETS OF THE MONTH SPONSORED BY

WANT TO SEE YOUR BELOVED ANIMAL IN JAX MAG? Nominations for Picture Pawfect pets can be made via our website, under the heading READER POLLS. Past pets may be viewed there, too.

GRAVY Gravy is a three-month-old kitten native to Neptune Beach. He loves to explore, but isn’t quite old enough to go out on his own, so his parents take him on walks around the yard and out to the beach on a tiny kitten leash. An ideal day for him includes basking in the window and getting pickings from the ﬁsh his dad caught that day. While he prefers fresh seafood, he’ll settle for cat treats as well.

ROCKY While having lunch one day, some of the staff at Jacksonville Magazine spotted this 12-week-old German Shepherd and had to get him into the magazine. Plus, we wanted an excuse to go pet this little fluffer. “He is super talkative all day long. Most of the time he sounds like a little old man complaining about life,” says owner, Michelle. “When we go out with him anywhere, he completely fishes for attention. He will sit, look around, and make puppy noises until someone looks at him and then he wags his whole back end and they instantly fall in love. He is quite a ham.”

MURPHY “We ﬁrst met Murphy at the Jacksonville Humane Society when he was two years old. His shelter name was Bart. He was so eager to please and had the biggest, gooﬁest smile on his face despite the fact that he was several pounds underweight and heart worm positive,” says his owner, Sarah. “His archnemesis is our automated swimming pool sweep. He watches it cleaning the pool, chases it, and barks at it as ferociously as he can.”

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

301 Jacksonville Dr., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 info@FCVets.com | www.FCVets.com

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FUNDRAISERS! Jacksonville Magazine is always looking for new, exciting ways to partner with the community in which we live and work. We do this through many avenues, including promoting hundreds of fundraisers each year, and by offering fundraising partnerships to our local schools.

Locally owned and operated, and working in partnership with family veterinarians, our mission, whether it be a surgical intervention or a conservative protocol, is improving and maintaining the quality of life of our patients while fostering the bond between owners and their pets.

Ask us how we can help raise money for your school’s clubs and teams!

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Orthobiologics • Veterinarians Onsite for 24-Hour Monitoring In-house Helical CT Scanner To improve diagnostics of intervertebral disk disease, elbow dysplasia, OCD, head & neck disorder, & angular limb deformities

Arthrex Synergy UHD4™4K System For minimally invasive surgeries

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Contact Reggie Jolly at (904) 389-3622 reggie@jacksonvillemag.com W. Thomas McNicholas, Jr., DVM Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons

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EXPERIENCE AND COMPASSION YOU CAN TRUST

5 THINGS TO LOVE p. 18 / LIVE WELL p. 20 / SHOP TALK p. 22 / TRAVEL p. 24 / AGENDA p. 26

[ Jax Life ] GET YOUR GOAT cc There are exercise programs in which the point is to sweat—a lot. And then there are those in which small farm animals distract practitioners while they attempt to hold a plank. Yes, it’s a thing. Goat yoga, in which yoga is practiced in the presence of live goats, is the latest trend to capture the attention of local yogis (though the classes are less exercise-oriented and more, well, just plain cute). Little Peeps Farmer for a Day oﬀers goat yoga classes three times this fall: on October 5, 19 and 26. Classes are $30 and attendees are encouraged to bring a beach towel or yoga mat, along with a reusable water bottle (straws and styrofoam are prohibited around the goats). Adding to the cuteness factor? Most of the animals are babies, weighing roughly 15 pounds. And, since the events fall near Halloween, some will be wearing costumes. Now say, “Om.” Or, as the case may be, “awww.” u —DEANNA PISACRETA

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

splendidly p ly D E L I C I O U S

N O V E M B E R 4 – 10 S AVA N N A H F O O DA N DW I N E F E S T I VA L .C O M

f t ely festive l EXCEPTIONAL

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5 THINGS TO LOVE

[Jax Life ]

this September

A viral sensation now calls Northeast Florida home. On July 9, a four-foot alligator was spotted swimming in Chicago’s Humboldt Park. The animal was promptly nicknamed “Chance the Snapper” (after Chi-town native Chance the Rapper), garnering national media attention and inspiring a slew of social media accounts. Less than a week later, the city of Chicago hired gator trapper Frank Robb, a St. Augustine native, to lead the efforts to catch and remove the celebrity reptile. After he captured the gator, Robb himself became something of an overnight sensation, throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field and inspiring a bobblehead figurine. As for Chance, he was given over to Chicago Animal Care and Control, who sent him to live out the remainder of his life down south, at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Local author Shannon Greenland’s latest piece of ﬁction is available right in time for Halloween. Scouts ($17, JImmY Patterson books) is described as a cross between Stranger Things and The Goonies, and follows a group of close friends on a hunt to ﬁnd a meteor that crashed nearby. Their adventure takes a turn for the worst when some dangerous clues send the kids on the run from the violent mason clan.

3 Jax beach hosts two surﬁng contests this month. September 14 marks the 21st season for the women’s pro surf competition Sisters of the Sea. On September 22, the Loggerhead Classic lures longboarders from Virginia beach to South Florida to ride near the Jacksonville beach Pier.

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SePTembeR 2019

Not to be outdone by other states which have grappled with the safety—and, as some would argue, annoyance—brought on by electric scooters, Florida has now legalized them. On June 20, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill lifting sidewalk restrictions on e-scooters, allowing riders to take to streets and bike lanes on two wheels. At least four companies have rolled out scooters during Tampa’s pilot program—which has already begun prompting concerns over safety—and several companies are attempting to create bikeshare-like rental programs, though the First Coast isn’t yet a hotbed of scooter activity.

In July, Downtown Jacksonville unveiled a new bike rack-cumhistory lesson titled “Changing Perspective.” The work of art is dedicated to the local black community, and changes shape and meaning as riders and pedestrians pass by. From a distance, it depicts the rallying cry of the city—“DUUUVAL”—which became known nationally thanks to a local radio DJ in the 1990s. When viewed up close, each piece of the metal rack details a historic African American monument or institution and points in its direction. The rack was created by eric moed, Samuel maddox, and Caila moed, who won a public competition for the project through the Jacksonville Cultural Council.

Cali Cool

[Jax Life ]

LIVE WELL

A mix of earthy elements and muted tones convey a laid-back—but still sophisticated—aesthetic.

Natural materials like cane and rattan provide an earthy and effortlessly cool vibe.

Think beyond florals— like this faux eucalyptus spray—for a twist on the typical arrangement.

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1. Curved rattan chair, $425, Lagoon; 2. Terracotta jar, $15, Idyll Home; 3. Cane mirror, $38, Einrichten Design; 4. Artificial eucalyptus sprays, $34, Audenza; 5. Teak and rattan storage unit, $2,200, Reddie; 6. The Botanist print, $200, The Shop Floor Project; 7. Decorative beads and tribal stool, $80, Lola & Mawu u

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

SHOP TALK

[Jax Life ] Local retail news you can use

The

ns Spi

inyl continues to rise, with record sales increasing some 15 percent in 2018 alone. One reason is that with vinyl the buyer actually owns something physcial (kind of like a magazine). Another reason? “It’s that popping sound,” says Jerry West, owner of DJ’S RECORD SHOP in Riverside. “People love the sound of vinyl. Records may slow down, but they’ll never be out.” DJ’s has been open for nearly 50 years and remains packed to the brim with R&B, gospel, jazz and rock albums (all on vinyl, naturally). Additional record shops are popping up around town, too.

The newly opened ERASER RECORDS in Murray Hill houses a mix of classic albums, new hits, small label projects, and re-issued tracks. Along with albums that span the genres, Eraser sells cassettes, books, and often hosts live music in-store. Atlantic Beach’s YOUNG LOUD AND SNOTTY is a clothing, record, and a skate shop all rolled into one. In short, it’s a haven for punk fans, and even has an in-house arcade. In San Marco, YESTERDAY & TODAY RECORDS buys, sells, and trades just about every genre one can imagine, from 1960s rock to disco. On the Southside, WOLFSON EQUIPMENT AND RECORDS oﬀers vintage audio systems and hard-to-ﬁnd vinyl in a warehouse setting that could take hours to explore. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

Oceanfront Masterpiece

Design Oceanfrront Oasis

Intracoastal W Wat aterfrront Condo

Private gated 1.78-acre estate, known as Turtle Hall, exemplifies luxury y oceanfront living. g With 165 ft of ocean frontage this custom-built estate showcases museum-quality features and craftsmanship throughout this 11,000 sqft home. 5BR/6BA/2HB • $8,900,000

Design your dream home on this oceanfront estate. With over 230 ft. of ocean frontage property g , this lush p p y will inspire your inner visionary and designer. Whether you are looking to build your dream home or renovate, this 1.6-acre estate makes for the ideal place to call home. 4BR/4.5BA • $3,650,000

Marina San Pablo a 2nd story condo featuring open n floor plan, luxury amenities,, and d priv p ate balcony with water views. Conveniently located near shops and restaurants, this effortlessly maintained condo o is the ideal retreat from the modern ern world. 2BR/2.5BA • $4 $ 75,000

Stunning Riverfrront E Est state

Oceanfront Retrreat

Private Marsh h Views

Instantly makes you feel you’ve been swept away to a chateau in France. Exquisitely designed with extensive custom finishes, this 10,204-sq.-ft. Tudor-style home is a masterpiece in design and built for entertaining. 5BR/6BA/5HB • $6,900,000

Located on a gated 1+ acre lot this spacious and bright home with expansive flowing spaces reflects the beauty of its spectacular natural backdrop. Positioned on a high and dry dune, with 27 ft of elevation and breathtaking oceanfront views. 5BR/6BA/2HB • $5,250,000

Sophisticated single story home in Queen’s Harbo our Yacht and Country Club featuring g a large half acre lot with beautiful private marsh views. Enjoy the beautiful Florida weather on the homes expanssive covered patio with screened-in pool/ ool/spa and summer kitchen. 4BR/3BA • $730,000

Elizabeth Hudgins, REAL LT TOR® 904.553.2032 cell 904.280.0486 SǽGI HMVIGX elizabeth@elizabethhudgins.com www.elizabethhudgins.com

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TRAVEL

[Jax Life ] Lighthouse View

Cedar Cove Marsh

Sweet Carolin(a) JUST NORTH OF SAVANNAH, AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED ISLAND OFFERS A PLACE TO RECHARGE To visit South Carolina’s Daufuskie Island—located midway between Hilton Head and Savannah—is to take a trip back in time. Unlike its neighbors to the north and south, Daufuskie is almost entirely untouched and easy to navigate at just ﬁve miles long and 2.5 miles across. There isn’t a bridge from the mainland; visitors access the island by boat and, once there, travel by foot, bike, or golf cart. In short, it’s a destination that’s ideal for those looking to disconnect and, due to its pristine surroundings, was once considered the Martha’s Vineyard of the South. Visitors to the island stay at Haig Point, a mix of Southern style homes and quaint cottages. A couple dozen vacation rentals—all nestled into the island’s 1,050 wooded acres, are available for roughly $250 per night via Airbnb and VRBO. Nearby activities include eachside horseback riding with Daufuskie Island Trail Rides, and water sports such as kayaking, crabbing, and ﬁshing. This Fall (October 18-20), the island

plays host to the inaugural Daufuskie Island Vibes & Tides culinary festival, a showcase of regional culinary talent with tastings, concerts and more. One of the best ways to immerse oneself in the long history of Daufuskie is on a golf cart tour where attendees learn about the region’s Gullah, American Indian, and Civil War heritage. During the tour, patrons have the opportunity to stop in the Billie Burn Historical Museum which houses artifacts found on the island such as arrowheads and pottery shards. After a day of history lessons, horseback riding or fun on the water, you’ll want to dine on seafood, the local specialty. Old Daufuskie Crab Company is a local favorite, with oysters on the half shell, ahi tuna tacos, po’ boy sandwiches, and more. When in season, guests can even shuck their own oysters over an on-site roasting pit. Wash it all down with a beverage made with Daufuskie Island Rum, an onsite distillery open Wednesdays–Saturdays for tastings and tours. u —DEANNA PISACRETA

Those looking to perfect their swing (or their pitch) while on vacation now have even more opportunity with the opening of the Topgolf Swing Suite at The Inn at Sea Island. The suite features two simulator bays for up to eight players each, offering interactive gaming beyond just golf, including baseball pitching, hockey, a quarterback challenge, and carnival games. Those itching to swing a club can select from 84 real-life golf courses, including the Seaside Course at the Sea Island Golf Club. The simulators are open to guests of the lodge or those just visiting for the day and are available via reservation or on a first-come, first-serve basis. u

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE The Universe is expanding—in Orlando, at least, where Universal has announced plans to build a third theme park. In August, the company officially unveiled plans for Epic Universe, a $160-million project billed as “the most immersive and innovative” park Universal has ever created. Though details remain sketchy, the park is widely expected to include Super Nintendo World, a land based on the beloved video game company. The project will also include hotels, and a dining/ entertainment center outside the park, in the same vein as CityWalk or Disney Springs. A completion date has not yet been announced but the land has already been cleared and construction is underway. u

PHOTO BY DUKE PHOTOGRAPHYPHOTO BY DUKE

FORE!

Autumn Shop Preview

The change in seasons brings an opportunity to freshen up your household and your wardrobe. 3

1. Lancome Eyeshadow Palette, $55, Nordstrom nordstrom.com 2. Pearl headband, $10, H&M hm.com 3. Corneliani wool sport coat made in Italy, Rosenblumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jacksonville Beach rosenblumsonline.com 4. Tshirt, $10, H&M hm.com 5. Boob-eez Headlight Hiders, $14, Jaffi's Boutique Neptune Beach jaffisneptunebeach.com & boob-eez.com 6. Topshop Button Front Skirt, $60, Nordstrom nordstrom.com 7. Beach blanket, $30, H&M hm.com 8. Aurora Kitten Heel in natural exotic by Alexandre Birman, $695, Emly Benham Jacksonville Beach emlybenhamboutique.com 9. Maddie in turquoise watersnake by Beirn, $395, Emly Benham Emly Benham Jacksonville Beach emlybenhamboutique.com 10. Solid seed bead hoops, $36, Emly Benham Jacksonville Beach emlybenhamboutique.com A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

AGENDA: SEPTEMBER

[Jax Life ]

Season’s Greetings

TO DO LIST

PHOTO COURTESY JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The Jags kick oﬀ the 2019 campaign with a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs September 8. This season marks the hometown team’s 25th year in the National Football League, an occasion which will be celebrated with a special anniversary logo available on merchandise throughout the year—and, hopefully, a winning season.

q 9/7

9/4

9/6

Peter Frampton

ATTILA

English rock icon hits the road one last time for his farewell tour. Daily’s Place

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Hillsong United The church that counts legions of celebrities (including the Kardashians and Justin Bieber) among its congregation is also responsible for spawning an eponymous worship band, Hillsong United, comprised of rotating worship leaders. Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

Expect a moshpit as this Atlantabased metalcore band takes over 1904 Music Hall.

JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

J 9/7

Book of Love This American synth pop band wrote the #1 dance hit “I Touch Roses” in 1985. They disbanded in 1993, but they’re back together, back on tour, and still singing the song that made them famous, 30+ years later. Jack Rabbits

Money Matters q

9/7

We’re living in a new financial world—one in which technological advances allow for everyday Americans to maximize their money in more ways than ever before. Of course, that’s easier said than done. But talking about it is certainly a start. On October 3, Hotel Palms hosts a presentation and Q&A with Alexa Von Tobel, a 35-yearold Jacksonville native who founded personal finance website LearnVest (acquired by Northwestern Mutual for a reported $350 million in 2015). Von Tobel is currently a managing partner at Venture Capital fund Inspired Capital and the author of New York Times bestseller Financially Fearless. In short, she’s plenty knowledgable about personal finance and entrepreneurship and will be speaking about all of the above, and more. The event marks the first installment in Elevate, the hotel’s series billed for the “intellectually curious,” which includes speaking engagements with various thought leaders throughout the year. Tickets start at $45. 904tix.com

Rhett & Link Youtube stars and best friends Rhett and Link take the Florida Theatre stage for a night of musical comedy. Metropolitan Park

9/12

Amy Grant You’ll feel Every Heartbeat— because That’s What Love is For. Florida Theatre

CULINARY Calendar of Northeast Florida

9/12

Jax Veg Fest SEPTEMBER 7: A festival revolving around plant-based eating, geared toward those who already live a vegan lifestyle or who want to know what life is like without animal products. Riverside Park, 10 AM-4 PM

Chris Young

9/14

UB40 A glass of Red, Red Wine is all but required as original members Ali and Astro take the Daily’s Place stage for the group’s 40th anniversary tour, featuring Shaggy.

TIX

The 2006 winner of Nashville Star—essentially the American Idol of country music—is joined by Chris Janson and LOCASH for their Raised on Country tour. Daily’s Place

Bubbles & BBQ SEPTEMBER 27: This second annual event pairs barbecue with bubbly. Expect plenty of delicious samples of both food and sparkling libations. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 7 PM 904tix.com

Oktoberfest on Main Street OCTOBER 5: Food trucks, German fare, local bands, traditional music, delicious craft beer, artists, vendors and games round out the activities at this Springfield festival. 1700 Main St. N., 1-9 PM

An Orchestration of Food, Wine & Music OCTOBER 17: The Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville hosts a night of food and wine pairings and music. Garden Club of Jacksonville, 6-8 PM

9/15

The Florida Chamber Music Project The seventh season opens with a performance of Brahms String Quartet No. 3, Opus 67. Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

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Seafood Soul Festival OCTOBER 19: Expect Southern classics (crab cakes, fried shrimp and the like) and all-day tunes. The event benefits the Edith Marie Foundation, an organization founded to impact the lives of those battling breast cancer in Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Morocco Shrine Center, noon-5 PM. u

J Jacksonville

FUNDRAISERS presented by

9/14-15 Sickle Cell 2019 Walkathon In honor of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the Sickle Cell Disease Association Northeast Florida Chapter brings back its annual Walk-A-Thon to increase community awareness, promote genetic screening, and raise funds to support families impacted by the blood disorder. $20 registration fee, 8 AMnoon, Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus

9/20 TIX

2019 Beaches Legends Gala The Beaches Museum hosts its 39th Beach Legends gala. With a seated dinner and silent and live auctions, proceeds go to the educational programs and operational needs of the museum. An awards presentation honors those contributing to the on-going history of the Beaches. Tickets start at $150, 6:30-10 PM, TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse. 904tix.com

9/28 LGBTQ Adult Prom Anybody and everybody is welcome at the LGBTQ Adult Prom, a beneﬁt for JASMYN. This age 25-and-up gala is a formal event so dress to impress. Best dressed wins a $300 cash prize. There will also be cash prize raﬄes.Tickets start at $30. 8:30 PM-12:30 AM. Rhythm Factory u

The Show Goes On The TV show might have ended, but that doesn’t mean winter isn’t coming again. With 73 episodes, 19.3 million ﬁnale viewers, and at least one spinoﬀ in the works, Game of Thrones has exploded into an omnipresent part of pop culture. On September 20, the score of the show— including “The Night King” theme, a nine-minute composition that went viral immediately after debuting, is performed at Daily’s Place by an 80-piece orchestra and choir, conducted by show composer Ramin Pjawadi.

2 Locations / Downtown & Neptune Beach phone/text 904.571.7984 Email info@dancetrancefitness.com dancetrancejax.com | @dancetrancejax

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J Northeast Florida

DRAMA DISTRICT Brighton Beach Memoirs

9/21

Alan Jackson

Annie Get Your Gun

One of the top ten bestselling solo artists of all time, Alan Jackson has been dominating the country music charts for years. And with 16 studio albums, two Christmas albums, three greatest hits albums, and two gospel albums, it would be kind of hard not to. Jackson performs at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

The Wiz An urban retelling of The Wizard of Oz in the context of modern African-American culture. Sept. 20-Oct. 12, Players By The Sea, Jacksonville Beach u

Dig In

Snarky Puppy Bassist Michael League leads an instrumental ensemble that blends jazz, funk, and rock. Florida Theatre

Shopping and dining go hand in hand—and one certainly needs sustenance to traverse the many shops at St. Johns Town Center. There’s no better time to do both than at Taste of the Town, a tasting event held in support of the non-profit organization, Angelwood. Over 35 stores and eateries will be on hand at the event, which also includes raffles and a concert by Don’t Call Me Shirley. September 14, 4-7 PM, The Markets at Town Center

9/27

This musical—with lyrics and music by Irving Berlin— oﬀers a ﬁctionalized retelling of the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley and her romance with Frank E. Butler. Sept. 20-Oct. 20, Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine

9/24

The Neil Simon classic follows Eugene as he deals with his boring and mundane existence in Brooklyn. Sept. 18-Oct. 13, Alhambra Theatre, Jacksonville

Postmodern Jukebox

Night Swim

Wonder what Purple Rain would sound like if Prince sang the Blues? Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox arranges popular music in period styles (think a ‘60s pop remix of the Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue”).

9/29

The Gatlin Brothers All the gold in California couldn’t compare to seeing these country music stars live this Fall. Florida Theatre

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Watch the sun set and the full moon rise over Salt Run tidal basin during a Full Moon Paddle September 14, at Anastasia State Park. The program for the night includes interpretive storytelling and the option of renting a single kayak, tandem kayak, or stand up paddle board—or participants can bring their own boat for a discounted rate. u

X TTIIX

September 2019 Events

All Month

Blue Jay Listening Room

Flow Studio Mobile Art & Crafts

Where every ticket is a backstage pass. Shows this month include Corey Kilgannon, Kaleigh Baker, Matt Walker, Melodime, Parker Millsap, Tennessee Redemption, Nicholas Edward Williams and many more.

Flow Studio is a mobile co-op of art and craft instructors that will come to guests’ homes or gathering place to teach a fun and hands-on creative project.

2457 S. 3rd St., Jax Beach

Prices vary

9/5 Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Day Celebration Guests can expect one free Happy Hour drink and the chance to play Jaguars/ Tom Coughlin Trivia with raﬄe and trivia prizes.

Culhane’s Irish Pub Southside

$10

Locations vary

9/6

$35

9/9

#CG Dinner Club

KOCKTAILS FOR KATE Expect music, specialty handcrafted cocktails and extended happy hour pricing, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a heaping dose of laughter and fun with friends.

Brick and Beam

$80

DLC’s 30th Anniversary of Hope & Miracles

Bavarian FarmFest

$75

Locations vary

One part cooking class, two parts cocktail party and 100% fun. This quarterly dining experience oﬀers delicious, innovative, and artfully prepared cuisine in a fun, interactive environment.

9/14

River Front Cafe

Paint Your Pet Create a painting of your furry friend! With Gogh Create’s customizable approach any wannabe artist is provided with the instruction and resources needed.

Prices vary

9/12 The event includes a reﬂection of 30 years of miracles with the kids and families who have been served at DLC over the years, dinner and inspiration from Pam Tebow, local author and advocate.

All Month

Intuition is taking the traditional Oktoberfest celebration on a ﬁeld trip to the farm, complete with even more games, activities, beers, handmade food, and four local bands.

Congaree and Penn

$25

Cowford Chophouse

$30

9/14

Beaches Food and Wine Tour Take a journey with your own personal sommelier. Guests will be guided to ﬁve diﬀerent restaurants in Atlantic Beach and have the chance to learn about wine and food pairings all afternoon.

Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas

$55

T I C K E T S O N S A L E N O W AT 9 0 4 T I X .CO M

[ HOME ]

HOME FIELD v

Jacksonville golden boy Tim Tebow is setting down roots, recently buying a nearly 8,300-square-foot property in the gated community, Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club. The home, purchased in June for a reported $2.99 million, will be Tebow’s second property acquired in the area (the first was purchased in 2014 for $1.4 million). built in 2016, on 1.49 acres, the manse has five bedrooms, five-anda-half bathrooms, a home theater, 120-bottle wine room, a saltwater pool, and a five-car garage. The former college football star-turned NFl athlete-turned minor league baseball player (who played high school ball at Nease high) recently announced his engagement to former Miss Universe Demi-leigh Nel-Peters. The couple has not yet confirmed if the new Jax abode will be their full-time home. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

Rental Ready From curb appeal to pricing, there are a lot of things to consider to ensure your rental property ﬂies oﬀ the market by Ally SorrellS

SO, YOU GOT A JOB TRANSFER BUT NOT QUITE READY TO CUT YOUR TIES FROM NOCATEE? Or perhaps you’re moving across town but not yet willing to sell your beloved bungalow in Riverside. Whatever the case, sometimes life throws curveballs. Fortunately, renting a property can ensure you hold on to it for a while and hopefully generate some extra income (or at least pay the mortgage) on top of that. But to get your rental property ready for the market, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you need to consider your property’s curb appeal. Although they say not to judge a book by its cover, let’s be honest: most of us are guilty of doing just that—especially when it comes to homes.

Weeds are not the most appealing foliage and customers will certainly be turned oﬀ by grass that looks like it hasn’t seen water in months. Rob Pallai, of Jax-based property maintenance company Pallai Services, says curb appeal needn’t cost an arm and a leg. “Homeowners don’t need to spend a ton of money to get curb appeal. A cleaned-up, well-manicured yard is what is appealing,” says Pallai. In addition to cutting and edging the lawn, cleaning bushes and beds, and pressure washing everything—from the driveway to the patio—adding colorful pots ﬁlled with annuals is an easy way to make a home feel welcoming, says Pallai.

REHAB ADDICTS The average bathroom remodel costs some $10,300. That price isn’t stopping many homeowners from taking on the task. According to HomeAdvisor’s latest State of Home Spending Report, bathroom remodels top the list of most popular home improvement projects. But the motivations behind remodels diﬀer among generations, with Millennials most likely to complete home projects for increased home value. Baby boomers and Generation X-ers, meanwhile, are motivated to “modernize” their residences. u — LAUREN WILLINS 32 |

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“CRUISING” AT CONGAREE AND PENN As far as re-sodding goes, it’s not always necessary. But if your yard is in total shambles and re-sodding is a must, make sure you’re up for the challenge. “It takes ongoing maintenance, attention, and care to ensure the sod sets healthy roots,” notes Pallai. This includes “not cutting it too short, watering appropriately, having a spray service, and more.” But no matter how beautiful your front lawn is, your home will sit on the market if the interior isn’t appealing—especially since your renters won’t be pulling off a Chip and Joanna Gaines-style makeover. And even though you may think a home is ready to be lived in by a new tenant, there are a few steps you should check off your to-do list before putting the sign in the yard. “You’ll want the home and carpets cleaned to make sure it’s free of any odor,” says St. Johns-based Round Table Realty broker Tiea Vincent. “If it’s occupied, try to reduce clutter and ‘loud’ personal items that would take away from a potential tenant being able to picture themselves in the home.” And even if your house is sparkling clean and staged to the nines, it may still sit on the market. If you find yourself in this predicament, consider reducing the price. “I tell people every home will rent in the right condition for the right price,” says Vincent. “Assuming it’s in good condition, if it’s sitting on the market, it’s likely overpriced.” Reducing the price of your rental may scare you, but Vincent claims that renters are more likely to jump on a property if the price point aligns with the market. Though that might mean charging less than what you hoped for, you won’t spend months throwing money at an unoccupied property. Finally, if there is a lot of competition in your local area, it may be time to make a few upgrades. According to Vincent, an upgraded home—think granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and wood or laminate floors—will rent faster than an outdated home from the ‘80s. Not to mention, a fence is an important upgrade that is often overlooked. Whether it’s for safety or privacy, most renters value a fence to ensure their kids don’t run into the street or a nosy neighbor doesn’t have a full view of weekend BBQs. All in all, preparing your rental boils down to one thing: making a space that renters can envision themselves in—whether that means creating a more livable space or ensuring they don’t feel overcharged. Renters aren’t going to be making massive renovations, so it’s important to make sure your house feels like a home from the very first showing. u

Hop aboard for tractor-pulled wagon rides at Congaree and Penn Farm.

Plus, fried chicken and biscuits, country ham, draft cider and more!

