Pizza the Best in the City and ﬂ Ocking to the Loop in Droves

JACKSONVILLE

delicious dining. free weekly guide to entertainment and more | august 16 - 22, 2007 | www.eujacksonville.com 2 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper table of contents

Pull the EU Fall Dining Guide out from the middle of this issue! Read it, keep it and take it with you to reference. Go to eujacksonville.com for more in-depth reviews and even more restaurants. If that isn’t enough, check out the “dish” section every week, starting in this issue! movies Movies in Theaters this Week ...... PAGES 6-8 Arctic Tale (movie review) ...... PAGE 6 Superbad (movie review)...... PAGE 7 Bratz (movie review) ...... PAGE 8 dish Downtown Dining ...... PAGE 10 Ice Cream Parlors...... PAGE 11 Desserts ...... PAGES 12-14 Dining with Kids ...... PAGE 13 music Music Calendar ...... PAGES 15-18 Evergreen Terrace (interview/review) ...... PAGE 15 The Legendary JCs (interview) ...... PAGE 16 Dex Romweber (interview) ...... PAGE 17 arts / theatre / on stage Oh Say Can You See exhibit (Cummer Gallery) ...... PAGE 18 Arts Calendar ...... PAGES 18 columns and stuff NASCAR News & Notes ...... PAGE 19

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 3 thisweek AGAINST ME!

friday AUGUST 17

Elekibass Elekibass is a Tokyo-based indie-pop band that’s been touring pretty much non stop since 2001. Their irresistibly catching tunes have hooked fans of bands like Elf Power and Of Montreal (who, incidentally, the band has toured with three times over the years). After a highly successful performance at this year’s Athens Popfest, Elekibass makes their way to Jax with Casper and the Cookies and The Jaguar Club. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Tickets: $7 TSI- 9 pm Info: (904) 424-3531 thursday AUGUST 16

The Birthday Massacre Yes, Canada has Goths too. The Birthday Massacre, a six-piece out of Toronto, will brave the Florida heat (and sun) to play at Jack Rabbits with The Start. The band uses imagery, sound, fashion and saturday AUGUST 18 performance to create a unique experience for audiences. Sounds like fun. Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 day of show Jack Rabbits- 8 pm Info: (904) 398-7496 Against Me! A decade ago, Tom Gabel began his music career as a 17-year- ELEKIBASS Rick Marino, tribute to Elvis, 30th Anniversary of old solo acoustic act known as Against Me!, belting out songs of rebellion in Laundromats and any other venue that would have him. his passing Dance Gavin Dance Today Against Me! is an increasingly popular four-piece that has Dance Gavin Dance is a six-member band from Sacramento, If you happen to know an Elvis fan, this is where you need to take toured all over the world, gaining a legion of fans. What a difference California that formed in the fall of 2005. They create a sound them next Thursday. Rick Marino, an internationally acclaimed a decade makes! Check them out this weekend with The Gaslight that is very diffi cult to classify, mixing elements of various Elvis tribute artist, will be at The Tree Steak House in Mandarin to Anthem and Two Gallants. Tickets: $12 advance/ $15 day of show genres including hardcore, indie, jazz and alternative rock. The perform an unforgettable tribute to the King of Rock ‘n Roll. The Freebird Live- 8 pm Info: (904) 246-BIRD evening includes a terrifi c show, a phenomenal meal with your group makes a stop in Jacksonville to promote their new album, choice of two entrees, and one bottle of Sterling Vineyard wine Downtown Battle Mountain, and is bringing A Skylit Drive, th per couple. Tickets: $85 The Tree Steak House, Mandarin- Two LoveHateHero, Blinded Black, Pierce the Vail and more with Murray Hill 12 Anniversary Show dinner shows: 5 pm and 8 pm Info: 262-0006 (reservations them. Thee Imperial- 6 pm Info: (904) 475-0488 Come celebrate the birthday of the best place in town to hear required) good music and not get drunk! Bands wishing the Murray Hill Theatre well include Showbread, Woodale, The Sophomore AUGUST 17 - 18 Attempt, Matlock, Red Letter Bullet, Parade the City, A Denver Mile, Wherefore, Boys of Summer, Exchanged, Amplify, Man Apart, Darryl Reuben Hall’s “Frat House” Soapbox Havoc, Commonplace, and many more. Celebrating the richness of African-American college life and Tickets: $8 Murray Hill Theatre- 12:30 pm Info: (904) 388-7807 traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, this raucous of a comedy explores the bond between brothers- The Golden Isles Miracle Ride their joys, triumphs, pain, and sorrow all under one roof- Frat Bikers may be scary on TV, but we all know that the truth is these House. Witness ‘step’ like guys are just a lovable bunch of teddy bears. never before in the fi nal The proof? Check out the latest in a slew of showdown between the men charity rides they participate in regularly. The and the boys. Written by Golden Isles Miracle Ride is a 50-mile, police- Jacksonville’s own Darryl escorted motorcycle ride through Glynn County, Reuben Hall, Frat House is GA to benefi t the Children’s Miracle Network. guaranteed to make you The ride kicks off at 10 am, with registration THE IMPEDIMENTS laugh on a rollercoaster ride beginning at 8:30 am. Registration costs $20 of emotions. Two nights only! per bike and $5 per additional passenger. The Tickets: $25 Adults/$15 ride will begin at The Strike Zone bowling alley The Impediments Seniors Florida Theatre- 8 Punk rockers from Lafayette, Colorado playing original music. off exit 38 on I-95 in Brunswick. Be sure to pm Info: (904) 355-2787 The Listening Room at European Street Info: (904) 399-1740 stick around after the ride for food, music and a silent auction. Info: (904) 202-2760

4 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers destination. From sushi to fi let It’s almost that time again, folks! Football season is just a few mignon, participating restaurants short weeks away. What better way to gear up for the Jaguars’ fi ght provide a specially selected (prix toward Super Bowl glory (yes, we have high hopes for our boys fi xe) 3-course dinner menu for this year) than attending this preseason game between the Jags and $25. There are no coupons to clip the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Sure, it technically doesn’t count, but or tickets to buy, simply log on it’s still a whole lot of fun! to EatUpDowntown.com, select a Tickets: Single game- $42 to $95/Season- $360 to $930 (includes restaurant and call the restaurant for 10 games) Jacksonville Municipal Stadium- 7:30 pm reservations. Try a new restaurant or visit an old Info: (904) 633-2000 favorite and Eat Up Downtown! Read more about it next thursday AUGUST 18 - 19 on page 10. Valley Trash Art Festival AUGUST 23 It’s rare that you see the word “trash” in the name of any event in KORBY LENKER Ponte Vedra Beach, which is one reason why the Valley Trash Art tuesday AUGUST 20 Festival is appealing. Another, much better reason is that this two- Korby Lenker An award-winning day festival will feature a number of terrifi c local artists representing Rocco Deluca & the Burden songwriter (he took fi rst a wide spectrum of mediums including pottery, tiki carvings, Hey, look, its Jack Bauer’s former pet project! While it’s true place this year at the jewelry, blown glass, and paintings. Guests will also enjoy live that Kiefer Sutherland used to be Rocco DeLuca and the prestigious Chris music from Fresh Catch, Journ from Galvanized Caterpillar, Crotch Burden’s tour manager and promoter, the TV megastar has Austin songwriting Patrol, and guest appearance by Marky D. parted ways with the band and the four-piece alt-rock outfi t contest at Merlfest, for 123 Roscoe Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach- 10 am until dark is still going strong. With a very listenable mix of blues, jazz, which he got to open for Info: (904) 626-3493 rock and folk, the band is well worth a listen, even without a Elvis Costello), famous face telling you to do so. The Last Goodbye and The Korby Lenker has a Midway State will also perform. lilting, soulful voice, Tickets: $12 advance/ $15 day of show AUGUST 19 described by the Seattle sunday Jack Rabbits- 8 pm Info: (904) 398-7496 PI as “cool lemonade on a hot summer day.” Jacksonville Beach Summer Jazz Concert Series Sounds like the kind This weekend’s fi nal installment of the Summer Jazz Concert of refreshment we Series at Jax Beach promises to be a cool end to a wednesday AUGUST 21 desperately need! Check hot summer. The free event features an art show out Korby at European with work by local artists and crafters in addition to Street, where he’ll play some terrifi c jazz. Chicago guitarist Nick Colionne Jax Suns vs. Mississippi It’s Christmas in August, baseball his very fi rst Florida show. will perform, as will Jeff Kashiwa (a renowned jazz fans! Everybody who comes out to European Street Café and Listening Room Info: (904) 399-1740 saxophonist) and the Navy Band Southeast Jazz this Wednesday’s big game against the Ensemble. Just bring a lawn chair, sit back and enjoy Mississippi Braves will get a special gift this great ending to a fantastic series. Sea Walk Art & Winefest 2007 from Santa. Be sure to arrive early for the Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach- 5 pm to 9 pm Info: The Art & Winefest 2007, presented by 96.9 The Eagle and Capital best selection, including bobbleheads, jacksonvillebeach.org South, will bring together the different elements of fabulous art, replica jerseys, caps and much more! food, wine, entertainment and more for one very special night. This The Salvation Army will be on hand for a exceptional culinary experience has top local restaurants serving up AUGUST 20 - 26 special fundraiser, as will the man himself, an assortment of hors d’oeuvres entrees and desserts while wine Santa Claus, who we happen to know is a connoisseurs and novices enjoy the exquisite wine selections. As Eat Up Downtown- Jacksonville’s fi rst huge Suns fan. you eat, feast your eyes on the artwork of over 25 local artists. Downtown Dining Week Tickets: $5.50- $19.50 Tickets: $40 advance/ $45 at the door The Hyatt Regency, More than a dozen Downtown restaurants have Jacksonville Baseball Grounds- 7:05 PM Jacksonville- 6 pm to 9 pm Info: (352) 733-0000 partnered to promote Downtown as a dining Info: (904) 358-2846

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 5 much more diffi cult for them to fi nd and catch prey. MOVIES OPENING During the fi lm, the term “global warming” is never used. But with Queen Latifah’s soulful narra- ANGEL-A A moralistic tale about a man, An- dre, who gets a second chance in life when tion, and through the use of Adam and Sarah’s up- he meets Angela, a tall, femme fatale whom close-and-personal cinematography, the audience he saves from a suicide bid in the Seine River. identifi es with the animals’ life-and-death despera- Rated R tion. The idea was sound. If audiences see and feel the animals adapting to the changing conditions, then they will go home and join the Green Move- ARCTIC TALE The same directors that brought us March of the Penguins are back with this tale ment. In other words, there are real consequences to of real animals that take us inside an icy king- producing massive amounts of greenhouse gases, dom at the very top of the earth. A polar bear like excess amounts of carbon dioxide. cub, Nanu, and a walrus pup, Seela, are about Thus, the mother polar bear and cubs, as well to tackle the brave new world that confronts as the walrus and her pup, have names and the them as their ancient ways of survival are about audience gets to know them as real characters in to change. Starring: Queen Latifah, Katrina this real life drama. As the mother polar bear and her Agate, Kwesi Boakye, Michael Huang (II), and two cubs emerge from their den after six months of Dante Pastula. Rated G giving birth and hibernation, momma bear is hungry. But fi nding prey – mainly seals – is more diffi cult

because the arctic ocean hasn’t frozen solid. So the DEATH AT A FUNERAL A dysfunctional British family gathers for the patriarch’s funeral. Ten- harsh frozen reality bear family must improvise to fi nd food and avoid sions rise, old confl icts are uncovered when a their deadly enemy, male bears. As food becomes man arrives saying he’s the dead man’s gay Arctic Tale movie review scarce, the babies get weaker. But they must keep lover and threatens blackmail. Starring: Mat- moving and searching for food or the whole family thew MacFadyen, Peter Dinklage, Ewen Brem- will perish. ner, Rupert Graves, and Alan Tudyk. Rated R Meanwhile, in the walrus colony, the mother BY RICK GRANT [email protected] protects her cub from male bears, but the group is Adam and Sarah decided the best way to illus- Tim’s mom, A Rated G 90 min fi nding less and less ice fl ows on which to rest. They INTRODUCING THE DWIGHTS trate the arctic animals’ plight at facing the radically Jean, is a bawdy and risqué comedienne on Married documentary fi lmmakers Adam Ravetch sense things are different, so the colony decides to changing weather, was to show its dire effects on the downside of her career. His intellectually and Sarah Robertson, who shot the wildly popular swim more than 200 miles to a nearby island where the animals’ life-cycle. They personalized their sub- challenged brother, Mark, helps their mother. March of the Penguins, spent six frigid years shooting they can rest and regroup. Ah, but a determined jects so the audience would feel the animals’ pain Together, they inhabit a non-traditional house- this fi lm as a veiled commentary on global warming. male bear has followed them and is lurking off the at having to adapt to the longer summers, which hold where chaos is the norm. Tim’s mother To drive home their message, they followed a mother island to mount a sneak attack and grab the baby delayed the freezing of the ice pack. Consequently, and girlfriend lock horns for his affections and polar bear and her two cubs and, in a parallel story- walrus. Desperate times require desperate mea- their subjects have to face conditions that make it Tim must learn to manage the emotions of the line, a mother walrus with her one pup. sures. Instinct and hunger drive the motivations of women in his life without losing himself in the these hearty arctic animals. process. Starring: Brenda Blethyn, Emma Booth, There are “aww” moments as well as tragedies Russell Dykstra, Khan Chittenden, and Katie and tearful scenes. But the overall focus is on the Wall. Rated R animals’ remarkable survival against all odds and how loving they are to their offspring and families. The walruses have especially close family bonds. SUPERBAD Two co-dependent high school guys want to hook up with girls before they The animal characters are endearing and more intel- graduate and go off to different colleges, but, af- ligent than anyone ever imagined. The drive to eat ter a calamitous night just trying to buy alcohol and survive are paramount in the minds of these for a school party, overcoming their separation creatures. anxiety becomes a greater challenge than get- Queen Latifah was allowed to improvise and ting the girls. Starring: Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, personalize her comments, which are funny and Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Bill engaging. Of course, the bear cubs are adorable as Hader. Rated R they frolic in the snow. Mother bear teaches them how to hunt seals hiding under the ice by jumping up and down to snag them. The cubs make a game THE LAST LEGION As the Roman empire crumbles, a young emperor embarks on a of it and even show their mom how good they are. perilous voyage to track down the one legion But there is a sad moment when mother bear must still loyal to Rome and the origins of the famed send her only cub out into the cruel world. During excaliber unfl od. Starring: Colin Firth, Ben King- the credits, kids give suggestions on how we can cut sley, Aishwarya Rai, Thomas Sangster, Peter down on global warming by green practices. The fi lm Mullan. Rated PG-13 will make people remember the struggles of the arctic animals when they go about their daily routines and perhaps do something to help them by cutting THE INVASION The mysterious crash of the space shuttle leads to the terrifying discovery down on their carbon footprint. that there is something alien within the wreck- age. Those who come in contact with it are changing in ominous and inexplicable ways. Starring: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jeremy Northam, Jeffrey Wright, and Jackson Bond. Rated PG-13

VITUS Vitus is a 12-year old boy who has hearing like a bat, plays piano like a virtuoso and

