Cinda’s Cellar
The Drunken Horse: French-inspired Deliciousness
By Cinda Sherman Just like the old-world city of St. Augustine itself, The Drunken Horse is both charming and quaint. The French-inspired restaurant feels like the perfect transition for its owner Azman Dayakli, a Kurdish immigrant from the far southeastern part of Turkey. At age 20 Azman moved to Israel, where he watched a lot of John Wayne movies about the Wild West and thought, “There’s a drunken horse with a crazy cowboy.” Thus, his fascination with America began, and he moved to New York in 1989 only to discover it was an altogether...
read moreRestaurant Orsay Unveils New Menu and Exquisite Renovations
By Laura Riggs Nestled in charming Historic Avondale, Restaurant Orsay has long been regarded as the gold standard of upscale dining in Jacksonville. For over 16 years, this culinary gem has captured the hearts (and palates) of locals and visitors alike with its expertly curated dishes that blend traditional French techniques with modern American southern influences. With a commitment to excellence, Orsay continues to evolve, recently unveiling a refreshed menu and stunning renovations that promise to enhance the dining experience. The...
read moreEleven South: Focused Fine Dining
By Buzz Thomas Spaniards say legado. Italians say eredità. The French say héritage. We Anglophones say legacy. That’s the word that comes to mind when you consider John Nagy’s impact on the First Coast. He and his wife Karen Belloit Thomas are icons of North Florida’s culinary landscape. They’re responsible for bringing us 3 Palms Grille (now closed), City Grille and Raw Bar (the critically acclaimed new restaurant in San Marco), and their Jacksonville Beach flagship, Eleven South. This year Eleven South celebrates its 20th anniversary. Many...
read morePesca Vilano: Coastal Cuisine at Its Best
Fine Dining, Fine Wines, and Fine Times By Buzz Thomas Experienced travelers can likely recall one of two experiences when the term hotel restaurant is mentioned. It’s either a bland, disappointing, no-name bar and grill, or it’s a memorable culinary journey (akin to Salt at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island). Pesca Vilano most definitely falls into the latter of those two categories. Allow me to introduce you to Chef Michael Lugo and his latest fine dining creation, Pesca Vilano. This visionary chef has deep roots in St. Augustine’s...
read moreGold Star Restaurants
Making Jacksonville a Foodie Destination Discovering new dining options and old favorites that offer exceptional quality and consistency is what makes our annual Gold Star restaurant list so remarkable. As we continue to explore the diverse dining options in our community, we are reminded of the incredible resilience and dedication of the restaurant industry. This year’s Gold Star list is a celebration of those who have embraced change and reinvented themselves in exciting new ways. We are honored to introduce you to some new...
read moreCity Grille & Raw Bar: An Unparalleled Dining Experience
By Laura Riggs For anyone who ever visited the Wine Cellar in San Marco, it was a sad day when they closed their doors after 47 years in business. The restaurant had been a downtown staple for fine dining and well known for its wine collection. Business meetings, prom nights, first dates, wedding proposals, anniversaries, and so many other celebrations had taken place in one of Jacksonville’s oldest upscale restaurants for almost five decades. A significant hole was left in the fine dining scene when the Wine Cellar closed in October 2021....
read moreHospitality: Taverna Oceana Delivers the Speed of a Diner with the Skill of Fine Dining
By Laura Riggs Sam and Kiley Efron opened Taverna in 2009 and have consistently won some of the best restaurant awards locally and nationally. The couple has brought a fresh perspective on Italian dining with seasonal menus focused on simple ingredients and an incredibly curated wine selection. Whether visiting for a special occasion, or an everyday meal, Taverna offers an upscale dining experience with an approachable atmosphere. It’s never pretentious and always inviting. Their second restaurant is no exception. Although it’s only...
read moreCongaree and Penn: A Craft-Farm Dining Experience
By Laura Riggs What started as a small rice farm in 2014 has quickly grown into an indispensable part of Jacksonville’s fine dining scene. Located 20 minutes northwest of downtown, Congaree and Penn thrives on their dedication to agriculture and culinary endeavors while inviting the community to enjoy both. Owners Scott and Lindsay Meyer decided early on to collaborate with restaurants to bring innovative flavors to Jacksonville while supporting the local food economy. Within a couple of years, they began hosting occasional chef-led dinners...
read moreBar Molino:
Enduring Favorites, Infusing Hospitality into Every Bite By Laura Riggs One of the hottest new restaurants in Jacksonville isn’t easy to find, parking is a challenge, and you may get stuck waiting for the dreaded San Marco train. Unless you actively seek out the opportunity to dine on unique flavors steeped in history, Bar Molino may never make it on your Resy list. Tucked away behind High Tide Burrito on Hendricks Avenue, this new concept is treating Jacksonville to old world Spanish tapas served with Southern hospitality. Although the...
read moreBELLWETHER: Enduring Favorites, Global Flavors, AND Exciting New Dishes
By Jeffrey Spear. Dining is always an adventure. Whether you’re looking for an exceptional mealtime experience, a few cocktails after work, a quick bite before showtime, or a comfortable place to connect with friends, you want to be well-fed and well looked after. Located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville near the corner of Laura and Forsyth Streets, Bellwether has you covered. For the uninitiated, Bellwether is part of the Black Sheep Restaurant Group, keeping company with Orsay and Black Sheep. While all three restaurants have earned...
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