Post Christmas Recycling

If you haven't already started to take down Christmas decorations, here are three great articles on recycling and reusing or recycling what you have:

How to Recycle Your Christmas Wreath

10 Ways to Recycle Christmas Cards

Some Interesting Ideas on Recycling Your Christmas Tree

Foodcentric Jacksonville New Years

Almost every bar and restaurant in the area is apt to hold their own New Years Eve celebration. Here are a few of the more food heavy options on the First Coast.

Dining Dancing & Spirits at the Casa Marina Hotel

Not only can you indulge in their New Years buffet, which seems to have something for everybody, but the price includes an open bar with live entertainment. And, even better, you can book a room there, so you don’t have to drive anywhere after the festivities. The buffet menu includes an antipasto platter, shrimp, carved prime rib roast accompanied by roasted new potatoes, grouper Hemmingway served with cous cous, various pastas, salads, chocolate fountain and much more. 'Dining, Dancing & Spirits' begins at 7 pm till 2 am. $100/per person plus tax & gratuity. McGee Entertainment will be playing a selection of dancing and listening music for all ages. Info: http://www.CasaMarinaHotel.com or (904) 270-0025. 691 N. 6th Street Jacksonville Beach

The Chef’s Tasting Menu at Ocean 60

A delectable four course meal is what you can get at Ocean 60 for the New Year. Basically it’s a luxe fixed price menu at a not-so-luxe price. You select each course from a number of choices on the menu. For entrée course you’ll choose between Juniper Crusted Lamb Chops, Macadamia Crusted Diver Shot Grouper, Kona Coffee Crusted Tenderloin & Amaretto Butter Poached Tiger Prawn, Proscuitto, Sage & Pecorino Stuffed Chicken Breast and Roasted Vegetable & Mozzarella Strudel. $70 per person. The Evening Entertainment in the Martini Room will be Toots Lorraine & The Traffic Sultry Swing & Jazz Style Vocals with a Modern Twist. Reservation and credit card deposit required. Info: http://www.ocean60.com/ny_eve_2008_menu.pdf or (904) 247-0060 Sixty Ocean Boulevard Atlantic Beach

Roy’s New Year’s Dinner Prix Fixe

Roy’s on Jacksonville Beach is a favorite for special occasion meals. Their four course New Year’s meal promises to be delish. Blue Point mussels, pan seared scallops, filet mignon, lamb and duck are all choices for the meal. Price $50-85, depending on entrée section. Info: 2400 3rd St S Jacksonville Beach (904) 241-7697

New Years Eve Dinner at Bistro de Leon

It’s new to the New Year in St. Augustine, but it’s a marvelous place to eat no matter what day it is. This particular menu is not four courses. It’s seven! Seven fabulous French courses! Expect escargot, champagne, lamb and much more. Just $69 per person. 12 Cathedral Place St. Augustine Info: http://www.bistrodeleon.com or (904) 810-2100

Rumors and Restaurants

It's tough to keep a restaurant running in the best of times. In the current economy we're going to see a lot of places closing. Going out to eat is one of the first things people cut when they slash their budgets. We can't really blame people for that. When they do go out to eat, they choose fast food or something they perceive as cheap.

We can expect that lots of places will be going down. Jacksonville Confidential recently incorrectly reported that two places would be shutting their doors.

One was going to be taken over by a new owner and possibly given a new name and the other, the other seems to be in limbo.

I asked the owner of Bungalow on Park if he was closing because of what I'd read on Jax Con. He replied with bravado that he wasn't closing, they weren't going to close and that they had only closed for private holiday parties.

Although his doors were open just a few days after Jax Con's announcement, I really don't know if I believe him. I know from experience that restaurant owners will often lie through their teeth about closing, right up until the day the repo men pry the stove and sink from their walls.

