meginAB's Profile
Ceviche - Tapas Restaurant in Tampa, fl.
We went there many years ago when my husband was taking the bar exam and had a wonderful experience. He went back with a group and had a great time. I also heard they opened one in Orlando.
The ambiance is great - very secret spot feeling. The food was fabulous as well as the sangria. We would go there anytime we were in the area!
Which cooking show kitchen setup are you most jealous of?
Tyler's avocado subway tiles drive me crazy/
LOVE LOVE LOVE Ina's set up!
And Jamie Oliver's barn too!
Which cooking show kitchen setup are you most jealous of?
I like Giada's but she blocks part of the ocean view with cabinets and only sees the ocean through the backsplash area - I think I might turn that whole wall into windows instead.
Cooking Show Nostalga: Great Chefs
My husband and I scheduled classes in college around Great Chefs - before I went to culinary school - probably had a LOT to do with that move. Why doesn't someone make that show again - I would love to here that narrator again. I do however have the first 4 books (are there more? I don't know) I love them plus looking through them reminds me of that show!
Clark's Fish Camp - Jacksonville
Outback Crab Shack in St. Johns County on State Road 13 (at 6 mile marina) is the BEST in town. Were there Sunday for GREAT crawfish with sausage, corn, potatoes - and plenty of boat parking!
Joe opened it as a one room shack in the early 90's and talked to patrons as he cooked. It kept getting bigger - but still saw Joe there this past Sunday as he turned on the water for the mist fans (made all the difference to drop the temperature!)
Singletons is another favorite - but different - usually get fried food here - soft shell crab sandwich always good.
And Cap's in St Augustine on the Intercoastal - although I haven't been there in years...
The future of shrimp
Living in northEAST Florida, we are still eating our local Mayport shrimp - but watching very carefully. Seafood prices are creeping up for our local stuff. I just keep asking my fish dude how things are going - worried about the crawfish and oysters. What a mess!
Jamie Oliver's "Food revolution" on ABC. Watch it if you are concerned about the obesity epidemic.
I am so torn on this show.
(And want to mention I did not see the entire thing)
I appreciate Jamie Oliver and think he has done great things in his country.
I like his simple food and really loved his show that he cooked out of his garden (Jamie At Home) .
But this Food Revolution show was really overly promoted and felt like a little too much.
And then Ryan Seacrest was the Exec Producer and I became even more skeptical.
I really think Jamie has good intentions and maybe this is the way to reach the "American Idol" mentality in the US.
And I will probably check out any coming episodes.
But it really grates on my nerves that it feels like we are all being talked down to.
Some of us get it - some of us are trying already (particularly those of us on CH) - but I guess we aren't really the target audience. They want MAX ratings.
I agree with bookgrrl72 though - maybe this is the way to get people riled up.
As I said in the beginning - can't decide for sure - will have to try to catch up what I missed and watch future episodes - if I can stand it.
Children's Books that Feature Food
I never saw this thread before - love it!!!
Some of our family favorites...
Yoko (about a little Japanese cat who takes sushi to school)
Noodles from Scratch (about Sylvia Sheep making pasta with her animal friends - hard to find - sold through Do-Re-Me and you consultants - used to come with small chef hat, whisk and wooden spoon)
These others were mentioned but I have to say I LOVE
In the Night Kitchen
Bread and Jam for Frances
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Good memories!
Menu hits and misses at Disney restaurants?
Oh I hate to see you skip Jiko - it is one of our favorites. Boma is good but not the same.
We had a great meal at California Grille in October. The sushi is phenomenal and we loved the "tuna 3 ways". (We had to stop out 7 year old from eating it all - you can't fill up a kid on sushi - too expensive!) Also they have a great cheese tray that inspired some apple butter and candied nuts on our Thanksgiving cheese tray. And the service there is always top notch!
I have found at all Disney fine dining - you never go wrong with the scallops. I seem to order them a lot when we are there and have never been disappointed.
Have a magical time!
Joe's Crab Shack in Jax
I think you are indeed asking about the place in Jax Beach. I live about 6 miles away and have never been there in an effort to avoid chain restaurants (and therefore support the independents - there are plenty in the area). I have friends that like it though. They like to sit on the ocean, kids on the playground, eat seafood (even if it is frozen).
If you want a REAL crab shack experience, Outback Crab Shack on State Road 13 south of Mandarin (past the Shands River Bridge that leads to Green Cove Springs) is great! I have been eating there since the early 90's when it was a one room shack and Joe ran the show (and therefore there has always been some confusion with the chain) Now it is lots of decking and live music and boats docking and alligator spotting.
