03/22/17 BITE by BITE by Neighborhood

2 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

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THIS WEEK // 3.22-3.28.17 // VOL. 29 ISSUE 51 COVER STORY

BITE BY BITE

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

BY NEIGHBORHOOD 2017

Savor the flavor of Northeast Florida’s most complete and comprehensive guide to dining out CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: DANIEL A. BROWN, MARLENE DRYDEN, LAUREN ERICKSEN, BRENTLEY STEAD and CLAIRE GOFORTH ABOUT THE COVER:

Fruit and Veggie Heroine, oil on canvas, 60”x48,” 1993.

This week’s cover is by Riverside-based artist Jeff Whipple. An award-winning multimedia artist and arts polymath, Whipple is (among other things) a painter, installation artist, playwright, video artist, arts writer and educator, currently teaching at the University of North Florida.

FEATURED F EATURED ARTICLES

SLINGS AND ARROWS

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BY A.G. GANCARSKI Life, death and resurrection in the BOLD NEW CITY of the South

INDIAN BAYMEADOWS [10]

BY TIMOTHY GILMORE Less vanilla, more CORIANDER and SAFFRON

VICIOUS CYCLE

[63]

BY ANDREA GIGGETTS “By managing to escape the wrath of arrest and judicial punishment 99.9 percent of the time, this conniving liar and Teflon thief felt immortal and always untouchable.”

COLUMNS + CALENDARS OUR PICKS

6 FILM

50 REAL ASTROLOGY

60

MAIL/B&B

8 ARTS

51 NEWS OF THE WEIRD

61

FIGHTIN’ WORDS

9 LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

55 I SAW U

61

E PLURIBUS JAX

10 PETS

58 CLASSIFIEDS

62

MUSIC

49 CROSSWORD

60 BACKPAGE

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DISTRIBUTION

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FROM THE EDITOR Florida state senate marches one step closer to LEGALIZING MURDER

ON MARCH 15, THE FLORIDA SENATE ONCE again proved its fealty to the National Rifle Association.

Scratch that: On March 15, Republicans in the Florida Senate—with the lone exception of Miami’s Anitere Flores—once again proved their fealty to the NRA. This should not come as a surprise.

This time, their NRA overlord dictated that senators, including Northeast Florida’s very own Aaron Bean, Rob Bradley and Travis Hutson, vote to switch the burden of proof to the state when a defendant claims that they had the right to pop a cap in someone’s ass under Stand Your Ground. Well, pop a cap, stick a steak knife in their eye, whack them over the head with a frozen bass, whatevs. ’Cause clearly just what Florida needs is a whole bunch more George Zimmermans running around with a license to kill at will.

As if the state isn’t enough like the Wild West.

Haven’t we all heard killers, ahem, citizens complaining about that pesky burden of proof that requires them to actually establish in court that they were privileged to beat someone to death with a cue stick? If it were my daughter’s brains splattered all over the concrete in front of her house, I’d feel so confident in the overworked, underpaid state attorney to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that her alcoholic sex-offender neighbor wasn’t legitimately fearful when he unloaded a clip in her face, wouldn’t you?

This is the kind of law that Michael Dunn would have loved to hide behind. If this law had been passed before his trial, he might be drinking rum and cokes in a seedy package store right this very minute. If this burden shift had been law before his trial, prosecutors would have had to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that 17-year-old Jordan Davis and his teenaged friends who’d just finished shopping at St. Johns Town Center weren’t a pack of hoodlums wielding tire irons or a shotgun, as the intoxicated, white, middle-aged man claimed they were after he unloaded a full clip into their SUV, reloaded and fired a few more times as they screamed and tried to escape.

Nothing like putting a dead kid on trial to bring closure to his grieving parents.

If you’re not mad enough to spit nails right now, imagine Jordan Davis was white. ’Cause I’m assuming only a racist person could think that Michael Dunn was anything but a racist, cold-blooded killer when he fired 10 rounds into a carful of black teenagers on Thanksgiving weekend because he didn’t like their “thug music.” (In the world according to

Detail, “Love > Hate” by Chip Southworth; 2014

THE KILLING FIELDS

Dunn, “thug music” likely refers to any music that is performed by black people.)

Don’t worry, would-be killers, this law wouldn’t just help you stay out of prison, it would help you save money, too. Just think, O.J. wouldn’t have had to spend all that cash on Johnnie Cochran’s dream team if they’d had a law like this in California in 1994. Dead ex-wives and their friends tell no tales, after all; the Juice could’ve just hopped out of that white Ford Bronco, picked a 25-year-old public defender to defend him and he still probably would’ve walked. Plus he would have had the pleasure of listening to his fresh-fromlaw-school attorney eviscerate his ex and her possible boyfriend in front of the whole world.

Stand Your Ground is controversial enough because it essentially removes the duty to retreat from an individual who reasonably feels threatened, allowing them to use force to defend themselves. An extension of the Castle Doctrine, which allows people to use force on people who are unlawfully present in their homes or other lawfully occupied abodes, Stand Your Ground grants a similar protection to people any where and any time. If this passes, killers won’t even have to prove they were afraid, they can just doodle on legal pads while the state fails to meet the highest burden of proof that exists in law—somewhere in the certainty range of 98-99 percent.

Let the killing begin, folks.

Chilling in the local park? If someone approaches you in a threatening manner, blow their ass away. So what if they just wanted to ask why you didn’t pick up your dog’s steamer?

Getting your read on when an annoying librarian menacingly asks you to leave ’cause the library’s closing? Smash their face in with that sticky copy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover and move the hell on, hoss.

When lawmakers vote for something so utterly callous, obscenely stupid and downright unjust, it’s really hard to pretend that they’re not just shills for whoever signs the checks come campaign time. Do you honestly believe that Florida senators are convinced that there is some burning injustice that will be rectified by allowing killers to hide behind a beefed-up Stand Your Ground law that lets people commit murder, assert an affirmative defense, and sit back and wait for the state to prove that it wasn’t justified beyond all reasonable doubt? If so, gimme a call; I can get you a great price on the Dames Point.

Claire Goforth claire@folioweekly.com MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 5

SAILIN’ ON ST. AUGUSTINE RACE WEEK Ahoy, sea lovers and landlubbers! The four-day seafaring bacchanal St. Augustine Race Week features multiple inshore and offshore sailboat racing with cruisers, racers, yachts, big and small boats, parties, live music and food. Thursday, March 23-Sunday, March 26, St. Augustine bayfront & marina; proceeds benefit youth sailing scholarships; for all details, go to staugustineraceweek.com.

THU

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OUR PICKS FRI

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BOWIN’ UP! RACHEL BARTON PINE

Think you’ve got killer chops? As a homeschooled kid, violinist Rachel Barton Pine practiced eight hours a day (gulp!), debuting with the Chicago Symphony at age 10. Since those prodigious days, Pine has performed with major symphonies the world over, recognized for her skills and sensitivities to various styles of music. Better yet, the 42-year-old Pine also plays violin in doom metal band Earthen Grave, sharing the stage with Pentagram and black metal kings Mayhem. How about that eclectic skills set?! 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Riverside, $35, riversidefinearts.org.

FAN FIESTA COLLECTIVE CON

Mega fan-con Collective Con, with appearances by Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven on Stranger Things, pictured), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers, Stranger Things, voice of Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie), Graham McTavish (Dwalin, The Hobbit Trilogy), Jessica Lucas (Tabitha Galavan, Gotham), Margot Kidder (Lois Lane, Superman: The Movie) and Chris Kirkpatrick (*NSYNC, Chip Skylark on The Fairly OddParents) along with vendors, artists, prop exhibits, panels, video game tournaments, Cosplay contests, table-top gaming tournaments, music, Anime day and official afterparty. Noon-6 p.m. Friday, March 24; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 25 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, March 26, Moroccan Auditorium & Grounds, Southside, $10-$75, collectivecon.com.

SAT

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REASONS TO LEAVE THE HOUSE THIS WEEK

TURN THE PAGE JAX BOOK FEST

The inaugural literary festival Jax Book Fest features fiction writers, poets, children’s writers and illustrators and zine creators, lectures and panel discussions with eight nationally published authors, including New York Times bestselling author Karen Beaumont (pictured) booksignings, meet-and-greets with 140 local and regional authors, literary vendors promoting books, products and services, self-publishing classes and kid-geared fun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, March 25, Main Library, Downtown, all details at ilovejpl.org/jax-book-fest.

THU

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FRI

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BANDS TOGETHER NOBFEST SIX SIX SIXX

Holy Moley! What are they putting in the water in St. Augustine? Shanghai Nobby’s celebrates its sixth anniversary with Nobfest Six Six Sixx, featuring live music by 86 Hope, Daniel Curtis Hughes, Flossie & The Fox, Noah Eagle, Arson Fist, Ghost Tropic, Fay Roy, Michael Jordan Trio, Uncle Marty, Emma Mosley Band, Kenny & The Jets (pictured), Charlie Morgan & The B Side Family, Shea Birney, Teresa Rose, Dylan Nirvana, Killa Mama, Trash Festival, Zafditk, Nations, The Cosmic Groove, Mental Boy, Pug Ugly, Dozier, Heat Rash, Bite Marks, Pumps, Demo, Vicious Dreams, Rushmorefl, Reels, Puddled, I Came From Earth, Whatweare, Chubra Cabra, The Holed Outs, Totally Kyle, Brown Palace, Thunderhoof, Damn Thy Name and MF Goon. 6 p.m.-close Thursday, March 23-Sunday, March 26, Shanghai Nobby’s, St. Augustine, facebook.com/pg/Shanghai-Nobbys.

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THE MAIL ASK THE HOMELESS HOW YOU CAN HELP

RE.: “Not In My Backyard,” by Claire Goforth, March 15 I WILL HONESTLY SAY THAT AS A HOMELESS man I found the article quite truthful. There are many organizations that do step forth and lead and help the homeless. (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, the churches you mentioned and countless others. I’m sorry I don’t have enough space to mention everyone.) Then there are many who want us just to disappear because some of us are nasty and rude. But we have to keep in mind that we all got to our state by different means. And, yes, like alcohol or drug addiction, or anything that requires treatment and help, we can get better.

The day center was a saving grace for some of us. I am in agreement with merchants and homeowners that some of us have caused damage, urinated, left #2’s on their property, garbage, etc. And that is not cool. Some of us panhandle; though it’s illegal, it’s a way to actually survive, buy cosmetics, food, etc., because even the donations and shelters sometimes aren’t enough.

I know also the truth that some support their bad habits by doing that, and some are very rude when said “no” to. May I suggest reporting them to authorities? Yes, I said it, even though it hurts me, too. May I suggest a helpful resolution to the problem: Why don’t you involve us when trying to figure out what to do with us? I know that if you just give to people of our ilk, some say they will become dependent and expect you to. Perfect example: On Saturdays and Sundays, they hang out all day waiting for food and clothing, most of which is discarded on public property someone else has to clean up.

Yes, we have shelters, but not everyone will abide by rules, thus the reason for camping outdoors. Other reasons are people, i.e. rogues, thieves, those with violent tendencies, mentally unstable, etc.

Most would rather live on the streets before having to deal with that along with bugs. (It’s true; don’t believe me–make a surprise visit and check out the facilities yourself.) All don’t require mandatory bathing so I have seen head lice, crabs, open wounds where blood and other bodily fluids are left and not properly cleaned. So that and other diseases and sickness that can be passed scare quite a few.

I’m not saying these things to “dis” the shelter system, just pointing out facts like everyone does with us.

I’d love the chance to change my life and help make a difference in others’ lives the way Mr. Spencer and Tillis DeVaughn at the public defender’s office always tried to make in mine.

Tillis led the day center with countless efforts, like getting donations for things such as cosmetics, clothing, job training and readiness, bus passes, medical, computers and online applications. And, no, we didn’t sit and play on Facebook or any other app like that because they blocked them.

The day center helped those who really wanted help. Key phrase: those who really wanted help.

I’d love the chance to have my voice heard, to speak pro and con for us, about us, instead of listening to a bunch of talking heads and people who have no idea what it is like to go through what we go through. I have overcome my plight several times only to make mistakes that caused my downfall. I am neither uneducated (partial college), mentally unstable (though I see voices and hear pictures every now and then–lol!). I have battles with drugs and alcohol; yes, I have committed crimes and served the penalty. My undoing is my own, due to bad decisions. No, it’s not the white man or the police or the hater who won’t give me a job. It’s not family all the time, though I have seen it play a role in a lot of people being homeless.

Juan D. Montgomery via email

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BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS BRICKBATS TO GENE DRAKE For decades, peacocks’ colorful plumage has been part of the island décor in Fernandina Beach. But lately, residents started noticing a mysterious decline in their numbers. Well, mystery potentially solved. According to Action News, neighbors reported that Gene Drake shot one of the birds, which Drake admitted in an incident report. Further, Drake told police he shot the bird ’cause it was “aggressive” and its droppings were damaging his property. Drake’s conduct, though abhorrent, isn’t technically illegal, so locals are urging the county commission to enact an ordinance prohibiting local yahoos from blowing the creatures away at will.

BOUQUETS TO YOGA 4 CHANGE In the recent VetSmallBiz Growth Challenge, a national competition put on by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families that is open to U.S. service members and veteran entrepreneurs, Yoga 4 Change brought home the $25,000 second place prize, and received the “Best Social Venture” ($5,000) award. The local 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by a disabled Navy helicopter pilot offers “a purpose-driven yoga curriculum to veterans, incarcerated individuals, vulnerable youth, and those suffering from substance abuse,” according to its website. Like Yoga 4 Change, we believe in the power of the community.

BRICKBATS TO ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH COMMISSION In February, local resident Bob Kahler was escorted from a St. Augustine Beach commission meeting after telling Mayor Rich O’Brien to “go to hell” during public comment, the St. Augustine Record reports. Subsequently, on March 6, commissioners debated adopting an ordinance to limit the number of times people can speak during public comment, presumably because Kahler is a frequent commenter. Couple of things here: 1) Don’t you have better things to do than draft an ordinance designed to apply to one specific individual? 2) It’s politicians’ job, nay, obligation to hear from all constituents—whether they approve of you or not.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A BOUQUET? HOW ABOUT A BRICKBAT? Send submissions to mail@folioweekly.com; 50 word maximum, concerning a person, place, or topic of local interest.

8 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

FOLIO VOICES : FIGHTIN’ WORDS

Life, death and RESURRECTION in the Bold New City of the South

SLINGS & ARROWS I SPEND MY DAYS IN PERPETUAL MOTION. I don’t sleep more than a REM cycle most nights, and I wake like a racehorse, moving quickly like I’m already three furlongs behind the day.

I drive like the road is roller derby. My car is dwarfed by almost everything else on the road. If I don’t zip in and out of traffic, if I get stranded at a stop light, it’s as if minutes— precious minutes!—are stolen from me.

In part, that’s driven by self-importance; the particular burden of an only child who moved around, year after year, who experienced social dislocation and the need to prove myself on the regular, and never quite got away from it. In part, that’s driven by knowledge of the finite nature of physical life and meaningful influence.

I have five years, maybe 10, until I’m obsolete. For every one Ron Littlepage who beats the odds, there are five or 10 other lifers who get laid off, who become tragic examples—the besotted, embarrassing old guys in the young folks’ bars.

I check the mirror, the new white hairs, piercing like stalks of sugarcane from eyebrows and ears, perhaps even the nose.

The bags under my eyes have spawned new bags, a Magritte framing of exhaustion, of a reminder that the unconscious self has its own sell-by date, and that even the most well-planned Outlook calendar won’t stop us from stroking out in some random place, rendering us beyond late for that 3:45 with a background source.

My dad died before the age of 60: a heart attack, sitting in the living room watching morning TV—the kind of cutesy-poo pabulum that qualified as a morning show, as the sun rose on Mother’s Day. I learned lessons from him; he lived out his years in isolation, with few friends and no confidants. One such lesson was to build and maintain relationships.

As his example taught me, without them, we are close to dead.

But in that context, that sense of foreboding familiar to Poles and Russians and eight out of 10 existentialists, I know betrayal also. In my position, I’ve been savaged by people who claim to be old friends. It often happens when I’m covering an issue or a candidate and I disagree with their takes.

I have my perspectives and my cognitive biases, and my message to people generally is that if you don’t like what I write/say on the radio or occasionally television, tune out. There is no state media locally. There

are a few corporations on the daily beat, and then there’s me: a cross-eyed Polack with an underbite who takes a $200 laptop and breaks as many political stories as I can, day in and day out.

One of those old friends who made a habit of shredding me: Stephen Dare, in his previous position at Metro Jacksonville. During the mayoral race, Dare often questioned my credibility in posts and whatever on the site, even issuing a moratorium on links to my posts. I never registered for the forum but, like most writers, if someone is writing about me, I’m reading it.

I respect others’ opinions, in that I wholly subscribe to their rights to have them, just as I have mine. I’d see Dare around, and the conversations were always cordial, and I expect that if I saw him again, the conversation would still be cordial.

How to reconcile those cordial conversations with the one-sided cyberantipathy? I don’t know. Dynamics are complex and people have multiple narratives. Which leads me, by way of extended preamble, to whatever’s going on with Metro Jacksonville.

I don’t know the specifics beyond allegations of financial irregularities and competing narratives. But I do know that Dare was removed from the board and his content dumped from the site. And, as word got out through the press that Dare was gone, people resurfaced to say they were glad he was gone and that discussion on the site would now be better.

It’s interesting to watch all this go down. I see a lot of TV, but I usually know when I’ve seen a movie before.

Jacksonville’s a small town, and everyone knows everyone else’s business … that is, if you’re actually part of the local firmament.

And in the end, scandal is just part of the package. Sordid stories about newscasters, scandal about politicians, dirt on scenesters and hipsters and Cowford celebs—they’re interesting, they’re titillating, but they’re not dispositive. People fall, then recover, then resurface as if they were never hit.

Back in the day, the aspiration among the Smart Set was to leave Jacksonville—for a Real City. But the thing is: You never leave Jacksonville. Because Jacksonville never leaves you.

A.G. Gancarski mail@folioweekly.com @AGGancarski MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 9

FOLIO VOICES : E PLURIBUS JAX

Less vanilla, more CORIANDER and SAFFRON

WEARING GLASSES AND A BRIGHT BLUE turban, Gurdev Singh stares right into my eyes, his face tilted slightly forward. It’s not his thick Punjabi accent that makes him difficult to understand so much as his softspokenness.

He walks and speaks with a calm precision and gentle intensity.

“Good food is a good cultural ambassador,” he says.

When he and his brother Narinder opened India’s Restaurant in a strip mall on Baymeadows Road in 1997, they couldn’t have known that they’d lead much of Jacksonville’s Indian diaspora to settle in this once-bland exurb. With seven Indian restaurants and groceries, even Indian dental offices, along a one-mile stretch, the area that originally was so vanilla is today more coriander and saffron.

Two decades ago, the Singh brothers chose Jacksonville instead of Miami or Orlando, because the city lacked restaurants that offered Indian cuisine. They chose Baymeadows for the same reasons many other Jacksonville transplants did: low crime, good schools.

In a largely suburban town like Jacksonville, the inner rings of yesterday’s suburbia become “inner city,” while decades after “white flight,” the furthest suburban subdivisions are sometimes more ethnically diverse than the hip urban neighborhoods.

When Jay Patel moved here with his family in 2005, he quickly discovered more Indians lived in Baymeadows than in any other part of town. So he opened Indian Grocery & Produce next door to India’s Restaurant.

On a recent afternoon, several customers, Indian and white, shop among offerings of eggplant, daikon and ginger displayed beside large canvas bags of basmati and jasmine rice.

Patel previously owned and operated a service station in New Jersey, but hated the weather. After spending a week with friends in Jacksonville, he decided to move.

“The weather here is just like the weather where I’m from, in Gujarat,” he says. “I tell all 10 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

my friends and family in New Jersey to come to Jacksonville. Five or six families that I knew up north have moved here now.”

Patel is slender, modest, with an unceasing friendly smile and the Hindu red dot or tilak, which corresponds to the Ajna or third-eye chakra, on his forehead.

Jacksonville’s Indian community reflects the diversity of India itself, recalling Gandhi’s famous statement that as an Indian, he was Hindu, but “also a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist and a Jew.” The Singhs of India’s Restaurant are Sikhs from Punjab, a northern Indian state, south of Kashmir and north of Delhi. Patel is a Hindu from Gujarat, near Mumbai (Bombay). At Fifth Element, you can choose Southern dishes like dosas, sometimes called Indian crêpes, or Northern Gajar ka Halwa, a sweet, grated-carrot dessert sautéed in ghee, a clarified butter. Apna Restaurant on Beach Boulevard offers a Muslim “Indian-Pakistani” cuisine that incorporates more meat, including beef, all of which is halal, meaning permissible according to religious dietary law, similar to Judaism’s kosher laws.

Patel feels welcome in Jacksonville, attends temple here, and even celebrates the same festival days he did in India, including Diwali, the autumn festival of lights, and Holi, the spring festival of colors. Holi celebrations are visually unforgettable: Participants cover each other in blue, green, orange, yellow and red powders obtained from springtime flowers and medicinal herbs.

Sandhya Hawaldar came to Jacksonville in 2003 for a tech job and fell in love with the weather and the beach. Now president of the Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville, she stresses the sociability of Indian culture and the fact that second-generation Indian children know Jacksonville as their place of origin.

“Jacksonville is our home now. We love it as much we do our home in India, and our

Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville president Sandhya Hawaldar

kids just think of Jacksonville as their only home,” she says.

Most of the Indians who have moved to the area are well-educated, middle-class and upwardly mobile. Having strong family and community support networks, they put little pressure on the public welfare infrastructure.

Unlike, say, Syrian war refugees, these people have few needs for conservative monochromatic Americans to hold against them. Besides, there are different kinds of conservatism, and unlike rural Oceanway on the Northside, which for decades was Klan-conservative, the Baymeadows area, with its office parks and gated communities, is corporate-conservative.

Still, Jacksonville’s Indians haven’t been entirely free of Southern racism and xenophobia. When Gurdev Singh’s children were students at Twin Lakes Elementary, other students sometimes pushed them and called them racial slurs.

“When we complained to the principal, she said it happened in the cafeteria and she can’t control the cafeteria,” Singh says.

But even as the proto-fascist rhetoric of right-wing politics stirs hate in the hearts of those who feel that America is no longer great because their own racial views have been marginalized, the best cure for anti-otherness has always been getting to know those you perceive as other.

Jay Patel says, “Indian culture is very diverse. There are a billion people in India in 29 states. The Indian community in Jacksonville—Hindu or Sikh or Muslim— it’s very close, and we are all a part of Jacksonville, too.”

Timothy Gilmore EPluribus@folioweekly.com _____________________________________ E Pluribus Jax profiles unique individuals and groups that comprise and define our community.

Share your local subculture/ethnicity/religious minority/disability/hairstyle or other otherness with us at epluribus@folioweekly.com.

photo by Madison Gross

INDIAN BAYMEADOWS

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BITE INTO COPY (2535 WORDS) BITE INTO COPY (25-35 WORDS) BITE INTO COPY (2535 WORDS) BITE INTO COPY (25-35 WORDS) SPRING 2017 MENU entrée

BITE by BITE Neighborhood Restaurant Directory • pg. 12 OUR COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF ALL THE BEST IN NE FLORIDA & SE GEORGIA DINING EXPERIENCES

savory sides

TASTY T’WEETS • pg. 22 SEAGULL BAKERY OFFERS A SPECTRUM OF FLAVORS

BY LAUREN ERICKSEN

BRENTLEY’S BEST BITES (AND SIPS) • pg. 26 FOLIO FOODIE WAXES ON HER FAVE TASTES OF THE YEAR

BY BRENTLEY STEAD

TALKING WITH FOOD IN YOUR MOUTH • pg. 46

FOODIES MEET FETISH IN THE DISTURBING YOUTUBE REALM OF ASMR EATING VIDEOS

BY DANIEL A. BROWN

AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA BEACH, YULEE

29 SOUTH 29 S. Third St., 277-7919, 29southrestaurant.com In historic downtown, the popular bistro’s Chef Scotty Schwartz serves traditional regional cuisine with a modern twist. $$ L W-Sa; D Nightly; Br Sa AMELIA ISLAND COFFEE 207 Centre St., 321-2111, ameliaislandcoffee.com Fresh-roasted coffee, cappuccino, frozen drinks, sandwiches, soups, baked goods, gelato. $ TO B L D Daily AMELIA TAVERN RESTAURANT & BREWPUB 318 Centre St., 310-6088, theameliatavern.com Contemporary hand-crafted, locally sourced Southern comfort fare: local shrimp, small/big plates, organic greens, sandwiches. Good beer selection; wine on tap. $$ FB TO D M; L & D Tu-Sa; Brunch Su ARTE PIZZA 109 N. Third St., 277-1515, artepizzaandpasta.com The wood-fired oven renders specialty pizzas: traditional Napoli pizzeria, topped with imported cheeses, plum tomatoes, fresh ingredients. Authentic Italian dishes: eggplant parmigiana, caprese salad. Outside seating. $$ TO L F-Su; D W-M BARBERITOS SOUTHWESTERN GRILLE & CANTINA 1519 Sadler Rd., 277-2505 463867 S.R. 200, Ste. 5, Yulee, 321-2240, barberitos.com

BITE by BITE LISTING KEY Average Entrée Cost: $ = Less than $10 $$ = $10-$20 $$$ = $20-$35 $$$$ = $35 & up

BW = Beer/Wine FB = Full Bar K = Kids’ Menu TO = Take Out B = Breakfast • BR = Brunch Bite Club = Hosted FREE L = Lunch • D = Dinner FW Bite Club Event F = FW Distribution Spot

12 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

You can hear the ocean’s roar as you sip a libation from the Asian-themed craft cocktail menu at the new HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE in Neptune Beach; plenty of beer options, too, with more than 50 microbrew selections.

Southwestern fare, made-to-order fresh faves: burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, salads.

Salsa is handcrafted from fresh tomatoes, cilantro, onions, peppers. $$ BW K TO L D Daily BEACH DINER 2006 S. Eighth St., 310-3750, beachdiner.com Innovative breakfast: Eggs on the Bayou, fish-ngrits; French toast, riders, omelets. Lunch fare: salads, burgers, sandwiches, shrimp & crabmeat salad. $$ BW K TO B L Daily BRETT’S WATERWAY CAFÉ 1 S. Front St., Ste. 2, 261-2660 On the water at historic Centre Street’s end, it’s Southern hospitality in an upscale atmosphere: daily specials, fresh local seafood, aged beef. $$ FB K L D Daily BRIGHT MORNINGS BISTRO & CAFE 105 S. Third St., 491-1771, brightmorningscafe.com The small café, hidden behind Amelia SanJon Gallery, serves breakfast sandwiches and bowls, burgers, salads, business lunches, sandwiches.

Indoor and outdoor dining; dog-friendly backyard. $ TO B Br L Th-Tu BURLINGAME RESTAURANT 20 S. Fifth St., 432-7671, burlingamerestaurant.com The menu at the refined casual dining place changes quarterly, focused on elegantly prepared dishes (eight apps, eight mains) made with quality seasonal ingredients. Duck confit, grilled pork chops. $$$$ BW D Tu-Sa CAFE KARIBO 27 N. Third St., 277-5269, cafekaribo.com Family-owned café in a historic district building.

Worldly fare: made-from-scratch dressings, sauces, desserts, supporting local purveyors and sourcing fresh greens, veggies, seafood.

Dine in or al fresco under an oak-shaded patio.

Microbrew Karibrew Pub brews beer onsite; imports. Live music F-Su. $$ FB K TO Br Su; L Daily, D Tu-Su in season

CANTINA LOUIE 960062 Gateway Blvd., 310-9675 See Beaches.

CHEZ LEZAN BAKERY COMPANY 1014 Atlantic Ave., 491-4663, chezlezanbakery.com European-style breads and pastries, croissants, muffins and pies baked daily. Most breads are made without fat or sugar. $ TO B L Daily CIAO ITALIAN BISTRO 302 Centre St., 206-4311, ciaobistro-luca.com Owners Luca and Kim Misciasci offer fine Italian bistro fare in an intimate, friendly atmosphere.

Traditional items: veal piccata, rigatoni Bolognese and antipasto; house specialties are chicken Ciao and homemade-style meat lasagna. $$ BW D Tu-Su THE CRAB TRAP 31 N. Second St., 261-4749, ameliacrabtrap.com For nearly 40 years, family-owned-and-operated, serving fresh local seafood, steaks. Food and drink specials. $$ FB L D Daily DAVID’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 802 Ash St., 310-6049, ameliaislanddavids.com The fine-dining place serves steaks, fresh seafood, rack of lamb, ribeye, Chilean sea bass, in an upscale atmosphere. Chef Wesley Cox has created a lounge menu. Live music twice a week. $$$$ FB D Nightly DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 474313 E. S.R. 200, 310-6945 450077 S.R. 200, Callahan, 879-0993 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

GILBERT’S UNDERGROUND KITCHEN 510 S. Eighth St., 310-6374, undergroundkitchen.com In Chef Kenny Gilbert’s neighborhood-driven place, it’s Deep Southern American cuisine. Dine indoors or out on the patio. $$ BW K TO L F; D W-Sa & M GREEN TURTLE TAVERN 14 S. Third St., 321-2324, greenturtletavern.com 2016 Best of Jax winner

In a historic shotgun shack, the legendary local hangout offers Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dogs, pub fare, bourbon selection, cold beer, chill vibe. Live music. $ FB L D Daily HALFTIME SPORTS BAR & GRILL 320 S. Eighth St., 321-0303 Sports bar fare: onion rings, spring rolls, burgers, wraps, wings. Plenty of TVs show nearly every sport imaginable. $ FB L D Daily THE HAPPY TOMATO COURTYARD CAFE & BBQ 7 S. Third St., 321-0707, thehappytomatocafe.com The historic district restaurant serves fresh salads, deli sandwiches and barbecue—pulled pork, smoked turkey and ribs—in a laid-back atmosphere. Homemade walnut chocolate chunk cookies are a specialty. $ BW K TO L M-Sa HANA SUSHI JAPANESE CUISINE 1930 S. 14th St., 277-8838, hanasushifl.com The bright shop has a sushi bar and a full menu: teriyaki, tempura, hibachi, katsu, udon, bento boxes. $$ L D Daily HOLA CUBAN CAFE 117 Centre St., 321-0163, holacubancafe.com Tucked behind the Palace Saloon and owned by real Cubans. Authentic Cuban sandwiches, Cuban coffee. Dine inside or outside under umbrella tables. Delivery within Downtown Fernandina. $ TO B L Th-M JACK & DIANE’S 708 Centre St., 321-1444, jackanddianescafe.com “Food with an attitude” is served in a renovated 1887 shotgun home. Favorites: jambalaya, French toast, pancakes, mac-n-cheese. The specialty is crêpes, in several varieties. Vegan selection, too. Dine in or on a porch overlooking historic district. $$ BW K TO B L D M, W, F-Su JADE’S BISTRO 1484 Sadler Rd., 321-2777 Asian/Thai fusion ranges from traditional General Tso’s chicken to Thai-style mango prawns. $$ BW TO L D Daily

JOE’S 2ND STREET BISTRO 14 S. Second St., 321-2558, joesbistro.com Upscale New American fine dining with French, Creole, Asian and low country influences.

Seating in the dining room, out in the large, New Orleans-style courtyard, or upstairs on the porch with an Intracoastal view. $$ BW L D W-M KABUKI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR 1147 Amelia Plaza, 277-8782, kabukijapanesesteakhouse.com Certified Angus steaks and fresh seafood, all MSG-free. Japanese dishes and items from the unlimited sushi bar can be customized to suit any taste, the teppan art of cooking entertains as chefs prepare food before you. $$ BW TO D Tu-Su KARIBREW BREW PUB & GRUB 27 Third St. N., 277-5269, cafekaribo.com Amelia Island’s first microbrewery is next door to its sister restaurant, Cafe Karibo. A variety of beers, spirits, pub food. $$ FB TO Br Su; L Daily; D Tu-Su LA MANCHA 2709 Sadler Rd., 686-8785, 261-4646, lamancharestaurant.net Spanish, Portuguese fare, Brazilian flair. Tapas, seafood, steaks, sangria. Drink specials. AYCE paella Sun. $$$ FB K TO D Nightly LANNA THAI & SUSHI RESTAURANT 474260 S.R. 200 E., 321-0255, lannathaijax.com Thai cuisine, innovative sushi selections and noodle dishes from tried-and-true recipes are served. $$ FB K TO L M-F, D Nightly LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 474272 S.R. 200, 844-2225.

See Orange Park.

LECHONERA EL COQUÍ 232 N. Second St., 432-7545 New Puerto Rican place. Chulleta kan kan (pork chops), Tripletta churosco sandwich, more. $$ FB TO L Tu-Su, D W & Th LEDDY’S PORCH 22 S. Third St., 491-3322, floridahouseinn.com The Florida House Inn’s family-style restaurant is named for the home’s owner after the Civil War. Chef Marshal Sands serves traditional dishes: fried chicken & waffles, fish-n-grits, Cajun rémoulade, omelets, cornbread and biscuits.

Bottomless mimosas. $$ FB K TO Br L W-Su THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 869 Sadler Rd., 321-0093 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

LULU’S AT THE THOMPSON HOUSE 11 S. Seventh St., 432-8394, lulusamelia.com Innovative lunch menu: po’boys, salads and seafood little plates served in a historic house. Dinner: fresh local seafood, Fernandina shrimp. Reservations recommended. $$$ BW K TO Br Su; L D Tu-Sa MOON RIVER PIZZA 925 S. 14th St., 321-3400, moonriverpizza.net 2016 Best of Jax Winner/finalist The works of local artists hang on the walls, rock music is heard throughout. Northern-style pizzas, available with more than 20 toppings, by the pie or the slice. $ BW TO L D M-Sa MUSTARD SEED CAFÉ 833 TJ Courson Rd., 277-3141, nassaushealthfoods.net Awarded Slow Food First Coast’s Snail of Approval, the casual organic eatery and juice bar, in Nassau Health Foods, offers all-natural, organic items, smoothies, veggie juices, coffees, herbal teas. Daily specials: wild-caught fish, organically raised chicken, produce. $$ K TO B L M-Sa

NANA TERESA’S BAKE SHOP 135 S. Fifth St., 277-7977, nanateresa.com Everything’s made with organic ingredients when possible. Cupcakes, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, pastries, specialties. $ TO Daily PABLO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 12 N. Second St., 261-0049, pablosmg1.com In Fernandina’s historic district. Authentic Mexican fare: chimichangas, fajitas, vegetarian dishes. Dine inside or out on the brick patio. $$ FB K TO L D Daily THE PATIO PLACE 416 Ash St., 410-3717, patioplacebistro.com Bistro/wine bar/crêperie’s global menu uses crêpes: starters, entrées, shareables, desserts. $$ BW TO B L D Tu-F, Br L D Sa; Br L Su PARKWAY GRILLE 5517 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-6614, parkwaygrille.net The breakfast and lunch items are prepared daily with fresh ingredients: a selection of Boar’s Head deli meats; bright, casual atmosphere. $ TO B L Daily PI INFINITE COMBINATIONS 19 S. Third St., 432-8535, piinfinitecombinations.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist It’s all bar service at the New York-style pizza joint. Specialty pizzas, by the 20-inch pie or huge 10-inch slice; toppings: fresh clams, brie, prosciutto, foie gras, steak with gorgonzola, shrimp, more. Dine inside or in the courtyard, with a fountain. $$ BW TO L D Tu-Sa THE PICNIC BASKET 501 Centre St., 277-9779, thepicnicbasketamelia.com The small shop focuses on fresh food, like cheeses, confits, charcuteries and wines. $$ BW B L Tu-Su POINTE RESTAURANT 98 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-4851, elizabethpointelodge.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Inside award-winning B&B Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. Elegant seaside dining, indoors or outside, with oceanfront views. Hot buffet breakfast daily, full lunch menu. Housemade soups, specialty sandwiches, seafood entrées, salads, desserts. $$$ BW K B L Br Daily THE SALTY PELICAN BAR & GRILL 12 N. Front St., 277-3811, thesaltypelicanamelia.com 2016 Best of Jax winner View the sunset over the ICW from the secondstory outdoor bar. Owners T.J. and Al offer local seafood, Mayport shrimp, fish tacos, po’boys and the original broiled cheese oysters. Live music Thur.-Sat. $$ FB K L D Daily THE SAVORY MARKET 474380 S.R. 200 E., 432-8551, thesavorymarket.com The newish place offers farm-to-table fare of high-quality, fresh ingredients sourced locally when possible. Handhelds, salads, catering. $$ B L D M-Sa SLIDERS SEASIDE GRILL 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-6652, slidersseaside.com 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist The oceanfront restaurant serves award-winning handmade crab cakes, fresh seafood and fried pickles. Outdoor dining is offered; kids have a beachfront playground. There’s an open-air second floor and balcony. Live music. $$ FB K L D Daily

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For more than 25 years, GYPSY CAB COMPANY on Anastasia Island has been serving eclectic urban cuisine from an ever-changing innovative menu.

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 13

<<< FROM PREVIOUS THE SURF RESTAURANT & BAR 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., 261-5711, thesurfonline.com Oceanview dining since 1957, inside or out on the deck. The menu includes steaks, fresh seafood, burgers (the Drunken Pirate is renowned), and daily food and drink specials; Wing It Wednesdays.

Live music daily. $$ FB K TO L D Daily TASTY’S BURGERS & FRIES 710 Centre St., 321-0409, tastysamelia.com 463852 S.R. 200, Ste. A, Yulee, 849-1241 2016 Best of Jax winner In Fernandina’s historic district and now in Yulee, the fresh fast-food alternative has an innovative approach. Offering the freshest meats, hand-cut fries, homemade sauces and soups and hand-spun shakes. $ BW K L D Daily TIMOTI’S SEAFOOD SHAK 21 N. Third St., 310-6550, timotis.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The casual seafood place features fresh, local wild-caught shrimp, fish, oysters, wraps, tacos and soup, as well as blackboard specials, supporting local fishermen, farmers and brewers and building community. Dine indoors or out, where’s a pirate ship playground. $ BW K TO L D Daily TONY’S PIZZA 1425 Sadler Rd., 277-7661, tonyspizzaameliaisland.com Tony’s serves New York-style brick oven pizza, along with dinner selections (like baked ziti and chicken broccoli alfredo). Subs, salads and wings. Free delivery on the island. $ L D Daily T-RAY’S BURGER STATION 202 S. Eighth St., 261-6310, traysburgerstation.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The hidden gem is in an old gas station, a favorite of tourists and locals. Family-ownedand-operated for 20+ years, T-Ray’s is known for its blue plate specials, burgers, biscuits & gravy, shrimp. $ BW TO B L M-Sa TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ 463909 S.R. 200, Ste. 6, Yulee, 468-7099, tropicalsmoothie.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Flatbreads, sandwiches, wraps. Smoothies: classic, superfoods, supercharged, indulgent. $ TO B L D Daily

ARLINGTON, REGENCY

BBQ BARN 14025 Mt. Pleasant Rd., 619-0237, bbqbarnjax.com The casual place has Southern-style barbecue pork, brisket, turkey, chicken, and chicken wings.

Draft beers and wine. $$ BW K TO L D Tu-Su BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 8011 Merrill Rd., Ste. 23, 743-3727 See Northside.

