Bistro Aix

With its kitschy name and impeccable reputation, Bistro Aix is perhaps Jacksonville's most well known restaurant. So with a couple years of wanting to test that reputation we decided to use a particularly special occasion as an opportunity to pass first hand judgment on this posh little dining establishment.

The restaurant itself has one of the most strangely comfortable atmospheres you're bound to encounter. There's an odd mixture of classy and shabby chic decor. Exposed brick walls, warm lights, cold air, uniformed staff, and (barring a few bad apples) well dressed patrons. At first it seems a little intimidating but soon you find yourself oddly at ease.

But perhaps that was just the Strawberry Mojito. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the mixed drink. While I can appreciate a well crafted beer or wine, the alcohol plays a secondary role to my intentions. A mixed drink often seems like an excuse to mask an inordinate amount of alcohol and facilitate drunkenness. But Bistro Aix's master cocktail craftsmen, like those at some of their respectable peer restaurants around town, blend a wonderfully tasty and tasteful drink, playing upon the flavor of the spirit rather than trying to mask it.

Leaning towards the leaner side of human proportions, we typically shy away from appetizers but couldn't resist the allure of the crispy duck spring rolls. Thin shell, tasty innards, nicely complementary pineapple ketchup; a mouth watering appetizer indeed. So appetizing that we gorged ourselves a bit too much on the lovely bread and butter.

For our main courses we ordered the Grilled Tuna and the Mushroom and Fontina pizza. The tuna, served over whipped potatoes with baby spinach, was amazing. Quite a rich dish but not overwhelmingly so. The pizza was good and a bit atypical.

The bill comes in a cheeky little envelope labeled "the damage". Damage indeed but you do get what you pay for and in a charming atmosphere to boot. So the reputation is well merited.

In addition to the restaurant, there's also the ONYX Bar which has some great deals for happy hour, or L'Heure du Cocktail as they call it, Monday through Friday from 4pm to 7pm.


Bistro Aix
1440 San Marco Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904-398-1949

TAG - Take Away Gourmet

The buffet, the lowest form of restaurant. A trough, merited only by endless food, an icon of rampant gluttony. A sybaritic symbol of the endless greed of modern man and his obese physique.

Or maybe not.

The Take Away Gourmet is the creation of Matthew Madure, the single most famous name in Jacksonville's local culinary scene. Eat outside and you can even see his flagship restaurant, Matthew's, just across the road. The mission statement on the website reads:


"Chef Matthew and David Medure worked together to create an eatery dedicated to using the freshest seasonal ingredients. They were inspired to create simplistic home cooked meals for
people on the go. The meals that they developed offer an array of options, from healthy unique
salads to savory and delicious dishes. And that’s only the first course"


Feeding the well to do families of the area with pre-fabricated meals. When the valium is too strong or if the pool boy stays too long, the Take Away Gourmet has got you covered for dinner.

Pay by the pound for eat-in or take-away or take advantage of the $13 all-you-can-eat. And regardless of the size of your appetite, you will take advantage of that deal, gorging yourself on each delicious little morsel of food. Seriously, amazing food; this is by no means an ordinary buffet.

There are great little salads (the quinoa salad I had was particularly memorable), delicious cuts of meat, and expertly constructed dishes. But the quote of the day was "that's the best fried chicken I've ever tasted".

The Take Away Gourmet puts other buffets to shame, but really, it's not even fair to compare. Amazing food, great concept, and a really good deal if you ask me. Great take-home meals at a reasonable cost. They also do catering so I'd definitely put them on the list of places to consider when planning your holiday party this year.

And if you like the food, then check out Matthew's across the street. And take me with you, I'm dying to try and I'm hoping you'll buy.


TAG - Take Away Gourmet
2103 San Marco Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904.398.6676

Hightide Burrito Company

San Marco spawned a fast-food restaurant, who would have thought? But true to the area, they modeled themselves after one of the most chic and delicious fast food joints to hit the scene: Chipotle. The Hightide Burrito Company, created by Alejandro Juarez, a UNF graduate, prides itself on using only fresh, quality ingredients, some familiar, some not so well known here in the US. Being avid fans of well-crafted burritos and needing some filling food after an evening visit to the San Marco Theatre, we eagerly pulled into Hightide to assess the situation.

Walking through the door, Chipotle clone is the resounding conclusion. But not so fast there, buckaroo, these guys have definitely got a leg up on the competition. Much like their big-chain counterpart, you order your burrito by selecting the main filling (typically a meat) and then telling the construction crew what other ingredients you'd like as you get to them. But while the process is identical and many of the ingredients are standard, there are a few surprises thrown in.

First off, as a vegetarian option they offer Nopales: Seasoned cactus leaves sliced then sautéed with mushrooms, onions, corn and Poblano peppers. There's also fish, which still isn't standard among the big competitors. One thing that got me super excited was the option of whole wheat tortillas. All of the tortillas are made fresh at the restaurant, as many other restaurants do these days, but nobody else (as far as I know) offers whole wheat tortillas. Purists may scoff but these things are delicious and I'd never choose a bleached flour or corn tortilla ever again given the choice. In addition to the standard burrito / taco / salad options, you can also get a Torta: A freshly baked roll (telera bread) lightly buttered and grilled, then stuffed with your choice of protein, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole and mayo. Sounds delicious.