5# crawfish (served on a cafeteria tray) and a bucket a beer on a Sunday afternoon - that's good times!
Free Range Turkey in NE FLA?
I would call Native Sun, Turtle Island Market in Atlantic Beach or the Fresh Markets around town. Of course Whole Foods as well.
Anything especially good on the ride from Jacksonville to Gainesville?
Stop at Outback Crab Shack on State Road 13 - south of Mandarin. Then head over the Shands River Bridge and take the back roads to G-ville.
Gourmet magazine to close
As others are saying, I am soooo terribly disappointed. My husband and I both read every month from cover to cover. And while we made the recipes on occasion, it was more about the information it provided - about the local, organic or farm to table movement, about meals from abroad and about keeping tabs on the inside track of the restaurant scene.
I didn't always love the article every month that focused on pictures of the people and the scenery - some felt pretty contrived. But the cover was always food and beautiful - particularly bc they would leave the story titles off for subscribers.
I am not really looking forward to BA - I can get recipes anywhere. I want food writing - and the best around. I too remember Laurie Colwin - have ALL her books. She was great and someone to admire. She got me hooked on food writing and finding a replacement for that will be close to impossible. Good thing I have shelves and shelves of food books - time to start re-reading some classics!
Jacksonville Fish Camps - Which one is best?
I mostly like Outback Crab Shack although I have heard it is hit or miss. I always seem to get there at the right time.
Singleton's is good too but like lots of them, mostly fried.
Heard Palm Valley Fish Camp is a little pricey and higher end. Haven't been there yet but have been meaning to.
Good luck!
St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra area -- Restaurant suggestions????
Restaurant Medure just reopened in PV and I heard they have some nice small dishes at the bar. Also the new Palm Valley Fish Camp is suppose to be really good but you need a reservation.
Also Caps in Vilano Beach is a nice spot on the intercoastal.
Jacksonville classics
Thinking about the classic Jax thing...
I think you should be heading to a fish shack on the water.
Being that you don't mind driving, I suggest going to the Outback Crab Shack on State Road 13. It started out as 1 room with a wooden bar and holes built in the top. You picked and ate crabs and crawfish then slide the mess through the hole into the trash. Now it is HUGE and has lots of outdoor seating on decks. A little hot this time of year but usually good - sometimes you need to think about what season it is before you go depending on what you want (we always want crawfish!). There is also Whitey's Fish Camp, Lulus on Palm Valley and the new Palm Valley Fish Camp from the owners of Marker 32 and Ocean 60.
More old school and classic style, Singletons Seafood Shack in Mayport although mostly fried - but that comes with the territory! But they always have LOCAL fish even if it is fish you never heard of. And the "museum" attached with the boats that old man Singleton made. (You will be shocked the place hasn't fallen in the water actually!) Right near the ferry.
Whiteway Deli is another that comes to mind. Although I don't get there much bc I live at the beach, it has sandwiches named after colorful people in the city. Wormans Deli as well, has been around for years (cancel that - just been told last one closed last week). At the beach, Angie's Subs, while not as old, has a huge following. They have taken over an entire strip mall. The first section was a converted convenience store and the most recent addition took out the last section of the strip mall, a dry cleaner. You should go there just to get a picture of the sweet tea container - it is the size of a barrel if not bigger! Usually opinions on the sign board outside too!
I know my parents have been going to Sarnelli's in Orange Park for YEARS. I don't think I have been there for over 20 years but it is still there so must have a following.
Another Italian staple of Jax is La Cena. Has had several locations and is currently in Springfield - an area attempting urban renewal. Jerry is pretty outspoken and colorful if I remember.
Oh and Dwights on Penman Road in Neptune Beach. Small place,lots of character in the location (another strip mall) and in Dwight!
A real Jax staple as well is Hala. There are locations all over town. Most have a grocery section for Middle Eastern food as well.
Also agree about BBQ - I have said before I like Fred Cottens on Main. Hubby likes Jenkins downtown. Have always heard good things about that Bono's on Beach as well.
I feel like we have lost a lot of the great restaurants in Jax in the last few years. I makes me sad but know that things will turn around again. We just have soooo many chains, it gets depressing.
Good luck and make sure to let us know what worked.
Best of Orlando 2009 - Food and Drink
Agree completely but you know the national chains have advertising budgets. Figure newspapers are hurting pretty bad these days!