BOW LEG’Z BAR-B-QUE 4347 University Blvd. S., Ste. 2, 337-1603, bowlegzbbq.com The menu is inspired by traditional Southern smoked barbecue with a Caribbean flair, with a twist on savory and sweet, served in a familyfriendly environment. $ TO L D M-Sa, L Su CAFÉ EXPRESS 1706 Southside Blvd., 724-3997, cafeexpress.us The cozy café offers hot and cold sandwiches as well as breakfast dishes. The homemade potato chips are a specialty. $ TO B L M-Sa COTTEN’S BAR-B-QUE 2048 Rogero Rd., 743-1233 Fred Cotten Jr. has been offering his pit-cooked barbecue, at moderate prices in a casual spot, for more than 25 years. All the sauces are made inhouse from original recipes. $ K TO L D M-Sa DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 9119 Merrill Rd., Ste. 19, 745-9300 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS 2800 University Blvd. N., 256-7539, einsteinbros.com With more than 25 varieties of fresh-baked-instore bagels, Einstein Bros. has breakfast covered.

Throw in some egg sandwiches, paninis and wraps, and you’re done. Lunch offers healthful cold sandwiches, melts, soups and salads.

Coffees, smoothies and sweet treats complete the menu. $ TO B L M-F FIREHOUSE SUBS 4347 University Blvd. S., Ste. 1, 731-1888, 13245 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 9, 220-7140 See Mandarin.

14 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

New to Riverside, SOUTH KITCHEN & SPIRITS offers Southern classics, as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

FUJI SUSHI 660 Commerce Center Dr., Ste. 155, 722-9988, fujisushiregency.com A respite from the busy Regency-area bustle, this casual, modern restaurant serves sushi and sashimi, tempura, soups and entrées. $$ L D Daily GRINDERS AMERICAN DINER 10230 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 8 & 9, 725-2712, grindersdiner.com For 30 years, Grinders Café has been serving homestyle veggies, burgers, meatloaf, pork chops, seafood and desserts. $ K TO B L Daily THE HOT DOG SPOT & MORE 2771 Monument Rd., Ste. 32, 646-0050, thehotdogspotjax.com In Cobblestone Crossing, Hot Dog Spot serves sausages, all-beef hot dogs, and items like wings, Philly cheesesteaks and burgers, all cooked to order. $ K TO L Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 8818 Atlantic Blvd., 720-0106 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 1301 Monument Rd., Ste. 5, 724-5802 See Orange Park.

MATT’S ITALIAN CUISINE 2771 Monument Rd., Ste. 8, 646-4411, mattsitalian.com The menu includes pizza, seafood, stromboli and veal, cooked-to order. Delivery available. $$ BW TO L D Daily MILLER’S ALE HOUSE & RAW BAR 9541 Regency Square Blvd. S., 720-0551, millersalehouse.com The Ale Houses specialize in generous portions and friendly service. Customer faves are fresh fish, specialty pastas, and fresh oysters and clams. There are draft beers, lots of TVs, pool tables, video games. $$ FB K L D Daily THE MUDVILLE GRILLE 1301 Monument Rd., Ste. 1, 722-0008 See San Marco.

NAPOLI’S PIZZA CUISINE 5629 Arlington Rd., 745-1500 The small, family-owned Italian cuisine and pizzeria placed has been serving authentic fare since 2001. $$ BW K TO L D M-Sa NERO’S CAFÉ 3607 University Blvd. N., 743-3141, neroscafe.com Nero’s has been serving traditional Italian-style food for over 30 years. Along with nightly dinner specials, Nero’s features veal, seafood pasta dishes and New York style pizzas. $$ FB K TO D Nightly THE SHEIK SANDWICH DELI 9720 Atlantic Blvd., 721-2660

Family-owned-and-operated, The Sheik restaurants have served Northeast Florida for more than 40 years, offering a full breakfast— from pitas to country plates—and an extensive lunch menu. $ TO B L D M-Sa SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q 12719 Atlantic Blvd., 220-9499 See Orange Park.

SOUPLANTATION & SWEET TOMATOES 1115 Mary Susan Dr., (off Atlantic Boulevard), 722-9889, souplantation.com The 60-foot salad bar has four types of salads, fresh cut vegetables and deli items, pasta salads and a dozen dressings, plus soups, pizza and desserts. $ TO L D Daily The STEAKHOUSE @ Gold Club 320 Gen. Doolittle Dr., 645-5500, jacksonvillegoldclub.com Lunch and dinner specials, free HH buffets Thur. & Fri. $$$ FB L D Daily TABOULEH MEDITERRANEAN CAFE 7645 Merrill Rd., Ste. 201, 745-6900, taboulehjax.com The menu at this seasoned eatery includes classic Middle Eastern and Greek favorites like kababs, hummus, falafel, gyros, shwarmas, baba ghanou and, of course, tabouleh. Full lunch and dinner menu. Vegan specials on Wed., authentic Greek specials on Fri. $$ BW TO L D M-Sa

AVONDALE, ORTEGA

ALE PIE HOUSE 3951 St. Johns Ave., 503-8000, alepiehouse.com Pizza made your way, subs, paninis, calzone, stromboli, wraps, dinners. Gluten-free, vegan cheese available. $$ BW K TO L D Daily ARDEN’S KAFE & KATERING 4555 St. Johns Ave., Ste. 3, Ortega, 240-1404, ardens-kafe-and-katering.com From gourmet to Cajun, Chef Arden deSaussure can create it, using fresh ingredients, including local seafood, veggies and meats. Something new: Friday night seafood buffet and hot wing bar. $$ TO B Sa; L Su-F; D F BAGEL LOVE 4114 Herschel St., Ste. 121, 634-7253, bagellovejax.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The comfy locally-owned-and-operated spot offers Northern-style bagels, a variety of cream cheeses, sandwiches, wraps, subs and bakery items. Fresh-squeezed lemonade and coffees and teas. Free WiFi. $ K TO B L Daily BISCOTTIS 3556 St. Johns Ave., 387-2060, biscottis.net 2016 Best of Jax winner Biscottis serves everything from innovative

pizzas to a large selection of almost-too-prettyto-eat desserts. $$$ BW B Br L D Daily BRICK RESTAURANT 3585 St. Johns Ave., 387-0606, brickofavondale.com The casual eatery’s exposed-brick façade and interior are modern, but still classic Avondale.

Despite the expensive fixtures, you can still grab a burger and watch a game or get the best lamb chops in town. And their veggie burger? Killer. $$$ FB L D Daily THE CASBAH CAFE 3628 St. Johns Ave., 981-9966, thecasbahcafe.com 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist The Casbah serves Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine on the patio or inside the hookah lounge, where customers sit on ottomans at low tables. Wi-Fi is available, belly dancers perform some nights, hookah pipes are offered.

Live jazz on Sun. $$ BW L D Daily CHOMP CHOMP 4162 Herschel St., 329-1679 Relocated. Chef-inspired: The Philadelphia Experiment (sweet pork over arugula), pankocrusted chicken, burgers, Waldorf salad, bahn mi, Southern fried chicken, The Come Up (portabella mushroom, green tomato salsa, almonds). Curry Chomp chips, pasta salad. Dine inside or out. $ BW L D M-Sa FLORIDA CREAMERY 3566 St. Johns Ave., 619-5386, floridacreamery.net Florida Creamery offers premium ice cream, fresh waffle cones, milkshakes, sundaes and Nathan’s grilled hot dogs, served in Floridacentric décor. Low-fat and sugar-free choices are also offered. $ K TO L D Daily THE FOX RESTAURANT 3580 St. Johns Ave., 387-2669 2016 Best of Jax finalist Owners Ian and Mary Chase offer fresh diner fare, homemade desserts. Breakfast served all day. Signature items: burgers, meatloaf, fried green tomatoes. A Jacksonville landmark for 50+ years. $$ K B Br L Daily GREEN MAN GOURMET 3543 St. Johns Ave., Shoppes of Avondale, 384-0002, greenmangourmet.com The market features organic and natural products, spices, teas and salts, and beer and wine. $ BW TO Daily HARPOON LOUIE’S 4070 Herschel St., 389-5631, harpoonlouies.net 2016 Best of Jax finalist Locally-owned-and-operated, the American pub

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MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 15

<<< FROM PREVIOUS has been an Avondale fixture for 20+ years. Halfpound burgers, fish sandwiches, pasta. HH during the week; local beers. $$ FB K TO L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 4530 St. Johns Ave., 388-8828 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

LILLIAN’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL 5393 Roosevelt Blvd., Ortega, 388-4220, lillianssportsgrill.com The family sports bar serves wings, ahi tuna, meatloaf, steaks, pasta, daily specials, burgers, salads and sandwiches. TVs show sports. Daily HH. $$ FB TO L D Daily THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 4000 St. Johns Ave., 384-7301 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS 3611 St. Johns Ave., 388-0200 Bite Club certified 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Beaches.

MOJO NO. 4 URBAN BBQ & WHISKEY BAR 3572 St. Johns Ave., Ste. 1, 381-6670 2016 Best of Jax winner Mojo offers pulled pork and Carolina-style barbecue along with Delta fried catfish.

Avondale’s Mojo also offers shrimp and grits, and specialty cocktails. Local musicians perform weekends. $$ FB K TO L D Daily THE OLD CUP CAFÉ 3604 St. Johns Ave., Ste. 2, 389-2122 The artisan bakery serves coffees, croissants and muffins in the morning, then a variety of cupcakes, pastries and desserts throughout the day. Whole cakes can be made-to-order. $$ TO Tu-Sa PINEGROVE MARKET & DELI 1511 Pinegrove Ave., 389-8655, pinegrovemarket.com Bite Club certified 2016 Best of Jax winner For 40+ years, serving hearty breakfasts and lunches featuring Cuban sandwiches, burgers, subs, wraps and homemade chicken salad in a family atmosphere. Onsite butcher shop sells USDA choice prime aged beef cut to order.

Craft beers. Fri. & Sat. fish fry. Beer & Sausage pairings; check for dates. $ BW TO B L D M-Sa PULP 3645 St. Johns Ave., 379-6908 See San Marco.

RESTAURANT ORSAY 3630 Park St., 381-0909, restaurantorsay.com 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist The French/American Southern bistro serves steak frites, mussels and Alsatian pork chops in an elegant setting, with an emphasis on locally grown organic ingredients. $$$ FB Br Su; D Nightly SIMPLY SARA’S 2902 Corinthian Ave., Ortega, 387-1000, simplysaras.net Down-home cooking, from scratch like Grandma’s: eggplant fries, pimento cheese, baked chicken, fruit cobblers, chicken & dumplings, desserts. BYOB. $$ K TO L D M-Sa, B Sa SOUTH KITCHEN & SPIRITS 3638 Park St., 475-2362, south.kitchen New place serves Southern classics: crispy catfish with smoked gouda grits, family-style fried chicken, burgers, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SUSHI BEAR RESTAURANT 4530 St. Johns Ave., Ste. 9, 503-0690, sushibearjax.com Innovative rolls, specials, kid hibachi and more. $ L D Daily YOBE FROZEN YOGURT 3578 St. Johns Ave., 384-0733 See Beaches.

BAYMEADOWS

16 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

AL’S PIZZA 8060 Philips Hwy., Ste. 105, 731-4300 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Intracoastal.

BELLA VITA RISTORANTE ITALIANO 3825 Baymeadows Rd., 646-1370, bellavitajax.com Authentic Italian cuisine. $$ FB L D Daily BOWL OF PHO 9902 Old Baymeadows Rd., 646-4455 The spot has a big, varied menu of Vietnamese

In Fernandina’s award-winning B&B Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, POINTE RESTAURANT is the place for elegant seaside dining, indoors or outside, with oceanfront views. It’s also a Best of Jax winner for 2016. and Thai dishes with authentic ingredients, prepared fresh, including egg rolls, grilled pork and chicken, lotus root salad, and salted fish fried rice. Boba is also served. $$ L D Daily THE COFFEE GRINDER 9834 Old Baymeadows Rd., Deerwood Village, 642-7600 Owner Slavisa Micukic runs this coffee gallery, which features the work of local artists. Seating is available indoors and out, and a full coffee/ espresso menu includes several frozen mochas and frozen jet teas. Beer is served after 7 p.m.

DJs spin Thur., Fri. & Sat. $ BW L D Daily DEERWOOD DELI & DINER 9934 Old Baymeadows Rd., 641-4877, deerwooddiner.com The menu includes fresh local seafood, Angus steaks, salads, sandwiches and burgers, and there’s flatscreen TVs all over. $$ BW TO K B L Daily THE 5TH ELEMENT 9485 Baymeadows Rd., 448-8265, my5thelement.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist A variety of authentic Indian, South Indian and Indochinese dishes form the menu, along with a large lunch buffet of lamb, goat and chicken dishes, as well as tandoori and biryani items. $$ BW K L D Daily FIREHOUSE SUBS 8380 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 8, 737-3473 See Mandarin.

FUJI SUSHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT 10920 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 30, 363-8888 Fuji Sushi offers fresh sushi, steak, chicken, tempura, teriyaki and seafood. $$ BW K L D Daily GATOR’S DOCKSIDE 8650 Baymeadows Rd., 448-0500 See Westside.

HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS 10920 Baymeadows Rd., 363-2503, hurricanewings.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The island-themed restaurant offers more than 35 flavors of wings, garlic and parmesan fries, Firecracker shrimp, burgers and chicken. The beverage cups are biodegradable. Kids’ night, trivia, live music and drink specials. $ FB K TO L D Daily INDIA’S RESTAURANT 9802 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 8, 620-0777,

indiajax.com 2016 Best of Jax winner India’s offers authentic cuisine, serving a popular lunch buffet. Curry and vegetable dishes, lamb, chicken, shrimp and fish tandoori. $$ BW L M-Sa; D Nightly LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 8206 Philips Hwy., Baymeadows Junction, 732-9433 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 8616 Baymeadows Rd., 739-2498 See Orange Park.

LEMONGRASS 9846 Old Baymeadows Rd., 645-9911, lemongrassjax.com Innovative Thai cuisine in a hip atmosphere.

Chef Aphayasane’s creations include crispy whole fish with pineapple curry reduction. A customer favorite is The Amazing. $$ TO L M-F; D M-Sa LITTLE BLACK BOX BAKED GOODS 8106 Old Kings Rd. S., 683-1346 The small-batch bakery and scratch kitchen uses local and organic ingredients when possible for their fresh, homestyle fare and yummy desserts. $ TO L M-F LOS LOROS MEXICAN RESTAURANT 5210 Baymeadows Rd., 367-8633 Authentic Mexican fare, including fajitas and vegetarian dishes. Margaritas are featured. $ FB K L D Daily MANDALOUN MEDITERRANEAN LEBANESE CUISINE 9862 Old Baymeadows Rd., 646-1881, mandalounjacksonville.com Bite Club certified With restaurants in London, Paris, Rome and the Middle East, owner Pierre Barakat offers authentic Lebanese cuisine, like charcoal-grilled lamb kebabs, fattoush, baba ghanouj and falafel.

Belly dancing every F and Sa Monthly dinner parties. Outdoor seating. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MEDITERRANIA RESTAURANT 3877 Baymeadows Rd., 731-2898, mediterraniarestaurant.com With an Old World atmosphere, this familyowned-and-operated Greek and Italian restaurant has been a local favorite for more than

27 years. Fresh seafood, veal chops and rack of lamb are among the specialties. $$ BW L D M-Sa METRO DINER 9802 Baymeadows Rd., 425-9142 2016 Best of Jax winner See San Marco.

NATIVE SUN NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 11030 Baymeadows Rd., 260-2791, nativesunjax.com 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

PATTAYA THAI GRILLE 9551 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 1, 646-9506, ptgrille.com Since 1989, the family-owned place–Northeast Florida’s original authentic Thai restaurant–has offered an extensive menu of traditional Thai, vegetarian and new-Thai, including curries, seafood, noodles and soups. Low-sodium and gluten-free dishes also available. A video screen displays the open kitchen; you can watch your meal being prepared. $$$ BW TO L D Tu-Sa RENNA’S PIZZA 295 Reedy Branch Commons, 565-1299, rennaspizza.com See Mandarin.

STICKY FINGERS 8129 Point Meadows Way, 493-7427, stickyfingers.com A true Memphis-style smokehouse, Sticky Fingers slow-smokes meats over aged hickory wood. The menu includes award-winning ribs, barbecue and rotisserie-smoked chicken. HH held weekdays. $$ FB K TO L D Daily STONEWOOD GRILL TAVERN 3832 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 3, 739-7206, stonewoodgrill.com The casual, upscale Stonewood Grill offers a flavorful dining experience with a classic American menu. The full bar features a large wine list and daily HH. $$ FB L D Daily SUSHI HOUSE 9810 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 12, 997-0966 The quaint spot has a variety of specialty rolls, sushi and sashimi, offers tempura, katsu, teriyaki and hibachi entrées. $$ BW TO L D Daily TEQUILA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 10915 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 101, 363-1365, tequilasjacksonville.com Authentic fare, fresh, spicy hot ingredients.

Vegetarian dishes; top-shelf tequilas, drink specials. Nonstop HH. $$ FB K TO L D Daily FIVE F(x) ICE CREAM & WAFFLES 9802 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 6, 928-9559 Ice cream made-to-order. Your choice of milk (whole, soy, almond, lowfat), toppings and flavors, all quick-frozen to fill a taiyaki–Asian waffles in a dozen flavors. Fillings available in breakfast and lunch options. $ K TO B L Daily TIDBITS EXPRESS 8535 Baymeadows Rd., 516-4144, clarastidbits.com The little spot serves the same lunch items as Tidbits. Place your order at a terminal–but there are real people if you need assistance. $ TO L M-Sa TIJUANA FLATS 9942 Old Baymeadows Rd., 641-1090, tijuanaflats.com The fresh Tex-Mex menu features a hot bar with rotating sauces. There’s not a microwave or freezer in sight–everything’s fresh. $ BW K TO L D Daily VINO’S PIZZA & GRILL 9910 Old Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 1, 641-7171, vinospizzabaymeadows.com Vino’s has hand-tossed New York-style, thincrust pizzas, as well as Sicilian-style, thick-crust pizzas and baked dishes, subs, stromboli, wings and wraps. $ K Daily THE WELL WATERING HOLE 3928 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 9, 737-7740, thewellwateringhole.com The bistro has local craft beers, varietal wines by the glass or bottle and champagne cocktails.

Meatloaf sandwiches, pulled Peruvian chicken, homestyle vegan black bean burgers. HH specials. $$ BW K TO L D M-Sa WHISKEY JAX KITCHEN + COCKTAILS 10915 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 135, 634-7208, whiskeyjax.com The popular gastropub offers craft beers, gourmet burgers, handhelds, signature plates, tacos and–of course–whiskey. Live music. HH M-F. $$ FB B Sa & Su, L F, D Nightly WOODY’S BAR-B-Q 8206 Philips Hwy., Ste. 25, 265-0066 See Southside.

ZESTY INDIA 8358 Point Meadows Dr., 329-3676, zestyindia.com The chefs combine Asian methodology with European template for layers of flavors in the tandoori lamb chops, rosemary tikka and lunch platters. Vegetarian items are cooked separately in vegetable oil. $ BW TO D Daily

A LA CARTE 331 First Ave. N., 241-2005, alacarte-jax.com Going on 24 years now, Authentic New England fare like Maine lobster rolls, fried Ipswich clams, crab or clam cake sandwich, fried shrimp basket, haddock sandwich, clam chowder, birch beer and blueberry soda. Dine inside or on the deck.

Gluten-free options are available; some menu items in the shop. $$ TO L Tu-Sa AL’S PIZZA 240 Third St., Neptune Beach, 249-0002, alspizza.com 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist The new Al’s Craft Pizza is set to open any minute now. Folio Weekly readers often vote for Al’s for Best Pizza in our annual Best of Jax poll. Celebrating more than 20 years, Al’s offers a selection of New York-style and gourmet pizzas.

All-day HH. M-Th $ FB K TO L D Daily ANGIE’S SUBS 1436 Beach Blvd., 246-2519 ANGIE’S GROM SUBS 204 Third Ave. S., 246-7823 2016 Best of Jax finalist Home of the original baked sub, Angie’s has been serving a variety of subs, made with fresh

ingredients, to devoted locals for 25+ years. One word: Peruvian. In addition to hot or cold subs, Angie’s has huge salads and blue-ribbon iced tea. $ BW TO L D Daily AZUREA 1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-7402 Within One Ocean Resort hotel, Azurea offers elegant oceanfront dining with a menu influenced by flavors of Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. An extensive wine list is offered. $$$$ FB K B L D Daily BEACH DINER 501 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-6500, beachdiner.com The locally owned diner has indoor and outdoor seating and Southern comfort items including fresh seafood, sandwiches and hot lunch specials. Innovative cookedto-order breakfast available all day. $ K TO B Br L Daily BEACH HUT CAFÉ 1281 Third St. S., 249-3516 Celebrating more than 25 years in the biz, Beach Hut offers a full breakfast menu, served all day (darn good grits); hot plate specials M-F. $ K TO B Br L Daily

BEACHSIDE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & MARKET 120 Third St. S., 444-8862 A full fresh seafood market, Beachside serves lunch and dinner featuring seafood baskets, fish tacos, daily fish specials and Philly cheesesteaks.

There are tables indoors and on the second-floor open-air deck, with a great view of downtown Jax Beach. $$ BW K TO L D Daily BLUE TYPHOON BAR & GRILL 2309 Beach Blvd., 379-3789, bluetyphoonbarandgrill.com At the marina on the ICW, this newish place offers handhelds, baskets (wings, shrimp, chicken, veggies), tacos, chef specialties, and sushi. Pool tables, TVs. $$ BW K TO L D Daily BLUE WATER ISLAND GRILL DAIQUIRI & OYSTER BAR 205 First St. N., 249-0083, bluewaterislandgrilloysterbar.net The casual spot features American fare— seafood, wings, buckets, baskets, burgers—with a Caribbean soul. Live music on weekends. $$ FB K L F-Su; D Tu-Su

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BEACHES

(All locations are in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted.)

3RD STREET DINER 223 Ninth Ave. S., 270-0080 Greek/American fare features a variety of homestyle dishes: gyros, ribs, lamb, liver and onions. Specialty desserts. $ FB K TO B L D Daily MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 17

<<< FROM PREVIOUS BOLD BEAN COFFEE ROASTERS 2400 S. Third St., Ste. 201, 374-5735, boldbeancoffee.com 2016 Best of Jax winner See Riverside.

BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 1266 Third St. S., 249-8704 1275 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 270-2666 See Northside.

BUDDHA THAI BISTRO 301 10th Ave. N., 712-4444, buddhathaibistro.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The proprietors of this Thai restaurant are from Thailand, and every dish is made with fresh ingredients from tried-and-true recipes, beautifully presented. $$ FB TO L D Daily BURRITO GALLERY 300 Beach Blvd., Ste. 1, 246-6521, burritogallery.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The newly relocated and all grown up Burrito Gallery features the same great quality burritos, tacos and enchiladas and fast service. Craft cocktails. HH M-F. $ K FB TO L D Daily CAMPECHE BAY CANTINA 127 First Ave. N., 249-3322, campechebaycantina.com Customers favor chili rellenos, tamales, fajitas, enchiladas, fish tacos, fried ice cream and homemade margaritas. Two daily HH. $$ FB K D Nightly CANTINA LOUIE 725 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 372-0123 The affordable, fun Mexican cantina specializes in innovative tacos and authentic Mexican street food. $ FB K L D Daily CASA MARIA 2429 Third St. S., 372-9000, casamariajaxbeach.com The family-owned-and-operated restaurant offers authentic Mexican food, including fajitas and seafood dishes, as well as a variety of hot sauces—ones made in-house. The specialty is tacos de asada. $ FB K L D Daily CASA MARINA INN & RESTAURANT 691 First St. N., 270-0025, casamarinahotel.com The historic 1924 restaurant is the oldest structure in Jax Beach; dine indoors, on the verandah or in the oceanfront courtyard. The daily menu features crab cakes, Kobe sliders, and homemade breads. Lunch includes salads, burgers, tacos and sandwiches. Penthouse Lounge offers a martini

bar and a terrific view of the Atlantic Ocean. $$ FB Br, Su; L Tu-F; D Nightly CINOTTI’S BAKERY, DELI & BOUTIQUE 1523 Penman Rd., 246-1728, cinottisbakery.com Four generations of Cinottis have been serving the Beaches since 1964, offering cakes, pies, breads and desserts as well as party trays. The deli has bagels and breads for breakfast items, plus lunch items like chicken salad, corned beef and club sandwiches, made with baked-rightthere bread choices. $ K TO B Br L Tu-Sa CRUISERS GRILL 319 23rd Ave. S., 270-0356, cruisersgrill.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Locally owned and operated for 20+ years– Bobby Handmaker is a pro–this casual restaurant serves half-pound burgers, fish sandwiches, big salads, award-winning cheddar fries, sangria. $ BW K TO L D Daily CULHANE’S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE 967 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-9595, culhanesirishpub.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Bite Club certified An upscale Irish pub and restaurant owned and managed by four sisters from County Limerick, Ireland, Culhane’s menu includes favorites like shepherd’s pie and corned beef. $$ FB K Br Sa & Su; L F-Su; D Tu-Su D&LP SUBS 1409 Third St. S., 247-4700, dlpsubs.com The sub place in Jax Beach offers a variety of subs, gourmet salads, wings, pizzas with all the toppings, and pasta dinners. $ K TO L D Daily DaVINCI’S PIZZA 469 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-2001, davincispizzabar.com Customers are loyal to the family-owned-andoperated pizzeria, which uses fresh, quality ingredients for its pies. Beer list changes weekly, with local brews, crafts and taps. Free beaches area delivery. $$ BW TO D Tu-Su DELICOMB DELICATESSEN & ESPRESSO BAR 102 Sixth Ave. N., 372-4192, delicomb.com The folks at this family-owned-and-operated deli make everything with natural and organic ingredients—no hydrogenated oils or highfructose corn syrup. Granola, tuna salad, kimchi, wraps and spicy panini melts are part of the varied menu. Delicomb—just steps from the sand—uses coffees from Strongtree and George Howell Coffee Company. WiFi. $ TO B L Tu-Su DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 2434 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, 372-4539 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

DWIGHT’S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1527 Penman Rd., 241-4496, dwightsbistro.com The small, cozy bistro next to Cinotti’s Bakery specializes in hand-rolled pasta and grilled vegetables. Owner and Chef Dwight DeLude, member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, prepares meals in his exhibition kitchen and all dishes, including sea scallops and the popular crab cakes, include pasta and veggies. Reservations suggested. $$$$ BW D Tu-Sa

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The innovative new spot on Penman Road in Jax Beach, FLAMING SEAFOOD & SHAO KAO BBQ offers a wide variety of meats and veggies skewered into kabobs.

18 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 19

<<< FROM PREVIOUS EL POTRO 1553 Third St. N., 241-6910, elpotrorestaurant.com Family-friendly and casual, and everything’s fresh and made-to-order. It’s a friendly place— there’s even a photo of an ICE agent on the wall!

Daily specials and a buffet are featured at most locations. $ FB L D Daily ELEVEN SOUTH 216 11th Ave. S., 241-1112, elevensouth.com An elegant addition to the Jax Beach dining scene, Eleven South serves New American eclectic cuisine. In addition to a mesquite grill and courtyard dining, Eleven South offers a selection of fine wines. $$$ FB L Tu-F; D Daily ENGINE 15 BREWING COMPANY 1500 Beach Blvd., Ste. 217, 249-2337, engine15.com The popular restaurant serves gastropub fare like soups, salads, flatbreads and specialty sandwiches, including BarBe-Cuban and beer dip. Craft beers, too—ask how you can sign up for brew groups. $ FB K L Tu-Su; D Nightly EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ 922 Beach Blvd., 249-3001, europeanstreet.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist More than 130 imported beers, 20 on tap. The menu includes a classic Reuben and overstuffed sandwiches. Outside seating at some EStreets. $ BW K L D Daily FAMOUS TOASTERY 311 N. Third St., 372-0712, famoustoastery.com Breakfast and brunch items include corned beef hash, gluten-free pancakes, omelets, toast. wraps, Bloody Marys, mimosas and wines. $$ FB K TO B L Br Daily FIRST WATCH 544 Marsh Landing Pkwy., Ste. 4, 834-3789, firstwatch.com

Breakfast is French toast, egg dishes, pancakes, sides. Lunch offers sandwiches and salads. $ K B L Daily THE FISH COMPANY RESTAURANT 725 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 12, Atlantic Beach, 246-0123, thefishcojax.com Bite Club certified The restaurant and oyster bar in North Beach Center serves fresh local seafood—Mayport shrimp, oysters, crabs, lobsters. Patio seating; allday HH every Su.; Oyster Night specials are Tue. and Wed. $$ FB K L D Daily FLAMING SEAFOOD & SHAO KAO BBQ 1289 Penman Rd., 853-6398 New place (is it Chinese? Barbecue? Seafood?) serves meats and vegetables, spiced, skewered on bamboo sticks–like Chinese street food. $ BW TO L D Daily FLYING IGUANA TAQUERIA & TEQUILA BAR 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 853-5680, flyingiguana.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The popular spot serves a fusion of Latin American and Southwestern-influenced fare: tacos, seafood, carnitas, Cubana sandwiches, more. 100+ tequilas. Outdoor seating. Live music Thur.-Sun. $ FB TO L D Daily FLY’S TIE IRISH PUB 177 Sailfish Dr. E., Atlantic Beach, 246-4293 The Sunday brunch menu features variations on corned beef hash, black and white puddings, bangers and mash. Dinner served on some Friday nights. $$ FB TO Br Su GUSTO 1266 Beach Blvd., 372-9925, gustojax.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Classic Old World Roman cuisine, extensive Italian menu: homestyle pasta, beef, chicken and fish delicacies all made in an open pizza-tossing kitchen. Reservations encouraged. Live music. $$ FB TO L Br D Tu-Su HAPPY CUP FROZEN YOGURT 299 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 2, Atlantic Beach, 372-4059, myhappycup.com Self-serve frozen yogurt made with organic ingredients and flavored with real fruit, crowned with favorites from the toppings bar. $ TO Daily HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE 241 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 425-1025, eathawkers.com See Riverside.

HOPTINGER BIER GARDEN & SAUSAGE HOUSE 333 First St. N., 222-0796, hoptinger.com A modern “Baverican” bier garden with 62 taps of craft beers and creative cocktails.

The menu includes sausage dogs, burgers,

handhelds and gastropub fare. $$ FB TO L D Daily HOT DOG HUT 1439 Third St. S., 247-3641, hotdoghut.net 2016 Best of Jax finalist The spot serves a vast selection of dogs and sausages, and a variety of toppings, as well as hamburgers, beer-battered onion rings and seasoned French fries. $ BW TO B L Daily HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS 628 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 6, Neptune Beach, 247-3031 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Baymeadows.

JOSEPH’S PIZZA 30 Ocean Blvd., Beaches Town Center, Atlantic Beach, 270-1122, josephspizza.com For 60+ years, Joseph’s has been family-ownedand-operated, serving hot pasta dishes, gourmet pizzas and veal entrées with an extensive beer and wine selection. Open M from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the beach. $$ BW TO L D Daily KAMIYA 86 1286 Third St. S., Jax Beach, 853-6602 The place features new Asian fusion cuisine, sushi—takka don, octopus, red clam, eel—and Thai dishes, like panang curry. Noodle and rice dishes. $$ FB TO L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1222 Third St. S., 372-4495 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 657 Third St. N., 247-9620 See Orange Park.

THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 211 Third St., Neptune Beach, 241-8476, looppizzagrill.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The Loop has been serving made-to-order pizza, wraps, fire-grilled items and truly great burgers for more than 30 years. It started here and now there are nine locally, 13 overall. One NB lifeguard we know just lives for the vanilla milkshakes. $ BW K TO L D Daily LYNCH’S IRISH PUB 514 N. First St., 249-5181, lynchirishpub.com 2016 Best of Jax winner A Beaches landmark, Lynch’s serves a fresh green menu: corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips. All day Irish breakfast. There are 50 imported and domestic draft beers on tap, plus beer flights. Live music nightly. $$ FB L D Daily MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY 410 Third St. N., 853-5688 2016 Best of Jax finalist See San Marco.

A landmark in San Marco’s dining scene, BISTRO AIX serves European-inspired fare in an urban-chic atmosphere.

20 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS 1018 Third St. N., Ste. 2, 241-5600, mellowmushroom.com Bite Club certified 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist The psychedelic spot serves gourmet pizzas, hoagies, salads. Pies range from Mighty Meaty to vegetarian, like Kosmic Karma. 35 beers on tap, full bar. HH all day, every day. Live music some ’Shrooms. $ FB K TO L D Daily METRO DINER 1534 Third St. N., 853-6817 2016 Best of Jax winner See San Marco.

MEZZA RESTAURANT & BAR 110 First St., Neptune Beach, 249-5573, mezzarestaurantandbar.com The near-the-ocean eatery (in Beaches Town Center) has been around more than 20 years, serving casual bistro fare like gourmet wood-fired pizzas to nightly specials. Dine indoors or out on the patio. Musical HH Tue. and Thur. Valet parking. $$$ FB K D M-Sa MILANO’S RESTAURANT, PIZZA & BAR 1504 Third St. N., 339-0909 See Intracoastal.

MOJO KITCHEN BBQ PIT & BLUES BAR 1500 Beach Blvd., 247-6636, mojobbq.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The Southern blues kitchen offers pulled pork and Carolina-style barbecue along with Delta fried catfish. Live national and local blues acts perform. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MONKEY’S UNCLE TAVERN 1728 N. Third St., 246-1070, monkeysuncletavern.com For more than 25 years, Monkey’s Uncle has served pub grub, including burgers, sandwiches, seafood and wings. Dine inside or out on the deck. Karaoke Wed., Sat. & Sun. FB TO L D Daily M SHACK 299 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-2599, mshackburgers.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Brothers David and Matthew Medure are flippin’ burgers, hot dogs, fries, shakes and more familiar fare at moderate prices. Dine indoors or out for Beaches Town Center people-watching. $$ BW L D Daily NATIVE SUN NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 1585 Third St. N., 458-1390 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

NORTH BEACH BISTRO 725 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 6, Atlantic Beach, 372-4105, nbbistro.com Bite Club certified The casual neighborhood eatery serves handcut steaks, fresh seafood and a tapas menu. An extensive wine list and HH are offered. Live music. $$$ FB K Br Su; L Tu-Su; D Nightly NORTH BEACH FISH CAMP 100 First St., Neptune Beach, 249-3474, thenorthbeachfishcamp.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Ben and Liza Groshell bring their Palm Valley Fish Camp vibe smack dab in the middle of the Beaches Town Center, with a roof-top bar and ocean view.

Fresh, creative Southern fare, fresh seafood, and bread pudding. $$ L W-Su; D Nightly OCEAN 60 RESTAURANT, WINE BAR & MARTINI ROOM 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 247-0060, ocean60.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Continental cuisine, fresh seafood, nightly dinner specials and a seasonal menu in a formal dining room or the more casual Martini Room. Local artists are featured, along with live Latin and blues. $$$ FB D M-Sa OCEAN GRILLE & BAR 333 First St. N., Jax Beach, 595-5965, oceangrille.net The spot serves modern American fare, featuring fresh seafood, steaks and wraps. Live music and outdoor oceanfront dining complete the casual upscale experience. $$ BW K Br, Su; L D Daily OHANA HAWAIIAN SHAVED ICE 469 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 12, Atlantic Beach, 249-0555 Delicately shaved ice is served in 52 flavors, made without corn syrup, some without sugar. There are also crab cake sandwiches and salads with mango salsa. $ TO Tu-Su PARSONS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1451 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 595-5789, parsonsseafoodrestaurant.com The landmark place has moved up the beach; still serving local seafood dishes, sides, specialty fare. $$ FB K TO L D Tu-Su PHILLY’S FINEST CHEESESTEAKS & PIZZA 1527 N. Third St., 241-7188, phillys-finest.com The casual restaurant serves authentic Philly cheesesteaks made with Amoroso’s bread and steaks flown in direct from Philadelphia. The Ice Bar features a wide selection of beer. $ BW L D Daily THE PIER CANTINA & SANDBAR 412 N. First St., 246-6454, thepierjax.com The casual oceanfront restaurant offers a Mexican-

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SAVORY SIDES

TASTY

T’WEETS

Seagull S eagull B Bakery akery ooffers ffers a SPECTRUM S PECTRUM O OFF FFLAVORS LAVORS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT DINNER IS dessert. But any chef can throw some ice cream on top of a brownie and call it a delectable masterpiece. That is not the case for Lara Lombardo, the head chef at SEAGULL BAKERY. Lombardo started in the industry by helping out in an Avondale bakery called Let Them Eat Cake, which triggered her passion.

“I was so interested from the main baker at Let Them Eat Cake,” Lombardo said.

Lombardo’s love for creating palatable delicacies eventually inspired her to open a bakery of her own. With help from her parents, Carol and Dave Lombardo, she opened Seagull Bakery.

What started as a cottage industry in November 2013 has grown to occupy a commercial kitchen, which Seagull Bakery shares with The Perfect Pear Catering Co., and their own online store. Lombardo is always challenging herself to create new desserts to satisfy her customers. From gluten-free, flourless chocolate tortes to (her favorite) mango Key lime bars, Lombardo’s productions appeal to all types of sweet tooths.

Creating new desserts is not the only thing that has been an important aspect of her life; Lombardo, 25, lives with autism.

“It’s more difficult baking for me because when I have a lot of work to do, it can be overwhelming,” Lombardo explained. “I talk to the chefs helping me and use strategies, like breathing, to calm me down.” The bakery’s website states that the business “began in 2013 to employ, mentor and teach those with autism while creating beautiful, high quality pastries.”

SEAGULL BAKERY

3724 Southside Blvd., 610-7990, www. seagullbakery.net Over the years, Lombardo has had the opportunity to learn from local executive chefs such as Danny Groshell, owner of Ocean 60, Verousce Mckibbin from The Perfect Pear, Nils Rowland at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, and Elizabeth Kerns from the now-closed Let Them Eat Cake.

Utilizing their tutelage and expertise, Lombardo has risen like the yeast in her pastries to become an accomplished, experienced baker.

The desire to teach others the tricks of her trade has led Lombardo to share her baking skills at Mainspring Academy, a school for people with special needs, and at the Arc of Jacksonville.

In her efforts to “bake-down the barrier” of cake baking and broaden her pastry horizons, Lombardo has been experimenting with cupcakes. She won’t sell her experiments to the public, however; she donates her practice cupcakes to a homeless shelter, giving folks there a tasty treat.

The Lombardo family plans to expand their business by opening a retail shop with the purpose of employing more chefs and workers to help their growing business and create local jobs.

“There’s not that much opportunity out there, so we created this for her, essentially, and when it exploded in growth, we really saw the need and responsibility to employ, teach and mentor people with autism,” Carol explained.

The able-bodied and sharp-minded baker, excited to continue her ever-growing baking business, and keep learning new aspects of it, has a message for those living with autism who may think their dreams are unattainable.

“No matter what challenges they have, they should keep doing what they love,” said Lombardo.

Lauren Ericksen mail@folioweekly.com 22 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

<<< FROM PREVIOUS influenced menu. Downstairs in the Sandbar, there’s live music Tue.-Sun. Dine indoors or on the oceanfront patio. HH M-F. $$$ FB L D Daily THE PITA PIT 500 Third St. N., 685-4567 See Fleming Island.

POE’S TAVERN 363 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-7637, poestavern.com Named for Baltimore’s poet Edgar Allan Poe, the American gastropub has 50+ beers, gourmet hamburgers, ground in-house and cooked to order, plus hand-cut French fries, fish tacos, entrée-size salads, Edgar’s Drunken Chili, daily fish sandwich special. $$ FB K L D Daily RAGTIME TAVERN & SEAFOOD GRILL 207 Atlantic Blvd., Beaches Town Center, Atlantic Beach, 241-7877, ragtimetavern.com In business for 30+ years, the seafood restaurant offers blackened snapper, sesame tuna and its renowned Ragtime shrimp. Daily HH, Sunday brunch, live music W-Su. $$ FB L D Daily RENNA’S PIZZA 592 Marsh Landing Pkwy., 273-3113, rennaspizza.com See Mandarin.

