tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77753254989719472212024-03-13T16:30:52.439-04:00 Snack and Jill ℠"Forget Jack, Jill wants a snack!"Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-63888855756698029072022-11-28T09:15:00.005-05:002022-11-28T09:18:10.958-05:00It’s been a while<p>It’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. In case you haven’t noticed, A LOT has happened since the beginning of 2020. The world shut down and all of my fun trips out to restaurants came to an abrupt halt. Well the world is slowly returning to normal and so am I! I’ve been going out more, trying new places as they pop up. The only difference is that now the majority of my reviews are located on social media. I started my blog in 2011 but as time went on, the shift to social media happened. Nowadays you can find me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/snackandjill/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://m.facebook.com/SnackAndJill/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> mostly. Make sure to follow me the socials to continue watching my food journey!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT8gCacLceX1i3dAA9IYfgj_MjX0mKsPL2JsB4-FXc5UuIQ1DSoZQzBPivFi2WlJL0rS7aXBEumvUMLxG9mHU_epjpGTuT5F0ZB-DD33EPCudgED0S2BOeMdktaFTBU-P4j9-kGuzpL4X2ea5r0T0-Pnqg2rX1dtzWqAalncHJZdPL9daSJKxcBTt/s2417/C087EF2B-8480-4D66-B332-5472D47AAC5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="2417" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT8gCacLceX1i3dAA9IYfgj_MjX0mKsPL2JsB4-FXc5UuIQ1DSoZQzBPivFi2WlJL0rS7aXBEumvUMLxG9mHU_epjpGTuT5F0ZB-DD33EPCudgED0S2BOeMdktaFTBU-P4j9-kGuzpL4X2ea5r0T0-Pnqg2rX1dtzWqAalncHJZdPL9daSJKxcBTt/w236-h236/C087EF2B-8480-4D66-B332-5472D47AAC5D.jpeg" width="236" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-84707108066453571532020-02-22T09:03:00.000-05:002020-02-22T09:03:24.887-05:00Southern Coast Seafood, a great addition to ArlingtonWith the news of Mudville Grille closing in Arlington, a lot of people were pretty upset. Mudville has been a Jacksonville institution since 1994, so this felt like the end of an era (the St. Nicholas location is still open, so don’t fret). Luckily, this sad news came with a nice silver lining. It was announced that the owners would transition Mudville into a new seafood concept, <a href="https://www.southerncoastseafood.com/" target="_blank">Southern Coast Seafood</a>. They currently own Outta Line Fisheries LLC, which is a commercial fishing business, so they will be serving their fresh catches in the restaurant.<br />
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My husband and I visited on a Sunday night. We were seated and started looking over the menu. I was very pleased with the variety as well as the prices. We initially ordered a few appetizers, but they were out of the Fish Dip so we had to nix that one. They had just opened less than a week ago, so we definitely didn’t hold that against them. We ended up with the <strong>Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes</strong> ($13), which were spectacular. Very little filler, the crab was plentiful, and the crab cakes were a good size (the appetizer comes with 2). There is a house made remoulade sauce drizzled over the top, which we really enjoyed as well.<br />
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Since this was our first visit, we got a few entrees to share. First up was the <strong>Pan Seared Scallops</strong>. The dish came with about 6-7 scallops that were cooked in a Thyme Soubise sauce. They were cooked evenly and we were very pleased with the taste. Even though the menu lists the sides that come with each entree, you can swap them out any way you like (the menu is being updated to reflect this). We went with Pimento Cheese Grits and Pimento Mac & Cheese. Our server Marian warned us that we might get cheesed out by ordering 2 pimento items. We started to feel it towards the end of the meal, but we managed to power through. The cheese was definitely present but was not overpowering like some pimento items can be. We thoroughly enjoyed both sides but I think I would only choose one next time, per Marian’s warning.<br />
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Our final entrée was definitely the favorite of the night, the <strong>Fried Platter</strong>, two ways. We chose <strong>Fried Shrimp </strong>and <strong>Blacked Fish</strong> (Mahi Mahi) for our platter. Catfish is the standard fish selection, but you are able to substitute the fresh catch in at no additional charge, so that’s just what we did. It was phenomenal. The fish was cooked beautifully, very flaky and seasoned to perfection. I was very upset that I had to share this, but it was too late to change the rules. Luckily, there were also an abundance of fried shrimp on the platter to distract me. The shrimp were very large and the breading had a fantastic flavor. While they are great as-is, don’t skip the tartar sauce. It tasted a lot like an aioli and was a great accompaniment. We chose fries and Herbed Jasmine Rice for our side items. I was a little shocked to see that the fries were hand cut. I was fully expecting the standard crinkle fry that you find at many seafood restaurants. This was a nice surprise as the fries tasted great, but I was less impressed with the rice. It was more on the bland side and a little dry, but as I said before, they are still working out the kinks so I don’t want to dwell on this too much.<br />
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Sadly, we had to skip dessert since we were pretty stuffed by the end of the meal. All of the desserts are made in house so we will definitely save some room next time. Overall, we were very impressed with Southern Coast Seafood. We weren’t sure what to expect when it was announced, but we definitely weren’t expecting this. You can definitely taste the freshness in every bite, and the prices are very reasonable. The service was fantastic (shout out to Marian!) and we had a great experience overall. We literally discussed how much we loved the food all the way home, and for the rest of the night once we got home. I am thrilled that we have such a great new place in Arlington and I urge everyone to check them out.<br />
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com11301 Monument Rd #1, Jacksonville, FL 32225, USA30.3420387 -81.53624430.3403257 -81.5387655 30.3437517 -81.5337225tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-30313707976393063922019-12-09T21:26:00.000-05:002019-12-09T21:26:12.152-05:00Damascus Gate Ethnic GroceryEver since my favorite shawarma place
closed, I have been searching for a suitable replacement. Luckily, my friend
Paryse (owner of The Stuffed Beaver) stumbled across <a href="https://damascusgateethnicgrocerystore.business.site/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Damascus Gate</b><b> Ethnic Grocery</b></a> and put and put them on my radar. We grabbed
our spouses and headed down for lunch one weekend to eat all the things. We
took a seat and the owner came over to take our order. We wanted a variety of
items, so we pretty much left it up to him to decide what to bring us. We knew
we were in for a treat when he started bringing out the dishes. First up was
the <b>Falafel</b>. I typically shy away from falafel since many restaurants tend to
cook them more on the dry side. Luckily, that was not the case here. Each piece
was perfectly formed and beautifully browned. The insides were soft and
pleasant to the taste buds.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk25567944"><br /></a><br />
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk25567944;">Next up, we received
a platter with different menu items including <b>beef sausage, chicken chunks,
Kabsa rice, tabbouleh, fries, tomato, and onion over a bed of seasoned pitas</b>.
All of our eyes did that cartoon thing where they got big and popped out of our
heads when the platter was brought out. We quickly dug in, each person grabbing
something different. Everyone started telling the others about what they were
eating, then we all started going from one thing to the next. I am typically
not a huge fan of sausage, but the Arabic seasoned beef sausage was unlike anything
I have had before. The meat was packed loosely, but the herbs and spices are
what really make this sausage special. Nothing is too overpowering; all of the
seasoning compliments the meat and really brings out the flavor. </span><br />
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk25567944;">Our next course
consisted of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Beef Shawarma </b>and<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Chicken Shawarma Sandwiches</b>. These
sandwiches are pita wraps that typically come whole, but ours was cut up for
sharing. The beef wrap contained bewaz salad and tahini sauce while the chicken
wrap consisted of pickles and garlic sauce. They both were drool worthy, but I
preferred the chicken. It was fresh, thinly sliced, and that garlic mayo put it
over the top for me. It is so tender and warm that it melts right in your mouth.
If you look past the counter, you can see the meats spinning on their spit.
When an order comes in, the meat is cut off and served. There aren’t many
places that do it this way, and you can really tell the difference in the
taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk25567944;">While you might come
in for the menu items mentioned above, don’t disregard their pastries. We tasted
a few and were blown away. My favorite is the croissant filled with halloumi
cheese. I could sit there and eat endless amounts of those. They also offer
meat and cheese pies, and even homemade ice cream. I would highly recommend
checking out everything they have to offer before ordering. </span><br />
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk25567944;"><span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Loved it!</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk25567944;">Wow, I loved
everything about this place. Everything we tasted was very fresh and I could
not get enough. I have been thinking about that shawarma pita wrap for days, it
was that good. I cannot wait to go back and try even more items. Luckily, they
are only a hop, skip, and a jump from my house, so they will be seeing a lot
more of me…whether they like it or not!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d13775.794840485898!2d-81.5197518!3d30.3239767!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xf5e6b6dc0d4c8a65!2sDamascus%20Gate%20Ethnic%20Grocery%20Store!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1575554856062!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com010916 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225, USA30.3239775 -81.519054630.323121 -81.5203151 30.324834000000003 -81.5177941tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-86633974795477157542019-11-30T09:34:00.000-05:002019-11-30T09:34:26.276-05:00Cheba Hut <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://chebahut.com/" target="_blank"><b>Cheba Hut</b> </a>recently opened their first East Coast location in St Augustine. I was invited out to meet with the owner
Dusty and try the food. Having zero knowledge of the brand before they
contacted me, I was intrigued by their business
once I read that they are a “Marijuana Themed Sandwich Shop.” What did
that mean? I needed to know. So I dug into the business a little bit and
realized that the theme is just that, a theme. As much as some of you
might want it to be, the food is not marijuana
infused. The menu items are laced with puns only.</div>
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I went down for lunch during the week and was
immediately struck with how busy they were at 1:30pm. The place was
packed! I had to wait a little bit in line, which turned out to be a
blessing in disguise since it gave me some time to look
over their extensive menu. The menu boards hang on the wall by the
register and are broken up into the following categories to help you find
what you are looking for quicker; Chicken and Turkey, Veggie, Meat,
Greens (Salads), Muchies, Treats, and drinks. One
thing I really like is that the subs come in three different sizes; Nug
4”, Pinner 8”, and Blunt 12”. I placed my order, sat down, and started
looking around. There are subtle stoner things everywhere you look from
the “Chief Cheech” tip jar to the table markers featuring music and movies near and dear to the stoner community (TBH, my favorite kinds of movies).</div>
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For my sandwich, I went with the <b>Kali Mist</b>.
It has roasted turkey breast, chipotle mayo, fresh jalapeños, bacon,
pepper jack & avocado, and is toasted like all of their subs. The
toasting melts everything together and crisps up the
bread. Each sub also comes with standard toppings of lettuce, tomato,
red onions, pickle, and house made dressing (oil, vinegar, parmesan,
oregano). I guess I missed this part on the menu but it was a very nice
surprise when I got my sandwich, which was served
open faced. I folded it over and took the first bite. Heaven. I have a
very specific ranking of Jacksonville sub places and Cheba Hut quickly
jumped to #2 (it will be next to impossible to unseat #1 for me, so this
ranking actually means a lot). I was very
impressed with the quality of the sub components and was thankful for
the parmesan and house made dressing, which were my favorite parts by a
landslide. Even though I got the smallest sandwich, it was actually very
filling.
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I also wanted to order one item off of the
“Munchies” category. I really wanted the Bowl O’ Balls for the name alone,
but ended up going with the<b> Pretzel
Nuggets</b> based on Dusty’s suggestion. He gave me the option of
honey mustard or marinara and I chose the latter. The order comes with
10 nugs so this is a perfect thing to share, if you are into that sort
of thing. I was alone so I ate them all and have
zero regrets. The only thing I would change is maybe having a side of
nacho cheese to dunk them in. Who doesn't love nacho cheese?!</div>
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Even though I didn't indulge, they also offer a nice selection of dessert munchies labeled as "Treats" on the menu. They are right up at the register staring you in the face, so just do yourself a favor and get a couple for later. If not, you will be thinking about them all day so just do it.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Loved it!</span></div>
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I really didn’t think I would love this place as
much as I did. Everything about it was whimsical and the food was solid.
Everyone I spoke with was very polite and welcoming. The location is
perfect, just a quick hop over the Bridge of
Lions. They even have their own parking lot so parking will not be an
issue as it can be in some St Augustine areas. The food came out pretty
quickly after ordering, so stopping in for a quick work lunch is always
an option. They also have online ordering
if you are really pressed for time, so you have no reason to not stop
in and give them a try. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are great. Overall, I was very impressed with Cheba Hut and I will definitely be visiting again soon.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3459.1163616793833!2d-81.29510308488855!3d29.88974758193881!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88e427dd7c3aacab%3A0xc3637ff479f3af32!2sCheba%20Hut%20Toasted%20Subs!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1575123179405!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0604 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA29.8897515 -81.29289360000001429.8895365 -81.293208600000014 29.8899665 -81.292578600000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-69852735548087907592019-09-18T20:54:00.003-04:002019-09-18T20:54:58.054-04:00Taqueria Cinco<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Down in the heart of 5 Points on Lomax St is where you will find Jacksonville’s newest taco shop, <a href="http://taqueria5points.com/" target="_blank">Taqueria <span class="il">Cinco</span></a>.
Nestled into a tiny spot between Bakery Ribault and Wells Fargo, it’s
easy to miss
if you aren’t looking for it. We went in on a Sunday afternoon to give
them a try. First impression, this place is tinyyyyy. But don’t let that
deter you, they offer outdoor tables in addition to the indoor ones.
The interior seating has about 5-6 tables all
along the wall opposite the kitchen, with the exterior having many more
tables spread out across the patio.</div>
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Once you
enter you are given the indoor/outdoor option, then taken to your seat.
We were seated at a table in front of the kitchen (which is also tiny). I
love being seated near the kitchen so I
can watch them in action, so this was perfect for me. Our server came
around to offer us water and take our order. We started with some
<b>Guacamole</b> and <b>Elote</b> (Mexican street corn - Cotija, lime, Cholula-Mayo). I judge all Mexican restaurants on their
<b>Guacamole</b>, and Taqueria <span class="il">Cinco</span> passed my
test. It is served in a bowl topped with onions and cilantro and the
portion was larger than expected. We were very pleased with the taste
and texture and had to physically stop ourselves from eating it all in
anticipation of the other food we ordered.</div>
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The next thing we tried was the
<b>Elote</b>. It was served in a bowl, off the cobb. I actually
preferred it this way since I didn’t have to embarrass myself by eating
it straight off the cobb. No one needs to see all that. Even though the
corn was served in a non-traditional kind of way,
that did not stop it from being great. All of the proper street corn
flavors were present and the kernels were topped with cheese in the
bowl.</div>
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For our tacos, we each ordered two. My husband got the
<b>Cochinita Pibil</b> and <b>Suadero</b> and I went with the <b>Chorizo</b> and <b>
Repollitos</b>. I wanted to get a vegetarian one out of sheer curiosity, and once I saw a Brussels Sprouts taco, it was mine. The
<b>Repollitos</b> taco comes with Oaxacan Mole Negro glazed Brussel
sprouts, queso fresco, and Pickled onions. I’m not typically a mole fan
but I wanted to give this one a try anyway. After all was said and done,
I am still not a fan, but the mole didn’t stop
me from enjoying this taco. The <b>Chorizo</b> was definitely my
favorite. It was not overly greasy like you usually find with chorizo,
and the shell had a coating of cheese baked onto the inside for added
support.<br />
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I did manage to get a bite of my husband’s
<b>Cochinita Pibil</b> taco (I need to be quicker next time to get
both). I had a bit of menu envy because this taco was divine. It comes
with Yucatan style roasted pork wrapped in banana leaves with citrus and
spices, pickled onions, and Habanero-carrot salsa.
