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
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
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.
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....
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
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.
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.
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