ROYAL PALM VILLAGE WINE & TAPAS 296 Royal Palms Dr., Atlantic Beach, 372-0052, royalpalmwines.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Locally owned and operated, this retail and restaurant spot offers more than 1, 200 bottles of fine wine, 200 bottles of beer and 15 rotating microbrewed draft beers to pair with the chef ’s creative tapas. $$ BW D M-Sa ROY’S HAWAIIAN FUSION CUISINE 2400 S. Third St., Ste. 101, 241-7697 High-end dining with friendly aloha service, Roy’s serves Hawaiian fusion with Asian aromatics using fresh local ingredients, European sauces and bold Asian spices. $$$$ FB K D Nightly SAFE HARBOR SEAFOOD MARKET & RESTAURANT 4378 Ocean St., Mayport Village, 246-4911, safeharborseafoodmayport.com SAFE HARBOR RESTAURANT 2510 Second Ave. N., 479-3474 2016 Best of Jax winner No doubt the seafood’s fresh—boats unload at the dock. What Safe Harbor sells in the market— shrimp, oysters, clams and scallops—they’ll cook to order. Dine inside or on the dock overlooking the confluence of the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean, or at the new Jax Beach place on the ICW. $$ BW TO L D Tu-Su SALA PHAD THAI 1716 Third St. N., 246-7490 The family-owned-and-operated Thai place has extensive menus, with spring rolls, fried squid, beef with oyster sauce and a variety of curried dishes. Vegan-friendly: bean curd delight, noodles and veggies. $$ TO L D Daily SALT LIFE FOOD SHACK 1018 Third St. N., 372-4456, saltlifefoodshack.com Specialty items, including the signature tuna poke bowl, fresh rolled sushi, Ensenada tacos and local fried shrimp, in a contemporary openair space. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SEACHASERS 831 First St. N., 372-0444, seachasers.com Four dining areas: First Street Bar, Music Room, Beach Bar and the Dining Room. The menu includes fresh seafood, beef, chicken, handhelds, burgers, desserts. Traditional and creative cocktails. HH daily. Live music Thur.-Sat. $$$ FB K L D Daily SEAFOOD KITCHEN 31 Royal Palms Dr., Atlantic Beach, 241-8470 Serving seafood in Atlantic Beach for more than 20 years, Seafood Kitchen offers reasonable meals in a no-frills atmosphere. The emphasis is on fresh local seafood prepared to order, with a variety of dishes served. $ BW TO L D Daily THE SECRET GARDEN CAFÉ 798 S. Third St., 372-0915, secretgardencafe.net See Southside.

THE SHIM SHAM ROOM 333 First St. N., Ste. 150, 372-0781, shimshamroom.com The joint in the entertainment district offers a seasonal menu of “cheap eats”: tasty bar bites like chicken and waffles, badass fries and tacos. Live music. $$ FB D Nightly

A small-batch, artisanal approach to coffee drinks, espressos and local and regional craft beers keep folks at the three BOLD BEAN COFFEE ROASTERS busy.

SINGLETON’S SEAFOOD SHACK 4728 Ocean St., Mayport Village, 246-4442 Just steps from the Mayport ferry, the ramshackle haunt has been serving seafood to locals and Navy men and women since the ’60s.

Customer favorites include fried shrimp dinner and blackened or grilled fish. Dine inside or on the enclosed porch right on the St. Johns River— literally. $ FB K TO L D Daily SLIDERS SEAFOOD GRILLE & OYSTER BAR 218 First St., Beaches Town Center, Neptune Beach, 246-0881, slidersseafoodgrille.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Beach-casual atmosphere. Customer favorites include fish tacos and gumbo. Dessert means Key lime pie and homemade ice cream sandwiches. $$ FB K L Sa & Su; D Nightly SNEAKERS SPORTS GRILLE 111 Beach Blvd., 482-1000, sneakerssportsgrille.com Sneakers offers a full bar (with more than 20 beers on tap), TV screens covering entire walls and cheerleaders serving the food. HH M-F. $ FB K L D Daily SOUTHERN GROUNDS & CO. 200 First St., Neptune Beach, 249-2922 2016 Best of Jax finalist SUN DELI 1011 S. Third St., 270-1040, sundelisubs.com Traditional subs like Reubens, triple-decker and chicken club, as well as build-your-own from corned beef, salami, pastrami, turkey and liverwurst. Signature subs include the Radical Side (tuna salad, egg salad, American cheese, lettuce, tomato) or 9.0 (Philly-style steak, American cheese, bacon, pepperoni, blackened seasoning). $ TO L M-Sa

SURFING SOMBRERO 221 First St. N., 834-9377 The place serves a substantial menu of authentic items diners can enjoy gazing at the Atlantic Ocean—like paella. Drink specials. Dine inside or out. $ FB L D Daily SURFWICHES SANDWICH SHOP 1537 Penman Rd. N., 241-6996, surfwiches.com Craft sandwich shop serves Yankee-style steak sandwiches and hoagies, all made to order. $ BW TO K L D Daily SWEET FROG 1094 Third St. N., 595-5160 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

TACOLU BAJA MEXICANA 1712 Beach Blvd., 249-8226, tacolu.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Fresh, Baja-style fare with a focus on fish tacos, tequila (more than 135) and mezcal (20 and counting). Highlights include bangin’ shrimp, carne asada and carnitas; daily fresh fish selections. $$ FB K Br Sa & Su; L D Tu-F TAMA’S SUSHI RESTAURANT 106 First St., Beaches Town Center, Neptune Beach, 241-0099, tamasushi.com The casual spot has a full sushi bar, and tempura, teriyaki and katsu dishes. Sake is served. $ BW D Tu-Su TOMO JAPANESE CUISINE & ART 1253 Penman Rd., 372-4369, tomojapanesejacksonville.com Fresh, authentic, upscale Japanese cuisine—it’s

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MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 23

yogurt and nine kinds of smoothies, made with lowfat milk and no artificial sweeteners.

Toppings: fresh fruit, nuts, granola, cereal, chocolate, sprinkles. $ TO Daily ZETA BREWING 131 First Ave. N., 372-0727, zetabrewing.com Tapas and sharing plates, flats, salads, sandwiches, burgers. Late-night upscale urban fusion. $$ FB L D Daily

CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA

<<< FROM PREVIOUS Japanese-owned. Fresh handmade sushi, hibachi grill items and homemade-style dishes. $$ FB K D Nightly UGLY CUPCAKE MUFFINRY & CAFE 115 Fifth Ave. S., 339-5214, theuglycupcakemuffinry.com Sweet, and savory giant muffins, breakfast and lunch made from organic, locally sourced ingredients are served at this charming place by the sea. Outside seating available. $$ TO B L Daily V PIZZA 528 First St. N., 853-6633, vpizza.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Specializes in the art of traditional pizza Neapolitana, a rare class of artisan pizza from Naples—Italy, silly, not Florida. $$ FB TO L D Daily three locations WHISKEY JAX 950 Marsh Landing Pkwy., Ste. 370, 853-5973, whiskeyjax.com See Baymeadows.

THE WINE BAR 320 N. First St., Ste. 102, 372-0211, thewinebaruncorked.com The casual neighborhood wine bar serves tapas, apps, flatbreads and cheese plates, great for pairing. A wide variety of wine, beer and cigars.

Live music F-Su and wine tastings are offered. $ BW TO D Nightly WIPEOUTS GRILL 1585 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 247-4508, wipeoutsgrill.info The casual, beachy sports place serves burgers, wings, fish tacos and plenty of cold beer—wine, too—in a relaxing atmosphere. $ FB K TO Br, Su; L D Daily YOBE FROZEN YOGURT 544 Marsh Landing Pkwy., Ste. 1, 280-9652, myyobe.com 309 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 246-0080 Choose from 30+ flavors of fat-free frozen

CAPTAIN STAN’S SMOKEHOUSE 700 Bedell Dr., Woodbine, 912-729-9552 All kinds of barbecue, sides, hot dogs, burgers, desserts. Dine in or out on picnic tables. $$ FB K TO L & D Tu-Sa DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 1301 E. King Ave., Kingsland, 912-510-0095 11 W. Coffee St., Hazlehurst, 912-551-9364 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

RED MOOSE 882-9192 1840 Osborne Rd., Ste. A, St. Marys, 912-882-9192 The eclectic menu features fresh crêpes, quiches, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, a variety of teas, handcut fries, soups and salads. $$ BW K TO L D M-F MALSONS BBQ 1330 Boone Ave., Kingsland, 912-882-4355 Real barbecue—smokers onsite. Burgers, wings, plates, ribs, sausages, beans. Dine in or out. $ K TO L & D Daily OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 860 Kingsbay Rd., 912-729-8800 See Mandarin.

SALT.PEPPER.THYME 105 N. Lee St., Kingsland, 912-510-0444, saltpepperthyme.net Varied American Southern fare. Dine in or out. $$ BW K TO L W; L & D Th-S STEFFENS RESTAURANT 550 S. Lee St., Kingsland, 912-729-5355, steffensrestaurant.com Southern scratch-made menu. $-$$ K TO B, L & D M-Sa; B & L Su

DOWNTOWN

(Jacksonville Landing venues are at 2 Independent Drive)

AKEL’S DELICATESSEN 50 N. Laura St., Ste. 125, 665-7324, akelsdeli.com The New York-style deli offers freshly made fare—create from the extensive menu, or order a specialty sandwich: subs (Three Wise Guys, Champ, The Godfather), burgers, gyros, wraps, sides, desserts and vegetarian dishes. There’s a full breakfast menu. $ TO B L M-F THE AMERICAN GRILL Jacksonville Landing, Ste. 201, 353-7522 Traditional fare; chicken pot pie is a favorite.

Burgers, steaks, ribs, pizza, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and vegetarian items complete the menu. $$ FB L D Daily THE ATRIUM CAFÉ 1 Independent Dr., Ste. 110, 634-1811, atriumcafe.net At Independent Square, Atrium Café features hot entrées and traditional sandwiches, including a buffalo chicken sandwich. Dine outside, inside or take it to go. $ TO B L M-F THE BANK BBQ & BAKERY 331 W. Forsyth St., 388-1600, thebankbbq.com It’s authentic Down South barbecue—burnt ends, smoked meats, brisket, pulled pork, sausage, collards, along with innovative artisan bakery items, featuring bagels, muffins and desserts. Breakfast items, sandwiches and sides. $$ TO B L M-F BIG PETE’S OLD STYLE PIZZERIA 118 N. Julia St., 356-2680, bigpetes.net Everything from scratch, including pizza, calzones, baked ziti and wraps. Barbecue, too. $$ TO L D M-F BURRITO GALLERY & BAR 21 E. Adams St., 598-2922 2016 Best of Jax winner Popular Burrito Gallery serves Southwestern cuisine with an emphasis on innovative burritos, including ginger teriyaki tofu and beef barbacoa, as well as wraps and tacos. Local art is displayed, and live music or DJs are on the back deck during Art Walk and other special events. $ BW TO L D M-Sa THE CANDY APPLE CAFÉ & COCKTAILS 400 N. Hogan St., 353-9717, thecandyapplecafe.com Hands-on fare inspired by the best in confections, which you can score right next door at Sweet Pete’s. Sandwiches, entrées, salads. $$ FB K L, M; L D Tu-Su CASA DORA 108 E. Forsyth St., 356-8282, casadoraitalian.com Chef Sam Hassan has been serving genuine Italian fare for 40 years with dishes like veal, seafood and gourmet pizza. The homemade salad dressing is a specialty. Gluten-free pasta and vegan pizza options. $$ BW K L M-F; D M-Sa CHAMBLIN’S UPTOWN 215 N. Laura St., 674-0870, chamblinbookmine.com Breakfast sandwiches made with fresh Healthy Bagel bagels and croissants, unique lunch wraps, coffees, homemade soups, salads, desserts, weekly specials. Vegan/vegetarian fare. $ BW TO B L Daily DE REAL TING CAFÉ 128 W. Adams St., 633-9738 2016 Best of Jax finalist The Caribbean restaurant features jerk or curried chicken, conch fritters and curried goat and oxtail. $ FB TO L Tu-F; D F & Sa

On busy Wells Road in Orange Park, THE HILLTOP is an oasis of fine dining elegance and charm, with specialties like New Orleans shrimp, Black Angus prime rib, she-crab soup, homemade desserts and a piano lounge.

24 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

There are now eight METRO DINERS, so Northeast Florida is covered. Serving upscale diner fare, this Best of Jax readers’ poll winner boasts several locations now serving dinner as well.

FIONN MacCOOL’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT Jacksonville Landing, Ste. 176, 374-1547, fionnmacs.com The pub offers casual dining with an uptown Irish atmosphere, serving fish and chips, Guinness lamb stew and black-and-tan brownies. Live music is featured daily. And now there’s a new calendar—we like March. $$ FB K L D Daily FRED COTTEN’S LANDMARK BBQ 2623 N. Main St., 634-7571 See Arlington.

INDOCHINE 21 E. Adams St., Ste. 200, 598-5303, indochinejax.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine in the urban core. Signature dishes include chicken Satay, soft shell crab, and mango and sticky rice for dessert. $$ FB TO L D M-F; D Tu-Sa JENKINS QUALITY BARBECUE 830 N. Pearl St., 353-6388, jenkinsqualitybarbecue.com For nearly 60 years now, family-owned Jenkins Quality Barbecue has served some of the best downhome barbecue around. Slather sauce on a whole smoky chicken or a basket of crinkle-cut French fries. Convenient drive-thru. $ TO L D Daily LANNA THAI & SUSHI RESTAURANT 2 Independent Dr., 425-2702 See Amelia.

THE MAGNIFICAT CAFE 231 N. Laura St., 353-3588, themagnificat.net On Hemming Plaza, this French-style café serves French onion soup, quiche Lorraine, sandwiches and fresh fruit salad. Freshly baked breads, too. Dine indoors or out on the covered patio. $$ TO B L M-Sa OLIO MARKET 301 E. Bay St., 356-7100, oliomarket.com A foodie favorite, Olio serves made-from-scratch soups, salads and sandwiches. They even cure their own bacon and pickle their own pickles. It’s home to the duck grilled cheese, seen on Travel Channel’s Best Sandwich in America. Open late during every First Wednesday Art Walk. $$ BW TO B Br L M-F SPLIFF’S GASTROPUB 15 N. Ocean St., 844-5000 The music venue has munchie apps, mac &

cheese dishes, pockets, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, wraps and HH M-F. $ BW L D M-Sa SWEET PETE’S 400 N. Hogan St., 376-7161, sweetpetescandy.com The all-natural sweet shop has candy making classes and features candy and other treats made the old-fashioned way: all natural flavors, no artificial anything. Choose from candies and natural products, including several kinds of honey. $ TO Daily URBAN GRIND COFFEE COMPANY 45 W. Bay St., Ste. 102, 516-7799, urbangrind.coffee There’s a variety of locally roasted, whole bean brewed coffee, espresso drinks, smoothies, fresh pastries and bagels with homemade cream cheeses. Lunch includes chicken salad (best ever), tuna salad and sandwiches. Free Wi-Fi. $ B L M-F URBAN GRIND EXPRESS 50 W. Laura St., 516-7799.

See above.

ZODIAC BAR & GRILL 120 W. Adams St., 354-8283, thezodiacbarandgrill.com Since 2000, Zodiac’s been serving Mediterranean cuisine and American favorites in a casual atmosphere, plus panini and vegetarian dishes.

The daily lunch buffet is a downtown favorite.

Espressos and hookahs are available. HH W-Sa There’s live music on F $ FB L M-Fri

FLEMING ISLAND

BRICK OVEN PIZZERIA & GASTROPUB 1811 Town Center Blvd., 278-1770, brickovengastropub.com Family-owned-and-operated, this spot offers freshly made brick-oven pizzas, specialty burgers, melts and wraps. Craft beers and gluten-free items. $$ BW K TO L D Daily DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 1803 East-West Pkwy., 375-2559 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

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FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES 1605 C.R. 220, Ste. 130, 592-4896 2016 Best of Jax winner See Orange Park.

GRASSROOTS NATURAL MARKET 1915 East-West Parkway, 541-0009 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Riverside.

JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS 1647 C.R. 220, Ste. 102, 264-0022 See San Marco.

MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY 1960 East West Parkway, Ste. 103, 375-2219 2016 Best of Jax finalist See San Marco.

MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS 1800 Town Center Blvd., 541-1999

Bite Club certified 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Beaches.

MERCURY MOON GRILL & BAR 2015 C.R. 220, 215-8999 Mercury Moon serves a variety of burgers and wings and signature sandwiches, including Philly cheesesteak, fried fish sandwich and the halfpound Moon burger. Live music. $ FB D Nightly MOJO SMOKEHOUSE 1810 Town Center Blvd., Ste. 8, 264-0636, mojobbq.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Southern smokehouse offers pulled pork,

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SAVORY SIDES

BRENTLEY’S

3

BEST BITES (AND SIPS)

FFolio olio FFoodie oodie w waxes axes oonn hher er FFAVE AVE TTASTES ASTES ooff tthe he yyear ear

5

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1) Pop & Doughnut Collaboration Bold City Pops, 626-8101, boldcitypops.com Jayne Dough, jaynedoughnut904@gmail.com It turns out that ice pops and doughnuts are like a relationship that no one saw coming and everyone loves. The first run of this beautiful marriage featured a blueberry-glazed doughnut from Jayne Dough and lemon custard from Bold City Pops. The pops are limited-edition, meaning you have to stalk their social media accounts so you’ll know when and where to get one. It’s worth the effort, as this dessert combo is quite incredible. Now they just need their very own weird combo celebrity name. Bo-Do? Ci-Jayne?

Blue-Nuts?

2) Soup Dumplings Silver Star Chinese Restaurant, 5016 Blanding Blvd., Westside, 778-8500 Jax doesn’t have a Chinatown, and everyone suffers for it. However, Silver Star offers a glimmer of hope with its Dim Sum menu. I can’t speak for everything on it, but if you order a tray of pork Soup Dumplings, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Side note: It might behoove you to order Egg Foo Young—but no one is telling you what to do.

3) Perfect Pear Supper Club The Perfect Pear Catering Co., 3724 Southside Blvd., 270-2101 Once a month, Perfect Pear’s owner/chef Verousce Mckibbin hosts a dining experience open to all. (That’s right, you don’t need to scam an invite to your third-cousin twice-removed’s wedding to indulge in The Perfect Pear.) When I attended, they served arguably one of the best meals I’ve ever had in the area. Treat yourself to several courses by Chef Mckibbin and her team; I guarantee their incredibly inventive dishes will wow you. Each item was more delightful and creative than the last, but two stood out in taste and presentation. The first: Cauliflower soup with a frozen cube of curry custard encrusted with dried black garlic. The creamy curry melted incrementally into the cauliflower purée. Second: Cardamom meringues for dessert blew my mind.

The light crunch of a meringue combined with the taste and scent of cardamom was a delight to the taste buds.

4) The Rhapsody in Lavender HOBNOB, 220 Riverside Ave., Ste. 110, 513-4272, hobnobjax.com I’m really all for the lavender trend happening these days. And HOBNOB’s Rhapsody in Lavender cocktail is one of my favorite things 26 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

2

1

in a champagne saucer right now … ya know, besides champagne. Mixed with coconut rum and a little garnish of lavender, it’s delicate, fragrant and oh-so-tasty. The cocktail was first created by Brian Reed for HOBNOB’s generous pours menu as part of a special—some of what you spend on the drink goes back to the community, as a donation to a local charity. And we’re glad it’s now on the menu.

5) Bulgogi GangNam Korean Restaurant, 5161 Beach Blvd., Ste. 5, Spring Park, 396-4008 With bulgogi, it was love at first pronunciation, and I’ve been hooked ever since. The bulgogi— and the rest of the menu—at GangNam is authentic, fresh and flavorful. The paper-thin beef slices are dressed in the traditional sweet-and-savory Korean bulgogi marinade, complemented with slightly crisp slices of onions and scallions, which add a nice freshness to the meat. One bite and you’ll be addicted, too.

6) Double-Casked Bourbon St. Augustine Distillery, 112 Riberia St., 825-4962, staugustinedistillery.com Released last September, this is some tasty small-batch bourbon. If you haven’t tried it, take a short trip to the St. Augustine Distillery and adjacent Ice Plant Bar ASAP. (Order the fish dip—you won’t be sorry.) Make sure you order the bourbon neat the first time. You’ll want to taste the delectable notes of caramel and coffee in each sip.

7) Goat Curry Soup Gilbert’s Social, 4021 Southside Blvd., Ste. 200, 647-7936, gilbertssocial.co The textures in this soup are incredible, just like its creator, Chef Kenny Gilbert. This is the most honestly unassuming bowl of soup I’ve ever been served. It’s like a traditional Indian curry with a Moroccan spice kick. The mélange is amazing— the variety of peas and beans so creamy they complement the soft crunch, the nutty taste of crushed cashews sprinkled on top, the dollop of yogurt swirling into the base, cooling things down while the curry spices things up. And the exploding sweetness of plump, juicy, pickled raisins mingling with the spicy finish of the broth; finally, the bone-in, fatty goat as tender as it gets, with a gamey flavor that pairs so well with the spices … perfection. The thing about this soup?

Everything works so well together, you’ll be craving it nonstop till you return to enjoy it again.

Brentley Stead biteclub@folioweekly.com

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 27

of Swimming Pen Creek. Open for more than 50 years, Whitey’s features an outdoor Tiki bar and live music Wed.-Sun. Come by boat, motorcycle or car. $ FB K TO L Tu-Su; D Nightly YOUR PIE 1545 C.R. 220, Ste. 125, 379-9771, yourpie.com Owner Mike Sims has a fast, casual pizza concept: Choose from three doughs, nine sauces, seven cheeses and 40+ toppings and create their own pizza pie. Then stick it in a hot brick oven for just five minutes and ta-da: It’s your pie. Subs, sandwiches and gelato. $$ BW K TO L D Daily

INTRACOASTAL WEST

<<< FROM PREVIOUS Carolina-style barbecue and Delta fried catfish. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MR. CHUBBY’S WINGS 2349 Village Square Pkwy., Ste. 101, 272-9464, mrchubbyswings.com Apps, salads, wraps, boneless wings, burgers and … wings. served in various quantities: platters, by pieces—sauce flavors include barbecue, jerk, blue cheese, smokey garlic, sweet & sour, maple Cajun and more. Food and drink specials; live music. $ FB K TO L D Daily THE PITA PIT 1810 Town Center Blvd., Ste. 5, 579-4930 The upbeat place serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. All of the fresh ingredients are available in a pita or a salad. All-natural smoothies are also served. $ TO B L D Daily TAPS BAR & GRILL 1605 C.R. 220, Ste. 145, 278-9421, tapspublichouse.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The restaurant offers more than 50 premium domestic and imported beers on tap along with a full bar. The menu features starters, burgers, sandwiches, entrees and a kids’ selection, all prepared to order with fresh ingredients. Lots of TVs for watching sports. $$ FB K L D Daily TIJUANA FLATS 1647 C.R. 220, 264-1766 See Baymeadows.

WHITEY’S FISH CAMP 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198, whiteysfishcamp.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The renowned authentic fish camp serves gator tail and fresh-water river catfish, as well as traditional meals and daily specials on the banks

AL’S PIZZA 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 31 (at San Pablo), 223-0991, alspizza.com 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist Folio Weekly readers often vote for Al’s for Best Pizza in our annual Best of Jax poll. Celebrating more than 20 years and six locations, Al’s offers a selection of New York-style and gourmet pizzas.

All-day HH M-Th. $ FB K TO L D Daily BITTER SWEET BAKERY & EATERY 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 29, 223-0457 Traditional desserts just like Grandma’s, with a modern twist, are featured here, along with sandwiches wrapped in butcher paper and tied with twine. Ah, the good old days. Plus breakfast items to-go. $$ TO B L Tu-Su BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 3303 San Pablo Rd. S., 223-1391 See Northside.

BRUCCI’S PIZZA, PASTA, PANINIS 13500 Beach Blvd., Ste. 36, 223-6913, bruccispizza.com Brucci’s offers authentic New York-style pizza, Italian pastas and desserts in a family atmosphere.

HH M-F $ BW K TO L M-Sa; D Nightly CASTILLO DE MEXICO 12620 Beach Blvd., Ste. 19, 998-7006, castillodemexico.net Castillo de Mexico, in business for more than 16 years, offers an extensive menu served in authentic Mexican décor. Weekday lunch buffet. $$ FB L D Daily CLIFF’S ROCKIN BAR-N-GRILL 3033 Monument Rd., Ste. 2, 645-5162 Cliff ’s features 8-ounce burgers, wings, seafood, homemade pizza and daily specials, including the weekend handcut 12-ounce New York strip.

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A hot spot in Neptune Beach, FLYING IGUANA TAQUERIA & TEQUILA BAR has Latin American and Southwestern fusion fare and more than 100 tequilas, outdoor seating and live music. ¡Olé!

28 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

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In Riverside (OK, 5 Points), FIVE POINTS TAVERN, a New American cosmopolitan restaurant, serves chef-curated dishes.

<<< FROM PREVIOUS

30 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

Weekday HH. There’s music every night. Smoking is permitted. $$ FB TO L D Daily COPPER TAP HOUSE 13500 Beach Blvd., 647-6595 Regional craft cuisine and beers, live music F and Sa, brunch Sa and Su, trivia, beer flights—Copper Tap has it all. HH daily. $$ FB K TO D Daily DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 32, 223-0115 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

EL RANCHITO 14333 Beach Blvd., Ste. 22, 992-4607 The restaurant features Latin American cuisine, including dishes from Colombia, Cuba and Mexico. Closed Tuesdays. $$ BW K TO L D Daily EPIK BURGER 12740 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 105, 374-7326, epikburger.com More than 35 chef-inspired gourmet burgers made from quality grass-fed beef, bison, chicken and tuna plus gluten-free options are available. The go-to burger? The Epikurean, topped with Maytag bleu cheese mousse, blackberry jam, parmesan, Panetta, mushrooms and balsamic mayonnaise. Sides, milkshakes. $ BW K TO L D M-Sa FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES 3267 Hodges Blvd., Ste. 6, 992-4680 2016 Best of Jax winner See Orange Park.

GUMBO YAYA’S 14333 Beach Blvd., Ste. 101, 223-0202, gumboyayas.com New Orleans/Cajun fare features gumbo (obvee, right?), po’boys, muffuletta, etouffée, jambalaya, shrimp, oysters, catfish. Daily specials and weekend low country boils. There’s a new climate-controlled patio for outdoor dining. $$ BW K TO L D Daily JIMMY HULA’S 13170 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 63, 220-9001, jimmyhulas.com Beach-themed place serves fish tacos and burgers, craft beers and wines. $ BW K TO L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 14333 Beach Blvd., Ste. 39, 992-1666 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 10750 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 14, 642-6980 See Orange Park.

MAHARLIKA HALL & SPORTS GRILL 14255 Beach Blvd., Ste. E, 992-1112, maharlika. mayumibeats.com The Filipino-American restaurant and market features pancit bami, lumpia, turon strudel and halo halo with ice cream. $-$$ FB K Br L D Daily MAMA MIA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA 12220 Atlantic Blvd., 221-1122, mamammiasjax.com Mama Mia’s offers casual dining, with lunchtime specials. The menu includes veal, seafood dishes,

and New York-style and big-crust Sicilian-style pizzas. Free delivery is available. $ BW L D Tu-Su MAMBOS CUBAN CAFE & PIZZERIA 13770 Beach Blvd., Ste. 9, 374-2046, mamboscubancafe.com Authentic Cuban cuisine and cocktails, including ropa vieja, bistec, pollo, picadillo and lechon asada and mojitos. The Cuban sandwich is a customer favorite. DJs spin Latin music every Fri. & Sat. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MARKER 32 14549 Beach Blvd., 223-1534, marker32.com Established in 1992, with an ICW panoramic view, Marker 32 offers an innovative American eclectic menu, featuring fresh, local seafood served overlooking the ICW. Customer favorites include shrimp and Andouille fettuccini, herb-grilled local fish with hoppin john and basil pesto rice, broiled oysters and yellow fin tuna poke. $$$ FB K D Nightly MILANO’S RESTAURANT, PIZZA & BAR 12620 Beach Blvd., Ste. 21, 646-9119, mymilanospizza.com The casual, family-owned restaurant and pizzeria serves homestyle Italian fare, like thin-crust New York-style pizzas, veal and baked dishes. Daily delivery service. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MR. CHAN ASIAN CUISINE 13947 Beach Blvd., 992-1388, mrchanasiancuisine.com Mr. Chan offers a variety of Pan-Asian fare, chef ’s specialties including a classic spicy-cabbage kimchi, as well as traditional dishes. $$ L, W-Su; D Tu-Su MVP’S SPORTS GRILLE 12777 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 5, 221-1090 Wings and burgers in a sporty spot. Free pool and trivia are featured on M, Texas Hold ’Em is on Sun. and Tue., Karaoke is held every Thur., a DJ spins every Wed., Fri. & Sat. Sports on 22 TVs. $ FB L D Daily MY MOCHI FROZEN YOGURT 13546 Beach Blvd., Ste. 1A, 821-9880 See St. Johns Town Center.

OCEANA DINER 13799 Beach Blvd., Ste. 3, 374-1915 Traditional American diner fare served in a family atmosphere. $ K TO B L Daily ORANGE TREE 13000 Beach Blvd., Ste. 43, 551-3661, orangetreehotdogs.com Serving hot dogs and freshly made personal size pizzas since 1968, this spot also offers Hershey’s ice cream and milkshakes. $ K TO L D Daily THE POTTERS HOUSE SOUL FOOD BISTRO II 11876 Atlantic Blvd., 394-2801, thesoulfoodbistro.com See Riverside.

SID & LINDA’S SEAFOOD MARKET & RESTAURANT 12220 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 109, 503-8276 The fresh seafood market and restaurant lets you pick your actual whole fish, have it cleaned, filleted and cooked to order, to dine in or take out.

Housemade sauces. $$ BW K TO D M, L D Tu-Su SIENA’S AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE 13170 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 26, 220-9192, sienasjax.com The varied menu offers Italian cuisine including lasagna, calzones and stuffed shells, as well as pizza and wraps. Live music is also presented. $$ BW K TO L D Daily SURFWICHES SANDWICH SHOP 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 29, 559-5301 See Beaches.

TACO LIBRE 14286 Beach Blvd., 374-0622, tacolibrejax.com The new locally owned Mexican taqueria offers homestyle soft corn tortillas, gorditas, sopas, enchiladas, quesadillas and of course tacos. $$ BW K L D Daily

THE TENT HOOKAH LOUNGE 12041 Beach Blvd., Ste. 4, 551-2962, thetenthookahlounge.com Authentic fare features falafel, kibbeh, musabhaha and baklava. Hookahs and flavored tobacco, Arabic coffees, specials and live belly dancing and floor seating, in keeping with that authenticity thing. Open late. $ BW L D Daily THAI ORCHID 12620 Beach Blvd., Ste. 4, 683-1286, thairestaurantjacksonville.com The restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine made with fresh ingredients, including pad Thai, Thai curry dishes and rice dishes. $$ BW L M-Sa; D Nighty TIME OUT SPORTS GRILL 13799 Beach Blvd., Ste. 5, 223-6999, timeoutsportsgrill.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The locally-owned-and-operated grill serves handtossed pizzas, wings and specialty wraps in a clean, sporty atmosphere. Daily drink specials, tons of HD TVs, pool tables, darts and trivia. A late-night menu is offered. $$ FB L Tu-Su; D Nightly XTREME WINGS 12220 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 108, 220-9464 The family sports grill has TVs airing UFC, NFL MLB and college games, and there’s games and pool tables. The menu offers wings (try the Pit Road), burgers, sandwiches and wraps. $ FB K TO L D Daily

FIRST WATCH 11111 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 14, 268-8331 See Beaches.

FIVE F(x) ICE CREAM & WAFFLES 10950 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 13, 647-9903 See Baymeadows.

FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES 10061 San Jose Blvd., 493-5414 13760 St. Augustine Rd., 402-8036 2016 Best of Jax winner See Orange Park.

GIGI’S RESTAURANT 3130 Hartley Rd., 694-4300, gigisbuffet.com In the Ramada, Gigi’s serves a weekend prime rib and crab leg buffet, Sunday brunch, a daily breakfast buffet and lunch and dinner buffets.

Ramada Inn is home to The Comedy Zone, a 2016 Best of Jax winner, featuring national comedians Tue-Sat. $$$ FB B Br L D Daily HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS 3055 C.R. 210, Ste. 101, St. Johns, 230-6445 12795 San Jose Blvd., Julington Creek, 260-8338 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Baymeadows.

JENK’S PIZZA 2245 C.R. 210 W., Ste. 112, Julington Creek,

826-1555, jenkspizza.com Family-owned-and-operated Jenk’s offers subs, New York-style pizzas, calzones and a variety of Italian dishes. Delivery available. $ BW K TO L D Daily KANKI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR 11154 San Jose Blvd., 292-2400 See Fleming Island.

KAZU JAPANESE RESTAURANT 9965 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 35, 683-9903, kazujapaneserestaurant.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The family-friendly place offers a variety of soups, dumplings, appetizers, bento boxes, sushi, entrées, maki handrolls and sashimi.

The up-to-the-minute fresh sushi especially is artfully presented. The interior of the restaurant is clean, spacious and inviting.

Spicy Thai basil chicken is the specialty. $$ BW K TO L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 11112 San Jose Blvd., 288-0175, lanopalerarest.com 2016 Best of Jax winner You may see servers carry five or more dinner plates at a time. Tamales, fajitas and pork tacos

are customer favorites. Some Nops have a full bar. $$ FB K TO L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 11365 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 3, 674-2945 See Orange Park.

THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 450 S.R. 13, Fruit Cove, 230-2202 9965 San Jose Blvd., 262-2210 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

MAMA FU’S ASIAN HOUSE 11105 San Jose Blvd., 260-1727, mamafus.com MSG-free pan-Asian cuisine is made to order in woks with fresh ingredients. Authentic Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai dishes are served. Take-out up to 15 minutes before closing. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY 1627 Race Track Rd., Fruit Cove, 460-2483 2016 Best of Jax finalist See San Marco.

METRO DINER 12807 San Jose Blvd., 638-6185

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MANDARIN, JULINGTON, ST. JOHNS

AKEL’S DELICATESSEN 12926 Gran Bay Pkwy. W., 880-2008 See Downtown.

AL’S PIZZA 11190 San Jose Blvd., 260-4115 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Intracoastal.

ATHENS CAFÉ 6271 St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 7, 733-1199, athenscafejax.com For more than 20 years, from the dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) to the baby shoes (stuffed eggplant), Athens has all the favorites, including Greek beers. Vegetarian-friendly. Early bird menu Mon.-Fri. $$ BW L M-F; D Sa AW SHUCKS 9743 Old St. Augustine Rd., 240-0368, awshucksjax.com The seafood place features an oyster bar, steaks, seafood, wings and pasta. Favorites are ahi tuna, shrimp & grits, oysters Rockefeller, pitas and kabobs. Sweet potato puffs are the signature side. $$ FB K L D Daily BEACH DINER 11362 San Jose Blvd., 683-0079 See Beaches.

BLACKSTONE GRILLE 112 Bartram Oaks Walk, Ste. 102, 287-0766, blackstonegrille.com Modern American fusion cuisine, served in a trendy bistro-style setting. $$$ FB L M-F; D M-Sa BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 100 Bartram Oaks Walk, Fruit Cove, 287-7710 12620 Bartram Park Blvd., 652-2989 9820 San Jose Blvd., 268-2666 See Northside.

CASA MARIA 14965 Old St. Augustine Rd., 619-8186 See Beaches.

CHOW DOWN ALLEY 14775 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 3, 880-7900 Family-operated Chow Down serves breakfast sandwiches, burgers, salads and specialty sandwiches. $ B L M-F CLARK’S FISH CAMP 12903 Hood Landing Rd., 268-3474, clarksfishcamp.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Known for its array of taxidermed critters, Clark’s features gator and turtle, steak, ribs and daily all-you can-eat catfish dinners. Dine indoors, outdoors, or in a glass-enclosed room with a view of Julington Creek. $$ FB K L D Daily DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 10550 Old St. Augustine Rd., 880-7087 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

DON JUAN’S RESTAURANT 12373 San Jose Blvd., 268-8722, donjuansjax.com With a focus on friendly, family-oriented service, Don Juan’s has a touch of Old Mexico: patio dining. A full bar—with tequila selections—is served; HH M-F. $ FB K L D Daily ENZA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 10601 San Jose Blvd., 268-4458, enzas.net 2016 Best of Jax finalist The family-owned restaurant offers casual fine dining, specializing in Italian cuisine, veal and seafood dishes like seafood lasagna, daily specials. $$$ FB K TO D Tu-Su FIRST COAST DELI & GRILL 6082 St. Augustine Rd., 737-7477 First Coast offers traditional diner fare like oversized pancakes and bacon, sandwiches, salads and burgers. $ K TO B L Daily MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 31

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<<< FROM PREVIOUS 2016 Best of Jax winner Now serving dinner nightly.

See San Marco.

MIKADO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 10460 Avenues Walk Blvd., Greenland, 260-8860, mikadojax.com Traditional Japanese cuisine for more than 20 years. The big sushi bar seats more than 25 diners. A lunch buffet is offered M-F and there are 12 hibachi tables. $$ FB TO L D Daily MIZU SUSHI & GRILL 14965 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 124, 880-0889, mizusushijax.com Master chefs prepare fresh sushi, seafood, steak and vegetables. Indoor or outdoor dining. Live music. $$ BW K L D Daily MOCHA RITA’S 9446 Philips Hwy., 806-3923, mocharitas.com Sandwiches made with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. $$ BW TO L D M-Sa MONKEY’S UNCLE TAVERN 10503 San Jose Blvd., 260-1349 See Beaches.

NATIVE SUN NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 10000 San Jose Blvd., 260-6950 2016 Best of Jax winner Natural and organic soups, sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, prepared foods, juices, smoothies. Great for vegans, vegetarians and those with special diet needs. A juice, smoothie and coffee bar, and all-natural and organic beers and wine. Indoor/outdoor seating. $$ BW TO K B L D Daily NEWK’S EXPRESS CAFE 11112 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 28, 328-5930 See Southside.

OSAKA GRILL SUSHI BUFFET 11701 San Jose Blvd., 886-7778 More than 150 items are offered at the Chinese and Japanese buffet, including soups, spareribs, a sushi bar, roast duck and ice cream. Kids under 12 dine at a discount. Carry-out from the buffet is available. $$ BW K TO L D Daily PICASSO’S PIZZERIA 10503 San Jose Blvd., 880-0811, jaxpicassos.com Picasso’s specializes in hand-tossed gourmet pizza along with calzones, homemade New Yorkstyle cheesecake and handmade pasta. Fresh local seafood and steaks. $$ BW K TO L D Daily RACK ’EM UP BILLIARDS 4268 Oldfield Crossing Dr., Ste. 205, 262-4030 See Arlington.

RENNA’S PIZZA 11111 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 12, 292-2300, rennaspizza.com The casual New York-style pizzeria serves calzones, antipasto, parmigiana, homemade breads. Buy by the slice—they’re humongous— or full pie. $$ FB K TO L D Daily ROMA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA 14965 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 101, 880-2000, romasitalian.com Roma’s menu has more than 100 items, each made with authentic Italian spices and herbs.