That being said, a rumor of a place closing can kill a restaurant just as quickly as debt can. So, I guess I'm hoping that Jax Con will be a little more careful in the future. I see they've amended the Pom's post, but they haven't done anything with the Bungalow post. At the very least, saying that they "closed their doors for good" on December 16th when they were clearly open after that and keeping it up, makes me think somebody has an axe to grind... (See Jax Con's comments below about how they don't have an axe to grind and my response).

Free Itty Burgers in December

If you're in town for the holidays, why not grab a free burger at Morton's? They're offering free mini-burgers in their bar on Sunday, December 21st, in celebration of their 30th anniversary.

I've heard that the full sized sirloin steak burgers that they've been serving since July are mighty tasty--so I'm curious as to what the mini-burgers are like.

Morton's can be found Downtown. They only open for dinner. If you can't make it for the freebie, why not order the steak burger? It's a steep $19.95(expensive for a burger, inexpensive compared to most entrées on their menu) but $5 of each hamburger and French fries entrée goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

That's right. You get to eat a cow and bathe in the warm glow of social consciousness at the same time.

The full-sized burger is only offered on Sundays.

1510 Riverplace Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 399-3933
www.mortons.com

13 Gypsies

Just ate at 13 Gypsies, which may well become one of my favorite places. I'll have a review up in my paper in January. If you want a REAL tapas place--- 13 Gypsies, on the corner of Stockton and College, is the place to go. It's a small place, so if you want to come for dinner, reservations are what you'd need!

389-0330

Bedtime...

These are the pillow shams that I ordered from Urban Outfitters. They were defective (one was about 1 inch shorter than the other) so I had to send them back. Trying to convince me hubby to go in for the full tapestry as a spread, but I think it will be these for a pop of color and perhaps some orange or red pillows cases underneath.

Sheets will be white, grey or brown and for now the top comforter is a plain but textured brown. I would like to go with orange pillow cases, because I don't think Sean could handle orange sheets.

Alternative spreads or comforters would be grey in color. I'm a little skittish about using a white spread or comforter. They always look so good in magazines, but we have a black and white kitty with lots of fur, and I have a tendency to spill things. Still, I love that crisp white look!

I'd like to put an orange throw on the end just to jazz it up a little and I'd like some alternatives to the somber brown. A rich red throw would be great too.

After talking to some very nice people at Urban Outfitters for far too long and far too many times, I've reordered the shams and am crossing my fingers that they will not be defective this time.

If it EVER arrives, this is the platform bed we ordered. I found it on multiple internet sites, which I periodically check. I noticed that most of them were "out of stock" so I knew I had to order it ASAP and so, I went to the cheapest one and ordered...

It was supposed to ship at the end of November and now it's shipping at the end of December. Hope we get it and I hope it looks as good as advertised.

I think it will because I've been to a bunch of different sites and looked at reviews on all of them.

Biggest downside is that we have to put it together. Upside is that I've never seen anything like it and my husband likes it too. Designwise, it's fairly fab!

Bring Me Some Figgy Pudding Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Eve. It's a special time, meant for special food. I got a press release the other day featuring this sort of food. I may well be spending my Christmas Eve at the Casa Marina hotel in Jacksonville Beach. Take a look at the release and the sumptous menu:

Chef Aaron Webb enjoys having fun in the kitchen as well as preparing distinctive dishes from his repertoire of New Beach Cuisine. This year, the Historic Casa
Marina Hotel & Restaurant is serving a traditional 4-course Christmas
Eve Dinner with music ~ including one dessert dating back to 16th
Century England ~ 'Figgy Pudding'.

The Casa Marina Hotel, Jacksonville's only member of Historic Hotels
of America, dates back to 1924, not quite as vintage as 'figgy
pudding'. But for Chef Webb, it's a classic addition to his menu for a
legendary hotel that has enchanted guests for nearly 85 years!



Christmas Eve Dinner:

Served from 6:30pm – 8:45pm (last seating).
The Johnston Duo will be entertaining from 7-10pm.
Cost is $59/per person (plus gratuity and tax). Children under 10 are
half price. Children under 5 are FREE. Reservations suggested.