The pork was cooked perfectly but the star of the show for me was the
Habanero-carrot salsa. It was sweet but not spicy, the flavors really
stood out above all others. It really kicked this taco up a notch, and I
would put it on everything if I could.<br />
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There was no way we were slipping out without dessert, especially once I saw <b>Churros y Chocolate</b> on the menu. The churros were served in a bag and were about 1/3 the size of a regular churro, which actually made them way more convenient to eat. They were like little churro nugs. The chocolate was rather mild and more along the lines of a dulce de leche. I would have preferred a darker chocolate but I am not complaining. I would totally still drink this from the ramekin with zero shame.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Loved it!</span></div>
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Taqueria <span class="il">Cinco</span>
is a perfect addition to the Riverside area. love everything about this
place from the interior, to the service, to the food. It felt like a
restaurant you would find in a big city
like Chicago or New York, just had that kind of vibe. To me, the food
was like authentic meets modern. Kind of a fusion of both. The only tiny
criticism I have is that I would prefer the tacos have two shells
instead of one. We found that by the end of the
taco, the shells started to break down and things started falling out. A
double shell would fix this issue. Regardless of the shell situation, I
will definitely be back soon!</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0809 Lomax St, Jacksonville, FL 32204, USA30.3137809 -81.68045130000001630.3135669 -81.680766300000016 30.3139949 -81.680136300000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-77341289035115006872019-09-10T06:55:00.000-04:002019-09-10T06:55:28.725-04:00Empanada Llama<div style="text-align: center;">
Besides having an adorable name, there are plenty of other reasons to visit <a href="https://www.empanada-llama.com/" target="_blank">Empanada Llama</a> in Mandarin. Located in the Carrabba's strip mall off of San Jose, Empanada Llama occupies a small space with about 5-6 tables and bar seating against the wall. When you first walk in you are hit with how charming the interior is. There walls are adorned with needlepoint art and a funky, geometric paint job by the door. Once you enter, you walk up to the counter to place your order. The menu focuses mainly on empanadas but quite a few different side items are offered like fries, sweet potato fries, and fried yuca. All of the menu items are priced individually, but there are 3 different combo options available if you want to mix and match. </div>
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On my first visit, and friend and I split <b>Combo #2</b>, which is 6 empanadas and 3 sides for $34. We realized (after the fact) that this combo is probably for 3 people but we really wanted to try everything. Go ahead and judge us, we regret nothing. We ordered every empanada except the Bacon and Eggs, which was sold out. Once we received the food, we were very impressed by the presentation. The empanadas are served on a wooden board and wrapped in specialty paper meant to look like a newspaper. The sides are served in little metal baskets shaped like fryer baskets and come with metal ramekins of dipping sauces (if ordered). </div>
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While every empanada we tried was fabulous, we were partial to the <b>Original Beef</b> and the <b>Aji de Gallina</b> (shredded chicken breast). Another stand out was the <b>Lomo Saltado</b>, which is steak bites sauteed with red onions, tomatoes, and authentic Peruvian spices. We loved how the steak was finely chopped so there was no awkward "trying to pull the steak apart with your teeth" kind of thing going on.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lomo Saltado</b></td></tr>
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We enjoyed the side items almost as much as the empanadas. Our favorites were the <b>Sweet Potato Fries</b> and the <b>Fried Yuca</b>. We enjoyed them so much that my friend went back up and ordered a few more sauces to dip them in. My personal favorite was the <b>Fried Yuca</b>. The fries were crispy but also soft on the inside with a very delightful taste. If you are a yuca fan, these are a "must try".</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My friend and I recently went back for a second visit and were just as blown away as the first time. We each ordered appropriately and got the<b> Combo #1</b>, which has 2 empanadas, one side, and a drink. This seems to be the way to go because one we were finished, we didn't immediately regret not wearing our stretchy pants. This combo was just the right amount of food.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Loved it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">For all the empanada lovers out there, this is definitely the place for you! With many different empanada options and side items, there is something for everyone on the menu. We tried quite a few different menu items and did not have one single complaint. Each empanada was unique and different from the others while still maintaining a high level of quality. </span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3448.437937621418!2d-81.6239128851376!3d30.196045818350367!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88e5c96c77871cff%3A0xf3d83392027fc607!2s9965%20San%20Jose%20Blvd%20%2339%2C%20Jacksonville%2C%20FL%2032257!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1567979507472!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border: 0;" width="300"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com09965 San Jose Blvd #39, Jacksonville, FL 32257, USA30.1960412 -81.6217242000000174.6740067 -122.93031820000002 55.7180757 -40.313130200000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-31864475447693086302019-06-24T21:36:00.001-04:002019-06-24T21:37:39.463-04:004 Rivers Smokehouse (Endless Summer of BBQ)Recently I was invited out to <a href="https://4rsmokehouse.com/" target="_blank">4 Rivers Smokehouse</a> to sample some of their new Endless Summer of BBQ offerings. I was already a huge 4 Rivers fan so I jumped at the chance. We started our meal with 3 of their new salads; <b>Texas Caesar Salad</b>, <b>Tangy Thai Salad</b>, and <b>Farmhouse Salad </b>(descriptions below) as well as a rack of <b>Baby Back Ribs with Peach Habanero BBQ Sauce</b>. <br />
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<b>Texas Caesar Salad</b> - Crisp romaine leaves topped with protein-rich roasted chickpeas,
signature 4R cornbread croutons and shaved Parmesan. Served with
vegetarian Caesar dressing.<br />
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<b>Tangy Thai Salad </b>- Tender kale spring mix topped with protein-rich roasted chickpeas,
julienned cabbage and garnished with toasted sliced almonds. Served with
spicy Thai vinaigrette.<br />
<br />
<b>Farmhouse Salad</b> - Tender kale spring mix and crisp romaine topped with protein-rich
roasted chickpeas, chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onion, cheddar cheese and
signature 4R cornbread croutons.<br />
<br />
Each salad was unique and I was pleased to learn that you can add any meat you like right on top. So these salads are perfect for the salad lover in your life as well as the "health conscious but still loves meat too much to go without".<br />
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The ribs were spectacular. The meat had a nice flavor and was fall off the bone tender, which made me happy because I am not a big fan of gnawing on the bones. I would much rather "fork" them. No one needs to see all that.<br />
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The final menu item we tried was the <b>4R Footlong</b> — Grilled all-beef foot-long hotdog piled high with pulled pork, melted cheddar, coleslaw and 4R Signature Sauce. This thing was a beast! It is definitely a whole meal with all the proper summer staples included (as toppings).<br />
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These summer items won't stick around forever so make sure to stop in and give them a try!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Every so often I am offered a free meal to come in and try the food at different restaurants (as was the case with this post). Sometimes these meals are in exchange for an honest review and others have no stipulations at all. I do not accept monetary compensation for any reviews on my blog or on any social media platform. All of my opinions are my own, always. </span><br />
<br />Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com09220 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256, USA30.2201479 -81.566626630.2197189 -81.5672571 30.2205769 -81.5659961tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-89325640773154368702019-03-24T16:39:00.003-04:002019-03-24T20:07:34.598-04:00Don't blow it up, build it up - The Jacksonville LandingArticle by: Brittny Lowrey<br />
Photos by: Jill Cruz <br />
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Blowing up The Landing is the absolute most wasteful thing to do in downtown Jax, and yet here we are. The City Council votes on Tuesday as to whether or not we are going to raze it. The Council has overwhelmingly supported this option and it is likely to pass on Tuesday with little opposition expected from their inner circle. Half a glance at any of the articles published online show massive dissent by the Jax population, but the disconnect is real between our local government and their constituents. The popular replacement plan? A park. A “green space and mixed use retail area”. Mayor Curry and the City Council decided on this quickly, about a month after an agreement was reached on buying out The Landing. I’m sure it’s been whispered in the halls of City Hall for many years that the only way to handle The Landing is to blow it up. But what in the world are we doing here? We have a branded, well known, established building that while needing a serious deep cleaning and gutting, has the bones to bring Jacksonville up to par with LA, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nashville. A food hall is the answer to how to rebrand and reestablish The Landing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR07ZtpE_Q95tfxj5wRYZp8pr237ZQrrEv4lHoCPMQOCdx7SuRIA-vHtC_hYPeZEQLdybQXVSB24jFbZHik8Y6GtlohHzfU_J-tW0p3s4FDhqHVn65n8Vm2lBhWJQ5yHphrgaxo7oVdw/s1600/IMG_3486-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR07ZtpE_Q95tfxj5wRYZp8pr237ZQrrEv4lHoCPMQOCdx7SuRIA-vHtC_hYPeZEQLdybQXVSB24jFbZHik8Y6GtlohHzfU_J-tW0p3s4FDhqHVn65n8Vm2lBhWJQ5yHphrgaxo7oVdw/s400/IMG_3486-4.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks from The Jacksonville Landing after our Annual Boat Parade</td></tr>
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A quick Google search shows that every major metropolitan area has an upscale, urban food hall established in or near their downtowns. These consist of food stalls from numerous businesses, farmer’s market vendors, artisans, and often gated off sit down restaurants. Imagine a redesigned landing where you could have Thai, cheesesteaks, grilled cheese, tacos, and enjoy a craft beer from a partnered brewery, or a craft cocktail from a local distillery. That exists all over the country. Chicago’s central business district boasts a 24,000 square foot food hall in a historic building with new concepts from chefs and quick service formats of local favorites. Atlanta has James Beard award winning chefs with restaurants in theirs. That’s just two examples. I’ve visited at least a dozen recreations of this idea all over the country. Why is it so popular in population dense cities with active downtowns? Because it creates jobs, creates active revenue making opportunities for the city with lease payments, creates a reason for tourists to visit, and creates business opportunities for local restaurateurs. For us, it would turn a usable, already built space into a destination venue that establishes downtown as progressive and hip. And yet, here we go with another park.<br />
<br />
I know we can change the landscape of downtown, but I also know it’s a constant and ongoing<br />
discussion and it takes being loud to do so. I know this because I run a business downtown.<br />
We’ve fought with the city every step of the way on basic fundamental infrastructure. I’ve had<br />
dozens of meetings with the police on safety issues downtown. This is getting off into a whole<br />
different
article that I will be writing soon on what it takes to operate a
restaurant in downtown Jax, but for now I use it as a redacted example
of what we will replicate with a park. It took years of an extremely
active new staff at Hemming Park to make it into the beautiful and safe
space it is today. It’s by far the most active downtown community space
with events nearly every weekday and most weekends. It resulted in the
homeless population shifting down the road to the park on Main Street.
That’s now a completely unused space by the public because of this. So
we want to add more of these green areas downtown? I don’t think that
should even be an option. Let’s follow the successful models of other
major cities. We’re not creating the wheel here. The model is tried and
true, and it would make those signs on I95 and I10 with directions to
The Landing a relevant instruction. Come down from Savannah and check
out downtown Jax, you can eat from 25 different chefs in one place!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Liberty Public Market in San Diego</b><br />
Left to Right: Roma Express, Parana Empanadas, Venissimo Cheese </td></tr>
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It’s popular to bash millennial's’ financial decisions, but millennials and the generations below<br />
spend money on food with reckless abandon. Foodies search out the new hot places, no matter<br />
what side of town they’re on. Food tourism is a thing, it is a growing market. It’s trendy to place<br />
food destinations in areas that were formerly less desirable. Jacksonville can’t afford to pass up<br />
an opportunity that would create this much revenue, nor should we pass up an opportunity to<br />
enliven an underused part of downtown. I certainly wouldn’t be spending my afternoons at<br />
another city park downtown that will be nothing more than a new locale for the homeless<br />
population to congregate. I get it, it’s pretty. But we all know it won’t be for long. If you put<br />
upscale and passionate business people in place instead, you’ve got a management standard<br />
set that won’t allow it to turn to ruin. Let’s raise the bar. Mayor Curry, do you want some ideas<br />
for committed vendors? We know a few. Let’s do this.<br />
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We don’t have much time here before the City Council vote, so contact your representatives<br />
today to let them know we don’t need or want a new park downtown. You’re already saying it on Facebook, so send it to the source! Below are your representatives by area:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.coj.net/city-council.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.coj.net/city-council.aspx</a>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com02 W Independent Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA30.325069 -81.6598139999999834.803034499999999 -122.96840799999998 55.8471035 -40.351219999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-3606170473039404732019-03-11T06:47:00.000-04:002019-03-11T06:48:23.693-04:00Canopy Road Cafe<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Jacksonville has a new breakfast/lunch spot, <a href="http://www.canopyroadcafe.com/" target="_blank">Canopy Road Cafe</a>. They are located in the Bartram Park area, taking over the
recently vacated Bayard Café space. I was invited during the first week
of operation to try them out, so try them out I
did. I arrived at 1pm on a Tuesday and there was a wait for tables.
Luckily, I spotted a few open spots at the bar, so I headed that way.
After reviewing the menu for a few minutes, I placed my order then
started scrolling through my phone to pass the time.
I heard my name being called so I looked and there was Anna Eatz Jax!
She had also just ordered so I relocated to her table (which was not a
huge problem with my original waitress, thankfully). Our food came out a
few minutes later and we quickly realized
that our table was too small. (Not because we ordered way too much
food. It was the table’s fault. Totally.)<br />
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The menu is very large and diverse, so we ended ordering items from different sections on the menu. I opted for
<b>The Douglas</b> (avocado, bacon, turkey, diced tomatoes, and provolone cheese $10) along with a specialty pancake as my side,
<b>Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup</b> (a mixture of chocolate and peanut
butter chips. $5 as a side, $9 short stack, $11 large stack.) You have a
couple of different choices to make with the skillet so I got wheat
bread, my eggs scrambled, and home fries. Let me
tell y'all about these home fries. They are battered and crispy. Easily
some of the best I’ve had.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Douglas</td></tr>
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As for the pancake, it was heavenly. So rich and sweet. I tried it with
and without the syrup. It's great either way but I say go with syrup.