SEPTEMBER 20 • 5:45-8:45 PM TICKETS @ 904TIX.COM

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[ HEALTH ]

SOLID GOLD As a pediatric oncology nurse, Erin Tracy sees many sick children. And it was those patients who inspired her to start the organization Fourth and Gold. “The childhood cancer community needs more voices than those who are directly impacted. They need a village of advocates and Fourth and Gold is one of them,” says Tracy. A play on the words “fourth and goal,” Tracy designed the name, logo, and coloring after her favorite sports team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The company sells T-shirts, phone stands, and other accessories, with 50 percent of all proceeds going to nonproﬁt childhood cancer research organizations. To raise awareness, Fourth and Gold will hand out some 36,000 gold cancer ribbons to fans at the Jaguars home opener, just in time to celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

u — LAUREN WILLINS

Road to Recovery Opioid overdoses are down in Florida. That’s good, but more work remains. BY ASHLEY WILLIAMS

A RECENT REPORT REVEALS SOME POSITIVE NEWS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION taking place in many communities across the country and here, in our own backyard. In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released provisional data that revealed opioid overdoses are down in Florida and Georgia for the ﬁrst time in more than two decades. Both states have seen a 10-percent decline in overdoses between 2017 and 2018, while nationwide, that number stands at 5.1 percent. Prior to this signiﬁcant decline, drug deaths from 1999 to 2017 rose each year, with a sharp spike in deaths occurring between 2014 and 2017.

this crisis.” The decline has been attributed to a growing number of patients getting the medicationassisted treatment they need, as well as an increase in the distribution of overdose-reversing drugs, and a drop in opioid prescriptions nationwide.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says, “America’s united eﬀorts to curb opioid use disorder and addiction are working. Lives are being saved, and we’re beginning to win the ﬁght against

“Most of the time, [addicts] need to have treatment along with help in the community,” Jackson says. “We can get them all the support, education and counseling in the world, but they have to have the

There are more than 674 Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings held throughout Jacksonville, oﬀering critical support for those who want to get help. A true desire to kick the potentially deadly habit of opioid addiction is a major factor in the recovery process, says Brian Jackson, Greenﬁeld Center’s doctor of addiction disorders.

GOOD NEIGHBORS Nocatee continues to expand and businesses continue to gobble up real estate surrounding its Town Center. Recently, Baptist Health announced that it will open a two-story, 83,000-square-foot health and wellness center in 2020. The Baptist HealthPlace will house outpatient services and child health programs from Wolfson Children’s Hospital along with specialties including primary care, behavioral health, orthopedics, cardiology, otolaryngol-ogy (ENT), OB/GYN care, and pediatric rehab services by Wolfson staﬀ and physicians. Additionally, Brooks Rehabilitation will move its existing Nocatee location there. Along with healthcare, the center will have a focus on wellness with a YMCA and an on-site cafe. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

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willingness to make changes, and that’s really the key, no matter who they are or what their backgrounds are,” he says. The opioid epidemic kills more than 130 people daily in the United States after overdoses on prescription pain medication, heroin and fentanyl, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. However, heightened awareness and increased news coverage further sheds light on the crisis, thus bringing more attention to the solution, Jackson says. “I think the philosophy before in emergency rooms and detox facilities was to ‘treat and street,’ as I call it,” he says. “Basically, get them stabilized and then release them.” Unfortunately, extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms resembling “the flu times four” can kick in, which often make it harder for people to stay away from the drugs. “Now, patients are being assigned pure recovery specialists post-treatment.” These specialists are experienced in recovery and equipped to work with people in different age groups—adults, younger people and veterans. Jackson says there remains a need for a greater emphasis on medicine-assisted treatment, which has played an essential part in the drop in overdose deaths, as it helps stabilize patients for a longer period of time. The use of opioid antagonist medication Suboxone, which contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, has also proven effective. The American Society of Addiction Medicine has determined that people who are on Suboxone for a period of nine to 12 months, and then try coming down from a higher to a smaller dose, will experience significantly lower rates of relapse. “The whole addiction community, emergency rooms and inpatient treatment facilities that take patients for detox are following through with a continuum of care,” Jackson explains. “So, there are more referrals to places that are available, as opposed to just treating them and releasing them.” Overall, there is still much room for improvement despite the encouraging progress made, as the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that the majority of drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid. “This crisis developed over two decades, and it will not be solved overnight,” Azar said of the recent CDC report. Jackson expects that as time goes on, we will continue to see a drop in overdose rates across the country, especially with greater awareness of how medical experts can assist people battling these life-altering additions. “It can change their lives,” he says. u SEPTEMBER 2019 / JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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[ FAMILY ]

LIGHTS, CAMERA v

on September 14 and 15, the Florida Film academy (a visual arts school in St. augustine) hosts its first International Student Film Festival. the academy has received more than 100 submissions of documentaries, animated and short films from students all over the world. “It’s amazing to see how students’ imaginations work and how that is translated to film,” says Kay Hill, executive Vp of programming and one of the festival co-founders. awards will be presented for best narrative, Documentary, and animation across four age groups from elementary school through college. the festival takes place in downtown St. augustine at Corazon Cinema and Cafe beginning at 12:30 pm, and tickets cost $5. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

Parents Who Post The transition from sharing to “over-sharenting” is a slippery slope. by Laura Hampton

TO A GENERATION THAT GREW UP WITH A SMARTPHONE IN ONE HAND AND A MOUSE IN THE OTHER, sharing photos, videos and even their inner-most thoughts on social media is second nature. As these “early adopters” of social media— generally Millennials and Gen Zers—have grown up and started families, social networking sites have replaced family photo albums, Christmas newsletters and old-fashioned play dates as the preferred way to share photos, stories and parenting tips. Melissa Fay, a 31-year-old mother of three, posts on Facebook or Instagram about three times a week. She generally only posts photos or updates regarding daily activities, but Fay says she has also used social media to solve minor parenting dilemmas. “If I have a question—like my baby has a rash, I will ask ‘What should we do?’” Certainly, Fay is not alone. Through a National Poll

on Children’s Health in 2014, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that 84 percent of mothers and 70 percent of fathers use social media, online forums or blogs. In the poll, over half of mothers (56 percent) said they discuss child health and parenting topics on these sites. The most common discussions include getting kids to sleep, nutrition/eating tips, discipline, daycare/preschool and behavior problems. Susan Perez, associate professor of psychology at the University of North Florida, says using social media to stay connected can be beneficial to a parent’s wellbeing and can increase one’s confidence in his or her own ability to be a good parent. “That can be a good thing in terms of the indirect effect it has on a child,” Perez says. “If you feel better as a parent, and you have access to information, you might be engaging in better parenting.”

Stranger Danger Self-defense techniques aren’t only for adults. In fact, child defense training can be beneficial not only to teach children how to handle physical attacks, but also to learn the values of hard work and perseverance. Locally, the Women’s Defense Company’s Kidz Tough classes teach children the benefit of communication and open a dialogue about safety in dangerous situations. “Children often haven’t experienced violence in their young lives and therefore have no idea how to deal with it should it find them,” says instructor Chris Oklevitch. The 60-minute self-defense classes ($45) are geared toward children ages 5-10, and lessons go well beyond the physical. “They learn to verbalize, learn the importance of communicating with a parent— and they learn to fight back, if needed.” Parents are required to attend, too. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

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Though most parents exercise caution when posting information about their children online, some parents go overboard, a behavior that’s been coined “oversharenting.” Because the generation impacted by the increased use of social media is still young, developmental psychologists have a waitand-see attitude about how the practice will affect the child as he or she grows up. What parents choose to post when the child is young may not be a big deal, Perez says, but as children approach adolescence, those posts may have a negative impact. In the adolescent phase of development, children are still trying to develop their own identity. Through the use of social media, however, parents are essentially forming the child’s identity through what they’re presenting on social media forums. And parents are putting plenty out there. A 2016 study by Nominet, the official registry of domain names in the United Kingdom, found that parents are posting an average of 300 photos of their children online each year, which means most children have 1,500 photos on the internet before their fifth birthday. Creating a permanent record is not the only risk parents take when they post, however. Cyber security expert Dom Sanfilippo, owner of CMIT Solutions, says many times photos of children end up on unscrupulous websites. But parents also should be mindful of giving away identifying information about their children when they post a photo. “Parents think it’s relatively benign; they’re just posting a picture of their kid at school or at home or in the neighborhood, but there are landmarks, dates, times and metadata in that picture,” he adds. In recent years, data brokers have begun mining social media sites for information, which is then used to build profiles of consumers and sold to advertisers, spammers, malware distributers, employment agencies and college admission offices. “Data recently surpassed oil as the No. 1 asset in the world,” Sanfilippo says. “We all think of ourselves as customers of Google or Facebook, but no. You’re the commodity.” By all indications, parents using social media to provide updates on their family will continue. And for the most part, experts agree it’s a good way for people to stay connected. By taking some precautions, however, parents can help ensure their kids stay safe. “You should be thinking about how the child would feel about what’s being put out there several years down the road,” says Perez. “Is having a picture out there of them in the bath going to be embarrassing for him or her? Of course, a three-yearold probably doesn’t care, but will it make a difference later?” u SEPTEMBER 2019 / JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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[ HISTORY ]

Our Town v

The 1950s saw an altogether diﬀerent Jacksonville, one set against the backdrop of segregation and political corruption. A lot has changed since then, much of it hinging on the 1967 consolidation of city and county services into one government entity. In author James Crooks’ book, Jacksonville: The Consolidation Story, From Civil Rights to The Jaguars (University Press of Florida, $25), the University of North Florida professor outlines the history of race relations, environmental pollution, and the revitalization of the Downtown area through the 1950s and ‘60s. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

Ford Motor Co. Assembly Plant

Before Kickoﬀ Jacksonville’s established Sports Complex was once a quaint neighborhood by JosUé A. CrUz

THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WRAPS AROUND THE HUB OF JACKSONVILLE’S SPORTS COMPLEX, so-named for being home to a mix of stadiums and arenas. There are Jaguars and Jumbo Shrimp, Ice Men, Sharks, and Giants roaming courts and ﬁelds just east of Downtown Jacksonville and purposefully serviced by highways, bridges and access ramps. It all comprises a master plan to keep the area active throughout the year, with one team’s season beginning just as another one ends. The recent addition of Daily’s Place, a 5,500-seat amphitheater adjacent to TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jaguars NFL franchise, adds a live music venue to an area already bustling with sports activity. Historically, the area has been home to the Gator Bowl, the former name of the football stadium, prior to updates and expansion. Footballs have been ﬂung around the neighborhood since 1927. Prior to the cheering fans, the area was peppered

with small houses, churches and business. Through the years, larger organizations took hold of the prime real estate along the river, but most of the neighborhood retained a small-town vibe. “The first football field in the Downtown area was Fairfield Stadium,” says Charles Smith, a sports historian who admittedly “loves all stadiums, arenas and ballparks.” The octogenarian has a wide collection of records and clippings that provide history into some of the greatest ball fields in the U.S. “Fairfield Stadium was created for the high school teams of the area to play football,” Smith says. Robert E. Lee Senior High and Andrew Jackson High both played games in the stadium. “Before that, there wasn’t much in that area other than houses.” The Sports Complex today is comprised of the Fairfield neighborhood to the east and Downtown to the west. Fairfield was initially developed in

SPACE RACE Salvaging history is no easy task, as the Jacksonville Historical Society can attest. In 2012, JHS purchased St. Luke’s Hospital and the adjacent Florida Casket Company building with the intention of consolidating and storing its vast archives. Repurposing a circa-1924 casket factory into a modern, secure, climate-controlled space comes with some hurdles, of course. To confront the financial challenges, the organization is currently accepting contributions. The renovated space will allow for the processing and preservation of JHS archives and upon completion—predicted for 2020— will yield approximately 4,500 square feet of usable floor space, including low-temperature storage for photo negatives and film that are currently deteriorating. New workstations will contain the shelf space needed to process, catalogue, and store historical archive materials. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

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1868 by Jacob S. Parker, a transplanted New Yorker who acquired 150 acres of riverfront property. He funded roads and convinced fellow developers to open the Roseland Hotel, which would become a go-to winter destination for the rich and famous of the era. Parker would also establish the fairgrounds and introduce horse racing to the area as the forbearer of sports to come. Fairﬁeld would incorporate into its own municipality in 1882 and, ultimately, be annexed by the City of Jacksonville in 1887. At that time there were some 550 residents living in the neighborhood. Annexation brought change and growth, with some notable tenants moving into the neighborhood, most notably the Kalem Company, a New York movie studio that set up its winter productions at the Roseland Hotel. Ford Motor Company opened an 800-employee assembly plant in 1924 and railroad and shipyards soon followed. Some residential pockets remained, but were quickly becoming marginalized because of growing industries. World War II and the shipbuilders and logistic enterprises it required pushed even more homes out of the area. In 1953, construction of the Mathews Bridge was completed, and residents uprooted themselves, heading for the quieter, oaklined streets of Arlington just across the St. Johns River. The commercial hub of the neighborhood, bereft of patronizing residents, was decimated by the addition of the Haines Expressway (MLK Expressway) in 1962 and the Commodore Point Expressway (Hart Bridge Expressway) in 1967, all converging here, forever altered the character of the area.

T IX

“Wolfson Park was a baseball stadium built in Downtown Jacksonville in 1954 and the Jacksonville Coliseum was built in the early sixties,” Smith says. Both were precursors to modern iterations, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville and Veterans Memorial Arena, respectively. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium replaced the old Gator Bowl in 1995 and is known today as TIAA Bank Field. u

Local tickets, one place. Sell your tickets through a trusted media source Roseland Hotel

SEPTEMBER 2019 / JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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Adventurous

eats

WORDS BY STAFF // PHOTOS BY AGNES LOPEZ

urgers. Shrimp-and-grits. Fried chicken. Yes, Jacksonville has them all and, although admittedly delicious, most of us have eaten our fill. And then some. That’s why this year’s Food Issue focuses on flavors you might not have had before—including offthe-menu, secret eats (or just dishes you might otherwise overlook)—that make the local culinary landscape adventurous, colorful and downright delicious.

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

Sweet Meats

uch of the upscale cuisine at Riverside’s Restaurant Orsay relies on a combination of French fare and Southern flair—cue the sweetbreads (the culinary name for the thymus or pancreas) and lamb belly appetizer ($19), a stellar example of the restaurant’s take on upscale-meets-comfort food classics. Here, chicken-fried sweetbreads and smoked lamb bacon are accompanied by a warm mushroom and radish salad, sweet corn purée, Champagne gastrique, and fine herbs.

SEPTEMBER 2019 / JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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Ocean to Table

he menu at Mr. Sharks—a brightly-colored building with neon signs advertising “fish” and “oysters” on Blanding Boulevard—is divided into two sections: raw and steamed. That means that here, you can buy oysters by the bushel, chicken livers by the pound or cooked delicacies, like garlic shrimp and fried blue crab. Garlic crabs (market price) are a fan favorite and, when cooked in-house, come doused in a heavy helping of Old Bay and cayenne. And garlic. Lots of garlic.

