Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Food News and May Foodie Events

City Kidz Ice Cream & Cafe introduced  its new corporate box lunch program.  Healthy and tasty lunch orders can arrive for a meeting, celebration or as a large lunch order.  Order 10 or more lunches and they waive the delivery fee.
 
On a somewhat less healthy note, Dunkin’ Donuts will be opening two more franchises here in Jacksonville. One will open in 2012 and the other will open in 2013. This is part of an expansion that will open a total of 17 new locations throughout Florida.

May 3rd Andy’s Farmer’s Market Grill will open next to the Jacksonville Farmer’s Market on  West Beaver Street.

  A new Urban Flats should be open at 9726 Touchton Road on the Southside.
Good news for fans of the flat bread and wine restaurant, who used to travel all the way to Ponte Vedra.

  Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives filmed several restaurants on the First Coast. On May 7th at 9 pm the Singleton’s episode will be re-run on the food network and 13 Gypsies will be shown on the May 10 at 10 pm.

Every Friday  Sake 101  5-8 pm Circle Japan, 12192 Beach Boulevard, Suite 1, 710-5193.
Every Friday St. Johns Towncenter Market 3pm- 8 pm, sjtcmarket.com
Every Saturday Riverside Arts Market www.riversideartsmarket.com/
Every Saturday Orange Park Farmers Market 10 am-2 pm www.orangeparkfarmersmarket.com/
Every Sunday Mandarin Farmers and Arts Market Noon- 4pm, www.mandarinfarmersmarket.com
Every Sunday The Avenues Mall Green Market Inside the mall rather than outdoors. Noon- 6 pm
 
Wine Tasting Series at Zaitoon Mediterranean Grill Held on the First Wednesday of each month 6 pm- 8 pm, $15, 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 40 (located behind Fresh Market in the Harbour Village Shopping Center)  www.zaitoongrill.com
 
April 30- May 2 The 46th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Includes dozens of food booths featuring shrimp specialties. The Fine Arts Show has been ranked 38th in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine as part of their 200 Best Shows in the United States. Downtown Fernandina Beach, www.shrimpfestival.com
 
May 21 Jacksonville Craft & Import Beer Festival It’s the second year for this festival and it promises to be bigger than last year. With over 35 breweries and 200 beers to taste, you’ll be sure to have a good time. VIP party starts at 5:30 pm ($45). General Admission 7 pm ($30). Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, www.beerfestjax.com/
 
May 26 Indie Dinner and a Movie at Gypsy Cab presents: “Don McKay” For a midweek date, you can take a ride to St. Augustine. The Indie film series at Gypsy Cab continues with the movie, Don McKay. Twists, turns, fantasy, reality, past history, and future tragedy runs into a mass collison in this comic thriller. Doors open for dinner at 6pm and the movie starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $25 and include a buffet dinner, the movie, one non-alcoholic beverage, and a donation to the St. Johns Cultural Council. For reservations call 904-824-8244. www.stjohnsculture.com
 
May 29 Blue Bamboo Cooking Class This time Dennis Chan is cooking up outdoor summer barbecue and showing you the ropes! $38 per person, includes lunch and a glass of wine or cocktail. 10 am- noon, www.bluebamboojacksonville.com
 
May 30 Jacksonville Jazz Festival-Jazz Brunch Enjoy the sounds of jazz with a brunch buffet of fresh salads, pastries, and gourmet prepared entrees. African American artist Marsha Hatcher will be on hand to sign copies of her award-winning poster. For brunch reservations at Café Nola, call 366-6911, ext. 231. 11 am- 3pm, Cafe Nola inside the MOCA Downtown, www.mocajacksonville.org

Friday, April 2, 2010

Swanky Easter Brunch

Just a list of swanky Easter Brunch places here in Jacksonville I've compiled. Happy Easter 2010



III Forks Easter Brunch


11 am-3 pm

It's one of our newest upscale places to nosh (namely wet-aged steak) and you'll be happy to know that they will be open for Easter Brunch. Executive Chef Joe Everett and his team are preparing a memorable Three Course Easter Celebration, beginning with your choice of Cream of Asparagus Soup, a delightful culinary salute to the season or a famous III Forks Salad. Entree choices are all served with whipped potatoes, sugar snap peas and off-the-cob cream corn. The special III Forks Easter Brunch is $42.95 for adults and $14.95 for children under 12. (Includes tea and coffee) Call 904-928-9277. 9822 Tapestry Park Circle on the Southside.



Easter at Azurea


11 am-8 pm

Do brunch, lunch or dinner at one of the fanciest places to eat in the area. You can order a creamy She-Crab Bisque, Pan Roasted Black Cod with Mussel and Vine Ripe Sweet Tomato Broth, Potato Truffle Dauphinois and finish things off with a dessert of White Chocolate Coconut Cheesecake, Macaroon Crust with Compressed Strawberries. There's much more to their Easter Menu, so check it out at www.oneoceanresort.com/dining. Cost will vary depending on what you order. Inside One Ocean Resort at One Ocean Boulevard Atlantic Beach.



Casa Marnia Hotel Easter Brunch


10 am-2 pm

It’s a traditional family affair in Jax Beach, featuring Chef Aaron Webb’s generous buffet menu, including smoked ham, sausage, an omelet station, crab legs, macadamia crusted grouper, paella, tandoori chicken and more. Reservations required; call 270-0025. The cost is $38.95 (plus tax & gratuity). 691 N. 1st Street in Jacksonville Beach.



Easter Brunch at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville

11am-3pm

Enjoy the buffet of fresh salads, pastries and hot side items while you wait for your gourmet, freshly made entree. Over 10 choices including Shrimp and Grits, Kentucky Hot Brown & Banana Stuffed French Toast. Reservations strongly suggested. Go to their website at www.mocajacksonville.org $22/person / $8 Children under 10. Cafe Nola at MOCA 333 North Laura Street.



Orsay Sunday Brunch

11 am-4 pm

Orsay will be keeping their regular menu for brunch, which has always been good enough for any special occasion. Try the Croquet Madame or go for their raw bar and a Bloody Mary. You can see their full menu for brunch online at www.restaurantorsay.com/ 3630 Park Street in Avondale.



Easter Brunch at Salt

10 am-2 pm

Inside the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, is one of the best restaurants in the area. Admission actually includes one 5x7 family portrait. Reservations required; call 277-1100. $65 per adult, plus tax and gratuity. $32 per child (ages 5-12), plus tax and gratuity. 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island.



Zaitoon's Easter Brunch

11:30 am-3 pm

The Mediterranean restaurant Zaitoon, will be open for Easter Sunday during their regular operating hours. They will have a full buffet. Reservations are suggested; call 221-7066. Adults meals are $26.95 (includes a complimentary Mimosa) and kids 12 and under cost $14.95 (children under 4 eat free). 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 40 (behind Fresh Market in the Harbour Village Shopping Center)