Christmas Eve Menu

Appetizer

~Butternut Squash Gnocchi~
With Jumbo Lump Crabmeat & a Grape Tomato,
Basil Cream

~Stuffed Quail~
Herb Marinated & Stuffed with a Smokey Bacon Risotto
Over Parsnip Puree

~Seared Diver Scallops~
In a Wild Mushroom Compote with a Buttered Lobster Broth

~Red Cornmeal Fried Oysters~
Plump Select Oysters Crispy Fried in Red Cornmeal, Over a Green
Apple & Beet Relish with Honey Thyme Aioli

Salads

~Tossed Spinach Salad~
Fresh Baby Spinach with Sundried Cranberries, Candied Pecans, Mandarin
Oranges & Bermuda Onions Tossed in a Caramelized Vidalia Vinaigrette

~Garden Salad~
Roasted Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato & Sweet Roasted Corn
Tossed with Field Greens, Grape Tomatoes & Scallions in a Raspberry
Champagne Vinaigrette



Entrée

~Maple Glazed Duck Breast~
Crispy Seared, Maple Glazed Duck Breast Over
Bourbon Sweet Potato Mash

~Chilean Sea Bass~
With a Fresh Cherry, Chestnut & Golden Raisin Ragout

~Grilled Spiced Lamb Rack~
Moroccan Spiced Lamb Rack, Char-grilled with a Fig & Port Wine Reduction

~Red & Green Peppercorn Filet Mignon~
8oz Filet Peppercorn Dusted & Grilled with Sauce Béarnaise Over Truffle
Yukon Gold Mash


Desserts

~Pumpkin Cranberry Crumb~
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Cranberry in a Crumb Crust

~Figgy Pudding Tart~
With a Custard Sauce & Fresh Berries

~Caramelized Pear~
Poached & Caramelized Baby Pear Over Shortbread Round
With Crème Anglaise

Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant
691 N. 1st Street
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
904-270-0025
www.casamarinahotel.com

Whitey's Deep Fried Turkey

Meh. It wasn't that great--- it lacked something.

Holding Thanksgiving the Day AFTER

There are, in fact, some benefits to holding Thanksgiving the day after the real Thanksgiving. I ordered a deep fried turkey from Whitey's Fish Camp, namely because the none-too-bright girl who answered the phone was unable to tell me how spicy the Cajun seasoning was going to be. She said she hadn't tasted it and then said it "was probably a medium heat" and that it was about as spicy as the other food they serve. Because I cannot recall eating there, that didn't do me any good.

So I called Whitey's. They're $10 cheaper and were more helpful. Because I am picking up the turkey the day after Thanksgiving, it will still be warm and won't need much heating up. If I were holding Thanksgiving on the actual day, I would have had to pick it up the day before Thanksgiving. It would then cool as it sat in the fridge and the reheating in the oven would take forever! The whole point of a deep fried turkey is how moist it is. Sticking it in the oven for that amount of time might wick some of that moisture away, though the crispy skin will help protect it.

The History of Pie...

We say that something is "as American as apple pie," but of course the apple pie didn't originate here. Early recipes can be traced back to England, around the 1300s. Most of these didn't have sugar, or had very little, since sugar was costly.

The earliest apple pie recipes featured pastry that wasn't meant to be eaten. That is, the pastry was only meant to be a disposable container for the fruit filling. These were often sold by streetside vendors in London. By the 1500s, sugar was more readily obtained, so you could eat the pastry surrounding it as well. Early colonists in America had not cultivated apples available to them at first, so they had to be imported. Once apple trees were growing, they were mostly used in cider, though there were apple pie recipes in the U.S. by the 1700s.

What we know as apple pie today is actually closer to the Dutch version of the recipe, laced with cinnamon, sugar and with the traditional lattice work top crust.

Apple pie became quintessentially American during WWII, but the origins of the phrase "as American as apple pie" still remain murky. Wikipedia says that "for mom and apple pie" was supposedly the standard answer from American soldiers in WWII whenever journalists asked them why they were going to fight.

