Shannon's Irish Pub

Despite having some obvious Irish ancestry, I believe this was the first time I've visited an Irish restaurant. Shannon's Irish Pub, in Julington Creek, serves up traditional Irish food alongside some typical American fare and has a full bar.

I was a little disappointed by the small scope of the menu and there were many items I felt ought to have been included. Regardless, there's still a fair bit of typical "pub food" for any Anglos craving the food of their youth.

We shared a bowl of Mulligatawny Soup and Bangers and Mash. The soup was pleasantly seasoned and the meal was hearty. One definite plus is that, while I was incredibly full after the meal, there wasn't enough oil, grease, and syrup to send me into insulin shock and give me that disturbing sensation that all of my fat cells are swelling.

I have to admit that we went here because we were sweaty from walking a trail and our attire was not entirely appropriate for some of the nicer places in the immediate vicinity of the Bartram Oaks Plaza. However, it was a nice experience, the food was great, and I didn't have to eat anything for the next 24 hours.

Shannon's Irish Pub
111 Bartram Oaks Walk
Jacksonville, FL 32259
904-230-9670

The Cork & Keg

The opportunity to sample a variety of different [insert food or beverage item here] never fails to get my attention. The Cork and Keg in Julington Creek makes a regular habit out of offering wine tastings (every Wednesday and Saturday, 6:30 - 8:30) and beer tastings (every third Thursday of the month). I attended a Wednesday wine tasting with some co-workers and found it to be quite enjoyable, informative, and relaxing. The charge for participating is $5 but that can be recouped by applying it to a purchase of any one of the six wines sampled that evening.

Being a cheese lover/enthusiast/snob, I was thrilled to see that a small offering of cheeses (smoked gouda, gorgonzola, and brie) was available to pair up with the wines. Apparently, the cheeses are going to become a more regular feature and may be selected to better complement the wines.

If any of the wines tickle your fancy then, as stated before, you can apply the $5 fee to the purchase of a bottle. The couches and ambiance were comfortable so we each purchased another glass from the daily specials (I had a nice mix of Australian whites) and relaxed with a few more pieces of the cheeses. So, if you're into wine or just looking for things to do around the Julington Creek/Fruit Cove area, visit the Cork And Keg for a glass, bottle, or the tasting experience. Check the website for additional events and classes. I know I'll be going back, particularly for the cheese.

The Cork & Keg
108 Bartram Oaks Walk, Suite 105
Saint Johns, FL 32259
904-287-4310