The Recap.

EatUp Downtown, huge success, some restaurants booked solid, blah blah blah.

What I learned at EatUp Downtown:

Cafe Nola, under new management since 'the chicken incidient' accomodated vegetarian requests, had great service, great food during all three courses, and even good presentation! (Prior I tended to think that the food was good, but presentation left something to be desired)
Tastings had awesome appetizers, awesome entrees, and spectacular wine pairings with each course. Both desserts left somethign to be desired - the cheese was strong, and not very light, and the chocolate cake had a hint of bitter chocolate (in a bad way).
Chew accomodated vegetarian requests, and allowed patrons the choice of either the prix fixe menu or selecting from their standard dinner menu. Once again, the appetizers and entrees were awesome, and the pistachio cake dessert was excellent.

Mmm.... I can't wait until next time.

Eatin' good in the neighborhood.

EatUp Downtown begins today, and while no numbers will be released until after the event's conclusion (sunday), I can only assume it'll be a success.

How on earth can I hypothesize this? How about the fact that Wine Cellar is completely booked Thursday and Friday nights anytime before 9:30?

I am a touch concerned about the vegetarian-friendliness of the event. When asked about getting a veggie entree substitution at Plaza III, the girl on the phone said, "Well, you have the option of a salad."

... If I end up eating two salads and Creme Brulee for $25, I'm going to be very upset.

Alas, there's always Cafe Nola, Chew, and Tastings.

Maybe this Downtown Dining Week should be followed by a Downtown Walk-a-thon. I'm gonna be a fattie by the time this is said and done.

No Jeans for You!

University Clubnow hosts a weekly "Power Happy Hour." Fridays 5-8 p.m., anyone can enjoy the same views and drink specials that members do, and tab out at the end of the evening with cash or credit card.

Even though they're letting in non-members, that doesn't mean they're letting in anyone - remember, they have a strict dress code, so don't dress like a bum!

The Freeloader's Guide Returns!

1: OPAQ @ TSI: Art=I Love Her, She Loves Me. Munchies=free [chew].
2: LRK Architects: Art=hit or miss. Wine=free.
3: Florida Theatre: Art=Petwalk! Dog Food=free.
4: TTV Architects: Art=meh. Wine=free [crap].
5: Starbucks @ 11E: Art=unknown[employee]. Freebies="Heavy sampling." Does this sound a little too much like 'Heavy Petting' to anyone else?
6: Jacksonville Bank: Art=solid. Wine=free. Music=DJ Catharsis/PC Synergy.
7: Gold's Gym: Smoothie=free. Massage=free. Gymnasium smell=free.
8: BellSouth Tower: Art=hit or miss. Munchies=free.
9: Café 331: Art=unknown [canvas and prints]. Wine=unconfirmed. Munchies=free.
10: WA Knight Building: Art=The Color of Munny. Beverages=keg?
11: Chew: Food=new dinner menu [pay]. Music=The Carlisle Group.
12: Hemming Plaza: Art=both the best and the worst. Entertainment=hit or miss [drum circle, bellydancing].
13: MOCA Jacksonville: Art=good. Full bar=cash.
14: Shelby’s Coffee Shop: Art=unknown [local]. Beverages=free. Munchies=free.
15: Needless Things: Art=unknown [glass, ceramics, canvas]. Wine=free.
16: Laura Street Gallery: Art=meh. Wine=free. Munchies=free.
17: Shugar Shack Chocolatier: Wine=free. Munchies=free [chocopop].
18: The Art Center: Art=hit or miss. Wine=free. Munchies=free.
19: Burrito Gallery: Art=good. Beverage=pay. Music=Julius Airwave.
20: London Bridge Eatery & Pub: Art=good. Beer=free w/flyer. Entertainment=live music.


Download the official Artwalk Flyer from Downtown Vision. [DVI]

Todoist: Eat Your Heart Out. (That is, if you had a heart)

DVI is hosting a Downtown Dining Week August 20-26 called EatUp Downtown. For $25, you get a three-course meal at any of the participating restaurants (wine, tip, etc not included).

There looks to be an even share of Northbank and Southbank restaurants, and and a wide variety of cuisines (I love how Hooters is listed directly underneath Chew)

(Word through the grapevine is Cellar Grill is/has closed. Unconfirmed.)

Walk this way.

DVI hasn't yet released the list of events for the August Artwalk, but it looks like they have given ye olde walking man a makeover.



Think those foot prints look like sneaker marks, or stilettos?

Todoist: Fuck it, nothing's competing with the Film Fest.

Thur-Sun: Visit Jax film Festival's site for schedules of film viewings and parties.

Grey Goose Gala is Saturday @ The former Haydon-Burns Library.
Black and White Gala is Friday @ The Grotto.
The Talkies with John Waters is Saturday @ San Marco Theatre!
There's too much else to list it all.