6 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper becomes just that. While Christopher Mintz-Plasse is pretty terrifi c in the acting department, Rogan and studies encyclopedias. However, the daily pres- Hader help bring the subplot to the next level, making sure of hours of musical practice, his over-pro- it much funnier than even the main storyline. There tective but well-meaning mother and his father’s are, however, plenty of laughs to be had there too. precarious fi nancial situation lead the boy to seek Arrested Development alum Cera is, once refuge at his eccentric grandfather’s house. Vitus again, hilarious as an awkward, soft-spoken teen and his grandfather’s shared love of fl ying, mis- looking to score. Thankfully, there are no blood-rela- chief and adventure offers him an opportunity at tives involved this time around, but his nervous, a normal childhood – something the burden of his tongue-tied crush is certainly reminiscent of George talent had previously prevented him from. When Michael and Maeby and it works here just as well. Vitus employs a ruse pretending he’s been robbed Hill’s character is funny in a far different, more vul- of his talent, his future as a piano virtuoso falls at gar way. He’s the friend you had in high school who risk. Rated PG would yell “balls” at inappropriate moments during school functions. Seth is more vocal about his des- NOW SHOWING peration to get laid and is reckless in the pursuit of it. The three perfectly complement each other and BECOMING JANE It’s 1795 and young Jane absolutely echo the personalities of people you may Austen is a feisty 20-year old and an emerging know if you were in high school in the past ten years writer who already sees a world beyond pride and or so. prejudice. Starring: Anne Hathaway, Julie Walters, The humor is, as my Grandma would say, rude, James McAvoy, Maggie Smith, Jessica Ashworth. crude and socially unacceptable. In fact, anyone Rating: PG planning to see this with their Grandma is in for an uncomfortable time at the movies. The very fi rst BRATZ We wondered where they would fi nd four scene, for instance, has Seth and Evan discussing actual teenage girls with heads big enough to play in great detail which porn sites to subscribe to and the roles of the Bratz dolls that we have all come what they offer. This opening sets the tone for the to recognize, but it wasn’t that hard. Rated PG. rude, crude and movie and never looks back, so if that doesn’t seem like something you’d fi nd amusing, buy a ticket to DADDY DAY CAMP Dads Charlie Hinton and Phil something else. Ryerson take over running a summer day camp. Like Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Armed with no knowledge of the great outdoors, there’s a softer side to Superbad too. While the main a dilapidated facility and a motley group of camp- storyline is about this quest, there’s also the underly- ers, it doesn’t take long before things get out hilarious ing theme of growing up and growing apart. The kids of control. Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr, Lochlyn have known each other forever and are standing on Munro, Paul Rae, Richard Gant, Spencir Bridges. the threshold of adulthood, knowing that they will be Rating: PG. going their separate ways in just a few months. Amid Superbad movie review the many (MANY) penis jokes and drunken debauch- EL CANTANTE The dramatic-biography of Puerto ery, there’s a sweetness that can’t be found in most Rican salsa pioneer Hector Lavoe (Marc Antho- BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] teen sex comedies that makes it far more appealing ny), one of the biggest Spanish-language singers than its predecessors. in the 1970s. The tale follows Lavoe’s passionate B+ Rated R 114 min. fake with the name “McLovin” printed on it. With no Superbad is a nice combination of the best relationship with his love Puchi (Jennifer Lopez), It seems everything Judd Apatow touches other option, “McLovin” tries to acquire the liquor, parts of American Pie and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. and his skyrocket to international fame. But even turns to gold these days. With the wildly success- only to be caught up in the middle of a robbery and Those above (or below) a certain age may not ap- when he has it all, Lavoe is unable to escape the ful Knocked Up still in theaters, yet another Apatow questioned by the police. Thinking their friend has preciate the intensely vulgar humor, but those who allure of drugs and his personal pain. Rated R production strides towards a theatrical release. been busted by the cops, Seth and Evan go it alone, do and who vividly recall high school life will fi nd promises to be the teen sex comedy of the getting into plenty of trouble on their quest for alco- themselves taking a fond walk down memory lane Superbad HAIRSPRAY A plump but vivacious teenager decade, taking the genre to the next level of raunchy hol and poon. Meanwhile, Fogell isn’t busted at all. watching these kids prepare and attempt to step into joins a popular teen-scene TV show in the early dialogue, excessive profanity and more R-rated Offi cers Slater (Bill Hader) and Michaels (Seth Ro- adulthood. I suspect fans of Apatow will be pleased 60s and teaches the show about integration by laughs than one would think humanly possible. gan) buy his McLovin ID and take the bespectacled to know that the man still has the Midas touch. bringing back “negro day.” He-Mom, Edna (John Seth (Jonah Hill), Evan (Michael Cera) and kid on a whirlwind joyride as they drink beer, bust up Travolta), who takes in laundry to suplement her Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) are three lovable a bar fi ght and get silly with fi rearms. husband’s meager income from a joke store, joins losers who are counting the days until graduation. Based on the commercials alone, the McLo- her daughter in the movement to restore “negro While the trio is completely ready to leave high vin subplot looked completely unappealing to me. day.” Rated PG school behind, they’re all dreading entering college I quickly changed my mind about this super-geek as virgins. When the objects of their sexual affection once he came on screen and I fell in love once his HOT ROD Rod Kimble, a self-proclaimed stunt- ask the guys to get them alcohol for their big party, adventure truly began. This is the ultimate comedic man, has grown up believing he’s the son of Evel the geek squad sees it as their in and agrees, hop- character; goofy, relatable and highly quotable. He’s Knievel’s test-rider, a courageous stuntman who ing Fogell’s recently acquired fake ID will do the job. a pathetic underdog (even more so than his buddies) died in his prime. Rod attempts to raise the money The only problem is Fogell’s fake ID looks even more who thinks he’s cool and, as the fi lm progresses, he to save his stepfather by undertaking his biggest stunt ever --jumping 15 buses, one more than Evel Knievel himself ever dared. Starring: Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, and Sissy Spacek. Rated PG-13

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY Two single Brooklyn ﬁ reﬁ ghters, Chuck (Adam Sandler) and Larry (Kevin James) masquerade as a gay couple to satisfy an investigator, which means they have to go through a ceremony, have a honeymoon, and live together. Rated PG-13

RATATOUILLE A cheeky rat living within the walls of a famous Paris bistro longs to become a chef but is hindered by his family’s skepticism, the rodent-hating staff, and patrons of the restaurant. Rated G

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 7 an igloo in California. Since Yasmin’s deaf jock/DJ RUSH HOUR 3 The unlikely duo is headed to the City of Lights to stop a global criminal conspiracy boyfriend really doesn’t quite cut the shallowness and save the life of an old friend, Ambassador either--they should add an Indian Girl in a wheelchair. crap at any age Despite their disparate backgrounds and Han’s now-grown daughter, Soo Yung. Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Max von Sydow, No- interests, these girls only really come alive when emie Lenoir, Hiroyuki Sanada. Rating: PG-13 they’re shopping. There is an obligatory montage Bratz movie review of shopping, almost cut off by the fact that Cloe – gasp – cannot afford to buy a new outfi t. No one SKINWALKERS Two sects of werewolves battle one another for control of a child, half-human/ BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] suggests that they all make their outfi ts using Jade’s half-wolf who has the power to end their curse. mad fashion designing skillz, instead Sasha pulls out If I go to hell, is one of movies the Rated PG-13 Bratz some “guilt” certifi cates she got from her divorced Devil will be showing me as punishment for my parents and gives them to Cloe. sins. A young man named Tristan (Charlie During said montage, there comes a point STARDUST On the IMdB website, someone has already Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna when these supposedly15-16-year old girls are sit- started a thread entitled “This is why the terror- Miller), the beautiful but cold object of his desire, ting at makeup counters at the mall. Within seconds ists hate us.” That statement is extreme, yes, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. Also they are being stalked by little girls in the age range but if the movie was an entirely accurate seeking the star are a king’s (Peter O’Toole) four Bratz that the line of dolls (and this movie) is actually depiction of what this country was all about, I living sons and the evil witch, Lamia (Michelle aimed at (8-13-year olds). With a fl ourish, these might actually consider a career in terrorism. Pfeiffer), a pirate named Captain Shakespeare unsupervised girls are suddenly in make-up chairs The main thing that bothered me about the (Robert De Niro) and a shady trader named Ferdy themselves, being made up by the Bratz girls. To fl ick was the blatant materialism, thinly disguised the Fence (Ricky Gervais). Rating: PG-13 me, this was the funniest part of the movie, because under catch-phrases like “BFFs forever!” I don’t many parents refuse to buy the dolls on the grounds mind materialism in a movie, as long as it isn’t Jason Bourne is that it causes little girls to want to grow up too fast, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM masquerading as something else. It worked for hunted by the people who made him what he is-a wearing makeup and slutty clothes. Here the Bratz me in as it did in and legendary assassin. Having lost his memory and Legally Blonde, Clueless girls were, busily perpetuating the stereotype. If it even the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the Fight Club. was meant to be ironic, it certainly didn’t seem in- The four girls in the movie are depressingly barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly- tentional. similar, just like the dolls. The movie does its trained killers. Starring: Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Materialism runs rampant throughout the movie level best to highlight their stereotypically racial Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine. the white girl, comes from a poor single-parent fam- in ways that were especially irritating. I understand differences, by having a Mariachi band in Yasmin’s Rated PG-13 ily (white guilt). being into clothes and shoes but, damn, acces- kitchen (she’s the Hispanic one), having Sasha’s It just proves that it’s okay to be soulless and sories should not be the center of the universe. The parents divorced (she’s African-American), mak- The Simpsons fi nally shallow, as long as you have one friend of every eth- apparently “poor” Cloe actually seems as though THE SIMPSONS MOVIE ing Jade’s parents very proud of their super-smart make it to the big screen. In this adventure, nicity and group. This movie is so shallow that they she comes from a background that’s fi rmly middle daughter (she’s Asian), who they somehow have the Homer mistakenly pollutes Lake Springfi eld and really needed an extra girl to make up for it—maybe class, not habscrabble poor. She and her mom live need to dress up as a Catholic school girl, and Cloe, sets into motion a government plot to destroy an Eskimo Girl, whose parents are trying to maintain in a reasonably sized domicile, while everybody else their city. Rated PG-13 in the movie tends to live in palatial estates. If kids look at Cloe’s house and standard of living as “poor” what kind of expectations are they going to have in UNDERDOG A bumbling watchdog gets exposed to a substance that gives him the powers of a life? I just picture this little army of 8-year old girls superhero. He is adopted by a 12-year old boy who can’t be happy without a constant infusion of and uses his superpower to protect his love and material possessions. the citizens of Capitol City from the evil Simon I’m sure the fi lmmakers would say that I’m Barsinister. Starring: Alex Neuberger, Jason Lee, ignoring the bubblegum sweet life lessons they Diz White (II), Peter Dinklage, James Belushi. inserted in the fi lm, between shoe-lust and shop- Rated PG ping sprees, and I’d say they’re right. I am ignoring those life lessons. Those life lessons will not make me want to buy their doll and all their accessories. SPECIAL SHOWINGS I recognize that the moral of the story is simply a marketing tool and not real morals. The real morals Black Sheep at the San Marco Theatre at mid- are in lines from the heroines like: “I have a passion night on August 17th and 18th for fashion—without that, I’m nothing.” It’s true. Mix American Werewolf in London with Night Strip away the surface stuff in the movie and you’ll of the Living Dead and The Island of Dr. Moreau fi nd, well, nothing really. (with a healthy dose of Shaun of the Dead) and I learned that shopping heals friendships you get Black Sheep. In this IFC independent fi lm the Oldfi eld sheep farm in New Zealand is violating within seconds, especially if your friend gives you International law with illegal genetic experiments gift certifi cates. I learned that it’s important to buy on sheep. Expect the most preposterous and expensive shoes. Looking pretty is more important hilarious horror fi lm you have seen in years. From than anything. If you look good, you win. You can’t the hippie’s guilt-ridden bloodlust to the Oldfi eld win while wearing a clown nose. patriarch’s unnatural love for sheep, this fi lm has Now, the villain of this piece seems to really all of the elements of a camp fi lm with the subtext grasp that if you don’t look good, you can’t win. of opposing genetic modifi cation in farming. The Her name is Meredith and she seems to be the evil, gore is only equaled by the humor of watching it high-school version of the Elle Woods from Legally happen at the bleating bloody mouths of sheep. Blonde. Meredith works hard to keep the girls from ever shopping together again, by keeping them in Info: 396-4845. Read the entire review at eu- segregated groups (nerds, Goths, cheerleaders). jacksonville.com If your kids are smart or even slightly percep- tive, they will recognize that this movie is a formulaic Summer Movie Classics 2007 The Florida Theatre will be showing Summer mess, even if they can’t quite verbalize it. I can’t Movie Classics on Sundays throughout the Sum- even verbalize some of it. I’m so traumatized by the mer. Enjoy great selections from cinematic history extended music videos that it will be years before I in the beautiful setting of one of Jacksonville’s can talk about it. Even for an 8-year old, it’s an insult to their intelligence. The audience I was in was made own classics. On August 19th see MUTINY ON up mostly of groups of girls in the target age range, THE BOUNTY, the original 1935 version starring Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, and Franchot accompanied by an adult or two. They really weren’t Tone. All showings start at 2 pm. Call 355-ARTS laughing during the portions of the movie that were or go to fl oridatheatre.com for details. supposed to be funny, so I know that it wasn’t just my jaded adult sensibilities that clued me to the fact that this movie blows. It’s crap at any age.

8 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 9 eatup downtown and

discover its charm by jon bosworth “Things have been really changing on the dining front down here and we saw this as an opportunity to promote dining downtown,” said Pamela Elms, the Director of Marketing for Downtown Vision Inc. The truth is that our metropolis is starting to truly thrive, and a good deal of that can be blamed on Downtown Vision Inc. (DVI), an organization with a mission to get people from all over Jacksonville to re-discover the city’s heart. There’s never been a better excuse to explore downtown than the new EatUp Downtown event. Fifteen of downtown’s premiere restaurants are participating in the EatUp Downtown event and all have agreed to provide a dish. three-course dinner for the set price of $25 per person from August 20th until August 26th. where to eat, drink and be merry. All you have to do is go to eatupdowntown.com, peruse the participating restaurants by exploring their dining week menus, then call to make your reservation. You can pick just one night or you can make a reservation at a different restaurant for each night of the dining week. “It’s not only about coming downtown and enjoying great food, it’s really about showcasing downtown and all of the great things there is to do.” From a delightful stroll on the Riverwalk to the symphony and movies at MOCA, DVI has also included a list of activities on eatupdowntown.com that are going on during dining week so you can take in the whole downtown experience. Call (904) 451-3344 during the week between 9 am and 5 pm for more details.

Benny’s Steak & Seafood (In the Jacksonville Landing. throw in your non-alcoholic beverage and treat you to 904-301-1014) Select a seafood appetizer and follow their Crème Brûlée in the end. it up with a delicious salad before fi nishing your dinner with a New York Strip, the Pan Seared Salmon, the River City Brewing Company (835 Museum Circle. Chicken Picatta or one of their other selections. Benny’s 904-398-2299) On the Southbank, River City is a Jack- also has a spectacular view of the St. John’s River. sonville stalwart. Start with a soup or salad and then try your tastebuds on their Seafood Trio Pasta, a smooth Bourbon Bayou (In the Jacksonville Landing. 904-674- lobster sherry cream sauce with crab, shrimp, crawfi sh, 6715) Start with Fried Catfi sh Tails or some popcorn spinach and tomato topped with asiago cheese and shrimp and fi nish with a classic Créole dish such as fi nish with cheesecake. Enjoy the view. Shrimp Étouffée, Seafood Jambalaya or Southern Shrimp and Grits, among other options. Pick your night Simons Wine Bar (1004 Hendricks Ave. 904-396- carefully and you can enjoy some of the best live music 8088) Straddling the line between the Southbank and around after dinner. San Marco, Simon’s features a rich array of dishes. Just listen to this selection: Panko crusted goat cheese fried Café Nola @ MOCA (333 North Laura St. 904-366- and served over organic greens with sun dried tomatoes 6911 ext. 231) A little known treasure downtown, Café and walnuts with an imported balsamic vinaigrette. A Nola is inside of the Museum of Contemporary Art and Roquefort Stuffed Pork Medallion wrapped in applewood for dining week they are serving everything from their smoked bacon and served with exotic mushroom bread Goat Cheese Bundle appetizer to their Jerk Pork Chop pudding and a medley of vegetables. Need I even men- entrée, among others. At Nola, you can fi nish with an tion the Chocolate Rasberry Cake? outstanding dessert such as the Chocolate Anglaise Pyramid with Fresh Berries or the Coconut & Golden Tastings - A Wine Experience (1515 Prudential Dr. Raisin Rice Pudding with Toasted Almonds. 904-346-0605) Simply delicious. Start with your own choice of wine and then savor it with the Antipasto Chew (117 West Adams St. 904-355-3793) Fried Green Salad, which features chopped romaine, salami, sopres- Tomatoes, Chorizo and Mussels and Filet Mignon are sata, asiago and provolone with aged balsamic vinai- just a few of the options in this urban chic restaurant grette. Finish with chocolate truffl es. with contemporary décor and an intimate dining room. They are also serving desserts, so save room for the The Twisted Martini (In the Jacksonville Landing. 904- Praline Crème Brûlée with blackberry compote and al- 353-8464) First, get a martini. Then enjoy some Sweet mond brittle or the Soft Ginger Cake with sage anglaise. Potato Nachos and a Twisted Skewer Platter. Mmm.

