6 More New Restaurants in Jax You Must Try

Lately it seems a new restaurant is popping up almost every week here in the River City. It's one of the perks of my job to keep up with these new additions. Currently new restaurants are opening at such a rapid rate, I can barely give them all a taste before reporting on them. I consider that a great problem to have. Here are my latest finds to add to your must try list. 

1. The Bearded Pig BBQ
San Marco

The Bearded Pig has opened in Jacksonville's historic San Marco neighborhood to much fanfare. Recently named one of Jacksonville's most family friendly restaurants, this BBQ joint features a fresh modern interior and open backyard for families to relax in. Food is served a la carte in the Texan way. Order your meat by the pound and stock up on fresh sides, Southern desserts, and local brews. 

Photo provided by Coast

2. Coast
Amelia Island

Coast is the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island's most recent update to it's award winning list of restaurants. Serving up Modern American Coastal cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Coast gives the resort guests a casual atmosphere to dine on fresh local seafood, and Southern staples. Mayport Shrimp, Chicken and Waffles, and Cherry Plank Salmon stand out on a menu full of locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy the newly updated dining area, or sit outside on the Terrace and take in the beauty of Amelia Island's pristine coastline. 

Picture sourced from This Chick's Kitchen 

3. This Chick's Kitchen
Jacksonville Beach

Chef Rosaria Anderson brings her fresh concept to Jacksonville Beach in the form of This Chick's Kitchen. Modeled after the European concept of in home pop up restaurants, This Chick's Kitchen boast's an intimate setting to enjoy elevated cuisine fresh from the farm. Touted as one of Jacksonville's "Best Kept Secrets", you'll enjoy the daily made from scratch menu as Chef Anderson serves up highly technical dishes created with a whole lot of heart. 

Photo by Amy West

4. American Gator Club 
Ponte Vedra Beach
Check out my full review here

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa introduces their newest addition in the form of patio restaurant American Gator Club. Handhelds and small plates dominate the menu along with colorful cocktails that refresh the palate on a hot day. Fresh Southern inspired dishes tease the tastebuds with a selection that emphasize local ingredients. Gator Tail Tacos, reinvented Cuban Sandwiches, and hearty salads provide ample selection for all types of foodies. 

Picture by Amy West 

5. Brixx Pizza 
Brooklyn - Unity Plaza

Wood fired pizza, fresh salads, signature cocktails, and tasty small plates make Brixx Pizza a must taste destination. This family friendly restaurant is the newest restaurant to call Jacksonville's trendy Brooklyn neighborhood home. Taking up residence in Unity Plaza, Brixx Pizza is a casual destination with a creative menu. 

Picture provided by Wicked Barley

6. Wicked Barley
Baymeadows

Wicked Barley recently opened their stunning brewery in Baymeadows right on the water. Boasting a large selection of their own ales, Wicked joins a growing craft brewery scene on the River City. The menu is small yet full of variety with Garlic and Ginger Fries, Onion Rings that will have you day dreaming about them for weeks to come, and a delightful selection of Brats. Pulled pork, pizza, and burgers can also be found on the menu creating a great selection you'll want to pair a stout glass of craft brew with.  

Picture provided by Wicked Barley

Any new favorites I'm missing? I always welcome your comments and new finds! Give me a shout and your favorite may be featured next. 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West


www.amywesttravel.com 

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American Gator Club | Where I'm Eating

If you are looking for a great place to dine al fresco that will surprise and inspire, head over to the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa and find a seat at the American Gator Club. Situated in the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach, this new outdoor restaurant is Sawgrass Marriott's most recent addition to it's multi million dollar reinvention. The new pool deck invites resort guests and locals alike to enjoy the waterfront view of TPC's stadium course and dine in style under Executive Chef Joe Natoli's tasteful care. If you've had the pleasure of dining at Vernon's, Alice and Pete's Pub, or 619 Ocean View recently you will know that the menu's have all been updated across the board for a more regional cuisine directed towards a modern palate. American Gator Club is no exception, providing a more casual setting to satiate your appetite in addition to affordable price points for tasty treats worthy of fine dining sensibilities. Here's a glimpse into what's in store when you visit. 

On the Menu:
Specialty Cocktails
Gator Punch and White Sangria

Perfectly refreshing after a hot day by the pool, or perhaps conquering the legendary holes on the Stadium course, AGC's specialty cocktail menu will have you swooning. Fresh batches of Gator Punch and White Peach Sangria are crafted daily for thirsty revelers, while fruit, rum, and plenty of bubbly concoctions round out the mixed menu. 