The sweeter the better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1auzlOHRWs0C8_DjLlz8MmMQcOHSQ3CKvvGQ2O0DHVrIQHFM3oxQgSi5hG70teL9PTqLbdnMCuIc2Nk_Df8Sq9CmnDirshyg-6J98dTpLeYrDI6L7b9vCn32VeCP01Rkobv7wC10J4E/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1auzlOHRWs0C8_DjLlz8MmMQcOHSQ3CKvvGQ2O0DHVrIQHFM3oxQgSi5hG70teL9PTqLbdnMCuIc2Nk_Df8Sq9CmnDirshyg-6J98dTpLeYrDI6L7b9vCn32VeCP01Rkobv7wC10J4E/s320/IMG_0401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup specialty pancake </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Anna went with a lunch option, the <b>Black N' Blue Burger </b>(seasoned with blackening spices then topped with caramelized onions, crisp bacon, Maytag bleu cheese $10). It came with seasoned fries but she also ordered a side of onion rings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PFnUeiybPTVORte6ZC8zHNinMWMD2Doik3OrCDWcAkPL9BGN3QI5MXBFhVNGlfjgAl_5soOLzR1A7m0f6byya2o9IFv1diy_I7PLLCA_XeOsGhNXGS1bm9Xy1burGS_u3sAx52tCH6k/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PFnUeiybPTVORte6ZC8zHNinMWMD2Doik3OrCDWcAkPL9BGN3QI5MXBFhVNGlfjgAl_5soOLzR1A7m0f6byya2o9IFv1diy_I7PLLCA_XeOsGhNXGS1bm9Xy1burGS_u3sAx52tCH6k/s320/IMG_1441.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black N' Blue Burger, onion rings<b><br /></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I've been back twice since my initial visit with friends/coworkers. My first return visit was with my friend Jennifer. We started the meal with a <b>Cinnamon Roll </b>(cream cheese icing & powdered sugar $4) for the table. This thing was deadly. It is served warm and is incredibly soft. No knife needed. I will neither confirm nor deny that I ate 3 cinnamon rolls this week, 3 days in a row.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6LPpwKDosEwcPau11tIRMgB4Cv4WPCRdOLAENHg1TWer2If8lCWUjFVSmhlocOXLHxeLF1_5lyiL73Utb2zsh_n5pgN6lTFdRiq9qgrVyr_ABZETbsS7kge6JlMvbB3j7c5Hkwao7EM/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6LPpwKDosEwcPau11tIRMgB4Cv4WPCRdOLAENHg1TWer2If8lCWUjFVSmhlocOXLHxeLF1_5lyiL73Utb2zsh_n5pgN6lTFdRiq9qgrVyr_ABZETbsS7kge6JlMvbB3j7c5Hkwao7EM/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Roll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted to try something new so I went with a <b>Waffle</b> add <b>Chocolate Chips </b>($7 + $1 for the add on). It was the perfect size since I had previously stuffed my face full of cinnamon roll. Jennifer went with <b>The Roger </b>(corned beef hash, grilled peppers, onions, and Swiss cheese $10.50) with a specialty pancake as her side, <b>Pineapple Upside Down Pancake </b>(brown sugar
caramelized pineapple, maraschino cherries, and a caramel glaze. $5
side, $9 short stack, $11 large stack.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQy2y0vvsXuyzPfu72Ald6joC9NX5HlzsAUXqNsqDVIz3euu5ug4-VilNzmzYyy7LiYCEegJs1iKnLLillYzdkHpSTc2TAf9XYBsaL-jE9RyS8V3-w59T05PEijAf27T7FsjAV1CtcNg/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQy2y0vvsXuyzPfu72Ald6joC9NX5HlzsAUXqNsqDVIz3euu5ug4-VilNzmzYyy7LiYCEegJs1iKnLLillYzdkHpSTc2TAf9XYBsaL-jE9RyS8V3-w59T05PEijAf27T7FsjAV1CtcNg/s320/IMG_0153.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front to back - Waffle, Cinnamon Roll, The Roger</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a brief description of my friend Jennifer's meal, as described by her:</div>
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<b>The Roger</b> – Huge serving size,
sorta regretted getting the pancake when I saw how big it was. Home fries
were cooked perfectly, corned beef hash was very good, much more in the
skillet than I was expecting. Three eggs
was kind of a lot, 2 would have been perfect but not complaining. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pineapple Upside Down Pancake</b> – No regrets once I
tried it. Possibly one of the best pancakes I have ever tried. Tasted
just like a pineapple upside down cake. Had a good brown sugar flavor
without being too sweet. Large pieces of pineapple
and chunks of maraschino cherries scattered in it so almost every bite
had fruit which was nice. Caramel drizzle on top was rich but not
sickening. Pancake was perfect, needed no syrup or anything additional
from what came on it. Would love to try the others
but I may want to order this every time forever.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2f8M_bZqYYEpe1tiIK256TWbQ0g3xy38kaKtOZl7IYGLtEXhSZXTB-vAE0cTu0VRPzl5x6bud9QSPqiBDwO6cd6_F1um0NAdCHqdfK__6HOj1oc2zy9vteIai7unMb9P-cmrTD3RPbQ/s1600/IMG_4446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2f8M_bZqYYEpe1tiIK256TWbQ0g3xy38kaKtOZl7IYGLtEXhSZXTB-vAE0cTu0VRPzl5x6bud9QSPqiBDwO6cd6_F1um0NAdCHqdfK__6HOj1oc2zy9vteIai7unMb9P-cmrTD3RPbQ/s320/IMG_4446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapple Upside Down Pancake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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My second return visit was with my friend Chris. We polished off a cinnamon roll in record time. It was a shame that the Guinness Book of World's Records wasn't there because I think we had a shot at notoriety. I really wanted to try something new but I also really wanted The Douglas, so I was boring and got that again. Chris, however, went with <b>The Skeeter</b> (country fried steak, sautéed onions, and sausage gravy $11).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RKno6EQzMEQN5Gic6c_r9WswOPTgul8c3BsEN2ZBFXZRHYhd3XysfrEHMqknzS3UoMDoJvEB3AlW1bhZFu2Kfpncam1B3zbEOVT4q8p5nnNwqqY53C61MkCdMEU89qCOQ6Cz08RwIyw/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RKno6EQzMEQN5Gic6c_r9WswOPTgul8c3BsEN2ZBFXZRHYhd3XysfrEHMqknzS3UoMDoJvEB3AlW1bhZFu2Kfpncam1B3zbEOVT4q8p5nnNwqqY53C61MkCdMEU89qCOQ6Cz08RwIyw/s320/IMG_3406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Skeeter </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Liked it!</span></div>
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Canopy Road Cafe is a perfect addition to the area. The menu is large and diverse, the food is great, and the staff is extremely friendly. I also wanted to point out that the portions are pretty large. You can come in with some friends and split a few different menu items, and you definitely should.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d110294.62055032316!2d-81.60716717575433!3d30.245433971827765!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88e5cd01571f105b%3A0x1d8d203581f1cc6!2sCanopy+Road+Cafe-Jacksonville!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1552171496471" style="border: 0;" width="300"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com012525 Philips Hwy #201, Jacksonville, FL 32256, USA30.1444872 -81.5176963000000114.6224527 -122.82629030000001 55.666521700000004 -40.209102300000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-85674383182094865172019-02-17T18:08:00.003-05:002019-02-17T18:39:52.674-05:00Catullos ItalianAlright y'all, I've got the best news to share. The brick and mortar restaurant for <b>Catullo's Italian</b> is officially open!! Almost a year the day of them selling their food truck, we now have a permanent place to get our Italian fix. They are located on the corner of Atlantic Blvd and San Pablo Rd in the Walmart Neighborhood Market shopping plaza. From the moment you step foot inside you know that you are in for one hell of an experience. The decor is beautiful and modern with family photos hanging all throughout the restaurant. My personal favorites are in the bathrooms, so make sure to check those out. The restaurant is capable of seating 46 people, including bar space.<br />
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Catullo’s Italian<br />
1650-2 San Pablo Rd<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32225<br />
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Hours:<br />
Monday-Thursday: 5-10pm<br />
Friday: 5-11pm<br />
Saturday: 4-11pm<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPjZMcEPfoumudN6_gg2OftmI9nHonYvrOFzrKOjozFLzQiee-GD98RhSApniR_zWrjBuQy8WiAppPKiBgPg_9lmjWm7r5EmtX8OYgtu5SNwmovtB_gC7khJw2GTEFZD4rC71ysb1kgc/s1600/IMG_8767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPjZMcEPfoumudN6_gg2OftmI9nHonYvrOFzrKOjozFLzQiee-GD98RhSApniR_zWrjBuQy8WiAppPKiBgPg_9lmjWm7r5EmtX8OYgtu5SNwmovtB_gC7khJw2GTEFZD4rC71ysb1kgc/s400/IMG_8767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBemL8IFoZRL15AGDfRqQVi5dq27D4pisFM72s-IuQsPnPGlzBXqP10kLvqb9RnV2oyhpiOEe7UtPr06VOY8F9vNg1kns4c6N9_52j_CWG8opICBedaRNCBGm7RFyUb8Ma5MgUGltHG1s/s1600/IMG_8027+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBemL8IFoZRL15AGDfRqQVi5dq27D4pisFM72s-IuQsPnPGlzBXqP10kLvqb9RnV2oyhpiOEe7UtPr06VOY8F9vNg1kns4c6N9_52j_CWG8opICBedaRNCBGm7RFyUb8Ma5MgUGltHG1s/s400/IMG_8027+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you were a fan of the food truck, I'm happy to report that many of the truck favorites have found their way onto the restaurant menu. We started with a few different appetizers, <b><b>Aracnini, </b>Ma's Brushetta, </b>&<b> Spiced Meatballs with Garlic Sauce</b>. Its tough to choose, but I think my favorite was the <b>Arancini</b>. It is made with Calabrian Chili and parmigiano risotto so it has a little bit of heat, but not enough to keep me away. The balls are stuffed with goat cheese, breaded, and then fried. Yes, yes, and yes. Gimme all of that.</div>
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As much as I wanted that Sunday Suppa, I spotted something else that I have been waiting for...risotto! Once I saw it, I knew I had to have it. The <b>Sea Scallop Risotto</b> comes with pan seared scallops over Calabrian Chili Risotto. I took a bite and knew that I made the correct decision. The risotto and sea scallops were cooked perfectly and tasted spectacular. The Calabrian chili added a tiny bit of heat, but it complimented the dish quite well. Risotto is a tricky beast to get right for some establishments, but not Catullos.<br />
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I also had the opportunity to try the <b>Porcini Mushroom Tortelloni</b>, and boy am I glad I did. The dish consists of Porcini filled tortelloni with a beef broth & red wine reduction. WOW, this dish was bursting with flavor! I have had mushroom tortelloni dishes in the past, but I have never had one like this. I was thanking my lucky stars that there was bread on the table so I could get every last drop of this sauce into my mouth, in a civilized way.<br />
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From everything I've heard, via my table and others, is that the <b>Pear and Goat Cheese Ravioli </b>has got it going on. This has been one of their most popular dishes and you would definitely be remiss to not give it a try. Each ravioli is stuffed with fresh pear and goat cheese, then covered in a caramelized pear and gorgonzola cream sauce. It is divine.<br />
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Photos of other entrees at the table:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: LOVED IT!!!</span> </div>
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Run to Catullo's the first chance you get. Trust me on this. Everything is wonderful from the decor, to the service, to the food. I literally do not have one bad thing to say. Not one. I can definitely recommend any of the dishes pictured in this article, but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Speaking of the menu, everything is reasonable priced and the portions are generous. Also, make sure to take a peek at the wine list while you are there. They have an impressive selection of wines, wine based cocktails, and also offer beer (local breweries as well). </div>
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*They are not currently taking reservations or offering take out during the soft opening, but look for those in the coming weeks once they get more established.</div>
<br />Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com05, 1650 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA30.3189361 -81.45048724.7969015999999982 -122.7590812 55.8409706 -40.1418932tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-76806976343390943902019-02-17T16:25:00.000-05:002019-02-17T16:29:00.293-05:00Osake Buffet<div style="text-align: center;">
I was recently invited out to the soft opening of <a href="http://osakebuffet.com/" target="_blank">Osake Buffet</a>. The restaurant
is located on Southside Boulevard across from the Avenues Mall. This
particular location has been several things over the past few years
including a dim sum restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, and a seafood
restaurant. At the time of publishing, the new concept had only been open for a few weeks. </div>
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We were seated and had the pleasure of meeting the owner Andy Lay, who stressed the importance of quality. The buffet has many different stations including a sushi station and a made to order hibachi station. But the biggest draw would definitely have to be the seafood area. With all you can eat crab legs and lobster, you almost have to have a black belt to break through the crowds and grab some. In our experience, people would hover around this area waiting for them to be replenished at all times. </div>
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The sushi bar was plentiful, but many of the items had no description.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi Station</td></tr>
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The Dim Sum/Chinese Food station had many different items, but I feel like the quality was compromised by being under the heat lamps. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnJP113u4DvTpY2qEotMgc7vyKNs4qZWyKY82TjVIRoU9LMdIczdGAp3rdc5HKPLmQ9IJ36ugLYTicimFaTWhCVpJAdLo-dd-r7ntWkcsZsOJk5dRCLunjmpbvS1jc1oNH24GLRvValo/s1600/IMG_2401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnJP113u4DvTpY2qEotMgc7vyKNs4qZWyKY82TjVIRoU9LMdIczdGAp3rdc5HKPLmQ9IJ36ugLYTicimFaTWhCVpJAdLo-dd-r7ntWkcsZsOJk5dRCLunjmpbvS1jc1oNH24GLRvValo/s400/IMG_2401.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dim Sum<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dim Sum/Chinese Station<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kLGeiYXceVzR_m63rIDCzxW_KtmMD69l5lOHLZjXfKnsae_02RCZxKfdKgg0v187avh4SoTaGCWpA4hYsbUbLLo49RU9YcDCeV_Acjvkkm7kJ-fFLyiJtLDdeDAzOEZZruUL5UGWayU/s1600/IMG_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kLGeiYXceVzR_m63rIDCzxW_KtmMD69l5lOHLZjXfKnsae_02RCZxKfdKgg0v187avh4SoTaGCWpA4hYsbUbLLo49RU9YcDCeV_Acjvkkm7kJ-fFLyiJtLDdeDAzOEZZruUL5UGWayU/s400/IMG_2193.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Food Station</td></tr>
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The dessert station had a few different items, as well as an ice cream freezer.</div>
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Introductory prices are at follows, and are subject to change:<br />
Lunch, Mon-Fri, 11:00PM – 3:30PM: $10.99 (Saturday $11.99)<br />
Dinner, Mon - Thurs, 3:30PM - 10:00PM: $21.99<br />
Dinner, Fri-Sun, 3:30PM - 10:30PM: $24.99<br />
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<span class="h3">Children:</span><br />
Monday- Saturday<br />
Lunch: (3-5 yrs old): $4.99, (6-10 yrs old): $6.99<br />
Dinner: (3-5 yrs old): $6.99, (6-10 yrs old): $10.99<br />
Sunday: (3-5 yrs old): $6.99, (6-10 yrs old): $10.99Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-37909734774228138492018-12-10T17:57:00.003-05:002018-12-10T17:57:40.278-05:00Murray's Taco Bodega<div style="text-align: center;">
Murray Hill has a new taco spot, <b>Murray's Taco Bodega</b>. They are located next to Maple Street Biscuits in the recently shuttered B Street Eats. While I was sad to see that go, I am thrilled that Murray's moved in. Murray's is a fast casual concept where you order at the counter and have your food brought out to you. The restaurant is large and open with indoor seating as well as some outdoor seating in the back<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKbGopzravkJDkJMEr8fqo4aMhWDYI7m_vv-Xwgkec2tj9EEvU34OqRFA6MjZ3VJ_uePMfv_U85v11OqdYdcWJOSNKEHImBenxGzF44ICVVoqkC_Zy7YGbgGA1EG_JMDt3Jucj2Ao7-w/s1600/IMG_7019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKbGopzravkJDkJMEr8fqo4aMhWDYI7m_vv-Xwgkec2tj9EEvU34OqRFA6MjZ3VJ_uePMfv_U85v11OqdYdcWJOSNKEHImBenxGzF44ICVVoqkC_Zy7YGbgGA1EG_JMDt3Jucj2Ao7-w/s400/IMG_7019.JPG" width="400" /></a>We weren't sure what to order so the guy working the register gave us some suggestions, which actually turned out to be some of the same things we were considering ordering. We started our meal with the <b>Chips & Dips Flight</b>. This flight came with Salsa, Guacamole, and Queso. I was immediately struck with how delicious the chips looked. The were thicker than your average chip, but still easy to bite into. The woman who brought the flight to our table explained that we got the last of the guacamole, but they were making more and would bring it out as soon as it was ready. I was a little surprised by this because if she didn't tell me that, I probably wouldn't have questioned the amount of guacamole received. But I wanted to let you all know since the picture does not reflect the usual order amount.<br />
