Breath of Fresh Air

10 Jax destinations for pleasing rooftop or patio dining

BY JEFFREY SPEAR

The history of rooftop entertaining began in the late 1880s at the Casino Theater in New York. Ever since, rooftops have become some of the most sought-after real estate for outdoor gatherings. In Jacksonville, useable rooftops and outdoor patios have been increasing in number, allowing pleasure seekers to enjoy after-work cocktails, quiet dinners and raucous parties under bright sunny skies, glorious sunsets and starry nights.

In Riverside, there are two distinctly different destinations of note, Blue Orchid Riverside and Burrito Gallery-Brooklyn Station. Blue Orchid, known for deliciously authentic Thai cuisine and exquisite cocktails, offers an outdoor garden patio setting with a delightful view of Memorial Park. Just up the road on Burrito Gallery’s rooftop deck, diners can order burritos (of course), tacos, cold draughts and more with views of Downtown Jax and glimpses of the St. Johns River.

Heading eastward into the Town Center, Prati Italia and Midtown Table offer chef-inspired Italian cuisine while RH Jacksonville presents an upscale rooftop hideaway. Prati Italia, led by chef Tom Gray, features Roman-style pizzas and house made pastas, all served on two levels of a just-renovated outdoor patio space. Alternatively, Midtown Table, run by the Medure brothers (Matthew and David), serves hand-crafted breads, pastas, pizzas and more on its spacious back patio, complete with yard games and fire pits. RH Jacksonville distinguishes itself with a more formal patio and garden. With a selection of classic American fare on their menu and a substantial wine list, the experience is elegant and enjoyable.

There are several gathering spaces out in our Beaches communities that should be on your must-visit list. Starting in Atlantic Beach is Coop 303. Enjoy Southern inspired dishes, along with creatively conceived cocktails while watching the parade of beachgoers from outdoor patios on two floors. Across the street, and a stone’s throw to the sand, is Southern Grounds. A great place for coffee, a casual meal or happy hour on your way to or from the beach. Their spacious, palm lined patio offers a relaxing atmosphere to meet with friends, any time throughout the day.

Heading southward into the heart of Jacksonville Beach, you’ll find the Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina and O-Ku Jax Beach. Established in 1925 as a beachfront hotel, Casa Marina is an alluring historical landmark at the ocean’s edge. With its rooftop deck overlooking the sand and surf, visitors enjoy cocktails, casual dining and a spectacular view. In contrast, O-Ku provides a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese cuisine. Located directly across the street from the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier, O-Ku’s second story patio provides a unique vantage point to enjoy this lively beachfront setting u delivery. A must order is the peking duck. 10586 Old St. Augustine Rd., Mandarin (268-3889). L, D, $$.

Philly’s Finest

When you call yourself Philly’s Finest, you better bring the Cheesesteak magic. For the love of Pat’s and Geno’s, they’ve been doing just that for two decades at the Jax Beach sandwich institution. American, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses, sautéed onions, mushrooms, pickles, sweet peppers, black olives, Cheese Whiz—each order can be customized to one’s liking for about $15. Order a side of the Old Bay fries, too. 1527 3rd St. N., Jacksonville Beach (241-7188, phillys-finest.com). L, D, $$.

Poe’s Tavern

Located at the end of Atlantic Blvd. in the heart of the Beaches lies a gourmet burger joint where you can experience an ample beer selection and the cool breeze of the ocean from their outside seating area. Each menu item is named after one of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous stories, including the Tell-Tale Heart, a half-pound bacon and cheddar burger topped off with a fried egg. 363 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (241-7637; poestavern.com). L,D, $.

Ragtime Tavern

Open for more than 20 years, Ragtime is Northeast Florida’s oldest microbrewery. The menu is loaded with items like shrimp bruschetta, Louisiana crawfish and sautéed mussels. Try the bistro filet and crab-stuffed shrimp, Cajun fettuccine or the sesame tuna. 207 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (241-7877; ragtimetavern.com). L, D, SB, $$.

The Raintree

Located in historic St. Augustine inside a Victorian house, complete with a fireplace and koi pond, The Raintree offers upscale dining with an eclectic menu comprising American, Mediterranean, and Asian dishes. Don’t miss the decadent dessert bar with madeto-order crepes, adult ice cream cocktails, cookies and cake. 102 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine (824-7211; raintreerestaurant.com). D, SB, $$$.

River

& Post

Rooftop bars are popping up all over Northeast Florida. Arguably one of the best can be enjoyed at River & Post. The restaurant specializes in upscale American fare—seared hanger steak, shrimp and grits, grilled salmon almondine. Small plates, charcuterie, sushi rolls and flatbreads are available on the rooftop. 1000 Riverside Ave., Riverside (575-2366; riverandpostjax. com). L, D, SB, $$$.