(Read: I'm too lazy to list it all. See you out and about.)

Safety Alert: The Bad Touch.

When you live and work in the urban core, some things are inevitable. Breaking a heel in a storm grate, running into your ex when you look like shit, and unpleasant encounters with disturbed individuals.

There appears to be a pervert hanging around the Southbank recently.

Last week, a female friend of mine was walking through the bus/skyway station at Kings Ave, and passed by a man, ahem, servicing himself. She logically quickened her pace and avoided eye contact, when he started to follow after her yelling obscenities. She then ran into her her office building.

She described the man as, "African American, probably in his mid 30’s with short curly hair. He was wearing baggy jeans with boxers showing. Due to the circumstances, I did not get a good description other than to say that he looked a little 'rough'."

Last night, a female employee from a neighboring office was approached by man with a similar description as she entered her car (parked at the Wyndam).

While on a smoke break at the Wyndam, another woman saw a man matching the description doing the same sort of thing at the bus station.

JSO has been contacted regarding the events, and will continue to step up patrol in the area. They have asked that if you see any suspicious activity, to please call them immediately. The telephone number is 630-0500. Report what you saw and it will appear on the screen of the nearest police officer.

Todoist: Beer before art, always smart. Liquor before golf, never fault.

Thur: Baseball's never been drunker with Thirsty Thursdays! Jax Suns host Birmingham. Tix run $6-$30, dollar beers all night. Game starts @ 7:05.
Fri: The Players comes to the Landing with interactive golf challenges and live music. The Players Downtown Experience @ 4, Fireworks @10.
Fri: OPAQ hosts a one-night-only art show to benefit the Jax Humane Society. Cheap art, great cause. Reception @ 8-11.
Sat: 9th and Liberty opens the Digital to Physical show: The concept of the show was to find artists online from all over and to assemble them together in a physical space. From digital to physical. It’s like online dating, but not really? Reception @ 6-10.
Sun: Jacksonville Asian American Alliance hosts a pre-JFF screening of Hero @ San Marco Theatre. $10 cover includes box lunch. Lunch @ 1, Movie @ 2.

Let me tell you about the boat show.

Artwalk Rundown: You can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her think.

Plaza III Steakhouse: Art=historic photos. Munchies=1/2 price. Beverages=1/2 price.
OPAQ @ TSI: Art=contemporary. Munchies=free [chew?].
LRK Architects: Art=hit or miss. Wine=free.
Florida Theatre: Beverages=cash. Entertainment=Film Fest preview.
TTV Architects: Art=meh. Wine=free [crap].
11E: Art=hit or miss. Wine=free [crap].
Koja Sushi: Sake=free [first one].
AmSouth Bank: Art=unknown [bowls]. Wine=free.
Jacksonville Bank Building: Art=good. Wine=free. Entertainment=music [PC Synergy].
Gold's Gym: Smoothie=free. Massage=free. Gymnasium smell=free.
BellSouth Tower: Art=hit or miss. Munchies=free.
Café 331: Art=unknown [photography]. Wine=free. Munchies=free.
WA Knight Building: Art=excellent. Beverages=hit or miss.
Chew: Art=none. Food=awesome [pay]. Entertainment=music [3rd bass].
Bryan Building: Art= hit or miss. Wine=none. Entertainment=model drawing and painting, spoken word, music.
Hemming Plaza: Art=both the best and the worst. Entertainment=hit or miss [drum circle, bellydancing, live music].
MOCA Jacksonville: Art=good. Wine=none.
Shelby’s Coffee Shop: Art=unknown [photography]. Beverages=free. Munchies=free.
Needless Things: Art=unknown [glass, ceramics, canvas]. Wine=free.
Laura Street Gallery: Art=unknown [brand spankin' new].
Shugar Shack Chocolatier: Wine=free. Munchies=free [chocopop].
The Art Center: Art=meh. Munchies=free. Entertainment=live music.
Burrito Gallery: Art=good. Beverage=pay. Entertainment= music.
London Bridge Eatery & Pub: Art=good. Beer=ladies' night. Entertainment= live music.

Download the Artwalk Passport from Downtown Vision. [DVI]

Clusterfuckery. Also known as street closings.

The Water/Hogan Street area near the Landing will be closed all weekend (Thur, 5.3.07 @ 8 a.m. through Tues, 5.8.07 @ 6 p.m.) for the Sail Jacksonville event.

One day I will learn to stop taking Water and rely on Forsyth exclusively. Unfortunately, old habits die hard.

Info via [DVI]

Cafe: Nola quick service for you!

Always excited to give a Downtown eatery a second chance, today I tried Cafe Nola in MOCA. My first experience was awful, but they've since changed management (Nola is now run by MOCA, not Chives), so I decided to let bygones be bygones, and give them another shot.

