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.

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.)

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.

Please Passover the Coke.

Apparently, for Passover, observant Jews don't eat certain grain products, including the ubiquitous High Fructose Corn Syrup.

This is a big deal! No Skittles! No Pop-Tarts! No soda?

At least Coca-Cola is trying to ease the burden by producing sugar-based Coke during passover rather than the normal corn-syrup based. Word through the grapevine is the sugar-based soda is so much better, you should try some, even if you're not observing Passover.

Look for bottle with yellow caps, and the OU-P symbol:


[image via off the broiler]

Because sugar makes everything better.

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.

VD and Single, vol. 2.

[Image via the band Sweetheart Attack]

VD and Single, vol. 1.

Ode to the forgotten french fry.

Cheers to you, forgotten french fry.

When the sandwich is gone, and last fry is eaten, you come to the rescue.

Hiding under a piece of lettuce, you appear magically for one last bite.

That last dab of Ketchup-Mayo pink sauce (3 parts K, 2 part M) would go tragically lost without you.

And I, as a foodie, would be tragically lost without you.

Forgotten french fry, I may be in love.

If you are what you eat,

This is me. I am one Happy Penguin.

Uncommon Grounds (San Marco) serves "The Happy Penguin," a Mocha/White Chocolate/Caramel/Whipped Cream beverage of love.

I've talked to a few people who are ho-hum about their coffee (Which I must take their word for, since I gave up the crank some time ago), but the Happy Penguin is a great dessert drink perfect for the punch-you-in-the-face kick-you-in-the-shins type of cold that occurred this morning.

Uncommon Grounds also has a killer swiss cheese bagel, but they were out when I tried to get one for lunch. Damn.

Please enjoy additional search engine returns for the phrase "Happy Penguin."