Calorie Counting on Menus

So the Jacksonville Observer has reported that Jacksonville State Senator Steve Wise-R and Rep. Ed Homan, R-Tampa decided that it would be a good idea to put forth legislation in favor of forcing restaurants to put a calorie count on all menu items. They want to do this because they think it will make Floridians thinner--and therefore more healthy.

As a foodie this has made me made angry for a few reasons.

1: You can't legislate health. Case in point, larger warning labels on cigs in other countries resulted not in less sales of cigarettes, but in larger sales of decorative cigarette cases.

2: It stifles creativity. Chefs would not have the ability to be put together dishes based on what's fresh at the market. Nope. They'll have to stick to the calorie counted menu.

3: Higher cost for smaller businesses. Chains can afford to do calorie counts because they have the same menus across the country. But the cost of sending each dish to a lab is prohibitive for a local place. Say goodbye to Orsay.

4: Calorie counts are just a guess. Calorie counts even in chains can vary widely. Unless you're dealing with ALL prepackaged food ANYTHING can skew it higher. A piece of meat of the same size can vary in calories.

5: Less fresh food. If this is enforced, see above--in order for calorie counts to be accurate, less fresh food will be served in restaurants. How is this more healthy, exactly?

6: This will further homogenize our fruit and vegetable supply if all the states decide to do this. If each restaurant needs an exact calorie count, then they'll look for fruits and veggies that deliver a consistent count per gram that they are familiar with. That means they'll stick to a particular genus. If we don't have a variety of different genuses it could lead to a farming disaster for the US. We're already in trouble on that front because we don't grow enough different varieties of, say, corn. If you grow one type of corn only, it takes only ONE wave of disease or bugs to wipe out all of the corn in the US. If you grow a bunch of different types of corns some will be resistant.

I'm also annoyed because it seems to me the sort of thing I'd condemn Democrats for, but both of these guys are Republicans! It costs small business owners more and it sticks the government's nose in something that it should not interfere with.

We are not California.

Freebie at Zaxby's

I stay away from fast food as much as possible, but I'm all about sharing deals and Zaxby's claims they're an "alernative to fast food", so here it is, fresh from an email press release:

REGENCY ZAXBY’S HOSTS UNIQUE FOOD GIVEAWAY NOVEMBER 19

Dine at Zaxby’s on November 19 and Receive the Repeat Order FREE in December


WHAT: The Jacksonville Zaxby’s restaurant at Regency is giving away free meals in December to anyone who makes a purchase on Repeat Day, November 19. Guests who place dine-in or drive-through orders on Repeat Day are invited to save their specially colored receipt and return once during the month of December to receive a repeat of their original order ABSOLUTELY FREE. Gift cards, boxed lunch orders, Party Platterz and catering orders are excluded.



WHERE: 9575 Regency Square Blvd. — Jacksonville



WHEN: Thursday, November 19



An alternative to fast food, the Georgia -based fast-casual chain offers prepared-at-order chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches and salads. Zaxby’s most popular items are its hand-breaded Chicken Fingerz and Jumbo Buffalo Wings smothered in a choice of 10 sauces with names like Wimpy, Tongue Torch, Nuclear and Insane.



Zaxby’s operates more than 485 restaurants in 11 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia). For more information visit www.zaxbys.com.

Jacksonville Must Eats?

It occurs to me that there are still First Coast food classics that I haven't tried yet. Is there a particular Jax classic I should have eaten? Leave your comments on what you think is a must eat.

With a sense of shame I'll admit that I have still not tried the legendary Peruvian Sub at Angie's, despite being in a play that rehearsed within waking distance. (I did try, but it was closed all three times I darkened their doorstep).

What I'm hoping for is a discussion here about the things I should be trying in order to spur me into action.

Most of the things that took me a long time to try are in restaurants that only open for breakfast and lunch. The Fox, which people rave about, I have only been to twice. Metro Diner, never.

That's because I keep the hours of a hungry vampire and rarely show my face when the sun is in full force.

Rave about a particular dish and I'll endeavor to devour it and blog poetically about it here!

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

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.

Where to get your Fishes!

I mostly eat fish when I go out, buying the occasional fillet at the market when the mood strikes. Because I don't buy fresh fish on a regular basis, I don't really know where to go--

Or I didn't, until I found Safe Harbor in Mayport.

Jacksonville tends to get a little compartmentalized, so not everybody is going to know about this place if they don't live in the area. If you live more than 20 minutes away, just grab a cooler to stick your fish in for the ride home.

Not only is it a great fish market, with shrimp right off the trawlers, they also have an informal restaurant that cooks up scallops, salmon, grouper, shrimp and all the essential underwater yummies in all kinds of preparations.