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

r o t a G , Later S

ure, there’s Tikka Masala and chili chicken, but one of the tastiest ways to experience all that the 5th Element—an Indian buffet located on the Southside— has to offer is with the egg curry ($11). The dish features whole boiled eggs, simmered in homemade sauce punctuated with spices, onions, tomatoes and coconut milk. The resulting dish is rich, creamy, and highly addictive. The best way to ensure you sop up all the tasty goodness? A side of naan.

gamey take on the Southern classic, the alligator ribs ($17) at Gilbert’s Social on the Southside are an off-menu special. Chef Kenny Gilbert sources his gator meat locally, dusting them with a Cajun spice rub before both smoking and braising them, for an extra shot of flavor. The best part: alligator meat does not shrivel when cooked, so it will still be plump and juicy by the time it reaches your table. He often serves them by the rack but also shreds the meat to fold into tacos and on sliders, too.

t Cantonese Dim Sum house Timwah, located on the Southside, tasty morsels are served on two carts that make their way around to diners seated in the restaurant. One cart is comprised of steamed eats and the other fried, with patrons encouraged to try as many as they can comfortably stomach. It’s a tall task when it comes to the pan-fried chicken potstickers ($4 per order), a blend of chicken and spices wrapped in a thin dough and lightly pan-fried. The result is a slightly crispy exterior and a pillowy middle—and a can’t-stop-eating flavor combination that requires more than one order.

SEPTEMBER 2019 / JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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p U k n i Dr W

hen life gives you lemons, throw some salt on them. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the idea of the salty lemonade

and salty kumquat beverages ($3.50) at Yummy Pho. The drinks are a combination of sweet and sour, served over ice for a refreshing summer sip. The elixir is said to have health benefits, having been used for centuries as a sore throat ailment.

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here are only four ingredients in beer: grain, water, yeast, and hops. At least there used to be. These days brewers are adding fruits, spices, herbs—anything that fits into the mash tun or fermentation tank—and seeing what develops. The new flavors lend themselves to more than just beer, though, and breweries such as San Marco's Aardwolf are taking it one step further, turning the concoctions into beer slushies. Options change daily and feature everything from milky stouts to tropical sours. Pictured on the right is San Marco Sour with blackberry, black currant, and vanilla, and on the left is Lactic Zeppelin (also a sour) with pineapple, mango, and mint.

ost of the menu offerings at 5 Points’ Derby House Diner skew traditional—pancakes, meatloaf and the like. But among the derby classics is a stellar, sophisticated cocktail menu. We’re partial to the Frida Kaklo ($10) with El Jimador Reposado, Plymouth Sloe Gin, lime juice, cane simple syrup, and finished with a salt and clove rim.

he San Sebastian winery’s blends are different than what you most often find in a wine shop. That’s because they’re made from native Muscadine grapes, a sweeter variety than the more common Vitis vinifera (the stuff used to make Pinots and Rieslings). The St. Augustine vintner’s Rosa ($9 per bottle) looks like rosé but offers a different finish, one that’s light, refreshing and balanced with just a hint of sweetness.

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Our Daily Bread ruiser’s has been serving patrons in Jacksonville Beach for over 20 years— though, in 2019, the eatery received a significant makeover, unveiling a new interior and a handful of new menu items, including the fried bologna sandwich ($9). The bologna is cured in-house, fried to a crisp and topped with Provel, a white processed cheese from St. Louis, and Dijon ranch on white bread. Throw caution to the wind and top with a fried egg for an additional buck.

n Springfield, abandoned service station-turnedrestaurant Strings Sports Brewery takes vegan cuisine to new heights with the Tahini Red sandwich ($14). The handheld includes a blood-red, smoked watermelon drizzled with red tahini sauce, shallots, pickles, sweet potato and jalapeños on a warm bun.

ub Cultured, a walk-up sandwich joint at a busy intersection in Mayport, offers all the standard sammies— Italians, Cubans and the like. But where the casual eatery really shines is with its riffs on old classics. The K-Pop Porto ($9.50), for instance, has all the makings of a standard Philly, but with a Korean twist, replacing steak with marinated portobello mushrooms and topping it with onions, melted havarti cheese and gochujang aioli.

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s r e r e g t r t u e B B

heyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re known for farm-to-table eats, but Coop 303 in Atlantic Beach doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shy away from lab-created foods, either. Coop is the latest in a string of local restaurants to offer the Impossible Burger ($15), a plant-based patty reverseengineered to replicate the flavor and texture of beef. Here, the eight-ounce veggie patty (made from a protein found in soy) gets the all-American treatment with lettuce, tomato and vegan ranch on a vegan brioche bun.

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Tastes Like Chick en C

hefs Erika Cline and Linda Dixon Evans are best known for the decadent cakes and pastries served at their Springfield cafe, Bleu Chocolat. But at lunch and dinner, they’re turning out heartier fare inspired by their love of classic cooking techniques and time spent in Tortola (where the original Bleu Chocolat was located before being destroyed by Hurricane Irma). Case in point: chicken in a pot, a dish served in a cast-iron pot with white wine sauce, root vegetables and side of peas and rice—and large enough to feed two.

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hicken feet aren’t on the menu at Blue Bamboo—but if you ask Chef

Dennis Chan nicely (and call in advance, as they take a while to procure), he just might make you some “Phoenix Claws.” The basket-steamed morsels are a dim sum classic and make a delicious case for whole-animal cooking. They’re also very gelatinous, a texture common in Asian cuisine, and comprised of no muscle, instead getting their flavor from bone and a combination of garlic, ginger and black bean sauce. They are quite literally the ultimate finger food: easy to eat and fairly messy. And they taste, well…like chicken.

our standard buffalo-based gameday wings, these are not. But Congaree & Penn’s version of the classic ($14) might be even more addicting. At the farm’s on-site taproom and kitchen, wings are doused in a smoked blackberry barbecue sauce (made from blackberries grown on-site, of course) and served with ranch, bleu cheese and hand-cut fried potatoes.

om Moffitt was stationed in the Philippines when, after a long day at work, the Naval air instructor started craving ice cream. “I wasn’t craving plain Jane vanilla, but something with big, bold flavors like bourbon, rum, or cold brew coffee—tastes that weren’t common in ice cream at the time,” says Moffitt. Upon coming back to the states, he launched his own artisanal ice cream company: Reed Thomas Southern Creamery. Moffitt blends regional extracts and minimal ingredients to create his range of flavors, including vanilla bourbon, cookies and cream and Ube, made from a purple yam native to the Philippines. Pints are available for $8 at Springfield’s Bleu Chocolat Café, along with seasonal offerings (like ice cream sandwiches). u

I Scream , you Scre am

...

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Meals on

Wheels

Mobile cuisine enthusiasts have a plethora of options in Jax, where food trucks dish out everything from buffalo fries to Nutella-stuffed crepes. The best of the bunch have several things in common, namely a desirable menu, prompt service and a following of hungry fans.

Cely’s Filipino Food

Filipino food has earned a permanent spot among popular cuisines in Jacksonville thanks, in large part, to Cely’s. Here, diners can feast on $4 chicken-on-a-stick (perfectly charred on a small grill in the truck), $5 platters of fried rice or pancit noodles, and $1 pieces of lumpia, a savory spring roll enveloping a filling of chopped meats and veggies.

Nalu’s Tropical Take-Out

Owner and chef Jerry Morgan established his food truck (housed in a walk-up trailer parked at the Surf Station) back in 2002, making it St. Augustine’s first. The concept is heavy on Hawaiian flavors—inspired by Morgan’s time spent on the North Shore—and the menu is full of ideal beach (or post-surfing) eats, such as blackened fish burritos, seared ahi tuna sashimi, and chicken nachos.

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Fusion

The long line leading up to the window at Fusion, most often parked at Downtown’s Urban Food Court at South Hogan Street, is indication enough that the eats are craveworthy. The banana curry is the stuff of local legend, with sautéed bananas, coconut milk, and plenty of spice over basmati rice and begs to be sopped up with an order of garlic naan. Wash it all down with a pulpy mango lemonade.

The Blazin’ Buffalo

Cody Hays first served his fried chicken at a high school football concession stand. Eventually, demand grew to the point that he opened a truck specializing in Buffalo fries: hand-cut and topped with homemade fried chicken bites and a choice of sauce. Mac N’ Cheese Bites and icy cups of Watermelon Lemonade—freshly squeezed and with no syrups—complete the menu.

Big Island Bowls

After graduating from college, lifelong friends Kelly Hazouri and Brendan Schneck moved to Hawaii for a spell, eventually returning home to St. Augustine inspired by the island’s laid-back, health-focused cuisine. Big Island Bowls is their homage to the Aloha State, with a menu focused on bowls—laden with everything from poke to dragonfruit—and smoothies.

Latin Soul Grille

Of the many fusion-style trucks cruising around the First Coast, Latin Soul has emerged as something of a powerhouse. The menu changes frequently, but diners can expect a blend of Latin and Southern flavors (think smoky pulled pork tacos, spicy mofongo and pillowy empanadas). If they have it, you’ll want to try the Pastelon, a Puerto Rican lasagna made with ground beef, sweet plantains, cheese and tomato sauce.

Streaming The Bullet

The menu at this St. Augustine staple (parked in front of Dos Coffee and Wine for lunch Monday-Friday) is small but mighty, and the brainchild of owners Misty Lake and Ed Baltzley, former executive chef at Palm Valley Fish Camp. The tiny kitchen inside the gleaming airstream turns out Southern-style chicken sandwiches on potato rolls, Old Bay fries and tots, vegetarian Banh Mi, and bowls of piping hot ramen and udon. The burger—made with Seminole Pride beef and special sauce on a sesame seed bun—is nostalgic in the best way possible.

JoyShtick

After visiting an Atlanta barcade, Evan Werthman was inspired to create a concept that combined video games with food. At JoyShtick, customers can play games while they wait for their burgers—much of which, incidentally, are named after video game characters. The Mario, for instance, has classicburger toppings, while The Bowser Breakfast is complete with American cheese, an overeasy egg, arugula, sriracha and maple syrup. “Side Missions” (that’s side items in video game speak) include crispy fries topped with furikake rice seasoning and Sriracha mayo.

Blazin Azn

This fusion truck bills itself as providing a full service experience, despite its food truck digs. That means a menu complete with sushi-ritos, sushi rolls, and hibachi-style entrées, such as shrimp, steak and rice. In other words, all the dishes you’d expect at a high-end Japanese restaurant, without the sticker shock.

On the Fly

A bad day can be almost entirely cured with an order of this Downtown truck’s Overloaded Sweet Potato Planks, which come exactly as the name suggests, with braised pork, bleu cheese, On the Fly sauce and a smattering of green onion. Other offerings include jumbo black tiger shrimp soft tacos, firecracker sesame seared ahi tuna, and the mile-long BBQ pork sandwich.

Pie95

It seems almost sacrilegious to think that a food truck could turn out a perfectly crispyyet-somehow-still-doughy pizza and yet Pie95 does it with each and every pie. The truck is tricked out with a real-deal pizza oven and offers all the classics (Margherita, white pizza, pepperoni) plus some more unusual toppings, depending on the season (a spring pizza, for instance, included yellow squash and lemon).

The Happy Grilled Cheese Ordering the OMG Melt—filled with three cheeses, mozzarella sticks, Mac and cheese, bacon and marina drizz—has become something go a rite of passage in the Jax dining scene, though Happy dishes up all manner of cheese-stuffed sandwiches. The food coma likely to be brought on by the Blue Collar Melt—three cheeses, fried bologna, tomatoes and grilled onions—is more than worth it. Our advice: don’t bypass the $1 sides of homemade tomato soup, which are excellent for dipping.

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BY DEANNA PISACRETA

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“HAVE HUNGER, WILL TRAVEL ” seems to be the motto of foodies everywhere, many of whom are more than willing to trek a couple miles—or a couple hundred—to cross something off their dining bucket lists. We’ve rounded up a handful of regional destinations (plus where to eat, stay and what to do in each) that have bucket-list-worthy eats in spades.

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MORE @ JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains lies ASHEVILLE , known for its culture, vibrant art scene, historic architecture, and, of course, the food. If you’re looking for a rural getaway in your vacation, Asheville is the place to go. NORTH CAROLINA

Part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, the A S H E V I L L E F O U N D R Y HOTEL (2) is so named for its location in a building that once forged steel for nearby Biltmore Estate. Today, it’s home to plush rooms, a chic bar with live music nightly, and Benne on Eagle, a soul-fooddone-chic eatery serving everything from onion-braised rabbit to grilled and smothered pork chops. Rates begin at $190. • The 128-room HOTEL ARRAS— slated for a November 2019 opening—is nestled just steps away from galleries, shops, breweries, cafes, and nearby hiking trails and waterfalls. Travelers can enjoy fresh pasta and craft cocktails at on-property restaurant Bargello and view commissioned local art throughout the hotel. Rates begin at $237.

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From September 12-15, Asheville celebrates the Appalachian chefs, farmers and makers who create the area’s regional culinary identity at CHOW CHOW, a festival featuring a Soul Food walking tour, foraged feasts, pottery workshops, and more. • Take a tour at THE BILTMORE ESTATE (3), America’s largest privately owned home built for George Vanderbilt, then stop at the on-site winery for a tasting.

TOP PHOTO: EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM; 2.THE FOUNDRY HOTEL, A CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON PROPERTY

Asheville’s first James Beard semifinalist Chef Jacob Sessoms opened his newest venture —ALL DAY DARLING— with another of the region’s culinary personalities, High Five Coffee owner Jay Weatherly. The duo’s new restaurant is open seven days a week, and all menu items are served all day, which means patrons can nosh on Hawaiian rolls or glutenfree pancakes for breakfast or dinner. • Located on Charlotte Street, GAN SHAN STATION (1) serves Asian flavors using only locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes frequently with Asheville’s growing seasons, though standard offerings include pan-fried dumplings and pad Thai. More adventurous diners can opt for the reservationonly tasting option, where guests are seated at the chef’s table alongside the kitchen, where they can watch the staff cook a specially tailored eight-to twelvecourse meal.

Originally launched in Charleston, ROOT BAKING CO. (1) opened in Atlanta in the fall of 2018. Located in Ponce City Market, Root makes fresh breads and pastries everyday, along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s also an all-weekend brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 8 PM. Offerings include a new take on the classic breakfast sandwich with sorghum glazed ham, cheddar, and mustard greens, all stuffed in a flakey croissant. • What’s a trip to Atlanta without a taste of soul food? PASCHAL’S was opened in 1947 as a luncheonette by brothers Robert and James Paschal. As the business grew, it expanded to dinner and Robert’s famous, secret recipe fried chicken was born. The food is decadent, delicious and crave-worthy and the restaurant is an institution in every sense. During the Civil Rights era, it served as a meeting place for leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Today, the brothers have passed, but the restaurant is still run by family, still serving chicken, and still urging patrons to end their meal with a bowl of peach cobbler.