On the Menu:
Chili Glazed Gator Nugget Tacos

It wouldn't be right if the American Gator Club didn't offer gator right? In honor of it's name, and in answer to the regions passion for handhelds, the AGC's menu includes these tasty gator nugget tacos.    Crispy, and perfectly balanced with a combination of sweet and spicy, these gator tacos pack a major crunch and go down fast. Order as your meal, or as an appetizer, in which case you might need to make it two orders because you won't want to share! These are truly crave worthy. 

Dine with a view of TPC's famous Stadium Course

On the Menu:
Chili Lime Shishito Peppers
Buffalo Style St Johns Cauliflower
Brisket Nachos

Far exceeding the average hotel pool deck tiki bar, the American Gator Club features hand crafted drinks, generously portioned sandwiches and handhelds, quality salads, and creative small bites. Cohesive with the reformation of all the restaurants on site, AGC ingredients are driven by locally procured produce and menu selections are inspired by regional fare. You'll find pimento cheese, brisket, and plenty of smokey Southern trademarks utilized in the creation of each dish.

On the Menu:
House Guacamole

On the Menu:
Superfood Salad

I think we can all agree that generally, pool deck restaurants don't exactly excel in the area of salads. Not so at AGC. This super food salad is just one of the exceptional choices on the menu which features plenty of healthy options to balance out the more decadent selections available. 

On the Menu:
The "Swamp Cuban"

Speaking of decadent options, this Swamp Cuban tops the list. Executive Chef Joe Natoli spent 15 years in Miami, becoming well acquainted with the regions staple "Cuban" sandwich. In a clever nod to his past, the Chef reconstructs the classic in this swamp version piled with smokey pulled pork, ham, and house made pimento cheese. A must try! 

An inside look at the Swamp Cuban 

On the Menu:
Swamp Burger
made with Angus Beef 

Breezy outdoor seating, a creative menu, and sense of place all it's own, the American Gator Club is one of my new favorite dining destinations in the North Florida region. Taste and see for yourself how inventive the Chef and his crew are getting when you visit Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa for your next meal. 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo - Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

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Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

Keeping it Fresh | Eleven South Bistro and Bar

Tuscan Chicken Sandwich 

If you are a regular to this blog you will be familiar with the fact that I am smitten with the ambiance and fare at Eleven South Bistro & Bar. Since it's inception it has yet to take a turn around the sun without being awarded the coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (that's 10 consecutive now). Serving up farm to table ingredients since before it was a buzz phrase, Eleven South never ceases to innovate and lead the pack when it comes to timeless dishes that meet the modern palate. For all those reasons and more, it's always a delight to see what's new at one of my favorite Jax Beach haunts. Feast your eyes on what's fresh at Eleven South.

As always the wine list cannot be beat 

While tasting a few of the newer menu items, I also had the pleasure of tasting new wines that may be coming to the wine list soon. While any server can list out the best wine pairings for each dish, you may be surprised to know that each dish is actually created with specific wine as it's inspired partner. You are of course free to go rogue and mix it up how your taste sees fit however, just know that you can't go wrong with what's recommended.

Spinach and Quinoa Salad

I'm working on a new series rounding up all my favorite salads. I find that too many times, salads miss the opportunity to shine on center stage. That's a shame though, because I love a memorable salad. This new Spinach and Quinoa Salad certainly has star power though and bursts with well balanced flavor. Pay close attention to the Banyuls Vinaigrette, it's a scene stealer that demands to be tasted (DO NOT SUB OUT THE DRESSING ON THIS ONE).  

Grilled Spanish Octopus 

In my foodie travels I've learned that Octopus is one of the worlds most loved proteins. Recently gaining more popularity in America, you may have experienced that it can be really really good... or it can fall terribly flat. This is because it's kind of a tricky protein to get right. It's very easy to overcook and no one wants dry or rubbery Octopus. Eleven South once again nails it's objective serving up a colorful concoction full of mouth watering juiciness. It's a vision both in appearance as well as culinary execution. Order it asap!

Lamb Tacos

Jacksonville is a culinary quilt combining the best of many food genres. One thing it takes pretty seriously is it's tacos. I was impressed with Eleven South's new take on the handheld with this Lamb Taco. Mediterranean inspired like much of it's menu, these tacos will take you places as it stimulates your senses, especially those taste buds!

Ahi Tuna 3 Ways 

What's better than Ahi one way? Ahi three ways of course. Look for this Tuna combination to light up your life with three distinct flavors that can be summed up with one word... Devine. 

Chocolate Cake and Truffle

This Chocolate cake will melt your heart, and make you fall in love all over again. If you aren't careful you might just have to order another to go. What's better than dessert for breakfast? It's a sinful delight, but you only live once. Why not indulge a little? 