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In addition to the <b>Chips & Dips Flight</b>, we ordered 5 tacos and a side; <b>Murray's Signature Taco, Jerk Chicken, Brussels Sprout, Brisket, Shrimp, </b>and<b> Charro Beans. </b></div>
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It was hard deciding what to try first, so I just went around taking bites of everything. I started with the <b>Brisket Taco</b> since I really wanted to bust that egg. The brisket was very tender and I was really pleased with how the pepper jack and egg complimented the meat. Next I tried the <b>Shrimp Taco</b>. I really liked this one as well. The salsa verde, pico, and lime crema gave it a nice flavor. I took a quick bite of the <b>Charro Beans</b> and did not want to stop. They were meaty and delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgr5UA45gf33ONh9AtEnk14dwo4u3cWKKbSIq751gqSuPVp5dZY7jTZbeu1IEkIpqKW8LMbTITYMrozweJaQjAR0zo37QE-wK55UFpdEUG3fWLpz8XY3nZVcKp_snLTS6_zT-j446I4I/s1600/IMG_8937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgr5UA45gf33ONh9AtEnk14dwo4u3cWKKbSIq751gqSuPVp5dZY7jTZbeu1IEkIpqKW8LMbTITYMrozweJaQjAR0zo37QE-wK55UFpdEUG3fWLpz8XY3nZVcKp_snLTS6_zT-j446I4I/s400/IMG_8937.JPG" width="400" /></a>I made my husband switch plates so I could try the remaining tacos. First up was the <b>Brussels Sprout Taco</b>, mainly because I was very intrigued. It did not disappoint. With black beans, chipotle crema, and roasted garlic, this taco was a winner. If you are a fan of brussels, get this taco. Another favorite of mine was the <b>Murray's Signature Taco</b>. I'm not usually one to get corned beef but I always want to try a restaurant's signature dish. Wow, this taco lives up to the menu's hype. I am not a mustard fan but there is something about dijon mustard that I like. To me, the dijon crema is what made the taco. Since spicy food doesn't love me, I was saving the <b>Jerk Chicken </b>for last. It had a nice peppery tang to it which was offset somewhat by th<span style="font-family: inherit;">e pineapple</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Loved It!!</span></div>
I wasn't sure what to expect with Murray's. Being a new taco restaurant in the heart of Murray Hill, it could have gone either way. I'm happy to say that Murray's is a very welcome addition. While there are a few other taco places in the area, they do not compare. Many places will stick some shredded cabbage on there, charge 5 bucks and call it a taco. Not Murray's. In addition to being reasonably priced, it feels like they really put some thought into the tacos. All of the toppings seem meticulously planned to maximize flavor and nothing seems out of place. There are no fillers. All of the ingredients are complimentary and only add to greatness of the taco. Not only is the food fantastic, the service we received was stellar. Murray's is a perfect addition to Murray Hill and I would definitely recommend giving them a shot sooner rather than later!<div style="text-align: left;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d13777.942079512597!2d-81.7137327!3d30.3087048!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x6179d2d2b9216c57!2sMurray%E2%80%99s+Taco+Bodega!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1544368491320" style="border: 0;" width="300"></iframe>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/jacksonville-fl/murray-039-s-taco-bodega-urban-core-jacksonville" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Murray's Taco Bodega, Urban Core and other Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida"><img alt="Murray&#039;s Taco Bodega Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18891574/biglink" style="border: none; height: 146px; padding: 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com01173 Edgewood Ave S, Jacksonville, FL 32205, USA30.3087048 -81.713732699999984.7866703000000008 -123.02232669999998 55.830739300000005 -40.405138699999981tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-58910861878311833312018-11-28T21:41:00.000-05:002018-11-28T21:41:24.195-05:00True Food Kitchen<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a new restaurant in the St Johns Town Center and I'm here to tell you all about it! <a href="https://www.truefoodkitchen.com/jacksonville" target="_blank">True Food Kitchen</a> recently opened in the old Mitchell's Fish Market spot and completely renovated the space. The 8064 square foot restaurant has a large open dining room, private rooms, and a big open kitchen so you can watch the magic happen. I was invited out to the media event before the grand opening and was able to try a few different menu items. We were seated in one of the private rooms and I was immediately struck by the awesomeness of the wall art. It was a giant tree made of real moss. Each location is decorated specifically for that city, so we also have some surfboards on the walls of the main dining room.</div>
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I started my lunch with one of their fresh pressed juice drinks, <b>Original Ginger "O.G." </b>(lime, honey, bubbly water). This was a very refreshing drink and the ginger gave it a little bit of spice. A few starters started coming out, <b>Kale Guacamole</b> (V) - grapefruit, cilantro, roasted poblano, sunflower seed & pita chips and <b>Farmers Market Crudités </b>(VEG) - chilled raw vegetables, tzatziki & black olive dip. The Crudités looks so much like a work of art that we all thought it was part of the table arrangement when we sat down.</div>
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Next, we tried <b>Seasonal Ingredient Salad </b>(VEG GF) <span class="small">- brussels sprout, quinoa, roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, pomegranate, toasted mulberry, horseradish vinaigrette, </span><span class="small"><b>Organic Tuscan Kale</b> (VEG) <span class="small">- lemon, garlic, grana padano, breadcrumb, and </span></span><span class="small"><span class="small"><b>Ancient Grains </b><span style="color: #4b5862;">(V)</span> <span class="small">- miso glazed sweet potato, turmeric, charred onion, snow pea, grilled portobello, avocado, hemp seed. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="small"><span class="small"><span class="small">One thing I really loved about the <b>Seasonal ingredient Salad</b> was that the base is shredded brussels sprouts instead of lettuce. It was different and unique and the other ingredients complimented each other. But my favorite part of this salad was the </span></span></span><span class="small"><span class="small"><span class="small"><span class="small">toasted mulberry, I have never had anything like it. The chefs take mulberries, dehydrate, then toast them. It is insanely clever and creates a crunchy berry that still retains its sweetness.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Seasonal Ingredient Salad, Organic Tuscan Kale, Ancient Grains</td></tr>
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An immediate table favorite was the <b>Edamame Dumplings </b><span style="color: #4b5862;">(VEG)</span> <span class="small">- dashi, white truffle oil, Asian herbs. These dumplings are packed with so much flavor that you would never know that they are only 270 calories! Each pasta dumpling is filled with mashed edamame and there are a few whole ones on top. The broth is very comforting, I could definitely drink it alone (and I did once the dumplings were finished off!)</span></div>
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<span class="small"> Next up were the</span><span class="small"><b> </b></span><b>Roasted Brussels Sprouts</b> <span style="color: #4b5862;">(V GF)</span> <span class="small">- asian mushroom, miso sesame vinaigrette, chili thread</span><b>, Charred Cauliflower</b> <span style="color: #4b5862;">(V GF)</span> <span class="small">- harissa tahini, medjool date, dill, mint, pistachio, and </span><span class="small"><span class="small"><b>Butternut Squash</b> <span style="color: #4b5862;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Pizza</b></span> (V)</span> <span class="small">- caramelized onion, roasted garlic, organic kale, vegan almond ricotta, dried cranberry, sage.</span></span> Who would ever think to find pizza on a healthy menu? Not me, but that's exactly what I found with the </span><span class="small"><b>Butternut Squash</b>. <span class="small">If you are in the mood for pizza but don't want all of the calories, this is definitely a great trade off. I also adored the <b>Roasted Brussels Sprouts</b>. The miso sesame vinaigrette is unlike any other glaze I have experienced on brussels and I loved every bit of it. The <b>Charred Cauliflower</b> were also unique and tasty with the harissa tahini added.</span></span></div>
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<span class="small">We were given the option to try other things off the menu so a few people at the table placed some orders. I did not personally try these items but I still wanted to share the photos. </span></div>
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<span class="small">Left to right, top to bottom: </span><b> </b></div>
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<b>T.L.T. </b><span style="color: #4b5862;">(V)</span> <span class="small">- smoked tempeh, butter lettuce, tomato, avocado, vegan mayonnaise, seeded grain bread</span></div>
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<span class="small"><b>Spicy Panang Curry</b> (GF) - sweet potato, pole bean, bok choy, carrot, thai basil, coconut shrimp broth (with rice)</span></div>
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<span class="small"><b>Dashi Ramen </b>(V GF) sweet potato glass noodle, bok choy, grilled portobello, charred onion, radish, dried sweet corn, black bean, sesame chili oil</span></div>
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<span class="small"><b>Mediterranean Chicken Pita</b> - grilled flatbread, romaine, arugula, grape, house pickle, red onion, feta, harissa tahini.</span></div>
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<span class="small">One of the great things about True Food Kitchen is the diversity of their menu. When I saw a burger on there, I knew I had to try it. </span><span class="small"><b>Grass-Fed Burger</b> - <span class="small">umami, mushroom, caramelized onion, arugula, parmesan, mayonnaise, flax seed bun. Now this is a great burger! It was a lot bigger than I expected and was exploding with flavor. It came with a side of sweet potatoes to keep the whole dish under 900 calories (860 to be exact!) This burger is sure to keep all the carnivores in your life happy.</span></span></div>
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<span class="small">Another fantastic item I wanted to share with you is the </span><span class="small"><b>Lasagna Bolognese</b> <span style="color: #4b5862;">(GF)</span> <span class="small">- fennel chicken sausage, mushroom, spinach, lemon ricotta, herbs. This clocks in at 450 calories but you would not be able to tell. It is one of the best lasagnas I have had, not even kidding. </span></span></div>
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<span class="small"><span class="small">Now for everyone's favorite course, dessert! We were able to try 2 of their offerings, <b>Squash Pie </b>(V GF) - graham crust, coconut whipped cream and <b>Flourless Chocolate Cake </b>(VEG GF) - caramel, almond, vanilla ice cream, cocoa nib. Upon my first bite of the Squash Pie I was a little confused, but in a good way. It tasted just like pumpkin pie! The <b>Flourless Chocolate Cake</b> was a must try for me. I am a self proclaimed chocoholic so I was eager to try this. While I can admit that the cake itself is lacking some depth, the ice cream and caramel more than make up for it. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4oCCb93Sf0yJbK7ZzxE26n25D6hgrmI43gqw7hXxyW6GRdjo_ghIkwItLynKfAOHtwGlCAf7dRFEesoc5j4x8ND8XciyZeL7nTBcssH4w02Q1Hkul5VUejEGjllY7pPcYlUiSrNckBg/s1600/IMG_8723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4oCCb93Sf0yJbK7ZzxE26n25D6hgrmI43gqw7hXxyW6GRdjo_ghIkwItLynKfAOHtwGlCAf7dRFEesoc5j4x8ND8XciyZeL7nTBcssH4w02Q1Hkul5VUejEGjllY7pPcYlUiSrNckBg/s400/IMG_8723.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="small"><span class="small">Verdict: Loved It!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="small"><span class="small">Wow, True Food Kitchen really blew me away! When you tell me I'm eating something healthy, I immediately think it's not going to taste great. That is definitely not the case here. Every dish was meticulously planned to maximize the flavor. I was interested to learn that a lot of the menu items are influenced by the <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/04/11/398325030/eating-to-break-100-longevity-diet-tips-from-the-blue-zones" target="_blank">Blue Zone Diet</a>. People who live in the Blue Zones (five regions in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the U.S.) have the highest concentrations of centenarians in the world, so they have a proven track record. Most of the menu items will rotate seasonally but a few will remain year round. I think that's a great way to keep the menu fresh and get us trying more things. I know I can't wait to go back and try something new!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/jacksonville-fl/true-food-kitchen-urban-core-jacksonville" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about True Food Kitchen, Urban Core and other Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida"><img alt="True Food Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18872341/biglink" style="border: none; height: 146px; padding: 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com25205 Big Island Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32246, USA30.252591 -81.5250429999999824.7305564999999987 -122.83363699999998 55.7746255 -40.216448999999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-46090769702029286032018-11-22T17:27:00.003-05:002018-11-22T17:27:47.360-05:00Cowford Chophouse (New Fall Menu)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cowfordchophouse.com/" target="_blank">Cowford Chophouse</a> has launched their new fall menu and I was lucky enough to snag an invite to taste some of the items. This was my first visit so I was really looking forward to it. I wasn't sure how long it would take to get there and park, so I ended up being super early. This actually worked to my advantage because it afforded me some time to walk around and scope out the place. Everything about this restaurant was gorgeous. It is truly a beautiful space.</div>
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We were seated in our own private dining room upstairs and treated to a few different cocktails to start the evening:</div>
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<b>Stir Your Soul</b> - Belvedere single estate rye vodka, bauchant orange liqueur, giffard creme de violette, lemon juice, simple syrup, rinse of carpano dry vermouth</div>
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<b>Woods Outside Rio </b>- Lavua amburana cachaca, aperol, maple simple syrup, lemon juice, grated cinnamon.</div>
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<b>The Mayan Retreat</b> - Ron zacapa 23 Guatemalan rum, turbinado syrup, brown sugar syrup, lemon, lime, orange, maraschino cherry, Spanish bitters</div>
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<b>D'Coop S'Etat</b> (Pisco, I said so) - La caravedo pisco, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, thyme syrup, egg white, wild mirto</div>
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<b>Yes, Pecan </b>- Angel's envy bourbon, praline liqueur, tuaca vanilla spice liqueur, brown sugar syrup, cream</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Yes, Pecan, Woods Outside Rio, The Mayan Retreat, D'Coop S'Etat, Stir Your Soul<br />
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The food started rolling out next. For our appetizer course we were treated to <b>Steak Tartare</b>, <b>Salmon Toast</b>, <b>Oysters Rockefeller</b>, <b>Crispy Fish & Oysters, </b>and<b> Foie Gras</b>. </div>
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The <b>Steak Tartare </b>was served with red onion and watercress salad, pumpernickel bread, and tater tots with a salt-cured quail egg on top. The <b>Salmon Toast </b>consisted of house-smoked salmon, lemon & herb cream cheese, dill, local radish, & pea tendrils atop toasted pumpernickel. We all were surprised with how well the dill went with the salmon. It wasn't something any of us would think paired well, but it really worked. The <b>Oysters Rockefeller </b>were definitely a table favorite. They came packed with garlic cream, sauteed spincah, and nduja (a spicy, spreadable sausage). The <b>Crispy Fish & Oysters</b> was another dish with interesting ingredients. They are flash fried, with dill pickle remoulade, local radish, chive, and dill. Last but not least was the <b>Foie Gras</b>. It came on top of rosemary pound cake, sweet onion puree, foraged mushrooms, and spiced pecans. The rosemary pound cake was an unexpected treat and we gobbled it right up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Salmon Toast, Oysters Rockefeller, Crispy Fish & Oysters, Steak Tartare, Foie Gras.</td></tr>
