Food News For Early July...

There’s a new Mellow Mushroom open in Jax Beach. I’m sure it’s going to be wildly popular. It’s located in a strip mall adjacent to the DQ on North 3rd Street. Their killer artisan pizzas with a hippie flair will be a hit, especially with their gigantic full bar. Because it’s a Beaches location, they’ve made sure to have plenty of room at the bar. For those not familiar with the franchise, it was born in the 1970s in Atlanta, and has since expanded throughout the South. Each has different, colorful murals, most of which harken back to a more innocent, hallucinogenic time. There’s always something interesting to look at in a Mellow. This one features a giant bus inside the restaurant that’s been painted nearly every color available and hollowed out for seating. Don’t miss the train car graffiti mural either or the vintage photo mural of Mellow’s beginnings. As for me, I’ll come for the Philosopher’s Pie (Steak, Portobello Mushroom Cap, Artichoke Hearts, Kalamata Olives, Provolone, Feta, and Mozzarella Cheeses on an Oil and Garlic Base).

Looking for a way to celebrate Bastille Day? I wasn’t. But now that I’ve heard about Bistro de Leon’s month-long celebration of their restaurant’s First Anniversary and Bastille Day, I’m reconsidering my position. All you’ve got to do is dine there in the month of July and you get a chance to win $100 dining certificate at the St. Augustine restaurant. On July 7, 14, 21 and 28, guests are asked to visit the Bistro’s website www.bistrodeleon.com to see if their ticket is one of the lucky ones!

Two new farmers markets opened last month. If you know you won’t have time on the weekend to go to the Riverside Arts Market and you need fresh produce, head to the St. Johns Town Center on Fridays. Starting at 3 pm, they have a small farmers market in the lot behind Dick’s Sporting Goods. You’ll recognize some of the vendors from other farmers markets in the area. There's also the new farmers market in Mandarin--on Sundays in the parking lot at Whole Foods.

Westsiders rejoice! A La Nopalera will be opening its doors at St. Johns and Roosevelt.

The specialty market at Park and King, Olives & Oils, has sadly closed its doors.

Rumor has it that a couple of experienced restaurateurs are looking into picking up the space left behind by Bungalow at the Park.

For the newest in baked goods, head to Choux Bakery (2540 Oak Street) in Riverside. Darling cupcakes, muffins and other, larger sundries are available. Their delectable looking website might convince you to go: www.chouxbakery.com. The word on the Jax Con blog is they plan to host evening events, notably something called Jazz and Cupcakes.

Every Friday Sake Tasting An introduction to true Japanese Sake. Try our featured Sakes for free to get an idea of what good Sake is all about then move on to our Sake available for purchase by the “Masu Cup.” When you learn what you like you can select from over 40 varieties to take home. Circle Japan is a Japanese Grocery/Cafe, so you can also learn about food pairings or just check out all of our Japanese goods. 12192 Beach Blvd 642-7799

Every Saturday thru December Riverside Arts Market Every Saturday, it's located on Riverside Avenue as it passes underneath the Fuller Warren Bridge, on the Northbank Riverwalk. Get local, fresh produce. Over 150 artists, farmers and food vendors booths. 10 am-4 pm. RiversideArtsMarket.com

July 1 Wine Tasting Series at Zaitoon Mediterranean Grill Monthly Wine Tasting will be held on the First Wednesday of each Month from 6 pm to 8 pm, $15, 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 40 (located behind Fresh Market in the Harbour Village Shopping Center) www.zaitoongrill.com

July 2 Wine Tasting Fundrasier for Your Cultural Center For just a $20 tax deductible donation, Urban Flats will provide a delicious sampling of flatbreads, desserts and great wine. Proceeds from this event will directly benefit our Cultural Centers arts education programs. 5:30 pm - 7 pm 330 A1A North, Ponte Vedra www.ccpvb.org

July 4 Backyard BBQ at Orsay All you can eat, $20. Barbecue at a fine restaurant in their lounge or outdoors. Slow roasted pork shoulder with a sherry vinegar barbecue jus, potato salad dressed with creme fraiche & Pommery mustard, raw oysters and fresh watermelon. Chef Brian will be grilling burgers featuring locally raised, free-grazing Duval County beef from Ashlin Farms. From 4-9 pm 381-0909 www.restaurantorsay.com

FYI for Steak Burger Enthusiasts

I really dig the steak burger at Karlene's at the Landing, but if you want to go somewhere a little more high-rent, there's Morton's. Yes, it's a steakhouse, so most people might not think to order a burger, but did you know that their steak burger was the impetus for starting the chain? No joke.

