travel area: Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa

Senin, 13 Juni 2016

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

Super food salad with kale at American Gator Club

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!

The Swamp Cuban with house made pimento cheese

An inside look at the Swamp Cuban

The Swamp Burger at the American Burger Club at Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach

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

If you enjoy my blogging on food, fashion, family, fitness, and fabulous destinations then I'd love it if you would share my posts. With your help I'll cover even more territory as we seek out new adventures every day!

Minggu, 24 Januari 2016

Family Staycation at Sawgrass Marriott

Recently we got away for a little family escape. Since baby London was still so small we decided to stick close to home and do a staycation right in our backyard at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa. Perhaps best known as the home resort of THE PLAYERS Championship course, I wanted to see if there was more to Sawgrass than met they eye. What I learned had me pleasantly surprised.

Little London kicking off her first resort experience in style

One of the stunning features of Sawgrass Marriott is the open atrium that greets you upon arrival.

The warm Southern sun streams in through wall to wall windows over looking the water, pool deck, and a soothing waterfall.

Looking down from our floor you have a birds eye view of the brand new lobby bar also known as the Bourbon Bar featuring hand crafted Southern specialties and tasty nibbles.

A few snuggles before mommy heads off for a relaxing massage.

After a glorious massage at the spa, we convened in the lobby bar for a happy hour cocktail. London joined mom and dad to smile at folks in the lobby.

The opening act for our evening dinner at the resort's signature restaurant, Vernon's was this delicious cheese and charcuterie board featuring locally sourced ingredients and made from scratch peach marmalade.

Each course was as tasty as the next. New to Sawgrass Marriott, Executive Chef Joe Natoli truly outdid himself in cultivating the menu at Vernon's. Most striking to me was the ability to take a restaurant at such a large resort and give it the feeling of a small boutique hotel's restaurant. Intimate, personal, and plenty of details inspired by the local culture.

Snow crab anyone?

From start to finish, simply divine.

Breakfast at Vernon's was no exception. The highlight being the amazing buffet and omelette bar. Headed up by Chef Matt Sanchez, the omelette bar served up anything your imagination could contrive. I especially liked this little goat cheese, spinach, and sausage number topped off with sawgrass salt (made with local sawgrass from a special process Chef Matt created).

Lunch at Alice & Pete's Pub pleased the eye and taste buds as well. I'm not usually into Pub food, but I have to say Alice & Pete's surprised me. This incredible salad topped off with grilled Mayport Shrimp got an A + from me. More please?

During our stay I was also let in on a little secret. I got to preview the mock up of the brand new design coming to the guest rooms. I loved the fresh contemporary feeling of the rooms. A new emphasis has been placed on the local region and though golf is extremely important to the resort, the design doesn't center around it. Millennial travelers will be pleased with the new aesthetic, and modern vibe.

Check out the mirror with a floor to ceiling etching of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Pool time!

Of course with the kiddos in tow we had to check out the pool deck. Two large pools provided ample space to splash and play.

That baby bathing suit though. OMG so cute

The floating hole

Every guest who stays at the resort must try the floating hole! All proceeds go to charity, and the winner goes home with quite the prize! Challenge accepted! I'm no golfer, but still gave it a go... thank goodness it wasn't being recorded.

Sienna and I relaxing after the pool

On our last day we shuttled over to the Beach Club where guests enjoy another pool, a wide expanse of pristine beach, and fun amenities like paddle boards, and kayaks. Also next door was the resort's beach front restaurant 619 Ocean View. We enjoy a delightful dinner there the night before, however regretfully did not get any images. The restaurant is the only public beach front restaurant for over twenty miles around! And this little gem is open to anyone in the public. Talk about a best kept secret!

A foodies' paradise, a golfer's delight, and a water lovers' dream. There is so much to do and see at the Sawgrass Marriott. I'm so glad we had a chance to get to know one of our local diamonds. Whether you are visiting from near or far, you'll fall for the romance of this contemporary Southern destination.

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com