Head here for the rest of this article on the history of pie...

Bistro de Leon Thanksgiving

I love St. Augustine's newest French bistro. I won't be able to go there for their Thanksgiving day feast, but if you don't want to cook here's the skinny on it:

Join Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard at the Bistro de Leon for Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 27. Choose from 2 seatings: 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Valerie and Chef Poinard will be serving the following menu as they COOK FOR YOU SO YOU CAN ENJOY THE DAY WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS.

THANKSGIVING DINNER $30/pp (children ½ price $15)

1:00 AND 4:00 SEATINGS

Thanksgiving Turkey OR Pineapple Pork Tenderloin
French stuffing with sausage and mushrooms
Mashed Potatoes
Carrot Cumin Flan
Tomato Provencale
Sweet Potatoes Gratin
Cranberry Relish

Optional Specialty Desserts ($5.95)

Apple Tarte Tatin with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Poached Pear
Pecan Tart

Reservations Suggested!

Special Take Out:

Order Thanksgiving Dinner to Take Out by November 20 and receive a 10% discount on your order for Take-Out Only~


Bistro de Leon

12 Cathedral Place
St. Augustine
www.bistrodeleon.com
(904) 810-2100

Just came from the MySpace Jax Foodies October meeting. The theme was disgusting or strange foods.

The picture above is a durian fruit. A very stinky fruit from far away, but as you bring it closer to your nose (I swear) it's less stinky and more fruity. Doesn't taste bad, and it's almost creamy.

We also had 1,000 year old eggs, which aren't actually 1,000 years old. But they do look and smell fairly awful once you get the shell off. It looks a bit like a black jelly. Only one person was brave enough to try it, and she said that it tasted the wya it smelled--which, to my nose was pretty bad.

I brought kim chee from Koja Sushi, probably the best place to get it in town.

Plenty of other stuff we tried, but those were the strangest highlights.

Deep Fried Turkey Goodness!

There's nothing like a deep fried turkey. It is so darn good, I just can't express how moist and crisp it is at the same time!

But it's a bit messy and can be a little dangerous. Copeland's Famous New Orleans Restaurant and Bar is selling Cajun Fried Turkeys all throughout November and December. A 12-14 pound turkey costs about $50, not unreasonable when you consider that all the equipment needed, plus the raw turkey and the oil will run you at least $100.

I've not ordered one of these before from Copelands but am seriously thinking about ordering one if I have to hold Thanksgiving here.

To get more information about Copeland's Cajun Fried Turkeys, please contact Copeland's at 998-4414, or visit copelandsjacksonville.com

Banana Bread Variations

Lots of ideas to get you started in the quest to make new and exciting banana breads...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1108778/banana_bread_variations.html?cat=22

Dish Update

Joining a host of other area restaurants, Zaitoon Mediterranean Grill (13475 Atlantic Blvd. Intracoastal. 904 221-7066) will be participating in the upcoming “Dining Out for Life” charity event on April 24th. Dining Out For Life was created by an ActionAIDS volunteer in Philadelphia. In 1993, ActionAIDS made it an international event offering licenses to AIDS Service Organizations around the country. Since Dining Out for Life International's founding the event has grown throughout North America and is now produced in over 46 cities. Each eatery involved gives a portion of their profit towards AIDS research. Go to diningoutforlife.com, for a list of additional participating restaurants.
If you have a favorite family coffeecake recipe and you’d also like a little r&r, take enter the Inn on Charlotte’s (52 Charlotte Street, St. Augustine) Coffeecake Challenge recipe contest. The grand prize winner will get a 2-night stay at the Inn on Charlotte (Sunday thru Thursday excluding holiday periods), gourmet lunch for two and Claude’s Chocolates – exquisite European chocolates made in St. Augustine. The prize-winning recipe will be incorporated into the gourmet breakfast menu that is served to Inn guests and be prominently featured on the Inn’s website. Visit innoncharlotte.com for official rules and entry. Entries must be received by June 15th.