As always it's my pleasure to discover what's new on the foodie front in Jacksonville. Tell me your favorite places to experience Jacksonville's culinary art in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com 

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@amywesttravel.com .
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

Publix Apron's Cooking School Date Night Out

Looking for a creative date night out? Love to cook and ready to advance your skills? Have a "Master Chef Junior" in the making and looking for a place to unleash their talent? At Publix Apron's Cooking School you'll find exactly what you're looking for and make some great memories while you're at it. Recently, my handsome other half and I headed over to the school for a class with celebrity Chef Harold Dieterle, winner of the first season of Bravo's Top Chef. As foodies we are always looking to learn more secrets from the masters and gain inspiration for our home cooked dishes, not to mention taste new exciting creations. Read on to discover what we experienced. 

If you live in the South you're probably familiar with Publix grocery store. As they continue to spread their brand throughout the US they consistently impress. Their motto? "Where Shopping is a Pleasure", and let me tell you, they live up to the mission. I am a loyal fan of Publix where customers come first and quality is of the highest priority. I first learned of "Aprons" as the in-store kiosk a few years back. These little kiosks are full of easy family recipes and usually a staff member cooking up samples of said tasty recipes. I'm pretty much a sucker for any sample, so when I'm shopping, I hop my happy little self over to see what's cooking. I'm never disappointed. When I discovered Apron's had a cooking school, I was intrigued. Though I'm a well known foodie, sadly my kitchen skills are nothing to brag about. The idea that there is a place I can go to improve is a pretty exciting one. So when my husband and I were invited to experience a night with the cooking school, we couldn't wait to go! 

Watch 

The classroom at the school is designed as part kitchen, part stage. For our class we were escorted to dinner tables where we could enjoy our eats, but also get an up close view of the cooking. Watching Chef Harold was a special treat especially as he and Chef Tony (chief Resident Chef for Jacksonville's Apron's Cooking School) bantered back and forth. Witty isms and fun jokes abounded lending a personal feel to the night and making you feel like you were amongst friends. Not only did we have an up close view of the action, we also enjoyed large screens above the demo kitchen where you could see exactly what was happening on the stove top as your delicious meal came together. In the wings the talented Apron's team of chefs worked hard to create each dish for the entire classroom so that as Chef Harold completed the course, students were presented with the dish to taste and enjoy.  

Learn

Chef Harold skillfully wove his way through each recipe breaking it down in terms even the most novice cooks could understand. When the crowd hesitated to ask questions, Chef Tony was always there to fill in the unsaid questions we might be pondering. Questions like "What exactly is Burrata", and "What kind of knife do you like to use". Diners/ students were provided with packets of full recipes upon finding our seats. This made it easy to follow the ingredient list and know how to recreate the dishes when we went home. I found the recipes to be sophisticated but not too intimidating to make at home. 

Taste

What We Ate:
Heirloom Tomatoes with Basil, Balsamic & Whipped Burrata Yogurt

As each course was brought out for tasting we were also excited to enjoy wine pairings. These pairings were explained by a pairing expert who again, made the complexities of wine drinking and tasting sound simple and easy to understand. We were also presented with the pairing list and a generous class discount should we decide to take some home. As a final special treat, one of the audience members were brought up to help prepare dessert which I thought was a nice touch and really made the dish accessible for those of us who don't see ourselves as chefs. 

What We Ate:
Lobster Roll with Yogurt Green Goddess Dressing

What We Ate:
Spicy Jerk Wings & Cucumber- Yogurt Sauce 

What We Ate:
Frozen Yogurt with Roasted Peaches & Bourbon

What We Ate:Frozen Yogurt with Roasted Peaches & Bourbon

Stock Up

An added benefit to having a cooking school in a grocery store is the ability to achieve immediate gratification. Upon departure, you could stock up on each of the items used and tasted during the class. In addition to food items, this location also sold all the equipment used such as food processors and knives as well as cook books from some of the celebrity chefs who have made appearances. 

We had such an amazing time learning from Chef Harold's talented skills and getting to experience the hospitality of the entire Apron's staff. It was a really special date night experience since it was so interactive, entertaining, and educational. We can't wait to go back! I would recommend the classes for anyone looking to improve their culinary skills, but also for those looking for a unique night out with their date, or for some fun with the girls. Currently Publix has cooking schools in several locations in Florida as well as one in Georgia. Head over to their website for more information on locations. They also feature chefs from local restaurants, and ongoing skill improvement classes you take over several weeks. They even have something for the kiddos! Watch, Learn, and Taste from the best. Where shopping is a pleasure.

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com 

Me, the Chef, and my six month preggo belly 

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Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.