Specialty dishes include veal, seafood and gourmet pizzas. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SAN JOSE DELI & GRILL 9545 San Jose Blvd., 880-6091 Family-owned-and-operated restaurant has 20+ years of experience, serving freshly made homestyle fare, made to order. Known for their chicken salad, awesome tabouli and steak-nsacks. $$ B L M-Sa SANTIONI’S CUCINA ITALIANA RESTAURANT 11531 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 8, 262-5190, santionisjax.com Bruno and Silvana Santioni have been in the business of Italian dining since 1987.

The menu features rack of lamb and veal saltimbocca with homemade bread. Espresso available. $$ BW D Daily SAUCY TACO 450 S.R. 13 N., Ste. 113, 287-8226, saucytaco.com Authentic light Mexican and American influences are apparent in each dish. There are 40 beers on draft. Daily HH. $ FB TO L D Daily SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q 12485 San Jose Blvd., 288-7928 See Orange Park.

SORRENTO ITALIAN RESTAURANT 6943 St. Augustine Rd., 636-9196 34 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

Two MOON RIVER PIZZA locations—in Murray Hill and Fernandina Beach—means this Best of Jax readers poll winner has the pizza faction all sewn up in Northeast Florida.

Luciano Russo and his family opened Sorrento more than 20 years ago. The menu at this romantic spot includes fish Francese and lamb Torinese, and entrées include a salad, bread and a side of spaghetti. $$$ BW D Tu-Su SWEET FROG PREMIUM FROZEN YOGURT 10991 San Jose Blvd., 292-0901, sweetfrogyogurt.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Guilt-free, made-fresh-daily treats in more than 40 nonfat flavors, like Maple Bacon Donut and Thin Mint Cookie. The toppings bar has every item you’d want to load up your froyo. $ TO Daily TAPS BAR & GRILL 2220 C.R. 210 W., Ste. 314, St. Johns, 819-1554 See Fleming Island.

TIJUANA FLATS 13820 Old St. Augustine Rd., 262-0484 See Baymeadows.

VINO’S PIZZA & GRILL 4268 Oldfield Crossing Dr., Greenland, 268-6660 Hand-tossed New York-style, thin-crust pizzas, and Sicilian-style, thick-crust pizzas. Big salads, baked dishes, subs, stromboli, wings and wraps. $ K L D Daily V PIZZA 12601 San Jose Blvd., 647-9424, vpizza.com See San Marco.

WAKAME JAPANESE & THAI CUISINE 104 Bartram Oaks Walk, Ste. 108, 230-6688, wakamejax.com The fine dining restaurant offers authentic Japanese and Thai cuisine, including a full sushi menu, curries and pad dishes. $$ BW K L D Daily WHOLE FOODS MARKET 10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 22, 288-1100, wholefoodsmarket.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Whole Foods offers an expansive prepared-food department with more than 80 items at a fullservice and self-service hot bar, salad bar, soup bar and dessert bar, as well as pizza, sushi and sandwich stations. $$ BW TO L D Daily YOBE FROZEN YOGURT 119 Bartram Oaks Walk, Ste. 101, 230-0201 See Beaches.

ZOËS KITCHEN 13920 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 101, 374-3552 See Ponte Vedra.

ORANGE PARK, EAGLE HARBOR & MIDDLEBURG

(All venues are in Orange Park unless otherwise noted.)

ARON’S PIZZA 650 Park Ave., 269-1007, aronspizza.com The menu at the family-owned place has eggplant dishes, manicotti and New York-style pizza. $$ BW K TO L D Daily BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 1765 Town Center Blvd., Eagle Harbor, 269-8870 2640 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 211, Middleburg, 282-4288 See Northside.

BRUSTER’S REAL ICE CREAM 9590 Applecross Rd., 771-0722 See Intracoastal.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR 1940 Wells Rd., 215-4969, buffalowildwings.com Along with buffalo-style wings fixed up with 14 sauces (ranging from mild to better-be-ready blazin’), BWW serves wraps, burgers and ribs.

Sports on big-screen TVs. $$ FB K TO L D Daily CHEERS PARK AVENUE 1138 Park Ave., 269-4855, cheersparkave.com Not your usual bar food here—Cheers’ menu is a Southern/Cajun mix of quality ingredients, like Boar’s Head and Nathan’s, plus homestyle sauces, salads and soups, hand-battered flounder sandwiches, Cajun BLTs, burgers and wings. $$ FB TO L D Daily EL PALERMO 2177 Kingsley Ave., 276-7701 The flavor focus is Caribbean and Puerto Rican at the family-friendly spot. The authentically crafted dishes are served in a clean, no-frills atmosphere. Empanadas, black beans and rice, plantains, flan and cafe con leche are offered.

Free Wi-Fi. $$ K L D Tu-Sa FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES 1910 Wells Rd., Ste. C02D-5, 637-0414 9630 Applecross Rd., Ste. 106, 573-0900, fiveguys.com

2016 Best of Jax winner Five Guys offers burgers made with fresh ground beef and finished from a wide selection of toppings, including fried onions, jalapeños or sautéed mushrooms. Fries, kosher hot dogs and soft drinks round out the menu. $ TO L D Daily GATORS DOCKSIDE 9680 Argyle Forest Blvd., Ste. 1, 425-6466 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Westside.

THE HILLTOP 2030 Wells Rd., Orange Park, 272-5959, hilltop-club.com The Hilltop serves dinner in formal, Southerninflected dining spaces. Specialties include New Orleans shrimp, certified Black Angus prime rib and she-crab soup. Homemade desserts are featured, along with a piano lounge (Tue.-Sat. nights), a large collection of antiques and a garden setting. $$$ FB D Tu-Sa JOEY MOZZARELLA’S 930 Blanding Blvd., Ste. D, 579-4748 At this Italian restaurant, calzones, stromboli and lasagna are customer favorites, and all the pizza pies are available stuffed. BYOB. $$ K TO L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 9734 Crosshill Blvd., Argyle, 908-4250 2024 Kingsley Ave., 276-2776 1571 C.R. 220, Ste. 100, 215-2223 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 1330 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 165, 276-7370 1545 C.R. 220, 278-2827 700 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 15, 272-3553 1401 S. Orange Ave., Green Cove Springs, 284-7789 With locations all over Northeast Florida, Larry’s Giant Subs is known for piling subs high and serving ’em fast for nearly 30 years. In addition to a wide selection of hot and cold subs, Larry’s features soups and salads. $ K TO B L D Daily THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 550 Wells Rd., 269-0756 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

METRO DINER 2034 Kingsley Ave., 375-8548 2016 Best of Jax winner Now serving dinner nightly. See San Marco.

OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 9651 Crosshill Blvd., Ste. 102, 317-0224, osakaoakleaf.com Located in Oakleaf Town Center, Osaka features a sushi bar and hibachi tables. $$ BW K TO L D Daily PASTA MARKET ITALIAN RESTAURANT & CLAM BAR 1930 Kingsley Ave., 276-9551, pastamarketitalianrestaurant.com The family-owned-and-operated restaurant offers gourmet pizzas, veal, chicken, mussels, shrimp, grouper and (of course) pastas: spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagna, ziti, calzones, linguini, tortellini. $$ BW K L D Nightly RENNA’S PIZZA 6001 Argyle Forest Blvd., Ste. 16, 771-7677, rennaspizza.com See Mandarin.

THE ROADHOUSE 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611, roadhouseonline.net Serving sandwiches, wings, burgers and quesadillas for more than 35 years. Six pool tables, dartboards, foosball and TVs (two are big screens).

Live music Wed.-Sat.; game night nightly. More than 75 imported beers. $ FB L D Daily SALSAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1635 Wells Rd., 579-3579 See Intracoastal.

SANTIONI’S LA CUCINA 3535 U.S. 17, Ste. 15, 264-1331, santionisitalianrestaurant.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Bruno and Silvana Santioni offeri authentic cuisine, desserts and an extensive wine list. Live music. $$ BW K D Nightly SNACSHACK BAKERY 179 College Dr., Ste. 19, 322-1414, snacshack.menu Bakery and café; sandwiches, coffees, bagels, muffins, breads, cookies, brownies, snack treats. $$ TO B BR L M-F SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q 1976 Kingsley Ave., 272-4606, sonnysbbq.com For more than 30 years, Sonny’s has been a Northeast Florida gem. The beef, pork, chicken and ribs are cooked in a wood-fired pit; sides include Vidalia onion rings, corn nuggets, potato salad, barbecue beans and coleslaw. All-you-caneat specials daily. $ BW K TO L D Daily SOUPLANTATION & SWEET TOMATOES 1625 Wells Rd., 269-6116 See Arlington.

SPRING PARK COFFEE 328 Ferris St., Green Cove Springs, 531-9391, springparkcoffee.com The cozy coffee shop offers fresh roasted Brass Tacks coffee for its handcrafted hot and cold drinks, specialty lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, teas and pastries. Biscuits, sandwiches and breakfast items. $ B L D Daily SWEET FROG 1581 C.R. 220 E., Ste. 100, 215-1300

2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

TED’S MONTANA GRILL 8635 Blanding Blvd., Westside, 771-1964, tedsmontanagrill.com Modern classic comfort food features fine cuts of bison: signature steaks, award-winning gourmet burgers served in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Chef-inspired items include crab cakes, cedarplank salmon, fresh vegetables, desserts. Private label Bison Ridge wines are served. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily TEXAS ROADHOUSE 550 Blanding Blvd., 213-1000, texasroadhouse.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Steaks and ribs, seafood and chops. The atmosphere’s casual and family-friendly. Daily specials are featured, and there’s a daily HH, icecold beer and legendary margaritas. $ FB L D Daily THAI GARDEN 10 Blanding Blvd., Ste. B, 272-8434 Traditional Thai items, including pad kraw powh with roasted duck and kaeng kari (yellow curry with potatoes and a choice of meat). Fine wines, and imported and domestic beers are available. $$ BW L M-F; D M-Sa

WOODY’S BAR-B-Q 8540 Argyle Forest Blvd., 772-7675 950 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 1, 272-1419 See Southside.

YOBE FROZEN YOGURT 8635 Blanding Blvd., 317-2125 See Beaches.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, PALM VALLEY, NE ST. JOHNS

(All restaurants in Ponte Vedra unless otherwise noted.)

619 OCEAN VIEW 619 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Sawgrass Marriott, 285-6198, sawgrassmarriott.com At Cabana Beach Club, dining with a Mediterranean touch, featuring fresh seafood, grilled steaks, weekly specials. Balcony dining overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. $$$ FB D W-Su ALICE & PETE’S PUB 1003 PGA Tour Blvd., Sawgrass Marriott, 285-7777, sawgrassmarriott.com The pub offers Northeast Florida flavors along with Alice & Pete’s favorites, like Dominican black bean soup and Pete’s bourbon pecan pie.

Outside dining. $$$ FB L D Daily

AL’S PIZZA 635 A1A N., 543-1494 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Intracoastal.

AQUA GRILL 950 Sawgrass Village Dr., 285-3017, aquagrill.net Since 1988, this American-eclectic restaurant has served fresh local seafood, aged prime steaks and vegetarian entrées. Patio seating is available.

Reservations accepted. $$$ FB L D Daily BARBARA JEAN’S 15 S. Roscoe Blvd., Palm Valley, 280-7522, barbarajeans.com Barbara Jean’s specializes in easy Southern dining, including legendary crab cakes, seafood, meatloaf and 15 fresh vegetables. Dine indoors or outside, with a real back-to-nature view of the Intracoastal Waterway. $$-$$$ FB K B Sa & Su; L D Daily BEACH DINER 880 A1A N., 273-6545 See Beaches.

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MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 35

<<< FROM PREVIOUS BRUCCI’S PIZZA, PASTA, PANINIS 880 A1A, Ste. 8, 280-7677 See Intracoastal.

CAFFE ANDIAMO 500 Sawgrass Village Dr., 280-2299, caffeandiamo-pvb.com The Recupito family’s Caffe Andiamo offers fresh seafood, veal, steak and pizza cooked in a copper wood-burning oven. Daily specials. Customer faves include fracosta loco and cappesanti di mare. Outdoor patio. 75 wines by the glass. $$$ FB L D Daily DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 100 Marketside Ave., Ste. 301, 829-8134 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 830 A1A N., Ste. 6, 273-3993 See Orange Park.

THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 101 Marketside Ave., 834-2078 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

LULU’S WATERFRONT GRILLE 301 N. Roscoe Blvd., Palm Valley, 285-0139, luluswaterfrontgrille.com On the Intracoastal Waterway, Lulu’s can be reached by land or water. The menu offers fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, burgers and specialty salads. Seating is available on the screened waterfront porch. $$$ FB K TO Br Sa-Su; L D Daily M SHACK NOCATEE 641 Crosswater Pkwy., 395-3575 2016 Best of Jax winner See Beaches.

METRO DINER 340 Front St., Ste. 700, 513-8422 2016 Best of Jax winner Now serving dinner nightly. See San Marco.

MULLIGAN’S PUB 43 PGA Tour Blvd., 285-1506, mulliganspubpontevedra.com The Irish pub, at the Hilton Garden Inn, offers a variety of favorites and Irish dishes. A full bar is served, including Guinness. $$ FB B L D Daily NAPOLI’S PASTARIA 3787 Palm Valley Rd., Ste. 104, 273-0006, napolispastaria.com Napoli’s features a variety of traditional Italian dishes including veal, pasta and traditional hand-tossed and specialty pizzas. Delivery is available. $$ BW K TO L D Daily NINETEEN AT TPC SAWGRASS 110 Championship Way, 273-3235, tpc.com In the Tournament Players Club, Nineteen

features more than 230 varieties of wines. The restaurant features an array of freshly prepared American and Continental cuisine, including local seafood, served in an inviting interior or al fresco on the verandah. $$$ FB L D Daily PALM VALLEY FISH CAMP 229 N. Roscoe Blvd., 285-3200, palmvalleyfishcamp.com Ben Groshell presents this dining experience on the Intracoastal in Palm Valley, serving dishes made with fresh ingredients, including daily specials. Call in your order and pick it up dockside. $$$ FB K TO L Tu-Su; D Nightly PLAYERS CAFÉ 262 Solana Rd., 273-5595 Owner Mike Furgal runs a family-friendly, golf themed restaurant, serving fresh grouper sub, Cuban sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks. $$ B L Daily POPPY’S ITALIANO 832 A1A, Ste. 1, 273-7272, poppysitaliano.net Family-owned-and-operated Poppy’s serves fresh gourmet Italian dishes along with familiar favorites. Dine inside in the relaxed atmosphere, or outdoors; carry out or drive-through. $$ BW K TO L D Daily PUSSER’S CARIBBEAN BAR & GRILLE 816 A1A N., Ste. 100, 280-7766, pussersusa.com Bite Club certified Named for the rum, Pussers serves innovative Caribbean cuisine and regional favorites, like Jamaican grilled pork ribs, Trinidad smoked duck, lobster macaroni & cheese dinner. Tropical drinks, including Pussers Painkiller, are popular house remedies. Live entertainment on the Upper Deck. $$ FB K TO L D Daily RESTAURANT MEDURE 818 A1A N., 543-3797, restaurantmedure.us Chef David Medure creates dishes with a wide range of flavors from around the world. The lounge offers small plates, creative drinks and entertainment, including HH twice daily. Live music is presented nightly. $$$ FB D M-Sa RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 814 A1A N., Ste. 103, 285-0014 2016 Best of Jax winner See San Marco.

TABLE 1 330 A1A N., Ste. 208, 280-5515, table-1.com The upscale, casual restaurant offers a variety of items, from appetizers to entrées to salads, as well as a wine bar featuring an extensive list of wines by the glass. Live music. $$$ FB L D Daily TRASCA & CO EATERY 155 Tourside Dr., Ste. 100, 395-3989, trascaandco.com The one-of-a-kind vintage neighborhood eatery specializes in handcrafted Italian-inspired sandwiches, craft beers and craft coffees. $$ BW K TO B L D Daily VERNON’S RESTAURANT 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Sawgrass Marriott, 280-3405 Bite Club certified Named for the developer who helped craft Sawgrass courses, this new restaurant features fresh Florida seafood, hand-cut chops and a stellar wine list. HH daily; live music. $$$$ FB B Daily; D Nightly WOK N ROLL 3791 Palm Valley Rd., Ste. 203, 543-7666, woknrollpontevedra.com The spot in the Valley serves authentic Chinese cuisine made with fresh ingredients. $ TO L D Daily

The innovative Chef Scotty Schwartz runs 29 SOUTH, in Fernandina’s historic area, serving traditional regional cuisine with a modern twist.

36 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

YOBE FROZEN YOGURT 103 Marketside Ave., Ste. 303, 824-2678 See Beaches.

ZOËS KITCHEN 240 A1A, Ste. 5, Merchant’s Plaza, 273-1100, zoeskitchen.com 13920 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 101, 374-3552 Original recipes, with Greek and Mediterranean influences, include made-to-order sandwiches, grilled feta sandwiches and whole dinners, all available to go. Desserts include homemade yayas (a chocolate sheet cake). $$ K L D Daily

RIVERSIDE, 5 POINTS, WESTSIDE, MURRAY HILL

(Venues are in Riverside unless otherwise noted.)

13 GYPSIES 887 Stockton St., 389-0330, 13gypsies.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The intimate bistro serves authentic Mediterranean peasant cuisine updated for American tastes, specializing in tapas, blackened octopus, risotto of the day and coconut mango curry chicken. $$ BW L D Tu-Sa AL’S PIZZA 1620 Margaret St., Ste. 201, 388-8384 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Intracoastal.

BLACK SHEEP RESTAURANT 1534 Oak St., 355-3793, blacksheep5points.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Orsay’s sister spot serves New American favorites with a Southern twist, made with locally sourced ingredients. Awesome rooftop bar. $$$ FB Br Sa & Su; L D Daily BOLD BEAN COFFEE ROASTERS 869 Stockton St., Stes. 1 & 2, 855-1181, boldbeancoffee.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Bold Bean brings a small-batch, artisanal approach to sourcing and roasting single-origin, direct-trade limited-lot coffees and signature blends, hand-crafted syrups, espressos, local and regional craft beers and classic pastries. Specialty sandwiches. $ BW TO B L Daily BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 5229 Jammes Rd., 900-3259 705 S. Lane Ave., 783-1404 See Northside.

BREW FIVE POINTS 1024 Park St., Riverside, 374-5789, brewfivepoints.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The craft beer and espresso bar in the heart of historic 5 Points offers local craft beers, soft drinks and toast from Community Loaves. $$ B L Su & M; B L D Tu-Sa BURRITO GALLERY BROOKLYN 90 Riverside Ave., Ste. 601, 355-4889 2016 Best of Jax winner See Downtown.

COOL MOOSE CAFE 2708 Park St., 381-4242, coolmoosecafe.net The New England-style café offers a full breakfast menu, classic sandwiches, wraps and soups, and brunch all day Sunday. Beer and an extensive gourmet coffee menu available. $$ BW Br L Tu-Su CORNER TACO 818 Post St., 240-0412, cornertaco.com Made-from-scratch “Mexclectic cuisine” includes tacos, nachos, gluten-free, vegetarian options. Daily craft beer specials, always $2 PBR tall boys. $ BW K L D Daily CROSS CREEK 850 S. Lane Ave., Westside, 783-9579, crosscreeksteakhouse.com Steaks, ribs, burgers, Mayport shrimp, sandwiches, combos and from the pit: brisket, chicken, pork, turkey and burnt ends (our favorite!). $$ FB L D Daily DERBY ON PARK 1068 Park St., 379-3343 2016 Best of Jax finalist New American cuisine, upscale retro air in historic landmark building. Shrimp & grits, lobster bites, 10-oz. gourmet burger. Dine inside or out. $$-$$$ FB L D Tu-Su, Br Sa & Su DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 6055 Youngerman Cir., Westside, 778-1101 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS 1661 Riverside Ave., Ste. 130, 354-0991 See Arlington.

EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ 2753 Park St., 384-9999 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

FIVE POINTS TAVERN 1521 Margaret St., 549-5063, fivepointstavern.com The New American cosmopolitan place serves chef-curated dishes in a relaxed environment. $$ FB TO L & D Tu-Su THE FRINGE EATERY ON EDGEWOOD 934 Edgewood Ave. S. The steampunk gallery and performance space also serves soups, salads, wraps, coffees and teas.

Open mic is held every second and fourth Wed. $$ TO Tu-Su

FUJI SUSHI 9542 Argyle Forest Blvd., Ste. C-18, Westside, 778-1998 The skilled chefs create sushi items vegetarian or regular style. Dinner dishes include rice, soup and salad. $$ BW K TO L D Daily GATORS DOCKSIDE 6677 103rd St., 777-6135, gatorsdockside.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist For more than 20 years, the sports-themed family restaurant has been serving a varied menu of grilled wings, ribs, sandwiches and salads.

Sports on TVs; Tuesday is kids’ night. $$ FB K TO L D Daily GRASSROOTS NATURAL MARKET 2007 Park St., 384-4474, thegrassrootsmarket.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Grassroots juice bar uses certified organic fruits and vegetables. The store also offers three dozen artisanal cheeses, more than 300 craft and imported beers and 50 organic wines, and organic produce and meats, vitamins and herbs.

Organic wraps, sides, sandwiches and salads are available to go. $ BW TO B L D Daily HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE 1001 Park St., 508-0342, eathawkers.com

2016 Best of Jax winner The welcoming, energetic place encourages sharing. The menu has a range of small plates: roti canai, pad Thai, Canton cod, curry laska, more. An extensive array of craft brews, sakes and wines allows pairing options with the food. $ BW TO L D Daily HOBNOB 220 Riverside Ave., Ste. 110, 513-4272, hobnobwithus.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The Unity Plaza spot serves cuisine driven by global inspirations and local intentions, like ahi poke tuna and jumbo lump crab tacos. Dishes are served deconstructed, to encourage interaction and experimentation through collaborative dining. Weekend brunch. $$ FB TO L D Daily HOPTINGER BIER GARDEN & SAUSAGE HOUSE 1037 Park St., 903-4113 See Beaches.

HOVAN MEDITERRANEAN GOURMET 2005 Park St., Ste. 1, 381-9394 2016 Best of Jax winner Hovan offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine, including freshly made hummus, baba ghannoush and gyros, served in a setting that

attracts indie rockers and businesspeople alike.

Patio dining. Hookahs available. $ BW L D M-Sa THE HYPPO 90 Riverside Ave., Ste. 605, 551-0361 See St. Augustine.

IL DESCO 2665 Park St., 290-6711, ildescojax.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Modern, authentic Italian cuisine and handcrafted cocktails are served. $$-$$$ FB TO K L D Daily JOHNNY’S DELI & GRILLE 474 Riverside Ave., 356-8055 Johnny’s experienced staff cooks up made-toorder breakfast and lunch fare, including grilled wraps, gyros and grilled chicken salad. $ TO B L M-Sa LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 1509 Margaret St., 674-2794 7895 Normandy Blvd., 781-7600 5733 Roosevelt Blvd., Westside, 446-9500 8102 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 1, Westside, 779-1933 See Orange Park.

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MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 37

<<< FROM PREVIOUS LITTLE JOE’S CAFÉ BY AKEL 245 Riverside Ave., Ste. 195, 791-3336 The bright, river view café inside the Raymond James Building serves breakfast and lunch in a casual atmosphere. Fresh soups, salads and signature salad dressings. $ TO B L M-F LOLA’S BURRITO JOINT 1522 King St., Riverside, 738-7181, lolasburritojoint.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Latin-themed Lola’s offers more than 25 kinds of fresh-cooked-to-order burritos, plus burgers, tacos, empanadas and yucca fries. More than 50 craft beers, some local, as well as signature margaritas. Sunday brunch features bottomless mimosas. $$ FB K Br L D Daily MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY 1171 Edgewood Ave. S., 518-4907 2016 Best of Jax finalist See San Marco.

METRO DINER 4495 Roosevelt Blvd., 999-4600 2016 Best of Jax winner See San Marco.

MOON RIVER PIZZA 1176 Edgewood Ave. S., Murray Hill, 389-4442 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Amelia Island.

THE MOSSFIRE GRILL 1537 Margaret St., 355-4434, mossfire.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Just a stone’s throw from the 5 Points intersection, Mossfire manages to satisfy indie kids and conservative businessfolk alike. Southwestern dishes: fresh fish tacos and chicken enchiladas.

HH runs Mon.-Sat. in the upstairs lounge. Sun. HH all day. $$ FB K L D Daily MR. CHUBBY’S WINGS 11043 Crystal Springs Rd., Ste. 12, 355-9464 See Fleming Island.

MSHACK 1012 Margaret St., 423-1283 2016 Best of Jax winner See Beaches.

PATTAYA THAI GRILLE 1526 King St., 503-4060 See Baymeadows.

PRIMI PIATTI 2722 Park St., 389-5545 The Northern Italian-style restaurant (the name means first plate in Italian) offers a menu made from fresh ingredients, which includes daily specials, pastas and she-crab soup. $$$ BW K L D M-Sa rain dogs 1045 Park St., 379-4969 2016 Best of Jax winner Local-centric bar food: boiled peanuts, hummus, chili, cheese plate, pork sliders, nachos, herbivore items. $ D Nightly SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q 1923 S. Lane Ave., Westside, 786-0081 4434 Blanding Blvd., Westside, 777-0730 See Orange Park.

SOUL FOOD BISTRO 5310 Lenox Ave., Ste. 1, Westside, 394-0860 2016 Best of Jax finalist Owned by the Potters House Christian Fellowship, this cafeteria-style restaurant serves traditional Southern food: fried chicken, greens, mac-n-cheese, cornbread and other regional favorites. $ TO L D Tu-Su SOUTHERN ROOTS FILLING STATION 1275 King St., 513-4726, southernrootsjax.com 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist Healthy, light vegan fare made fresh daily with local, organic ingredients. Specials, served on bread, local greens or rice, change daily.

Sandwiches, coffees, teas. $ B L Tu-Su SUN-RAY CINEMA 1028 Park St., 5 Points, 359-0047, sunraycinema.com 2016 Best of Jax winner First-run, indie and art films are screened at the oldest theater building in Jacksonville. Beer, some drafts from Bold City and Intuition Ale Works, wine, pizza—with names like Godbold, Black Lagoon Supreme, Cowford Pie—hot dogs, hummus, sandwiches, popcorn, nachos and brownies are available. $$ BW Daily SUSHI CAFÉ 2025 Riverside Ave., Ste. 201, 384-2888, 38 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

sushicafejax.com 2016 Best of Jax winner A variety of sushi, including Monster Roll and the Jimmy Smith Roll, along with faves like Rock-n-Roll and Dynamite Roll. Sushi Café also offers hibachi, tempura, katsu and teriyaki. Dine indoors or on the patio. $$ BW L D Daily SWEET FROG 1661 Riverside Ave., Ste. 128, 619-9745 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

SWEET THEORY BAKING COMPANY 1243 King St., 387-1001 2016 Best of Jax winner Small batch, all-natural and organic, allergyfriendly bakery featuring items made with no egg, dairy, soy or peanuts. Gluten-free options, too. $ TO M-Sa TIJUANA FLATS 2025 Riverside Ave., Ste. 205, 389-5630 5907 Roosevelt Blvd., Ste. 100, Westside, 908-4343 See Baymeadows.

TIMOTI’S SEAFOOD SHAK 1043 Park St., 374-8892 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Amelia.

TOM & BETTY’S 4409 Roosevelt Blvd., 387-3311, tomandbettys.com With 45 years in business, Tom & Betty’s is a Jacksonville institution. The car-themed menu features big sandwiches, burgers and homestyle entrées like pot roast. Daily HH. $$ FB K TO L D Tu-Sa THE CAFE AT THE CUMMER 829 Riverside Ave., Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 356-6857 Light lunch, quick bites, beer, wine, locally roasted coffee and espresso-based beverages, homemade soups, sandwiches, gourmet desserts and daily specials. Dine indoors or out in the museum’s gardens. $ BW K L Tu-Su; D Tu WHITEWAY DELICATESSEN 1237 King St., 389-0355 The King Street mainstay has an extensive sandwich selection, including some items you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. It’s also a good spot to catch current and former politicos talking about the city’s future over tabouli or ham sandwiches. $ TO B L M-F ZOËS KITCHEN 90 Riverside Ave., 355-9637 See Ponte Vedra.

ST. AUGUSTINE, ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH

(All places are in St. Augustine unless otherwise noted.)

95 CORDOVA 95 Cordova St., 810-6810 In the restored Casa Monica Hotel, this restaurant exudes elegance. The cuisine is a blend of Moroccan, Asian, Mediterranean, Caribbean and European influences. The adjacent Cobalt Lounge features a variety of fine wines. $$$ FB Br Su; B L D Daily A1A ALE WORKS 1 King St., 829-2977, a1aaleworks.com The two-story brew pub, overlooking the restored Bridge of Lions, makes six varieties of beer and serves New World cuisine, indoors or out on the balcony. $$ FB L D Daily AL’S PIZZA 1 St. George St., 824-4383 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Intracoastal.

AMICI 1915B A1A S., St. Augustine Beach, 461-0102 The family-owned-and-operated Italian restaurant, at the intersection of S.R. 312 and A1A, has a variety of traditional pasta, veal, steak and seafood dishes. Daily HH. $$ FB K L D Daily ANN O’MALLEY’S DELI & PUB 23 Orange St., 825-4040, annomalleys.com Across from the Old City Gates, Ann O’Malley’s serves a casual menu of soups, salads and sandwiches—favorites include the Reuben and the chicken salad—with familiar, friendly service. Dine indoors or out on the porch. Irish beers on tap.

Open mic, trivia, live music. $ BW K L D Daily ATHENA RESTAURANT 14 Cathedral Place, 823-9076 Located on St. Augustine’s historic downtown Plaza, Athena has an extensive menu of Greek and American dishes, including moussaka, lamb kabobs and spinach pie. Dine inside at a booth or table. $$$ BW TO B L D Daily AUNT KATE’S 612 Euclid Ave., Vilano Beach, 829-1105, aunt-kates.com The casual spot has an expansive view of the Tolomato River and a focus on seafood: shrimp, scallops, oysters, crab cakes, shrimp n grits; plus burgers, wraps, pasta dishes, steak and ribs. $$ FB K TO L D Daily AVILES RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 32 Avenida Menendez, 829-2277, avilesrestaurantstaugustine.com In Hilton Bayfront Hotel, Aviles’ Chef Chris Proulx offers a progressive European-flavored menu, with a made-to-order pasta night, wine dinners, chophouse nights and breakfast buffet.

And a champagne brunch every Sunday—two words: bottomless mimosas! Free valet parking. $$$ FB K B L D Daily BARLEY REPUBLIC IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE & RESTAURANT 48 Spanish St., 547-2023, barleyrepublicph.com The Irish bar and gastropub offers traditional burgers and sandwiches, favorites like fish & chips and bangers and mash, as well as craft cuisine, from the historic district. More than 70 beers and wines are served, including 10 on draft daily, as well as craft beers and spirits. Live music. Dine indoors or outside on the deck. $$ FB K TO L D Daily BARNACLE BILL’S 14 W. Castillo Dr., 824-3663, barnaclebillsonline.com For 30+ years, this family restaurant has been serving seafood, oysters, gator tail and steak, along with the popular fried shrimp. Some dishes are infused with their Datl Do It hot sauce products. $$ FB K TO L D Nightly THE BISTRO at CULINARY OUTFITTERS 9 S. Dixie Hwy., 829-2727, culinaryoutfitters.org The Bistro is where locals lunch on crab cakes, chicken burritos, hamburgers, wraps, salads and soups, each dish made with fresh ingredients. $$ BW TO L M-F BLACKFLY THE RESTAURANT 108 Anastasia Blvd., 201-6300 The popular place features semi-casual dining with a fly-fishing theme, focusing on a variety of fresh Atlantic seafood, steaks, brick-over pizza and specialty drinks. $$$ FB K TO D Nightly THE BLACK MOLLY BAR & GRILL 504 W. Geoffrey St., Cobblestone Plaza, 547-2723 Fresh, local seafood, steaks cut from the loin, and unique pasta dishes in a casual atmosphere.

Nonstop HH . $$ FB K L D Daily BLUE HEN CAFÉ 117 MLK Ave., 217-3777 In the heart of Lincolnville, Blue Hen serves breakfast all day. Local faves include buttermilk chicken biscuits, corned beef has and Datil barbecue shrimp tacos. $ BW B L Tu-Su BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 2420 U.S. 1 S., 794-9424 See Northside.

BREWZ N DAWGZ 1974 U.S. 1 S., 429-7149, brewzndawgz.com Guilt-free fare: this places uses only organic, non-GMO ingredients whenever possible. Craft beers—24 on draft—and gourmet hot dogs … what else is there to say? OK—all the meats are from real farms providing humanely raised grassfed product without antibiotics, hormones or nitrates/nitrites. Also vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options. $ BW TO L D Tu-Su THE BRITISH PUB 213 Anastasia Blvd., 810-5111 The pub offers darts and serves ale, beer and wine, as well as traditional meat pies, Cornish pasties and sausage rolls. Varieties of authentic British food and candies are sold at the shop within. $$ FB D W-Su THE BUNNERY BAKERY & CAFE 121 St. George St., 829-6166 In the heart of the historic district, the Bunnery offers homemade almond-chocolate croissants, assorted brownies and cookies, and pastries in addition to serving up full Southern breakfasts, sandwiches and espressos. $ TO B L Daily BURRITO WORKS TACO SHOP 114 St. George St., 823-1229 671 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 217-7451, burritoworks.com Baja-style tacos and burritos, 100 percent vegetarian bean burritos, fish tacos and hormone-free meats, along with homemade guacamole. $ TO L D Daily CANDLELIGHT SOUTH 1 Anastasia Blvd., 819-0588 The casual restaurant offers fish tacos, sandwiches, wings, desserts and sangria. Daily specials. $ FB K TO L D Daily CANTINA LOUIE 1900 U.S. 1, 770-2608 See Beaches.

CAP’S ON THE WATER 4325 Myrtle St., Vilano Beach, 824-8794 The Vilano Beach mainstay serves coastal cuisine indoors or out on a large, oak-shaded deck. Kids romp along the water while grownups enjoy a long meal (fresh local shrimp, raw oyster bar) or a stunning sunset. Boat access. $$ FB K L F-Su; D Nightly CARMELO’S MARKETPLACE & PIZZERIA 146 King St., 494-6658 In addition to New York-style brick-oven-baked pizza, Carmelo’s offers freshly baked sub rolls, Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, stromboli and garlic herb wings. Outdoor seating and Wi-Fi. $$ BW TO L D Daily CATCH 27 40 Charlotte St., 217-3542, catchtwentyseven.com The name stands for locally caught, Florida seafood. The staff believes in cooking everything from scratch with local ingredients. $$ BW K TO L D Daily CELLAR 6 ART GALLERY & WINE BAR 6 Aviles St., 827-9055

Bite Club certified An inviting space, Cellar 6 serves an international array of fine wines, Wolfgang Puck coffees, handmade desserts and light bistro-style fare amid local art. $$ BW Daily COLLAGE 60 Hypolita St., 829-0055 Located in an intimate space in the historic district, Collage offers high-end dining with a global menu. Everything is made from scratch. A specialty dessert, The Bougainvillea, commemorates the Brazilian tree. An extensive wine list is offered. $$$$ BW D Nightly THE COLUMBIA RESTAURANT 98 St. George St., 824-3341, columbiarestaurant.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Spanish fare in the historic district—it fits. The 1905 salad is popular. Tapas, seafood, beef, chicken, paella and Cuban sandwiches. Extensive array of international wines. $$ FB K TO L D Daily CONCH HOUSE RESTAURANT 57 Comares Ave., 829-8646 The restaurant offers indoor seating as well as Tiki huts built out over Salt Run. Signature dishes include the Cracker combo platter and St. Augustine fried shrimp. Tropical drinks are a specialty. Live music. $$$ FB K L D Nightly THE CORAZON CINEMA & CAFE 36 Granada St., 679-5736 Sandwiches, combos, salads, pizza at this cinema house, showing indie and first-run movies. $$ Daily CREEKSIDE DINERY 160 Nix Boatyard Rd., 829-6113 Tucked behind a commercial stretch of U.S. 1, Creekside is an old Florida respite, with an outdoor deck with a fire pit. Overlooking Gonzales Creek, Creekside serves a variety of beef, chicken and seafood dishes, with an emphasis on low-country cooking. Live music weekends. $$ FB K D Nightly CRUISERS GRILL 3 St. George St., 824-6993 2016 Best of Jax winner See Beaches.

DIANE’S NATURAL MARKET 110 Anastsia Blvd., 824-1337 240 S.R. 312, 808-9978, dianesnaturalmarket.com The lunch counter in the health food store serves everything made-to-order, with organic ingredients. Sandwiches include avocado, peanut butter with honey, falafel, hummus, tofu salad and a veggie burger. Smoothies and fresh juices available. $$ TO B L M-Sa DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 4010 U.S. 1 S., 547-2669 965 S.R. 16, Ste. 101, 825-4540 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

DONOVAN’S IRISH PUB 7440 U.S. 1 N., Ste. 108, 829-0000, donovansirishpub.com The spot features a mix of classic Irish entrées and traditional American dinners, as well as appetizers and pub grub. Irish beers and whiskeys are served. Six HDTVs, pool tables and Wii are available. $$ FB K L D Daily DOS COFFEE & WINE 300 San Marco Ave., 342-2421, dosbar.com Pour-over bar offers espressos, nitro cold brew coffees roasted in-house, craft beers, wines, desserts. Outdoor seating available. Live music. $$ BW TO B L D Daily EL POTRO 226 San Marco Ave., 819-0390 See Beaches.

FIVE F(x) ICE CREAM & WAFFLES 1000 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd., Ste. 5, 429-7668 See Baymeadows.

FLAVORS EATERY 125-C King St., 824-4221 A favorite among college students and locals, this casual restaurant serves quesadillas, pizza and smoothies. Local musicians play Thur.-Sat. Indoor and outdoor seating. $ BW L D M-Sa FLORIDA CRACKER CAFÉ 81 St. George St., 829-0397 A contemporary dining room and outdoor garden dining in the heart of St. Augustine’s busy St. George Street. Customer favorites include blackened scallops, crab cake-stuffed shrimp and Florida gator tail. $$ BW K L D Daily THE FLORIDIAN 72 Spanish St., 829-0655, thefloridianstaug.com 2016 Best of Jax winner Paying homage to Old Florida, The Floridian serves updated Southern fare, with fresh, local ingredients from area farms. Vegetarian, glutenfree options. Signature items: fried green tomato bruschetta, blackened fish cornbread stack and grits with shrimp, fish or tofu. $$$ FB K TO L D W-M FUSION POINT 237 San Marco Ave., 823-1444 The theme is Japanese, but the menu is fusion, a blend of Far East favorites, vegetarian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean and Thai. The

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<<< FROM PREVIOUS menu includes sushi and is constantly changing. $$ BW TO D Nightly GAS FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT 9 Anastasia Blvd., Ste. C, St. Augustine, 217-0326 2016 Best of Jax finalist The changing menu items are fresh, local and homemade. Casual fare like meatloaf and veggie and traditional burgers, seafood and steaks, as well as seasonal, daily specials and madefrom-scratch desserts. It’s comfort food with an innovative twist. $$ BW K TO L D Tue.-Sat. GEORGIE’S DINER 100 Malaga St., 819-9006 Georgie’s serves homestyle fare, including Greek specialties from owner George Chryssaidis, who also owns the nearby Athena Restaurant.