In the heart of Downtown, the HILTON sits steps away from major attractions. If you’re looking for food, the hotel definitely isn’t lacking it. Guests can relax and order in-room dining all day, get dressed up and check out the AAA FourDiamond award winning Nikolia’s Roof, or select from a range of nearby casual options. Rates begin at $133. • THE ATLANTA MARRIOT MARQUIS (4) is just minutes from the Atlanta Airport, but isn’t lacking in all the necessary amenities: room service, smart TVs in each rooms and 52-stories with views of the city among them. At the on-site High Velocity sports bar, patrons can nosh on onion rings, extra large warm pretzels, shrimp tacos, and more. Rates begin at $140.

GEORGIA

In recent years, the unbridled growth in ATLANTA has allowed for ambitious projects such as the transformation of the Beltline, and the development of spaces such as Ponce City Market and the Westside Provisions district. There’s still plenty of Southern charm in Atlanta, but today, comfort meets high style.

Step inside the vault of at the WORLD OF COCA-COLA (2) for an interactive exhibit about the soda’s heavily guarded recipe. Patrons can view the bottling process, learn about brand history, view their favorite Coca-Cola ads from over the years, taste products from around the world, and see how the beverage has become a pop-culture icon. • Climb aboard the ATLANTA B E E R B U S (3) for brewery tours that operate all weekend, allowing guests to hop on and off shuttles for 45-minute stops. On Saturday, four-hour tours allow up to 14 riders to speak to “Beer Nerds” for expert tips.

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At Little Haiti’s FIORITO(1), food is cooked and served by owners Maximiliano and Cristian Alvarez. That means dishes can take a while, but it’s well worth it. • Zak Stern is a legend in Miami’s Wynwood District, where his kosher baked goods have a loyal following. Patrons can take home a loaf at STERN’S (2) bakery or head down the block to Zak the Baker and stay for a while, thanks to a menu of corned beef sandwiches, potato kugels and buttery croissants.

FLORIDA

THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL (3) at The Surf Club was once a playground for the rich and famous—Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and the like. It’s since been restored to blend old Florida glamour with new modern designs. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, it’s worth a visit to dine at LE SIRENUSE, a family-owned Italian restaurant straight from Italy’s Amalfi Coast. La dolce vita indeed. Rates begin at $450. • FONTAINEBLEAU is a “see and be seen” type of place but it’s also home to some of the city’s most reliable dining options, including the rooftop HAKKASAN and the clubby SCARPETTA, serving the deceptively simple, cult-favorite Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce. Rates begin at $250.

MIAMI has reinvented itself from a party city to

an artsy, chic, international vacation destination. Sure, you can still “party in the city where the heat is on,” but you can also nibble oysters at the renovated Four Seasons’ champagne bar, wile away the afternoon at an art museum, or browse for a new wardrobe at the Bar Harbour shops.

Peek inside the famed MOORE BUILDING in the Miami Design District. The historic venue was built in 1921 as a furniture showroom but is currently home to the Elastic installation by architect Zaha Hadid. • THE FAENA HOTEL (4) is about as glamorous as it gets, with an art collection featuring works by Damien Hirst. “Gone but not Forgotten,” a gilded wooly mammoth skeleton, is installed outside and makes for an ideal photo backdrop.

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Mark Twain once said “NEW ORLEANS ’ food is as delicious

as the less criminal forms of sin.” Twain was right—the Big Easy isn’t lacking in culinary experiences, from Cajun style eats to hearty po’ boys. Fall is an ideal time to go to the city, too, thanks to numerous ghost tours and voodoo shops.

LOUISIANA

In 1918 Count Arnaud, a wine salesman, opened the Creole restaurant ARNAUD’S. (4) In 1978, Archie and Jane Casbarian acquired the eatery, restored it and revamped the menu—and it has remained in the family ever since. Its rich history goes back to Prohibition, where cocktails flowed freely in private rooms, stories which are still told over meals there today. The wide menu offers something for every palette, but it’s not a trip to the French Quarter without a bowl of the gumbo. • Originally opened in 1862 in the French Quarter, CAFE DU MONDE (2) serves diners 24/7 at eight locations across New Orleans. It’s simple, no-frills and most people come for two things: beignets and coffee. The doughy treats are warm and doused in powdered sugar, making them more than worth every calorie.

HOTEL PETER & PAUL (3) is so-named for its location—the renovated site of former Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The renovation consists of four buildings where no two rooms are exactly alike, with a heavy emphasis on culture, architecture, and history. On the ground floor of the former rectory sits THE ELYSIAN BAR, which offers a variety of wines, specialty cocktails, and a menu designed by Chef Alex Harrell. The small cafe on the old chapel side of the hotel serves coffee and fresh juice all day. Rates start at $174. • At 125 years old, THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL is the icon for grandeur in New Orleans. This Waldorf Astoriaoperated property hosts 504 guest rooms each decorated with luxury in mind with modern amenities. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, The Roosevelt closed its doors until restorations were completed in 2009. Today, guests and locals alike can enjoy a drink at THE SAZERAC BAR, named after what is commonly believed to be the world’s first mixed drink. Rates begin at $196.

DOCTOR GUMBO offers food tours that stop at six restaurants for tastes of classic Creole dishes, local sandwiches, artisanal candy, and more. Of-age travelers can take the cocktail tour to see where the Grasshopper was first invented and enjoy cocktails by award winning mixologists. For the best of both worlds, Doctor Gumbo offers a food and cocktail tour which lasts four hours and visits seven different locations. You might need a nap after. • The non-profit SOUTHERN FOOD & BEVERAGE MUSEUM encourages visitors to discover and celebrate the food and drink culture of the South. Exhibits cover everything from how the cocktail has influenced art, film, music, politics, and theater globally to a tour through the early days of absinthe.

PICS 1 & 3: HOTEL PETER & PAUL

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The 2019 Jacksonville Magazine Fashion Project—themed “Superheroes“—lights up the runway the evening of Friday, October 11, 7-10 PM, inside the WJCT studios. Just as in past years, aspiring models paired with professional and novice designers from across Northeast Florida compete for the chance to be featured on the cover and inside the pages of an upcoming Jacksonville Magazine. In addition to a two-part runway show, the event is highlighted by fine wine, craft cocktails and live music.

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photographer // Agnes Lopez hair // Brooke Mendoza, Ten Salon makeup // Kimtasha stylist // DonnaReine Enterprise nails // @toolitwhit models // Caroline Webb & Danielle Oyewole

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CAROLINE (standing): denim jacket ($49), Simply Ke’Say Boutique; shorts ($34.90), crop top ($19.90), Bobby K Boutique; crossbody bag ($35), earrings ($12), Talk of the Town; glasses ($8), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax; skates, socks stylist’s own. DANIELLE (seated): bodysuit set ($69), denim jacket ($49), Simply Ke’Say Boutique; shorts ($43), bralette ($13), Bobby K Boutique; earrings ($6), glasses ($8), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax; crossbody bag ($35), Talk of the Town; holographic skates, Jane Amarachi Umunna; socks stylist’s own; black skates and vintage street sign props from Fans & Stoves Antique Mall.

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CAROLINE and DANIELLE wear zip-up dresses ($20), earrings ($5), and bangles ($5) from EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax; bralettes ($13), scrunchies ($6), Bobby K Boutique; belts ($23), Fans & Stoves Antique Mall. Mirrored disco ball ($49), Fans & Stoves Antique Mall.

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Romper ($48), Talk of the Town; gold mesh jersey ($15), fanny pack ($15), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax; bralette ($13), earrings ($15), necklace ($20), Bobby K Boutique; Michael Kors glasses ($219), Vision Today.

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Romper ($73), Talk of the Town; fanny pack ($15), earrings ($6), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax; necklace ($23), Bobby K Boutique; Coach glasses ($239), Vision Today.

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CAROLINE: swim playsuit ($15), necklace ($6), earrings ($5), wrist whistle ($5), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax, MCM glasses ($299), Vision Today; socks, knee and elbow pads, stylist’s own. DANIELLE: swim playsuit ($15), earrings ($5), wrist whistle ($5), EVVC Jax, IG: evvintagecollectivejax; MCM glasses ($289), Vision Today; fanny pack ($35), Mygani LLC; socks stylist’s own.

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CAROLINE: blouse ($15), shorts ($15), visor ($6), belt ($8), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax; earrings ($12), Talk of the Town. DANIELLE: blouse ($15), plaid shorts ($16), hat ($5), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax; earrings ($14.98), fanny pack ($20), Bobby K Boutique.

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CAROLINE: fringe vest ($40), bralette ($13), shorts ($33), necklace ($19), Bobby K Boutique; earrings ($12), Talk of the Town; sunglasses ($8), bangles ($5), EVVC Jax, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax. DANIELLE: tan duster ($49), Simply Keâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Say Boutique; bralette ($13) skirt ($40), Bobby K Boutique; earrings ($12), Talk of the Town; sunglasses ($8) bangles ($5), EVVC JAX, IG: @evvintagecollectivejax

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Flavor

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Al spent years perfecting his pizza since immigrating to America in 1978, opening his first pizzeria in Jacksonville in 1988. Today, he stays committed to using fresh ingredients and still handmakes pizza dough every day. While fresh ingredients and New York traditions are the cornerstone of Al’s, newcomers are often drawn in by the restaurant’s sleek look and contemporary appeal. Whether feasting with the family or picking up a slice for yourself, Al’s pizza is there for you through thick and thin... crust that is. Diners enjoy a classic slice, customized with whatever topping their heart desires, or even a traditional Sicilian slice with an Old World, thick crust. For dessert, make sure to try the zeppolis, a New York street fare favorite of lightly fried dough coated in powdered sugar with a sweet raspberry dipping sauce.

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LARGE GROUPS

BEER GARDEN

1224 KINGS AVE., SAN MARCO 32207 (904) 619-2247 · THEBEARDEDPIGBBQ.COM

This San Marco favorite is the place to go for classic Southern ‘cue with Texas roots, (plus elements from the Carolinas and everywhere in between). Nosh on brisket, pulled pork, sausage or turkey and be sure to top off your choice of meat with one of four original sauces. Finish off the meal with a housemade dessert like banana pudding or Nutella brownie sundae. After dinner, head to the outdoor beer garden to catch the game, enjoy a brew, or let the kids play.

Savor

ChopHouse

Thirteen

A Premier Independently Owned Chophouse

HAPPY HOUR

ACCEPTS RESERVATIONS

PRIVATE DINING

11362 SAN JOSE BLVD., JACKSONVILLE 32223 (904)262-0006 Â· CHOPHOUSE13.COM

ChopHouse Thirteen checks all the boxes of a proper steakhouse: 100% certified Black Angus steaks and chops, fresh seafood, in-house prepared sides and a conditioned wine room with a diverse selection. The restaurant is committed to quality food and stellar service. Cozy up with a martini and shrimp cocktail at the Oak Bar, or take a seat in the dining room for the classic steakhouse experience.

Savor

“ The menus are thoughtfully created with respect, humility and joy. This is FUN dining. Bring your friends and make some new ones.

Coop 303 Modern Cuisine & Signature Cocktails

HAPPY HOUR

WEEKEND BRUNCH

LIVE MUSIC

LARGE GROUPS

VEGAN OPTIONS

303 ATLANTIC BLVD., ATLANTIC BEACH 32233 (904) 372-4507 · COOP303.COM

“

- JP DIEDRICH, GENERAL MANAGER

Regional favorites reign at this Atlantic Beach restaurant. With rooftop dining available and two full bars, guests can sip on any of Coop’s signature cocktails including a “Bless Your Heart,” made with Absolut Vodka, fresh strawberry purée, and housemade lemonade. Opt for intimate booth dining or large community tables to accommodate any desired atmosphere. Sharing is caring with the loaded tots appetizer made with drunken pork, cheddar cheese curds, and hot sauce aioli; or keep dinner all to yourself with the classic chicken & waffle made with a bacon waffle, onion jam, datil pepper jelly, and maple crema. Satisfy that sweet tooth after with a bacon bourbon sundae—a white chocolate-butterscotch blondie, topped with bourbon caramel, candied bacon, and vanilla ice cream.

Savor

Fired Up Pizza Wood-Fired Pizza Parlor

KID-FRIENDLY

DOG-FRIENDLY

AL FRESCO DINING

1050 EDGEWOOD AVE. S., MURRAY HILL 32205 (904) 503-5142

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

This cheekily named Murray Hill establishment— from the team behind Larry's Giant Subs—fires up crispy pies, wings and other bar eats like soft pretzels and fries. Choose your own toppings (options include hot capicola, provolone cheese, and Kalamata olives, among many others) or try a house pie. The diavola, with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, salami, basil and red pepper, goes down like a treat.

Eat

Flying

Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar

TEQUILA BAR

LIVE MUSIC

GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS

207 ATLANTIC BLVD., NEPTUNE BEACH, FL 32266 (904) 853-5680 · FLYINGIGUANA.COM

With some 100 tequilas behind the bar and a wide selection of craft beers—plus plenty of tacos, fresh-made apps and the like—there is no shortage of libations at this Latin fusion restaurant. Pair your award winning Flying Iguana Margarita with guacamole prepared tableside and a blackened shrimp taco topped with mango pico and chipotle aioli. Thanks to the rooftop garden, ingredients are always fresh. Round out your meal with a new take on a classic Mexican lan, made with coconut milk and topped with a fresh berry compote and quinoa tuille.

Sip

San

Sebastian Winery American Wine, Dating Back To 1562

LIVE MUSIC

TASTINGS

ROOFTOP BAR

157 KING STREET ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 32084 (904) 826-1594 · SANSEBASTIANWINERY.COM

The San Sebastian Winery is located in one of Henry Flagler’s old East Coast Railway buildings just a few blocks from historic downtown St. Augustine. Offering complimentary tours and tasting of award winning wines seven days a week. Tours start every 20 minutes. An assortment of San Sebastian wine and gourmet food items available in gift shop. The Cellar Upstairs Wine, Jazz and Blues Bar is located on the rooftop patio of the Winery, featuring incredible live music with an eclectic mix of entertainment from talented musicians. Offering a fine selection of San Sebastian Wines, beer and gourmet food to delight every palette. Open Thursday - Sunday.

Savor

V Pizza The Art of Pizza

KID-FRIENDLY

SUNDAY BRUNCH

GLUTEN-FREE

6 LOCATIONS INCLUDING 1406 HENDRICKS AVE., SAN MARCO 32207 (904)527-1511 · VPIZZA.COM

From the large pizza ovens to the gregarious team dutifully putting together doughy creations, a trip to V Pizza is akin to stepping inside a family run Naples pizza joint. The vibe is minimalistic—don’t expect tablecloths, be prepared to join community tables, and embrace the fact that napkins are a simple roll of paper towels placed on every table (especially if you get the wings). The 00 dough, San Marzano tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella are imported straight from Italia. The crust is thin and crispy, with a slight char from the oven. Standouts include the carnivora, which comes topped with pancetta, soppressata, sausage, red onions, garlic, and fresh basil, and the salsiccia with provolone, swiss, spicy Italian rope sausage, bell peppers, red onions, and Calabrian pepper oil, which packs a spicy punch.