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Our next course consisted of main menu items; <b>Grouper, Risotto, Fish of the Day, Wagyu Spinalis</b>. The <b>Grouper</b> came with toasted farro, swiss chard, roasted gold and red beets, and garlic cream. The <b>Fish of the Day</b> was Halibut, and it was served with sauce meuniere, haricot verts, olive gremolata, and root vegetable puree. Another table favorite was the <b>Risotto</b>. It was loaded with foraged mushrooms and black truffles and also had asparagus and parmigiano-reggiano. This is a dish I could definitely see myself coming back for over and over again. Our last dish of the night was definitely the star of the show, the <b>Wagyu Spinalis</b>. Coming in at $85 for 8oz, this is worth every penny. The highly marbled beef is so tender you barely even need a knife. You will be hard pressed to find anything else like than this in Jacksonville.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Grouper, Risotto, Wagyu Spinalis, Fish of the Day. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Liked It!</span></div>
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Since this was my first visit I don't really have anything to compare the new dishes to, but there were definitely some standout items that were served. I was surprised with the variety and uniqueness of the menu. I was also very happy to speak with the owner and hear a little bit about what goes into the menu. Apparently he is always on the lookout for new menu items/ingredients while traveling. I really loved this. It's a great way to bring some things to Jax that are new and fresh!</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0101 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA30.3261259 -81.656459330.3259119 -81.6567743 30.3263399 -81.6561443tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-40294546451925748922018-11-18T16:06:00.000-05:002018-11-18T22:09:45.011-05:00Hawkers Asian Street Fare (Jax Beach) - New Menu Items<a href="https://eathawkers.com/neptune-beach-fl/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1476909620"></span><span id="goog_1476909621"></span>Hawkers Asian Street Fare</a> is one of my favorite places in Jax for Asian food. I love all of the different influences that are present on the menu and they execute the dishes perfectly every time. My regular location is the Riverside one, so when I was invited out to the newer beach location I was pretty excited. It is located where Atlantic Blvd meets 3rd Street. They do not have a parking lot but there are lots nearby and they also offer valet. We went in on a weeknight and the place was packed. One thing I love about the decor at Hawkers is how everything is upcycled. Look around and you will see all kinds of unusual things used as decoration, and it works beautifully.<br />
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We started our feast with the <b>Prawn Chips</b><span style="color: #0000ee;"><b> </b><span style="color: black;">and the <b>Chicka-Rones</b>. The Prawn chips</span></span> had a pork rinds feel to them. They were light and airy, but had a great flavor to them. The Chicka-Rones can easily be described as fried skin. They were crispy and flavorful. </div>
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We were given a Margari-Thai to pair with the appetizers. This was kind of like a spicy margarita and the best part, Pop Rocks were on the rim!</div>
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Our next round of goodies consisted of a fan favorite <b>Roti Canai</b>,
<b>Salt-n-Pepa Riblets</b>, and <b>Shanghai Stir Fry.</b> These were paired with a
classic Asian Lager (which was light and refreshing).We really liked the Shanghai Stir Fry. My husband and I were trying to figure out what the little round pieces were and finally figured out they were steamed rice cakes. They were chewy and added a unique texture. Out of the 3, I liked the riblets the least. The flavor was great but for me, they were a little tough and hard to eat.</div>
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<u>Side Note</u>: Please excuse my pics from here on out. We lost the sun and there was this very large red neon sign next to us causing some mad color cast. I tried to fix them as best as I could but some still have a reddish tint in places.</div>
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The next menu item brought out was my favorite, <b>Crispy Canton</b>. The dish also has a bit of presentation to it. The server brings out 2 bowls. One has dry noodles and the other has the hot toppings. They then dump the hot toppings on top of the crunchy noodles to soften them.</div>
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We were also brought something I have never had before, <b>"Dry-Pot" Caulilini</b>. It looked kind of like broccolli's leggier older sister. </div>
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Another great new item came out next, <b>Seoul Hot Chicken Baos</b>. These were delightful. The sauce was spicy but not overpowering. You will definitely be grabbing for a drink but it's oh so worth it. This was paired with a <b>Spiked Thai Tea</b>. I am not a tea fan but this drink was fantastic. Had a cinnamon taste to it and was very savory.</div>
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By this point we were stuffed and ready for bed, but there is always room for dessert right? We perked right up when the <b>Jo-He Bag o' Donuts </b>and Iced <b>Vietnamese Iced Coffee </b>came out. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Verditct: Loved It!</b></span></div>
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We walked in not knowing what to expect, and walked away full and happy. I found some new favorites for sure. Hawkers has always been a favorite of mine and they just keep raising the bar. If you've never been, I urge you to check them out. We always like to go and eat family style. It makes me feel like less of a fatty when I order 10 dishes :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: While I do not accept compensation for reviews, my meals might be comped from time to time. This in no way shapes my review and I will continue to provide honest reviews regardless of this fact. I will not compromise my credibility for a free meal. Period.</span></div>
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d110203.56667671388!2d-81.5515256737251!3d30.326458292084183!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88e4493a90213651%3A0xf8f90c5aca6ca2e7!2sHawkers+Asian+Street+Fare!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1542572889912" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe> <a href="https://www.zomato.com/jacksonville-fl/hawkers-asian-street-fare-neptune-beach-jacksonville" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Neptune Beach and other Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida"><img alt="Hawkers Asian Street Fare Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18486083/biglink" style="border: none; height: 146px; padding: 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0241 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266, USA30.3243836 -81.39685880000001830.3241696 -81.397173800000019 30.3245976 -81.396543800000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-81280637208962564892018-08-22T22:23:00.000-04:002018-08-22T22:23:02.919-04:00Cousins Maine Lobster<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/restaurant/neptune-beach-fl/" target="_blank">Cousins Maine Lobster</a> is a new restaurant in
Neptune Beach, but they got their start in an interesting way. They
opened in 2012 as a single food truck in LA. Shortly after, they
appeared on the TV show Shark Tank and received an investment
from one of the “sharks”, then their business took off. They expanded
their truck fleet and started opening brick and mortar restaurants.
Jacksonville was lucky enough to snag one of the newest locations so I
went in to see what all the fuss was about. </div>
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I arrived
the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1574943605" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday</span></span>
after opening weekend. It was a tough weekend for them because they
ended up running out of food due to the massive crowds (which is a great
thing!) They ended up closing <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1574943606" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Monday</span></span> to regroup, and reopened <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1574943607" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Tuesday</span></span> with a limited menu. We showed
up around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1574943608" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6pm</span></span>
and were very surprised to walk right up and order. I was terrified
that I would be standing there for an hour, but that was not the case. I
knew I had to try the lobster roll, but I was undecided on the other
items. We perused the menu and came
up with a few more items to try, the <b>Lobster Tacos</b> and the <b>Lobster Tots</b>. </div>
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I am a huge tot fan so I was pumped for the <b>Lobster Tots</b>
($13.50). I am a little on the fence because they weren’t bad, but they
could have been improved with a few small changes. First, the tots are
covered in pico de gallo. Do
you know how hard that is to eat? There is a small drizzle of cilantro
lime sauce along the top of the tots as well. I feel like there needed
to be more sauce since I ended up eating a lot of dry tots, at least
half of the basket. This could easily be remedied
with a side of sauce in addition to/instead of the drizzled sauce. My
second issue is that the lobster pieces on top of the tots were
humongous, like entire claws. While that’s awesome because you feel like
you are getting your money’s worth, it makes it harder
to eat. My husband and I kept trying to cut up the pieces to
redistribute them. I do have to say that the tots themselves were pretty
good. Very crispy.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tI0SkuA6KVmlmHoNRt-QpYqxuotZQHBwFANS1w7LyR17U2Qf10DIm55vYeR14P15lNxmLjzfj9PS6C2Y5GHS9bkgwcDcMevKV2Y2Y2wpYsRRcaCl83iHLxjlIMwkrJGVG_OpBYsEyGc/s1600/IMG_6606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tI0SkuA6KVmlmHoNRt-QpYqxuotZQHBwFANS1w7LyR17U2Qf10DIm55vYeR14P15lNxmLjzfj9PS6C2Y5GHS9bkgwcDcMevKV2Y2Y2wpYsRRcaCl83iHLxjlIMwkrJGVG_OpBYsEyGc/s320/IMG_6606.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Lobster Tots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <b>Lobster Tacos</b> ($14.25 for 3) were
another item that I didn’t love. While you do get a lot of lobster
inside of the taco, I feel that the taco itself was lazy. The shell is a
store bought white soft shell and the toppings were
basic; cabbage, pico de gallo, and cilantro lime sauce. While some
people might not take any issue with this, I wanted something more.
Maybe some avocado and green onions thrown in there. Cabbage and pico
felt like something I could get anywhere. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3E6h55LVrKntpUTfOZDSyv_CrhjkAWDvueEgEm2nm6G2CoXF_TT_SyGkKru8rcGy3LVnxUMAmvMJHLivCXkWKImh31Eiov14qcNe7BlV1usNjkdwDbhmh9Nc7VmREPAHZQ_gfGueQXc/s1600/IMG_6607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3E6h55LVrKntpUTfOZDSyv_CrhjkAWDvueEgEm2nm6G2CoXF_TT_SyGkKru8rcGy3LVnxUMAmvMJHLivCXkWKImh31Eiov14qcNe7BlV1usNjkdwDbhmh9Nc7VmREPAHZQ_gfGueQXc/s320/IMG_6607.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster Tacos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now on to the star of the show, the <b>Connecticut</b>
lobster roll ($16.50). Cousins has 2 different lobster rolls, one
served warm and one served cold. The Connecticut was served warm with
slaw and a pickle. The roll was overflowing with
lobster and was served in a folded piece of garlic bread, just the way
it should be. We absolutely adored this roll but just a warning, it is a
little on the small side. If you are familiar with lobster rolls this
might not be an issue. But to anyone new to
the game, it might be a problem. My husband and I split the roll and he
had his half done in 2 bites. While that could mostly be attributed to
his big mouth, I still wish the roll would have been bigger. I would
have loved different size options or maybe just
a size explanation on the menu so people won’t be caught off-guard.
With that being said, the roll was fantastic! The bread was light and
buttery without being soggy. It really held up to the weight of the
lobster. The lobster pieces were large, plentiful,
and buttery. I did find out after the fact that you can request a side
of butter to go with your roll, so heads up on that!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbhdbPCaR08LmIhsLJchRHpezQpsUclT-9TTs9KH69h5sd8kP1sq7kWTY0bhSqKzUwVAq0TApuubzjrroPxSoJ_Hr6PYpN5BHdKWXPXe3X7RzyKjhpMUAyhlt6V1UWCHIl9qHlTPXOL8/s1600/IMG_6605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbhdbPCaR08LmIhsLJchRHpezQpsUclT-9TTs9KH69h5sd8kP1sq7kWTY0bhSqKzUwVAq0TApuubzjrroPxSoJ_Hr6PYpN5BHdKWXPXe3X7RzyKjhpMUAyhlt6V1UWCHIl9qHlTPXOL8/s320/IMG_6605.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: It was OK</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a tough one for me because it wasn’t bad,
it just wasn’t great either. The lobster roll was out of this world
good, but everything else was not on that level (or even close). I also
think the prices/portion sizes might keep people
away. We ordered 3 food items, spent $55+, and left hungry. As I said
before, the lobster rolls are great, I’m just not sure if that’s enough
to keep people coming back. If you’ve been, let me know in the comments.
I’m curious to see how the public votes on
this one.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d13775.950701121339!2d-81.4053075!3d30.3228684!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xed92e11a08267de4!2sCousins+Maine+Lobster!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1533764205215" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0630 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266, USA30.322682699999991 -81.40428709999997630.32096919999999 -81.406808599999977 30.324396199999992 -81.401765599999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-91308486538953891872018-08-09T06:43:00.000-04:002018-08-09T06:43:24.635-04:00Domu<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://domufl.com/" target="_blank">Domu</a> recently opened in the St Johns Town Center. I
have been lightly stalking them ever since this location was announced,
so when I saw that they were taking reservations for the soft opening, I
pounced. We arrived on a Friday night and
were seated at the kitchen bar. I typically would have preferred a
table but I will never pass up the opportunity to sit and watch the
kitchen work. It’s one thing to enjoy the food, it’s a whole different
experience to see the skill and hard work that goes
into making it. </div>
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We started looking over the menu and ordered drinks. I
was surprised to see that they were serving their full menu for the soft
opening, so we put in an order for a few different appetizers while we
decided on our ramen. </div>
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<b>Domu Wings</b> – 6 extra crispy wings coated with Kimchi butter sauce (gluten-free) $9<br />
<b>Black Truffle Burrata</b> – Fresh mozzarella infused with black truffles and filled with cream, yuzu gelee, torched tomato, Thai basil (gluten-free) $8<br />
<b>Cheezus</b> – Corn (cut off the cobb), kewpie mayo, melted mozzarella, Japanese spices, scallions, lime (gluten-free) $6 </div>
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<b>Tako</b> – Grilled octopus with yuzu kosho, crispy smashed fingerling potatoes, micro greens, radish, yuzu mayo (gluten-free) $9</div>
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All of the appetizers were winners but I think the
star was the <b>Domu Wings</b>. Let me start by saying that I am not a wing
fan. It takes too much effort for not much of a reward. With that being
said, I LOVED these. That kimchee butter sauce
is one of the best wing sauces I have ever tasted, and the crispiness
of the wings was on point. A close second was the <b>Black Truffle Burrata</b>.
If you are a truffle fan, you will love this. The mozzarella ball was
great on its own, but the addition of the black truffles took it about
10 levels higher. Also, the yuzu gelee was
a great compliment to the cheese. I was skeptical at first, but the
sweetness of the fruit and the texture of the gelee was a perfect combo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We put in our ramen order after a long decision process. They all looked so good. I settled on the
<b>Tokyo</b> (Shoyu chicken broth with fried chicken thigh, ajitama
brulee, kikurage, seared garlic chives, infused duck fat, garlic
scallion confit $13.) This ramen knocked my socks off! The depth of
flavor in the broth alone was enough to get me excited.
It was so rich and meaty. Another thing I loved were the house made
noodles. They were thin and chewy like a great ramen noodle should be.