Dish Update

If you want a base of cooking knowledge that you’re sure to use, don’t miss Apron’s Cooking School’s (10500 San Jose Blvd. 904-262-4187) hands-on Mother Sauces Course, held on April 7th at 6 pm. You’ll learn the composition of the archetypal sauces, so that you can have fun with variations of these five “mother” sauces. And if things don’t go exactly as planned, you’ll have the knowledge to fix sauce mistakes. The menu will be: Espanole – Mushroom Demi-Glace over Egg Noodles; Béchamel and Tomato – Pastitsio; Béarnaise – Veal Oscar Medallions; Veloute – Chicken Picatta

The Fairgrounds get fancy on April 5th for the Cowford Ball(904-398-0537), a large annual fundraiser for the Duval County Unit of the American Cancer Society. Gourmet food will be served. Expect live entertainment, auctions and dancing.

Dining Advice

So I'm hoping to launch a new Q & A advice section for my paper. Readers can present their food quandaries or dining etiquette questions.

Anyone can email a question in at jacksonvilledish@gmail.com

I will post them here from time to time! Here's my first question and my answer:

Q: My husband and I are going to the Jacksonville area for our anniversary this weekend. I am intrigued by the Tapas restaurants. There is nothing like them around here. Is it considered rude to eat at one of these establishments if you don't drink?

A: You're not obligated to drink anything anywhere, even at a wine bar. Even though waiters love lushes (because the price of alcohol drives up the bill price and their tip) as the customer, the staff is serving at your pleasure. If you're worried about what the people dining with you think, most of the time as long as you don't make a big deal about it, they won't. If they do, they're the one being rude. A person who doesn't know you might be curious and ask why, but that's no reason for you to fret. What you do or don't drink is your choice, whatever the reason. Just an FYI though, call ahead to find out what you’ll be drinking. Non-alcoholic beverages are often limited at a tapas place, so you might be drinking water.

If you have any dining questions for Dish, email us at JacksonvilleDish@gmail.com

Dish Update

There are plenty of Irish bars to choose from this St. Patrick’s Day, but if you relish Irish food as much as their beer, try Culhane’s (967 Atlantic Blvd 904-249-9595) The party kicks off Friday, March 14th, with entertainment, an outdoor tent, giveaways and some pipe playing. The featured foods: Cornbeef & Cabbage, Reuben, Shepherd's Pie, Bangers N'Mash & Sausage Rolls
At The Grape in the St. Johns Town Center (10281 Midtown Pkwy 904-642-7111), the new featured menu item is Brie en Croute, brie baked in a rich pastry crust with cranberry, apricot and almond chutney drizzled with a Cabernet syrup. They’ll be holding a wine tasting on Saturday March 15th, from 1- 4 pm, for those who’d like to skip the beer, and taste four wines.
The Grape isn’t the only place busting out wine instead of beer during the weekend before St. Paddy’s. JJ's Bistro (330 Florida A1A N 904-273-7980) will be holding 2005 Release Bordeaux Wine Dinner at 7 pm Friday, March 14th, and Saturday, March 15th. Expect seven courses, including foie gras and monkfish. Call for reservations. $120 a person.

King Fish Grill

Just a few pictures from Kingfish in St. Augustine. Really great views with lots of yachts in the harbor. I've just had one dish there, and an event but I hope to go back soon....

Dish Update

Friday, March 7, 6- 10 pm the Chance Foundation, Inc. is holding its 1st Annual Smokin Grooves for Charity event to benefit the foundation and our community. Enjoy an evening of entertainment, socializing, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, at the upscale wine and cigar lounge Poppy Love Smoke (112 East Adams Street), while supporting an incredible cause. Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance. See thechancefoundation.com/id4.html for details.