Hooters (In the Jacksonville Landing. 904-356-5400) The Wine Cellar (1314 Prudential Dr. 904-398-8989) Enjoy some casual American appetizers, then move on Just steps away from the river, the Wine Cellar is a clas- to the Wings or Crab Legs and fi nish with a Chocolate sic Jacksonville destination. Start with the chef’s soup Layer Mousse Cake or Key Lime Pie. The view of the du jour and move on to the Tenderloin of Beef Tips, river is outstanding, but many prefer the other view that marinated in teriyaki and ginger, grilled and fi nished Hooters prides itself on. with black peppercorn demi-glace, served with potato mash and topped with crispy onions. Don’t be afraid to Juliette’s Bistro (Inside the Omni Hotel. 904-355-6664) indulge in the Raspberry Iced Souffl é with Fresh Berries. Juliette’s is a Jacksonville tradition for foodies that have lived here a while. Enjoy Andean Style Shrimp and Trellises (Inside the Hyatt Riverfront. 904-634-4540) Sweet Corn Chowder to start then move on to Malbec- The newest to the Jacksonville culinary scene, Trellises Braised Beef Short Ribs or Grilled Patagonian Salmon serves you French Onion Soup followed by their Grilled Blue Bamboo Ice Cream Assortment. and fi nish with Bread Pudding Spiked with Dulce de Chicken and Penne Pasta (sautéed with sun-dried toma- Leche or Caramelized Bananas and Vanilla Ice Cream. toes, pancetta, mushrooms and pesto sauce) and they fi nish you off with Key Lime Pie. Koja Sushi (In the Jacksonville Landing. 904-350- 9911) Start with a simple soup or seaweed salad and Vito’s Italian Café (Inside the Jacksonville Landing. then move on to one of their pan-Asian fusion dishes or 904-355-0064) Keep it traditional with the catch-of- sushi and fi nish with Green Tea Ice Cream. Koja has the the-day served Milano (stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella best view at the Landing, so sit outside! cheese and spinach, then baked and topped with page 10 eatup downtown | page 11 ice cream parlors sun-dried tomatoes, basil and artichoke cream sauce), Plaza III Steakhouse (225 East Coastline Dr. 904-598- which is served with baked potato and veggie du jour, or page 12 - 14 desserting | page 13 dining with kids 0234) Start with the Seafood Bisque or their signature try the Blackened Chicken with Mango Salsa for some- steak soup and then enjoy a classic Filet Mignon. They’ll thing a little different.

10 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper dining guide entertaining u | fall 2007 american casual Harpoon Louie’s (4070 Herschel St. Riverside. 904-389-5631) It’s all American-cuisine at Har- poon Louie’s, known for their excellent burgers, Fresh Catch Salad and view of Fishweir Creek. Their food is a great deal for a great price, but it’s the view, the food and the pitchers of beer that brings people back. (Try the Student Loan Special—a basket of wings and a pitcher of beer.) Beer & Wine, but mostly, Beer. Open every day. $$

Back Porch Café (3031 Monument Rd. Arlington. 904-998-9918) You might feel as though you’re eating on your own back porch at this neighborhood eatery. The Pantinakis family serves American-style cuisine with a few Greek selections on the menu. Try their non-traditional twist on Pastitsio (a layered meat pasta and bread dish) with a tomato cream sauce. Beer & wine. Open Mon-Sat. $$

Cliff’s at the Beach (1401 Atlantic Blvd. Neptune Beach, inside the Days Inn. 904-249-2777) This Cliff’s is a bit more upscale than the location on Monument Road. Ahi tuna is a common enough dish these days, but Chef Nguyen’s presentation makes it special. The pickled ginger slaw served with it is an outstanding counter-taste to the other ﬂ avors. Drinkers will like the reasonably priced basket of homemade chips, sprinkled with asiago and bleu cheese. If you’re into rich appetiz- dish. ers, try the scrumptious baked goat cheese served in tomato fondue with decidedly crispy slices of where to eat, drink and be merry. bread. Full bar. Open Mon-Sat. $$

Find your new favorite restaurant in EU. Cruiser’s Grill (319 23rd Ave. S. Jacksonville Beach. 904-270-0356 & 83202 A1A N. Ponte Ve- dra. 904-273-5446.) Cruise here for a burger, taco, cheddar fries, onion rings and even some country Our weekly restaurant section features fried steak. This is one of those classic burger joints that the whole family can enjoy. Beer & wine. food and drink selections from all Open every day. $$ over the First Coast. Let us know Firehouse Subs (21 locations around Jacksonville) There’s nothing like a Firehouse Sub. Instead your favorite restaurant or place of using a microwave to heat their meats, they use a steamer, which infuses it with moisture and to grab a drink. Look forward really makes the ﬂ avor vibrant, unlike what you’ll experience at most chain sub shops. It’s a fam- to full-length and easy-to-navigate ily owned franchise that got its start right here in Jacksonville. Favorite subs include the “Hook and Ladder,” Smoked Turkey Breast and Virginia Honey Ham smothered with Monterey Jack and served reviews at www.eujacksonville.com. “Fully Involved.” Open every day. $

Landshark Café (1013 Atlantic Blvd. Atlantic Beach. 904-246-6024) Try the tasty So-Cal Soft our food critics eat everywhere, so you can be selective. Tacos with your choice of refried beans, beef, chicken, ﬁ sh or shrimp. The Mayport Shrimp tacos are especially good, served with a side of salsa and sour cream. The fried banana peppers are one of the more unusual and popular side items on the menu. Lightly dusted with a breading, you can still see the yellow of the pepper showing through. It’s a tart choice that’s just a little off the bar food beaten path. Beer & wine. Open every day. $$

The Loop (11 locations all over Jacksonville) Just a few months after opening the restaurant in ’81, people were calling their pizza the best in the city and ﬂ ocking to The Loop in droves. But they were selling more than just food, they were selling a concept: fast food served in a higher ascetic. The Loop did it before it was trendy, long before those little luxury salads became available at McDon- alds. Their gourmet salads upped the fast food ante by using fresh ingredients and real plates. Try one of their thick shakes or their signature tomato bisque soup. $

Mudville Grille (3105 Beach Blvd. St. Nicholas. 904-398-4326, 1301 Monument Rd. Arlington. 904-722-0008) The menu at Mudville Grille promises bar food in all its fried glory. On the appetizer menu, amidst classics including the Buffalo chicken fi ngers, Mudville’s red chile poppers are a standout. But bar food isn’t all you’ll fi nd on the menu at Mudville. Live it up with fresh seafood–oysters steamed or raw, peel and eat shrimp or crab legs. Dinner selections, which are served with a salad and your choice of French fries or baked potatoes, include a monster 16 oz NY strip, a butterfl y shrimp platter or a marinated chicken breast. Open every day. Full bar. $$

Tom & Betty’s (4409 Roosevelt Blvd. Westside. 904-387-3311) Known for their Reubens and burgers, this family-owned establishment also has a full bar. Drop by on Tuesdays for trivia night, Wednesdays for poker and lady’s night, Thursdays for kid’s night and Saturdays for karaoke night. Live music every Friday. Full Bar. Open Mon-Sat. $$

barbecue Blackjack’s Best BBQ (4610 San Juan Ave. 904-387-3900) Known for their Memphis Style Dry Rub Ribs and basket of tableside sauces, these guys are a Jacksonville BBQ secret worth discovering. $

Bono’s (various locations. 904-398-4248) They ﬁ rst ﬁ red up their pit in the late 40s on Beach Boulevard in Jax Beach. Although there are many Bono’s throughout Jacksonville, natives prefer the original restaurant, called Lou Bono’s. There’s nothing automated about the Bono’s barbeque process, pit bosses literally stand over an open pit and tend to their meat. $$

2 dining guide | Fall 2007 | entertaining u newspaper to mash potatoes in a creamy, yet lumpy, delightful mess, with or mojo bbq pit & blues bar without gravy. Two classically southern sides for the choosing are the collard greens and black-eyed peas. 1607 University Blvd W. Lakewood. 904-732-7200 & 155 Beach Center cut pork chops, buttermilk fried chicken and a hand-cut Blvd. Jacksonville Beach. 904-249-6636 ribeye are a few of the down-home choices for the Southern platters. Mojo is “A Southern Blues Kitchen,” a center for barbecue and Try the chicken-fried steak topped with creamy gravy for a true down-home Southern cooking. Mojo’s has been in business for more Southern experience. Or you can enjoy the chipotle barbecue chicken, than two years. As owner Todd Lineberry says, “the food speaks for topped with a sweetly distinctive chipotle, cheddar jack cheese and itself.” smoked bacon, winning top marks from taste buds. If you’re looking A scrumptious assortment of appetizers are available, such as for something a little different, go for the Delta catfi sh platter, fried or the Mojo’s famous fried onion rings, chili cheese fries, pulled pork blackened. Barbeque platters come in two sizes, small and large, but quesadillas, Mississippi catfi sh fi ngers and fried chicken strips to even the “small” portion is a pretty substantial amount. $$ name a few. The kitchen at Mojo’s sprinkles all of their fresh salads with their delicious and unique homemade jalapeño cornbread croutons. Salads can be topped with fried or barbequed chicken, Texas chili, pulled pork, beef brisket or smoked turkey breast. When selecting sides, be sure to order the smoked yellow corn, which is richly smoked and full of fl avor. Mojo’s also knows how

eujacksonville.com | Fall 2007 | dining guide 3 Peanut Lime Slaw Crisps Grumpy’s (834 Kingsley Ave. Orange Park. 904-215-1956) Famous for their Eggs Benedict, from Blue Bamboo. Grumpy’s serves up straight-forward diner fare, including omelets, deli-style sandwiches and South- ern-style sides. The waitstaff is never grumpy here, always making sure beverages are full and the customers are satisﬁ ed. Open 5:30 am- 2 pm, 7 days a week. $

Metro Diner (3302 Hendricks Ave. San Marco. 904-398-3701) Local diners just tend to gain a little more panache when they’re in a swanky neighborhood. Such is the case with the Metro Diner, with their made-to-order omelets and 10-inch pancakes. Open 7:30 am- 2:30 pm daily. $$

Tidbits Restaurant (1076 Hendricks Ave. San Marco. 904-396-0528) This lunchtime eatery has been part of the competitive San Marco dining scene for some 20 years. The food is simple, fresh and good, with favorites such as potato salad and sandwiches on the menu. Catering available. Open Mon- Fri. $$

Trufﬂ e’s Café and Bakery (11362 San Jose Blvd. Mandarin. 904-292-3345) Have a simple little chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, while sipping on gourmet tea or some of the best coffee in town. Their selection of sweet confections are talked about all over town. Open Tues-Sun. $$ cajun Bourbon Bayou (2 Independent Dr. Downtown, The Landing. 904-674- 6714) The Landing’s newest sit-down restaurant brings a little Cajun ﬂ avor Downtown, in a melting pot of culinary traditions, pulling from Native American, Spanish, French, German, Scottish and West Indies preparations. Full bar. $$$

Harry’s (4495 Roosevelt Blvd. Westside. 904-387-0304) Try their spicy, savory and buttery Jamba- laya, with rice or pasta mixed in with shrimp chicken and smoked sausage. Another house favorite is the chicken Baton Rouge. Full bar. Open Mon-Sun. $$$ Cross Creek (850 S. Lane Ave. Westside. 904-783-9579) They’ve been at their original Lane Avenue locale for more than 10 years, serving up some of the best beef brisket in town and luring Ragtime Tavern Seafood Grill (207 Atlantic Blvd. Atlantic Beach. 904-241-7877) With their customers every time the wind wafts the smell of that slow-cooked meat over Lane. Cross Creek has own micro-brewery and food with an ‘Orleans fl air, this is one of the most popular eateries on Atlan- two locations (Lane Avenue and Lem Turner) but the local favorite is the original Westside locale. $$$ tic Beach. It’s a big place with cozy booths and lots of levels, giving it a sense of intimacy. Expect live music on the weekends and some fi ery Cajun food. Try New Orleans favorites like jambalaya, Jenkins Quality Barbecue (830 Pearl St. 353-6388, 2025 Emerson St. 346-3770, 1791 Kings red beans & rice and blackened fi sh. They’ve got a decent coconut shrimp appetizer and if you’ve Rd. 358-9915, 5945 New Kings Rd. 765-8515) If you haven’t been to Jenkins Quality Barbecue, got a taste for Asian style cuisine, try the delish seared tuna. Come for the beer, stay for the food. you are missing out on a Jacksonville tradition. Jenkins has a place where you can sit down, but Full bar. Open every day. $$$ they’re most known for their take-home chicken in a bag. They sell them by half or whole, slather them in the Jenkins mustard-based sauce and stick them in a bag with several slices of bread. It looks terrible, but tastes great. Jacksonville natives also love their fi nely minced slaw and they also buy the Jenkins Sauce for their home barbecues. $$ southwestern

Woody’s (various locations. 904-384-3442) Founded in 1980, Woody’s is a relatively young Jack- West Inn Cantina (3644 St. John’s St. Avondale. 904-389-1131) sonville chain, when compared to the venerable Bono’s. Woody’s is still owned and operated by the West Inn Cantina fi rmly bases their cooking in the Southwestern tradition, throwing in original owner, Woody Mills. They’ve stayed true to their concept and recipes, while including new some California fl ash, a dash of the Caribbean and a little Indian spice. Raspberry glazed selections like their low-carb Bar-B-Q Wrap. $$ salmon, an Angus Certifi ed Margarita steak, honey lime chicken and West Indian barbecue shrimp are just four of the selections that might beckon you on to the house specials portion of the menu. Try the Five Treasure Chicken for an intriguing and scrumptious study in fusion. Served cafés & diners with a pepper cream sauce that fl awlessly blends spices of India and the West, the chicken is coated with crushed tortilla shells and bread crumbs. The portion of chicken cutlets is very The Fox (3580 St. Johns Ave. Avondale. 904 387-2669) generous. Fortunately, the Five Treasure Chicken makes for tasty leftovers. Full bar. $$ This Riverside diner is an Avondale landmark. In addition to having the best quick breakfast in town, they serve it up hot and made-from-scratch in a funky retro diner circa 1950s. It isn’t schtick, Campeche Bay Mexican Restaurant (8120 Atlantic Blvd. Regency. 904-727-5050) it’s been around since then, but these days it’s the cleanest diner in the historic district. From their Fajitas and Margaritas are the signature items at Campeche, but people also rave about their rice fried green tomatoes drizzled with a horseradish sauce to their world-famous corned beef hash, The and beans. For something a little different with a Mexican fl air, try the crab enchiladas. Folks from Fox is the place for everyone from the early rising businessman to the hungover twenty-something. the area love to drink at their bar, even after the kitchen’s closed. Their fried ice cream is the best in Try their theme omelets, such as the white with veggies or the spicy “Ortega,” its all delicious. Get town. Full bar. Open every day. $$ breakfast all day (they are open until 2:30 most days) or get a Coyote Burger topped with an egg for breakfast. It’s family run, with excellent service. Open 7am-2:30 pm every day. $$ Mossfi re Grill (1537 Margaret Street. Five Points. 904-355-4434) One thing that makes the Mossfi re a little different than most Southwestern style eateries is the fi sh selections. Besides the Beach Hut Café (1281 S. 3rd St. Jacksonville Beach. 904-249-3516) Wondering where to catch regular fi sh menu choices, they also offer a fi sh special which changes regularly. Specials in many breakfast at the beach? Look no further than the Beach Hut, which serves breakfast all day. Try their restaurants aren’t always that special, but at the Mossfi re, their special preparations are known to be Complete Country Meal: two eggs, two hot cakes and your choice of home fries, grits or cheese exceptionally good, so don’t be afraid to venture off the regular menu. Full bar. Open Mon-Sat. $$ grits, plus coffee or tea. If you’re an early riser come in from 6 am-8 am Monday through Friday, for a substantial breakfast for only $2.99. Folks also eat their casual lunches, noshing on their club sandwiches, fi sh fi llets, burgers and lunch specials. Open 6 am- 2:30 pm every day. $ southern Cool Moose Café (2708 Park St. Riverside. 904-381-4242) If you’ve got a hankering for a break- Beach Road Chicken Dinners (4132 Atlantic Blvd. St. Nicholas. 904-398-7980) It’s more than fast with incredible fl avor, try the HELLO bagel or the three egg spicy sausage. Breakfasters with just a landmark, it’s a time honored Jacksonville tradition of more than 60 years. Their classic four- a sweet tooth can nosh on their fl uffy pancakes (excellent with added blueberries), French toast or piece chicken dinner, biscuits, gravy, slaw, cream peas, gravy and fries are legendary Southern fried their eggs benedict. Each sandwich in the Cool Moose arsenal comes with a side. If you enjoy sweet foods here in Jax. Open Tue-Sun. $ potatoes don’t miss the sweet potato fries. For dessert, Cool Moose has a cookie that legends are built upon-which is why the legend is printed on a sidebar of the menu. Beer & Champagne. Open Michelle’s Southern Home Cooking (8560 Beach Blvd. Southside. 904-353-0002) Loads of Tue- Sun. $$ Southern vegetables, cooked until they yield some delicious “pot lickers.” Classic country fried

4 dining guide | Fall 2007 | entertaining u newspaper steak and other Southern fried favorites can be found on the menu. For dessert, have a slice of homemade apple pie. All their pies and cakes are homemade. Open everyday. $$