REVIEW

[Flavor ]

Meat Up A new Atlantic Beach smokehouse serves tasty ’cue in trendy digs WORDS BY BRENTLEY STEAD // PHOTOS BY AGNES LOPEZ

THE ENTICING SCENT OF WOOD SMOKE WILL TUG YOU THROUGH the front doors at ABBQ, a new Atlantic Beach eatery serving Texas style barbecue in a minimalist space. The fast-casual concept (patrons order at a counter, where their meat is sliced fresh) advertises its menu—heavy on meats—on a large board. Seating is first-come, firstserve with plenty of tables and booths. Those not interested in ordering at the counter can nab a seat at the bar. The staff behind the counter weighs meat to order, so those who want to try a bit of everything certainly can. Alternately, customers can stay dedicated to one smoked item, like turkey, Duroc pulled pork, house-made sausage or spicy, dry-rubbed ribs. Meats and sandwiches are served à la carte. The sliced brisket sandwich ($12) begins with certified Angus beef, cooked low and slow. Brisket comes shredded or sliced and true ‘cue enthusiasts know to request slices of the “point,” the cut with the most flavor due to its meat-to-fat ratio, rendered to the point of juicy perfection. Sliced brisket comes topped with house-made pickles that cut through some of the richness of the fat. The sandwich needs no additions, but if you want sauce, all are made in-house and include Alabama white, mustard, sweet and spicy. Sides include seasoned fries, traditional potato salad, mac-and-cheese, coleslaw, cheesy and savory potato casserole and baked cowboy

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beans ($3.50 per side). Not to be overlooked is the “For The Table” portion of the menu, featuring a loaded baked potato ($9) and Frito pie ($10) with cowboy beans, lime crema, white cheddar, and pico de gallo. Those interested in rounding out the experience with something sweet will enjoy Banoffee pudding ($6), ABBQ’s more sophisticated take on the banana pudding. Over at the wraparound bar, the staff mixes up sophisticated cocktails featuring a full liquor selection. Sip a Summer of 64 ($10) from a delicate coupe glass with activated charcoal-infused Bayou Rum, lime juice and simple syrup. Or try a melded Charro ($11) which features a list of ingredients that’ll knock your socks off: E&J Cognac, orgeat (almond liqueur), Noble Coyote Mezcal, Kraken Dark Rum, Harvey’s sherry, and Busch beer. Seating inside is plentiful, but those who want the full smokehouse experience can head to the back patio, where pit-masters preside over three giant smokers (each large enough to fit several whole pigs) that make the magic happen. The smokers use a central fire system to cook, which means fire never actually touches the meat, and flavor comes from seasoned oak sourced from Tallahassee. Kids can roam in an outdoor, fenced-in area with child-sized tables and chairs, a giant chalkboard wall, and an outdoor sink. A neat and tidy meal, this is not. And good barbecue never is. u

Park It

Touchdown

Go Green

ABBQ

Parking isn’t easy to find at the beach. Take advantage of the free valet and let them park your car.

During football season, large screens indoors and out play the Jags games.

As an eco-minded restaurant, ABBQ uses paper straws and kraft boxes for to-go orders.

461 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (904) 853-6427 • abbqmeatdrink.com @abbqmeatdrink

JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

LET’S EAT! A curated primer to dining out in Northeast Florida Jacksonville Magazine offers a select list of area restaurants as a service to its readers. The directory does not include every restaurant in town. It does, however, feature many of the magazine’s Top 50 choices of must-try eateries, as well as a sampling of other notable Northeast Florida dining establishments. Restaurants to add or other suggestions from readers are welcome. Please contact us at mail@jacksonvillemag.com. ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside (641-1212; alhambrajax.com). With Executive Chef DeJuan Roy creating a fresh, new menu for each show, the Alhambra is becoming known as much for its culinary experience as it is for its Broadway-caliber productions. No longer a buffet service, the Alhambra prides itself on exceptional table service with the highest degree of professionalism. Meals feature a three-course prix-fixe menu, but the chef sneaks in a fourth course if the script calls for it. Full bar with an eclectic wine list. L, D, SB, $$$. AL’S PIZZA 8060 Philips Hwy., Southside (731-4300;

THE BEARDED PIG 1224 Kings Ave., San Marco (619-2247; thebeardedpigbbq.com). Resting on the Southbank of the St. Johns River, this barbecue joint specializes in Southern barbecue dishes ranging from brisket to pulled pork. Try a bit of everything with The San Marco platter that includes four meats and two sides. Complete with an outdoor seating area, the restaurant also offers an array of wine and local beer options. L, D $$.

alspizza.com) plus five other locations. Al’s is casual with a menu chock-full of pizza, calzones and pasta dishes. But its slick and funky atmosphere, not to mention unexpected dishes like mussels in wine and garlic butter sauce and fried chicken salad, also make it a favorite with foodies who normally wouldn’t dine at a pizza joint. During the week, Al’s offers $1.50 cheese slices at Happy Hour. L, D, $.

BELLWETHER 100 N. Laura St., Downtown (8027745, bellwetherjax.com). Expect minimalist decor and farm-to-table fare at this Downtown eatery, which serves up a fast-casual, order-at-the-counter lunch and offers an upscale dinner service. Burgers are always a great choice, but chef’s specials (such as the daily catch) are also worthy of attention. Don’t forget a cup of soft-serve ice cream. L, D, $$$.

AQUA GRILL 395 Front Street, Ponte Vedra Beach (285-3017; aquagrill.net). Since 1988, Aqua Grill has been wowing diners with an eclectic, multi-ethnic menu featuring the freshest local ingredients, prepared to order. For banquets, Aqua offers lakefront, climatecontrolled al fresco dining or a private dining room. They have a popular full service bar with all DirecTV sports packages. Casual. L, D, $$$.

BISCOTTIS 3556 St. Johns Ave., Avondale (3872060; biscottis.net). One of the few places where you can be seated between a Red Hat Society member and a purple-haired creative director, this Avondale institution specializes in innovative updates on old favorites like meatloaf served with apricot marinara sauce and duck confit pizza (dinner specials change daily). Casual. B, L, D, SB, $$.

AZUREA AT ONE OCEAN RESORT & SPA

BISTRO AIX 1440 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (398-1949; bistrox.com). San Marco’s Bistro Aix (pronounced “X,” FYI) is stylish, yet unpretentious, in both décor and menu. The Mediterranean and Frenchinspired fare includes grilled lamb shank, a raw bar with oysters and seasonal seafood and handcrafted cocktails. If you can find a seat at the glowing martini bar, you won’t even mind a wait for a table. L, D, $$.

1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach (249-7402; oneoceanresort.com). The signature restaurant of One Ocean Resort blends culinary influences from Europe, the Caribbean, the Americas, and of course, the ocean. The menu includes signature dishes such as a cast-iron seared jumbo blue crab cake, coriander-dusted Hawaiian bass, Hudson Valley foie gras, Eden Farms pork chop and Mishima Ranch Wagyu beef tenderloin. B, L, D, $$$.

BARRIQUE KITCHEN & WINE BAR 3563 St. Johns Ave. Jacksonville, FL, (619-2150). This Avondale wine cellar-inspired restaurant emphasizes wining and dining with a wine list that spans some 200-plus selections and a menu of rustic offerings including goat cheese ravioli, lamb chops, veal meatball sliders, clams and calamari. The ‘small plate approach’ encourages sharing, though there are sandwiches and pizzas, as well. L, D, $$. BAR ZIN BISTRO & WINE BAR 924 1st Coast Hwy., Fernandina Beach (310-6620). While the libations are the draw here, this bistro’s eclectic menu features dishes in support of its farm-to-table philosophy. With inside or al fresco dining, enjoy seasonal specials such as rum and pepper painted Florida snapper, fried green tomato Napoleon and seared North Carolina trout. L, D, $$.

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mark serves family style meals with all the fixings one can handle. L (Sunday), D, $.

BLACK SHEEP RESTAURANT 1534 Oak St., Five Points (380-3091; blacksheep5points.com). The independent restaurant offers a menu that emphasizes local ingredients, as well as a full bar and rooftop dining. Popular items on the menu include chicken and dumplings, shrimp and grits and beef short rib pot roast. L, D, $$. BLACKSTONE GRILLE 112 Bartram Oaks Walk, Fruit Cove (287-0766; blackstone-grille.com). Serving a variety of modern American fusion choices, such as pan-seared sea bass, filet mignon au poivre and scallop and shrimp Newburg. Private dining room. Upscale. L, D, $$$. BLK SHP @ INTUITION 929 E. Bay St., Downtown

bb’s 1019 Hendricks Ave., San Marco (306-0100;

(683-7720) Local beer and good eats: the perfect pairing. At BLK SHP @ Intuition guests can enjoy locally brewed varieties of Intuition beer, alongside upgraded bar eats like brisket barbecue, fried cheese curds, and a pretty addictive cheeseburger. L, D, $.

bbsrestaurant.com). The San Marco bistro’s upscale comfort food, which includes yellowfin tuna tartare, ancho-spiced rotisserie turkey, white truffle pizza and warm goat cheese salad (specials change daily) and to-die-for desserts, keep patrons filling up the oneroom dining space. Enjoy the slow-roasted springer chicken with a glass of pinot noir. L, D, SB, $$.

BLUE BAMBOO 3820 Southside Blvd., Southside (646-1478; bluebamboojacksonville.com). Innovative menu features miso-marinated salmon, lemongrass crab cakes, Cantonese orange duck, ahi tuna salad and Mandarin orange cake. Features a wine lounge and patio dining. Casual. L, D, $$.

BEACH ROAD CHICKEN DINNERS 4132 Atlantic Blvd., Arlington (398-7980). Beach Road has been serving fried chicken, biscuits, fries and sweet tea to area families since the 1930s. The Jacksonville dining land-

BLUE ORCHID 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville (723-1300; blueorchid.menu). Blue Orchid focuses on offering a taste of Thailand, utilizing traditional ingredients such as palm sugar, Thai basil and kaffir lime leaves.

JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

GUIDE to the GUIDE: B–Breakfast; L –Lunch; D–Dinner; SB–Sunday Brunch $ — $10 or less; $$ — $11 to $20; $$$ — $21 to $30; $$$$ — $31 or above These $ categories are based upon the average cost of a dinner entrée excluding drinks, desserts and/or gratuities.

Note: Some restaurant entrée prices do not include à la carte sides or salad. All phone numbers are in the (904) area code. Cafeterias, fast food joints and primarily takeout restaurants are not eligible for inclusion.

Coconut shell curry, pad thai and dynamite chicken are among the house specialties with a range of curries, stir frys, noodle and rice dishes to choose from. L, D, $$.

BOLD BEAN COFFEE ROASTERS 869 Stockton St., Riverside; 2400 3rd St. S., Jacksonville Beach; 1903 Hendricks Ave., San Marco (boldbeancoffee.com). This small-batch, artisanal coffee house is popular for its fresh-baked muffins and scones, hip clientele and, of course, strong brews. Bold Bean specializes in handmade, single-origin coffee and espresso beverages with homemade syrups like spicy chocolate and honey vanilla. B, L, $. BONO’S BBQ Multiple locations (880-8310; bonosbarbq.com). Meat is the draw at Bono’s Pit Bar-BQ, which has been pit-smoking everything from turkey to pork since 1949. Try the Slawpy Pig, a heaping pile of pulled pork topped with coleslaw and served with sides such as fried corn on the cob, collard greens, or Brunswick stew. L, D, $. THE BREAD & BOARD 1030 Oak St., Five Points (thebreadandboard.com). Pretty much everything is homemade at this gourmet deli in Five Points, from the breads to the spreads. Sandwiches are tasty and inventive, like the pork & collards with smoked pork shoulder, ham, white cheddar, Carolina mustard sauce and a baguette—and daily specials are always on offer. On weekends, locals line up for brunch service, which includes oversized sticky buns, wings and waffles, and funfetti French toast. L, D, SB, $$. BREW FIVE POINTS 1024 Park St., Five Points (374-5789). Brew Five Points offers flavored waffles, quiche, breakfast tacos, sandwiches, salad and sweets to accompany the variety of toasts with toppings including avocado, radish, hummus and chocolatepecan spread. Try the Loki’s Escape toast with rosemary garlic bread, dill cream cheese, smoked salmon and shaved asparagus. B, L, SB, $. BURLINGAME RESTAURANT 20 S. 5th St., Fernandina Beach (432-7671). New to the Fernandina Beach scene, this casual fine dining restaurant offers patrons an eclectic menu of Southern favorites and seafood dishes that change with the season. Try the heirloom tomato and peach salad with country ham, burrata, sherry vinegar reduction and toasted pine nuts. D, SB, $$$. BURRITO GALLERY 21 E. Adams St., Downtown (598-2922); 300 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach (246-6521); 90 Riverside Ave., Brooklyn (355-4889). The art-filled yet laid-back Burrito Gallery continues to turn out traditional Mexican favorites, albeit with a twist—along with some new menu offerings. Tacos, queso, nachos, enchiladas, ‘dillas and salads are all on the menu, and so are entrée-sized plates such as flat-iron steak, jerk chicken, and fresh fish. All best served with an ice cold margarita, of course. L, D, $.

[Flavor ]

RECIPE

Koji Rice Dry Aged Steak By Chefs Jordan Pinnick and Roy Bryant, Vernonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Coast Kitchen & Bar Ingredients:

Procedure:

(2) 12 oz. ribeye, skirt, or New York strip steaks

1. Coat steak with Koji rice and place in a plastic bag.

6 T. Koji rice, finely blended

2.Place in refrigerator for three days. 3.When ready to grill, run the steak under cold water to remove the rice. 4.Season the steak with a splash of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and freshly ground pepper.

5.Place the steak on the grill, moving four times to create diamond marks on the steak, about one minute on each turn. Cook until an internal thermometer reads 120Â°. 6.Remove from heat and let rest 3-5 minutes before slicing. Serves four. u

Find recipes for rosemary honey potatoes and mushroom ragout pictured with the steak visit Jacksonvillemag.com

When applied to steak, the powerful enzymes in Koji rice will slowly tenderize the meat.

