Outdated-earth architecture and attraction draw guests to St. Augustine — and there is a lot to see and do in this historic town on Florida’s northeast Atlantic Coast.
But a key motive individuals retain coming back again is the foodstuff, according to Jeff McNally, operator of the Floridian Restaurant with his spouse, Genie Kepner, who is also the chef.
St. Augustine garnered accolades from Southern Residing magazine as the major “Foodie City” in the South in 2019.
McNally explained the Floridian — an airy, informal restaurant in the historic portion — was the 1st in the metropolis to popularize farm-to-table delicacies. “These times we have plenty of organization,” he advised me on a new cafe tour.
Southern ease and comfort food continues to be a staple, but with a fresh new spin. The Floridian, for instance, serves fried eco-friendly tomatoes on a mattress of fresh new spinach with a basil aioli dipping sauce. Seafood, particularly shrimp, is generally an superb choice, of course.
Here is a sampling of places to eat I visited on a current prevent in St. Augustine:
• The Floridian. Tucked into a aspect avenue in the touristy historic district, the cafe provides imaginative Southern dishes as well as vegetarian and gluten-totally free solutions. Try out the pickled pepper shrimp or the beet salad, with a preference of blackened protein. A popular rice entree with shrimp and sausage is seasoned with neighborhood datil pepper sauce.
• Neglected Tonic. Eclectic artwork and craft cocktails welcome diners to this neighborhood gem in the historic district. Start off with a craft cocktail like Elevating Cane, mixed with locally produced vodka and elderberry liqueur. Restaurateur Jeff Moore stated the restaurant dries its have fruits and shrubs for cocktails. Creative modest plates contain lima bean hummus and Cajun egg rolls with blackened hen and black beans.
• Aunt Kate’s. Positioned on the Tolomoto River north of downtown, this is the area to dine on the dock and view the sunset, although nibbling fried alligator tails dipped in a creamy orange sauce or the Pilau of the Day, a conventional Menorcan rice dish with datil pepper and other spices. The key study course need to be regional seafood — the cafe is regarded for its shrimp, served fried, grilled, broiled or blackened. The Ursina loved ones, which has owned this everyday restaurant for far more than 100 many years, also operates the Reef cafe, a a lot more upscale restaurant with Atlantic Ocean sights.
• Ancient Metropolis Brunch Bar. This beginner in the aged city is a deal with for breakfast or lunch. Carry buddies to share a sumptuous brunch board that visitors produce from just-baked blueberry scones as properly as fresh new fruits, egg dishes and sandwiches. Superior espresso choices, too. The concept for this modern brunch bar resulted from an entrepreneurial course that Melissa Schroeder’s twin daughters took in significant faculty. Now Schroeder, her husband and two other kids share duties operating the quaint cafe.
Website visitors who like to depart eating alternatives to a neighborhood food specialist should really take into consideration having a tasting tour from the St. Augustine Experiences or the Tasting Excursions. Most consist of an insightful metropolis history tour as perfectly as luxurious food items.