Pengree’s Restaurant (556 Kingsley Ave. Orange Park. 904-278-0089) For breakfast or lunch in Orange Park, try Pengree’s. Weekly specials include Meatloaf Mondays, Wednesday’s Country Fried Steak and Friday’s Chicken Pot Pie. Breakfast is served till 11 am Monday through Friday, till noon on Saturday and till 2 pm on Sundays. Eggs, pancakes and French Toast are the stars of their breakfast menu. Open 7 am- 2 pm every day. $$ steakhouse/chop house

The Preservation Tap & Chop House (St. Johns Ave. Avondale. 904-555-1212) If you’re searching for the newest dining hotspot in Jacksonville, take a ride to Avondale and sit down to a terrifi c meal at the Preservation Tap & Chop House. Owner Drew Cavins says, “I wanted it to be a neighborhood place with an elegant ambiance…I wanted to create what a restaurant in the 1930s in Jacksonville might be like.” Although every aspect of their menu has moments worth celebrating, the entrees are defi - nitely the stars of the show. Whether you want to keep it fairly inexpensive with their Cherry Chicken with Goat Cheese for less than twenty dollars, or try the porterhouse for more than thirty, you will never feel as though it wasn’t worth the price. Carnivores will adore the Prime Rib Panini. This sandwich is smothered with Swiss cheese and comes with an au jus dipping sauce and any of their Southern sides. All of the sides seem to be earning praise, and I am positively in love with the collard green au gratin! Some of the more unusual and contemporary salads include the turkey tandoori and Lobster Cobb salads. I took pleasure in the fl uffy bib lettuce of the warm brie, pecan and pear salad, which was served with a sweet-but-tart rosemary honey vinaigrette. Full bar. $$$

Morton’s (1510 Riverplace Blvd. Southbank. 904-399-3933) It’s all dark woods and an ambiance that would make ol’ blue eyes proud. The walls are ﬁ lled with nostalgic photos of old movies stars and celebrities. Choose your aged beef from a tableside cart and live it up, steak-style. Full bar. Open every day. $$$$

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (1201 Riverplace Blvd. Southbank. 904-396-6200) While it might be commercially owned, this steakhouse is worth a mention because it’s where businessmen take their high-end clients. They pride themselves on fun with class, but it’s the class that people go back for. They season the steak with very little, letting the true ﬂ avor of the aged beef show through. If you’re not up for steak, go for the lobster, it’s nothing less than delicious. Full bar. Open every day. $$$$

Tree Steakhouse (11362 San Jose Blvd. Ste 1. Mandarin. 904-262-0006 & 725 Atlantic Blvd. Atlantic Beach. 904 241-5600) The inside of this classic Jacksonville Steakhouse will remind you of an upscale men’s club (in the Mandarin locale), but the menu is diverse and the ambiance is romantic enough that it’s a favorite for Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. The steak, of course, is excellent, but so is the salmon. Full bar. Open every day. $$$$ asian cuisine

Blue Bamboo (3820 Southside Blvd. Southside. 904-646-1478) A blue bamboo is an American with deep Asian roots, like Blue Maboo’s owner Den- nis Chan. In the past six decades, his family has owned twelve Chinese restaurants in the Jacksonville area. After graduating from Hyde Park’s Culinary Institute of America, Chan worked with the Food Network’s Ming Tsai on the program “East Meets West.” The whimsically named fried dragon whiskers are narrow strips of zucchini fried in sesame flour and served with a side sauce of garlic chive ranch. If ever there was a way to get your kid to eat their veggies—the dragon whiskers are it! Blue Bamboo doesn’t skimp on the crab in their crab cakes; instead of looking for the blue crab amidst too many bread crumbs, I found myself happily looking for the bread crumbs. Beautifully presented, this Street Eat is drizzled with sarachi oil, Asian chili sauce and a lemongrass sauce. Choosing an entrée was a difficult task; my attention caught by the variety of choices. peanut lime chicken, ahi tuna and coconut shrimp are three of the scrumptious choices offered under salads. Under noodle dishes, I passed up the pad thai and curry with regret, knowing from the Street Eats that they would certainly be tasty. I nearly settled on the miso marinated salmon, but once I saw that Cantonese orange duck was offered— I couldn’t resist, and I wasn’t disappointed. The crispy duck comes in a sweet orange sauce with a side of sticky jasmine rice and a small spring salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette. The dessert selections come under the heading of “Happy Endings.” Open everyday for lunch and then after 5 pm. $$$

eujacksonville.com | Fall 2007 | dining guide 5 sushi café

2025 Riverside Ave. Riverside, 904-384-2888 One of the most visually interesting things to ever grace a plate is sushi. For form and variety, you just can’t beat a good-looking plate (or boat) of sushi. Presenta- tion is half the fun at Sushi Café. The quickly classic, beloved Jax 5-Points sushi stop is a local favorite for a reason—quality sushi served fresh. Also served at the sushi bar is sashimi, a chilled slice of raw fi sh available at most sushi bars but not considered sushi because it is served without rice. Generally though, sushi rice is the base around which sushi is built, so it’s important to get the right consis- tency and stickiness. The rice at Sushi Café is sticky without being dry with the appropriate amount of vinegar. If you are a sushi afi cionado then you will enjoy the nigiri sushi at Sushi Café, which is a slice of raw fi sh atop a small block of sushi rice, generally with a small dab of wasabi in between. The maguro, or tuna, is a deep pink, uniform in color and tender, as it should be. In all sushi preparations here I found that the avocado was as exquisitely fresh as the white fi sh, salmon and tuna I enjoyed on the rainbow roll. Those that don’t want to try sushi or aren’t in the mood for it can fi nd plenty of selections on the menu. Try a tempting tempura battered appetizer or full fl edged meal. Choose from shrimp, chicken or vegetable. Hibachi items, teriyaki chicken or steak and katsu are some of the items available. The chicken hibachi was remarkably tender. Lobster, fi let mignon, steak and scallop preparations are all on the menu. From the stickiness of the rice to the freshness of the ingredients Sushi Café has my endorsement as some of the best sushi in town. Beer, wine & sake. Open every day. $$

6 dining guide | Fall 2007 | entertaining u newspaper chinese

Genghis Khan Chinese Restaurant (1060 San Jose Blvd. Mandarin. 904-286-1668) They call it a Chinese restaurant, but the addition of Genghis Khan to the name should clue you in that it’s a bit Mongolian as well. They’ve even got a handy posted guide if you aren’t sure how to spice or sauce your raw meat/vegetable selection depending on your fl avor preferences. Your selections are then cooked up by the chef on a fl at, hot grill. Upon your return, your choice of rice or noodles will be ready to add to your Mongolian creation. Beer & wine. Open Tue-Sun. $$ Jade’s Bistro (11362 San Jose Blvd. Mandarin. 904-288-7999) Jade Bistro mostly makes upscale Chinese dishes. In appetizers, you might want to try the lettuce wraps; crisp iceberg lettuce is brought to your table along with a fl avorful fi lling of chicken or shrimp. Entrées they’re known for include Thai-style Chilean Sea-bass. Beer & wine. Open every day. $$

Mongo’s Flat Hot Grill (2 Independent Dr. Downtown, The Landing. 904-665-0123) Mongolia’s right next to China, isn’t it? Well, it’s close enough for Mongo’s Mongolian style buffet to end up in the Chinese section. Down at the Landing, you can ﬁ nd this fun restaurant. There’s a good view of the river and the skyline. Best of all, they’ve got a full bar to go with the grill. Not a surprise, since everything at the Landing, including the T-shirt shops, eventually seems to get a full liquor bar. Choose your raw meats, veggies and spices, and then watch the chef cook it up on the grill. Just $14.95 all you can eat (without a drink). Full bar. $$

Pagoda (8617 Baymeadows Rd. Baymeadows. 904-731-0880) For a sit down Chinese lunch that’s fast enough for Baymeadows workers to get back before their lunch hour ends but still nice enough to make diners feel relaxed, Pagoda is the choice. Try the shrimp fried rice, and even if you have to order it a day ahead of time, the Peking Duck. Open Mon-Sat. $$ indian India’s Restaurant (9802 Baymeadows Rd. Southside. 904 -620-0777) The cuisine at India’s Restaurant comes from the northwestern region of Punjab, which straddles India and Pakistan. The regional cuisine is based on the use of creams and, of course, curries. The rice at India’s Restaurant is Basmati rice, which comes exclusively from India (attempts to grow it in the states have resulted in an inferior rice). Fragrant as only Basmati rice can be, the cook delicately spices and ﬂ avors it with ghee butter. Such rice is surely served in heaven. The lunch special, at about $6, attracts quite a few business people from the surrounding Baymeadows area. Beer & wine. Open Mon-Sun. $$

Cilantro (9825-6 San Jose Blvd. Mandarin. 904-262-9577) This menu runs the gamut of Indian cuisine, including the Southern region. They serve outstanding tandoori chicken. Try their massive lamb dosa, which is over a foot in length. Everyone in that area of San Jose Boulevard knows about the lunch buffet and they keep it in mind for lunch hour, when they get tired of barbecue and fast food. Beer & wine. Open Mon- Sun. $$

Taj Indian Restaurant (9041 Southside Blvd. Southside. 904-519-0098) Known for their superb naan bread, Taj is considered quite a ﬁ nd for those who venture into the restaurant, tucked away in one of Southside’s anonymous strip malls. From the menu, try their “Indian Dinner for Two” a full ﬁ ve-course meal including big bowls of mulligatawny soup, a collection of appetizers, and two meat dishes of your choice, accompanied by a thick veggie curry, pullao rice, their famous naan, and gulab jamun for dessert. Besides their lunch buffet, they also serve up a tasty dinner buffet in the evenings. Beer & wine. $$

Red Chilies (8661 Baymeadows Rd. Southside. 904-566-6707) One of the newest and most hip Indian restaurants on the Jacksonville scene, Red Chilies not only serves regional Indian fare, they also dish up Indo-Chinese entrées such as Chicken Manchurian. Select something from their Biryani Mmenu for a savory Middle Eastern/Indian treat. Southern Indian dishes such as their methuvada (a deep fried lentil cake) and their North Indian curries round out their menu. Full bar. Tues-Sun. $$ japanese Blue Fin (104 Bartram Oaks Walk. Julington Creek. 904-230-7466) Blue Fin’s décor doesn’t stick to the usual sushi house formula, mostly abandoning Japanese touches in favor of a more contemporary, trendy look. Most nights, you’ll ﬁ nd owner George Le toiling away behind the sushi bar, deftly shaping the rolls and sculpting the rice. He knows sushi well, but also has a background in pasta and French cuisine. Because of this, and his Vietnamese heritage, garlic is one of his favorite ingredients. That, along with the standard soy sauce, serves as the basis for many of his savory sauces. Full bar. $$$

Chizu (1227 S. 3rd St. Jacksonville Beach. 904-241-8455) A darkened Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar not far from Jax Beach, their hibachi chefs put on quite a show. The sushi bar is long (almost 30 feet) and they offer more than 50 selections. Full bar. Open every day. $$$$

eujacksonville.com | Fall 2007 | dining guide 7 Beef Mixed Vegatable Dish from Aurathai.

Crazy Sushi (4320 Deerwood Lake Pkwy, #202. Southside. 904-998-9797) “Sushi so hot, the Tama’s Sushi (106 1st St. Neptune Beach. 904-241-0099) wasabi gets nervous.” is the slogan at Crazy Sushi. The specialty is sushi, but they serve other Japa- Hakaru “Tama” Tamaki was formally trained in Japan as a Sushi Chef. Tama moved to Jacksonville nese dishes in a casual atmosphere. Try the crab rangoon for a non-sushi appetizer alternative. Beer in 1981, becoming the fi rst Sushi Chef in the area. It has been his life-long dream to have his own & wine. Open every day. $$ restaurant. Now he makes some of Jacksonville’s best sushi right across the street from the ocean in Neptune Beach. Beer & sake. $$ Fusion Point (237 San Marco Ave. St. Augustine. 904-823-1444) For sushi and a fusion blend of Far Eastern dishes, head to Fusion Point, the best established sushi joint in St. Augustine. Chef Tai specializes in interesting new blends of fl avors and textures that have made his restaurant well respected in the area. Voted the Best Ethnic Restaurant by the St. Augustine Record for several years thai by the locals, it’s located just north of the Florida School for the blind. Beer, wine & sake. Open for dinner from 5 pm-10 pm daily. Aurathai (1173 Edgewood Ave. S. Murray Hill. 904-389-8424) Murray Hill got a little swankier, with the addition of Aurathai. Try their delicious, tradi- Koja Sushi (2 Independent Dr. The Landing, Downtown. 904-350-9911 & 9866 Baymeadows Rd. tionally prepared thom yum soup or Kaeng Kiew Wan (also known as green curry). If you’ve Baymeadows. 904-350-9911) Those looking for a Japanese meal experience ought to know that eaten at Taste of Thai on University, Aurathai is the more upscale version. Justin Sellas, son of there is a strong Korean infl uence as far as other dishes besides sushi are concerned. The Spicy Pork the owners of Taste of Thai, decided to open his own place with his own stamp on things. He box, which is described as “sliced pork in sweet & spicy sauce” is more like a Korean curry than named the restaurant to honor his mother Aurathai Sellas. what you’d normally expect at a Japanese restaurant. Locals know to ask for the excellent kimchee, A colorfully chic décor gives Aurathai a modern, fun and classy feel. The highly saturated a traditional Korean dish of fermented veggies. Full bar. Open every day. $$$ color is broken up by custom-made white paper and stainless steel wall lights, as well as bamboo paneling and occasional olive green accents. In the very back of the restaurant you’ll fi nd Sake House (824 Lomax St. 5- Points. 904 301-1188) Artistic interpretations of Japanese scenes a large black and white picture of a Thai woman in a traditional headdress, over the well ap- grace the walls of this 5-Points sushi house. At Sake House, you can sit in a traditional Japanese din- pointed wine bar. ing room, but you’ll have to remove your shoes. There are 10 specialty sushi rolls to choose from on The spring rolls are perfectly conceived and executed, but it was the sweet chili sauce their sushi menu and 8 more on their regular menu. Beer, wine & sake. Open every day. $$ served on the side that had us begging for more. The same sauce took a starring role in the thang qua, a sliced cucumber salad garnished with ground peanuts. One appetizer that was Sushi Rock Café (1950 San Marco Blvd. San Marco. 904 399-3305) Neon in the midst of San snapped up quickly was the chicken satay skewers. The incredible peanut sauce was respon- Marco marks this sushi place. The décor and feeling is Urban Japanese, with a hint of futurism and a sible for the run on those. dash of nostalgia. Sit at the bar and watch them craft your meal. Beer, wine & sake. Open every day. I nearly ordered my Kaeng Daeng (red curry) Thai hot. Instead, I opted for hot, one step $$

8 dining guide | Fall 2007 | entertaining u newspaper below, and that was plenty spicy, even for me. They’re very accommodating as far as making Venison and Crème your dish at whatever level of spice you’d like, from mild on up. Only Thai food can bring Brûlée from The Row. that mixture of slow heat and fast burn that I crave. In the taste department, Aurathai has made the top of my Thai list. Beer, wine & sake. Open every day. $$

Lemongrass (9846 Old Baymeadows Rd. Baymeadows. 904-645-9911) An upscale L.A. urban feel is the back-drop for tasty Ameri-Thai-fare at this Baymeadows area restaurant. With a lime green décor and a small-but-chic bar, it’s also a stop for a casual dinner. Try their Pad Thai and Crab Rangoon. Beer, wine & sake. Open Mon-Sat. $$$

Old Siam Restaurant (1716 3rd Street North. Jacksonville Beach. 904-247-7763) A soothing dé- cor of greys, burgundies and pinks makes this a romantic twist on Thai. As the sister restaurant of Pom’s, you can expect the same level of excellent service and well-chosen wine list. Try their signature seafood special of shrimp, mussels, scallops, squid and crab claws with sweet basil and Thai spice. Beer, wine & sake. Open for dinner every day. $$$

Pattaya Thai (9551 Baymeadows Rd. Baymeadows. 904-646-9506) Jacksonville diners who crave authentic Thai often eat at Pattaya Thai, which has a devoted following. The chicken coconut soup is one of the menu items regulars go back for. It’s been part of the Jacksonville dining scene since before Thai was cool, albeit in a different location than where they ﬁ rst started. Beer, wine & sake. Open Mon-Sat. $$$