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JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

Grazing Board Workshop with The Board Grazer Thursday, September 19

CAFFE ANDIAMO 225 Village Main St., Ponte Vedra Beach (280-2299; caffeandiamo-pvb.com). A copper pizza oven highlights this chic eatery specializing in frutti di mare, pollo paisano, veal chop carbone and vongole Positano. Pasta highlights include linguini with a medley of seafood with your choice of marinara or garlic and olive oil. The “rustica” pizza is topped with grilled chicken, caramelized onions and roasted red peppers. L, D, $$. CHOPHOUSE THIRTEEN 11362 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin (262-0006; chophouse13.com). Long known as The Tree Steakhouse, this Mandarin mainstay reopened as ChopHouse Thirteen in May after a fullscale renovation and rebrand. The new name pays tribute to its location off of State Road 13, while the new look evokes a classic chophouse atmosphere. The menu, however, remains largely the same, with a focus on 100 percent certified Black Angus steaks, seafood, in-house prepared sides and a diverse wine selection. L,D, $$$.

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heart of Murray Hill. Choose from the standard tacos, fajitas and the like, or venture off the beaten path with a street corn salad and an order of mole-grilled chicken. L, D, $$.

EUROPEAN STREET CAFE 992 Beach Blvd. (249-3001); 5500 Beach Blvd. (398-1717); 2753 Park St. (384-9999); 1704 San Maarco Blvd. (398-9500). With more than 100 salads and deli sandwiches and another 100 beers to choose from, the home of the monster German wiener caters to worker bees on lunch break and neighborhood denizens at “beer-thirty.” L, D, $. THE FISH COMPANY 725-12 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (246-0123; thefishcojax.com). With a crowded raw bar, oyster specials Monday-Saturday 2-7 PM, and a wide variety of fresh, locally-caught seafood. The Fish Company offers a little something for everyone. Chef Bill Pinner's menu combines signature items, like fried Mayport shrimp baskets with new favorites, such as the Szechuan fish. The restaurant offers several specials throughout the week. L, D, $$$.

COMFORT. A SOUTHERN BISTRO 2777 University Blvd. W (683-7182). Opened by a brothersister team who strive to create from-scratch comfort meals, this eatery serves authentic southern fare from start to finish. Diners can start their meal with boiled peanuts or pimento cheese fritters, or even a fried vegetable trio. The menu offers everything from fried chicken to shrimp and grits to chicken pot pie (and don’t forget the biscuits). B, L, D, $$.

flyingiguana.com). This Neptune Beach taqueria features an eclectic assortment of tacos, as well as heartier fare, like Peruvian rotisserie chicken, blue corn-crusted grouper and Agave-brined pork chops. The bar features more than 100 tequilas, as well as nightly live music and al fresco dining. L, D, SB, $$.

COOP 303 303 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (3724507; coop303.com). New to the Jacksonville Beach area, this restaurant opened its doors in late August. Offering an innovative take on classic Southern dishes such as peaches & cream, a fried green tomato starter served with a peach jam, and bacon bourbon sundae, topped with a white chocolate blondie and candied bacon. L, D, $$.

GILBERT’S SOCIAL 4021 Southside Blvd., Southside (647-7936; gilbertssocial.co). Top Chef’s Kenny Gilbert brings his culinary style to Jacksonville’s Southside. The menu features many of the Southern dishes (Fernandina Beach hot chicken, pork spare ribs, cast iron roasted broccoli) listed on the Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen menu located in Fernandina Beach. L, D, $$$.

COOPER’S HAWK WINERY AND RESTAURANT 303 St. Johns Town Center (559-4999). Cooper’s Hawk is best-known for its wine (the namesake winery produces around 600,000 gallons of vino per year). The menu is vast as well, and includes gluten-free options and dishes such as churrasco-grilled steak, pistachiocrusted grouper and gnocchi carbonara. L, D, $$.

HARRY’S SEAFOOD BAR & GRILLE 46 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine (824-7765; hookedon harrys.com). Located at the foot of the Bridge of Lions, Harry’s has a waterfront view, which diners can enjoy from either the indoor seating area or the tree-lined courtyard. The menu features Cajun favorites such as jambalaya, shrimp and scallops Orleans. L, D, $$.

COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER 630 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach (246-0304; cousinsmainelobster.com). Lobster, lobster, and more lobster, this restaurant chain has brought New England cuisine to the residents of Neptune Beach. They offer wild-caught, sustainable, premium lobster straight from Maine. Offering two style of lobster rolls, as well as lobster tots, lobster tacos, and lobster mac and cheese. L. D, $$$.

HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE 1001 Park St., Five Points; 241 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach. (eathawkers.com). Small plates are the draw at this boisterous, group-friendly fusion restaurant. Don’t miss the roti canai—a Malaysian flatbread served with a side of signature curry sauce—before chowing down on copious bowls of noodles, spicy soups and rice dishes. L, D, $$.

COWFORD CHOPHOUSE 101 E. Bay St., Downtown (862-6464; cowfordchophouse.com). When Cowford Chophouse finally opened in 2017, it helped bring luxury back to Downtown Jax, thanks to a gold and marble-clad champagne and caviar bar, personal wine lockers, and a rooftop lounge. Dining at Cowford is an experience, right down to the tabletops (the design mimics the flow of the St. Johns River). Thankfully, it isn’t completely over-the-top. That aforementioned caviar, for instance, comes served with homemade tater tots. There are also plenty of hand-cut steaks, chops and hefty sides served á la carte. L, D, $$$$.

KAZU JAPANESE RESTAURANT 9965 San Jose Blvd.; Mandarin (683-9903). Kazu aims to please sushi connoisseurs with an eclectic list of rolls including the Dancing Eel Roll with eel, shrimp, tobiko, seaweed salad, avocado and spicy mayo, or the Super Kazu Roll with salmon, tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, crab, avocado, cucumber and tobiko. Other dishes include pork and shrimp dumplings coated in wasabi, Kazu spicy beef and a variety of bento boxes. L, D, $$$.

ELEVEN SOUTH BISTRO 216 11th Ave. S., Jacksonville Beach (241-1112; elevensouth.com). This upscale eatery features an extensive wine list, mesquite wood grill and outdoor patio. Seafood martini, lobster mac and cheese, miso-glazed Chilean sea bass and mesquite-grilled certified Angus beef tenderloin highlight the menu. L, D, $$$$. EL JEFE 947 Edgewood Ave S., Murray Hill (6190938; eljefejax.com). Puffy tacos, two types of salsa, copious amounts of queso and strong margaritas are the focus at this spacious Tex-Mex restaurant in the

FLYING IGUANA TAQUERIA & TEQUILA BAR 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach (853-5680,

MARKER 32 14549 Beach Blvd., Intracoastal West (223-1534). This classic go-to caters to a more grownup Beaches crowd, albeit one that’s fun and kind of buzzy. The broiled oysters are always top-notch, and the bar is perpetually two to three people deep—even so, a glass of crisp white wine while taking in the view of the Intracoastal Waterway is totally worth it. L, D, $$$. MATTHEW’S RESTAURANT 2107 Hendricks Ave., San Marco (396-9922). The ever-changing menu brings influences as diverse as Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian and Southern to the plate. Look for escargot or venison carpaccio, Maine diver scallops and nightly soufflés. Petrossian and Osetra caviar, too. D, $$$$.

Great Dining Finds

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aquagrill.net 904.285.3017

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Great Dining Finds

Private Dining for Parties • Gift Certificates Available •

Maddy D's Cookie Decorating Class Saturday, September 21

The Recupito Family Invites You To Enjoy… Contemporary Italian Fare with Traditional Fresh Ingredients

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Open for Lunch & Dinner | caffeandiamo-pvb.com | 904.280.2299 225 Village Main Street, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

T I C K E T S O N S A L E N O W AT 9 0 4 T I X .C O M

METRO DINER Multiple area locations including 3302 Hendricks Ave., San Marco (398-3701; metrodiner. com). The interior atmosphere is reminiscent of the Art Deco era, with black and silver vintage bar stools overlooking an open kitchen where cooks flip pancakes and burgers. Don’t forget to check the blackboard for breakfast and lunch specials and try the Yo Hala on the Square, as featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. B, L, SB, $. MEZZA RESTAURANT & BAR 110 1st St., Neptune Beach (249-5573, mezzarestaurantandbar.com). Pan-seared scallops, hand-made pappardelle and wood-fired pizzas highlight a creative menu at Mezza, which offers dinner in three different spaces: the bar and lounge, where children can make their own pizzas at a wood-fired oven in the early part of the evening; a covered patio, where guests can sit outdoors protected from the elements; and a main dining room for those who like their evening meal to be a little bit more formal. D, $$$. THE MINI BAR 1300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (minibardonuts.com) With specialty flavors and Instagram-worthy eats and decor, the Mini Bar is sure to please a variety of palates. Donuts are about the size of a golf ball, so guests can try several of the shop’s 16 signature flavors, like maple bacon and sea salt caramel. They also offer a wide variety of coffee and espresso drinks from Bold Bean Coffee Roasters. B, SB, $. MOJO BAR-B-QUE 1607 University Blvd. W., Lakewood (732-7200, mojobbq.com); 1500 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (247-6636); 1810 Town Center Blvd., Orange Park (264-0636); 3572 St. Johns Ave., Avondale (381-6670); 5 Cordova St., St. Augustine (342-5264). Specializing in Southern-style BBQ, Mojo is a casual, down-home kind of place featuring favorites like North Carolina pork shoulder, Texas beef brisket, Delta catfish and buttermilk fried chicken. Full catering services, live music (Beaches and St. Augustine only). L, D, $$. MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE 225 E. Coastline Dr., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Northbank (354-4350; mortons.com). After more than five years of closing its Southbank location, Morton’s returns to Jacksonville but this time on the other side of the St. Johns River. The high-end steakhouse has been serving signature cuts for nearly 40 years. Before cutting into one of the steaks and chops, start out with the ahi tuna tower. Sides are served family style, just enough to share. Don’t forget the restaurant’s signature hot chocolate cake. D, $$$$. MOXIE KITCHEN + COCKTAILS St. Johns Town Center, Southside (998-9744; moxiefl.com). Unique dishes like pimento cheese toast with potato chips and chicken and waffles with maple mousse and pepper jelly are Chef Tom Gray’s personal take on contemporary regional American cuisine, influenced from his Southern upbringing, extensive travels and past professional experiences. L, D, $$-$$$. M SHACK 1012 Margaret St. (423-1283); St. Johns Town Center (642-5000); 299 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (241-2599); 641 Crosswater Pkwy., Nocatee (3953575). An expanding venture of brothers and chefs Matthew and David Medure gets back to the basics. Hormone-free beef burgers (with toppings like foie gras and bacon onion compote) and all-beef hot dogs make up most of the menu, but sweet potato tots and hand-spun milkshakes in flavors like pecan pie and marshmallow brûlée add a gourmet flair. L, D, $. NINETEEN Sawgrass Clubhouse, Ponte Vedra Beach (273-3238; tpcsawgrass.com). Gorgeous clubhouse open to all serves a variety of fare such as grilled grouper with poblano grit cake, corn-crusted flounder, “Jim Furyk’s” filet mignon and “Phil Mickelson” lobster ravioli. Sunday features a buffet, while the rest of the week holds a nightly happy hour. B, L, D, SB, $$.

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SIDEdishes

Pigging Out menu at popup sandwich vendor Chancho King v The lists just three items, but patrons mostly line up for one thing: pork sandwiches on Cuban-style bread, piled with lime-pickled red onions, roasted pepper ají (hot sauce) and pork cracklings. Owner Chason Spencer first encountered the flavorful sandwich known as sanduche de chancho hornado while living in Ecuador. Upon his return home, Spencer set out to recreate the dish. “I wanted to focus on the flavor,” says Spencer. So the 36-hour marinade was born. “It’s an event,” he says, one that starts on Friday if he plans on serving

sandwiches on a Sunday. After bathing it in a mixture of onion, garlic and chiles, Spencer cooks his pork low and slow—around 200 degrees for six hours. “The skin gets perfectly crispy without getting dry and you can pack in as much flavor as possible.” Any leftover pork gets dehydrated and fried into cracklings to top future sandwiches. He serves the $6 sandwiches—along with fried plantains ($1.40) and agua fresca ($2)—every Sunday in Murray Hill and at the First Wednesday Artwalk in Downtown Jax. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

LATIN LOVERS:

Food is about as important a part of Hispanic culture as, say, music or dance. In fact, spending on Hispanic foods, ingredients, and visits to restaurants specializing in the cuisine is projected to reach over $20 billion in the U.S. by 2020. At the Hispanic Heritage Celebration September 21, attendees can dig in to eats from Manny’s Cuban Food Truck, Latin Soul Grille and El Agave Azul. Also on tap? Performances by Orchestra Fuego, dancing and children’s activities. 5-8:30 PM, Hemming Park. u

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Great Dining Finds

Cajun and Southern Flavors withh a Modern Twist • Live Music Everyy Night! Fresh Seafood, Steaks, ks, Chicken, Pasta and more! Dine In Our Beautiful Courtyard • Bayfront Dining in Historic Downntown

ATL ANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA

comfort. food is good for the soul.

BREAKFAST & LUNCH 5 days a week! Tue-Wed 7am-3pm Thur 7am-9pm

Oyster Bar! Local Fish • Shrimp • Clams • Mussels • Oysters Crab — Snow • Alaska King • Dungeness • Stone (Seasonal) Homemade Soups & Salads • Desserts Family Owned & Operated • Open Daily at 11 AM 725-12 Atlantic Blvd. • 904.246.0123 • thefishcojax.com

DINNER THURSDAYS Fri-Sat 7am-9 pm Sun 10 am -3 pm

2777 University Blvd. W. near St. Augustine Rd. 904.683.7182

C R O S S W O R D

HE SAID, SHE SAID BY JAMES BARRICK

Turn to page 88 for this month’s answers

DINING OUT What’s new in the First Coast restaurant scene? After pioneering local healthful retailing for nearly 20 years, all three Native Sun stores have closed their doors. Owner Aaron Gottlieb cites the glut of mega-grocers setting up shop in Jax in recent years. They will be missed. Speaking of local pioneers: After serving diners in Jacksonville Beach for 33 years, Campeche Bay Cantina officially closed its doors August 7. Florida Cracker Kitchen will open a second location in San Marco. The restaurant will take over the old Wimpee Fuel Oil location and serve classic Southern fare like corned beef hash, shrimp and grits, grit cakes, and homemade tomato gravy for breakfast and lunch. Its existing location is on Beach Boulevard. 1. 6. 10. 15. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

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ACROSS

26. 27. 28. 29. 31. 32. 33.