The food is pretty good. The warm rolls brought out were divine, but the fruity butter that accompanied them was overwhelming. Really great bread doesn't need a lot of flavor piled on top, and the fruit distracted from the warm doughy-ness.

My grilled asparagus and goat cheese salad was similar. Perfectly cooked asparagus and yummy goat cheese was matched with an under-whelming blueberry vinaigrette.

Unfortunately, I didn't get finish my salad, as once again, it took nearly an hour to be served, and work beckoned. I took my check and more than half of my meal to-go.

It wasn't a bad meal by any stretch of the imagination. The setting is lovely, and the food was alright (although $10 for an okay salad does pinch).

However, I cannot possibly imagine ever recommending Cafe Nola as a lunch spot for anyone who actually takes a lunch hour. This restaurant is exclusively for business owners and people with days off during the week.

New favorite place to eat the week before payday: Big Pete's.

Walking around Downtown last weekend in an effort to lead a healthier lifestyle (read: fit into pants I've recently out-grown), an interesting awning caught my eye: "2 slices & drink $2.97."

Holy crap!

Today, catalyzed by a sad checking account and 7 days until payday, I decided to check out Big Pete's Pizzeria on Julia. Before entering, I basically decided this was about to be the most awesome or the most gut-wrenching lunch I've ever had.

Well, second most gut-wrenching. I don't think anything could top that day somebody accidentally fed me chicken. (shudder)

I digress.

A couple co-workers and I chipped in a whopping $2.50 each for a large cheese pizza. Surprisingly, it was not bad!

Greasy? yes.
Doughy? yes.
Hot? yes.
Better than frozen pizza? depends on the brand.

So, will Big Pete's de-throne Al's as the best pie in town? Nope. Will they help me fit back into my "thin" pants? Hell no.

Will Big Pete's fill an empty stomach for the mere cost of digging through the change collected at the bottom of your purse?

Hells yes.

What a Tool.

Progressive rock band Tool will grace Jacksonville with a stop on their Summer 2007 tour with a stop at the Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday, June 2.

The band is touring in support of their most recent release, 10,000 Days, which has already sold 1.4+ million copies.

Tickets are available via TicketBastard, but all floor tickets have already sold out, so unless you want to get stuck in assigned seating, it's on to Craigslist.

This will be Tool's first stop in Florida in 5 years. Attendees from the Lateralus tour described it as a religious-like experience.

Nine Inch Nails last year, and Tool this year? Congrats, Jax, this little city is drawing some big names.

Todoist: Benefit some charities, then mooch food off the land developer.

Thur: Thursday Night Drinking Club grunges it at Shantytown in Springfield. $5 donation benefits the Speech and Hearing Center of Jacksonville. One free PBR (Ohh, how hipster! How Ironic!) and $2 Yuenglings all night. 7 p.m. until last man standing.
Thur: Flux Productions hosts PB&J (Party, Benefit and Jam) with a handful of local performers. All proceeds benefit Jax Hubbard House. Ragland's in Five Points @ 8:30.
Fri: 300 opens at San Marco Theatre. I was actually worried I'd have to venture all the way to the Petri Dish Southside to see it.
Fri: El Topo, "The Definitive Cult Spaghetti Western" shows as the midnight movie at San Marco Theatre. Shows midnight-ish.
Sat: The Shipyards hosts a model opening shindig with refreshments and live music. Check out the model home, and dream of marrying up so you can afford to live there. The Shipyards @ 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

District Branding, the musical!

Two weeks ago, AIGA Jax hosted The District Branding Event with Bennett Peji to a full capacity crowd at Burrito Gallery.

For those who missed the event, Photos and Podcast are now available.

Todoist: Beware the Ides of March. Nah, beware drunk kiddies two days after.

Thur: AIGA Jax hosts Cocktails and Creatives at Fionn McCool's Irish Pub. After work until last man standing. [AIGA] | [MCL]
Fri: Some bull named Martin is having a birthday shindig at Burrito Gallery. Expect the usual suspects. [BG]
Sat: Amatuer Night Saint Patty's Day is held throughout the city and beaches. The beaches are always a clusterfuck, so I suggest a little Burrito Gallery/London Bridge/Bay Street action. [BG] | [LB] | [TSI]

Have your city, and eat it, too!

[click image to enlarge]

Jacksonville Skyline cake from last night's District Branding Event. Note the Haydon-Burns Library, Main Street Bridge, and Modis Building.

Best Artwalk Ever?

With a Farmer's Almanac and a lucky 4-leaf clover, you couldn't pick a more perfect day for an Artwalk. If you have the ability to leave work early and sit outside today, I strongly suggest.

See everyone tonight!