Pom’s (1974 San Marco Blvd. San Marco. 904-338-0269) For Thai food in an uber-posh atmosphere, try Pom’s in San Marco. This pricey, white table-clothed Thai eatery often serves chicken satay and Thai spring rolls to the pre-theater crowd. Located just off San Marco’s square above Square One, you can enjoy traditional Thai fare as well as fusion twists on old dishes. Try their seafood dishes or see if you can stand the heat of one of their spicier dishes; but be forewarned, unless b.b.’s (1019 Hendricks Ave. San Marco. 904-306-0100) For diverse, stylish American food in a you’re a true afi cionado of Thai-spice, you might be sweating at your well-appointed table. Full bar. mod-bistro atmosphere, minus the pretension, b.b.’s in San Marco is a Jacksonville favorite. They’ve $$$$ reportedly got a bisque soup that will have you wanting to lick the bowl clean. Under each entrée, one of their by-the-glass wines is suggested as a pairing. Desserts are large, so plan to share! Last Taste of Thai (4317 University Blvd. Southside. 904-737-9009) There’s a homey, family feel to we heard, they don’t accept reservations, but you can give them a call an hour before you arrive, this Thai restaurant, mostly because it is a family-owned and operated business. Service is always give them a specifi c time and they will put your name on their call-ahead list. $$$ friendly and they have a full selection of vegetarian items. The green chicken curry choice comes highly recommended. Regulars are a big part of the scene at Taste of Thai and owner Aurathai often Bistro Aix (1440 San Marco Blvd. San Marco. 904-398-1949) French-style bistro fare at its fi nest takes the time to greet them. Beer & wine. Open Mon-Sat. $$ with an eclectic fl are, Bistro Aix has a reputation for upscale cuisine, but there are some tasty options on the menu for under $20 and they have half-portions available on many of the selections, Thai Café (1177 Park Ave. Orange Park. 904-541-0204) This place specializes in the old classic something you might be grateful for if you like to have a little taste of everything! For dessert try Pad Thai, and locals often order the Cantonese-style fi sh, which is lauded as pretty close to the genu- their classic crème brûlée. Open every day. Full bar. $$$ ine deal. Prices are reasonable and the made-to-order lunch special is just $5.95. Beer & wine. Open Mon-Sat. $$ Biscotti’s (3556 St. Johns Ave. Avondale. 904-387-2060) Although bb’s and Biscotti’s are under the same ownership, Biscotti’s came fi rst. Years ago, Biscotti’s began as a hip coffeehouse in Avon- Thai Room (1286 S. 3rd St. Jacksonville Beach. 904-249-8444) The same folks that own Lem- dale, the fancy part of Riverside. Brick walls and curved archways give the place a more traditional ongrass also own this Jax Beach gem. They specialize in fi ne Thai cuisine including crispy duck, feel than its sister restaurant. Although their salads and entrees are fi rst rate, they’re known for their Thai-style snapper and chicken satay. A large menu means you’ll always fi nd something you’re in desserts, so check out their pastry case and make sure you save room. Open every day. Beer & wine. the mood for. Wine lovers will fi nd more than 200 wine selections on their menu. Beer, wine & sake. $$$ Open Mon-Sat. $$$ Brick Restaurant (3585 St. Johns Ave. Avondale. 904-387-0606) The seating style at the Brick encourages diners to look out at the picturesque, oak-lined street of people who walk in Avondale, whether it be a man walking a massive Dalmatian or a woman pushing a double stroller of twins. fine dining As an added bonus, the outdoor area of the Brick has misters, keeping diners cool in the heat of the summer. Lunch diners often opt for their popular Cuban Panini, while at dinner they chose to feast The Row (1521 Riverside Ave. Riverside. 904-354-5080) on the maple-glazed salmon entrée. Full bar. Open every day. $$$ The restaurant is named for “the row,” which is what the row of luxurious mansions lining Riverside Avenue was called in the early part of the last century. It captures the 1900 Café Nola (333 N. Laura St. Downtown. 904-366-6911) An unexpected shot of sweet is the sig- fl avor of Riverside beautifully, with rich maroon walls, white table cloth settings and fresh nature of Café Nola. It can be shock for those who are strictly meat and potatoes or that don’t like fl owers. to experiment. The Indian style mussels are a great favorite, if you’re fond of mussels. The fl avor The Row is, without a doubt, one of best places in Jacksonville to go for a romantic of the mussels gracefully prevails over the light-handed curry fl avor, and the portion is fairly large. meal. On a nice day you can sit on the spacious porch in the front, or you can eat more ca- Also notable on the small plates section of the menu are the Truffl ed Risotto Fritters, which are off sually on the deck in the back. The two main dining areas, bisected by the hotel lobby, are set by a sweet, caramelized black pepper shallot marmalade. Full bar. Open Mon–Fri and featuring a classically Riverside, with cushy chairs, beautiful place settings and window vistas of the Sunday brunch. $$$ neighborhood and the trees. Perhaps the pinnacle of The Row’s entrées is their signature Chicken Marsala. It’s Chew (117 W. Adams St. Downtown. 904-355-3793) Putty greens, clean lines and industrial/urban not the standard thin, rough-pounded chicken, but is instead served as a roasted de-boned warmth (yes, there is such a thing) mark the décor, with oh-so New York white paper lights, green chicken stuffed with a stunningly fl avorful spinach, goat cheese and pecans, topped with an tiled pillars and frosted glass. Serving reasonably priced, beautifully presented soups, salads and excellent marsala sauce, mushrooms and capers. I haven’t found a tastier chicken dish in other breakfast and lunchtime favorites. Patrons come back for their fried green tomato BLT and Jacksonville. Those with a taste for tender venison should try the charbroiled venison ten- their incredible croquet-Madame, topped with a fried egg. Salad offerings include the signature derloin. It’s complemented nicely by a wholly agreeable juniper-balsamic reduction, roasted Chew salad with shitake mushrooms, the apple and goat cheese salad, fresh citrus salad, fennel and potatoes and fresh asparagus. The Row does as well in the fi sh category as they do in all spinach salad, black mission prosciutto and classic Caesar. Each salad on the menu is paired with its others. I highly recommend the pesto-crusted salmon with parmesan sour cream sauce, for own dressing, made to complement its salad. Beer & wine. Open Mon-Fri. $$$ a richly creamy yet slightly tart salmon experience. The sunburst squash served on the side was a lightly sweet, delicious pairing for this dish. Cortesses Bistro & Flamingo Room (172 San Marco Ave. St Augustine. 904-825-6775) Expect Reservations are recommended, but you can always take a seat at the classy Gum Bunch delectable seafood crepes, stuffed fl ounder and live music. We recommend their artichoke soup and Pub. Besides a decent wine list and good selection of beers, they’ve got a full bar for those (despite the upscale manner of the place) their burgers. Take advantage of their beautiful courtyard who like the stronger stuff. Open Mon-Sat for dinner. $$$$ and sip on an exquisite martini from their Flamingo Room. They also have a delightful champagne brunch on Sundays. Full bar. Open Mon-Sun. $$$

eujacksonville.com | Fall 2007 | dining guide 9 Crush (3630 Park St. Avondale. 904-381-0909) High-art French food has become the signature of this former wine bar. The appetizer with the loveliest presentation on their current dinner menu seems to be the Tarte de Fromage Chevre, a layered tart of roasted beets and goat cheese atop mixed greens highlighted with a citrus vinaigrette. Also sitting pretty on the plate—their Roti de Canard, a slow roasted duck breast, trufﬂ ed carrot puree, grilled endive, duck gelee, with a beurre rouge sauce. Beer & wine, lots of wine. Open Mon-Sat. $$$$

Eleven South Bistro (216 11th Ave. S. Jacksonville Beach. 904-241-1112) At Eleven South, they say that “good food has an address”—theirs. It’s modern American cuisine served with a Mediter- ranean ﬂ air, though they pull inspiration from around the world for their menu, which often changes. One appetizer that does stay on the menu is their seafood martini; ahi tuna tartar, lump crab, poached white shrimp, avocado, mango salsa, crostini and citrus aioli presented in a martini glass. Seafood, steak and various other upscale items round out their menu. Full bar. Open every day. $$$$

Ocean 60 (60 Ocean Blvd. Atlantic Beach. 904-247-0060) One of this bistro’s trademark dishes is a whole fried ﬁ sh dusted in a light cornmeal, perfectly scored (so you can lift the ﬁ sh right off the bone), and served with yucca fries, a Napa cabbage salad and a brandy citrus dipping sauce. If you want to peruse the art on the walls as well as on the plate, make sure you request a table on the martini bar side, where they have a rotating gallery. Full bar. Open Mon-Sat. $$$$

Opus 39 (39 Cordova St. St. Augustine. 904-824-0402) Each night, the ﬁ ve-course tasting menu changes, so you’ll always have the chance to try something new at this cutting-edge, yet elegant bistro. It’s a contemporary Spanish cuisine that borrows ﬂ avors from around the globe. They’re no slouch in the wine department either, and have won awards from Wine Spectator Magazine. They also have a retail wine shop on-site, if you should want to take home some exclusive vino. Reserva- tions are required. Beer & wine. Open Tues-Sat. $$$$

Sterlings (94551 St. John’s Ave. Avondale. 904-387-0700) The white table cloths, the sterling sil- verware and the fi ne food make this a great spot for an upscale meal. They serve veal, lamb, chicken and a fresh catch of the night on their menu. Upstairs is a great little bar, and the courtyard makes for a romantic spot to dine. It’s much quieter than some of the other fi ne restaurants in town, so you won’t have to shout to your dinner companions over your fi ne meal. On Sundays they serve brunch with mimosas and bloody marys, as in customary here in Jacksonville. Just have one, or pay a little extra to upgrade to bottomless drinks. Full bar. Open every day. $$$$ delicatessan Worman’s Deli (204 Broad St. Downtown. 904-354-5702) This Downtown deli is an institution that’s been family owned and operated since 1923. Try anything from the deli case, order yourself a made-to-order sandwich or indulge in one of their baked sweets, like a black and white cookie. Open Mon-Sat. $

Whiteway Delicatessen (1510 King St. Riverside. 904-389-0355) A little slice of New York is right on the corner of King and Park Street in the historic Whiteway corner of Riverside. When you ﬁ rst step in, the pictures of all of their customers may throw you off, but don’t worry, you’ll get your turn when you get to the counter. They have some of the best sandwiches, especially the ones stuffed into pitas. Get one of their side salads to complement it, you’ve never had a better potato salad. $ irish Culhane’s (967 Atlantic Blvd. Atlantic Beach. 904-249-9595) If you’re lucky you might see one of the four Culhane sisters who run the pub. These delightful ladies hail from county Cork out of Ireland. Culhane’s is our pick for hearty Irish fare, from their potato leek soup to their shepherd’s pie. Desserts are just as good as the main fare. Carolan’s fried cheese cake, covered in Irish crème sauce is a deﬁ nite winner. The 24-carrot cake is a truly massive slab of carrot cake with a rich cream cheese icing and honest-to-goodness whipped cream. Full bar. Open 11:30 am- till the last customer leaves Tue-Sun. $$

Fionn MacCool’s (333 1st Street North, Suite 150. Jacksonville Beach. 904-242-9499) From the front door to the back room, Fionn MacCool’s is everything you expect from an upscale Irish pub. Besides typical pub fare and a lovely Guinness Steak, they serve the rare Irish specialty of Boxty, a traditional Northwest Irish meal, which is a potato pancake as light as a crêpe wrapped around a meat ﬁ lling in a rich cream sauce. Full bar. Open Mon-Sat with a weekend brunch. $$

Shannon’s (111 Bartram Oaks Walk. Julington Creek. 904-230-9670) Literally the greenest Irish pub in town, Shannon’s location near Mandarin makes it both a draw for families and a local hangout for twenty to forty-year olds looking for a neighborhood chill zone. Their menu includes standard pub food but they also offer up American style bar foods and an array of sandwiches and salads. Order the scotch eggs and you won’t be disappointed. You get two huge scotch eggs the size of small cannon balls. The boiled eggs are encased in Shannon’s bangers sausage and deliciously fried breading. Full bar. Open Mon-Sun. $$

10 dining guide | Fall 2007 | entertaining u newspaper european street café German food, such as bratwurst, knockwurst and a German potato salad (served warm) are part of the selections, as are Middle Riverside, Southside, Beaches, and San Marco Eastern Dishes like kibbie and tabouleh. European Street Café might just be Jacksonville’s undisputed Favorites include the Blue Max, featuring smoked pastrami, king of soups, salads and sandwiches, perhaps because it’s been corned beef, sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese mixed with hot around for so long. Older locals remember when the place was called mustard and blue cheese dressing. For a twist on the club sandwich, Mr. Dunderbak’s Deli. give the Canadian Turkey Club a try. New on the menu is the Turkey There are certain items that bring people back, such as the Parisian, a sandwich where you win in its struggle between sweet and Beer-Cheese Soup served in a bread bowl, which is a favorite among savory. Turkey, brie, raspberry sauce, cucumber and lettuce all join in local soup lovers. Locals who frequent a European Street (they on a classy little croissant. are generally ﬁ ercely devoted to one location) also come Under salads, the neighborhood choice is the shrimp salad back for the 2-6 pm Happy Hour. The sheer quantity bowl and in appetizers it’s the warm brie, served with almonds, apple and selection of beers available gives even the slices and French bread. Don’t miss the deli case on your way out. pickiest beer drinker enough choices. There are The desserts and cakes here are very, very good and they offer such something like 150 bottled beers available and strange cakes as the banana split, as well as gigantic, fresh- 20 beers on tap. baked cookies. Whatever you go for, make sure you visit a European Street Café at least once, it’s a Jacksonville tradition. Open every day. Beer & wine.

eujacksonville.com | Fall 2007 | dining guide 11 burrito gallery 21 East Adams St. Downtown. 904-598-2922 deli-style and otherwise. Vegetarians who haven’t yet discovered this Burrito Gallery has the chops to put some fi ne art on the walls place should come in for the ginger teriyaki tofu burrito and the grilled and some damn fi ne tacos on your plate. They consistently feature the veggie. The tacos are a smaller choice, but just as tasty. Try the fresh best and brightest young artists from the Jacksonville area, both on mahi, carnitas (pork), curry chicken or the shrimp. the canvas and on the actual wall. If you go to a place called Burrito Under salads the Cobb is a most excellent choice. The spring mix Gallery, you might want to order a burrito. Go ahead. But be warned. is topped with bleu cheese, egg, grilled scallions, tomatoes and bacon Burritos come in two sizes here, ginormous and gargantuan. with a tasty sherry tarragon vinaigrette served on the side. It comes They serve great food made fast. It’s fresh of course, and much, with grilled chicken, but you can sub that with steak or shrimp. But much better in quality than the majority of quickly prepared meals, the bottom line is that they have some of the best fi sh tacos in town made with blackened mahi. For an unusual treat, try their chicken curry tacos. Full bar. Open Mon-Sat. $$

12 dining guide | Fall 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Curried Snapper mediterranean/middle eastern from Zaitoon.

Zaitoon (13475 Atlantic Blvd. Intercoastal. 904-221-7066) Zaitoon cuisine delves deeply into the Mediterranean, borrowing from each tradition in the area—Spanish, French, Italian, Greek and Middle Eastern. The Mediterranean is such an intriguing mélange of cultures and cuisines, so Zaitoon has plenty to choose from. They blend tried-and-true family recipes with contemporary techniques. The appetizers, called “tapas” in the Spanish tradition, are divided into items that are served cold or hot. On the warmed or hot side, you’ll fi nd spanakopita, a Greek dish of butter brushed phyllo pastries baked and fi lled with spinach, sweet onion and feta. There’s also fl ash fried calamari and the ever popular Middle Eastern favorite of kibbie. Under the cold tapas there are a number of spreads for breads, including a signature dipping sauce. In this section I’d have to recommend the layered hummus here over their plain hummus. Fresh tomato, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olive, spinach and feta cheese top this layered hummus dish. Skewerless kebabs form the bulk of the lunch menu, including tasty lamb, beef and savory chicken. The best choice is a combo kebab of two different kinds of meat. At dinner try Zaitoon’s Spanish Paella, with local shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, and chicken sautéed in a white wine then baked over a chorizo and oven dried tomato risotto. You might want to sample their classically Greek Moussaka, a napoleon of eggplant, potato, ground sirloin, lamb and tomato with a Bechamel, or white sauce. Chicken lovers will fi nd it hard to resist the description of their Sicilian Chicken, grilled and served with dried chilies, potato, bell peppers, tomato, olives, capers, and red wine amid basmati rice.