Outdoor seating available. $$ BW B L D Daily GYPSY CAB COMPANY 828 Anastasia Blvd., 824-8244 A mainstay for a quarter-century, Gypsy’s menu changes twice daily. The signature dish is Gypsy chicken; there’s also seafood, tofu, duck and veal dishes. The Sunday brunch draws everyone from churchgoers to bikers. $$ FB Br Su; L D Daily HARRY’S SEAFOOD BAR & GRILLE 46 Avenida Menendez, 824-7765 New Orleans-style eatery features Cajun, Creole and Southern flavors infused with a modern twist: fresh seafood, steaks, pork, chicken, jambalaya, etouffée and shrimp. Daily HH. Live music most weekends. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily HAZEL’S HOT DOGS 2400 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., 824-8484 Named for the owners’ Chihuahua, Hazel’s offers a variety of wieners and all the embellishments from its modest digs west of downtown. $ K TO L D Daily HOPTINGER BIER GARDEN & SAUSAGE HOUSE 200 Anastasia Blvd., 217-8100 See Beaches.

HOT SHOT BAKERY & CAFE 47 Cordova St., 824-7898, hotshotcafe.com Freshly baked items, specialty coffees and handcrafted breakfast and lunch sandwiches as well as Datil B. Good sauces and pepper products. $ BW TO B L D Daily HURRICANE PATTY’S AT OYSTER CREEK 69 Lewis Blvd., 827-1822 At Oyster Creek Marina east of U.S. 1, this spot has a large creekfront deck, lunch specials and all-you-can-eat dinners. Daily HH , and dock space is available for boaters. Live music is presented nightly. $$ FB L D Daily THE HYPPO 48 Charlotte St., 217-7853 70 St. George St., 547-2980, thehyppo.com The popular spots offer popsicles of unexpected flavors, created with premium ingredients, plus coffee pour-overs and cold-brew coffees. Freshly handcrafted sandwiches and salads. $ TO Daily THE ICE PLANT 110 Riberia St., 829-6553, iceplantbar.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The vintage-inspired place (a former ice plant, obvee) in the historic area. The farm-to-table menu uses locally sourced ingredients; drinks are hand-crafted with house-made bitters and syrups.

Weekend brunch. $$$ FB L M-F; D Nightly JACK’S BBQ 691 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 460-8100 The place has lured regulars and locals for more than six decades. The bait? A real pit barbecue, tiki bar, large wood deck, stage and a small swimming pool. Live music Thur.-Sat. $$ FB TO L D Daily THE KING’S HEAD BRITISH PUB 6460 U.S. 1 N., 823-9787, kingsheadbritishpub.com Owner Ann Dyke and staff serve British draught beers and cider in 20-ounce Imperial pints in an authentic pub, along with Cornish pasties, and fish and chips. Look for the red double-decker bus in front. $$ FB K L D W-Su LA COCINA INTERNATIONAL 530 A1A Beach Blvd., 461-8288 In Castillo Real Hotel, La Cocina serves global cuisine with Latin flair. Owner Juan Solano creates international specialties including paella Valenciana and nightly specials. $$$ BW B TuSu; L D Daily LA COCINA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 3290 U.S. 1 S., 794-1610 40 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

The gastropub KITCHEN ON SAN MARCO, located … um … on San Marco Boulevard, has local and national craft beers, specialty cocktails and a seasonal menu—plus Sunday brunch.

Sister restaurant to the La Cocina at the beach, this La Cocina offers gourmet Mexican cuisine.

Patio dining. $$ BW L D Daily LE PAVILLON 45 San Marco Ave., 824-6202 One of the oldest restaurants in Northeast Florida, Le Pavillon is family-owned and operated. Gisele Sinatsch recommends the rack of lamb and the bouillabaisse. Norwegian salmon is popular, as are duck and Dover sole. $$ FB D Nightly LITTLE MARGIE’S FA CAFÉ 303 A1A Beach Blvd., 471-2006, littlemargiesfacafe.com “FA” is short for First Access; this beachy café is located north of the County Pier, directly across from the first beach access to St. Augustine Beach.

The tiny kitchen cranks out daily specials, like jerk fish and mango wrap. $ BW K B L D Tu-Su LULI’S CUPCAKES 82 San Marco Ave., Ste. 2, 824-5280 The cupcakes, baked fresh daily, include Grandma’s Coconut, Fire Engine Red Velvet, What’s Up Doc (carrot cake) and Funky Monkey, banana and chocolate chip cake with milk chocolate frosting. Mini-cupcakes are also available. $ TO Daily MANATEE CAFÉ 525 S.R. 16, Ste. 106, 826-0210 Manatee Café serves organic, vegetarian/vegan meals. Owner/chef Cheryl Crosley prepares veggie omelets, tofu Reubens, miso and hummus and tabouli. The Health Food Market offers the same ingredients used in the café’s dishes. $ TO B L Daily MANGO MANGOS BEACHSIDE BAR & GRILL 700 A1A Beach Blvd., 461-1077 Just steps from the A Street beach access, this Caribbean kitchen offers comfort food with a tropical twist. Specialties include coconut shrimp and fried plantains. $$ BW K L D Daily MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY 39 Cordova St., 217-7814 2016 Best of Jax finalist See San Marco.

MARDI GRAS SPORTS GRILL 123 San Marco Ave., 823-8806, mardibar.com The place offers wings, nachos, shrimp, chicken, Phillys, sliders, soft pretzels, more. There’s billiards, trivia, bingo, HDTVs (8-ft. screens), ping pong, outdoor deck; kitchen’s open till midnight. Drink specials, live music. HH M-F. $$ FB TO L D Daily MEEHAN’S IRISH PUB & SEAFOOD HOUSE 20 Avenida Menendez, 810-1923, meehansirishpub.com The pub, just south of the old fort, offers burgers, traditional pub fare, seafood and a raw bar, along with signature dishes including steak O’Shay’s, Dubliner chicken and Irish Benedict. $$$ FB K Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS 410 Anastasia Blvd., 826-4040 Bite Club certified 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Beaches.

METRO DINER 1000 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd., 758-3323

2016 Best of Jax winner Now serving dinner nightly. See San Marco.

MOJO OLD CITY BBQ 5 Cordova St., 342-5264, mojobbq.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The funky Southern whiskey bar offers pulled pork and Carolina-style barbecue along with Delta fried catfish. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MOJO’S TACOS 551 Anastasia Blvd., Anastasia Island, 829-1665 The family-owned spot offers double-decker style tacos, big, tasty burritos and fresh salads.

Cash only. $ BW TO L D Daily NED’S SOUTHSIDE KITCHEN 2450 U.S. 1 S., 794-2088, nedssouthside.com Popular Ned’s features Mediterranean dishes, tacos, meat loaf and shrimp and grits, in addition to vegetarian options. There’s a drive-thru to pick up orders. $ BW TO L D M-Sa NEW YORK PIZZA COMPANY 163 Palencia Village Dr., 825-4545 All of the authentic New York-style pizzas are hand-tossed, made with their own dough and specially spiced tomato sauce, and baked in a stone oven. Other items include cheesy calzones, pasta dishes, hot hero sandwiches and desserts.

Delivery available. $ BW TO L D Daily OASIS RESTAURANT & DECK 4000 A1A and Ocean Trace Rd., 471-3424 Just one block from the Atlantic Ocean, The Oasis is a favorite among bikers and tourists.

The menu includes burgers and daily specials. 24 draft beers, and a HH M-F Live music, TVs. $ FB K B L D Daily OLD CITY HOUSE INN & RESTAURANT 115 Cordova St., 826-0184 St. Augustine’s only Historic Inn with a fullservice restaurant and bar. Global cuisine influences are evident in everything from the crab and sweet corn to spring rolls. $$$$ FB B L D M-Sa ONE TWENTY THREE BURGER HOUSE 123 King St., 687-2790 The new spot, just opened by the owners of Carmelo’s Pizza down the street, has premium burgers, made with beef sourced from renowned NYC butcher Schweid & Sons. Wood-fired pizzas and an ice cream bar turning out Old World milkshakes. Outdoor dining. $$ BW K TO L D Daily THE ORIGINAL CAFÉ ELEVEN 501 A1A Beach Blvd., 460-9311, originalcafe11.com The cafe and indie rock music venue serves coffee drinks, vegetarian meals and meaty Southern comfort dishes. Just a block from the beach, Café Eleven serves breakfast (brunch on weekends). $ FB B L D Daily PACIFIC ASIAN BISTRO 159 Palencia Village Dr., Ste. 111, 808-1818 Fresh, artfully crafted sushi, sashimi and classic rolls. Best Chef Mas Liu creates authentic sushi—Crazy Girl (shrimp tempura, asparagus, salmon); Mango Tango (salmon, crab, tuna, flying fish egg, mango sauce). Traditional dishes, sake. $$-$$$ BW L D Daily

PANAMA HATTIE’S 361 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 471-2192 Across A1A from the St. Johns County pier, this restaurant serves casual beach fare in a Key West-style atmosphere. Live bands are featured.

Dine inside or out on the ocean-view deck upstairs. Bar’s open till 2 a.m. $ FB L D Daily PIZZALLEY’S 117 St. George St., 825-2627 The downtown St. Augustine eatery offers wings, salads and, of course, pizza—including free samples to passersby. There’s the Garbage Can pizza: a supreme with everything. Outdoor patio seating is available. $$ BW TO L D Daily PIZZALLEY’S CHIANTI ROOM 60 Charlotte St., 825-4100 Sister restaurant to the St. George Street location, Pizzalley’s Chianti Room serves homemade Italian ristorante fare in a warm Tuscany setting.

Live music is presented M-F $$ BW TO L D Daily PLANET SARBEZ! 115 Anastasia Blvd., 342-0632, planetsarbez.com The entertainment venue serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, craft beers and more in a funky chill alt atmosphere. Live music. $ BW K TO L D Daily THE PRESENT MOMENT CAFÉ 224 W. King St., 827-4499 2016 Best of Jax finalist Serves organic, vegan and vegetarian dishes, pizza, pastas, hummus and milkshakes made without meat, dairy, wheat or an oven. Organic beer and wine. $$ BW TO B L D M-Sa PURPLE OLIVE INTERNATIONAL BISTRO 4255 A1A S., Ste. 6, St. Augustine Beach, 461-1250 The family-owned-and-operated restaurant’s dinner menu includes local seafood, prime cuts of beef, lamb, pork, vegetarian choices, local produce, and an option to create your own plate with a selection of entrées, sauces and sides. $$$ BW D Tu-Sa RAINTREE RESTAURANT 102 San Marco Ave., 824-7211 Located in an 1879 Victorian home for more than 33 years, this place specializes in favorites like steak and seafood. HH. Reservations accepted; outdoor patio dining. Sunday brunch.

Live music. $$$ FB D Nightly REDFROG & McTOAD’S GRUB-N-PUB 5545 A1A S., 814-8430, redfrogandmctoads.com The casual spot offers award-winning chowder, seafood, chicken, pasta and sandwiches. $$ FB K TO B L D Daily RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT 106 St. George St., 824-1090 Beer is the specialty at this German style beer house, with more than 200 varieties from around the world, with a rotating draft selection. Pair one with a hot or cold deli sandwich. Take-out orders may be phoned ahead. The kitchen’s open for late lunch during the week, till 2 a.m. Fri. and Sat. $$ BW TO L D Daily SALT LIFE FOOD SHACK 321 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach,

217-3256, saltlifefoodshack.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

SALTWATER COWBOYS 299 Dondanville Rd., St. Augustine Beach, 471-2332 The popular landmark restaurant has been closed since Hurricane Matthew; a website message says there are plans to reopen soon.

SANGRIAS TAPAS & PIANO BAR 35 Hypolita St., Ste. 201, 827-1947 The balcony of this historic building overlooks busy St. George Street, making it an ideal place to while away the afternoon while sipping one of seven signature (and individually prepared) sangrias. Spanish-style tapas also served. Live music. $$ BW L D Daily SOUTH BEACH GRILL 45 Cubbedge Rd., Crescent Beach, 471-8700 Located off A1A, one block south of the S.R. 206 bridge, this two-story beachy destination offers casual oceanfront dining and fresh local seafood.

Dine indoors or on beachfront deck. Weekday HH. $$$ FB B L D Daily STIR IT UP 18 A St., St. Augustine Beach, 461-4552

Reggae-named fresh sandwiches, wraps and smoothies are served just steps from the ocean.

Try the Burrita Marley (hummus and avocado burrito) or the Pita Tosh (turkey, hummus and sprouts). $ K TO L D Daily SUMO SUSHI 107 Nature Walk Pkwy., 230-1999 See Riverside.

SUNSET GRILLE 421 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 471-5555 The Key West-style restaurant serves fresh local seafood, steaks and sandwiches inside or at open-air counters. Celebrating 20+ years, Sunset Grille has a new deck. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily TANK’S SUSHI BISTRO 46 Tuscan Way, Stes. 302 & 303, 940-8799, tankssushibistro.com Japanese cuisine made New York City style.

Hibachi fare is also served. And the sushi is authentic Japanese-style. $$ BW Sake K TO L D Daily THE TASTING ROOM, WINE & TAPAS 25 Cuna St., 810-2400 The upscale contemporary Spanish restaurant fuses innovative tapas with an extensive wine list. Owned

by Michael Lugo, The Tasting Room features live music nightly. $$$ BW L Tu-Su, D Nightly TEMPO 16 Cathedral Place, 342-0286 The fusion restaurant specializes in healthful American fare with a Latin flair. Live music every weekend. $$ BW TO L D Tu-Su TERRA & ACQUA 134 Seagrove Main St., 429-9647, terraacquarestaurant.com The pizzeria means casual modern Italian dining. Chef/owner Simone Parisi creates innovative dishes with authentic ingredients. $$ FB TO L D M-Sa THEO’S RESTAURANT 169 King St., 824-5022 Located on the banks of San Sebastian River, Theo’s is just far enough away from the heart of downtown that it’s a popular haunt for locals and tourists alike. Favorites include seafood and Greek dishes; the hearty breakfast is popular. $ B L Daily THE TIDES OYSTER CO. & GRILL 641 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 461-5725 The rustic Florida-style spot is popular for drinks, dinner, billiards, dancing and daily

specials. Handhelds, burgers, entrées, early bird menu. HH. $$ FB L D Daily VILLAGIO ITALIAN GRILLE 500 S. Legacy Trail, 940-8623 Inside The Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, Villagio specializes in farm to fork Italian fare using fresh, local ingredients in each handcrafted dish infused with fresh flavors, local fish and produce grown hydroponically at their farm. Live music. $$$ FB K TO B L D Daily WILDFLOWER CAFÉ 4320 A1A S., St. Augustine Beach, 471-2691 One block from the beach, the Provençal-style cafe’s signature dishes are Wildflower grouper— sautéed, with blue crab meat and toasted almonds. $ BW K B L Tu-Sa WOODPECKER’S BACKYARD BBQ 4930 S.R. 13, 531-5670, woodpeckersbbq.weebly.com The barbecue here is smoked fresh every day.

Brisket, ribs, pork, sausage, turkey available in sandwiches, plates by the pound. Eight sauces, 10 sides. $$ TO L D Tu-Su

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MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 41

<<< FROM PREVIOUS YOGURT MOTION 163 Palencia Village, Ste. 102, 610-2220 The spot offers a healthful, nutritional cool treat in a non-dairy frozen yogurt (with no table sugar, lactose, chemicals or preservatives) in a variety of flavors. $ TO Daily

ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

BAHAMA BREEZE 10205 River Coast Dr., 646-1031 2016 Best of Jax finalist Bahama Breeze offers Caribbean-inspired cuisine and tropical drinks in an island atmosphere.

Menu items include lobster quesadillas, West Indies beef patties and Creole baked goat cheese. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily BENTO CAFE PAN ASIAN & SUSHI 4860 Big Island Dr., 564-9494 Casual dining at a quick pace is the Bento way, serving sushi and Pan-Asian cuisine, as well as vegan items. Sake; outdoor dining. $$ BW TO L D Daily BLACKFINN AMERICAN GRILLE 4840 Big Island Dr., 345-3466 With four dining rooms, BlackFinn offers classic American fare: beef, seafood, pasta and flatbread sandwiches. Dine indoors or on the patio. $$$ FB K Br L D Daily BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE 4910 Big Island Dr., 807-9960 The upscale Northern Italian restaurant offers wood-grilled and oven-roasted steaks, chops and seafood. Dine indoors or al fresco on the terrace.

Private dining available. $$$ FB K TO Br Sa & Su; L D Daily CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN 4712 River City Dr., Ste. 105, 421-0179 The upscale yet casual spot offers innovative Cali-inspired dishes, pizzas, salads and sandwiches. Curbside pickup; free valet service with orders $20 or more. $$ FB K TO L D Daily CANTINA LAREDO 10282 Bistro Dr., 997-6110 Authentic Mexican dishes are served in a sophisticated atmosphere. The daily fish specials, grilled chicken and steaks are complimented by signature sauces like chipotle-wine with portobello mushrooms or sautéed artichoke hearts and roasted red bell peppers. $$ FB K Br L D Daily THE CAPITAL GRILLE 5197 Big Island Dr., 997-9233 The Capital Grille serves dry-aged, hand-carved steaks and fresh seafood, in dishes made from local, seasonal ingredients. An extensive, award-winning wine list has 350 Old and New World wines; 25 wines by the glass. $$ FB K TO L M-F; D Nightly FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES 4413 Town Center Parkway, Ste. 401, 996-6900 2016 Best of Jax winner See Orange Park.

THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 4413 Town Center Parkway N., 527-8900 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY 10367 Midtown Pkwy., 380-4360, maggianos.com Italian-American cuisine, this upscale restaurant features classic and contemporary dishes—pasta, steaks, seafood, chef ’s specials and specialty desserts—made in a scratch kitchen. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily MIMI’S CAFE 10209 River Coast Dr., 620-0660 Signature quiches, salads, sandwiches, chicken pot pie, beef bourguignon and roasted turkey breast are served in a French cottage-themed spot. $ FB K TO B L D Daily MITCHELL’S FISH MARKET 5205 Big Island Dr., 645-3474 The ever-changing menu (it’s printed twice daily) has more than 180 fresh items, featuring cedarroasted Atlantic salmon, kung pao calamari and seared rare salt-and-pepper tuna. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily MOXIE KITCHEN + COCKTAILS 4972 Big Island Dr., 998-9744 2016 Best of Jax winner Chef Tom Gray’s locally sourced contemporary American menu offers playful starters—deviled farm eggs and chicken livers, and favorites like chicken & waffles and Dr Pepper-glazed beef short ribs. Seared scallops and handmade 42 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

gnocchi round out the menu. Inventive cocktails, patio dining, Sunday brunch. HH daily. $$ FB K L M-Sa; D Nightly MSHACK 10281 Midtown Pkwy., 642-5000 2016 Best of Jax winner See Beaches.

OVINTE 10208 Buckhead Branch Dr., 900-7730 2016 Best of Jax finalist The comfortable, chic place features tapas and small plate items with Spanish and Italian flavors, including ceviche fresco, pappardelle bolognese and lobster ravioli. A 240-bottle wine list, 75 by the glass, and craft spirits are available. Outdoor dining, bocce court. $$ FB Br, Su; D Nightly P.F. CHANG’S 10281 Midtown Pkwy., Ste. 137, 641-3392 The popular chain restaurant has traditional chicken, pork and beef dishes, plus vegetarian plates and gluten-free selections. $$ FB K L D Daily SEASONS 52 5096 Big Island Dr., 645-5252 The casual, sophisticated fresh grill and wine bar offers a seasonally changing menu and an award-winning international wine list. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SWEET BY HOLLY 4624 Town Crossing Blvd., Ste. 137, 564-2711 Hollis Wilder, a winner on Food Networks Cupcake Wars, offers 30 flavors of cupcakes made from scratch daily, plus 12 flavors of frozen yogurt with 48 toppings. $ TO Daily SWEET FROG 4413 Town Center Pkwy., Ste. 218, 329-4689 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

TED’S MONTANA GRILL 10281 Midtown Pkwy., Ste. 221, St. Johns Town Center, 998-0010, tedsmontanagrill.com Modern classic comfort food features fine cuts of bison: signature steaks, award-winning gourmet burgers served in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Chef-inspired items include crab cakes, cedarplank salmon, fresh vegetables, desserts. Private label Bison Ridge wines are served. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily TOSSGREEN 4668 Town Crossing Dr., Ste. 105, 686-0234 See Southside.

WASABI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR 10206 River Coast Dr., 997-6528 2016 Best of Jax finalist Wasabi serves up authentic Japanese cuisine and features teppanyaki shows. A full sushi menu is served. $ K L D Daily ZOËS KITCHEN 4624 Town Crossing Dr., Ste. 149, 641-2130 See Ponte Vedra.

SAN JOSE, LAKEWOOD, UNIVERSITY WEST

CRUISERS GRILL 5613 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 1, San Jose, 737-2874 2016 Best of Jax winner See Beaches.

DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 1610 University Blvd. W., Lakewood, 448-2110 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

FUSION SUSHI 1550 University Blvd. W., Lakewood, 636-8688 The upscale sushi spot serves a wide variety of fresh sushi, sashimi, hibachi, teriyaki and kiatsu. $$ K L D Daily GENE’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1571 University Blvd W., Lakewood, 448-9888, genesseafood.com A Jacksonville landmark, Gene’s menu includes gator tail, calamari and Cajun shrimp. $$ FB K TO L D Daily JAX DINER 5065 St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 5, 739-7070, jaxdiner.com Simple name, simple concept: Local. Chef Roderick “Pete” Smith, a local culinary expert with nearly 20 years under his apron strings, emphasizes using locally sourced ingredients from area farmers, vendors and the community for his down-home dishes. $ K TO B L M-F JENKINS QUALITY BARBECUE 2025 Emerson St., Lakewood, 346-3770 Closed Sundays. See Downtown.

MOJO BAR-B-QUE 1607 University Blvd. W., 732-7200, mojobbq.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The funky Southern kitchen offers pulled pork and Carolina-style barbecue along with chicken-fried steak and Delta fried catfish. A full bottled beer selection is available. $$ FB K TO B L D Daily SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q 5097 University Blvd. W., Lakewood, 737-4906 See Orange Park.

SWEET FROG 1518 University Blvd. W., 503-1462 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

TIJUANA FLATS 5635 San Jose Blvd., Lakewood, 371-7884 See Baymeadows.

At the foot of Centre Street in Fernandina, BRETT’S WATERWAY CAFÉ serves fresh local seafood and aged beef in an upscale atmosphere.

SAN MARCO, SOUTHBANK, ST. NICHOLAS

(All venues are in San Marco unless otherwise noted.)

ALLURE THAI BISTRO & BAR 1004 Hendricks Ave., 674-0190 New name, new menu but still Thai. Allure serves fresh sushi and authentic Thai cuisine, including ginger-infused salad, classic Pad Thai, all curry dishes, ebi roll, sashimi and daily specials. Craft cocktails. $$ FB L M-F; D M-Sa bb’s RESTAURANT & BAR 1019 Hendricks Ave., 306-0100 2016 Best of Jax finalist There’s sophistication to spare, from the everchanging selection of fine cheeses to the coffee bean carefully placed in each espresso martini. $$$ FB Br L D M-Sa BEACH DINER 1965 San Marco Blvd., 399-1306 See Beaches.

BEACH ROAD CHICKEN DINNERS 4132 Atlantic Blvd., St. Nicholas, 398-7980 Just like Sunday dinner at home—if your family could cook fried chicken, okra, sweet corn nuggets, country-fried steak, gizzards and chicken livers. And creamed peas, gravy, cole slaw, biscuits, fruit cobbler, fries, and rice. At the same location since 1939, the multiple award-winner also offers fish and shrimp. $ K TO L D Tu-Su THE BEARDED PIG BBQ 1224 Kings Ave., 619-2247, thebeardedpigbbq.com 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist The Southern barbecue and beer garden, on the Southbank, offers brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, sausage, beef—and veggie platters. All the sides are made-from-scratch. Kid-friendly.

Craft beers and wine. $$ BW K TO L D Daily BISTRO AIX 1440 San Marco Blvd., 398-1949 Bistro Aix serves French- and Mediterraneaninspired fare in an urban-chic atmosphere.

The menu changes seasonally, and the wine list includes more than 250 choices. HH is M-F $$$ FB L D Daily BOLD BEAN COFFEE ROASTERS 1905 Hendricks Ave., 374-5735 2016 Best of Jax winner See Riverside.

BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 4907 Beach Blvd., 398-4248 See Northside.

CHART HOUSE 1501 River Place Blvd., Southbank, 398-3353 Located on the Southbank of the St. Johns River since 1982, this upscale waterfront restaurant serves fresh fish, seafood and prime rib. $$$$ FB K TO D Nightly EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ 1704 San Marco Blvd., 398-9500 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

THE FLAME BROILER 1539 San Marco Blvd., 900-1614 See Southside.

THE FRENCH PANTRY 6301 Powers Ave., 730-8696 The bakery is a cut above, offering freshly made pastries as well as sandwiches and salads, with a European flair. There’s usually a line out the door, so bring your patience. $$ L M-Th FUJI SUSHI 1950 San Marco Blvd., 399-3305 Right on San Marco Square, Fuji Sushi is under new management with an all-new sushi menu.

Sake is served. A sushi lunch is special is offered daily. $ BW K L D Daily GANGNAM KOREAN RESTAURANT 5161 Beach Blvd., Ste. 5, St. Nicholas, 396-4008 Homestyle authentic, fresh and flavorful Korean fare. Customer faves: bulgogi, kimchee, galbi.

Dishes are all made with fresh meats, vegetables and seafood. $$ BW TO L D Tu-Su GREEN ERTH BISTRO 1520 Hendricks Ave., 398-9156, green-erth-bistro.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Green Erth serves Cali-inspired fare—vegan and vegetarian—made with natural, organic ingredients, including breakfast items, big salads, soups, paninis, sandwiches, hot dishes and desserts. Organic teas, coffees and juices and Intuition Ale Works brews. $$ BW L M-F; D Tu-Sa THE GROTTO WINE & TAPAS BAR 2012 San Marco Blvd., 398-0726 Serving a varied tapas menu of artisanal cheese plates, empanadas, bruschettas and homestyle cheesecake, this upscale wine bar features a list with more than 60 wines by the glass. $$$ BW Tu-Su

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<<< FROM PREVIOUS HAMBURGER MARY’S BAR & GRILLE 3333 Beach Blvd., 551-2048, hamburgermarys.com Besides the food, there’s charity bingo, drag revues and trivia. Wings, sliders, sammies, nachos, entrées and a variety of burgers. And a drag brunch every Sunday. $$ K TO FB Br L D Daily HAVANA-JAX CAFE/CUBA LIBRE BAR 2578 Atlantic Blvd., St. Nicholas, 399-0609 Bite Club certified The Cuban sandwiches served in this clean, bright café are the real thing: big, thick and flattened. Other favorites include traditional Cuban fare like black beans and rice, plantains, steaks, seafood, chicken and rice, and roast pork. Spanish wine and Cuban drink specials, including mojitos and Cuba libres, are served.

HH all day, every day. $ FB K L D Daily HIGHTIDE BURRITO COMPANY 1538 Hendricks Ave., 683-7396, hightideburrito.com Locally-owned-and-operated by Alex Juarez, the casual Mexican place offers made-from-scratch salsas, marinades, tortillas, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, tamales, salads. Taco Tuesday. Kids eat free on Sunday. $ BW K TO L D Daily INDOCHINE 1974 San Marco Blvd., 503-7013, indochinejax.com 2016 Best of Jax winner See Downtown.

KITCHEN ON SAN MARCO 1402 San Marco Blvd., 396-2344, kitchenonsanmarco.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist The popular new gastropub has local and national craft beers, specialty cocktails and a seasonal menu focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and cuisine. Now serving Sunday brunch. $$ FB L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1629 Hendricks Ave., 399-1768 2016 Best of Jax winner See Mandarin.

THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 2014 San Marco Blvd., 399-5667 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY 2004 San Marco Blvd., 398-1004, maplestreetbiscuits.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist Put Southern comfort food—pulled pork, fried chicken, bacon—with stuff like goat cheese, dill pickles, pepper jelly, collards, sausage gravy, fried eggs. Then put that in a flaky, fresh biscuit, top with various sauces, gravies, dressings. Sides, coffee, soda. $ TO B L Mon.-Sat.; D Fri. & Sat. MATTHEW’S 2107 Hendricks Ave., 396-9922 2016 Best of Jax finalist This is Chef Matthew Medure’s flagship restaurant, offering fine dining in a refined, European-style atmosphere. Matthew’s specializes in artfully presented cuisine, and the lounge offers small plates, an extensive martini and wine list and a HH M-F Reservations recommended. $$$$ FB D M-Sa METRO DINER 3302 Hendricks Ave., 398-3701 2016 Best of Jax winner The original upscale diner is in a historic 1930s-era building in San Marco; there are several more locations. All serve meatloaf, chicken pot pie and homemade soups. This location now serves dinner nightly. $$ B Br L D Daily THE MUDVILLE GRILLE 3105 Beach Blvd., St. Nicholas Plaza, 398-4326, themudvillegrille.com The original St. Nicholas location and its sister restaurants are family-oriented sports spots serving steaks and wings. Trivia is featured every Thur., Karaoke every Fri. and Texas Hold ’Em every Wed. There are big-screen TVs and three satellite dishes for sports fans. The adjacent Music Room features live music every weekend. $ FB K L D Daily THE OLIVE TREE MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 1705 Hendricks Ave., 396-2250 2016 Best of Jax finalist The Olive Tree serves Mediterranean homestyle healthy plates, including hummus, tabouleh, grape leaves, veggie kibbi, gyros, potato salad, Greek salad and more. $$ BW L D M-F, L Sa PIZZA PALACE 1959 San Marco Blvd., 399-8815, pizzapalacejax.com 44 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

With sub stations all over Northeast Florida, the Raikes brothers’ LARRY’S GIANT SUBS is well-known for piling their creations high with quality ingredients for 35 years.

The relaxed, family-owned restaurant serves homestyle cuisine. Local faves include spinach pizza and chicken spinach calzones. Ravioli, lasagna and parmigiana. Outside dining, HD TVs. HH. $$ BW K TO L D Daily PLAYERS GRILLE 4456 Hendricks Ave., 448-6670 2016 Best of Jax winner The sports bar and grill serves burgers and wings, teriyaki stir fry and homemade soups.

A kids’ game room is open (TV monitored, so parents can watch), and TVs are in all the booths. $$ FB K Br L D Daily PULP 1962 San Marco Blvd., 396-9222 2016 Best of Jax finalist The juice bar offers fresh juices, frozen yogurt, teas, and coffees made one cup at a time, along with 30 kinds of smoothies. Some are blended with flavored soy milks and organic frozen yogurts and granola. $ TO B L D Daily RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY 835 Museum Circle, Southbank, 398-2299 Situated on the Southbank Riverwalk overlooking the St. Johns River and popular with the downtown business set, River City offers fresh seafood, steaks and daily chef ’s creations. Nosh in the enclosed dining room or out on the marina dining deck.

Buffet for Sunday brunch only. $$ FB L D M-Sa RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 1201 Riverplace Blvd., Southbank, 396-6200, ruthschris.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist A consistent Best of Jax winner for Best Steaks, Ruth’s Chris serves Midwestern custom-aged U.S. prime beef, cooked in 1,800-degree broilers.

Fresh seafood, live Maine lobster and an extensive selection of wines are also on the menu.

Reservations suggested. $$$$ FB D Nightly SAN MARCO THEATRE 1996 San Marco Blvd., 396-4845 The historic movie house offers pizza, nachos, quesadillas, sandwiches, and beer and wine. The theater shows first-run films. $ BW D Nightly SOUTHERN CHARM 3566 St. Augustine Rd., 398-9206, artscrackercooking.moonfruit.com Chef Art Jennette runs the show here (the former Checker BBQ), serving up barbecue, seafood and down-home comfort food. Ask for the Trailer Trash Special: a pulled-pork sandwich, 15 of Art’s fried white shrimp, handcut fries, fried green tomatoes. Sunday is brunch only. $ K L D Tu-Sa TAVERNA 1986 San Marco Blvd., 398-3005 Chef Sam Efron serves authentic Italian made with local produce and meats. Craft beers, craft cocktails. Tapas, small-plate items, Neapolitanstyle wood-fired pizzas, homestyle pastas and entrées are served in a rustic yet upscale interior. $$$ FB K TO Br L D Daily TIDBITS RESTAURANT 1076 Hendricks Ave., 396-0528, tidbitsfood.com

For more than 25 years, Clara’s Tidbits has specialized in good food served in a friendly atmosphere, including popular lunch items like chicken salad and unique avocado sandwiches.

Delivery available. $ TO L M-F TOSCANA LITTLE ITALY 4440 Hendricks Ave., 900-1059 The 150-seat restaurant features Tuscan yellow walls, cherry wood tables and chairs, and tile floors. The extensive menu includes traditional Italian dishes. $$ FB TO L M-F; D M-Sa VINO’S PIZZA & GRILL 1430 San Marco Blvd., 683-2444 Hand-tossed New York-style, thin-crust pizzas, and Sicilian-style, thick-crust pizzas. Baked dishes, subs, stromboli, wings and wraps, daily lunch buffet. $$ K L D Daily V PIZZA 1406 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, 527-1511, vpizza.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist V Pizza offers true Neapolitana pizzas with the freshest ingredients. They claim a 55-second cook time—put them to the test. $$ FB L D Daily WINE CELLAR 1314 Prudential Dr., Southbank, 398-8989 The Jacksonville landmark offers classic Continental and New World cuisine in an Old World setting.

Dine outdoors under majestic oaks or indoors in intimate dining rooms. $$$$ FB L M-F; D M-Sa

SOUTHSIDE

AKEL’S DELICATESSEN 7077 Bonneval Rd., 332-8700 See Downtown.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING 12000 Beach Blvd., 641-1212, alhambrajax.com The nation’s longest continuously running dinner theater (now in its 49th year), the renovated Alhambra features cuisine prepared by Executive Chef DeJuan Roy, who coordinates his menus with each stage production. Reservations are suggested. $$ FB D Tu-Su ALL AMERICAN HOT DOG 10365 Beach Blvd., 641-5794, allamericanhotdog.com The family-owned casual spot has been around since 1967, offering all-beef hot dogs served in toasted buns, dressed up with a variety of homestyle toppings, as well as steak pitas, burgers and subs. $ K TO B L D M-Sa BARBERITOS 4320 Deerwood Lake Pkwy., 807-9060 See Amelia Island.

BAYARD CAFE 12525 Philips Hwy., Ste. 201, Bayard, 551-3026, bayardcafe.tripod.com The casual, family-owned restaurant serves homemade-style breakfast all day, as well as soups, awesome barbecue and daily specials.

And the café now offers desserts, lattes and espressos. $ K TO B L Daily BISTRO 41° 3563 Philips Hwy., Ste. 104, 446-9738

Daily specials, burgers, salads, paninis, gyros, fresh homemade soups. $ TO B L M-F BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 10065 Skinner Lake Dr., JTB & Gate Parkway, 998-1997 10645 Philips Hwy., 886-2801 5711 Bowden Rd., 448-5395 See Northside.

BRUCCI’S PIZZA, PASTA, PANINIS 7860 Gate Pkwy., 232-8373 See Intracoastal.

BUCA DI BEPPO 10334 Southside Blvd., 363-9090 The popular chain restaurant gets to the heart of fresh Italian cooking with recipes like lasagna and rosemary potatoes. Dishes are available in three generous portion sizes (half-pound meatballs!) and served family-style in a whimsical, old-Italy setting.

Gluten-free dishes. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR 10300 Southside Blvd., Ste. 2430A, 363-0410 See Orange Park.

CHARLIE’S DINER 8929 Philips Hwy., 363-0990 The place is remodeled and has a new diner menu, featuring “country boy” style breakfast and lunch items. The morning side order selection is massive. Lunch includes big salads and specials, still focusing on favorites. $ B L M-Sa THE CORNER BISTRO & WINE BAR 9823 Tapestry Park Circle, Ste. 1, 619-1931 The Corner features casual fine dining, with a menu that blends modern American favorites served with international flair. A full bar is served featuring fine wine, cocktails and martinis. $ FB L D Daily CRAZY SUSHI 4320 Deerwood Lake Pkwy., Ste. 202, 998-9797 The cozy getaway serves a full sushi bar as well as hibachi, sashimi, katsu, sake and tempura dishes.

Favorites are the Dynamite roll, Cold roll and Manhattan roll. $$ FB L D Daily DAVE & BUSTER’S 7025 Salisbury Rd. S. (I-95 & JTB), 296-1525, daveandbusters.com The 40,000-square-foot restaurant/entertainment complex includes a dining room for a quiet meal away from the games. But what fun is that?

D&B’s Million Dollar Midway has the latest electronic interactive games and simulators as well as traditional favorites. $$ FB K L D Daily DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 10750 Atlantic Blvd., 619-0954 2016 Best of Jax winner See Northside.

EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ 5500 Beach Blvd., (University & Emerson), 398-1717 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES 9039 Southside Blvd., 538-9100

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MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 45

SAVORY SIDES

Foodies meet fetish in the disturbing YouTube realm of ASMR EATING VIDEOS

TALKING WITH FOOD IN

YOUR MOUTH OVER THE COURSE OF MY LIFE, SLEEP–LIKE A love of camping, finding a baby that sings the blues, an actual zip gun, or the ability to sustain an active savings account–has been elusive.

Much of that is due to racing thoughts, another symptom of bipolar disorder that might make you–the ever-judgmental-yet-adoring reader– quite envious. “But Dan, Dan … we imagine that’s where you conjure all of your literary lightning and vocabulary gymnastics–and quite possibly why you’re so goddamned handsome.”

Hush, hush, little ones.

So at 41 I reluctantly started taking mood stabilizers–again. The initial wave of pills didn’t help me sleep, but they did remind me that I hate taking psych meds.

As a kind of digital holistic treatment, I’d lie in bed looking for YouTube videos with “relaxing voice … soothing voice.” Such videos generally featured placid landscapes and voices that sounded like they were trying to brainwash me or coax a wee fairy out of a tree, or both.

Then I saw those four magic letters: ASMR. One part pseudo-science, two parts whack, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is considered a response to certain sounds or visual triggers that create “tingles,” comforting and relaxing bodily sensations. The ASMR God is Bob Ross, the late, gray-anglo’d PBS painting instructor whose voice, for many, is like an auditory IV drip of Michael Jackson Juice.

Whether I felt any “tingles” or not, I was instantly hooked. Weird is the light, I am its moth.

ASMR is a community with more than 5.2 million videos and some YouTube channels boasting hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

In a way, ASMR is like a worldwide Eyes Wide Shut orgy (minus Tom Cruise) for people who enjoy quiet sounds and can’t sleep. Essentially, ASMR taps into our shared desires to be utterly lazy, staring slack-jawed into space while scratching an arm, stomach or leg.

Always shot in POV (Perturbing Online Video), the ASMRtists (sadly, I didn’t make that term up) seem to utilize the same plots: Cranial nerve exams and anything medical is a big hit, as well as applying makeup, rubbing brushes on the mics and, of course, food. Takeout, candy, noodles, unboxing packages of “snack packs” … these unhinged whisperers will eat anything as long as you’re watching, not unlike Nick Nolte at a hotel bar.

While you are encouraged to find your own path in the ASMRhole, we equally demand that you go to YouTube, type in “ASMR food,” and buckle up.

Here are a few we like to nibble on–all titles verbatim–so you can take that first unsettling plunge of questionable taste.