RP’s Fine Food & Drink

RP’s serves local fish and fresh produce inside a casual beach setting. The menu features items such as conch fritters, a crab cake BLT, and Shrimp 308—sautéed local shrimp doused in spicy cajun butter over rice with hushpuppies. 1183 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach (853-5094; rpsjaxbeach.com). B, L, D, SB, $$.

Rue Saint-Marc

Led by executive chef Scott Alters, Rue Saint-Marc strikes a balance between sophistication and comfort by serving decadent menu items like halibut meunière while maintaining exceptional service and a quaint atmosphere, all just steps from the heart of San Marco Square. 2103 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (619-0861; ruesaintmarc.com). B, L, D, SB, $$.

Safe Harbor Seafood

Fresh, locally caught seafood is the calling card for Safe Harbor. That’s not surprising, as customers can practically see the shrimp boats of Mayport from the restaurant’s front door. It’s easy to see why hungry diners have been drifting here for years. Sure, the menu is laden with clams, oysters, crab cakes and other seafood standards, but sometimes a basket of fried shrimp,

Two For One

Restaurateurs Sam and Kiley Efron have long had aspirations of opening another dining spot to complement their favored San Marco Square establishment Taverna. As luck would have it, the couple didn’t need to travel far to find the ideal spot. Their new Taverna Oceana, which debuted the first week of May, is located right next door and is even connected via a passageway to the original eatery. As the name implies, the fare served at Oceana drips with seafood. “The menu will be rooted in classics but will have modern touches that keep everyone excited, also allowing our team to play with global flavors like Asian and Latin-inspired dishes,” says Sam. Highlights of dishes offered at the raw bar include the Oceana Tower, a vertically stacked melange of oysters, cocktail shrimp, ceviche and chilled lobster, and the Ceviche Toastada of shrimp, scallops and fish with cilantro, lime, avocado, cucumber and jalapeño over a corn tortilla. For main courses, diners are tempted with lobster thermidor in cognac cream sauce, mizo-glazed sea bass, steaks and house-made pasta, something Taverna has been serving for some 20 years.The decided upscale interior is finished with coastal-inspired elements such as hand-painted oyster shell-patterned wallpaper, pearlesque lighting fixtures, and large-format photograph by local lensman Thomas Hager. The exposed oyster and champagne bar will no doubt be a magnet for diners, especially those looking for a shucking demonstration while they eat. u slaw, fries and hush puppies is a little slice of heaven. 4378 Ocean St., Mayport (246 4911, safeharbor-seafood.com).

Salt Life Food Shack

“Salt Life” is a ubiquitous phrase in Northeast Florida, and for many represents a lifestyle of relaxing fun and, above all, love for our adjacent ocean. This restaurant channels that vibe in a dining experience and seafood-heavy menu designed to appeal to all locals and beach-lovers who enter, ranging from tuna poke bowls to Boca-style grouper. 1018 3rd St. N., Jacksonville Beach (372-4456; saltlifefoodshack. com); 321 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. L, D, $$.

Sliders Oyster Bar

With its open-air bar and broad covered patio, Sliders oozes beaches vibes and charm. A sister restaurant of Safe Harbor Seafood, diners rest assured the fish, shrimp, and shellfish are going to be the freshest around. The raw bar serves all the seafood staples like steamed clams, peel and eat shrimp and oysters on the half-shell. The oysters Rockefeller is baked with spinach, parmesan, provolone and breadcrumbs. The oysters “Godzilla” are served raw with seaweed salad, cucumber wasabi and the house “pirate” sauce. 218 1st St., Neptune Beach (246-0881, slidersoysterbar.com). L, D, $$.

TacoLu

In a style described as Baja Mexicana, this uber popular restaurant serves nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and about any kind of taco you desire, with fish tacos being their specialty. TacoLu fulfills their niche well, and it’s what earned them the designation of “Best Tacos” in the city in our Best In Jax reader’s poll. Oh, and they have over 100 types of tequila and mezcal. 1712 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (249-TACO; tacolu.com). L, D, SB, $.

Taqueria Cinco

Located in funky Five Points, this restaurant focuses on providing top-notch hospitality while serving authentic Mexican eats. If you come on a Friday or Saturday, be sure to try their Al Pastor. Happy hour food and drink specials available Mon.-Fri. from 3-6:30. Closed Sundays. 809 Lomax St., Riverside (312-9113; taqueria5points.com). L, D, $$.

Taverna

Taverna offers authentic Italian dishes with a modern twist. Its focused menu brings out the best in Mediterranean flavors, producing dishes like antipasto and orecchiette. All of their pasta and mozzarella are house-made, and the pizzas are cooked in a wood oven at the back of the dining room. 1986 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (398-3005; taverna.restaurant). L, D, SB, $$.