MOOD STABILIZERS Jazz+Food=Perfection Words by Shelton Hull
“Fine dining” is about more than just the food itself, although that is the most
Of course, there are plenty of entrees and desserts, as well. Highlights in-
important thing. Fine dining is a state of mind, a mix of atmosphere and atti-
clude the foie gras en croissant, chorizo meatballs and the jambon et gruyere
tude that begins before you’ve even left the house. From the time you select
flatbread. The owners also run Ancient City Brunch Bar, which is set to ex-
your outfit, you’re immersing yourself into the whole experience, physically
pand once it moves down to the same block. Live music is a major part of their
and mentally. Once you walk through the doors, the adventure has begun,
vision, particularly jazz. Recent weeks have seen sets by Yael ZaZa Flamenca,
and the pace is set immediately by the ambient sounds within.
Russ DeFilippis, the Marc Dickman Quartet, Jim Johnston, Jonathan Dotson, the Bottom Feeders, Taylor Roberts and the Kelly/Scott Jazz 5Tet.
An easy cheat-code for setting the mood is to use music, particularly jazz, which rose up from the cathouses and riverboats of New Orleans to dominate
Also in St. Augustine is Chez L’Amour, located on San Marco Avenue. They’re
in high-end night spots around the world, including Florida. A trio of newer
open Wednesday through Saturday, 4-11 p.m., with happy hour and brunch
restaurants have gone all-in on this aesthetic, using the power of jazz to set
service also on deck. The menu reads so well, it might as well be edible
the mood for new culinary experiences.
itself, but highlights include salmon carpaccio, coconut curry popcorn chicken, prosecco butter prawns, peri peri chicken skewers, plus a whole slate of
The first is Josephine, a fairly new restaurant in Avondale and a very good
desserts that definitely defy description. Chez L’Amout also leans heavily on
one, at that. It occupies the space formerly known as Barrique, which was also
local music, and they’re picking some pretty great stuff. For example, Joshua
a very good restaurant, before the original owners decamped for new adven-
Bowlus, whose new Christmas jazz album is out now on Bold City Records,
tures and the new owners rebuilt it, literally from the ground up. Highlights
will be playing there on Dec. 2, and Ramona + The Riot will be holding it down
include the polenta crisps, a whole slate of antipasti, pinwheel lasagna with
for New Year’s Eve. They have live music four nights a week, with recent acts
roast fennel sausage ragu, porchetta, seared scallops, ribeye steak pizzai-
including Doug Carn, Alberto Cebollero, Yael Dray, Cortnie Frazier, SouLo
ola, baked branzino and cauliflower gratinato. Their main jazz offerings are
Lyons, Leelyn and Danielle Osborn, Ulysses Owens Trio and The Raisin Cake
provided by the trio of tenor saxophonist Al Maniscalco, who also leads the
Orchestra.
jam sessions at Grape and Grain on the first Friday of every month. The Jazz Bishops have been featured, as well.
Are these restaurants expensive? Maybe — it depends on who you are. But Florida loves to flex — that’s why we go to London for football games, even
There are a couple of other restaurants moving in similar directions, and
when the Jaguars aren’t very good. What better way to show your peers who’s
they’re both in St. Augustine. Bourbon & Boards opened just recently on King
really the coolest than with a couple choice selfies at some place they’ve nev-
Street in the city’s historic district. They specialize in small plates, light bites
er even heard of? And if you love good music, all the better!
like tapas and charcuterie, in addition to a full bar stocked with craft beer, vintage wine and locally distilled spirits, of which there always seems to be new stuff.
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