1. School subject 2. Yearn 3. Cervine animal 4. — vera 5. Large green insects 6. Utah’s — Canyon 7. Shreds 8. Native of: Suffix 9. Edible tuber: 2 wds. 10. Flora and fauna 11. Paquin and Magnani 12. Blue 13. Speed limit abbr. 14. Ornamental tree: 2 wds. 15. Regret 16. Discord personified 17. Storage structure 18. Eager 24. Compare

DOWN

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25. Scour 30. Minced oath 32. Do a tailor’s job 33. — majesty 34. Category 35. A pachyderm, for short 36. Org. 37. Let it stand! 39. Outbuilding 40. Moving around 41. Promotes 42. D-I link 44. Narratives 46. Musical dramas 47. Instruct 50. Box office failure 54. Hosp. area 55. Radioactive gas 57. Write - — (account entries)

JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2019

68. 70. 71. 72. 75. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 83. 84. 85. 89. 91. 92. 93. 94.

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58. Rest 60. Brake part 61. Makes a nighttime noise 63. Ventilate 64. Old computing devices 65. Portal 66. “The Merry —” 67. — -de-France 68. Task 69. Pines 72. Antelope 73. Curie or Antoinette 74. Pay out 75. Eastern European 76. Watches 77. Abominable Snowman 78. Actions against property 79. Cygnet 82. Go slowly and carefully 83. Menace

95. Scrabble pieces 97.— Gawain 98. Eye part 101. “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went — — ...” 102. Climbing plant: 2 wds. 107. Saharan 108. End of the quip: 3 wds. 111.Hurry 112. Trencherman 113. Sign over a door 114. Seed coat 115. Trudge 116. One cubic meter 117. Earns 118. Way ahead: 2 wds. 84. Almond liqueur 86. Overthrew 87. Ponder 88. Old office machine 90. Willow rod 95. Ink for copiers 96. French department 97. Strikes 98. Complain 99. Kind of surgeon 100. Puerto — 101. French noggin 102. Roasting rod 103. Agents: Hyph. 104. Plague 105. Inner: Prefix 106. Nipa palm 109. Chapeau 110. Tool: Var.

Ed Malin, owner of Angie’s Subs in Jacksonville Beach, announced plans to expand his business to add a distillery and barbecue joint. If approved by the city council, Malin wants to turn the current building into a three-story structure for the distillery, barbecue restaurant and sandwich shop. A new Mexican restaurant is coming to Five Points. Taqueria CINco is owned by three veteran restaurateurs, Eddy Escriba, Matt Kemper and Marco Monroy, who plan to serve authentic Mexican food based on traditional recipes. San Marco eatery The Local is opening a new location, this time in Neptune Beach. The pub style restaurant plans to open at the end of September and will serve a broad selection of local beers, an extensive wine list and low-proof cocktails alongside a menu of New Orleansstyle, charbroiled oysters, Ahi Tuna poké nachos, and more. u — DEANNA PISACRETA

Great Dining Finds The REAL Fish Camp! Celebrating 56 Years in Business!

See what Old Florida is all about! RESTAURANT

TACKLE SHOP • BAIT BOAT RAMP • RV PARK

Live Entertainment THUR-SUN Open Daily at 11am ( except Mon. open 4:30pm)

Peony 2032 County Rd. 220, Fleming Island, FL 32003 (904) 269-4198 • whiteysfishcamp.com

Asian Bistro

(904) 268-3889 10586 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257

Sun -Thurs 11:30am - 9pm Fri & Sat 11:30am -10pm (CLOSED ON TUESDAYS)

AUTHENT IC CANTONESE CHINESE CUISINE

NORTH BEACH BISTRO 725-6 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (372-4105; nbbistro.com). Since 2008, North Beach Bistro has created a loyal following with hand-cut steaks, local seafood and dishes such as seafood paella and ahi tuna tacos. A secluded art gallery provides private dining space in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Casual. L, D, $$. OCEAN 60 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach (247-0060; ocean60.com). Chef-owned, CIA-certified restaurant serving shrimp and goat cheese spiedini, Costa Rican shrimp ceviche, seafood chowder, whole fried fish and veal Montrachet. Upscale. Martini room with live music Wednesday through Saturday. D, $$$.

ORSAY 3630 Park St., Avondale (381-0909; restaurantorsay.com). Acclaimed neighborhood bistro specializes in French-inspired cuisine. The house-made charcuterie options are can’t-miss, as are the escargot with mushrooms, lemons and garlic. Entrée standouts include mussels, bouillebaisse and coq au vin. The lobster pot pie is the stuff of legend. Save room for the vanilla bean crème brûlée. On cool evenings the outside tables and lounge chairs fill up fast. A small bar is ideal for a cocktail as one waits for a free table. D, SB, $$$$. PEONY ASIAN BISTRO 10586 Old St. Augustine Rd., Mandarin (268-3889). The strip mall location belies the delicious Cantonese-style plates being served inside Mandarin’s Peony Asian Bistro. The restaurant’s interior is inviting, with attentive servers who are happy to make recommendations. And while the go-tos are available (fried rice, sweet and sour chicken), wise diners will venture outside the standards, opting for orders of umami-rich salt-and-pepper squid and salted fish and eggplant hot pots. L, D, $$. POE’S TAVERN 363 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (241-7637; poestavern.com). This Edgar Allen Poe-inspired gastropub is best known for its gourmet hamburgers, like the Pit & Pendulum with applewood bacon and cheddar cheese, or the Tell-Tale Heart, topped with a fried egg. Fish tacos, bountiful salads, and a daily market fish sandwich round out the menu and all are served with hand-cut fries. More than 50 beers are available and the expansive outdoor patio—with prime people watching opportunities—is open during lunch or dinner. L,D, $.

RAGTIME TAVERN 207 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (241-7877; ragtimetavern.com). Open for more than 20 years, Ragtime is Northeast Florida’s first microbrewery. The menu is loaded with items like shrimp bruschetta, Louisiana crawfish and sautéed mussels. Try the bistro filet and crab-stuffed shrimp, Cajun fettuccine or the sesame tuna. L, D, SB, $$. THE RAINTREE 102 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine (824-7211; raintreerestaurant.com). This standby for special occasions specializes in steak and seafood in a Victorian home, complete with a fireplace and a koi pond. Dinner runs the gamut from beef Wellington to shrimp and lobster pasta. Don't miss the decadent dessert bar with made-to-order crepes, adult ice cream cocktails, warm cookies and cake. D, SB, $$$. THE REEF 4100 Hwy. A1A, St. Augustine (824-8008; thereefstaugustine.com). The menu at this casual oceanfront restaurant encompasses a variety of seafood, fresh fish, steaks and pasta entrées, as well as soups, salads and sandwiches. Prime rib, fresh grouper and organic salmon are favorites with the locals, but the main attraction is The Reef’s “famous” Sunday champagne brunch, featuring eggs Benedict, crab legs, waffles and a carving station. L, D, SB, $$$. RESTAURANT DORO 106 1st St., Neptune Beach (853-6943; restaurantdoro.com). This beach chic restaurant offers "New American" cuisine—think fresh fish and locally sourced veggies—with an upscale bent. Dining is intimate with seating for approximately 40 guests and reservations are recommended. Save room for the hot fudge sundae for dessert. D, $$$.

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RESTAURANT MEDURE 818 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach (543-3797; restaurantmedure.com). This restaurant features high-end favorites like escargot and caviar while also making room for classics like meatloaf. They are known for their fish and pasta dishes made of only local produce. When it comes to wine, their house sommelier puts the menu together. Hand-crafted cocktails and local and international beers are also available. Keep an eye out for the soufflé of the evening. D, $$$.

RUE SAINT-MARC 2103 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (619-0861; ruesaintmarc.com). Executive Chef Scott Alters alongside beverage director Gabrielle Saul have joined together with chefs Matthew and David Medure to open this French-inspired restaurant. Breakfast items such as French-styled omelets, poached eggs on a croissant and rainbow trout are served Monday through Friday beginning at 7 AM and at 8 AM on Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday. Lunch features a selection of sandwiches among other items, and for dinner entrées include dishes such as roasted cornish hen and Moroccan lamb shoulder.B, L, D, SB, $$. SALENTO 11018 Old St Augustine Rd., Mandarin (374-5882). Pink-tinged walls and platters overflowing with meat make this Colombian steakhouse a highly Instagrammable restaurant, but the food is every bit as delicious as it looks on social media. For a true taste of South America, order off the “from the grill” section of the menu, which includes a variety of proteins: shrimp, chicken, pork and fish among them. There’s also a smattering of arepas filled with everything from ham and pineapple to beef and avocado. L, D, $$. SALT LIFE FOOD SHACK 1018 3rd St. N., Jacksonville Beach (372-4456; saltlifefoodshack.com); 321 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. Enjoy a wide array of specialty menu items, including a tuna poke bowl, hand-rolled sushi, local fried shrimp and beer can chicken. L, D, $$. SOUTH KITCHEN + SPIRITS 3638 Park St., Avondale (475-2362, south.kitchen); 150 Pine Lake Dr., Nocatee. The varied menu at South features everything from popcorn shrimp to superfood salad, Bold City braised beef stroganoff to the ham, egg and cheese burger. With seating for 230 and plenty of cocktails to try (including a duck fat Sazerac), there’s no hurry to make up your mind here. A table on the covered patio is always nice, weather permitting. L, D, $$. TACOLU 1712 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (249-TACO; tacolu.com). Offering a blend of Baja-style cuisine, this ever-popular, casual Beaches sit-down eatery offers a new twist on the traditional taco. But what really sets it apart from the pack is its selection of over 50 tequilas. L, D, SB, $. TAVERNA 1986 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (398-3005; taverna.restaurant). San Marco Square’s upscale dining option features handcrafted Italian dishes with seasonal produce and meat from local purveyors. Handcrafted cocktails, salads, meats and pizzas made in a wood-burning oven are top sellers. L, D, SB, $$. TOWN HALL 2012 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (398-0726; townhalljax.com). Town Hall is the kind of place where you can wile away the better part of an evening with a plate of duck fat cornbread and a bottle of rosé. The food is excellent but the experience is made even better by the fact that the space is appointed with comfortable couches, warmly hued artwork, and thoughtful design touches, such as outlets at every high-top table in the bar area (perfect when your phone needs a charge). D, SB, $$$. TREYLOR PARK 158 Marketside Ave., Ponte Vedra Beach (834-7356; treylorpark.com). Located in Nocatee's Town Center, Treylor Park leans into its name with wooden tables, industrial seating, televisions and bric-a-brac adorning the walls in its 100-seat main space that features a full bar. Executive Chef Marvin

Sterling III’s offerings include inventive combos like PB&J chicken wings tossed in a peanut, pecan butter and peach jelly sauce, and Panko crusted avocado fries with Sriracha aioli. L, D, $$.

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER 5205 Big Island Dr., St. Johns Town Center (996-7333; truefoodkitchen.com). One of St. Johns Town Center's newest dining options shuns overwhelming portions in favor of nutritious, satisfying eats. Founded by celebrity doctor Andrew Weil (and backed by Oprah), True Food Kitchen focuses on all things sustainable, organic, and responsibly sourced. Expect dishes such as dashi ramen, turkey burgers and spaghetti squash casserole. L, D, $$$.

VALLEY SMOKE 11 S. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach (285-3235; valleysmoke.com) . Valley Smoke features a menu that’s a modern take on traditional barbecue. Heavy Southern influences like housemade cornbread, beef brisket and pulled pork plates are balanced by items such as Atlantic salmon and venison Jagerschnitzel. L, D, $$$. VERNON’S SAWGRASS MARRIOTT 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach (280-3405) Panoramic views, a robust sustainability program and an open concept kitchen are the draws at Vernon's. The menu is peppered with locally sourced veggies, house-made honeys, prime steaks, chops and salads. B, D, $$$.

V PIZZA 1406 Hendricks Ave., San Marco (527-1511; vpizza.com); 528 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach (8536633); 12601 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin (647-9424). This eatery turns pizza-making into an art form. Three wood-fired ovens show patrons just what they’re getting when they order one of the Neopolitan-style pizzas. Go with a classic margherita with mozzarella, basil and tomato or try the pizza carnivora with sausage, pepperoni, pancetta, red onion, roasted garlic, basil and mozzarella. In addition to pies, V Pizza offers salads, calzones, paninis and even roasts chicken wings in the wood-fired ovens. L, D, $$. WHITEY’S FISH CAMP 2032 C.R. 220, Orange Park (269-4198; whiteysfish-camp.com) . Situated adjacent to Swimming Pen Creek, Whitey’s began as a tackle shop in 1963, but it wasn’t until 1988 that the establishment was complete with a full service bar, kitchen, dining room and outside deck. Daily blackboard chef’s specialty entrées include north-of-theborder steamed snowcrab legs, shrimp boil, beerbattered fried grouper, sautéed crab and shrimp cakes, and all-you-can-eat catfish. Come by boat or car and look for an open table out by the water. L, D, $$. u Send food and restaurant news, ideas or questions to mail@jacksonvillemag.com.

Great Dining Finds

Lunch • Brunch • Dinner • Private Events

Serving Global Foods, Wine & Spirits Two Private Event Rooms–10-60 Guests Holiday Parties • Corporate Events • Weddings • Special Occasions

3563 St. Johns Avenue / Historic Avondale / 904.619.2150 barriqueofavondale.com

Cap’s on the Water

There is Simply Nothing Like It!

Always Fresh Seafood is the Basis for Our New Coastal Cuisine Open 7 days a week for dinner Lunch Saturday & Sunday only

4325 Myrtle Street | Vilano Beach, FL 32084 (904) 824-8794 | capsonthewater.com Follow us on Facebook

[ BACKSTORY ]

In Memoriam A secluded Jax park honors 33 lives lost WORDS BY DEANNA PISACRETA // PHOTO BY AGNES LOPEZ

SEPTEMBER 29, 2015, THE CARGO SHIP EL FARO LEFT JACKSONVILLE FOR ITS REGULAR v ON round-trip voyage to San Juan, Puerto Rico. As the ship was loading up to leave the docks,

Nearly four years later, members of the Jacksonville community still honor the lives lost in the tragedy. In 2016, the city council voted to rename a small park under the Dames Point Bridge the “El Faro Memorial at Dames Point Park," and a statue was erected to memorialize the ship’s deceased crew members. The sight of the statue was chosen because its position near the mouth of the St. Johns River means it was among the last patches of home those aboard the ship saw on that fateful voyage . u

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ????

what was then Tropical Storm Joaquin was beginning to form north of the Bahamas. In the coming days the tropical storm intensiﬁed to a Category 4 hurricane—one headed straight across El Faro’s path. In the early hours of October 1, the 791-foot vessel disappeared beneath the waves. All 33 crew members aboard were lost, making it the worst U.S. maritime disaster in decades.