Casbah (3628 Saint Johns Ave. Avondale. 904-981-9966) The Casbah is on my list of late night bites, since they serve food until 2AM. It’s an established hookah hangout, so you can anticipate sweet clouds of hookah smoke. Unlike cigarette smoke, it isn’t disturbing to the meal, and is more like a light, sweet incense than anything else. Middle Eastern-style cuisine is a lot less exotic than people believe it is. At the Casbah, the stuffed Grape leaves, also known as a dolma, are stuffed with spiced ground beef and rice. The leaves themselves are a little tart, so they have a bit of a savory tang to them. I sampled the fool, which is like the fresh hummus, made largely by puréeing garban- zo beans (also known as chick peas) and topping it with olive oil and spices, only with fava beans, resulting in a thicker, heartier pita dip. Open every day. Beer & wine. $ latin La Nopalera (various locations.) When it comes to Mexican, Jacksonville dearly loves its La No- paleras. They have ﬁ ercely loyal regulars, who know the servers by name, who eat there sometimes twice a week. The food is simple and lightly spiced. If you want more kick to your food, ask for extra hot sauce or salsa when you order. The ground beef tacos, lightly spiced, are extra tasty, and the ﬂ uffy tortillas are perfectly genuine. Ask for the pork tacos, and you won’t be disappointed. $$

El Porto (11380 Beach Blvd. Downtown. 904-564-9977) Known as one of the best Mexican buf- fets in Jacksonville, El Porto serves up fast, simple Tex-Mex comfort foods for the whole family. The buffet is open from 11 am- 2:30 pm and 5 pm- 8:30 pm, seven days a week. Open 11 am-10 am Tento Churrascaria (528 First St. N. Jacksonville Beach. 904-246-1580) It’s Brazilian Steak- Mon-Sat; 11 am -9 pm Sun. $$ house that features, meat, meat and more meat, with over 14 cuts of meat carved before your very eyes. In fact, it’s kind of like a buffet, except that you just sit there and they continue to bring you Havana-Jax (2578 Atlantic Blvd. St. Nicholas. 904-399-0609) This restaurant is unique in Jack- more premium slices of meat. Drinks and desserts are separate from the $29 all-the-meat-you-can- sonville; while we have many Hispanic restaurants that serve the occasional Cuban dish, Havana- eat price. $$$$ Jax is the only one that specializes in purely Cuban cuisine. If you’re looking to come in for lunch, the Cuban sandwich is the most genuine Cuban you can fi nd in Jacksonville. Cuban arroz con pollo is the standout choice for dinner. Full bar. $$$ italian Jimadores Mexican Bar and Grill (440 Hendricks Ave. Miramar Plaza. 904-739-5828) They’ve got a good selection of Mexican beers such as Dos Equis, Tecate, and Corona to quench your thirst Angelo’s (2111 University Blvd. N. Arlington. 904-745-4812) With dark wood paneling, Sinatra after eating salsa and tortilla chips. Homemade tortillas, crisp lettuce, succulent tomatoes, tender, crooning, black accents and red tablecloths, Angelo’s isn’t short on classy retro-style atmosphere. juicy meats, and savory spices are just part of what you’ll fi nd at Jimadores. All of their dinners are The food is uncomplicated Americanized Italian. You’ll lovingly consume the artfully presented served with rice and beans and you can have your choice of beef, chicken, pork, or seafood. Full bar. chicken piccata. The moist juices of the tender chicken breast are sealed in by an egg batter (Fran- Open Mon-Sun. $$ çais style) served atop a bed of zucchini and green peppers with a fl avorful lemon and chicken stock reduction laced with capers. Full bar. Open every day for lunch and dinner. $$$ Puerto Plata Restaurant (2045 Blanding Blvd. Lakeshore. 904-388-5888) The line between Caribbean and Latin gets blurred at this family-owned restaurant on the Westside. The charming Sorrento’s (6943 Saint Augustine Rd. Mandarin. 904-636-9196) This is a true Italian bistro. A servers speak terrifi c English and are great at helping customers navigate their menu. If you love quaint little restaurant perfect for an intimate dinner, Sorrento is located in a snug little building plaintains, they have some of the best in town. Their Dominican fried chicken is also exceptionally tucked away from the limelight on St. Augustine Road. Known by foodies as one of the best kept good, but look out for bones, these aren’t McNuggets, they’re Latino Americano delicacies. Some secrets of Italian dining in Jacksonville, Chef Luciano Russo meticulously prepares delicious tradi- other notable dishes include their roasted pork, the soups, and their Cuban sandwich. Make sure to tional fare and the service is always extraordinary. Step out of the trendy restaurant scene and into try the hot sauce and instead of a soda, get their delicious Parcha, a passion fruit juice. Open Tues this quiet little treasure. Excellent wine list and select beers. Open Tues–Sun. $$$$ - Sun. $$ Ristorante Sarnelli’s (2023 Park Ave. Orange Park. 904-269-1331) In spite of having one of the Ramirez Restaurant (1237 Park Ave. Orange Park. 904-278-9040) Everybody thinks of this fam- best locations for a restaurant in Orange Park (at the corner of Park and Kingsley) Sarnelli’s still ily owned restaurant as primarily Mexican. While they do have their share of fajitas and Mexican seems like a secret. The façade isn’t impressive, but when you step inside, you step straight into an style dishes, you might want to venture into some of the Cuban cuisine the family cooks here, like authentic slice of Northern Italy. From their Flounder Caprese to the traditional lasagna, this is very their roast pork and the ropa vieja (a shredded beef dish). You can dine indoors or outdoors, enjoy- possibly the best Italian experience you can fi nd in Florida. But make a reservation if you expect to ing their selection of beer, wine and spirits. Full Bar. Open Mon- Sun. $$ be served. Beer and an exceptional wine list. Open Mon-Sat. $$$$

eujacksonville.com | Fall 2007 | dining guide 13 caribbean The Conch House (57 Comares Ave. St. Augustine. 904-829-8646) While this place has a Ca- ribbean/Floribbean ﬂ avor to many of their dishes, it can’t exactly be called traditional Caribbean. Although more expensive than most Caribbean restaurants, it is well worth it. You can enjoy your Minorcan Burger in a private cabana on the water or have the Carribbean Chicken Pasta in their air-conditioned dining room. They also make great cocktails, not tourist grifters, but stiff drinks in their bar out on the dock. From live alligators to jet ski rentals, this must be the coolest restaurant in North Florida. Several full bars. Open every day. $$$

Ameribbean Restaurant (3801 N Main St. Springfi eld. 904-798-8500) This Springfi eld taste of the Caribbean is worth the drive, even if you don’t live in Springfi eld. Word of mouth has spread quickly about this hole-in-thewall- esque place, so you might fi nd yourself dining with some of the folks who report the local nightly news. Try their brown stew chicken (another name for jerk chicken) and their beef stew, which simmers for hours. Open Mon-Sat. $

Caribbee Key (100 First St. Neptune Beach. 904-270-8940)The island-inspired food at Carib- bee Key has become an important part of the Neptune Beach culture. While Caribbee Key is more inspired by island fl avors and fl air than slavishly devoted to genuine Caribbean food, it’s still not Goat Cheese Wild Mushroom to be missed. You can sit outside and enjoy the sunlight and an ocean breeze, or you can go to their and Tomato Bruscetta from upstairs bar where they keep the windows open. The jerk Chicken is defi nitely of a Jamaican fl avor Tastings. and can be had fried or grilled. The creamy roasted corn and crab chowder will be a treat for those who love island chowder. It’s not very spicy, but it is very savory. Full bar. Open every day. $ Moon River Caribbean Sunrise Bakery & Restaurant (4106 N Main St. Springfi eld. 904-355-0405) For (1176 Edgewood Ave S. Murray Hill. 904-389-4442) Although not a traditional pie, more than 10 years, Caribbean Sunrise Bakery has been serving Jacksonville with a taste of the sun- their white pizza is the best in the business. Not many people remember Rock and Roll Pizza down- kissed islands. They play reggae and sell freshly baked Jamaican-style breads. Try a meat patty or town, but those that do can go to Moon River to fulfi ll that craving. They have exotic toppings, their tender oxtail, or if you’re adventurous, there’s ackee, which they only serve on Saturdays and original local art, and a rock and roll theme to their delivery. This is easily the best non-traditional Sundays during breakfast. Meals are well-priced and you can opt for half or whole portions. Open pizza in town, and it’s in Murray Hill. Who would’a guessed? Beer & wine. $$ every day. $

Caribbean Sunspot (116 East Adams St. Downtown. 904-359-2100) Right next to London seafood Bridge on Adams, you can fi nd Caribbean Sunspot. With a teeny dining area painted in Rastafarian Whitey’s Fish Camp (2032 County Rd. 220. Orange Park. 904-269-4198) colors, you can kick back and sip on some fruit nectar while noshing on their veggie plate or jerk This may just be the best thing about Orange Park. From their sweet potato fries to their Snow chicken. Open Mon-Fri. $ Crab dinners, Whitey’s is an institution. Some people feel that since they expanded they lost a little of their charm, but as a once Fleming Island local told us, their food used to be sketchy, Da Real Ting (128 West Adams St. Downtown. 904-633-9738 ) The jerk chicken here at Da Real whereas now it is fantastic. The view of Black Creek ain’t bad either, and there’s plenty of Ting really is the real thing. It’s the best jerk chicken we’ve found in Jacksonville. For some bar bites great live entertainment every weekend. Full bar. Open every day. $$ that can’t be beat, try their conch fritters, served with a spicy sauce. Full bar. Open Fri-Sun nights. $ Creekside Dinery (160 Nix Boatyard Rd. St Augustine. 904-829-6113) Overlooking the scenic Plantains at the Sea Turtle Inn (1 Ocean Blvd. Atlantic Beach. 904-249-7402) This high-end Gonzales Creek, this fi sh camp sort of seafood spot lets you sit right by the water while you dine on restaurant runs the culinary gamut, but it’s rooted in Floribbean fl avor. Try the pan seared crab cakes some of the best seafood the traditional south has to offer. From their famous seafood chowder to with a Key Lime mustard mayo or any of the fi sh dishes. With a lovely view of the Atlantic and a the Palatka plank steak, this is a true Florida experience. $$ fusion ingrained with Island fl avor, it’s one of the top restaurants on the beach. Open every day and late on Friday. They also have a spectacular brunch. Full bar. Open every day. $$$ Billy’s Boathouse (2321 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach. 904-241-9771) From clams and oysters to fi sh entrees with an Asian twist, including Cashew Crumb Swai (a snapper dish) and Salmon Hiro, Billy’s Boat House is perched right on the water and often features live music on their patio pizza while you dig into some fresh caught fi sh and a cold beverage. Full bar. $$ Cap’s on the Water (4325 Myrtle St. St. Augustine. 904-824-8794) Located on the Intracoastal Tommy’s Pizza (4160 Southside Blvd. Southside. 904-565-1999) This small, innocuous Waterway in St. Augustine, Cap’s started as a fi sh camp but has since become more upscale, with pizza place, buried in a strip mall along Southside Boulevard, was an unusual treat. Histori- white tablecloths and a wine list. For a less formal experience than the dining room has to offer, you cally, the best pizza places are never those glitzy towering standalone joints with recognizable can sit out on the deck, at the bar, or on their fl oating dock. They’ve recently added their “Sunset name brands, but rather small parlors tucked away almost invisibly in a strip of shops. As an Oyster Bar” to their deck, raw, steamed and a variety of baked oysters are served, as well as Dunge- appetizer, we had one of Tommy’s specialties; the unusual but astounding Strawberry and ness crab, mussels and Mayport shrimp. Full bar. $$ Tomato Salsa Foccacia. The Margherita pizza is a delicious thin-crust pizza with an olive oil sauce (replacing the traditional pizza sauce), topped with real mozzarella cheese, fresh sliced Outback Crab Shack (8155 County Rd. 13 N. St Augustine. 904-522-0500) This place is quickly roma tomatoes, and fresh basil. Bottled beers and wine. $$ becoming Jacksonville’s new favorite fi sh camp. Although it has been there since 1975, people in Jacksonville seem to have discovered it only in the last year or two, but it has quickly been a place Gino’s (1705 Hendricks Ave. San Marco. 904-398-4425) Somehow invisible to most people, known for being worth the drive. They call the restaurant a cypress shack, they have music, and they Gino’s is not hidden, it’s right next to the San Marco La Nopelara. Gino’s easily makes the best New are laid back (no shoes no shirt, no problem). Obviously their specialty is soft shell crab, but they York style pizza in town. The intimate little restaurant has great décor and makes enormous, hand- also have everything from oysters to alligator. Full bar. $$ tossed pizzas with traditional ingredients and some of the best sauce in town, bar none. If you’ve never had a pizza that made you close your eyes while you chew it, you’ve never been to New York Safe Harbor (4378 Ocean St. Mayport. 904-246-4911) This shop is fi rst and foremost one of the or Gino’s. Limited bottled beers and wine. Open every day. $$ best fresh fi sh markets in Jacksonville. Featuring a constantly changing array of the freshest fi sh to come off of the boats that dock right next to it, Safe Harbor can give you the raw materials for a Brooklyn Pizza (Locations in Mandarin, Bartram Park, and 9A at Baymeadows. 904-288- fantastic dish, or their experts can prepare the fi sh you pick out right there in their kitchen, and either 9211) You can always get a fairly quick slice of Brooklyn-style pizza at any of their loca- way it is likely to be among the best seafood you’ve had. $$ tions and their pizza is pretty close to the real thing. Their gigantic, hand-tossed pizzas have good sauce and the full array of traditional toppings. They are also reminiscent of New York Sliders (218 1st St. Neptune Beach. 904-246-088) This Neptune Beach favorite is the perfect place through their small storefront pizzerias where you can see the pizza baker yelling right back at to slip away from the beach for a cold beer and some delicious oysters. Their raw oysters are known the order clerk. The best thing about Brooklyn Pizza is that a New York slice is never far away for being the best, but even if you like them cooked, they have plenty of styles to tickle your fancy. because of their three convenient locations around town. Limited bottled beer selection. Open Not an oyster lover? They’ve got something to appease you too, while the rest of your party sucks Mon-Sat at most locations. $$ down some sliders. $$

14 dining guide | Fall 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Singletons (4728 Ocean St. Mayport. 904-246-4442) Many swear that this is the best fi sh camp in Florida, although Frommer’s only awarded it two stars. Their shrimp Po Boy is supposed to be the things dreams are made of, for people who just can’t get enough fried shrimp and fi sh in their messy sandwiches. $$ tapas The Tasting Room (25 Cuna St. St Augustine. 904-810-2400) Try the Chef’s Daily Flight, for a trifecta of beauty and taste. Many of the ingredients that are part of the tapas selections at the Tast- ing Room are exclusively made in Spain, like the Manchego cheese and the Serrano ham. Those who haven’t had grilled romaine lettuce simply need to try this dazzling presentation at the Tasting Room. The smoky fl avor coupled with the crisp lettuce will leave you thinking about their salad for days. Ours was topped with roasted red peppers, onions, pine nuts, chives, a sherry cream sauce and scrumptious little anchovies. If you’re into adventurous cuisine, you just might experience fl avors at the Tasting Room that you’ve never had before. Beer & Wine. Open 1:30 pm- 11 pm Tues- Wed; 1:30pm - 12:30 am Thu-Sat; Closed Sun & Mon. $$$$.