TAKING YOU ON A PICNIC! *NATURE, FOOD, SASS* (ASMR) The brainchild of Tony Bomboni ASMR, this clip combines elements of Martha Stewart, Mr. Rogers and Vincent D’Onofrio from the 2000 in-the-mind-of-a-serial-killer film, The Cell.

While Bomboni sports makeup that evokes the chimerical lovechild of Howdy Doody and Courtney Love, he’s more doting than disturbing.

46 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

Hey, Boo Boo, what’s in the picnic basket? Why, it’s BBQ chips, lemonade, sandwiches, hot dogs and a dosage increase for Chef Bomboni’s atypical antipsychotic. Nom nom nom!

EATING ASMR: AMERICAN CANDIES & SNACKS All the way from Finland comes this 56:11 minute (WTF?!) clip of some guy named finngamerASMR. Whispering with a gravely voice that sounds more like a famished Serge Gainsborough than any peckish Finn, this take on eating junk food benefits from the auteur’s poignant, “eyes of a child” discovery of horking on standard USA junk food like Moon Pies, Fritos, Cheez-Its and Sour Patch Kids. We gave the world blues music, Carol Burnett, gun violence and Bruce Vilanch–now we’re giving global cavities, diabetes and obesity.

ASMR POPSICLE (KISSING) Not even the late Dr. Alfred “I Like to Watch” Kinsey would’ve been prepared for this merger of video, sound, food and barely restrained libidinous, uh, tingles. Brought to us by the (fittingly named) Hungry Lips, this clip features a young woman, shot only from the nose down, barely contained by her T.J. Maxx lingerie, as she coyly ingests a red popsicle. YouTube Red subscribers can enjoy bonus Werner Herzog commentary: “In the same way that this mean mama jama slurps back this popsicle, nature continually consumes us with ready and eversharpened teeth.”

COOKING ASMR: RUSSIAN BEEF AND BUCKWHEAT PATTIES. SOFT SPOKEN. BACK TO BASICS. EATING SOUNDS The Meryl Streep of the whole scene is surely Maria, aka Gentle Whispering ASMR. Whenever I doubt if ASMR is working, I listen to her silky Russian accent and nod out, at times even rolling out of bed for a dramatic descriptor effect. Maria is the assured envy of all other ASMRtists; she’s been featured in the New York Times. She’s the Madonna of Mumbles, the Tila Tequila of Tingles … you get the idea. This 12-minute feast of spice jars being raised and lowered, a dainty hand placed just so on a package of raw hamburger meat, coy spatula taps on a bowl of uncooked buckwheat, ending with a one-two punch of Maria eating the meal she has so freely cooked for us, is certain to convert you into the ASMR cult.

ASMR WHISPER INTENSE EATING SOUNDS | CARROT PASTA, SALAD, ASPARAGUS AND MANGO Straight outta Norway comes Solfrid ASMR, a gal who turns gastronomic gusto into a grotesque auditory gulag. In this video, from her collection of 44 eating clips, this ASMRist is chowing down like she’s gunning for cash and prizes. You, the viewer, ultimately win. Prone to eating giant plates of food, while maintaining a lean figure, surely leads one to wonder if Solfrid might be infested with a Norsk Svart Metall Bendelorm, or “Norwegian Black Metal Tapeworm.”

Daniel A. Brown dbrown@folioweekly.com

Fernandina Beach is where the cuisine from Spain, Portugal and Brazil merges—all at LA MANCHA on Sadler Road, where there’s also live music every weekend.

<<< FROM PREVIOUS 2016 Best of Jax winner See Orange Park.

THE FLAME BROILER 9822 Tapestry Park Circle, Ste. 103, 619-2786 7159 Philips Hwy., 337-0007, flamebroilerusa.com Built on the concept of healthy, inexpensive fast food prepared with no transfats, MSG, frying, or skin on meat. Fresh veggies, steamed brown or white rice along with grilled beef, chicken and Korean short ribs. $ K TO L D Daily GREEK STREET CAFÉ 3546 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., Ste. 106, 503-0620, greekstreetcafe.com Fresh, authentic and modern Greek cuisine made by Greek owners. Gyros, spanakopita, dolmades, falafel, salads, Greek nachos and more. $$ BW K TO L D M-Sa HALA CAFE & BAKERY 4323 University Blvd. S., 733-1855 The remodeled Jacksonville institution, serving since 1975, has homemade pita bread, hummus, kibbie, grape leaves, rider sandwiches, kabobs, falafel, tabouli, daily lunch buffet. $$ K TO L D M-Sa III FORKS PRIME STEAKHOUSE 9822 Tapestry Park Cir., Ste. 111, 928-9277, iiiforks.com III Forks offers a contemporary evolution of the classic steakhouse, updated and stylish with a savvy menu featuring USDA prime beef, seafood, distinctive wine and local favorites.

More than 1,500 wines are available. Dine indoors or out on the patio. $$$$ FB K D M-Sa JC HOMEMADE PASTRIES FILIPINO CUISINE & KARAOKE 11041 Beach Blvd., Ste. A-102, 415-335-0482 Authentic Filipino fare, like halo-halo, smoothies, bobo tea, flan, cheesecake, lumpia, empanada and awesome apps. $$ BW K TO B L D F-Su JOHNNY ANGEL’S 3546 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., Ste. 120, 997-9850 The diner, near University of North Florida, serves dishes that reflect its 50s-style décor, including Blueberry Hill pancakes, Fats Domino omelet and Elvis special combo platter, as well as burgers and hand-dipped shakes. Live entertainment, trivia, monthly car shows. $ BW K TO B L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 3611 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., Ste. 101, 641-6499 4479 Deerwood Lake Pkwy., 425-4060 See Orange Park.

LECI’S ITALIAN CAFE 4076 Belfort Rd., 332-8144 Everything here is made from scratch, with authentic Italian ingredients. Dine indoors or outside. $$ FB K TO L D Daily LIME LEAF 9822 Tapestry Park Cir., Stes. 108 & 109, 645-8568 Lime Leaf offers definitive Thai cuisine, from fresh papaya salad to pad Thai to seared ahi

tuna, as well as crispy duck, all elegantly presented. Desserts include mango sweet rice.

Limited delivery is available. $$ BW L D M-Sa THE LOOP PIZZA GRILL 8221 Southside Blvd., 645-7788 2016 Best of Jax finalist See Beaches.

MAMMA LUCIA 11380 Beach Blvd., 645-0081 Near University of North Florida and owned by real Italians, Mamma Lucia serves definitive Northern Italian cuisine, like risotto, osso buco and the specialty dessert, bomba al cioccolato, cake with ice cream and Amaretto. The pasta and tiramisu are made fresh. Espresso is served. $$ BW K TO L D Tu-Su MARIANAS GRINDS 11380 Beach Blvd., Ste. 10, 206-612-6596 The newish place offers Pacific Islander fare with an emphasis on the chamorro culture. Soups and stews like fitada, beef oxtail and katden pika, plus spicy empanadas, lumpia and fave chicken relaguen; BBQ-style ribs and chicken. $ TO B L D Tu-Su MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS 9734 Deer Lake Court, Ste. 1, 997-1955 Bite Club certified 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Beaches.

THE MELTING POT 7860 Gate Pkwy., Ste. 101, 642-4900 Participatory dining is the philosophy at The Melting Pot, with a variety of fondues from chocolate to cheese and entrées ranging from filet mignon to ahi tuna. $$ FB K D Nightly MI VERACRUZ MEXICAN RESTAURANT 3109 Spring Park Rd., 396-2626 Authentic Mexican fare is served, for dine in or take out. Margaritas are featured. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MIKEY’S PIZZA & ITALIAN RESTAURANT 7544 Beach Blvd., 721-7333, mikeys-pizzajax.com Family-owned for 35+ years, Mikey’s serves fresh-made-to-order Old New York style thincrust pizzas, pasta, chicken and seafood dishes.

An Italian lunch buffet is offered. Take-out and delivery within three miles are available. $ BW TO L D M-Sa MY DREAMS CUBAN CAFÉ 9938 Beach Blvd., 330-7455 Cuban fare: rojas vieja, congri, plantains, tamales, Cuban sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, more. $$ B L D M-Sa OTAKI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 7860 Gate Pkwy., Stes. 119-122, 854-0485 Sushi bar, hibachi grill tables, open kitchen. $$$ FB K TO L D Daily PISCO’S RESTAURANT 4131 Southside Blvd., Ste. 101, 646-3888 Peruvian restaurant offers ceviche, jalea, lomo and pollo saltado, arroz con marisco, Inca Cola and Peruvian wines. $$$ BW K L D Daily SAHARA CAFE & BAR 10771 Beach Blvd., Ste. 110, 338-9049 2016 Best of Jax finalist Tiled floors, pillowed lounge area. Family-ownedand-operated place exudes Mediterranean style.

Flavored hookahs and hot tea in the lounge. Belly dancers every weekend. $$ BW D Nightly SAKE SUSHI 8206 Philips Hwy., 647-6000 Sushi, hibachi, teriyaki, tempura, katsu, donburi and noodle soups. Popular rolls: Fuji Yama, Ocean Blue, Fat Boy. $$ FB K L D M-Sa

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MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 47

<<< FROM PREVIOUS THE SECRET GARDEN CAFÉ 10095 Beach Blvd., Ste. 600, 645-0859, secretgardencafe.net The café serves homestyle breakfast and lunch in a gothic garden setting. Southern comfort menu items include eggs Benedict, Hot Mess, French toast, fried green tomatoes, meatloaf, burgers, and made-from-scratch desserts. Work by local artists is displayed. $$ BW K TO B L Brunch Daily SEVEN BRIDGES GRILLE & BREWERY 9735 Gate Pkwy. N., 997-1999 The grill and brewery features a variety of madefrom-scratch fare, including local seafood, steaks and pizzas. Brewer Aaron Nesbit handcrafts award-winning freshly brewed ales and lagers.

Dine indoors or out; use of the pool tables is free until 4 p.m. Live entertainment is featured on F, weather permitting. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SULTAN MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 11757 Beach Blvd., 379-0692 Savory, juicy kabobs, vegetarian hummus wraps, and all manner of healthful Mediterranean fare is available at the family-friendly place. $$ K TO L D Daily TAVERNA YAMAS 9753 Deer Lake Ct., 854-0426, tavernayamas.com Bite Club certified The lively Greek restaurant serves char-broiled kabobs, seafood and traditional Greek wines and desserts, and there are belly dancing shows.

A DJ spins F and Sa A hookah lounge has a full bar and menu. Daily HH, drink specials; kids eat free Mondays. $$ FB K TO L D Daily TILTED KILT PUB & EATERY 9720 Deer Lake Court, 379-8612, tiltedkilt.com The latest installment in restaurants whose specialty is hot waitresses (their tagline is “the best-looking sports pub you’ve ever seen”), this Jacksonville joint offers 40 big-screen TVs and pub fare—including wings, salmon and shepherd’s pie. And did we mention cute girls in kilts? Open for late night. $$ FB L D Daily TOMMY’S BRICK OVEN PIZZA 4160 Southside Blvd., Ste. 2, 565-1999, tbopizza.com Tommy’s creates New York-style thin crust, brick-oven-cooked pizzas—gluten-free—as well as calzones, salads and sandwiches made fresh to order, using Thumann’s no-MSG meats and Grande cheeses. Beer, wine and Boylan’s soda are served. Curbside pick-up. Slices available for lunch. $$ BW K TO L D M-Sa TOSSGREEN 4375 Southside Blvd., Ste. 12, 619-4356 The “fast-casual” place offers custom salads, sandwiches, wraps, burritos and burrito bowls like Asian bowl, Thai pao, Southern heat, Mexican gold and classic vegetarian. $ TO L D Daily YOUR PIE 4828 Deer Lake Dr. W., 337-0155 See Fleming Island.

YUMMY SUSHI 4372 Southside Blvd., 998-8806 Yummy’s menu has everything from teriyaki, tempura and hibachi-style dinners to sushi and sashimi, as well as a variety of more than 30 specialty rolls. Lunch roll specials run M-F Sake is served. $ BW L D Daily

SPRINGFIELD & NORTHSIDE

48 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

ANDY’S FARMERS MARKET GRILL 1810 W. Beaver St., Northside, 791-3003, jaxfarmersmarket.com 2016 Best of Jax finalist It’s smack-dab amid the landmark Jacksonville Farmers Market, for more than 75 years offering local, regional and international produce. Andy’s serves breakfast items, sandwiches, snacks and beverages. $ B L D Daily BLUE BOY SANDWICH SHOP 6514 Norwood Ave., 768-9791 See Arlington.

BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q 731 Duval Station Rd., 551-4241 5903 Norwood Ave., 765-1817 See Northside.

BOSTON’S RESTAURANT & SPORTSBAR 13070 City Station Dr., 751-7499 Bite Club certified A full-service restaurant, Boston’s serves sports bar favorites, including pizzas, pasta, wings, burgers and steak, till 2 a.m. (and there’s a lunch

menu with items for less than $7). There are 30 TVs (and major sports packages) and live music every weekend. $$ FB K TO L D Daily CASA MARIA 12961 N. Main St., Ste. 104, 757-6411 See Beaches.

DICK’S WINGS & GRILL 12400 Yellow Bluff Rd., Ste. 100, 619-9828, dickswingsandgrill.com 2016 Best of Jax winner The NASCAR-themed restaurant serves 365 varieties of wings. The menu also features half-pound burgers, ribs and salads. $ FB K TO L D Daily EL POTRO 7200 Normandy Blvd., Ste. 12, 378-9822 See Beaches.

FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES 13249 City Square Dr., 751-9711 2016 Best of Jax winner See Orange Park.

HOLA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1001 N. Main St., 356-3100, holamexicanrestaurant.com The popular place serves fresh fajitas, burritos, specials, enchiladas. HH; sangria. $ FB K TO L D M-Sa JENKINS QUALITY BARBECUE 5945 New Kings Rd., 765-8515 See Downtown.

LARRY’S GIANT SUBS 12001 Lem Turner Rd., 764-9999 See Orange Park.

MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS 15170 Max Leggett Parkway, 757-8843 Bite Club certified 2016 Best of Jax winner/finalist See Beaches.

MILLHOUSE STEAKHOUSE 1341 Airport Rd., 741-8722, millhousesteakhouse.com The locally-owned-and-operated steakhouse is a favorite among Northsiders, serving choice steaks from the signature broiler. The menu includes seafood, pasta dishes and Millhouse gorgonzola, plus homemade desserts. Live acoustic music Tue. and Fri. $$$ FB K D Nightly TONY’S KITCHEN & BAR 2467 Faye Rd., 683-5044, tonyskitchenansbar2467fayerd.com The newish place has burgers, wings, subs and sandwiches, big salads, seafood, calzones, strombolis and pizza—build your own or try a specialty. Dinner entrées, too. $$ FB K TO L D Daily NAGASAKI SUSHI & GRILL 12400 Yellow Bluff Rd., 751-2311 The Japanese restaurant offers an authentic traditional menu, including a variety of teriyaki and tempura dishes, as well as hibachi, sushi and satsumi items. Bento boxes and lunch specials are also featured. $$ L D Daily SANDOLLAR RESTAURANT 9716 Heckscher Dr., 251-2449, sandollarrestaurantjax.com Right on the banks of the St. Johns, Sandollar offers seafood, steaks, chicken and pasta. Dine inside or out on the deck featuring a panoramic view of the river. Seafood buffet every W Live music. $$ FB Br Su; L D Daily SAVANNAH BISTRO 14670 Duval Rd., 741-4404 Low Country Southern fare, with Mediterranean and French inspiration, is offered in a relaxing atmosphere at Crowne Plaza Airport. Favorites include crab cakes, New York strip, she crab soup and mahi mahi. $$$ FB K B L D Daily SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q 10840 Harts Rd., 751-4225 See Orange Park.

STICKY FINGERS 13150 City Station Dr., 309-7427 See Baymeadows.

TAPAS OLD WORLD 1417 N. Main St., 615-4000 Authentic Spanish restaurant with a European flair serves fresh food and homestyle desserts in a casual, cozy atmosphere. Live music Sa $$ BW K TO L D M-Sa THREE LAYERS CAFE 1602 Walnut St., 355-9791 Homemade desserts and pastries, light lunches and ready-to-go bistro salads in a renovated space. Beer (featuring Bold City Brewery beers) and wine are served. Indoors and courtyard dining. Live music W-Su $$ BW B L D Daily TIJUANA FLATS 651 Nautica Dr., 738-7642 See Baymeadows.

UPTOWN KITCHEN & BAR 1303 Main St. N., 355-0734, uptownmarketjax. com Bite Club certified Fresh food created with the same élan that rules at Burrito Gallery. Innovative breakfast, lunch and dinner farm-to-table selections and creative daily specials. $$ BW TO B L Daily

FOLIO A + E

L

ocal hardcore quartet Walk with Wolves is at once an attempt at reformation, while simultaneously something altogether new. Sonically, long-time followers of Northeast Florida’s hardcore and punk scenes might recognize both the accomplished rhythm section and the gruff, bellicose vocals featured on the Wolves’ newly released demo–six hostile tracks of drive-y rhythms under lyrics exploring commercialism, religion and conformity.

Drummer Danny Knieriemen, bassist Pat Lally and vocalist Tony Prat first performed together as the punk-hardcore-rap ensemble Ringworm in the early ’90s. In its day, Ringworm built a respectable local following, as they toured extensively and opened for a range of popular acts from Ohio underground punk rock heavies Liquid Legbone to Portland alt-rock softies Everclear.

“Back then, all I wanted to do was be in a band and tour,” says Knieriemen, reminiscing on the early days of Ringworm. Before Ringworm, Knieriemen and Lally served as the rhythm section of several groups– including the highly popular, local HC punk outfit, The Creeps. Following The Creeps split, Lally then played bass with Duval punk guru Stevie Stiletto, as well as sludge-merchants Gloryhole, featuring none other than Folio Weekly A&E editor Daniel A. Brown on guitar.

Knieriemen’s and Prat’s relationship, meanwhile, predated Ringworm by at least a decade–the Atlantic Beach locals were on the same tee-ball team.

In the spring of ’92, Knieriemen bought a van with the sole intention of going on tour. He had just formed Ringworm with Lally. Prat, meanwhile, had just returned to

Northeast Florida after several years in New York and California.

“It’s funny because at the time, ’92, I was the hardcore kid. Pat was into Nirvana and Mudhoney–totally grunged out,” says Knieriemen.

“Tony was just totally into rap. We were all coming from vastly different backgrounds. It was a melding of all these different sounds.”

Despite their incongruous inspirations, Ringworm came out

FILM Nazi-Era Films ART Moliere Dimanche Jr. MUSIC WØRSEN LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC CALENDAR

they went, even earning an invitation to open for Orange County punks Manic Hispanic in Long Beach.

It was grueling at the time.

Redeeming only in hindsight.

“The best way I could sum it up is after being on the road a few days, I wished I was home, but as soon as I got home, I wanted to be back out there on the road,” says Knieriemen. “The van’s breaking down. The money is short. For those few years, we basically

HELL BURNS

FOREVER

Twenty years after the demise of their former band, members of RINGWORM SNIFF OUT a new path the gate firing, recording a demo and hitting the road within the first six months. The band’s thrash-y hodgepodge sound found a receptive audience within the local skate and surf community, infatuated, at the time, with bands like Rage Against the Machine and Bad Religion.

Ringworm toured the country three times between ’93 and ’96. There was no shortage of highlights for the then-twentysomethings. They hit the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in LA, Trees in Dallas, The Continental in NYC. They made friends wherever

lived to do the band and make records.

We hit it hard.”

“I wouldn’t trade [the experience] for anything,” Prat echoes. “We were so tight. We practiced four nights a week.

It was our life.”

Lally was asked to leave the band in ’96. Prat left the group shortly thereafter, albeit unceremoniously.

After Ringworm, Prat chased his muse through several new musical projects and spent the better part of a decade living in New York, before returning to Jax in 2013. Knieriemen focused on raising his kids and finishing up a college degree. He also started Rat Town

PG. 50 PG. 54 PG. 54 PG. 55

Records–a concert promotion outfit and successful online retail and mailorder service specializing in punk and hardcore vinyl.

The former Ringworm members stayed in touch over the years and even got together for a secret show at Mayport Road’s Harbor Tavern in 2016. It was around the time of the Harbor show that Prat caught wind of Lally and Knieriemen’s new material.

With Tom Ogburn on guitar, they had nearly a dozen songs and had begun the process of auditioning singers. Prat insisted he deserved a tryout. “[Tony] basically did exactly what he did when he tried out for Ringworm more than 20 years ago,” says Knieriemen. “He didn’t hesitate. He was just jumped right in and started singing. It sounded good.”

Prat was in. And while the quartet is a reunion of sorts for three-fourths of its current lineup, the Wolves benefit not only from a different name, but from a renewed artistic vision.

“The only similarity [to Ringworm] is that [Walk with Wolves’ music] is fast and aggressive,” says Knieriemen.

While thrash-y and antagonistic on the surface, in songs like “Satan Isn’t So,” and “Slave to the Pop,” the band’s new demo makes use of dynamics and melody in a way that underscores its members’ musicianship and maturity.

“It’s just a more mature sound,” Prat says. “I love the direction we’re going.

We aren’t reinventing the wheel. But it’s aggressive and powerful.”

Well past their post-teenage-angst heydays, the members have tempered their expectations while diving headfirst in a new, though still-heavy musical direction.

“It’s just fun right now,” Knieriemen says. “I’m less interested in playing shows because I just love getting together to practice with these guys.”

Matthew B. Shaw mail@folioweekly.com

photo by Kiki Rizzi

WALK WITH WOLVES with SWILL, GROSS EVOLUTION, THE WASTEDIST 8 p.m. April 1, The Harbor Tavern, Atlantic Beach, $5 at the door; ages 18 & up, facebook.com/harbor-tavern.

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 49

FOLIO A+E : MAGIC LANTERNS These European arthouse films offer poignant looks at NAZI-ERA GERMANY

LIFE DURING

WARTIME J

50 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

ust released for home viewing, 2016’s WWII romantic thriller Allied (Brad Pitt vs. Nazis) prompted me to take a look at two foreign language films about that era, from different points of view. Winter in Wartime (’08) is a Dutch film, focusing on a teenaged boy whose father is mayor of a small Netherlands town, collaborating with the Nazis during the German occupation. Lore (’12), an Australian/ German co-production, is about a teenaged German girl who, after the fall of Hitler, tries to make sense of the new reality as she struggles to get her younger siblings to safety.

Winter is the more traditional of the two, as far as character and plot. Michiel (Martijn Lakemeier) is the 13-year-old protagonist who comes to the aid of downed British airman Jack (Jamie Campbell Bower), helping him to hide in a snowy forest, providing food and trying to arrange an escape for him.

Though Michiel loves his father (Raymond Thiry), the boy is critical of Dad’s relationship with the occupying enemy, not understanding that as mayor, his father’s trying to do the best for the townspeople.

Instead, the boy idolizes his Uncle Ben (Yorick van Wageningen), a resistance fighter.

As the Nazis intensify their search for the British pilot, though, Michiel learns his blackand-white view is far more complicated than he first realized. In terms of suspense and plot twists, the movie plays somewhat like Allied—who gets away with what before (or if) the Nazis catch them? It’s a familiar but still engrossing, even nail-biting scenario.

Based on Jan Terlouw’s autobiographical novel and directed by Martin Koolhoven, the film’s greatest strength is how it avoids stereotypes on both sides of the conflict, reflecting instead a powerful sense of what it must have been like living under the occupation. The Nazi machine is ruthless; the individual German soldiers not necessarily so.

As Michiel discovers, principles of behavior are even more complicated for subjugated citizens, especially his father.

Winter in Wartime takes place a few months before the end of the war in Europe.

Lore begins in the spring of the same year shortly before Hitler’s death, this time from the German angle. The main character is Lore, a teenaged girl whose story (and the film itself) is quite different from a conventional narrative, but even more powerful and affecting.

Co-written and directed by Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (Somersault), Lore is one of three separate stories which comprise The Dark Room (2001), Rachel Seiffert’s prize-winning British novel. The film was shot almost entirely in Germany, though, with a German-speaking cast, highlighting its curious hybrid nature.

Lore (Saskia Rosendahl) is the oldest daughter of a high-ranking Nazi official

who, with Lore’s mother, tries to prepare for the obvious fall of the Reich by destroying anything linking them to the regime. It’s futile; Lore’s father disappears and her mother (after being raped and robbed) leaves her children to surrender to the authorities.

Taking charge, Lore gathers her siblings (an adolescent sister, twin brothers and a nursing infant) and sets out on foot for their grandmother’s home in a distant city. Their odyssey is one of incredible hardship and danger as they, and other displaced refugees, try to traverse a new and devastated homeland.

Shortland’s elliptic narrative is episodic.

The hungry, thirsty travelers find the corpse of a raped woman in one homestead, a suicide in another. One old woman gives them temporary shelter and some food, lamenting before a picture of Hitler how “we had let him down.” Another aged survivor crows in delight as the little twins proudly sing an Aryan hymn.

At one point, the desperate siblings are joined by a young Jewish man who, posing as their older brother, enables them to pass through the American-controlled partition because of his identity papers. A devoted Nazi like her parents, Lore slowly begins to learn the truth about the Final Solution, the knowledge propelling her coming-of-age in a new direction.

Both raw and lyrical, Lore is a transformative experience with revelatory performances all around, but especially by young Rosendahl. It’s one of those films that personalize history, making it palpable and real.

As Lore discovers, the monsters to be most feared are of our own making.

Pat McLeod mail@folioweekly.com

NOWSHOWING SUN-RAY CINEMA Kong: Skull Island and Logan run, 1028 Park St., 359-0049, sunraycinema.com. The Salesman, Things to Come and Certain Women start March 24. Superman runs 7 p.m. March 24; Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) appears for a Q&A after the film.

Masterpieces series runs The Most Extraordinary Buildings Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, 2 p.m.

March 26. Director Michael Miner is on hand for a Q&A after the show.

CORAZON CINEMA & CAFÉ Land of Mine and Rain currently screen. Throwback Thursday runs The Wizard of Oz, noon; Cult Classic runs The Terror, 8 p.m. March 23. Julieta starts March 24. French film Breathless runs noon March 25; English subtitles. 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, 679-5736, corazoncinemaandcafe.com.

IMAX THEATER Beauty and the Beast, Walking with Dinosaurs, Kong: Skull Island and Extreme Weather run, World Golf Village IMAX Theater, St. Augustine, 940-4133, worldgolfimax.com. Ghost in the Shell starts March 31.

ARTS + EVENTS PERFORMANCE

WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN: CARPENTERS REMEMBERED Nashville vocalist Michelle Berting Brett and her four-piece band play the music of The Carpenters, 6 p.m. March 27, Alhambra Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside, 641-1212, $64, alhambrajax.com.

JACKSONVILLE DANCE THEATRE JDT performs its fourth annual IN HERE series, with Artifact, 7 and 8:30 p.m. March 25, The 5 & Dime, 112 E. Adams St., Downtown, $15; $20 for both, eventbrite.com.

DRUMLINE LIVE Based on the historically Black College and University marching band tradition, the high-energy production of choreography and drum-driven original compositions and top 40 hits, is staged 7:30 p.m. March 28, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Moran Theater, 300 Water St., Downtown, 442-2929, $32.50$84.50, fscjartistseries.org.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE Orange Park Community Theatre stages Tennessee Williams’ intense, autobiographically based drama about a delightfully dysfunctional family, 8 p.m. March 24 & 25; 3 p.m.

March 26, 2900 Moody Ave., 276-2599, $18; $10 students, through April 9, opct.info.

FENCES Players By The Sea stages August Wilson’s 1985 Pulitzer Prize-winner for drama; the true story of Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player, and his family’s experience in 1950s’ Pittsburgh, 8 p.m.

March 24 & 25; 2 p.m. March 26, 106 Sixth St. N., Jax Beach, 249-0289, $23; $20 senior/student/military; through April 1, playersbythesea.org.

DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID Ariel, Sebastian, Prince Eric, wicked witch Ursula and aquatic characters from the Disney animated flick, hit the stage 7:30 p.m.

March 22 & 23; 8 p.m. March 24; 2 & 8 p.m. March 25; and 1:30 & 7 p.m. March 26, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Moran Theater, 442-2929, $38.50$89.50, fscjartistseries.org.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP The Gothic comedy, about a werewolf, vampire and Egyptian princess, is staged 7:30 p.m. March 24 & 25; 2 p.m. March 26, Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, 825-1164, $26; $24 seniors, $20 military/students, through April 2, limelight-theatre.org.

MARJORIE PRIME Amelia Community Theatre stages Jordan Harrison’s drama about the future world of artificial intelligence and robot companions, 8 p.m.

March 23, 24 & 25, 2 p.m. March 26, 207/209 Cedar St., Fernandina Beach, 261-6749, $15; $10 students, ameliacommunitytheatre.org.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Amelia Musical Playhouse stages a darkly comic production about a big plant with an even bigger appetite–for human flesh!–7:30 p.m. March 23, 24 & 25, 1955 Island Walkway, Fernandina, 277-3455, $20; $15 students, ameliamusicalplayhouse.com.

4000 MILES Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre stages Amy Herzog’s drama about a 21-year-old dude and his complex relationship with his free-wheelin’, 91-year-old granny, 8 p.m. March 24 & 25, 2 p.m. March 26, Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd., 249-7177, $20, abettheatre.com.

SHOWBOAT Alhambra Theatre & Dining offers the musical about 40 years of performers, stagehands and dockworkers on a Mississippi River showboat, through April 2. Dinner 6 p.m.; brunch noon, Executive Chef DeJuan Roy’s themed menu; 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside, $35-$62 + tax, 641-1212, alhambrajax.com.

CLASSICAL & JAZZ

MENDELSSOHN’S SCOTTISH SYMPHONY Associate Conductor Nathan Aspinall, featured oboist Eric Olson and the Jacksonville Symphony perform Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, 11 a.m. & 8 p.m. March 24; 8 p.m.

March 25; 3 p.m. March 26, T-U Center’s Jacoby Symphony Hall, 354-5547, $20-$77, jaxsymphony.org.

RACHEL BARTON PINE Celebrated virtuoso violinist Pine performs, 7:30 p.m. March 24, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 1100 Stockton St., Riverside, 389-6222, $35, riversidefinearts.org.

HERMITAGE PIANO TRIO The acclaimed chamber ensemble performs 7:30 p.m. March 25, Flagler College’s Flagler Room, 74 King St., St. Augustine, 797-2800, $35, emmaconcerts.com.

TAYLOR ROBERTS The jazz guitarist plays 7-10 p.m. every Wed., Ocean 60, 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 247-0060, ocean60.com. Roberts is in 4-9 p.m. every Thur. at the lobby bar; 6-10 p.m. every Fri. & Sat., Salt Restaurant, both at Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy., Fernandina, 277-1100, ritzcarlton.com.

COMEDY

PLASTIC CUP BOYZ Comedic trio Joey Wells, Will Spank Horton and Na’im Lynn, regular openers for Kevin Hart, appear 7:30 p.m. March 23; 7:30 & 10 p.m. March 24

& 25, The Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin, 292-4242, $22.50, comedyzone.com.

DAN CUMMINS Comedian Cummins (The Tonight Show, Comedy Central Presents) is on 8 p.m. March 23, 24 & 25, The Comedy Club of Jacksonville, 11000 Beach Blvd., Southside, 646-4277, $15-$35, jacksonvillecomedy.com.

CARROT TOP Everyone’s (well, some people’s) favorite ginger-headed, prop-wielding and weirdly buff comedian appears, 8 p.m. March 25, The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, 355-2787, $39-$59, floridatheatre.com.

HOT POTATO COMEDY HOUR Chris Buck MCs local comics 9 p.m. every Mon., Rain Dogs., 1045 Park St., Riverside, free, 379-4969.

SPLIFF’S OPEN MIC COMEDY The gastropub holds open mic comedy 9 p.m. every Tue., 15 Ocean St., Downtown, 844-5000.

COMEDY UNCORKED Patrick Dalton MCs local and regional comics 7 p.m. every Wed., The Wine Bar, 320 N. First St., Jax Beach, 442-0755, thewinebaruncorked.com.

CALLS & WORKSHOPS

NORTHEAST FLORIDA ART GRANTS The Community Foundation’s application process for 2017 grants is open for nonprofits in Duval County, art ventures (individual artists), Dr. JoAnn Crisp-Ellert Fund (visual arts, St. Augustine). Details: jaxcf.org/apply.

NEW TOWN URBAN FARM Urban Geoponics and New Town are developing a large community garden at Pearce and West Third streets, in the New Town/ Edward Waters area, Northside, to provide fresh produce and a hands-on, open-air center of learning for the community and area students. Urban Farm meets 10 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sun. Details, call DialloSekou at 706-284-9808.

ART WALKS & MARKETS

CONSCIOUS MARKET A mingle of tastes and sips is held 7-11 p.m. March 25 and every Sat., Conscious Eats, 5913 St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 5, Mandarin, 612-3934. Bring a donation of dried beans, rices, quinoas, other grains. Proceeds benefit Conscious Market/Character Counts programs.

WHITE HARVEST FARMS & FARMER’S MARKET Local organic, fresh produce, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every Sat., 5348 Moncrief Rd., Northside, 354-4162; proceeds benefit Clara White Mission, clarawhitemission.org.

RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Local and regional art, morning yoga (9 a.m.), local music–A Nice Pair, Collapsible B, Strangerwolf, Elvis Kabong 10:30 a.m.– food and farmers market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 25 and every Sat. under Fuller Warren Bridge, 715 Riverside Ave., free admission, 389-2449, riversideartsmarket.com.

MUSEUMS

BEACHES MUSEUM & HISTORY PARK 381 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach, 241-5657, beachesmuseum.org. Atlantic Beach: From the Continental to a Coastal Community displays through June 11.

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS 29 Riverside Ave., 356-6857, cummermuseum.org. Free admission first Sat. each month. Academic Splendor: 19th-Century Masterworks from Dahesh Museum of Art displays through April 16. David Ponsler: Chasing Shadows displays through Oct. 4.

KARPELES MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY MUSEUM 101 W. First St., Springfield, 356-2992, rain.org/~karpeles/jax. html. Humanity: The Value of a Life, works by Jenny Hager, Lance Vickery, Rosana Casco, Troy Eittreim, Caitlin Flynn, Jane Griffo, Mal Jones, Cal Oglesby, Deborah Reid, Tracie Thornton and Ithiell Israel, through April 27. The Long Distance Telephone, an original manuscript by Alexander Graham Bell, through April 26.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY 1025 Museum Cir., Southbank, 396-6674, themosh.org. MOSH After Dark: The Science of Cosplay, offering tips on boss Cosplay costumes, 6-9 p.m. March 23, $25. Science & History boat tours, 1 and 3:30 p.m. March 25 and every Sat., $15 adults, $12 kids.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART JACKSONVILLE 333 N. Laura St., 366-6911, mocajacksonville.unf.edu.

Project Atrium: Lauren Fensterstock displays through June 18. The MOCA Student Residency Exhibition, works by MOCA’s inaugural student-in-residence Mary Ratcliff, displays through April 2. Hans Hofmann: Works on Paper and The Evolution of Mark-Making display through May 14. Frank Rampolla: The DNA of the Mark runs through April 2.

GALLERIES

ADELE GRAGE CULTURAL CENTER 716 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 247-5828, coab.us. Melinda Bradshaw’s digital art is shown through March.

THE ART CENTER GALLERY Jacksonville Landing, Ste. 139, 233-9252, tacjacksonville.org. Elaine Bedell is the MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 51

ARTS + EVENTS featured artist for March. The juried show Abstraction at its Best runs through May 19.

CRISP-ELLERT ART MUSEUM 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine, 826-8530, flagler.edu/news-events/crispellert-art-museum. Head Case, Jamie Isenstein’s sculptures and photographs, displays through April 15.

THE CULTURAL CENTER AT PONTE VEDRA BEACH 50 Executive Way, 280-0614, ccpvb.org. Intimate and Exceptional runs through March 24.

FIRST STREET GALLERY 216-B First St., Neptune Beach, 241-6928, firststreetgalleryart.com. Mermaid Magic VI displays through April 4.

FLORIDA MINING PROJECT SPACE Second Floor, 1037 Park St., Riverside, 535-7252, floridamininggallery. com. Spencer McMullen’s exhibit Lynwood displays through March.

THE GALLERY AT ONE OCEAN 1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-7402, oneoceanresort.com. In partnership with Stellers Gallery, the new space is exhibiting Where the Earth Meets the Sky, works by mixed media fine art painter John Schuyler.

HEAD SALONEMPORIUM 4 Rohde Ave., St. Augustine, 501-0139, perpetualcool.com. An opening reception for Mandy’s Whimsical Vibrations is 6-9 p.m. March 25.

MAKERSPACE GALLERY Main Public Library, 303 N. Laura St., Downtown, 630-2665, jaxpubliclibrary.org/ jax-makerspace. Kesha–A Black Female Experience of Identity & Race, works of 14 female African-American artists, runs through April 23.

PLUM GALLERY 10 Aviles St., St. Augustine, 825-0069, plumartgallery.com. Works by Wendy Tatter, George Ann Gillespie and Jackie Kramer display through May. SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY Bank of America Tower, 50 N. Laura St., Ste. 150, 438-4358, southlightgallery.com.

Eve Albrecht is March’s featured artist. Architects of Art, works by eight local artists, through March.

THE SPACE GALLERY 120 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, thespacegalleryjax.com. The Crucifixion of Self displays through April 15.

VANDROFF ART GALLERY Jewish Community Alliance, 8505 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin, 730-2100, jcajax.org.

Power of Perspective, Nena Tahil’s silk paintings, is on display through March.

EVENTS

ST. AUGUSTINE FASHION WEEK Fashion shows with works by 20 small-brand designers displaying fall and winter 2017 designs and a VIP party, March 22-24, Lightner Museum, 75 King St., 824-2874, details at stafashionweek.com.

‘FAKE NEWS’ DISCUSSION Howard Schneider, founder of Stony Brook University’s School of Journalism, discusses “Fake News: The Difference It Makes and How to Stop It,” 7 p.m. March 23, Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine, 826-8572, flagler.edu.

ST. AUGUSTINE RACE WEEK The four-day seafaring bacchanal features multiple inshore and offshore sailboat racing with cruisers, racers, yachts, big and small boats, parties, live music and food, March 23-26, St. Augustine bayfront and marina. Proceeds benefit Youth Sailing Scholarships; staugustineraceweek.com.

COLLECTIVE CON Mega fan-con Collective Con, with appearances by Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven on Stranger Things), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers, Stranger Things, Charlie Brown’s voice in The Peanuts Movie), Graham McTavish (Dwalin, The Hobbit Trilogy), Jessica Lucas (Tabitha Galavan, Gotham), Margot Kidder (Lois Lane, Superman: The Movie) and Chris Kirkpatrick (*NSYNC, Chip Skylark, The Fairly OddParents) plus vendors, artists, prop exhibits, panels, video game tournaments, Cosplay contests, table-top gaming tournaments, music, Anime day and Morocco Auditorium & Grounds, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Rd., Southside, $10-$75, collectivecon.com.

AFRICAN VIOLET SHOW & SALE The Heart of Jacksonville African Violet Society’s annual juried show and sale, featuring African violets and their cousins, flower arrangements, dish gardens, plants and supplies and seminars, is noon-5 p.m. March 24 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 25, San Jose Church of Christ, 6233 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin, 536-4182, jacksonvilleviolets.org.