The ingredients are indeed fresh and very tasty. Overall I'd have to say that I enjoyed this burrito more than all that I've experienced from their big competitors and the build-your-own method gives them some edge over the other small, quality places around town. The tacos looked pretty good but I'm not going to make any comparisons since we all know where the best place for tacos is. Oh, and the chips are good too. I typically neglect to eat the corn chips at any restaurant except in times of great hunger but I couldn't stop myself from cramming these little, freshly-fried wedges of decadence in my mouth, despite my own best intentions.

In addition to making delicious food with fresh ingredients, Hightide also strives to be environmentally conscious and community minded. The best place to see evidence of these ideals is the bathroom. Seriously. Dual flush toilets (I really want one of these), responsive automatic sinks, and an amazing hand dryer made by Dyson.

But despite the amazing bathroom facilities, my reason for going back would still be that tasty burrito. Now, if only they were closer, I might have no reason to ever go back to Chipotle.

Hightide Burrito Company
1538 Hendricks Avenue,
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
904-683-7396

Monday-Saturday 11-10PM
Sunday 11:30-6PM

Treaty Oak

Approaching from the road, you'll see what looks like a couple trees surrounded by a series of bushes. It's only once you breach the umbrella of this great beast that you realize that one solitary plant is responsible for the sprawling expanse of vegetation.

Quercus virginiana, the Southern Live Oak, a hardy, evergreen tree found throughout much of the Southern United States... where left unmolested by man that is. Jacksonville's Treaty Oak, nestled in a park on Prudential Drive, almost shared the fate of so many of its brethren.

In the early 1900s, the tree was a main attraction of the Dixieland Amusement Park. It received the name Treaty Oak when a reporter fabricated a story about the signing of a treaty between natives and settlers on the site to save the tree from developers. But what has really saved it from the axe is the continued influence of the Garden Club of Jacksonville. The land within which the oak is rooted and the immediate surrounds was bought by Jessie Ball duPont, a member of the Garden Club, and donated to the City of Jacksonville in 1964 for the explicit purpose of preserving this majestic tree.

According to Wikipedia:

"The trunk is over 25 feet in circumference, it rises to height of 66 feet, and its crown spreads over 145 feet, with twisting branches that bow to the ground and curl back up. The oak shades a roughly circular area, about 190 feet in diameter. Though less than 200 years old, it may nonetheless be the single oldest living thing in Jacksonville, possibly predating the founding of the city by Isaiah Hart during the 1820s."

This tree truly is a majestic specimen and sure to delight any lovers of nature. It's also a nice place to take refuge on a hot, sunny day. Or you could be lame like us and take some poser pictures. Whatever you do, be sure to show some respect... this tree is far more amazing than you are.


Jessie Ball duPont Park
(Treaty Oak Park)
1123 Prudential Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Wine Cellar

Being one of this year's Eat Up Downtown participants that a) we have wanted to experience for quite a while, and b) would have cost more for a one-course meal under normal circumstances than the $25 prix fixe for 3 courses, the Wine Cellar was an easy answer to the "which one of these places should we try?" question.

Warning, this establishment is swank. This means you should wash yourself thoroughly and dress in your best funeral attire or you may be promptly escorted from the premises. We also studied the limited special menu beforehand to limit the amount of confusion we exhibited at the scene (an effort which was nullified upon being handed the wine list).

The decor is elegant, the lights are low, the prices are lofty, and the staff are composed (except the incident involving a waiter complaining loudly to a coworker about being stiffed by some patrons which resulted in gratuity being automatically added to our bill as a preventative measure). Despite prior intentions, we decided not to get any wine because neither of us were feeling particularly suited to imbibe any intoxicants at the time but they certainly have an incredible selection.

Our appetizers were both delicious and, as can be expected in such an elegant establishment, well presented. My "Poached Shrimp With Goat Cheese and Arugula-Pumpkin Seed Pesto" looked more like a piece of abstract art than an appetizer but, despite the small portion, it was very satisfying. The mushroom soup was also quite lovely.

For the main course I had the "Baked Mountain Trout Stuffed With Spinach & Artichokes, Served Over Wild Rice, Finished With Pearl Onion Sauce" and my wife enjoyed the "Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs with Mushroom Ragout Served Over Potatoes, Finished with Cabernet and Rosemary Jus". Based on our meals, I would hazard to hypothesize that there is a direct correlation between the verbosity of a dish's name and how delicious it is. Regardless of the veracity of my postulate, my food was incredible. Whereas many cuisines I enjoy employ rather strong and striking spices or ingredients in their dishes, the French style exhibited here takes a more subtle approach to taste. Bold but not overpowering flavors accented by subtle notes and with everything cooked to perfection.