Zhanras (108 Anastasia Blvd. Anastasia Island. 904-823-3367) This chic new tapas restaurant on Anastasia island has a post-modern design, a rotating gallery of contemporary art provided by local artists, and an attached cigar and martini bar. It is a great place to meet up with friends and share appetizers while you enjoy the casual-cool elegance of their facility. Visit zhanras.com for a peek at their menu. Full Bar. $$$ wine bars Tastings (1515 Prudential Dr. Southbank. 904-346-0605) There’s a new wine bar in town that is aptly named Tastings. Though wine is the focus, they do have a great little menu that will tickle your taste buds even if you aren’t into the vino. They’ll pour you wine at the bar, they have wines on tap. The process keeps them fresh by lowering the oxygen content. Most restaurants can’t spare the expense of offering top vino by the glass. By putting their wines on tap (which keeps them super-fresh), Tastings can offer you a taste, half-glass or full glass of the good stuff. But, it’s not just about the wine. The simply prepared but excellent food will be bringing me back. The menu is carefully crafted to complement wine for a lovely interplay of fl avor. Those who work in the area are just discovering it as a low-key, mid-priced place to catch a tasteful lunch, with or without wine. The bruschetta plate is served with a goat cheese and wild mushroom spread. The goat cheese is cut with cream cheese, making the fl avor more subtle and improving the texture so that it can be spread on bread. Two types of fl at bread came with this dish—a kind of toast cracker and bread that was fl uffy in the center and crispy on the outside, like a tiny sliced baguette. Cute and tasty. The most popular salad on the menu, though, is the Spicy Salmon Skewers & Baby Spin- ach. It’s a salad that pops with fl avor. Even as I write this, I’m craving another taste of that seasoned but lightly spiced salmon set apart with the lemony taste of the deliciously simple vinaigrette. I can’t resist dessert, so when I was offered a taste of their chocolate cake, I gave in to the Dark Side and had a piece. The Rosa Regale, a sweet bubbly, launched the taste of the slice into the stratosphere. It helped me discover depths of fl avor in that chocolate cake that I hadn’t known before. Open every day. $$$

The Grape (10281 Midtown Pkwy. Southside, St. Johns Town Center. 904-642-7111) This is a corporate wine bar for people that have a predetermined idea about what a wine bar is. They are committed ﬁ rst and foremost to wine, so they do special meals that pair different courses of their cuisine with different wines and they have a wine shop attached in case you ﬁ nd that perfect wine. Although not as affordable as Total Wine, they do have more than 120 wines that you can taste and purchase by the bottle. $$$

The Grotto (2012 San Marco Blvd. San Marco. 904-398-0726) The Grotto is a San Marco stalwart for wine and cheese connoisseurs. Their San Marco location makes them the perfect place to start or end an elegant evening in San Marco, and the ambience is like an authentic Italian wine grotto. Except that it is not actually in a cave. But when there you for- get you’re in a storefront. Select from one of their more than 50 wines by the glass or take home a bottle that is perfect for the season. $$$

Simons A Wine Bar (1004 Hendricks Ave. San Marco. 904-396-8088) The wines on their menu are categorized by region and you can ﬁ nd Austrian wines from $21 per bottle or a 1995 Bordeaux for $3,400. This quiet retreat is a great place for a private dinner, although the foods are a little rich, but to really get the full Simons experience you have to go on one of their live jazz nights. $$$

Wine Cellar (1314 Prudential Dr. Southbank. 904-398-8989) The Southbank area seems to be where all of the wine bars get together and hangout. Wine Cellar is the oldest wine bar in the area, making it the classic wine bar for the Jacksonville area. Their con- This Dining Guide is brought to you by Entertaining U Newspaper. tinental cuisine can be paired with your choice from their enormous wine list. Put on your evening 3101 University Blvd. South, Suite 311 Jacksonville, FL 32216 clothes and make it a formal night. $$$$ (904) 730-3003 | fax (904) 448-5956 | www.eujacksonville.com

eujacksonville.com | Fall 2007 | dining guide 15

carvel ice cream 4268 Oldfi eld Crossing Dr in Mandarin (904) 292-9000 They are the U.S.’s oldest ice cream franchise. They’re especially known for their ice cream cakes the coolest (like Fudgie the Whale). They sell them at Publix sometimes, but it’s just not the same as getting them fresh from a Carvel store. They do custom ice cream cakes of all kinds and ice cream by the scoop. Most people don’t realize that they have a location in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville. They were the innovators of the industry, as the fi rst to make ice cream cakes and all their ice cream is completely of treats. kosher. dreamette Post St & Edgewood Ave ice cream and other cold confections in Murray Hill by erin thursby This is THE classic soft-serve ice cream shop, at least for the Murray Hill area. The Jacksonville band Crowsdell even named their debut album after the place before Shannon Wright transcended the Jacksonville scene. They’ve been serving up deliciously creamy soft-serve ice cream in Murray Hill for almost 60 years. You can also get a super-thick milkshake or let them mix candy or fl avor into it for a unique dessert, but most folks stick with a classic soft-serve chocolate, vanilla or combination swirl. Their sundae’s are also a favorite on a hot day. The quickest way to make a kid of any age happy is to make their Dreamette come true.

marble slab creamery 9 Locations in and around Jacksonville It’s a chain, yes, but what a chain. Part of the appeal is choosing what will be going into your ice cream. Instead of simply sprinkling your pistachios and chocolate crumbs onto your ice cream as they do at most places, they mix it into your fl avor of choice right there on a marble slab (hence the name). It’s like having a custom-made ice cream, every time. They bake their waffl e-cones onsite, so you’ll The heat lately has been absolutely oppressive. On the upside—that just sometimes catch the lovely aroma. They also have a great variety of stuff to throw in your ice cream— makes us love ice cream, gelato and milkshakes all the more. Here are just bits of candy bars, chopped up when you order, gram cracker crumbles, gummy bears, tiny cookies, M&Ms and much more. a few of the places where you can enjoy the frosty, cold confection of your The fl avors are fairly unique for ice cream, with such fl avors as cheesecake, key lime, bubble choice. gum, maple, birthday cake, all the standard fl avors and much more. They’re defi nitely different than your typical ice cream shop because of the mix-ins. You can fi nd a Marble Slab at the St. Johns Town Center, on Baymeadows, in 5- Points and near Julington Creek on San Jose. ben & jerry’s 1635 Wells Rd in Orange Park bella ice cream gelato ices (904) 541-0200 134 Atlantic Blvd Creamy ice cream goodness is just one of the things they serve at our local Ben & Jerry’s, using (904) 220-9030 rBGH-free milk. This means that the Vermont cows that produce Ben & Jerry’s aren’t injected with Bo- This is a family-run establishment on Atlantic Boulevard near the Intracoastal. They’re situated in vine Growth Hormone. They’re also sensitive to the needs of the huge population that’s highly allergic the relatively new Harbor Village Shopping Center, notable for its Stein Mart and decorative, beach-in- to nuts by guaranteeing that fl avors without nuts in the ingredients will not even contain a trace of nuts. spired fountains. This same center also has a Cobblestone’s and Zaitoon Mediterranean. The gelato is They do serve plain vanilla ice cream, despite the fact that they’re famous for wacky fl avors like made fresh everyday, using a technique the owners learned in Italy. Try their incredible, bursting-with- “Wavy Gravy” and “Phish Food.” Their ice cream has been popular from the start, perhaps because fl avor cantaloupe gelato, made with fresh cantaloupes. Whatever your fl avor, one taste is sure to make they stick to natural ingredients. You can only get a Ben & Jerry’s Sundae at one of their scoop shops, you a devotee. so it’s worth going to Orange Park. It comes with small, fresh-baked cookies, a dollop of whipped Despite the fact that Gelato has less fat in it than traditional American ice cream, it tastes richer, cream and the customary chocolate syrup. Our local Ben & Jerry’s is east of the Orange Park Mall on with fuller fl avors. Gelato is denser, with less air whipped in it than ice cream and it’s stored at slightly Wells Road. They even have a drive-thru, if you’re in a hurry. Have a taste of what happens when hip- lower temperatures than ice cream is. Serving the product a couple of degrees warmer tends to inten- pies make ice cream. sify the fl avor.

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 11 Crème Brûlée from Ocean 60.

sweet endings.

where to ﬁ nd some of the best desserts by erin thursby

Getting to dessert when you’re out can be a tricky thing, especially if you’ve already had 3 courses or eaten a huge entrée. When I eat, I keep dessert in mind from the beginning. When it comes to eating, I pace myself like a marathon runner and ask my waiter to please box up whatever it is I’ve been eating. “No, really, it was very good. I’m saving room for dessert,” I say determinedly, in response to their worries at my almost full plate. And that’s the problem really; it’s difﬁ cult to indulge, to really experience decadence, if you can’t push your plate aside. Sometimes dessert is all the sweeter when it stands alone, hours after a meal. There a few places that I keep in mind when all I want is a little sweetness, something to ﬁ nish a perfect evening after a night out or a leisurely dinner at home.

tiramisu Tiramisu is both a classic and a favorite. At Joseph’s (30 Ocean Blvd., 904 270-1122) in Atlan- tic Beach, you might just get a taste of some of the best tiramisu around. It’s made by a local in the Argyle area. Some people make a special trip just for a slab of the stuff. The presentation isn’t great and the atmosphere is that of a casual pizza joint, but the taste is phenomenal. If you’re bringing a dessert-hungry friend that isn’t into tiramisu, just point them in the direction of their yummy gelato.

crème brûlée Nearly every high-end restaurant has their version of classic crème brûlée. At Ocean 60 (60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach. 247-0060) you can get an excellently prepared crème brûlée dessert, or you can just order a crème brûlée martini, which tastes like its namesake in the form of an alcoholic beverage. Bistro Aix (1440 San Marco Blvd. San Marco. 904 398-1949) also serves a well executed classic crème brûlée. Many items on the menu rotate with the seasons, but you’ll always ﬁ nd the classic crème brûlée. The Bistro also has a decent selection of dessert wines and ports. For a new twist on this old favorite, try the Thai Tea Crème Brûlée at Blue Bamboo (3820 South- side Blvd. Southside. 904 646-1478). carrot cake Desserts are just as good as the main fare at the Atlantic Beach pub, Culhane’s (967 Atlantic Blvd. 249-9595). Carolan’s Fried Cheesecake, covered in Irish crème sauce is a deﬁ nite winner. The 24-Carrot Cake is a truly massive slab of carrot cake with a rich cream cheese icing and honest-to- goodness whipped cream. Sharing is a must.

chocolate Café Carmon (1986 San Marco Blvd 904 399-4488) in San Marco has a great rep as a dessert place, but nothing on their dessert menu has been more lauded than their Chocolate Mousse Pie. The rich and creamy chocolate goodness is topped with hand-whipped cream and berries. What lured me into Roy’s (2400 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL - 904 241-7697) besides their ﬁ sh-heavy, Hawaiian fusion menu, was the rich promise of Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufﬂ é. The molten chocolate centered dessert is served with vanilla bean ice cream to cool things down. Accord- (continued on page 14)

12 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper you won’t have a huge battle once the food comes and they don’t want what you chose. • In the beginning, always bring someone with you. That way if your child still insists on having a meltdown, you can take them outside while your companion gets the food to go. You can always try again next week!

kids eat free! On top of simply being kid-friendly, many area restaurants let kids eat free with the purchase of adult meals. Best of all, parents can take advantage of these specials every day of the week. Here’s a kids-eat-free schedule in case you want to try to do just that: sunday thursday Ale House (Regency)- This unlikely family-friend- Tom & Betty’s (Westside)- Thursdays are kid’s ly restaurant offers two free kids meals with the night at this terriﬁ c restaurant. Enjoy balloons, purchase of one adult entrée valued at $9.99. face painting, and magic shows as kids eat free (meals up to $4.99) with the purchase of each monday adult entrée. Brucci’s Pizza (Ponte Vedra)- Get two free kids’ menu items and two kids’ beverages with the friday purchase of any large pizza. IHOP (most locations)- So it’s not a Jax exclusive, but if you’re wanting a no fuss free kid’s tuesday meal on a Friday, this is pretty much you’re only Roadhouse (Baymeadows and Mandarin)- Kids option. Get two free kid’s meals with one paid under 12 eat free when accompanied by an adult. adult entrée.

wednesday saturday dining with kids. Healthy Way Café (Southside)- This one’s a great O’Charley’s (most locations)- Kids eat free every deal! Up to three kids eat free with the purchase day at O’Charley’s from 11 am to 10 pm. Get by kellie abrahamson of one adult entrée from 3 pm until close. two free kid’s meals with one paid adult entrée.

There are a lot of sacriﬁ ces you make when you become a parent. Gone are the days when you can just get in the car and go out for a night on the town. Now you need to ﬁ nd a reliable babysitter who happens to be available on a Friday night. As a mom of two, good luck with that! When my children were born I was able to give up bars and clubs easily since that was never really my scene to begin with, but forgoing eating out every now and then? No way! It took a while to get the hang of taking my little ones to restaurants, but now I can take them virtually anywhere and have a great time. It really just takes a lot of planning and some patience to make a family night out successful. avoid the whine

There’s nothing worse for a parent (or other restaurant-goers) than a toddler who has a meltdown while waiting for his food. Trust me, it’s more embarrassing and frustrating for the parent than it is annoying for the people around them. It’s actually not too hard to keep this from happening as long as you prepare before hand.

• The absolute best thing you can do is to make sure that your children are well-rested and in good spirits. Don’t try and go out before or during nap time and if little Suzy is exceptionally grumpy, scrap your dinner plans altogether. • If the children are really hungry, they probably won’t want to wait for the waiter to bring their chicken ﬁ ngers out. Try to pack a small snack or ask the server for some crackers to keep the kids’ grumbly tummies at bay. You may also consider ordering their food ﬁ rst while you peruse the menu. This strategy has served me well over the years. • Match the restaurant to your child’s temperament. If your little one is super active and excitable, don’t take her to a quiet, intimate setting. On the other hand, if you happen to have a polite angel, you may be alright with a calmer environment. Knowing what your kid will tolerate and anticipating how they will act in certain environments will make your job a lot easier. • A lot of kid-friendly restaurants will provide coloring pages and crayons but those only keep my kids happy for a few minutes. Bring fun, but quiet, toys and books to keep your brood occupied while they wait. • Eating out is a chance for them, and you, to have something different from what they have at home. Tell them what’s on the menu and let them choose what they want. This way, they feel like more grown up and

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 13 Hot Chocolate Caramello Cake from Mezza Luna.

(continued from page 12) ing to Chef Chris Faurie, people come into the restaurant “just for this dessert.” Any chocolate lover will be able to taste why. Diners must order this dessert delight during their dinner course because it takes at least twenty minutes to prepare. If you don’t want to head all the way out to the beach for that sort of dessert, go downtown, on the Southbank, to The Charthouse (1501 Riverplace Blvd, 904 398-3353) for their Hot Chocolate Lava Cake. The center, of course, is liquid chocolate and it’s served up with Godiva liqueur, Heath Bar and a dab of ice cream. It also takes a while to prepare, so make sure you order it thirty minutes before you want it. Wine and food to go with wine are the main attraction at The Grape (10281 Midtown Pkwy # 119. Southside. 904 642-7111) but if you’re a fan of decadent chocolate, you just have to try their Le Chocolat dessert. Chocolate cake and chocolate mousse are encased in a dark chocolate shell, lightly ﬂ avored with butter toffee, caramel and a strawberry sauce. It is as the menu description states: “A work of art for your eyes and palate…”

sweet reputations Chef Pels at Mezza Luna (110 North First Street, Neptune Beach, Florida 904-249-5573) has won numerous awards for his sweet culinary confections. They serve classics like crème brûlée and tiramisu. The tiramisu is called a Tiramisu Tini and is served in a martini glass for a very lovely presentation. I’ve ordered the Hot Chocolate Caramello Cake, a sweet contrast to the vanilla bean ice cream and fresh strawberry served on the side. Biscotti’s (3556 St. Johns Avenue, Avon- dale. 904-387-2060) rep was built on desserts, though everything on the menu seems to be fabulous. The Chocolate Éclair Cake is incredible, as is everything in their dessert case. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, it’s hard to go wrong with their super-rich, super sweet desserts. Matthew’s (2107 Hendrix Ave 904-396- 9922) in San Marco actually keeps a Dessert Souffl é on their menu. That’s fairly rare here in Jacksonville, so it’s notable. As with all of their presentations, the souffl é looked gorgeous. It’s served with sweet, spiced heavy cream and fruit. Dessert Souffl é from Matthew’s. The waiter uses a spoon to put a hole in the light and airy confection. You get the added pleasure of watching the waiter pour the sweet cream into the souffl é, where it’s absorbed into the souffl é. If you’re dining with a group of three or more, you might want to consider saving room for the Preservation Chop House’s (3951 St. Johns Ave. Avondale. 904 387-5700) Grand Dessert. It’s just like an appetizer sampler platter but instead of appetizers, they serve up a variety of mini-desserts for you to sample. My favorite was the blueberry bread pudding served with a dizzyingly good bourbon cream sauce, but there seems to be a dessert for every palate on the long plate. There’s the mint infused chocolate mousse grasshopper, a mini-crème brüleé, a mini-key-lime pie, mini-pecan pie and more!

Do you have a favorite place where you like to indulge in cheesecake, apple pie, key lime pie or any other dessert? If so, let us know what your favorites are by visiting our website and clicking on the “Critic’s Choice Awards” link.