I'd say, if you haven't ever been over to Mayport, take a trip there this weekend. Go to Safe Harbor, enjoy the lunch and take home some fresh fish!

Safe Harbor Seafood Market. 4378 Ocean St Ste 3 Atlantic Beach, FL 32233


Market hours: Mon-Thu 9pm-5:30pm & Fri-Sat 9am-6pm

Marina Restaurant Mon-Sat 10am-8pm

Sunday in Downtown Jacksonville

Since my husband wasn’t going to be working on Sunday, I asked him to come with me on a trip Downtown. Because it was Sunday, I knew that not much would be open in the morning hours, so I settled on going to the newly renamed MOCA.

When we arrived, four employees were clustered around the main desk. They asked how they could help, and then explained that the gallery walls were bare as they were between exhibits. The new exhibition would be opening on the 26th.
Sean hadn’t seen the museum’s fascinating shop, so we started browsing. Quite a few items left over from Christmas were on sale. He found a ring he liked in the extensive jewelry case and I marked several items in my mind as future gifts for some of our harder to shop for relatives.
We stepped out onto the street fairly clueless as to where we should walk from there. Finally, we settled on walking to the Landing. Even if nothing was open, we knew we could count on a pleasant view of the river.

On Laura Street we stopped in front of a vacant building, sad because the architecture was majestic and beautiful. There are buildings all over the downtown area like this, and I hope to one day see them all filled and restored. As we stood there, looking up like tourists, a man, probably homeless, stopped alongside us to share in the wonder and mumble about the beauty of the building. He was difficult to understand because he had as many teeth as the building had unbroken windows, but his appreciation was clear. We hurried on, apprehensive that the conversation was a prelude to asking us for money, but later I wondered what he had been saying, and if it would have cost us so much to stay and listen to him.

My friend Siobhan, who’s from New York, says my mistake is that I make eye contact with street folk, but I’m Southern, and I have a difficult time treating people as though they don’t exist. One day I made the mistake of crossing Hemming Plaza and no less than three people of raggedy attire tried to strike up a conversation. I didn’t ignore them, but if I had, they wouldn’t have disappeared. I have given the homeless money because they’ve told me tales so outlandish that I felt they had earned the money simply for entertaining me. I’m certain that God has written “gullible mark” all over my face, in the sort of ink that only panhandlers can see.

Once at the Landing, it was apparent that everything was closed until the afternoon. Still, there were people out, enjoying the balmy weather and walking their dogs. I noticed the Downtown Ferry docked, and a few people boarding it. I had never taken the ferry over to the South Bank and so, of course, was filled with a deep desire to do so. It cost us $10 cash for two round trip tickets. We pooled what little cash we had (my husband reluctantly gave me his last dollar) and boarded the ferry. The dock at South Bank is just adjacent to the River City Brewing Company, the MOSH, the Maritime Museum and a spectacular fountain. We got a voucher from the captain for our return trip and headed to the River City Brewing Company for brunch. It was a steep $21 brunch, but the Snow crab legs, carving station and omelet station made it worthwhile. There’s just nothing like putting a freshly made waffle on a plate next to crab legs and shrimp, if only for the novelty of the thing.

As we left Downtown, we threw our remaining change to man playing a sax on sidewalk.

Resolution Solution

My solution to the whole resolution thing is to make resolutions I can keep. For instance, I make a resolution like “I will wake up every day in the next year.” This is a terrific resolution because each day I can wake up with an immense sense of satisfaction, feeling slightly superior to everyone else. Sure, nearly everyone else woke up today (barring coma victims and those who have watched that “depression hurts” ad one too many times) but I am keeping a promise I made to myself.
Also, I don’t just make one super-simple resolution. I make as many as I possibly can, like: I will eat chocolate once a week, I will put music I love in my car CD player, I will make my cat happy and I will get a haircut this year. I write down as many as I can and spend the rest of the year being pretty happy. There’s another one: I will spend the rest of the year being pretty happy. Let me know if I backslide.
5 Suggested Resolutions for Celebs
I’ve noticed that more than one celebrity has interesting habits that could be combated by simple resolutions. With that in mind, here are my five suggested resolutions for the paparazzi hounded celebrity…
1. Wear Underwear. Unless you’re in the shower.
2. Gain weight. America is counting on you.
3. Refrain from racial outbursts, especially when you might be on camera.
4. Don’t get married. It won’t last.
5. Take care of a dog for a year before having kids
Your Resolution! We Want to Know!
The majority of resolutions aren’t made between December 28th- New Year’s Day. Most are made sometime in the month on January or as late as May. What’s your resolution? EU wants to know! Send a postcard with news of your resolution to c/o EU Jacksonville, Resolutions 5121 Bowden Rd, Suite 311, Jacksonville, FL 32216. Just drop us a creative line to announce your resolution or the success and/or tribulations of your resolution.