HOGAN’S CREEK CLEANUP Springfield Preservation and Revitalization needs volunteers for a cleanup, 9 a.m.noon March 25, Hogan’s Creek, Second and Boulevard streets, Klutho Park, 204 W. Third St., Springfield. Trash bags, latex gloves, trash-grabbers, and light breakfast provided. Bring kayaks, pole nets, pole hooks, gloves and canoes. Get a free St. Johns Riverkeeper shirt!

Details, call 353-7727; sparcouncil.org.

JAX BOOK FEST The inaugural literary event Jax Book Fest features fiction writers, poets, children’s writers and illustrators and zine creators, lectures and panel discussions with eight nationally published authors, book-signings, meet-and-greets with 140 local and regional authors and vendors promoting books, products and services, self-publishing classes and kid-geared fun, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 25, Main Library, 303 N. Laura St., Downtown, 630-2665; details at ilovejpl.org/jax-book-fest.

TRICIA BOOKER Author, longtime Folio Weekly writer and literary badass Booker discusses and signs copies of her new book, The Place of Peace and Crickets: how adoption, heartache, and love built a family, 4-6 p.m.

March 25, Genung’s Fish Camp, 291 Cubbedge Rd., St. Augustine, 471-4144, genungsfishcamp.com. Booker is onsite 1-4 p.m. March 26, The Book Loft, 214 Centre St., Fernandina, 261-8991, amelianow.com/book-loft.

SPRING RECORD FAIR ToneVendor and St. Augustine Amphitheatre present the Record Fair, featuring new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, posters, turntable equipment and supplies, memorabilia and collectibles, live music by Teresa Rose and Uncle Marty, DJ Ancient Deep and food trucks, 11 a.m. March 26, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., 209-0367, free admission, staugamphitheatre.com.

RANDY WAYNE WHITE Author White discusses and signs copies of his new book, Mangrove Lightning, 7 p.m. March 27, The BookMark, 220 First St., Neptune Beach, 241-9026, bookmarkbeach.com. __________________________________________ To list an event, send time, date, location (street address, city), admission price, contact number to print to Daniel A. Brown; email dbrown@folioweekly. com or mail 45 W. Bay St., Ste. 103, Jacksonville FL 32202. Items run as space is available. Deadline noon Wed. for next Wed. printing.

DRUMLINE LIVE Tap your toes and stomp your feet with the inspiring touring show featuring some of America’s most thrilling marching talent Tuesday, March 28, at Times-Union Center, Downtown.

52 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

BHN MONTHLY MIXER 21 EVERYONE WELCOME! MAR

Surfer The Bar • Beaches Hospitality Network

MAR

22

MAR

24

IRISH RED BREWER’S DINNER Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery

FRIDAY FACE MELT Across The Street

INDIA: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ECO-TOURISM AND CULTURE 25 ON Jacksonville University Gooding Auditorium • GlobalJax MAR

MAR

25

MAR

25

9TH ANNUAL COASTAL CLEANUP

Mike McCue Park & Boat Ramp • New A. Hippy Hippy

CHICK-FIL-A 5K

Rivercity Marketplace • 1st Place Sports Running

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 53

FOLIO A+E : ARTS

REDEMPTION BEHIND BARS

FOLIO A+E : MUSIC

Grindcore overlords WØRSEN accelerate EXTREME METAL to its breaking point

Incarceration inspires SOCIAL JUSTICE CRUSADE for local author

THE BLASTING

M

Folio Weekly: Your book, It Takes a Criminal to Know One, tells your story of becoming an advocate for abused inmates during your years in prison in different Florida locations. What would you like your book to accomplish?

Moliere Dimanche: I want to raise people’s awareness. What happens in Florida’s prisons is a lot worse than what most people know, and even what I write about in the book is a small instance of what happens.

You wrote and filed scores of inmate grievances on the part of fellow prisoners.

You were gassed with MK9, a chemical nicknamed “black Jesus,” as retaliation.

That experience led to Dimanche v. Brown, in which you successfully sued 16 prison officials in federal court. You write of prison officials with white supremacy tattoos, of officers who kept a jarful of gold teeth, of numerous “mysterious” deaths among Suwannee Correctional Institute inmates, in Jasper. All that’s just a small instance?

It’s astonishing what people do with authority and power when nobody’s looking. It’s a whole worldview, a whole mindset.

How did you learn to write so well?

You know, there’s some things you can say when you’re writing that you can’t say any other way. I’ve always understood that and used it. And I had a really good English class back at West Orange High School in Orlando. Ms. Callahan. I couldn’t wait to get to her class. She’d give us a certain amount of time to write a story with keywords from a play we were reading, like Julius Caesar.

How does your writing relate to your visual art?

I’ve been drawing since I was a toddler, far back as I can remember. I started writing to the artist Wendy Bayliss while I was in prison, and I’d already been writing so much. She encouraged my drawing and my writing, which took me four or five years.

And the book contains the writing and the visual work, which is all metaphoric of my experience.

Tim Gilmore mail@folioweekly.com ____________________________________ JaxbyJax Literary Arts presents “A Perfect Storm of Social Justice and Love: Moliere Dimanche and Tricia Booker,” 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30 at CoRK Arts District.

54 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

CONCEPT

F

as openers for Caveman Cult on March 31 or those who believe that much metal at Nighthawks. and punk are too parochial and staid, Early on, WØRSEN had the fury of there is a parallel realm of intensity. In extreme metal. Morgan was a middle-school the early-to-mid-’80s UK, punk bands like punk-rock kid, eventually discovering Crass, Discharge and Hellbastard created a stronger doses, by way of NYC-crossoverweird overlap with metal bands like Venom, thrash band S.O.D. “That’s when I first Celtic Frost and, most famously, Motörhead. wondered, ‘Why can’t I find something that’s The new punk style morphed into Crust, an as fast and aggressive as this?’ As I went aggro mix of raw tones, rawer vocals and along, digging deeper into all of this extreme many times centered on the “D-Beat,” the music, of course I’m now a complete nerd whiplash-fast beat popularized by Discharge. about music.”

Earlier, epochal thrash songs like Slayer’s The members of WØRSEN share that “Jesus Saves” were models of light-speedsame level of interest of music that’s more BPMs pummeling, but Napalm Death upped obsession that mere fandom. “It’s always kind the brevity bar with their 1987 song, “You of pushing it. Discovering music on my own, Suffer,” a 1.316-seconds-long-second-blipI was into most things for a very short time, of-a-metal roar. While surely written in jest, until I found some of these now-staple things “You Suffer” also guaranteed the metal crowd that have stayed with me the longest,” Hawk that things were going to get weirder, faster explains. “It’s few and far between, but those and more intense. bands are always there.”

In 1989, the UK label Earache Records Last year, the band recorded their debut released the compilation Grindcrusher. It full-length, Grand Scheme. Over the course was a seminal album that featured nine of the album’s eight bands all dealing in songs, WØRSEN extremes—including delivers the goods in Napalm Death—that WØRSEN with CAVEMAN a brutal way. Cochallenged, overtook CULT, SHADOW HUNTER, DEAD released as a cassette and gutted the thenCENTRE, SATURNINE 8 p.m. March 31, Nighthawks, Riverside, and CD on the labels current metal scene. $10, facebook.com/nighthawksjax Dead Tank, popnihil The sweeping term and drummer for this scene became Morgan’s own Primal known as Grindcore, Vomit Records, and engineered by Taz Vega, launching thrash and death metal into even most of the songs on Grand Scheme (wrsn. greater acceleration. bandcamp.com.) clock in at less than two After the ascendance of early-’90s minutes. Delivered in a style that Morgan Norwegian black metal bands like Mayhem describes as a “blackened death feel,” the and Darkthrone, subsequent musicians band’s sound is hardcore music for people adopted that furious mix of thrash, hardcore looking for a harder core. and defiance toward religion into a syncretic The song “Understanding” opens with music that actually exceeds the sum total of a hammering drumbeat, guitar feedback its parts. squeals rising up. Within 10 seconds, the band Locally, the grindcore band WØRSEN detonates. Enraged, black-metal-style vocals, strongly represents the current environment a guitar tone that sounds like it’s trying to of inherently uncompromising and assaultive kill the microphone and that constant drum music. Formed in 2012, the band—Tyler brutality—by the time you settle in, the song Barney (vocals), Justin Hawk (guitar) and Sam is over.

Morgan (drums)—are Jacksonville natives and On “Sacred Hammer,” the lyrics are an products of the past 30-plus years of intense open attack and challenge to the God of the strains of music. scriptures, a being that offsets His eternal love “It’s kind of a tough way to classify for humanity with arbitrary plagues, floods us, since our sound has everything from and Job-style torment. Oddly enough, Hawk black metal, death metal, grindcore, punk and D-Beat,” says Morgan, from band and Barney met as kids in church. Never headquarters in Murray Hill. “It has aspects early for choir practice, the pair shared more from both punk and metal [laughs] in a a sense of personal heresy than mandated very oppressive manner.” Locals can check holiness. “I grew up in church and was raised that way and for the longest time I didn’t out the band when they share the bill with realize how these fucked-up people are valued Shadow Hunter, Dead Centre and Saturnine

photo by Matt Sessions

oliere Dimanche Jr. spent eight-anda-half years in Florida’s prison system, during which time he became a “writ writer,” an inmate advocate who prepared grievances to file for other prisoners. He witnessed institutional racism, abuse, even murder. He learned law, created a brilliant series of allegorical drawings, and wrote a book that’s just been published, It Takes a Criminal to Know One: How the Inspector General and I are the Same.

as higher than others in the name of this supposedly ‘higher calling,’” says Barney. “I think I actually had my own ‘age of reason’ or enlightenment when religion stopped making sense,” says Hawk. “But I’m never arrogant enough to say I know what does and doesn’t exist.” While the band stresses that they aren’t necessarily anti-God, they collectively had to find an individual, albeit louder, faith. “I don’t really have anything to replace [religion] with, other than music,” says Barney.

Many of the band’s lyrics are driven to some degree by the universally frustrating state of powerlessness.

“The bottom line is probably frustration.

Some of that is personal; some of it’s interpersonal, dealing with other people and society in general,” says Barney. “Things that are beyond my control and concepts that I think are general enough where people can identify with it, in the sense that they don’t have control over their own lives or how the world is.”

Extreme music—metal or otherwise— is ultimately a result of some kind of experimentation and by its very nature invites further explorations. One of the genius discoveries of black metal bands like Mayhem and Darkthrone was in realizing that, when things are based on absolute black-andwhite—both sonically and graphically— surprising new colors can arise. In the past 25 years, deep underground music like extreme metal, noise and free jazz have arguably blossomed from a strong sense of selfsupport, loyal communities/scenes and even cross-pollinizing into one another.

“I think all of those genres are the outcasts of the outcasts—they don’t even fit in even other intense scenes and are so misunderstood that they don’t fit into a ‘box,’” says Barney. “Things like noise and John Zorn’s Naked City … that’s not ‘pretty music.’ With grindcore, free jazz and noise, you can’t really zone out to it because it’s constantly forcing you to pay attention.”

Grand Scheme is a similarly demanding listen. There are times when the timbre of the instruments fuses into one staticky sound wave, a kind of shadow-realm psychedelia.

Speaking with WØRSEN, it becomes apparent that the band is realistic about their place in the greater music world.

“Overall, the music is just an outlet for us,” says Morgan. “I don’t really know if there’s an in-between with music like this.”

The band has a batch of new songs ready to record, some of which stretch out the actual length of the tunes with out diluting the fury.

In the last year, they played out at least once a month, surely an accomplishment for a local band playing such furious and defiant music.

While WØRSEN might be on more of a warpath than career path, it ultimately comes down to the self-satisfaction of creation.

“I don’t think we’re trying to reinvent the wheel,” says Barney. “We just want to make that wheel as interesting as possible for us.”

Daniel A. Brown dbrown@folioweekly.com

Gold Dust Woman: The 24-Karat Gold Show features STEVIE NICKS and THE PRETENDERS March 23 at Veterans Memorial Arena, Downtown.

LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC CONCERTS THIS WEEK

SPADE McQUADE 6 p.m. March 22, Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub, Jacksonville Landing, Ste. 176, 374-1247.

Suwannee Spring Reunion: DONNA THE BUFFALO, JERRY DOUGLAS, THE PETER ROWAN BAND, JIM LAUDERDALE, MORE March 23-25, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Dr., Live Oak, 386-364-1683, $119 weekend pass; $97.96 military/students.

Nobfest Sixx: 86 HOPE, DANIEL CURTIS HUGHES, FLOSSIE & THE FOX, NOAH EAGLE, ARSON FIST, GHOST TROPIC, FAY ROY, MICHAEL JORDAN TRIO, UNCLE MARTY, EMMA MOSLEY BAND, KENNY & THE JETS, CHARLIE MORGAN & THE B SIDE FAMILY, SHEA BIRNEY, TERESA ROSE, DYLAN NIRVANA, KILLA MAMA, TRASH FESTIVAL, ZAFDITK, NATIONS, THE COSMIC GROOVE, MENTAL BOY, PUG UGLY, DOZIER, HEAT RASH, BITE MARKS, PUMPS, DEMO, VICIOUS DREAMS, RUSHMOREFL, REELS, PUDDLED, I CAME FROM EARTH, WHATWEARE, CHUBRA CABRA, THE HOLED OUTS, TOTALLY KYLE, BROWN PALACE, THUNDERHOOF, DAMN THY NAME, MF GOON March 23-26, Shanghai Nobby’s, 10 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, facebook.com/shanghai.nobby.

St. Augustine Race Week: ANCIENT CITY KEEPERS 5 & 6:45 p.m. March 23, Meehan’s Party Tent, St. Augustine Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez, 687-5145.

24-Karat Gold Show: STEVIE NICKS, The PRETENDERS 7 p.m. March 23, Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Downtown, 630-3900, $48-$664.

WILD PONIES 7:30 p.m. March 23, Mudville Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., St. Nicholas, 352-7008, $10.

KATCHAFIRE, INNA VISION, SCHOLARS WORD, STACKED LIKE PANCAKES 8 p.m. March 23, Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, 398-7496, $15.

BLIND TIGER 8 p.m. March 23, Rain Dogs, 1045 Park St., Riverside, 379-4969.

LIL ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS, PAUL ZERRA 8:30 p.m.

March 23, The Original Café Eleven, 501 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 460-9311, $15 advance; $20 at door.

UNIVERSAL SIGH, OBSERVATORY, TRASH FESTIVAL 9 p.m. March 23, Planet Sarbez, 115 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, 342-0632.

3 THE BAND 9 p.m. March 23, Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 853-5680.

St. Augustine Race Week: THE LAND SHARKS 5 & 6:45 p.m. March 24, Meehan’s Party Tent, St. Augustine Marina.

I Love The ’90s Tour: VANILLA ICE, NAUGHTY BY NATURE, SUGAR RAY’S MARK McGRATH, BIZ MARKIE, ALL-4-ONE, YOUNG MC 7 p.m. March 24, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., 209-0367, $53.50-$73.50 MIKE SHACKELFORD 7:30 p.m. March 24, Mudville Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., St. Nicholas, 352-7008, $10.

ZACH DEPUTY, THE GROOVE ORIENT, BIGFOOT BAREFOOT 8 p.m. March 24, 1904 Music Hall, 19 Ocean St., Downtown, $12 advance; $15 at the door.

ARTIS(TREE), ASKMEIFICARE 8 p.m. March 24, Nighthawks, 2952 Roosevelt Blvd., Riverside, $10.

MIKE LOVE, SOL SEED, SOL RYDAH 8 p.m. March 24, Jack Rabbits, $10.

BREAK EVN BAND 9:30 p.m. March 24, Whiskey Jax, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., 634-7208.

PRIMITIVE HARD DRIVE, KILL THE SOUND 10 p.m.

March 24, The Roadhouse, 231 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, 264-0611.

PARTY CARTEL 9:30 p.m. March 24, Whiskey Jax, 950 Marsh Landing Pkwy., Jax Beach, 853-5973.

BRITE SIDE 10 p.m. March 24 & 25, Flying Iguana.

Riverside Arts Market: Morning Yoga (9 a.m.), A NICE PAIR, COLLAPSIBLE B, STRANGERWOLF, ELVIS KABONG 10:30 a.m. March 25, 715 Riverside Ave., 389-2449.

YAMADEO, CLOUD9 VIBES, JUST LIKE GENTLEMEN, STAGES, UNBREAKABLE BLOODLINE, THE HEREAFTER, SUMMER SURVIVORS, THE ELLAMENO BEAT, SANGRIA 3 p.m. March 25, Mavericks Live, 2 Independent Dr., Downtown, 356-1110, $10.

1964: THE TRIBUTE 7:30 p.m. March 25, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., 209-0367, $34-$54.

PROFESSOR WHISKEY’S MONTY PYTHON TRIBUTE 8 p.m.

March 25, 1904 Music Hall, $12 advance; $20 at the door.

COUGHIN, SASQUATCH ON MARS, GHOSTWITCH 8 p.m.

March 25, Jack Rabbits, $8.

MIKEY CLAMS 9:30 p.m. March 25, Whiskey Jax, Southside.

EMPOROS CD RELEASE 8 p.m. March 25, Nighthawks.

FOLK IS PEOPLE, MATHEW HARRISON, TERRAIN, JACKIE STRANGER, BILLY & BELLA, HORROR CLUB, THOSE LAVENDER WHALES 8 p.m. March 25, Rain Dogs.

7th STREET 9:30 p.m. March 25, Whiskey Jax, Jax Beach.

RAMONA QUIMBY 6 p.m. March 26, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, 825-1164, $5.

AIR SUPPLY 7 p.m. March 26, The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, 355-2787, $39-$79.

KEITH HARKIN 7:30 p.m. March 26, 1904 Music Hall, $35 advance; $55 at the door.

THE SLACKERS, THE DUPPIES, CHIEFORIA 8 p.m. March 26, Jack Rabbits, $15.

RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER, ANNE McCUE 8 p.m. March 26, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., 209-0399, $56.50-$46.50.

DARREN CORLEW 9:30 p.m. March 26, Flying Iguana.

ARCHSPIRE, ARKAIK 7 p.m. March 27, 1904 Music Hall, $15.

NIHIL 8 p.m. March 27, Shantytown Pub, 22 W. Sixth St., Springfield, 798-8222.

IAN SWEET 8 p.m. March 28, Nighthawks.

GEOFF TATE, JERRY SIBLE 7 p.m. March 29, Jack Rabbits, $20.

RISING APPALACHIA, AROUNA DIARRA 8 p.m. March 29, St. Augustine Amphitheatre’s Backyard Party, $22 advance (SRO); $25 day of.

Sunny’s Punk Rock Burlesque Birthday Party: DIGDOG, TENTACOOLS, FLAG ON FIRE, ANITA NIGHTCAP, IVY LES VIXENS, JESSABELL, JACKIE STRANGER 8 p.m.

March 29, Nighthawks.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

SWAMP CABBAGE March 30, Mudville Music Room NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND March 30, P.V. Concert Hall DINOSAUR JR. March 31, Mavericks Live RICKY DREAMZ, SUPASTAR, DANVILLEWORLD SMITH March 31, Rain Dogs CAVEMAN CULT (Torche, Reapermanser, Shitstorm, Ex-Mehkago NT) SHADOW HUNTER, WORSEN, DEAD CENTRE, SATURNINE March 31, Nighthawks JIM BRICKMAN March 31, The Ritz Theatre HOME FREE March 31, Florida Theatre Rhythm & Ribs: LAURA REED, THE HIP ABDUCTION, TAKE COVER, GO GET GONE, THE KILWEIN FAMILY TREE-O, ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N., EAGER BEAVER, BISCUIT MILLER March 31, April 1 & 2, Francis Field, St. Augustine

MATTYB, THE HASCHAK SISTERS March 31, P.V. Concert Hall Fool’s Paradise: LETTUCE, JOE RUSSO’S ALMOST DEAD, THE FLOOZIES, MANIC SCIENCE, THE MAIN SQUEEZE, ORGAN FREEMAN, OTEIL BURBRIDGE, MORE March 31 & April 1, St. Augustine Amphitheatre RICK THOMAS April 1, P.V. Concert Hall XIU XIU April 1, The Sleeping Giant Film Festival, Sun-Ray Cinema SWILL CD RELEASE, WASTEDIST, GROSS EVOLUTION, WALK WITH WOLVES April 1, Harbor Tavern JACK BROADBENT April 1, The Ritz Theatre MADAM BEBE DELUXE April 1, Rain Dogs SETH GLIER April 1, Café Eleven BLACK DRUM April 1, Nighthawks STEVE MILLER BAND, LOS LONELY BOYS April 2, St. Augustine Amphitheatre TINDER BOX CIRCUS SIDESHOW April 2, Nighthawks THE WOOD BROTHERS April 3, P.V. Concert Hall CAROUSEL KINGS, ABANDONED BY BEARS, BAD CASE OF BIG MOUTH April 4, Nighthawks BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY April 4, P.V. Concert Hall ABSOLUTE SUFFERING April 5, Nighthawks ANA POPOVIC April 5, P.V. Concert Hall WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE April 6, Clay County Fair LEO KOTTKE, KELLER WILLIAMS April 6, Florida Theatre GOV CLUB, DEAF POETS April 6, Rain Dogs THE WAILERS REUNITED PROJECT April 6, P.V.C. Hall TRICK DADDY, BUN B, JUVENILE, PASTOR TROY April 7, T-U Center JOE MARCINEK BAND, ISAAC CORBITT April 7, Surfer The Bar LE ORCHID April 7, Nighthawks MAS APPEAL, MIDDAS April 7, Rain Dogs Springing the Blues: ERIC GALES BAND, CHUBBY CARRIER & THE BAYOU SWAMP BAND, TORONZO CANNON, COCO MONTOYA, SPICE & THE PO BOYS, THE CORBITT BROTHERS, BRYCE ALASTAIR BAND, HAT & THE MATCHING SUITCASE, CAT McWILLIAMS BAND, JAMES ARMSTRONG, BRADY CLAMPITT, BEN RACINE BAND & DAWN TYLER WATSON, SMOKESTACK, MAMA BLUE, CHRISTINE “KINGFISH” INGRAM, WOODY & THE PECKERS, PACKRAT’S SMOKEHOUSE, BRANDON SANTINI, BETTY FOX BAND, JENNIFER B & THE GROOVE, ALBERT CUMMINGS, MATT SCHOFIELD April 7-9, SeaWalk Pavilion, Jax Beach LITTLE RIVER BAND, JACKSONVILLE ROCK SYMPHONY April 8, Florida Theatre SANDER KLEINENBERG April 8, Myth STEVIE RAY STILETTO MEMORIAL SHOW April 8, Nighthawks TGTG, BUZZ BUZZ, CHARLIE SHUCK April 8, Rain Dogs ALAN JACKSON, LEE ANN WOMACK April 8, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Legends of Southern Hip Hop: SCARFACE, MYSTIKAL, 8 BALL & MJG, ANDRAE MURCHINSON April 8, Ritz Theatre STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN April 8, Clay County Fair SHOVELS & ROPE, MATTHEW LOGAN VASQUEZ April 8, P.V. Concert Hall NuSoul Revival Tour: MUSIQ SOUsLCHILD, LYFE JENNINGS, AVERY SUNSHINE, KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL April 8, T-U Center BUDDY GUY, THE RIDES (Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Barry Goldberg) April 9, St. Augustine Amphitheatre

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 55

LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC

56 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

THE HILLBENDERS (play The Who’s “Tommy”) April 9, Florida Theatre BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS April 11, Florida Theatre PORTUGAL. THE MAN, HBBEENDOPE, DJ BLACK DANIELS April 11, P.V. Concert Hall THE LONELY HEARTSTRING BAND April 11, The Original Café Eleven FORTUNATE YOUTH, JOSH HEINRICH & SKILLINJAH FOR PEACE BAND, IYA TERRA April 12, Jack Rabbits Political Mass Soapbox Session: SUNNY PARKER, GUTTERBOY, HEAVY FLOW (JASMYN benefit) April 12, Nighthawks ALL THEM WITCHES, RANCH GHOST April 12, Café Eleven SURFER BLOOD April 14, Jack Rabbits CHRONIXX April 14, Mavericks Live THE GRASCALS April 14, The Original Café Eleven PERIPHERY, THE CONTORTIONIST, NORMA JEAN, INFINITY SHRED April 15, Mavericks Live Here Comes the Funny Tour: ADAM SANDLER, DAVID SPADE, NICK SWARDSON, ROB SCHNEIDER April 15, St. Augustine Amphitheatre CHRISTIAN MARTIN April 15, Myth DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS April 16, P.V. Concert Hall CHRIS BOTTI April 18, Florida Theatre CHRIS BROWN April 18, Veterans Memorial Arena MALCOLM HOLCOMBE April 20, Mudville Music Room BOSTON April 20, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Wanee Music Festival: BOB WEIR & THE CAMPFIRE BAND, TREY ANASTASIO BAND, WIDESPREAD PANIC, GOV’T MULE, DARK STAR ORCHESTRA, DR. JOHN & THE NITE TRIPPERS, JJ GREY & MOFRO, LES BRERS (Jaimoe, Oteil Burbridge, Marc Quinones, Jack Pearson, Pate Bergeron, Bruce Katz, Lamar Williams Jr.), JAIMOE’S JASSSZ BAND, BLACKBERRY SMOKE, LEFTOVER SALMON (music of Neil Young), MATISYAHU, THE GREYBOY ALLSTARS, KELLER WILLIAMS’ GRATEFUL GRASS, PAPADOSIO, TURKUAZ, PINK TALKING FU (music of David Bowie & Prince), PINK TALKING FISH, KUNG FU, DJ LOGIC, BOBBY LEE ROGERS TRIO, DEVON ALLMAN BAND, THE MARCUS KING BAND, YETI TRIO, BROTHERS & SISTERS April 20-22, Suwannee Music Park MJ LIVE! April 20-23, Thrasher-Horne Center THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT April 21, Jack Rabbits TOWER OF POWER April 22, Florida Theatre ERNEST STREET MAFIA, GHOSTWITCH, TAIL LIGHT REBELLION April 22, Nighthawks WORDSWORTH, FF JBMUSIC TEAM, TWAN, HIGHER LEARNING, DARYL, BOAT SIMMS, BEN PHRASES, MC SPLITSOUL April 22, Rain Dogs.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS April 23, Veterans Memorial Arena NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS April 26, St. Augustine Amphitheatre MARSHA AMBROSIUS, ERIC BENÉT April 26, Florida Theatre TRACE ADKINS April 27, Thrasher-Horne Center BIANCA DEL RIO April 29, T-U Center LYDIA CAN’T BREATHE April 29, Jack Rabbits UMPHREY’S McGEE, BIG SOMETHING April 29, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Welcome to Rockville: SOUNDGARDEN, DEF LEPPARD, A PERFECT CIRCLE, THE OFFSPRING, MASTODON, CHEVELLE, SEETHER, PAPA ROACH, THREE DAYS GRACE, SUM 41, PIERCE THE VEIL, COHEED & CAMBRIA, ALTER BRIDGE, THE PRETTY RECKLESS, AMON AMARTH, EAGLES OF DEATH METAL, HIGHLY SUSPECT, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, IN FLAMES, GOJIRA, IN THIS MOMENT, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, ALL THAT REMAINS, NOTHING MORE, RIVAL SONS, BEARTOOTH, EVERY TIME I DIE, ATTILA, STARSET, DINOSAUR PILE-UP, I PREVAIL, KYNG, CROBOT, VOLUMES, SYLAR, FIRE FROM THE GODS, AS LIONS, BADFLOWER, GOODBYE JUNE, FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES, COVER YOUR TRACKS, THE CHARM THE FURY April 29 & 30, Metropolitan Park DONNY BRAZILE April 30, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre CHRISTOPHER CROSS May 3, P.V. Concert Hall Suwannee River Jam: BILLY CURRINGTON, RANDY HOUSER, HUNTER HAYES, MONTGOMERY GENTRY, MORE May 3-6, Suwannee Music Park WEEZER May 4, St. Augustine Amphitheatre WHETHERMAN CD RELEASE May 5, Mudville Music Room STEVE WINWOOD May 5, St. Augustine Amphitheatre ERIC CHURCH May 5, Veterans Memorial Arena TRAVIS SCOTT May 6, St. Augustine Amphitheatre HAROLD LÓPEZ-NUSSA May 7, The Ritz Theatre BASTILLE May 7, St. Augustine Amphitheatre CITIZEN COPE May 11, P.V. Concert Hall X May 11, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Funk Fest: CHARLIE WILSON, FANTASIA, BELL BIV DEVOE, JOE, GUY, TEDDY RILEY, SWV, EN VOGUE, YING YANG TWINS May 12 & 13, Metropolitan Park JOHN LEGEND, GALLANT May 14, St. Aug. Amphitheatre THE HEAD AND THE HEART May 17, Florida Theatre SAY ANYTHING, BAYSIDE May 23, Mavericks Live MAYDAY PARADE, KNUCKLE PUCK, MILESTONES May 24, Mavericks Live IDINA MENZEL May 26, St. Augustine Amphitheatre BRIT FLOYD May 26, Florida Theatre

Chicago blues faves LIL ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS (pictured) perform with PAUL ZERRA March 23 at The Original Café Eleven, St. Augustine Beach.

Daily’s Place Opening: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND May 27, Downtown BEACH HOUSE May 28, P.V. Concert Hall TRAIN May 28, Daily’s Place THE GRANT PAXTON BAND May 28, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre DAVE MATTHEWS & TIM REYNOLDS May 30, Daily’s Place FUTURE ISLANDS June 2, P.V. Concert Hall MURDER JUNKIES, GROSS EVOLUTION, DEATHWATCH ’97 June 8, Rain Dogs A-Train Live: PETE LEE June 9, Ritz Theatre DIRTY HEADS, SOJA, THE GREEN June 10, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Happy Together Tour: FLO & EDDIE (The Turtles), CHUCK NEGRON, THE ASSOCIATION, THE BOX TOPS, THE COWSILLS, RON DANTE June 11, Florida Theatre THIRD EYE BLIND, SILVERSUN PICKUPS June 11, Daily’s Place THE GIPSY KINGS June 15, St. Augustine Amphitheatre TIG NOTARO June 15, P. V. Concert Hall SLIGHTLY STOOPID, IRATION, J BOOG, THE MOVEMENT June 22, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Sad Clowns & Hillbillies: JOHN MELLENCAMP, EMMYLOU HARRIS, CARLENE CARTER, LILY & MADELEINE June 24, St. Augustine Amphitheatre DEFTONES, RISE AGAINST June 24, Daily’s Place ALLIE KELLY, ELLA ROMAINE June 25, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre MISS D & HER DANCING DOLLS June 30, Florida Theatre CHICAGO, THE BAND, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS July 1, Daily’s Place DIERKS BENTLEY, COLE SWINDELL, JON PARDI July 13, Daily’s Place PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE, FIREFALL, ORLEANS July 14, Florida Theatre STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, DON FELDER July 20, Daily’s Place SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD, BEHEMOTH July 21, St. Augustine Amphitheatre JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, STRAND OF OAKS July 22, St. Augustine Amphitheatre REBELUTION, NAKHO, MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE, COLLIE BUDZ, HIRIE, DJ MACKLE July 30, St. Augustine Amphitheatre BRITTANI MUELLER July 30, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre 311, NEW POLITICS, PASSAFIRE Aug. 2, St. Augustine Amphitheatre POSTMODERN JUKEBOX, STRAIGHT NO CHASER Aug. 2, Daily’s Place FOREIGNER, CHEAP TRICK, JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE Aug. 3, Daily’s Place LEE HUNTER, JOEY KERR Aug. 27, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre GOO GOO DOLLS, PHILLIP PHILLIPS Sept. 2, Daily’s Place MARSHALL TUCKER BAND Sept. 14, Florida Theatre TIM McGRAW & FAITH HILL Sept. 16, Veterans Memorial Arena ZAC BROWN BAND Sept. 21, Daily’s Place ANCIENT CITY SLICKERS Sept. 24, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre The Smooth Tour: FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, NELLY, CHRIS LANE Oct. 12, Veterans Memorial Arena Once a Month Punk: SCATTER BRAINS, LOOSE BEARINGS Oct. 19, Blue Water Daiquiri & Oyster Bar MICHAEL LAGASSE & FRIENDS Oct. 29, Music in the Box, Limelight Theatre JETHRO TULL Nov. 7, Daily’s Place JOHN McLAUGHLIN, JIMMY HERRING (Play Mahavisnu Orchestra) Nov. 24, Florida Theatre JIM GAFFIGAN Dec. 30, Veterans Memorial Arena GEORGE WINSTON Feb. 23, P.V. Concert Hall

LIVE MUSIC CLUBS

AMELIA ISLAND + FERNANDINA

ALLEY CAT BEER HOUSE, 316 Centre St., 491-1001 Dan Voll 6:30 p.m. every Wed. John Springer every Thur. & Sat. KNUCKLEHEADS Bar, 850532 U.S. 17, 222-2380 Shayne Rammler 9 p.m. March 24 LA MANCHA, 2709 Sadler Rd., 261-4646 Miguel Paley 5:30-9 p.m. every Fri.-Sun. Javier Parez every Sun. SLIDERS SEASIDE GRILL, 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-6652 Pili Pili 6 p.m. March 22. Tad Jennings 6 p.m.

March 23. Two Dudes 2 p.m., Milltown Road 7 p.m.

March 24. Chase Forester, Fire Water Tent Revival, Davis Turner March 25 SURF RESTAURANT, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., 261-5711 Katfish Lee 2 p.m. March 22 & 23. Bush Doctors March 25.

Jimmy Beats Reggae 4:30 p.m. March 26. Jacob Dylan Taylor March 27

AVONDALE + ORTEGA

CASBAH CAFÉ, 3628 St. Johns Ave., 981-9966 Goliath Flores every Wed. Jazz every Sun. Live music every Mon. ECLIPSE, 4219 St. Johns Ave. KJ Free 9 p.m. every Tue. & Thur. Indie dance 9 p.m. every Wed. ’80s & ’90s dance every Fri. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 3611 St. Johns Ave., 388-0200 Live music every Thur.-Sat.

THE BEACHES (All venues are in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted)

1ST STREET LOFT, 502 N. First St., 241-7848 Amanda Liesinger 7 p.m. March 23 BLUE TYPHOON, 2309 Beach Blvd., 379-3789 Billy Bowers 5 p.m. March 22. Live music most weekends BRASS ANCHOR PUB, 2292 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, 249-0301 Joe Oliff 8 p.m. March 22. Live music on weekends CASA MARINA HOTEL, 691 First St. N., 270-0025 The Chris Thomas Band March 22 CULHANE’S IRISH PUB, 967 Atlantic Blvd., AB, 249-9595 DJ Hal every Fri. & Sat. Michael Funge 6:30 p.m. every Sun. FLYING IGUANA TAQUERIA & TEQUILA BAR, 207 Atlantic Blvd., NB, 853-5680 3 the Band 9 p.m. March 23. Brite Side 10 p.m. March 24. Samuel Sanders March 25. Darren Corlew March 26 GREEN ROOM BREWING, 228 Third St. N., 201-9283 Innasense March 28. Rusty Lemon March 29 GUSTO, 1266 Beach Blvd., 372-9925 Groov 7:30 p.m. every Wed. Murray Goff Fri. Under the Bus every Sat. Gene Nordan 6 p.m. every Sun. HARBOR TAVERN, 160 Mayport Rd., AB, 246-2555 Walk With Wolves With Swill, Gross Evolution, The Wastedist 8 p.m. April 1 LYNCH’S IRISH PUB, 514 First St. N., 249-5181 Roger That 10 p.m. March 24. Tyler Dennings Band 10 p.m.

March 25. Dirty Pete 10 p.m. every Wed. Split Tone every Thur. Chillula every Sun. Be Easy every Mon. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1018 Third St. N., 241-5600 Bonnie Blue 9 p.m. March 23. Anton LaPlume 9 p.m. March 24 MEZZA Restaurant & Bar, 110 First St., NB, 249-5573 Gypsies Ginger every Wed. Mike Shackelford, Steve Shanholtzer every Thur. Mezza Shuffle every Mon. Trevor Tanner every Tue. OCEAN 60, 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 247-0060 Taylor Roberts 7 p.m. March 22 RAGTIME TAVERN, 207 Atlantic Blvd., AB, 241-7877 Cody Johnson March 22. Jetty Cats March 23. Cloud 9 March 24 & 25. 3 the Band March 26. Live music every Wed.-Sun. SEACHASERS, 831 First St. N., 372-0444 Cowboy Rolex 8 p.m. every Thur.

SLIDERS SEAFOOD GRILLE, 218 First St., NB, 246-0881 Jimmi Mitchell March 25

LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC SOUTHERN GROUNDS & CO., 200 First St., NB, 249-2922 Brenna Erickson 7 p.m. March 24. Ernie Lombardi March 25. Jazz Corner 6 p.m. every Tue. SURFER THE BAR, 200 First St. N., 372-9756 Live music most weekends WHISKEY JAX, 950 Marsh Landing Pkwy., 853-5973 Party Cartel 9:30 p.m. March 24. 7th Street 9:30 p.m. March 25.

Murray Goff 6 p.m. every Wed. Blues Club every Tue. ZETA BREWING, 131 First Ave. N., 372-0727 DiCarlo Thompson March 25. Live music every Thur.-Sat.

CAMDEN COUNTY, GA.

CAPTAIN STAN’S Smokehouse, 700 Bedell Dr., Woodbine, 912-729-9552 Acoustic music 6:30 p.m. every Sat. J’S TAVERN, 711 Osborne St., St. Marys, 912-882-5280 Pine Box Dwellers March 24. Paul Ivey March 31. Live music most weekends

DOWNTOWN

1904 MUSIC HALL, 19 Ocean St. N. Zach Deputy, The Groove Orient, Bigfoot Barefoot 8 p.m. March 24.

Professor Whiskey’s Monty Python Tribute 8 p.m. March 25. Keith Harkin 7:30 p.m. March 26. Archspire, Arkaik 7 p.m. March 27 DE REAL TING, 128 W. Adams St., 633-9738 Ras AJ, De Lions of Jah 7 p.m. March 24 DOS GATOS, 123 E. Forsyth St., 354-0666 DJ Brandon every Thur. DJ NickFresh every Sat. DJ Randall every Mon. DJ Hollywood every Tue. FIONN MacCOOL’S, Jacksonville Landing, 374-1247 Spade McQuade 6 p.m. March 22 & 24. Chuck Nash 8 p.m. March 25 HOURGLASS PUB, 345 E. Bay St., 469-1719 Open mic every Sun. Mal Jones every Mon. Drum & Bass every Tue. INTUITION ALE WORKS, 720 King St., 683-7720 Live music 6 p.m. every Thur.

JACKSONVILLE LANDING, 2 Independent Dr., 353-1188 Spanky the Band 8 p.m. March 24. The Party Cartel 8 p.m.

March 25. 418 Band 5 p.m. March 26 MARK’S DOWNTOWN, 315 E. Bay St., 355-5099 DJ Shotgun 10 p.m. every Sat. MAVERICKS LIVE, Jax Landing, 356-1110 Gallagher 7 p.m. March 24. Yamadeo, Cloud9 Vibes, Just Like Gentlemen, Stages, Unbreakable Bloodline, The Hereafter, Summer Survivors, The Ellameno Beat, Sangria 3 p.m.

March 25. Modern Baseball, Kevin + The God Damn Band, Sorority Noise, The Obsessives March 28. Dinosaur Jr. March 31. Joe Buck, DJ Justin every Thur.-Sat. MYTH NIGHTCLUB, 333 E. Bay St., 707-0474 J.E.T. March 23. Yookie 9 p.m. March 24. Pete Bones March 25. DJ Law, Artik, Killoala, D2tay every Wed. THE VOLSTEAD, 115 W. Adams St., 414-3171 Swing Dance Sundays 7 p.m.