Now let’s talk about that chicken thigh. A typical ramen has pork or
pork belly as the protein. Initially I was a little
unsure about how well the chicken would work in a ramen. Allow me to
put your mind at ease because this chicken thigh is where.it’s.at.y’all. So juicy and tender, this chicken was far from the dried-out strips I had envisioned. All of the ingredients meshed
so well together, I could not get enough. I sipped that broth until there was none left and I am not ashamed to admit it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOhv7qZwtW5dP2Rre2b7ethYxcY2gUW5fcTB_AeJ_xmLM1w9PYyBr0hwv3aV4TE6yGqinUf_jhddTAkF_3hENj5Y3Sy5ST8VFgGpxxm9JkbKqQpYVLKoEr985gAINIyWtGkdb-mcC5Bg/s1600/IMG_6577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1600" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOhv7qZwtW5dP2Rre2b7ethYxcY2gUW5fcTB_AeJ_xmLM1w9PYyBr0hwv3aV4TE6yGqinUf_jhddTAkF_3hENj5Y3Sy5ST8VFgGpxxm9JkbKqQpYVLKoEr985gAINIyWtGkdb-mcC5Bg/s320/IMG_6577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My husband wanted something spicy so he went with the <b>Curry</b> (Chicken broth, fried chicken thigh, Japanese beech mushrooms, menma,
Thai basil, scallions, Thai chili paste $13.) The choices are mild, medium, or hot. He
originally chose medium but changed it to mild due to the waitress’ suggestion, and
boy was she right. The mild is fire. If you are sensitive to heat, this
is not your ramen. For me, a lot of the flavor got lost in the heat but
my husband enjoyed it. He tends to eat spicier
things than me so if you are into spice, give it a go.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeakZyS3WksaJTDIkq1itnOTVeg92apQVlUuHSAoht1q6mQoSBRFtoLGvDGXRcFEyt0uxnq9LDlJ83UqTp_z3mtw8tIZnd1lGUhswuon-SixDt0KMDUOhBn-BSGPZqw89jN4A0H1lHdY/s1600/IMG_6565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeakZyS3WksaJTDIkq1itnOTVeg92apQVlUuHSAoht1q6mQoSBRFtoLGvDGXRcFEyt0uxnq9LDlJ83UqTp_z3mtw8tIZnd1lGUhswuon-SixDt0KMDUOhBn-BSGPZqw89jN4A0H1lHdY/s320/IMG_6565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: LOVED IT</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were visiting the restaurant on the second day
they were open and they already shined this bright. I cannot wait to see
what it’s like once they settle into a groove. The owner was there in
the kitchen cooking alongside our new Jax chefs.
By sitting at the kitchen bar we were able to really see everything
that goes into making a dish including everyone grabbing a disposable
spoon and having a quality check of the finished product.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3446.352519492125!2d-81.53388218513633!3d30.255535515525082!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88e5b5bd05cc03df%3A0x93c6fa8d01eb639!2sDOMU!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1533602167659" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com04852 Town Center Pkwy #101, Jacksonville, FL 32246, USA30.2552836 -81.5319218999999864.7332490999999983 -122.84051589999999 55.7773181 -40.223327899999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-91852576781388766692018-08-06T20:18:00.000-04:002018-08-06T20:18:30.216-04:00Bonchon<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://bonchon.com/" target="_blank">Bonchon</a> is new to the Jacksonville market, but from
what I’m seeing online, is quite popular in other areas. They recently
opened their newest location in the St Johns Town Center (along Gate
Parkway, across from PDQ) and are currently
having their soft opening. I stopped in for a visit on a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_102671326" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday</span></span> evening around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_102671327" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:30</span></span>.
The place was packed but luckily there were a few seats at the bar. I was expecting Bonchon to be an order at the counter
kind of place but was surprised
to see it is a full-service restaurant. We were greeted pretty quickly
at the bar by our server who put in our drink orders as well as an order
of <b>Potstickers</b> ($10.95). They have 3 different options, Soy Garlic,
Spicy or half and half. Never having tried them
before, we selected the half and half so we could try them both. They
come 8 to an order and came out quick. I was a little surprised to see
that they weren’t served with any dipping sauce, but forgot all about it
once I took my first bite. The wrapper was
crispy and brushed with their Bonchon Signature Sauce, which was
fantastic. The potsticker was dense and packed full of ingredients. I
loved it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2PWUzH6kI8AtzpBrGLG5rdRyW_C9n7gav3m49nqJ0QsGb3cVgvFPzm4gGk7peHuiVuw3RXWZz7QxP5y7Yuv8Wxam2bYjKQ2k2prQf5WPfsd310LiWFvMUhcKD-BCR63PkQzrrENywP4/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2PWUzH6kI8AtzpBrGLG5rdRyW_C9n7gav3m49nqJ0QsGb3cVgvFPzm4gGk7peHuiVuw3RXWZz7QxP5y7Yuv8Wxam2bYjKQ2k2prQf5WPfsd310LiWFvMUhcKD-BCR63PkQzrrENywP4/s320/IMG_6936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We had a little bit of a hard time ordering because
they were out of many items, mainly the beef bulgogi. I originally
planned on getting the Japchae but what would it be without the beef? So
instead I went with the <b>Udon Noodle Soup</b> (Thick
white wheat noodles served hot in an Asian spiced broth with assorted
seasonal vegetables. Topped with sesame oil, nori and toasted sesame
seeds. $9.95) They have a few different options for the soup so I
chose the fried egg. When the soup came out, it was
obviously the wrong one. Tentacles everywhere. So I sent it back to get
the correct soup but you all win because I was able to snap a pic so
you can see what it looks like.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsunAVMNLxiPEvS0CV4X9qu5fznh48wvcSp1rIE2BKZDV9KjKw9zxJ1o5kquvPs8t3aPtY-OLFmTngKMzbXnuudbky6HHbVCAw8OXhawMJaCiZCNlpLsACWqDe3Ys-whBN2za4PZRFTFw/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsunAVMNLxiPEvS0CV4X9qu5fznh48wvcSp1rIE2BKZDV9KjKw9zxJ1o5kquvPs8t3aPtY-OLFmTngKMzbXnuudbky6HHbVCAw8OXhawMJaCiZCNlpLsACWqDe3Ys-whBN2za4PZRFTFw/s320/IMG_3556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When the correct udon came out, it looked much more
like what I ordered with an egg on top. The assorted vegetables mentioned above turned
out to be chopped up mushrooms which made it harder to grab with the
chopsticks. Leave em whole! Aggravation
aside, I really enjoyed this dish. The broth had a nice flavor while
still being on the milder, lighter side. The noodles were plentiful,
nice and chewy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikFsMfh4xoty_oyAoGXJPBIP_Ac0tFGvTvnEH3MzvsiahePqkgDmNOz4dYjaG_WtW780SdjgJdSoetD6OjIs8Ui3aJkjaPURSLhyphenhyphennItC_KzljRZTZp3Cca1FXvwWE3xgirzO5kfM_ams/s1600/IMG_4389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikFsMfh4xoty_oyAoGXJPBIP_Ac0tFGvTvnEH3MzvsiahePqkgDmNOz4dYjaG_WtW780SdjgJdSoetD6OjIs8Ui3aJkjaPURSLhyphenhyphennItC_KzljRZTZp3Cca1FXvwWE3xgirzO5kfM_ams/s320/IMG_4389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
My husband went with the <b>Bull Dak</b> (Spicy chicken
stir-fried with rice cakes in a fiery sauce, topped with thinly sliced
scallions, onions and mozzarella cheese. Served with white rice and
steamed vegetables. $14.95) We were told by our
server that this is the “spiciest thing on the menu”, and he was not
kidding. My husband has a high spice tolerance and was having a hard
time eating this. He powered through and ate the whole thing because it
was so good, but he also downed a considerable
amount of water. It was very entertaining to watch. He did spot a guy
at another table visibly sweating while eating the same dish so he was
pretty proud of himself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBeVxELyXaR7EqFwH7jjrdK2Vg51vi3ARWDSG5fyI6mT6wF6vMhU2fbu5iJWGw-GQqDbyO3Gxass3FmY0Kl2YsY9fuTt3qbNyC5xMpZknzUdi2n-kkONMa34DdXIO3i_wIYSF2ZXNj30/s1600/IMG_9162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBeVxELyXaR7EqFwH7jjrdK2Vg51vi3ARWDSG5fyI6mT6wF6vMhU2fbu5iJWGw-GQqDbyO3Gxass3FmY0Kl2YsY9fuTt3qbNyC5xMpZknzUdi2n-kkONMa34DdXIO3i_wIYSF2ZXNj30/s320/IMG_9162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Liked It</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Considering this was the soft opening, they get a
pass on the order being wrong and being out of certain menu items.
That’s the purpose of a soft opening and I won’t hold that against them.
Even with those slight inconveniences, the food
and service was still great. They
were prompt, attentive, and friendly. The only small gripe I have is
with some of the prices. $10.95 seems very steep for potstickers, but
I’m not gonna lie, I will order these delicious morsels
every time. I think this will be a great addition to the town center
and we can’t wait to go back and try some of the other beef items on the
menu, especially the bulgogi.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Bonchon</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>4972 Town Center Pkwy</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Jacksonville, FL 32246</b></div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d5922.974678288899!2d-81.53382585453039!3d30.25541984609299!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88e5b560aa623123%3A0x36fb87c07554b5c8!2sBonchon+Jacksonville!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1533600608679" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com04972 Town Center Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32246, USA30.2549705 -81.5353791999999664.7329359999999987 -122.84397319999997 55.777005 -40.226785199999966tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-73349822030391863862018-05-11T06:13:00.000-04:002018-05-11T06:13:02.871-04:00The Alchemy Burger (Epik Burger)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.epikburger.com/" target="_blank">Epik Burger</a> is living up to their name with a new menu item, <b>The Alchemy
Burger</b>! This burger is 10 oz. of Wagyu beef and 100% delicious. I was
given a sneak peek this past week. Keep reading
to find out how you can win one of your very own! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vp3f0jyyOzIlfCdZvcfT3_2eP6LYY6brPrefxFHlHuTjxGosAgQUKz8APBayIMuFbpMs-E5pdfbM2L6Hi0lu-01qRHbSbLiaSIebDMKAC8O4Mgc7SznGwoCRLylWRETEHEL0Oy4Ekk8/s1600/IMG_5481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vp3f0jyyOzIlfCdZvcfT3_2eP6LYY6brPrefxFHlHuTjxGosAgQUKz8APBayIMuFbpMs-E5pdfbM2L6Hi0lu-01qRHbSbLiaSIebDMKAC8O4Mgc7SznGwoCRLylWRETEHEL0Oy4Ekk8/s400/IMG_5481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Epik
Burger has been putting out some of the best burgers in Jacksonville
for a few years now. They are located in a strip mall along Atlantic
Blvd and Girvin Rd. The menu consists of many
different and tasty burgers (looking at you Huevos Burger!) and
fantastic sides like their truffle parmesan fries. With the Alchemy
Burger, owner Korey wanted to create something special. When you order
this burger, you are ordering an experience. The burger
is $70 and comes with a side of Heritage Farms Bacon Cheese Fries,
Pellegrino Sparkling water, a Ridikulous Shake, and a cloth napkin
(trust me, you will need it). I know some people might be hung up on the
price. Let’s dissect the burger so I can explain
the cost.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">The Beef</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> –
<i>Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef, Black Label</i>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Wagyu beef is known
for its marbling and very tender texture. Typically Wagyu is a Japanese
breed of cattle, but Snake River Farms produces an American version.
Black Label beef falls on a level 5 to 7 on the
Japanese grading scale. For comparison, American Prime Rib is a 3 to 4
on this scale. The beef is ground in house and formed into a 10 oz.
patty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">The Cooking Process</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Epik Burger is using a sous vide method to cook the meat. This
process consists of sealing
the meat in a bag and placing it in a precisely controlled water bath
to ensure the food is cooked at the exact same temperature inside and
out. A slab of butter is thrown in for good luck and the food is heated
to exactly 126 degrees. It is removed from the
bag and seared with a blowtorch which not only gives the burger it’s
familiar texture, it also raises the temperature to around 134 degrees (a nice medium rare.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> The Toppings</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Truffle Butter made with Reggiano & Modenese Cow Milk & Italian Black Summer Truffles</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Housemade American Cheese made from Old Quebec Vintage Super Sharp Cheddar</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Heritage Farms Berkshire Bacon – Certified Humane Raised & Handled, Pasture Raised, non-GMO Pork</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Dijon Aioli</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My
absolute favorite part of the toppings is the truffle butter. I mean,
butter makes everything better so this shouldn’t be a surprise. The
truffle butter melts as the burger is consumed,
making a mess but you really don’t care. It was running down my hand to
arm but I couldn’t stop eating. Some people might call this gluttony
but I just call it appreciation of a great meal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Let’s talk about the meal</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">You
will not walk away hungry, let me just start with that. <b>The </b></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Heritage Farms Bacon Cheese Fries</span> </b>are a very large portion of shoestring fries topped with
Heritage Farms Berkshire Bacon, Housemade American
Cheese, Truffle Butter, Truffle Oil, parmesan, finely diced cornichons,
served with Dijon aioli. Every fry was covered with a generous amount
of toppings and the Dijon aioli was a great compliment. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zYaAnzlrySwndlsTIGZ4axb1aZmSoBmXZcXvbeDQcKpBC1Ag5xNTp5wdDHUSp8_OIauusucKpmv48g0X-pw1WZoFr4qI9QuRjQRcLYlYDGGQ8A4sTquP-ZzrfG7VV0JqFB4AvbYA350/s1600/IMG_6988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zYaAnzlrySwndlsTIGZ4axb1aZmSoBmXZcXvbeDQcKpBC1Ag5xNTp5wdDHUSp8_OIauusucKpmv48g0X-pw1WZoFr4qI9QuRjQRcLYlYDGGQ8A4sTquP-ZzrfG7VV0JqFB4AvbYA350/s320/IMG_6988.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Milkshakes </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">(I saw a lot of boys in the yard, so you know they were good)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We
were able to try both milkshakes offered with this meal. <b>The Madagascar
Vanilla Bean Shake</b> is a 21 ounce shake with Madagascar vanilla beans
garnished with blondie bars & vanilla cookie
straws. <b>The Divine Chocolate Shake</b> is a 21 ounce Ghirardelli Chocolate
Shake + Ghirardelli chocolate sauce drizzle garnished with chocolate chunk
brownies & chocolate cookie straws. I gravitate towards chocolate
so of course it would be my favorite. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WBgLg1ZqaEBXSv6lIjnSdSr_5eYPtKNbme46DyqXSIVTry_7Z1gyhnl7HoGnIB7_htytvZ1FIwKqkiiAgi61hlfaRelPyDrE1Lq21CAfQTYXWI7vcM0e3j62FjK-uhPWjWPDELvmPHY/s1600/IMG_5494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WBgLg1ZqaEBXSv6lIjnSdSr_5eYPtKNbme46DyqXSIVTry_7Z1gyhnl7HoGnIB7_htytvZ1FIwKqkiiAgi61hlfaRelPyDrE1Lq21CAfQTYXWI7vcM0e3j62FjK-uhPWjWPDELvmPHY/s320/IMG_5494.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
<b>Alchemy Burger </b>is probably the best high quality burger I have ever eaten. The
meat just melts in your mouth. The bacon is chopped into smaller pieces
so that you can get a piece with every bite
and aren’t fighting with it. I am not a huge burger lover but I could
not stop eating this. It was magical. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">*Due to the cooking method, the burger takes quite a while to cook. The restaurant asks that you call ahead or order the burger online to get the process started. See the fine print below for more details.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Enter to win!! </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Don't just take my word for it, try it yourself! For a chance to win a burger of your own, head on over to my <b>Instagram</b> page! The contest will run for one week, winner to be notified on <b>May 18, 2018</b> (I will announce the winner in my insta stories that morning). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The rules are simple and few:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Follow Epik Burger on Instagram or Facebook</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Tag a friend (or 2 or 3!) who would love this burger </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Post about the burger once you have tried it </span></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>*Fine Print:</b> These Ridikulous menu items may not always be available and may have an extended wait time for preparation. Ordering 24 hours in advance is advised for the Alchemy Burger, minimum preparation wait time for this burger is 1-2 hours. Please check with us before bringing your mom across town just to treat her to one of these items. No discounts, coupons, or special offers of any kind are accepted. All sales are final. The burger is available for dine-in only. Items may be ordered ahead for a specific dining time if paid in full.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3444.179057571025!2d-81.4753418851349!3d30.317424312580595!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88e44b0abc55e5ab%3A0x6598d3977d2b09e5!2sEpik+Burger!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1526006066832" style="border: 0;" width="300"></iframe>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com012740 Atlantic Blvd #105, Jacksonville, FL 32225, USA30.3175559 -81.47265370000002330.316699399999997 -81.473914200000024 30.3184124 -81.471393200000023tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-19188335072938223872018-04-24T06:16:00.000-04:002018-04-24T06:16:30.453-04:00Karai Bistro Japan<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you are looking for authentic ramen, look no further than <a href="http://karai-bistro.business.site/" target="_blank">Karai Bistro Japan</a>. Chef Levi has been known in the Jacksonville community as having
some of the best ramen and Japanese cuisine.