ABC Fine Wine and Spirits (5440 Beach Blvd) will be going Irish a little early on March 13th from 6-8 pm. They’ll be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Wine Country style, with more than a dozen wines to taste, gourmet hors d’oeuvres to complement the wines, and the time to chat with their wine experts. The cost is just $5. Each guest receives a souvenir wine glass and a coupon for $3 off any purchase the night of the event

The Kingfish Grill (252 Yacht Club Drive St. Augustine, FL 904-824-2111) known for its marina view has celebrated its 2nd anniversary and has expanded one story. The spacious new private banquet space, The Harbor View, is now hosting luncheons, dinners and receptions for 30-100 guests that are ‘far above the rest’.

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville’s Contemporaries are hosting a cooking demonstration with Chef Kathy Collins of Café Nola @ MOCA on Tuesday, March 18 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Learn culinary techniques from a top chef in a relaxed and artful setting while enjoying a gourmet meal with specially selected wine pairings provided by the Wine Warehouse.

Café Nola’s Chef Collins is originally from Chicago, Illinois where she graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu (CHIC). Chef Collins has been a personal chef both in Chicago and Jacksonville. Locally, Chef Collins was the Sous Chef at Pastiche in Jacksonville’s historic “Avondale” and has served as the Head Chef at Café Nola since 2005. To complement the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, Chef Collins showcases seasonal cooking with an emphasis on locally grown and produced foods. She particularly is drawn to the bountiful supply of seafood available on the First Coast. Her Mediterranean style, Southern influenced dishes bring a fresh and innovative approach to the typical southern palette. Local rock shrimp, the freshest available fish, Maple Leaf Farms duck, local breads, artisan cheeses, and fresh greens are frequent staples.

The class is $48 per person for MOCA members and their guests (includes tax and gratuity). RSVP by March 14. Call 904-366-6911 ext. 225 for reservations. Space is limited.

Cleaning Out the Spice Rack

Letting go of spices, for me, is like letting go of a relationship that’s past its prime. Every time I use the spice I think “This could be better, it’s gotten stale. I really should toss it and begin again.” But instead, I just put it back in the cabinet. In the chaos of dinner preparation, I never remember to write down what I will need at the time. While I remember the staples compiling my grocery list later on, I have some kind of mental block against actually remembering to pick up a spice that should be replaced, but that we’re not actually out of. My husband does remember, buys new stuff and sticks it in the front. But he doesn’t throw out the old stuff. And so, the old spices languish beside their new brethren.
Sometimes I don’t throw them away because I get sentimental. (That’s right. Don’t judge me.) I have the cheesiest looking curry container. I got the stuff at a flea market, in one of those massive bins. I was poor, the plastic spice bottle was large and it was only one dollar. I used to sprinkle it over popcorn in the dorm. I still can’t bring myself to toss it. When I look at the cartoon palm tree and sunset, it somehow ends up right back in the cabinet. I don’t cry or anything. I just can’t throw it away.

Dish Update

Inside the old Heartworks in 5 Points is the new Scribes Café (820 Lomax Street 904- 738-7999). It’s run by the parent company of Heartworks. Scribes serves sandwiches and coffee, has high speed internet access and is open till midnight. According to their website: “Each table provides a private setting where a writing pad and pen are available for your thoughts and notes.” They now serve a variety of non-vegetarian stuff, such as their corned beef Ruben.
Anyone can walk in and nosh on their usual offerings as they surf the net, but you can also get a full-scale dinner there, cooked just for you (and a few of your friends), by reserving their private rear dining room. You can have up to a dozen people and you’ll need to arrange the meal in advance. They ask that you reserve at least three week in advance, because they get booked quickly. A deposit of 20% is required at time of reservation confirmation.

While you can find wine tastings and wine dinners all over the First Coast area, you won’t often find a tequila tasting. Cantina Laredo (10282 Bistro St. 904-997-6110) will be holding a tequila dinner on March 20th. Expect a four course meal, each paired with a tequila beverage. You’ll get an education in the history of tequila and what to look for as you taste it.