Here's the skinny on it from one of their press releases:

Morton’s Prime Sirloin Burger isn't just any hamburger — it’s what led to Morton’s creation 30 years ago. When Morton's co-founders Klaus Fritsch and Arnie Morton first worked together at the Playboy Club, Fritsch made his signature hamburger and sent it out for Arnie Morton to taste. Morton proclaimed it the best hamburger he'd ever tasted. From that day, they started the business partnership that has become Morton's The Steakhouse. Now in its 31st year, Morton’s has 81 restaurants worldwide.

Priced at just $15, the burger is served with Morton’s popular french fries. Combined with a drink from the specials list below, diners can enjoy Morton’s at a low price.

$4 Drink Options:
Sam Adam’s seasonal selection
Budweiser
Bud Light
$6 Drink Option:
The Morton’s Spritz (Prosecco, Aperol and Orange)

$5 Drink Options:
Canyon Road Chardonnay
Cavit Pinot Grigio
B.V., Coastal Cabernet
Columbia Crest Merlot
$7 Drink Options:
Vodka “Mortini” (Finlandia)
Cosmopolitan (Smirnoff)
Palm Beacher (Skyy)

Morton’s The Steakhouse is located at 1510 Riverplace Blvd. in downtown Jacksonville. Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Sundays. For information and reservations, please call 904-399-3933. You are also invited to visit www.mortons.com to make online reservations or to view the full Morton’s menu.

Cozy Tea For Me

There's a tea room in 5-Points. It's called Cozy Tea. You might have missed it if you don't hang there on a regular basis. It's all doilies and florals inside. Pretty girlie, and a perfect place to take mom on mother's day. (Despite that they get a lot of businessmen in for meetings over tea). Really the vibe there is less funky 5-Points and more Avondale--or maybe it's just a marker of how 5-Points is changing.

The pacing can be slow, which is the complaint I've heard most often from the work-a-day crowd that only has so long for lunch. They brought up that problem before I did when I was talking to them, and mentioned that they've got a better handle on it. The atmosphere and enjoyment of a tea room is not generally fast paced, so they suggest you mention you're on the clock. That way they can speed things up a bit.

But I am digressing from my main point: the food. The scones are friggin' awesome! They are crumbly but not dry, served with rich, fresh and sweetened cream, along with a lovely cherry preserve made in-house. Took me back to England, seriously.

And then there's the chicken curry pastry. Omigod. Just try it. Shika, the owner/cook/proprietor is of Indian heritage and she does some amazing things.

If you have the time to do high tea after lunch, or you have a long meeting that could be spiced up with a touch of curry over doilies and tea pots, take it to Cozy Tea.

Art on a Friday

Looking for something to do tonight other than going out to yet another bar? Try the new art opening at the Jane Gray: Bright Young Things 09. Get the details here on EU Jacksonville.

Featured artists are MactruQue, Heather Blanton, Christina Foard, Dustin Harewood, Madeleine Peck, and Sharla T. Valeski.

Beat People With Pillows

Have I got a stress reducer for you! A giant pillow fight set to be held in Riverside Park on Saturday at 3pm. It's part of the International Pillow Fight. It's BYOP (Bring Your Own Pillow)and it should be a lot of fun.

This event has been held around the world. It was slated at first to be at the St. Johns Town Center, but was moved to the park. There are flyers about the event around the 5 Points area.

Here are the rules:

- Soft pillows only!
- Swing lightly, many people will be swinging at once.
- Do not swing at people without pillows or with cameras.
- Remove glasses beforehand!
- The event is free and appropriate for all ages.
- Wait until the signal to begin.

One of the most important rules is: Don't swing at a person not holding a pillow. If they brought a pillow, they are participating. If they didn't, it's assault. (I would really love to be the cop who fills out that police report: Assault with a Fluffy Weapon).

So excited about the Riverside Arts Market

I am really stoked about the Riverside Arts Market, which will debut this Saturday! I plan on going early so that I can buy produce.

If you haven't heard about it already, this weekly market (through December) will feature local artist booths, produce and even live entertainment.

Hip Asian Comfort Food

I'm excited about my latest cookbook acquisition. It's by local a chef named Dennis Chan from Blue Bamboo on the Southside. Not only are the recipes straight from the Blue Bamboo kitchen, but they also have some great tips. (Assign one hand wet and one hand dry when breading and how to use knuckle measurement when cooking rice.) Chan also includes a little story on each recipe, as to what inspired it, or where it came from.

You can find the cookbook on his website ($34.95) or just go to Blue Bamboo itself on Southside. You can also find it at Cork and Keg in Julington creek, Wine Warehouse in Atlantic Beach, The Book Mark in Atlantic Beach, and Hong Kong Trading Co, next to Blue Bamboo.

If you're a bit more hands on, Blue Bamboo holds cooking classes one Saturday a month. Includes lunch and a glass of wine. 10 am-noon, different theme every month.

April 18--Blue Bamboo Favorites
May 9--Hip Asian Comfort Food
June 20--Floribbean

Blue Bamboo 3820 Southside Blvd. (904) 646-1478