FLEMING ISLAND

BOONDOCKS GRILL & BAR, 2808 Henley Rd., Green Cove, 406-9497 Paul Ivey March 22. Ivan Smith March 23.

Southpaw March 24. Smokin Joe, Jonathan Lee Band March 25. Ivan Smith March 28. Mikey Clams March 30.

Live music most every night MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1800 Town Ctr. Blvd., 541-1999 Kristin Lee 8:30 p.m. March 23. Al Torchia 8:30 p.m. March 24. Wes Cobb March 25. Live music most weekends WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198 Conch Fritters March 23. Dirty Pete 9 p.m. March 24 & 25. Main Stage 3 p.m. March 26. Live music every Thur.-Sun

INTRACOASTAL

CLIFF’S Bar & Grill, 3033 Monument Rd., Ste. 2, 645-5162 The Remedy March 22. Sister Insane 10 p.m.

March 24. Fratello 10 p.m. March 25. Open mic every Tue. JERRY’S Sports Bar & Grille, 13170 Atlantic, 220-6766 Don’t Call Me Shirley 7:30 p.m. March 24. Retro Katz 7:30 p.m. March 25

MANDARIN

ENZA’S, 10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 109, 268-4458 Brian Iannucci March 22 & 26 TAPS BAR & GRILL, 2220 C.R. 210, St. Johns, 819-1554 Live music every weekend

ORANGE PARK + MIDDLEBURG THE HILLTOP, 2030 Wells Rd., 272-5959 John Michael on the piano every Tue.-Sat. THE ROADHOUSE, 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611 DJ Big Mike March 23. Primitive Hard Drive, Kill the Sound 10 p.m. March 24. Bumpin Uglies March 25. Live music every weekend SHARK CLUB, 714 Park Ave., 215-1557 Digital Skyline 9 p.m. March 22. Tom Bennett Band 9 p.m. March 23

PONTE VEDRA

PUSSER’S GRILLE, 816 A1A, 280-7766 Billy Buchanan March 23 & 25. Live music Fri. & Sat. TABLE 1, 330 A1A, 280-5515 Deron Baker March 22.

Barrett Jockers March 23. Cortnie Frazier March 24. Tier 2 March 25. Latin All Stars March 29

RIVERSIDE + WESTSIDE

ACROSS THE STREET, 948 Edgewood Ave. S., 683-4182 Silent Sermon March 25. Live music weekends BRIXX, 220 Riverside Ave., 300-3928 Live music every Thur. & Fri.

HOBNOB, 220 Riverside Ave., Ste. 10, 513-4272 Live music every Fri. MURRAY HILL Theatre, 932 Edgewood Ave., 388-7807 Fair Warning, Cool Hip Priest, Todd Mayer March 25 NIGHTHAWKS, 2952 Roosevelt Blvd. Artis(Tree), Askmeificare 8 p.m. March 24. Emporos CD Release March 25. Ian Sweet 8 p.m. March 28. Sunny’s Punk Rock Burlesque Birthday Party: Tentacools, Digdog, Flag on Fire, Anita Nightcap, Jessabell, Ivy Les Vixens, Jackie Stranger March 29. Caveman Cult (Torche, Reapermanser, Shitstorm, Ex-Mehkago NT) Shadow Hunter, Worsen, Dead Centre, Saturnine March 31 RAIN DOGS, 1045 Park St., 379-4969 Stephen Pigman March 22. Blind Tiger 8 p.m. March 23. Folk Is People, Mathew Harrison, Terrain, Jackie Stranger, Billy & Bella, Horror Club, Those Lavender Whales March 25. Ricky Dreamz, Supastar, Danvilleworld Smith March 31 RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET, 715 Riverside Ave., 389-2449 Morning Yoga (9 a.m.), A Nice Pair, Collapsible B, Strangerwolf, Elvis Kabong 10:45 a.m. March 25 UNITY PLAZA, 220 Riverside Ave. Live music every weekend

ST. AUGUSTINE

CELLAR UPSTAIRS, 157 King St., 826-1594 Gary Douglas Campbell March 23. Deron Baker, Ancient City Keepers March 24. Beautiful Bobby Blackmon & the B3 Blues Band March 25. Vinny Jacobs 2 p.m. March 26 DOS COFFEE & WINE, 300 San Marco Ave., 342-2421 Live music every weekend MARDI GRAS, 123 San Marco Ave., 823-8806 Augie 9 p.m. March 24. Big Logic & the Truth Serum 8 p.m.

March 25. Fre Gordon, acoustic open mic 7 p.m. every Sun. Justin Gurnsey, Musicians Exchange 8 p.m. every Mon. ORIGINAL CAFE ELEVEN, 501 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 460-9311 Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Paul Zerra 8:30 p.m. March 23 PLANET SARBEZ, 115 Anastasia Blvd., 342-0632 Universal Sigh, Observatory, Trash Festival 9 p.m. March 23.

SHANGHAI NOBBY’S, 10 Anastasia Blvd., 547-2188 Nobfest Sixx pre-fest show March 22. Nobfest Sixx: 86 Hope, Daniel Curtis Hughes, Flossie & The Fox, Noah Eagle, Arson Fist, Ghost Tropic, Fay Roy, Michael Jordan Trio, Uncle Marty, Emma Mosley Band, Kenny & The Jets, Charlie Morgan & The B Side Family, Shea Birney, Teresa Rose, Dylan Nirvana, Killa Mama, Trash Festival, Zafditk, Nations, The Cosmic Groove, Mental Boy, Pug Ugly, Dozier, Heat Rash, Bite Marks, Pumps, Demo, Vicious Dreams, Rushmorefl, Reels, Puddled, I Came From Earth, Whatweare, Chubra Cabra, The Holed Outs, Totally Kyle, Brown Palace, Thunderhoof, Damn Thy Name, MF Goon March 23-26 TEMPO, 16 Cathedral Pl., 342-0286 Jazzy Blue March 23. Elizabeth Roth, Alex Richman Band March 24. Lerbs & Spices March 25. Jax English Salsa Band 6 p.m. March 26.

Bluez Dudez March 28. Open mic 7:30 p.m. every Wed. TRADEWINDS LOUNGE, 124 Charlotte St., 829-9336 Cottonmouth 9 p.m. March 24 & 25. The Down Low every Wed. JP Driver every Thur. Elizabeth Roth every Sat. Those Guys every Tue.

SAN MARCO

JACK RABBITS, 1528 Hendricks Ave., 398-7496 Katchafire, Inna Vision, Scholars Word, Stacked Like Pancakes 8 p.m. March 23. Mike Love, Sol Seed, Sol Rydah 8 p.m. March 24. Coughin, Sasquatch On Mars, Ghostwitch 8 p.m. March 25. The Slackers, The Duppies, Chieforia 8 p.m. March 26. Geoff Tate, Jerry Sible 7 p.m.

March 29 MUDVILLE MUSIC ROOM, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., 352-7008 Wild Ponies 7:30 p.m. March 23. Mike Shackelford 7:30 p.m. March 24. Larry Mangum, Swamp Cabbage 7:30 p.m. March 30

SOUTHSIDE + BAYMEADOWS

CORNER BISTRO & WINE BAR, 9823 Tapestry Park Circle, 619-1931 Matthew Hall 8 p.m. every Thur.-Sat. GREEK STREET Café, 3546 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., 503-0620 Tavernalive 6 p.m. every Mon. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 9734 Deer Lake Ct., 997-1955 Charlie Walker March 23. Kristen Lee March 24. Ken & Kelly Maroney March 25 WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., 634-7208 Break Evn Band 9:30 p.m. March 24. Mikey Clams 9:30 p.m. March 25 Melissa Smith open mic every Thur.

Blues jam every Sun. Acoustic every Wed.

SPRINGFIELD + NORTHSIDE

BOSTON’S, 13070 City Station Dr., 751-7499 Clay Brewer, Ivan Pulley March 25 MELLOW MUSHROOM, 15170 Max Leggett Pkwy., 757-8843 Live music most every weekend SANDOLLAR, 9716 Heckscher Dr., 251-2449 Live music every Fri.-Sun. SHANTYTOWN PUB, 22 W. Sixth St., 798-8222 Nihil 8 p.m.

March 27. Live music every weekend

_________________________________________ To list your band’s gig, please send time, date, location (street address, city), admission price, and a contact number to print to Daniel A. Brown, email dbrown@ folioweekly.com or by the U.S. Postal Service, 45 W. Bay St., Ste. 103, Jacksonville FL 32202. Events run on a spaceavailable basis. Deadline is at noon every Wednesday for the next Wednesday’s publication.

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 57

PETS LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE FOLIO

W E E K LY

FOLIO LIVING

PET

LOVERS’

GUIDE

DEAR DAVI

Davi’s advice for maintaining HOUSEHOLD HARMONY when introducing a new puppy to the mix

NEW KID IN

TOWN

Dear D Dear Davi, avii av My humans are insistent on bringing home a young pup. How can I keep my cool while welcoming this whippersnapper into my home?

Carly the Collie

MAKE SPACE Make sure that you–and the puppy—have an escape route and a safe space to go to get away for some alone time. Everyone needs solitary time once in a while. Maintaining separation during the first few weeks is important.

Carly, When a new puppy joins the family, it seems like everything revolves around him for a while. Sometimes the elder dog doesn’t share the same enthusiasm and may not welcome another dog into his den.

As the sole protector of my homestead, I’m no expert on the topic, but I found some ways to ensure a peaceful transition for the pup while preventing you from feeling jealous or hurt.

GO FOR A WALK It’s a fact: Dogs socialize more when they’re on a walk, hunting together. Once you’re comfortable walking side-by-side, take time to sniff and investigate each other at intervals—no need rousing fear or aggression from prolonged interaction. You might even get treats for good behavior!

FIND NEUTRAL GROUND Since you’re probably not keen on sharing your space with the new kid, it’s best for your human to make this initial introduction in a neutral location— like a park or public lot—so you’re less likely to see the newcomer as a territorial intruder.

If the meeting goes swimmingly, you should be allowed to interact off-leash in a safe area, giving you freedom to form a relationship with the pup.

DOGGIE COMMUNICATION When it comes to communication, cut Junior some slack.

Puppies have really poor social skills and don’t know the rules of the road when it comes to interacting with new and different dogs. It’s your duty to teach him where the lines are drawn: • DON’T jump on my head.

• DON’T steal my toys.

• DON’T put your face in my food bowl • while I’m eating.

• DON’T walk on me–or sit on me.

• DON’T bark in my face.

Growling and even some minor snapping is normal, but no bullying. With time and patience, he’ll learn his limits.

FOOD FIGHT Breaking bread with a hungry pup can lead to a showdown. I suggest taking your meal to another room to avoid a bowl battle. Feeding separately will ensure you get your share while removing anxiety that could hinder digestion.

ONE-ON-ONE TIME It’s also important to spend individual time with your human.

Neither dog should be made to feel as if he is not the favorite.

With a little management—OK, a lot of management, because hey, puppy—a young pup and a wiser dog can thrive together.

Bear in mind that your human must be prepared to play emcee and supervise visits until all is calm.

March 23 is National Puppy Day, to celebrate the magic and unconditional love that puppies bring to our lives. More important, it’s a day to help save orphaned puppies across the globe and educate the public about the horrors of puppy mills.

Learn more about National Puppy Day at nationalpuppyday.com.

Happy harmony, Davi mail@folioweekly.com ____________________________________ Davi the dachshund is one lucky wise dog ’cause he’s perma-puppy size.

PET TIP: ANGRY CATS CATS ARE THE GRUMPY OLD MEN OF PETS. Cantankerous, picky and prone to expressing displeasure in vomit, they’re about as laid-back as Taylor Swift after learning her ex is engaged to Katy Perry. Provided you don’t want Anderson Pooper to be the next Grumpy Cat, we recommend avoiding belly rubs, baths, loud noises, car rides, too much attention, too little attention, balloon animals, cages, mothballs, mirrors, vacuums, blow dryers, cucumbers (seriously), “Stairway to Heaven” and Wayne Wood. OK, maybe just limited amounts of the last two.

58 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

PET EVENTS PETCO ADOPTIONS • Adoptable Cats Meet & Greet, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. March 22, 23 & 24, 1514 C.R. 220, Fleming Island, 215-7498, petco.com. Pet Solutions, noon-4:30 p.m. March 25.

BEACHES PET ADOPTIONS • Cat and dog adoptions are held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 25, at PetSmart, 1956 Third St. S., Jax Beach, 853-2135, jaxhumane.org.

ADOPTABLES

DIAMOND

Shine Bright with Me • I’m a girl’s (or guy’s!) best friend! Like a diamond, my personality shines bright and I can bring so much laughter and fun to your–our–table. My eyes have a little sparkle for the adopter who gives me a chance at love and a glimmer of hope that we’ll be best friends for life.

If you’re gleaming at the chance to meet me, like I am for you, visit jaxhumane.org/adopt to learn about your new BFF.

HOGS FOR DOGS BIKE RUN • Registration ($30) starts 9:30 a.m. March 25 at Adamec Harley Davidson, 1520 Wells Rd., Orange Park, adamecharley.com. Proceeds benefit Clay Humane Society programs, 276-7729; food, music, raffles and prizes are featured.

FREE PUPPY PLAYTIME • 2-2:30 p.m. March 25, puppies 8 weeks-six months learn social skills with a Petco Positive Dog Trainer. 463713 S.R. 200, Yulee, 225-0014, petco.com. Adult Level 1 Group Class, 5-6 p.m. March 24; Puppy Level 1 Group Class 7-8 p.m. March 28.

PETCO PUPPY TIME • 9:15-9:45 a.m. March 25, 8 weeks-six months, 11111 San Jose Blvd., 260-3225, petco.com. Adoptable Pets Meet & Greet, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 25 & 26; Pet Solutions, noon-4:30 p.m. March 25.

LEASH WALKING SEMINAR • Get that wild thing to heel, 6-7 p.m. March 23, PetSmart, 356 Monument Rd., 724-4600; 8801 Southside Blvd., Ste. 3, 519-8878; 1956 Third St. S., Jax Beach, 853-2135; 10261 River Marsh Dr., Ste. 143, 997-1335; 1919 Wells Rd., Orange Park; 9515 Crosshill Blvd., Ste. 113, 777-8688; 13141 City Station Dr., Ste. 1, Northside, 696-0289; 1779 U.S. 1 S., St. Augustine, 495-0785, petsmart.com.

ADOPTABLES

GENTLEMAN

Gentle Giant • I’m looking for a family who will let me practice my gentlemanly ways! I’ll spend my days sitting in your favorite spots to keep them warm for you and making sure you never eat alone again. I know how to be a class act and want to purr through life with you! Stop by 8464 Beach Blvd.–open 7 days a week–to learn how I earned my esteemed moniker.

PET SOLUTIONS • Find out stuff you should know about your pet, noon-4:30 p.m. March 25, Petco, 11900 Atlantic Blvd., 997-8441.

MEET THE CRITTERS • See critters with scales, tails and cool traits, 1-3 p.m. March 25, 950 Marsh Landing Pkwy., Jax Beach, 273-0964, free, petco. com. Jax Beach Adoptable Dogs Meet & Greet, noon-3 p.m. March 25. St. Augustine Pet Solutions, noon-4:30 p.m. March 25.

KATZ 4 KEEPS ADOPTION DAYS • 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

March 25 & 26, 935B A1A N., Ponte Vedra, 834-3223, katz4keeps.org.

PET ADOPTION • 60+ cats & kittens, 40+ dogs & puppies need homes; Wags & Whiskers Pet Rescue, 1967 Old Moultrie Rd., St. Augustine, 797-1913, 797-6039, petrescue.org; all spayed/neutered, shots up-to-date. ___________________________________

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 59

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

DALE RATERMANN’s Folio Weekly Crossword presented by

SHUNRYU SUZUKI, FLIP-FLOPS, FRIENDLY LIONS & C.S. LEWIS

Serving Excellence Since 1928 Member American Gem Society

San Marco

Ponte Vedra

Avondale

2044 San Marco Blvd.

The Shoppes of Ponte Vedra

330 A1A North

3617 St. Johns Ave.

398-9741

280-1202

388-5406

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Of course you want to get the best of everything.

But you shouldn’t disdain cheap thrills that are more interesting and gratifying than the expensive kind. And you enjoy taking risks. But there’s a big difference between gambling that’s spurred by superstitious hunches and gambling rooted in smart research. You’re galvanized by competition. But why fritter away your competitive fire on efforts to impress folks? A better use? Hone your talents and integrity.

Who’s in Tallahassee this time?

(C D ’ ?)

AN YOU FIGURE OUT

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A bit tight Torment Not-so-big shot One of Michael’s brothers Cancels, at Cape Canaveral Fla. NBA team Florida’s 37th Racket of lamb Bitter Assignment for Treece Fixer Upper net.

Play or pig Post-op stop Legal equal 50-50 chance Navy vacation Penny-pinch Head turner Girl Friday Hard cash Common font It may sting HBO rival Gnuisance Tarzan, e.g.

Home add-on Us competitor Lord’s servant

54 55 58 60 63 65 66 68 69 70 71 72 73 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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ALE S THEME THIS WEEK

67

“Surfin’ ” Old Ford Salty letters Heist haul Spud hub Jax NAS radar anomaly Florida’s 40th Rocky III foe Sudden pang Area about the size of the Armada pitch Droid kin Removed a knot Not obscured

DOWN

Bus handhold Jenna, to Jeb I-95 no-no Asian desert Flying Solo Early summer?

Skyway’s Parks stop Couples’ ships Like a precipice Jax-to-Alva dir.

Florida’s 38th Terrible tot Novak Djokovic or Milla Jovovich

60 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

18 Offbeat phrase 22 Country’s take on Laugh-In, Haw 25 DC network 27 B.P.O.E. lodge member 28 Element No. 50 29 Link up 30 Kind of coat 32 Border stamp 33 Where to see the game 34 Phishing lure 35 GnR song, Robin Cook book 36 Florida’s 45th 38 Applauds 42 Astronautalis’ genre

43 45 47 49 51 53

55 56 57 58 59 61 62 64 66 67

Willie Winkie [Back off!]

Part of RSVP It’s electric!

JEA problem Rubber Soul song subtitle, “This Bird Has ” Knight’s stick “Ta-da!”

Bakery count Sans a sense Big ’do Final notice Prefix for all “Buenos !”

A/C stat Rap’s Café

Solution to 3.15.17 Puzzle “F-L-A Phrases” F I S H

G R E Y

G O A L F I F O F A T A L

I M A G E

S E E P E F G G O H N I G A R S A S C O E R S T

E L A T A R A D M D O A I R L E S A S H L E A H E M T L A S M A A S C L

T R I A L R A T D U N C E

E D E D R E

S P H H E A B O R B O N E C A S T A G M O O P E N Y A N N S C A T I S E N T R G Y

A R O M A

C O S E C

S P E N T

T W A A I N U N T T O E R I A I D S F O E F L A

chaos. Flip-flops like these tend to be messy if we resist them, but interesting if we cooperate.

That’s your choice now. Which will it be? Hope it’s cooperate. The reversals you consciously co-create may not be perfect, but even if they’re baffling, they’ll be amusing and magnificent.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): If you own an untamable animal like a bull, the best way to manage it is to provide a fenced but spacious meadow where it can roam freely. So said famous Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki, using a metaphor to address how we might deal with unruly beasts in our psyches. This is excellent advice. I’d hate to see you try to quash or punish your inner wild thing. You need its boisterous power! It can be a fine ally if you keep it happy and make it work for you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): When I was 24, I lived in rural North Carolina and had a job washing dishes in a city four miles away. Too poor to own a bike or car. To get to work, I walked roads where hostile dogs and drunk men in pickup trucks were. Luckily, I found the art of psychic protection. At first, I envisioned a golden force field around me. I added visualizations of guardian animals: two friendly lions, two sheltering wolves. Maybe it was the placebo effect, but it worked. My allies made me brave and kept me safe. You’re welcome to borrow them or conjure your version of spirit protectors. You’re not in physical danger, but you need an extra layer of protection against others’ bad moods, manipulative ploys and unconscious agendas.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If I were to provide a strict interpretation of astrological omens, I’d advise you to PARTY HARDY AND STRONG AND OFTEN! I’d suggest you attend a raging bash or convivial festivity once a day. If that were logistically impossible, I’d advise staging daily celebrations, stocked with vivacious and stimulating people. But I recognize this counsel may be too extreme to honor. So I’ll just say: PARTY HARDY AND STRONG at least twice a week for the next four weeks. It’s medicine you need.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Not suggesting you should listen to your heart with rapt attention every waking minute for the next four weeks. I don’t expect you to neglect insights your mind offers. But I’d love to see you boost your attunement to the intelligent organ in the center of your chest. You’re going to need its specific type of guidance more in the months ahead. At this particular moment, it’s starting to overflow with wisdom so rich and raw, it could unleash a series of spiritual spasms.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’re on the verge of achieving a sly victory over the meek and passive part of you. In the coming weeks you rise up like a resourceful hero and half-conquer a chronic fear. A rumbling streak of warrior luck will flow through you, enabling you to kill any temptation to take the easy way out.

Congratulations in advance! I’ve rarely seen our tribe have so much power to triumph over our unconscious attraction to the victim role.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The empty space at the end of this sentence has intentionally been left blank. The serene hiatus you glided through is courtesy of Healing Silence, an ancient form of do-it-yourself therapy.

Healing Silence is based on the underappreciated truth that now and then it’s restorative to just SHUT UP and abstain from activity for a bit. As you know, the world’s crammed with so much noise and frenzy, it can be hard to hear yourself think or even feel. With Healing Silence, you bask in a sanctuary of sweet nothingness as long as you need to. Try it.

Wrap up in the luxurious void.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo journal entry, Thursday: Am too settled, stale and entrenched. Feeling urges to get cheeky and tousled. Friday: So what if I slept a little longer and arrived late? Who cares if the dishes are piling up in the sink? I hereby refuse law and order. Saturday: Fantasizing about dirty deeds.

Thinking about breaking the taboos. Sunday: Found the strangest freshness in a place I didn’t expect.

Sometimes chaos is kind of cute and friendly.

Monday: The nagging voice of the taskmaster in my head is gone. Ding-dong. Let freedom ring!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): William Boyd writes novels, which require copious research about real-world milieus he wants his fictional characters to inhabit. For example, to ensure the authenticity of his book Waiting for Sunrise, he found out what it was like to live in Vienna in 1913. He compares his process of searching for juicy facts to the feeding habits of a blue whale: engorging huge amounts of seawater to strain out the good-to-eat plankton. Ninety percent of the data he wades through is irrelevant, but what’s left is tasty and nourishing. You’ll thrive on a similar approach in the weeks ahead. Be patient as you search for what’s useful.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Here’s a new word: enantiodromia. It’s what happens when something turns into its opposite.

It’s nature’s attempt to create equilibrium where there’s imbalance. Too much NO becomes YES, for example. A superabundance of yin mutates into yang, or an overemphasis on control generates

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Hope you don’t feel you need to say any of these: 1. “I’m sorry I gave you everything I had without making sure you wanted it.” 2. “Will you please stop asking me to be so real?” 3. “I long for the part of you you’ll never give me.” Here are things I hope you will say soon: 1. “I thrived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me.” (Lifted from novelist Joshua Graham.) 2. “I’m having fun, even though it’s not the same kind of fun everyone else is having.”

(From author C.S. Lewis.) 3. “I’m not searching for who I am. I’m searching for the person I aspire to be.” (From author Robert Brault.)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Are you fantasizing more about what you don’t have and can’t do than what you do have and can do? If so, raise the “do have” and “can do” up at least 51 percent. (80 percent would be better.)

Have you been harshly critiquing yourself more than you have been taking care of yourself? If so, get your self-care level up to at least 51 percent.

(85 percent is better.) Flirting with a backward type of courage that makes you nervous about what everyone thinks and expects from you?

If so, cultivate a different kind of courage at least 51 percent of the time: courage to do what’s right for you no matter what anyone thinks or expects.

(90 percent is better.)

Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

NEWS OF THE WEIRD IN A WORLD OF TODDLERS …

Perhaps there are parents who (according to the Cinepolis movie chain) long to watch movies in theaters while their children (aged 3 and up) frolic in front in a “jungle-gym” playground inside the same auditorium. If so, the company’s two “junior” movie houses (opening this week in San Diego and Los Angeles) may bring a new dimension to “family entertainment.” Another view, though, is that the noise (often “screaming”), plus the overhead lighting required for parents to monitor their progeny on the equipment, plus the planned $3-per-ticket surcharge, will soon create (according to the Guardian critic) a moviegoing “apocalypse.”

WHILE I WAS GONE

In January, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office granted IBM’s 2010 application for a patent on “out-of-office” email message software (even though such messages have been ubiquitous for two decades) after the company finally convinced examiners its patent had enough software tweaks on it to qualify. Critics, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, laughed at the uselessness of the tweaks.

I HAS A HANGOVER?

Why live with a cat if one cannot take it out for wine together? The Apollo Peak in Denver and the Pet Winery in Fort Myers serve a variety of the real grape to humans and nonalcoholic proprietary drinks for kitties to enjoy tableside (or table-underneath). “Pinot Meow” ($12) in Denver and “Meow and Chandon” ($15) in Fort Myers, are specialties—basically watered catnip, according to a February New York Times report. The wine outing is the human’s preference, of course, with a loftier cachet than the “happy hour” most cats might prefer (say, a “sardine bar”).

SHOW ME THE MONEY? WHERE’S THE BEEF?

“I tried the $5,000 hamburger, and it was absolutely worth it,” wrote CNBC reviewer Robert Frank in February, describing his meal at the Las Vegas Mandalay Bay restaurant Fleur. The burger included Waygu beef, foie gras and truffles, and was served with a similarly inexplicably priced wine. Other recent consumer challenges: an $18 cup of coffee at

Folio Weekly helps you connect with the paramour of your dreams. Go to folioweekly.com/i-saw-u.html, fill out the FREE form correctly (40 words or fewer, dammit) by 5 p.m. Friday (for the next Wednesday’s FW) – next stop: Bliss!

Brooklyn’s Extraction Lab; a $100 bottle of Norwegian iceberg water (Svalbardi.com); a $2,000 pizza at New York City’s Industry Kitchen (caviar, truffles, gold flakes); and a $25,000 taco at Mexico’s Grand Velas Los Cabos resort (caviar, brie, Kobe beef, langoustine lobster, rare tequila—and gold flakes).

DON’T DRINK THE WATER

Anglers fighting to preserve choice spots on the fishing pier on Sebastian Inlet, north of Vero Beach, have taken to tossing lead weights and other items at “competitors,” especially those who approach the pier to fish directly from their boats. Such territory marking by the “piersters” includes, according to a February report in Florida Today, strategic urination and hurling feces at the waterborne invaders.

NOTHING ELSE TO WORRY ABOUT

Illinois has problems: a $130 billion unfunded pension crisis, 19 months without a budget, the lowest credit rating and highest property taxes in the country, and the murder rate in Chicago. However, the state house of representatives isn’t standing by idly. In February, it moved to designate October 2017 as Zombie Preparedness Month (adding “zombie invasion” to the list of mobilizations for any natural disaster and urging residents to stockpile food and supplies for up to 72 hours).

MAKE AMERICA WEIRD

Lawyers for former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. have convinced federal officials his bipolar disorder was “caused” by the stress of being a congressman and therefore he’s entitled to “total disability” worker compensation for an “on-the-job” injury—at about $100,000 a year, tax-free, according to a February Chicago Tribune report. Jackson, 51, receives Social Security disability payments. Lawyers said his disorder (often attributed to genetic factors) surfaced during an investigation into his looting of his campaign treasury for luxury goods and vacations (charges eventually settled with a guilty plea). Jackson dated his onset to June 2012, meaning that his last 72 House votes came while “totally” disabled.

Chuck Shepherd weirdnews@earthlink.net

Don’t be a Connect with the person you saw across a crowded room one enchanted evening. Fall in love before April Fools Day – read these or submit your own! FW’s cynical editorial staff (no fools here) shows you how to eschew the usual foolishness and let love conquer all!

One: Two: Three: Four: Five:

Write a ive-word headline so the person recognizes the moment y’all shared.

Describe the person, like, “You: In fright wig, belled dunce cap.”

Describe yourself, like, “Me: Harlequin tights, tambourine, in 3D glasses.”

Describe the moment, like, “ISU in time out in the corner, face to the wall.”

Meet, fall in love, reserve a church.* No names, emails, websites, etc. And fer chrissake, it’s forty (40) words or fewer. Get a love life with Folio Weekly ISUs!

“IRISH LASS” USHER You: blonde, blue-eyed, Kelly green dress. Me: tall, shy, warm-up band member. On rehearsal break, we SU two in balcony, raced up. We shared a bottle of fake Crown (I lied). I’ll find you, love you forever. When: Unsure. Where: Florida Theatre. #1648-0322 ENC-1102 LOVE You: German nose; matched mine. Brown eyes entranced me. Me: Awkward, yellow-haired female. Someone took your seat; you sat beside me. We watched “The Room.” Best time I ever had. May I hold your hand forever?

When: March 2015. Where: FSCJ. #1647-0315 I HELD THE DOOR You: Beautiful blonde , sundress, exiting as I entered. Me: Beard, tie; stopped, stared. We locked eyes; you were going out to your Charger. I’d like to hold the door for you again in the future. When: Feb. 27. Where: Firehouse. #1646-0315 SEXY ITALIAN IN PRIMELENDING SHIRT You were funny (sarcastic), had sexy voice, and you were wearing all black. Hands down the most amazing man I’ve ever met. I love you always.

When: Feb. 25. Where: Downtown. #1645-0301 BROWN HAIR, SITTING BEHIND ME You: Curly brown hair. Shared some laughs and a DUI. Me: Floral dress, great jokes. Thought we shared a moment; you were called back too soon. Hope to see you March 7th, same spot, 4:15 p.m. When: Feb. 2. Where: Ocean Street. #1644-0208 HANDSOME DOG LOVER, CLEVER SMILE ISU at bar, your eyes said hello. At store, U smiled at me.

Walked your dog, I drove by, thought, “Is this déjà vu … ?” U waved, same handsome smile. Who are U; meet again? When: Jan. 27. Where: Alexandria Oaks Park, Winn-Dixie, Grape & Grain. #1643-0201 COOKBOOK CUTIE You: Sexy AF chef’s coat; warmed my kolache before you put it in BREW oven; asked my name, I spilled my beer. Me: Dark, mysterious, torn “sex me up” shirt. Hope you’ll get me breakfast in bed. When: Jan. 12. Where: BREW. #1642-0201 CHOCOLATE THUNDER You: New hire at my old job; immediately caught my eye; tall, dark, handsome BUT rotund sealed deal; innocent until first movie date; rest is history. Me: Strategic approach–12-step hot sausage program, gifs transfer. Happy V-day CT! When: Sept. 26, 2016.

Where: West Jax. #1641-0201 M SHACK RIVERSIDE COOK ISU every day at work; you’re a cook, I’m a waitress. You’re so hot but I don’t have the courage to tell you. Single? If so, please reply. Love to chat sometime. Signed, Too Nervous. When: Every day. Where: Riverside. #1640-0111

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU You: I knew you before you were born. Me: God I am here for you always, just call on me. I died for you, so live for me and find the peace you seek. When: Jan. 1, 2017.

Where: Everywhere. #1639-0111 WE SAVED A TURTLE Day after Christmas. We were trying to save a turtle on Baymeadows in front of SunTrust. My dad and I drove you and turtle to pond. Wished I got more than just your name. When: Dec. 26. Where: By SunTrust Bank, Baymeadows Rd. #1638-0104 ZOO CAROUSEL DADDY On carousel with my son. ISU behind me with your son. You: Male, tall, blondish, beautiful blue eyes. Me: Female, busty brunette. Should’ve talked on the ride; my kid was screaming. Wanna play date? When: Dec. 21.

Where: Jax Zoo Carousel. #1637-0104 ENGLISH MUFFIN HELLO, COOL MOOSE U: Carmine’s shirt, prettiest art admirer ever. Me: Tattooed brow, food maker. Made your hello with a smiley-face flag. Art is an experience we can enjoy together. When: Dec. 7. Where: Cool Moose Café Riverside. #1636-1214 DAYCARE DAD ISU when I drop off my daughter.

You drop off your little one. Coffee? You: Tallish, tattoos, work boots you take off before entering baby room, absolutely adorable; single? Me: Red hair, always hoping I see you. When: Almost every day. Where: Kids World Academy. #1635-1214 CROSSWORD QT You had orange socks and an orange Element. You got a cappuccino (or two) and started with a crossword. Your laptop had an Equality sticker on it … either you really like math, or we should meet. Maybe both. When: Nov. 29. Where: Bold Bean, Riverside. #1634-1207 CARMELO’S SILVER FOX You: Tall, handsome, older gentleman, exceptional British accent! Me: Tall brunette who visits frequently. You’re flirty, but let’s make it official! Tea time? When: Nov. 11. Where: Carmelo’s Pizzeria, St. Augustine. #1633-1207 MY HOT, SEXY NEIGHBOR You: Tall, white sports jersey (No. 12, I think), flag tattoo. Me: Brunette, sunglasses, busty. While checking mail ISU on balcony playing darts, smoking cigar. Welcome to the neighborhood. Throw your dart at me anytime. When: Oct. 25. Where: Coquina Bay Apartments. #1632-1026 CUTE BARTRAM PARK RUNNER We’ve seen each other. You: Dark hair, blue-eyed hottie, running. Me: Dark blonde, ponytail, walking.

Today you said, “Sorry about that.” I smiled, not sure of meaning–sorry about crude car guys.

Points–you’re a gentleman. Single? When: Oct. 17. Where: Bartram Park. #1630-1026

*or any other appropriate site at which folks can engage in a civil union or marriage or whatever …

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 61

CLASSIFIEDS

YOUR PORTAL TO REACHING 95,000+ READERS WEEKLY HELP WANTED

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62 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | MARCH 22-28, 2017

FOLIO VOICES : BACKPAGE EDITORIAL

LIAR! Thief!

Would you have guessed upon learning bout my illustrious professional life and esteemed career that I am the byproduct of a neglectful father who made cameo appearances throughout my life and a mother who sought emotional solace by marrying nearly 10 times?

To counter my gross parental abandonments and the onslaught of innumerable childhood deprivations, I resorted to stealing from local stores, boutiques, schools, restaurants, people, businesses and, eventually, homes.

Undetected, I became more and more emboldened and confident with my acquired skills as I continued successfully stealing merchandise, food and lots of money.

Heck, the only place that was immune to my thievery was the church. I respected and honored God too much to have had the gonads to swipe from Him. Anyway, one day, in spite of video surveillance, I unwisely upped the ante by taking my crime spree to a local bank. Needless to say, my brazen and thieving azz got caught. This was the first of two instances that—for some inexplicable reason that still perplexes me—I was not reported to the po po (police).

WAS IT BY THE GRACE OF GOD?

Regardless, like most crooks, I still felt invincible, much too cocky and unrepentant to heed any earthly and heavenly warning signs. Idiot!

As the eldest impoverished kid with familial circumstances out of my control, I felt compelled to steal to provide crumbs for my siblings, as well as to buy muchneeded clothing for our naked black behinds.

Unfortunately, as a juvenile, I saw no other legitimate solution to my quagmire nor did any caring adult or program rescue me or give me alternative solutions or viable options for my dire and sickening situation.

Bottom line: I strongly felt that this damn life gave me no other choices but to continue perfecting my thievishness.

Adding to my sterling reputation as a villainess, I also became a scurrilous liar who crafted a cool-headed countenance and persona. During my innumerable escapades, no one ever suspected that my sweet, innocent Sunday-school demeanor actually harbored malevolence, malfeasance and the intent to grab and stash.

So, with bravado and growing pride, by managing to escape the wrath of arrest and judicial punishment 99.9 percent of the time, this conniving liar and Teflon thief felt immortal and always untouchable.

DECADES LATER …

Life is certainly cyclical. I recently accepted an invitation to tour our local jail. As I walked the

VICIOUS

CYCLE “By managing to escape the wrath of arrest and judicial punishment 99.9 percent of the time, this CONNIVING LIAR & TEFLON THIEF felt immortal and always untouchable.”

perimeter of the facility, I kept remembering my past misdeeds. Needless to say, upon conclusion of that trip, I was an emotional wreck. I haven’t been the same since that day.

WHY?

on that cold, wintry day. Immovable metal bunks were their only furniture. Being beaten by fellow inmates was custom, if not ritual.

Finally, publicly defecating under inmates’ peering and lustful eyes is certainly not for the faint of heart.

MERCY! I THOUGHT I HAD SEEN IT ALL.

For dessert, one female and four male inmates punctuated this trip by giving their personal “scared straight” testimonies. Each would have won Golden Globes and Academy Awards for their riveting and gut-wrenching performances.

Tragically, each prisoner was no more than 19 years old, with sentences ranging from 45 years to, in one case, two life sentences plus 50 years. In streetwise jargon, each told how they evolved from choirboys and girl to gradually being sucked into a life of crime.

Now each will receive outrageous sentences even beyond their comprehension.

These prisoners and I shared commonalities of poverty, neglect, hunger, insufficient nurturing and other environmental factors that caused innocent children to make rash adult decisions which most often resulted in detention centers, jails and eventually, prison.

ASK ME. STARVATION COMPELLED ME TO BECOME A PETTY THIEF!

As I peered into the daily life of prisoners, I stared at searing images of where Andrea Giggetts SHOULD and COULD have been.

Surely, God had His merciful hands upon me!

That day, I witnessed the net result of human carnage. Whether innocent or guilty, I saw hundreds and hundreds of predominantly black males and black females chained, shackled and stuffed like sardines in a can made of stodgy steel doors and impenetrable, nondescript cement walls.

Historically, this scene is reminiscent of our enslaved African ancestors who were chained and driven into the hull of stifling slave ships, where they endured months of suffocating and egregious conditions while being shipped to good ol’ America.

Accompanying the inmates were Correctional Officers Wesley and Rivera. Both were seasoned yet caring veteran professionals whose sole purpose that day was to impress upon the minds and hearts of the invited guests that “crime equals time.”

The most poignant statement made during this two-hour presentation came from Officer Wesley, who quipped, “I need more speakers.”

Translation: Inevitably, the aforementioned youths will be moved to various prisons across Florida. So, upon the departure of these kids/ inmates, he’ll be in “need” of a new crop of delinquent criminals to serve as speakers for future group tours.

WHAT A SCENE OF SHAMEFUL INHUMANITY!

Reflecting, I am convinced that this former thief was able to beat her rap twice only because God pricked the hearts of two guardian angels who, thankfully, both refused to report me to the authorities, thus sparing me from becoming Wesley’s next speaker.

Meanwhile, in the jail, trickled feces, urine, blood and vomit plastered the cell walls like wallpaper. Sane and insane inmates cohabitated. The unappetizing food resembled pigs’ slop. Piss filtered the air like scented candles. A kaleidoscope of vibrant color only existed on the stylish clothing and shoes that I had worn that day. Otherwise, oversized orange jumpsuits were each prisoner’s en vogue accessory.

Clink-and-clank was the only tune that reverberated throughout each cellblock.

Razor-thin blankets warded off the whoosh from arctic air blasting through the pipes

WHAT A HELL OF A STATEMENT!

LIFE IS DEFINITELY CYCLICAL ….

Ironically, I currently serve as a motivational speaker—just not from the bile duct of a jail cell.

Andrea Giggetts mail@folioweekly.com _____________________________________ Giggetts is president and CEO of Giggetts & Associates.

MARCH 22-28, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 63