He has worked at many different Asian restaurants in town but Karai
marks his start as a restaurant owner. The restaurant is located in a
strip mall on the corner of Beach/San Pablo (former Walmart shopping
center). Once you step food inside you are magically
transported to Japan as the interior is beautifully decorated in
authentic décor. From the dining room you can see right into the kitchen
to watch Chef Levi work, which is something I love. Open kitchens are
so inviting as they show that the restaurant has
nothing to hide, and in this case it serves as an easy way for the
staff to check on the tables to see if they need anything. Watching Chef
Levi work you can really see the attention to detail and love that he
puts into every dish that comes out of the kitchen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We started our meal with
<b>Karaage</b> (Japanese Fried Chicken pieces.) We were in love with
these. The outsides were crispy while the insides were juicy. I kept
popping these like they were candy. We also tried the
<b>Fried Gyoza</b> because I can’t go anywhere and NOT get Gyoza if it’s
on the menu. I’m a tad bit obsessed and don’t even care who knows.
These were also a hit with the table. The wrapper was firm and held all
of the goodies inside with no problem. </span> </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZIEF2ssDr-vhVeVzWaCtIldaTsRmBN9sMxEvOnluBADHko2-U1YJ111tk7BbCEEXO_ai3vi-841ARTo2l6H8nB7-uUeTRrRLq8iXjXJublhdpCp4_fzpfMzJf5Mt-yQ3TWI8U8x-xiU/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZIEF2ssDr-vhVeVzWaCtIldaTsRmBN9sMxEvOnluBADHko2-U1YJ111tk7BbCEEXO_ai3vi-841ARTo2l6H8nB7-uUeTRrRLq8iXjXJublhdpCp4_fzpfMzJf5Mt-yQ3TWI8U8x-xiU/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Karaage</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwCq6CFw1pEvv99S-guKuQPXCq_PhJr4KLWjiSp5SJjyW4UNVUsk11A732_za4Tjec2b-Im3MpW91vMFVKfZxS9eM63vjBDc_jCTk-F2-481ztJanKcmo7A2Oup_HPVRy2PIxICfhRvc/s1600/IMG_2297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwCq6CFw1pEvv99S-guKuQPXCq_PhJr4KLWjiSp5SJjyW4UNVUsk11A732_za4Tjec2b-Im3MpW91vMFVKfZxS9eM63vjBDc_jCTk-F2-481ztJanKcmo7A2Oup_HPVRy2PIxICfhRvc/s320/IMG_2297.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Fried Gyoza</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For our entrees, I opted for the
<b>Shoyu Ramen</b> (Soy sauce foundation with tones of roasted shishito
peppers, garlic & onion. Topped with tender beef chashu, minced
onion, garlic, scallion & onsen tamago. Stock made from chicken and
pork.) This is a milder broth, a great introductory ramen
for people new to the dish. The soy sauce base lends a nice flavor to
the broth with the toppings being the stars of this show. Typical ramen
dishes serve pork or pork belly as their protein, so it was nice to have
beef as a different option. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBtfo1tU8PkxbKO1XTsMcPVpnR7z1u7AyhjBkZMPQIxPcC9EBco9wKsaTtKjYM8fhidtnYovOlKyfuVKzmwkVtM-KCLQO2vahBINTrlK-YZ8XfPO9Qh8iU3SaeHqvW8YG2vsep0aES2Y/s1600/IMG_4742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBtfo1tU8PkxbKO1XTsMcPVpnR7z1u7AyhjBkZMPQIxPcC9EBco9wKsaTtKjYM8fhidtnYovOlKyfuVKzmwkVtM-KCLQO2vahBINTrlK-YZ8XfPO9Qh8iU3SaeHqvW8YG2vsep0aES2Y/s320/IMG_4742.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoyu Ramen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My husband decided on the
<b>Karai Ramen</b> (Spicy rich broth with a combo of ground sesame,
Japanese hot sauce & white miso. Topped with spicy ground beef,
scallions, minced onions, garlic & onsen tamago. Stock made from
chicken and pork.) I had my eye on this one but let him give
it a test run in case the spice level was too high for me. I tried a
bite and was pleased to discover that it’s on the mild/medium side. Just
enough to make my sinuses protest, but not enough to scare me away from
ordering it next time (which I did by the
way). The sauce was very robust and flavorful; definitely something I
wouldn’t mind slurping from the bowl after the meal. In keeping with
traditional ramen, the noodles were al dente and plentiful. This will
definitely be my go to ramen at Karai. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizglpQ4bbWqsGhgFsss7GSewjqP2cblz6I9uNWRypEEHWr848PVQ4uk89ZL8s17HbrcGPsA5XvCPYiF5Eld936Qzi87ay3CNuFy3WzMb3z1yliQq0MJEzTHwNQB_6PloBfDqzJmiCwE20/s1600/IMG_5406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizglpQ4bbWqsGhgFsss7GSewjqP2cblz6I9uNWRypEEHWr848PVQ4uk89ZL8s17HbrcGPsA5XvCPYiF5Eld936Qzi87ay3CNuFy3WzMb3z1yliQq0MJEzTHwNQB_6PloBfDqzJmiCwE20/s320/IMG_5406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Karai Ramen </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Verdict: Loved it!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Ramen
is one of my favorite dishes and for a while Jax was severely lacking
in that department. With the addition of Karai, I now have a place to go
whenever the cravings strike. Chef Levi
is a master of his craft and a very lovely person to boot. He is always
welcoming and polite whenever we visit. I highly recommend Karai Bistro
Japan and urge everyone to visit as soon as you can. You will not
regret it.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d13781.150574201267!2d-81.4399622!3d30.2858719!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xd82cdc016887099e!2sKarai+Ramen+Bistro!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1524533422844" style="border: 0;" width="300"></iframe>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/jacksonville-fl/karai-bistro-japan-southside-jacksonville" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Karai Bistro Japan, Southside and other Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida"><img alt="Karai Bistro Japan Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18682606/biglink" style="border: none; height: 146px; padding: 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com014286 Beach Blvd #29, Jacksonville, FL 32250, USA30.2862605 -81.4398122999999714.7642260000000007 -122.74840629999997 55.808295 -40.131218299999972tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-47367578124562541182018-02-21T19:12:00.000-05:002018-02-21T19:12:54.697-05:00Hot Spot (Hot Pot & Korean BBQ)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Jacksonville, listen up. We have a new place that
is unlike any other place in Jax. Not only is it a hot pot restaurant,
but it has a massive raw bar and a magnetic conveyer that goes around
the entire restaurant carrying veggies and noodles.
Hot Spot is a new restaurant that sits on the corner of Beach Blvd and
St Johns Bluff. I have been stalking them while driving by each week on
my way to Si Senor. This week was finally the one I have been waiting
for, the soft opening. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWr0M3eNiIbnF0uORR_E_Ft5ipGZrGwJfscJ1UH62HJuM56fqPaCoeScJZ89ipXOft5HOOS5Y_isVxzadQMFNgtdToyWFaBA-Kre0rOOfUwivLbuwzibc7ZHMSnQAXhwD9MZz2I5ZsZE/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWr0M3eNiIbnF0uORR_E_Ft5ipGZrGwJfscJ1UH62HJuM56fqPaCoeScJZ89ipXOft5HOOS5Y_isVxzadQMFNgtdToyWFaBA-Kre0rOOfUwivLbuwzibc7ZHMSnQAXhwD9MZz2I5ZsZE/s320/IMG_1264.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went in on a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1319813256" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday</span></span>
night and the place was already packed with a wait for the BBQ tables.
We opted for hot pot so we were seated immediately. If you are not
familiar with hot pot, the best way to describe it would be like a
fondue. You are given a choice of different broths
for your base, then you add meats and veggies into the pot to cook. The seating arrangements are very unique since they
all revolve (no pun intended, but I’m kind of proud of it) around the
conveyer belt. There is a station in the middle where a chef prepares
fresh veggies (and noodles), then sends them
out. They go around the entire restaurant and then back to the chef
station to get refilled. When you see something you want, just grab the
bowl. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlqDAxRlulwMbF3X94scUr6YpzIglLA3L0iYjMP-kjzmlv_bbZWaFecGf0sOArBe3N_ERKvnwOnTmLUxuVDw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You visit the raw bar for all of your main meat items. It has
everything you could ever want, meat wise. There
are numerous seafood and beef/pork/chicken options and at the very end
there is a sauce bar. These can be used as simple dipping sauces or to
jazz up the broth. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK76oodE6oRA3wr14j881MnZqIyg9aNsDLfJlLtyd1raAePB95XgfXhgHeg9GaTsl3dWooqohS4F3w4NSeHl-wpZuip8M52kUGcHPJWxbnMC7rP-oBlIxMgwbRYQ4mSm7jAkowbcJW98/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK76oodE6oRA3wr14j881MnZqIyg9aNsDLfJlLtyd1raAePB95XgfXhgHeg9GaTsl3dWooqohS4F3w4NSeHl-wpZuip8M52kUGcHPJWxbnMC7rP-oBlIxMgwbRYQ4mSm7jAkowbcJW98/s320/IMG_6484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIzMtr6a_mu9ELJi_s-ENwvWiV9P182uBA2IRPrcvTEmMqzOpBpbuxvtxNlH8CchkFdctRcQ6PEuDCpg_1gpGUx4yY-naRyCZkSiNj2-WkUnTK_lJEoiBOj9Gqwd8zGJenolCgl7JLfs/s1600/IMG_8268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIzMtr6a_mu9ELJi_s-ENwvWiV9P182uBA2IRPrcvTEmMqzOpBpbuxvtxNlH8CchkFdctRcQ6PEuDCpg_1gpGUx4yY-naRyCZkSiNj2-WkUnTK_lJEoiBOj9Gqwd8zGJenolCgl7JLfs/s320/IMG_8268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6rGGsX2I_NeQIY7AYo3oIlZhjUnBBLSG3uSGiy_vf5QdVepRCxslAynnQgzoq_5D9UBihSaTQvyzsKq_a2BwNU5jryq8dyJagX2sPerkT89znOkzLp64_MoGkYLBCKp7HSyhsWkly08/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6rGGsX2I_NeQIY7AYo3oIlZhjUnBBLSG3uSGiy_vf5QdVepRCxslAynnQgzoq_5D9UBihSaTQvyzsKq_a2BwNU5jryq8dyJagX2sPerkT89znOkzLp64_MoGkYLBCKp7HSyhsWkly08/s320/IMG_1281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I decided on the original broth since this was my
first visit. It was a little plain for my tastes so I added in some
garlic and chili paste sauce. My husband got the spicy option and was
very pleased. It had a nice flavor without being
“burn your face off” spicy. We tried many different meat options
including chicken, scallops, pork, pork belly, beef brisket, steak, and
shrimp. My favorite was the pork belly. It was thinly sliced and cooked
in no time. We also grabbed quite a few veggie
items from the conveyer including different kinds of mushrooms,
cauliflower, and of course ramen. I saw that ramen go by one time at the
very start of the meal but I wasn’t able to grab it. I was almost
finished eating when my husband spotted one behind us
while getting up. He grabbed it and my night was complete.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Loved it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jacksonville definitely needed a place like this.
We have tons of great restaurants but not too many ethnic options.
Judging by how packed the restaurant was without any promotion, website,
or social media presence, I think this might be
the new “hot spot” in town. I can see this being a great place for
social gatherings as well as date night. The restaurant itself is such a
unique and fun experience. The second I walked in I was already super
excited. It’s a feast for the eyes as much as
the stomach. When all was said and done, we were full and happy. At
$23.99 and all you can eat (at the time of publication), it’s a steal.
Do yourself a favor and get in there and try it out. Don’t let cooking
your own food deter you. It only takes a few minutes
to cook and then you will be chowing down in no time.<br />
</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com011380 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246, USA30.2850948 -81.526985430.2842378 -81.5282459 30.2859518 -81.5257249tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-7043774241355249692017-10-26T07:17:00.002-04:002017-10-26T07:17:31.115-04:00Poke Cafe<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pokecafejacksonvillefl/" target="_blank">Poke Café </a>is a new restaurant located in the Bartram Park area. I work a few
blocks over so I have been eyeballing them for months waiting for
opening day. Well that day finally arrived so
I grabbed a friend and headed over for lunch. The restaurant is located
in a newly built strip mall along Old St Augustine Rd near Phillips
Hwy. We walked inside and were immediately in awe with how gorgeous the
place was. It was bright and open with wood
tables and chalk menu boards along the walls. You can order items from
the menu or choose to build your own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My friend and I ordered a few side items as appetizers, the
<b>Steamed Pork Dumplings</b> and <b>Veggie Spring Rolls</b>. We were
very pleased with these. The dumplings were extremely flavorful and we
savored every bite. The spring rolls were also a great choice. They were
crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
The veggies on the inside were julienned and were not too chunky. You
didn’t have to fight with it at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I had planned on getting a <span class="il">Poke</span> Bowl on my first trip….until I saw ramen on the menu. I love ramen more than I like most people, so I went with the
<b>Shoyu Ramen</b>. The presentation was beautiful but the ramen lacked
any spectacular flavor. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a solid ramen, but more
in the basic category rather than inventive. With that being said, I
took it back to the office to finish (since
I ran out of time on my break) and it was significantly better after
sitting on my desk for an hour. I guess the flavors had more time to
combine and develop. As for the ingredients, the ramen was loaded with
pork and came with 2 eggs. Definitely not a skimpy
ramen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My friend did end up getting a <span class="il">poke</span> bowl, the
<b>Supreme</b> (Spicy tuna, crabstick, shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, fried onion, eel sauce, spicy may). This is like the mother of all <span class="il">poke</span>
bowls as it had everything except the kitchen sink. She was really
impressed with this bowl. “The tempura was ridiculous!”