Dessert is something I typically skip as most confections are far too sugary for my tastes. My "Chocolate Truffle Torte With Chambord Raspberry Sauce" was incredible for the first few bites but, as I was a bit overstuffed from the rest of the meal, the richness stopped me from finishing. The "Strawberry-Red Wine Sorbet and Vanilla Ice Cream Lightly Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar, Topped with Whipped Cream and Crushed Meringue" was as delightful as its name is long but, again, a bit too much for us to finish.

Food lovers, couples participating in courtship rituals, and individuals with plenty of disposable income, this is the place for you. The lovely atmosphere and sublime food made for a wonderful evening out in the midst of the tropical storm.

Wine Cellar
1314 Prudential Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904-398-8989

The San Marco Theatre

Art house cinemas and charming old theaters are being pushed to the brink of extinction by gargantuan, sprawling cineplexes and the widespread availability of lesser known films on the internet through both legitimate and illicit channels. The San Marco Theatre is one of North Florida's few remaining bastions of independent cinema with a wide variety of offerings including cult classics, kitsch, retro hits, new independent film, and even current blockbusters (we recently saw the latest Batman film there). They're also not afraid to court scandal by showing highly controversial films like 2006's Shortbus, which included un-simulated sex acts.

In addition to the unique array of films, the San Marco Theatre has a few other unique features. First off, there's only one screen so you won't have a tough time choosing what you want to see. Secondly, there is more leg and arm room than a typical theater, due largely in part to the tables in between every other seat (which are set up in a staggered pattern so smaller people actually have a chance of seeing the screen if they sit behind a table).

Going beyond simply providing the standard fare of popcorn, candy, nachos, and soda (which you are still welcome to buy) the San Marco Theatre also offers pizza, quesadillas, hotdogs, sandwiches, and best of all, wine and beer. The bar in back serves up all of these goodies before and during the film. It's a sure fire way to liven up any movie.

Tinseltown might just be down the street but I'm more than willing to go the extra distance for intriguing movies in a more interesting environment.

San Marco Theatre
1996 San Marco Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904-396-4845

The Metro Diner

Although Florida hosts great migratory flocks of geriatrics from the Northern territories, they seldom bring their eateries along with them and thus, while the Northeastern USA is saturated with diners and all-night cafes, these low lands have but a handful scattered throughout. And no, I'm not counting the likes of Waffle House, Huddle House, Denny's, and IHOP because apart from the Waffle House, reigning Southern king of filth and convenient biofuel, these places lack character. After all, you wouldn't consider McDonald's when discussing the best place to get a burger in your locality.

The Metro Diner in San Marco gets my Northeastern counterpart's seal of approval when it comes to diners and, being a Jersey girl, she has a lot of standards with which to measure it. Being situated just outside of San Marco Square gains it a few points and adds a slight air of poshness that wouldn't be present if it were located anywhere else within Jacksonville's immense borders. Be fully prepared to wait ten or fifteen minutes before being seated as there is usually a small crowd waiting outside but there is plenty of complimentary coffee to help you jitter through the wait.

Inside they've managed to capture the antique dinginess of Northern diners which, whether intentional or not, adds a bit of authenticity and ensures that your stay will be comfortable but that you won't mull around too long and hold up the crowd outside. The food is also rather tasty. The breakfast burrito and eggs benedict I've sampled on my two visits there were very good, filling, but not overly greasy. The chipped beef is apparently up to the Northern standards as the wife refuses to eat anything else there, being endlessly thrilled with having found somewhere below the Mason-Dixon line that serves chipped beef.

The only downside to the Metro Diner are the hours. Open everyday between 7am and 2:30pm, you won't be stumbling in here after waking up at 4pm or coming back from the bar at 4am but if you're looking for great breakfast food at hours befitting a respectable human being then you'll be just fine.

Metro Diner
3302 Hendricks Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
904-398-3701

Tastings

The greater Jacksonville area has far more wine tasting venues than I was aware of when I decided to embark on my mission to discover more about my municipal habitat. Despite having visited some lovely places thus far (listed here), Tastings in San Marco has to be the most unique and bountiful among them.

What separates Tastings from other wine stores/bars is the way the wines are offered up for sampling. Strange looking wine cabinets with lights and digital displays adorn the store and it is from these that you are able to choose and sample wines. First you purchase a card with however much money you want to spend on it and then you insert this card into a slot in one of the cabinets. There are three choices per wine: a small sample, half a glass, or a full glass (the latter of which you are advised against by the friendly staff since purchasing a bottle would be far more cost effective).

The cost is a little steep compared to the other places we've been but with over 100 wines to choose from and the unique method of sampling them, the cost is worth the experience.

Tastings also offers up a nice selection of gourmet foods and cheese platters. We didn't try any this time because we had already eaten but we'll be sure to arrive hungry next time. Also, every Friday from 5:30-7pm an investment advisor from Merrill Lynch provides some free wine, cheese, and (more importantly) information on current market research. Unfortunately it was basically over by the time we got around to talking with the two gentlemen but we will make it a point to attend again some time in the near future.

Be prepared to spend a little money but you will no doubt be satisfied with the quality you receive.

Tastings
1515 Prudential Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-346-0605