Foodie Fete

Food for thought

What do you get when you gather two dozen of the city’s top restaurants in one place? Well, on the evening of March 2, the result was more than 800 guests joining two-time Super Bowl-winning Head Coach Tom Coughlin at Venue 841 on the Downtown Jacksonville Riverfront for the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Wine Tasting Gala. Among the restaurants serving delish eats to hungry patrons were TacoLu, Coop 303, Eleven South Bistro, The Fish Company, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, Mojo No. 4, Salt Life Food Shack, and The Bearded Pig. In addition, hundreds of top label wines were poured, allowing tasters to travel the globe one glass at a time. More than $330,000 was raised to benefit the foundation, which provides financial, emotional and practical support for families tackling childhood cancer. u

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JJ’s Bistro de Paris

With delicious French food, a handpainted French mural, and a replica of the Eiffel Tower, customers feel as if they are relaxing at a bistro in Paris. With a separate, yet just as talented pastry chef, you will find yourself indulging in the finest French desserts and pastries such as eclairs and fruit tarts. This one-of-a-kind restaurant offers the best of France in food, wine, and desserts. 7643 Gate Pkwy., Jacksonville (996-7557; jjbistro.com/gateparkway). L, D, $$$.

JJ’s Liberty Bistro

Open since 1994, JJ’s Liberty Bistro is a familyrun establishment offering one of the largest selections of wine in Jacksonville. The restaurant hosts frequent wine dinners featuring some of the largest wine producers around the world, including Chateau L’Angelus, Veuve Clicquot, and Plumpjack. You’ll find hundreds of different bottles in the retail store, as well as the finest cheeses, caviars, and homemade desserts. Stop by the ice cream and chocolate/macaron shop located just next door. 330 A1A N., Suite 209, Ponte Vedra (2737980; jjbistro.com/ponte-vedra). L, D, $$$.

Le Petit Paris Café

A little slice of France in the River City, the chef-owned establishment specializes in toasted croissants, quiches and baguette sandwiches. Le Parisien is a classic French hand-held with ham, Swiss and salted butter. The Le Flore salad is a must-try with smoked salmon, tzatiziki cream, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, dill and mixed greens. Sweets include fresh pastries, macaron and pound cakes. Don’t overlook the espresso or cappuccino. Market offers imported foods, condiments and beverages. Pet-friendly patio. 9965 San Jose Blvd., Suite 46, San Jose (512-7777, lepetitparisjax.com). B, L, $.

M Shack

Specializing in burgers made from hormone-free, freshly ground beef, M Shack has been voted best “Gourmet Burger” in our Best In Jax issue. Their menu also includes burger joint favorites such as all-beef hot dogs, fries, sweet potato tots, and handspun shakes. St. Johns Town Center (642-5000; mshackburgers.com); Nocatee (395-3575). L, D, $.

Matthew’s Restaurant

A fine-dining experience in historic San Marco. The menu is comprised of French and Mediterranean dishes crafted by Chef Alex Yim and also possesses a vast wine selection. Menu items include venison carpaccio, Maine diver scallops, and Osetra caviar. 2107 Hendricks Ave., San Marco (396-9922; matthewsrestaurant.com). D, $$$$.

Restaurant Medure

This restaurant features high-end favorites like escargot and caviar, while also making room for classics like meatloaf. Their menu features global cuisine with a local influence, ranging from handcrafted pasta to duck leg confit poutine. 818 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach (5433797; restaurantmedure.com). D, $$$.

Mellow Mushroom

With more than 200 locations around the country, Mellow Mushroom has garnered a loyal following for its stone-baked pizza flavor combinations and for offering up craft beer, premium imports and local favorites. Whether you’re looking for a local brew like the Aardwolf Nonchalant or the Ancient City Augustine’s Orange Amber Ale or prefer to branch out to other areas of the good ol’ USA, this pizza palace has a beer to fit everyone’s taste. Menu features baked chicken wings, spinach artichoke dip and a dozen house speciality pizzas. Multiple area locations: Avondale, Fleming Island, Southside, River City, Jacksonville Beach (mellowmushroom.com). L, D, $$.

Mezza Luna Ristorante

Mezza Luna’s menu focuses on seafood and Italian dishes. Located in the heart of the Beaches Town Center, this long-time neighborhood favorite offers seating on their covered patio, formal dining room, and lounge that often hosts live music. 110 1st St., Neptune Beach (249-5573; mezzalunajax.com). D, $$$.

Midtown Table

A culinary concept from the Medure Brothers, this Gate Parkway eatery specializes in all-things Italian. That means appetizers run the gamut from seasonal burrata to meatballs with housemade bread. Entrées include fresh pastas, Neapolitan pizza, and heartier fare (like pork marsala and salt-baked zucchini). 5016 Gate Pkwy., Jacksonville (503.4122; midtowntable.medurebrothers. com). L, D, $$.

Mojo Bar-B-Que

This regional chain showcases Southern barbecue styles like Texas and North Carolina, including everything from burnt ends to pulled pork. Their restaurants celebrate blues, with their Avondale location boasting one of the city’s most expansive whiskey selections and their Jacksonville Beach location featuring live music. 1607 University Blvd. W., Lakewood (732-7200, mojobbq.com); 1500 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (247-6636); 1810 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island (264-0636); 3572 St. Johns Ave., Avondale (381-6670); 5 Cordova St., St. Augustine (342-5264). L, D, $$.

Nineteen

Located inside the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass, this fine-dining restaurant matches the high quality you would expect for a place that hosts The Players Championship. The menu is dominated by seafood and local fare, like lime pepper-crusted tuna and ribeye steak. The broad back patio overlooks the golf course. Sawgrass Clubhouse, Ponte Vedra Beach (273-3238; tpcsawgrass.com). B, L, D, $$.

Ocean 60

Ocean 60 provides upscale seafood dining just yards from the ocean. The Beaches mainstay is known for their award-winning cocktails served in the Martini Room, which offers a relaxed atmosphere and live music. 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach (247-0060; ocean60.com). D, $$$$.

O-Ku Sushi

O-Ku offers upscale Japanese cuisine, a rooftop bar and patio and seafood from fish markets in Tokyo, Hawaii and here locally. Check out the chef specialties and small plates like tuna crudo, Agedashi tofu and O-Ku rock shrimp or just go straight for the rolls including Neptune’s Beard (shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy tuna, salmon, spicy aioli, sweet soy, chive) and the Firecracker (crispy panko fried roll with spicy salmon, avocado, cucumber, goat cheese mousse, sweet soy). 502 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach (694-2770, o-kusushi.com). D, $$$.

Restaurant Orsay

An upscale French bistro with local, Southern flavor, meals at Restaurant Orsay are the epitome of a high-end dining experience. The chef-owned restaurant offers an extensive drink selection and some of the best oysters in the city, having won Best in Jax multiple times. 3630 Park St., Avondale (381-0909; restaurantorsay.com). D, SB, $$$$.

Peony Asian Bistro

Known for their modern interpretations of classic Chinese dishes, their strip mall location belies the quality of their Cantonese-style plates and inviting atmosphere. Peony offers dine-in, takeout, and