The bowl was so good that when I asked for her impression of it, she
thought about it so much that we just decided to visit again for lunch
today.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_3ErAujPzHMyKdTHBgxuicwe1s-ejN93gi4ntzBIf96GlraPmEdkRT6rptAcoXjBHfT8ocWA-HraTQ0WUWQriWQRo5oEt1zt9SXsd_yhQ_7RFrl2rjQjViD4_CZy8R_9M0Y2sIJ0S9s/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_3ErAujPzHMyKdTHBgxuicwe1s-ejN93gi4ntzBIf96GlraPmEdkRT6rptAcoXjBHfT8ocWA-HraTQ0WUWQriWQRo5oEt1zt9SXsd_yhQ_7RFrl2rjQjViD4_CZy8R_9M0Y2sIJ0S9s/s320/IMG_4201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6ThyphenhypheniebcVKjst0ijjPG4iCw0lv170Ji4LrZ2Hf6wh3FFH0dY2XurCG3nSOPRklgvJ8z51hcWWTl9gHkmLLe118diBnLQOdftsu3-xy8ANbPa8X6EcYBliklemrL4yopHk5rNgPzv8BQ/s1600/IMG_9300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6ThyphenhypheniebcVKjst0ijjPG4iCw0lv170Ji4LrZ2Hf6wh3FFH0dY2XurCG3nSOPRklgvJ8z51hcWWTl9gHkmLLe118diBnLQOdftsu3-xy8ANbPa8X6EcYBliklemrL4yopHk5rNgPzv8BQ/s320/IMG_9300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I<b> </b>ended up going back the following day (after the ramen) to get the
<b>Tuna <span class="il">Poke</span></b> (Tuna, onion, diced tomato, cucumber, avocado, cilantro, edamame, house <span class="il">poke</span>,
spicy mayo). My first impression upon opening the container was WOW
that’s a lot of tuna! I was expecting a way smaller portion that what I
received. I was also happy
to see that there was a lot of rice and edamame as well. I ate at least
one piece of tuna with each rice bite and it lasted all the way until
the end. I really loved the addition of edamame to the dish. To me it
really contributed so much to the bowl; it enhanced
the flavor palate greatly. If you are new to <span class="il">poke</span> bowls and are unsure about what to order, this is a great introductory dish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I am not at all ashamed to say that I went again a few days ago and built my own bowl. Check out this beauty!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Verdict: Loved it!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
am so in love with this place it’s not even funny. I can’t wait to go
back and try everything on the menu. I love everything about it from the
beautiful interior to the super nice owners
to the delicious food. This place is definitely a must try for anyone
in the area. Even if you wanted to make a special trip, it’s worth the
drive. Just go. Do it now. Don’t wait.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/jacksonville-fl/poke-cafe-greenland-jacksonville" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Poke Cafe, Greenland and other Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida"><img alt="Poke Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17878186/biglink" style="border: none; height: 146px; padding: 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com014866 Old St Augustine Rd #102, Jacksonville, FL 32258, USA30.140240599999991 -81.5216191000000094.6182060999999912 -122.83021310000001 55.662275099999988 -40.21302510000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-15673248710081971812017-09-01T21:34:00.001-04:002017-09-01T22:10:03.791-04:00Hawkers Asian Street Fare *New Menu Preview*<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://eathawkers.com/" target="_blank">Hawkers Asian Street Fare</a> recently added a few new
menu items and I was invited in to try them out. I have been a big fan
of Hawkers since they came to Jacksonville a few years back. At the time
I was working right around the corner from
the Riverside location and was in there all the time for lunch. Life
was great until I got a different job (well, life got a lot better with
the new job but that’s a story for another time). I don’t get to visit
as much anymore so I was thrilled when I got
the invite. I combined my reservation with another blogger friend of
mine, and we visited for dinner. We were seated and given a menu showing
all of the new (and current) menu items we would be enjoying. They also made the cutest little name plates for us. That made me so excited. It's little touches like these that mean a lot to me.<br />
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The food
started to roll out pretty quickly and we were treated
to <b>Roti Canai </b>first. This is my absolute favorite thing at Hawkers. The
bread is warm and flaky, and the curry dipping sauce is the sauce of my
dreams. It has a hint of spice to it, just enough to get your sinuses
moving and the flavor is out of this world.</div>
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While we were enjoying that, the next course
started to stream out of the kitchen. We were given 2 salads, one from the
existing menu and also a new addition. The <b>Wok-Fired Lettuce</b> is
something that I have been overlooking on the menu, mostly
because it’s a salad. My eyes naturally jump over healthy items on
menus so I can’t be blamed for this. Well I’ve learned my mistake
because this was super tasty. It had a soy sauce flavor to it and the
lettuce was very tender. The table really enjoyed this.
The next salad was the new Tiger Salad, which is mostly made up of
cilantro, with octopus on top. I am not an octopus fan so I just tried a
bit of the salad mixture, but the rest of the table raved about this
dish.<br />
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Before most of our main dishes came out we had a
chance to speak with one of the owners who was up from Orlando, Allen
Lo. He was very nice and explained a little bit about each dish and
their inspiration for creating it. He came back a
few times after each dish to ask how we liked it and I was very
impressed by this. I have been to quite a few media events in my time,
but it’s very rare for an owner to be there. It’s only happened a
handful of times, but when it does it leaves me with a
very positive impression of the restaurant. It’s nice knowing that the
owners are that invested, that they demonstrate the right level of
passion required to succeed in this industry.<br />
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served another new menu item, <b>Nam-Nom Rolls</b>, which are sort of a
take on eggrolls. These were either hit or miss at the table, but the
one constant comment that was that we would have preferred
the chicken to be minced rather than sausage form. We discussed that it
might have been done this way purely for logistics, but it was a rather
strange texture to bite into for me. With that being said, we all agreed
that the rolls still tasted great. It was a texture only issue with us.<br />
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The next dish to grace our table was the <b>Crispy
Chicken Skin Skewers</b>. For anyone who loves chicken skin, this will be
the dish for you. Unfortunately, I am the kind of girl who peels the
skin off my chicken and hands it to my husband, so
this dish was not for me. My husband was had no complaints
because he got double servings. He was a very happy man.<br />
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The next 2 items were highly anticipated,
<b>#dimsumcruncyballs</b> and <b>Yi-Yi’s Chicken Dumplings</b>. I am a huge dim sum
fan so I was excited for these, and they did not disappoint. In addition
to the #dimsumcruncyballs being the best name for a
menu item in the history of names, they are also quite delicious. The
balls consist of minced shrimp, fried, with some crunchy bits on the
outside. </div>
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Next up on the menu was another combo of new and
current menu items, <b>Singapore Spicy Crab</b> and <b>Pad Thai</b>. Mr. Lo told us
that the Pad Thai was the best-selling item on the menu, and it’s not
hard to figure out why, it’s fabulous. The Singapore
Spicy Crab is a new menu item. It is a fried soft shell crab in a
tomato based sauce. There is a little bit of heat to the sauce but it’s
barely noticeable. The crab is served with a homemade bao bun and you
best believe I was sopping up all that sauce with
it.</div>
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Our last course was a nice send off, the <b>Mochi
Trio.</b> While the mochi is not made in house, the flavors are specially
made for Hawkers. It was a nice refreshing dessert that left me wanting
more. Guess I have to go back soon to get my fix!<br />
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com01001 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204, USA30.315006 -81.6803529999999684.7929715 -122.98894699999997 55.8370405 -40.371758999999969tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-37243207759124057922017-08-23T19:04:00.000-04:002017-08-23T19:04:00.371-04:00Looking for authentic Puerto Rican food? Look no further than El Taino<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Jacksonville has been in need of a good Puerto
Rican restaurant for quite some time. I was alerted to <a href="https://eltainojax.yolasite.com/" target="_blank">El Taino Bar and Restaurant </a>by a
friend of mine, so we made a point to get in there ASAP. My husband was
born and raised in Puerto Rico so he was thrilled
to hear about this place. We visited on a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1585203655" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Monday</span></span>
evening for dinner and were promptly seated and given our menus while
the waitress went to grab our drinks. I was very happy to see the
variety of Puerto Rican dishes on the menu as well as many different
mofongo
variations! In case you are unfamiliar, mofongo is a traditional dish
consisting of mashed plantains with chunks of chicharones mixed in. It
can be served by itself or with different fillings. We were in the
mood for other things on this trip, but we are
going to make sure to come back to try the mofongo. </div>
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Our meal started with an order of <b>Tostones</b>.
Typically, tostones are served alone with a sprinkling of salt. These
were served as cups with different filling options. We decided on the shrimp
tostones and were unsure what we would get. The cups
were loaded with shrimp and some sort of chunky salsa. It was not spicy
at all and had a nice flavor to it. The shrimp were cut into smaller
pieces so it was easier to bite through as well.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4N4dVq9H22nk1CKyV3LNGgFGD2t-DZ6LHHYNkNz0ESHqO8FP94BxEg-dEBB6QWLiVBdsM1haYn6LDMDx_HVwJpYdzayT6yO0OTOLvOuQWiILDIgrunRZldqT1cQeJ5KxX3ukbjeDEP4/s1600/IMG_9347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4N4dVq9H22nk1CKyV3LNGgFGD2t-DZ6LHHYNkNz0ESHqO8FP94BxEg-dEBB6QWLiVBdsM1haYn6LDMDx_HVwJpYdzayT6yO0OTOLvOuQWiILDIgrunRZldqT1cQeJ5KxX3ukbjeDEP4/s400/IMG_9347.JPG" width="400" /></a>For my meal I went with the <b>Pernil</b>, which
slow-roasted marinated pork shoulder. I love pernil due to the
seasonings used, and El Taino did not disappoint! The meat was juicy and
packed with flavor in every bite. I was given a generous portion
along with a small side salad and a monstrous side of Arroz con
Gandules (rice with pigeon peas). As with any carb lover, the rice was
my favorite part. It had chunks of pork alongside the gandules and
tasted just like the rice I’ve eaten while visiting family
in Puerto Rico.</div>
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My husband ordered the <b>Bistec Encebollado</b>, which is
steak and onions prepared in a skillet. The steak remains super tender
and juicy and the onions have a slight vinegar taste. His meal was also
served with a small side salad and a gargantuan
side of arroz con gandules. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict: Loved it!</span></div>
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We were very pleased with every aspect of the meal.
The restaurant is clean and has a nice outdoor section with a few
tables, the service was wonderful, and the food was outstanding. I know
Puerto Rican food might be new to some people,
but it’s definitely worth trying. If you are unsure about what to get, I
would recommend the Pernil for your first visit. This is definitely the
best Puerto Rican meal we have had in Jacksonville as my husband has
been raving about it ever since. For him it’s
hard to find restaurants that taste like home, and I’m happy to say
that he has found that in El Taino. We will definitely be back to try
more things off of the menu and I hope to see you there!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d13782.257945014415!2d-81.6023629!3d30.2779878!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xe231f3d0791eb90e!2sEl+Taino+Bar+and+Restaurant!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1503528902003" style="border: 0;" width="300"></iframe> <a href="https://www.zomato.com/jacksonville-fl/el-taino-southside-jacksonville" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about El Taino, Southside and other Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida"><img alt="El Taino Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17878171/biglink" style="border: none; height: 146px; padding: 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775325498971947221.post-47889334186318408812017-07-10T21:08:00.001-04:002017-07-11T06:26:49.107-04:00Lola's Burrito & Burger Joint<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week I was invited out to <a href="http://lolasburritojoint.com/" target="_blank">Lola's Burrito & Burger Joint</a> to check out their Taco <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1760147656" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday</span></span>
festivities. Lola’s has been in Jacksonville for a few years now, and
they are a local favorite. From their funky décor
to their menu items, they stand out in the area. My husband and I went
in for lunch on one of my rare weekdays off of work. We walked in and
noticed that the place was packed. We were seated and ordered our
drinks. They arrived fairly quickly so we went ahead
and put in an appetizer to share. I wanted to get something different
that neither one of us has had before, so we settled on the <b>Yucca Fries</b>.
They came with Chorizo, black olives, white jalapeño cheese sauce topped with fresh cilantro and a side of chopped jalapeños. The order was huge! It was easily an entrée
portion and we did our best to put a dent in
them. We were both very pleased with this appetizer. The chorizo and
jalapenos are what made the dish special. Plus, where can you get yucca
let alone yucca fries? Not many places in Jax.</span></span></div>
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</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7VNsc04D7pmWtqeXZENPbKCL4clf8CvzOK7Fe__leuXUNz-T_WbsNnu1zbxtRfspLT8TO7XtGIfY4PdGOkPOVsu-h5BVDqka-ilUabBKaHvBmCH5IMO4faz5FnfHEJrhYFlWjPRMn4s/s1600/IMG_2564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7VNsc04D7pmWtqeXZENPbKCL4clf8CvzOK7Fe__leuXUNz-T_WbsNnu1zbxtRfspLT8TO7XtGIfY4PdGOkPOVsu-h5BVDqka-ilUabBKaHvBmCH5IMO4faz5FnfHEJrhYFlWjPRMn4s/s320/IMG_2564.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the <b>Taco <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1760147657" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday</span></span></b>
specials at Lola’s is $1 off all tacos (not including the specialty
tacos). I went with the <b>Fish taco</b> and the <b>Carnitas</b> taco. The carnitas taco was my favorite. The meat was super tender and the flavor was outstanding. Both tacos were dressed with cabbage, tomatoes, and cheese, then each one had a specific ingredient (chipotle tarter for the fish and mojo lime aioli for the carnitas).</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I also ordered a side of chips and guacamole, and I’m happy to say that
their guac is amazing.
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We also wanted to get an <b>empanada</b>, but we had no
idea it was Hulk sized. This thing was like the king of all empanadas.
It was stuffed with chorizo and the size of my head. I was only able to
eat a few bites but I loved it. The chorizo
had a slight kick to it and wasn’t overly greasy like some chorizo can
be.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My husband got the <b>Chooie's Chimmy</b>. He was expecting a
normal sized burrito and was excited to see that it was also huge. We
definitely ordered too much food, but that’s nothing new. His burrito
had </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">grilled steak, black beans, Lola’s rice, cheese, cabbage, diced tomatoes, and creamy Chimichurri sauce</span></span> inside and came with a side of chips. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s9JuKVOhC9x9JwJ7Cjwx0nCw_kOMwqzG409XIvaU56M_LsOUyOj6I5zIU82i6J9Lt6km0VMA2CswztOn3mm1Dh8QPYWIkhYazHtjSRNaERxfpOSV-yLuVfJSnWAMLmNVZ59ySY86u1w/s1600/IMG_6421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s9JuKVOhC9x9JwJ7Cjwx0nCw_kOMwqzG409XIvaU56M_LsOUyOj6I5zIU82i6J9Lt6km0VMA2CswztOn3mm1Dh8QPYWIkhYazHtjSRNaERxfpOSV-yLuVfJSnWAMLmNVZ59ySY86u1w/s400/IMG_6421.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Verdict: Liked It</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lola’s is a great place to go if you are in
Riverside and get a hankering for Mexican food. While it’s not
traditional, it is still fantastic and the menu is very large. Since we
were in for lunch we missed out on the evening Taco <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1760147658" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday</span></span>
special, which was some pretty awesome drink specials including deals on margaritas. We will definitely be back in for that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I was given a free meal in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions on this blog post are based on my experience only. A comped meal did not obligate me to write a positive review.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/jacksonville-fl/lolas-burrito-joint-jacksonville" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Lola's Burrito Joint, Riverside and other Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida"><img alt="Lola's Burrito Joint Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17183562/biglink" style="border: none; height: 146px; padding: 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715173966851705737noreply@blogger.com0