Dinner for the night before the Bar Exam in Tampa
Meant to respond last week but forgot the name of the place where we ate when my hubby took the bar several years ago. I just asked him and I know it is too late but Ceviche - a tapas place. Right near the bay - about 10 min from the convention center.
And I agree - you studied hard, don't kill yourself the night before.
Good luck!
Ponte Vedra Inn or Lodge
Restaurant Medure has been closed all year. They are due to reopen with more reasonable prices in August but I haven't heard if that has happened yet. I would call first.
I prefer the Lodge - smaller and less conference like. Also everything is closer together (but I may be partial as I got married there.) Used to have friends in the kitchen but not anymore so I can't speak to the food right now.
southern food in Jacksonville?
We don't eat out much anymore - guess lots of people are saying that. But I am a trained chef that closed an AB food market almost 2 years ago and my husband is a GREAT cook so we mostly stay in and entertain. (Plus we can send the kids off to play while we finish wine and conversation!)
But when given the chance we hit Fish Market, Taco Lu, Sliders - especially on Thursdays for oysters, maybe Sun Dog but it has been ages. I guess I mentioned Rite Spot earlier but I haven't been there in a long time either.
Cheaper eats though - new Flying Fish Burrito Company - I think is the name - across from the AB Al's is pretty good - not cheap by any means but you want to pay for fresh fish. Colonel Mustard - another once in a while place for a greasy burger.
Didn't know that question was so hard - or that we were stuck in such a rut!
southern food in Jacksonville?
Golden Coral and Piccadilly are straight out of the package dining experiences. This is not real cooking - this is commissary made and shipped food. They buy their pot roast roasted, their okra breaded and their sauces pre-made. Soups get poured straight out of a bag. I just don't thing this is what gnosh is looking for....
southern food in Jacksonville?
Oh yea - your are right. But I think it is called KJ's Kitchen. Serious southern food - the kind you can only eat every once in a while as a splurge!
southern food in Jacksonville?
Used to be Homestead on Beach Boulevard just east of the intercoastal. I haven't been there in ages - know they updated the menu for a while then maybe went back to basics. Loads of construction issues over the last year had it closing then not closing. Seems they pulled through.
Also The Rite Spot on 3rd Street in Neptune Beach. Chicken fried steak, biscuits and corn bread on the table - great shakes!
North Florida/Georgia "Real" Barbecue
So funny that you asked this. I just drove by Fred Cotten's yesterday and told the hubby it was time for a trip there. I love their sauce in bottles with holes pokes through the lid.
And their rib sandwich on white bread.
I like Georgia pig too - about an hour north of Jacksonville off 95. My parents ALWAYS eat there when driving by - actually come to think of it we do too. We just don't drive north as much as they do.
But Cotten's is what I crave.
Also my hubby eats at Jenkins downtown Jax a bit. I haven't been but he likes it.
PK Noodles still open
A few months ago there was a group of us discussing Jax food in "Just moved to JAX... need to eat! =0)" The last post said PK Noodles was closed. I can confirm that is NOT true. I ate lunch there Wednesday and even at 1:30 there were PLENTY of people in there. Actually 15-20 people were walking in when we left.
Maybe that poster went on a Monday. They are indeed closed on Mondays but that is about it. Thought we could all use some good food news as the small restaurants are suffering!
Boxed Wine
I agree - Target Sauv Blanc in the fridge is always good to have around. Quick note: there is no way to tell how much you have had to drink (no end of the bottle since the box holds 3-4 bottles). Only have to learn that lesson once!
Crawfish in Gainesville or JAX?
OutBack Crab Shack on State Road 13 in St Johns county.
Best ever - started out as a small 1 room place on the St Johns River and now has tons of space and decks. Sunny afternoon and nothing is better. Take some friends, order 5# (come on a cafeteria tray) and a bucket of beer.
Atlantic/Jacksonville Beach Area - solo female
Lots of choices really.... Fish Company, Taco Lu, Ragtime, Ocean 60 for white tablecloth, Sun Dog Diner, Mezza Luna. Pretty much anywhere in Atlantic Beach/ Neptune Beach Town Center. I would eat at any of these places by myself comfortably. Of course I would see someone I know in 15 minutes but it is that kind of area,
Also of note, it is the season that Shelby's coffee shop has outdoor live music in the courtyard on Friday nights. Might be worth stopping by after a bite to eat.