14 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper localcore live music shows calendar

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16 rocks j-ville Pianist Tim Nold Seawalk Hotel, Jax Beach (249-9981) Open Mic w/Colleen Murphy Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Evergreen Terrace interview Full Throttle Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) Chuck Nash My Place, Jax (737-5299) Big Engine Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) RICHARD ABRAHAMSON Chris Miller St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine BY Sugar Bear-Jags Pep Rally The Landing, Jax Evergreen Terrace is a local hardcore/punk band James and Craig Open Mic w/Krank Shaft Overtime Sports Bar, Jax (786-5466) that formed in 1999. Back then, they were playing Chaney about their Mike Sweet & Friends Kingshead Pub, St. Augustine churches and local venues and managed to amass tours, the new al- Kim Delaney Band Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) quite the following after just a couple of shows. Today, bum and their history. Park Street Band Ragusa, Jax (443-7888) Evergreen Terrace is selling out shows around the CC: Sonically I would say all of our records are self- Steve Plays Too Loud London Bridge, Jax (359-0001) Goliath Casa Monica, St. Augustine (827-1888) country and has traveled all over the world with bands EU: How’s the tour been going? produced, so we’ve never had a producer come in like Hatebreed, Strung Out, Thursday and many more. Awesome there’s one day left. Three and tell us what to do and how to write our songs. Sidewalk 65 The Twisted Martini, Ponte Vedra Beach Josh James: Sweet Little Ditty Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099) On Saturday August 11th, ET came back to Jackson- and a half weeks started in Atlanta it went all the way We’ve always done things our own way. We have a Stevie ‘Fingers’ The Surf, Fernandina ville to perform for the group’s fi rst fans at Fuel Cof- up and around and then tomorrow Orlando. weird songwriting pattern that a lot of bands don’t have. We like so many different genres, so many dif- Ron Perry Jerry’s Grill, Jax (220-6766) feehouse. Mariachi Guadalajara Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) ferent styles of music that we’ll write a heavy song There were a total of seven bands playing EU: Are you guys doing another tour after this one? Matt Still Buckets, Jax Beach (246-7701) and then we’ll get the heavy song out of the way and that night and by the end of the second or third act, JJ: Yeah. We have about three and a half weeks off Boogie Freaks Square One, Jax (306-9004) the show was completely sold out. The venue was and then we go out for about roughly eight weeks then we’ll be like “let’s write a country song,” you David Milam Shannon’s Irish Pub, Green Cove Springs (230-9670) packed like a can of sardines and with every breath with Strung Out. It’s going to be awesome. It starts in know what I mean? Not that extreme, but we’ll try Mike Hart Band The Plaza, St. Augustine it felt like you inhaled a gallon of sweat. But the place Arizona, cuts across into the east coast, then we go to cover all these genres… We’ll go record all these Wes Cobb Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) was full of energy and the crowd was ready to see to eastern Canada, like Nova Scotia, and drop back songs and then, over the course of several months, The Birthday Massacre Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) their hometown heroes back from their nationwide down and head towards California. we’ll weed out parts we don’t like… and then kind of Cornerstone The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) tour promoting their new album Wolfbiker. As ET pre- piece everything together and put out a record and Ron Rodriguez Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) pared their mics and instruments, security got ready EU: What is your favorite place to play in the world? I don’t think a lot of bands do that. It’s defi nitely an Jason Anderson The Brick, Jax (387-0606) 3 Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach (241-3138) for the anxious crowd, who had been waiting hours in JJ: Favorite place to play. I really like playing Jackson- honest songwriting process. the sauna to see the band. I heard one of the security ville. I really like playing Atlanta. Belgium. One of my Lift Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) guards warn another one that the crowd will be going favorite shows that I ever played ever was in Belgium. Evergreen Terrace’s new album, Wolfbiker, is in Karl W. Davis Wicked Davey’s, Fernandina (321-4224) Little Green Men West Inn Cantina, Jax (389-1131) wild during this show. Finally the moment had come stores now. Be sure to check out our complete inter- Freeze Frame Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) view on eujacksonville.com. and, as expected, the kids went nuts. [At this point, Josh had to go help load up his equip- Mr. Natural Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) During the show the band interacted with the ment, so guitarist Craig Chaney stepped in to fi nish Target X Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) crowd. Several times Andrew allowed the fans to the interview] Those Guys The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) sing into the microphone and the kids trampled each EU: Have you guys ever thought about packing up Silver Lake Drive Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) other to get their rock star moment. At one point a and moving to California? T.F.P Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) guy jumped over the barricades to get on stage and CC: Hell no, we would never relocate… I mean the Matt Collins Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) sing a couple of lines into the microphone, kicking weather is better but the cost of living is worse. But John Waters Kingfi sh Grille, St. Augustine (824-2111) and pushing the security people in the process. Now we have family and we are all getting old. We’ve been Billy Bowers A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977) if that is not being a wolfbiker (a person who does in this band a long time. If you relocate your band Oversized Load Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877) something regardless of what other people say), I you’re just bullshitting, you know what I mean. Look Stu Weaver D.S. Kennedy Coffee, Jax don’t know what is. After a powerful set, the band what happened to Yellowcard. They relocated their De Lions of Jah Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) heeded the crowd’s chants for “one more song.” As band and next thing you know they’re from California FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 they prepared to play a cover of ‘Mad World’ by Tears and you’re like, “California, what the f**k? Give me Nate Holley Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) for Fears, the crowd once again began chanting. This a break! You’re not from California you asshole.” I Scott Holt Frisky Mermaid, Fernandina (261-3300) time it’s “we are the wicked,” the chorus of ‘To the mean, cool dudes, cool bands whatever, but we would Jay Calvert Crazy Horse Saloon, Orange Park First Baptist Church of Jacksonville,’ one of the most never do that. Chuck Nash Scarlett’s, St. Augustine (824-6535) memorable songs on the new album. Hearing the Anastasia Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) chant, the band granted the crowd’s request. EU: How would you compare Wolfbiker to other ET Something To Yield Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) After the show, EU was able to speak with Josh albums? Louder Than Eleven Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) Hefner On the Rocks, Jax (685-5268) Sky Harbor Fuel, Jax (425-3835) Plain Jane Automobile Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Ocean Waves Band Cliff’s, Jax Beach (249-2777) Rebecca Zapen Casa Monica, St. Augustine Gary Keniston The Surf, Fernandina Wes Cobb Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) The Jam Down Alliance San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine Split Tones Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099) Something Distant Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) Glenn Cummings World Golf Village, St. Augustine Big Engine Brewsters Pub, Jax (223-9850) Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine (824-9317) Johnny Flood Aromas, Jax (928-0515) Chain of Fools The Landing, Jax Jager Dave On the Rocks, Jax (685-5268) David Milam Shannon’s Irish Pub, Green Cove Springs Crystal Bessels Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) Sugar Bear West Inn, Jax (389-1131) Matt Collins Pauly’s Pizza, Jax (727-9101) Dance Gavin Dance Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) Fed Up, Down Theory Bourbon Street, Jax (641-8777)

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 15 some cover tunes as tribute. We are a rock band in Chuck Nash Your Place, Jax (221-9994) Elekibass TSI, Jax (635-3024) the Motown tradition. We like to rock-out and get Danka Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) funky. When our gigs have no particular time frame, Jim Brady Kingfi sh Grille, St. Augustine (824-2111) we improvise on our material and some songs can Lyons Tom & Betty’s, Jax (387-3311) last fi ve minutes or more. We love to jam-out when Wes Cobb Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) we have a partisan audience. Chris Miller w/The Codetalkers The Green Turtle, Fernandina Drivin’ South The Sandollar, Jax (251-3001) EU: Yes, you sound like Bonerama in that you Yancy Clegg My Place, Jax (737-5299) seem to put a high priority on having fun. Thus you Jenna Metro Wine Warehouse, St. Augustine transfer that joy to your audience by osmosis. Is Dead Flesh Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) that a fair assessment? Von Barlow Shanty Town, Jax BC: Absolutely, in the past we played gigs with Bon- Simple Complexity, Tough Junkie The Burrito Gallery, Jax (598-2922) erama and I know exactly what you are talking about. If the band has fun and gets into the performance, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 17-18 then everyone goes home happy, which is our ulti- Lisa & the Madhatters Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine mate goal. (829-9336) Jay Garrett Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) EU: I see you have been playing some gigs with BayStreet Sundog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) Driven Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) JJ Grey & Mofro, do you tour with them on regular Pili Pili Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) basis? Lately, we have been playing many dates and Diane Ward & Jack Shawde Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) BC: Gutterboy Cap’n Odie’s, Mayport (241-8848) festivals with JJ Grey & Mofro. We consider them Busted & Confused Overtime Sports Bar, Jax friends and we have a lot in common, although our Cliff Worrell & the Restless Kind Arnold’s, St. Augustine sounds are completely different. They once opened (824-8738) motown to old town for us, but that won’t happen again because of their The Committee Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) present top billing status. We recently worked with Dueling Pianos Dick’s Wings/Tinseltown, Jax interview with The Legendary JC’s Cowboy Mouth and Blues Traveler on festival gigs. Mike Gottuso Seven Bridges, Jax (997-1999) Brian sounded very enthusiastic about the St. Ron Perry Casey’s Hideaway, Yulee Augustine Amphitheatre gig with its stellar lineup for Little Green Men Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) BY RICK GRANT [email protected] the grand opening on September 2nd with Los Lobos, The Company Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877) Currently, the band is recording their fi rst studio Tony Joe White, the Lee Boys, and JJ Grey & Mofro Roger That Square One, Jax (306-9004) WHAT: Blackwater Sol Revue Go Ask Alice Players Grille, Orange Park (264-4633) WHERE: St. Augustine Ampitheatre album after three live releases. To fi nd out more at the Blackwater Sol Revue. The Ride Cheers, Mandarin (262-4337) WHEN: Sunday, September 2nd about this rock band, EU talked to Brian Chodorcoff Don’t Tell Anne Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) The Legendary JC’s are an original rock band in Orlando. Crab Grass A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977) that writes songs in the Motown tradition of James Spanky Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) Brown, Al Green and Sam Rivers. Since their for- EU: Your band has been together seven years. mation 7 years ago, the 7-piece band has wowed What was its evolution and is the original lineup SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 fans in the Central Florida region and expanded its intact? Anniversary Show-Showbread, Woodale, Murray Hill horizons to many musical festivals and clubs na- Well, songwriter/ vocalist, Eugene Theatre, Jax (388-7807) Brian Chodorcoff: tionwide, including Vegas at the Monte Carlo Casino. Snowmen and I were friends and musical partners. The Sophomore Attempt, Matlock Our record collections were almost identical. So, Robby Schenck Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) The band has been in demand for corporate func- Big Al & the Kaholics Frisky Mermaid, Fernandina (261-3300) tions and for VIP events such as, the G8 Summit, we searched for musicians with like minds and Julie Durden Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) Full Sail, Harley-Davidson, and Southern Comfort. similar record collections, and before long we had W. Harvey Williams The Surf, Fernandina The band’s main songwriter and vocalist is the original lineup. Both Eugene and I had played in The Joint Committee Ocean 60, Atlantic Beach (247-0060) Eugene Snowmen, with Brian Chodorcoff on guitar, many other bands, and we [had] confl icted with the The Ghostwitch House of Jam, Mandarin (262-3377) Brian Mackie on saxophone, Clay Watson on trom- other members [of those bands] about the music. Deron Baker Zhanra’s, St. Augustine bone, Jack Stirling on organ/keys, Ralph Ameduri on So it was important to us to fi nd musicians who Ladyfi sh, Will Hoge Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) bass and Anthony Cole, Jr. on drums. In addition to were compatible to us. As for your second question, McKenna Box Seats, Orange Park achieving major billing status, the band has played this particular lineup is four years old. We started General Steel The Landing, Jax on the same stage as their idols James Brown and without horns but quickly decided to add a sax and String Sessions Trio Casa Monica, St. Augustine B.B.King, as well as Cowboy Minds, JJ Grey & Mo- trombone. We debuted in the Orlando club scene and Ampleforth Yesterday’s, Jax (387-0502) fro, Galactic, Blues Traveler and even Bad Company. we quickly graduated to playing festivals and touring The Receiving End of Sirens Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) nationwide. Fourth Dimension Scores, St. Augustine The Paradise Band Twisted Martini, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-8810) Man Sized Rat Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) EU: Do you play all originals? And, do you impro- Strings of Fire Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) vise on your songs. Riff Raff Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) BC: Yes, we consider ourselves an original rock Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine (824-9317) band, but we pay homage to our idols by playing Payton Page Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Stu Weaver Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855) Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Conch House, St. Augustine (829-8646) De Lions of Jah Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) Jenna Metro Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) Lauren Fincham Frisky Mermaid, Fernandina Beach (261-3300) Against Me Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) A Woman’s Weapon Eclipse, Jax (387-3582) Big Jef Special Fly’s Tie, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Open Mic w/Larry Broussard St. Johns Pizza Grill, Jax (287-9900) A1A North Tasting Wine Gallery, Jax The Impediments Kingfi sh Grille, St. Augustine (824-2111) Yancy Clegg Your Place, Jax Beach (221-9994) Seven Tides of Royal Blood Fuel, Jax (425-3835) SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 Those Guys Sunset Grill, St. Augustine (471-5555) Dan Shepherd Harpoon Louie’s, Jax (389-5631) Ron Perry Ragtime Tavern, Atlantic Beach ( 3 Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) Michael Funge Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) Tarik Hassan Sahara Café, Jax

16 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper David Milam Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Pili Pili Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) the heart of rock’n’roll Alex Affronti The Surf, Fernandina Jimmy Parrish Carib Key, Jax Beach (270-8940) Rocco Deluca & the Burden Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Dex Romweber interview Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Susie Kite Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) Spade McQuade Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] 3rd Bass The Casbah, Jax (981-9966) El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) WHAT: Dex Romweber John Winters Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) WHERE: Jack Rabbits a lot of music going on and Job For a Cowboy Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) WHEN: Wednesday August 22 I was free to sort of roam Jan Crawford & Friends Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) about and raise hell a little Blood Mountain Shanty Town, Jax Genres of music get so confusing these bit, but we started playing days. Are they indie, emo, new rock, alternative, when we were like thirteen. MONDAY, AUGUST 20 radio rock, progressive, goth, or electronica? Is it We were born into a musical family, my Mom was a EU: I’m sure you’re tired of this question, but when Joey Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) still electronica, or is it electro-dance now? Thank classical pianist and we have done our share of play- you hear about artists such as Jack White calling Charlie Walker Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Sam Pacetti The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) God for musicians like Dex Romweber who plays ing gigs and smoking weed and drinking and going you a major infl uence, does that make you feel straight-up rock and roll. Dex Romweber fi rst ap- pretty wild, but music was always the focal point of Lary Smith Harmonious Monks, Jax (886-3040) accomplished? Band of Destiny Square One, Jax (306-9004) peared on my radar many years ago when he was it all. I think it’s fi ne. To be honest with you, I couldn’t DR: Easy Mark Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) the guitar half of the Flat Duo Jets. even tell you a White Stripes song. I’m not really Andy Haney The Surf, Fernandina The Flat Duo Jets was the monster rock and EU: Is the South in your music? affected by it one way or another. There are plenty of Out of Hand My Place, Jax (737-5299) roll two-piece outfi t that Dex Romweber played with DR: Oh, very much. Very much for me. I don’t know musicians that have infl uenced me deeply. They may World War Bango Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) in the late 80s and early 90s. Jack White even cites if you could say that about Let’s Active, but just the not be world famous, but we all sort of draw from Nolan Neal Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) them as a major infl uence on his big-time two-piece music that I listened to, Hank Williams and Benny where we can draw from. If Jack found something Stu Weaver Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) rock outfi t, the infamous White Stripes. The Flat Duo Joy and Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis and everybody. in my music that he really liked or infl uenced him, I The Girvin Mountain Buoys Aromas, Ponte Vedra Beach Jets aren’t around anymore, but Dex is back in full You know, it’s very infl uenced by southern music. think that’s great. (280-2525) affect, now touring as the Dex Romweber Duo with TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 his sister, who was the drummer from the 80s un- EU: What was the music scene like in Chapel Hill EU: So other than rock and roll, what does Dex do Billy & Vinnie Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) derground band Let’s Active, on the skins. EU caught back when Flat Duo Jets was getting together in for fun? Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) up with Dex at his home in North Carolina to fi nd out Well, Dex fi ghts off the IRS (laughs). I swim a the eighties? DR: Christina Wagner & Friends Mark’s Downtown, Jax (355-5099) what Jacksonville can expect from their upcoming Well it wasn’t like it is now or like it was in the DR: lot. I paint surrealistic paintings. I write a lot, I’m Will Pearsall The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) date at Jack Rabbits. early nineties. It was post-hippie bands. The new writing autobiographical narratives right now. I write Stevie ‘Fingers’ The Surf, Fernandina wave scene hadn’t quite really hit here yet. And punk songs and I do a little work when I can. I might mow Ron Perry Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) EU: What’s it like playing music with your sister? music, I just remember hearing about it on the news some lawns, do a little moving work when I can. I try Gypsy Highway Duo Copelands, Jax DR: It’s good. She’s a really talented drummer. She’s and stuff and there wasn’t really a scene for it here. to stay busy. I try to pay all of my bills. I have a nine Dave Massey Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) done her share of records and of touring too. She’s But by the early eighties, the mid-eighties and early piece band that just plays in Chapel Hill called the Billy Bob Thornton Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) the most technically profi cient drummer I’ve played nineties, a lot of different bands formed around here New Romans. That has horns and piano and bass. Those Guys Hurricane Patty’s, St. Augustine (827-1822) with, actually. and they were playing some pretty radical music. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) EU: So on this tour, when you get down to Florida, The Network Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) EU: But tell me honestly, what did you think of EU: What would you say is the key difference be- are you going to light up the stage like in the Flat Scenic Void Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Let’s Active when you fi rst heard them? tween rockabilly and the blues and rock and roll? Duo Jets days? Ron Perry Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Matt Still Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) DR: I liked them. At the time I was quite young, but DR: Some friends of mine were over the other night DR: Absolutely. We’ve been playing really well these their songs I liked a lot. It wasn’t my type of music, and he put some blues on and I said ‘that’s rock and days and our shows have been a real gas. I’m look- Debra Rider Latitudes, Jax Beach (247-6606) Out of Hand Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach but they were all really good musicians and I remem- roll,’ and this stuff was from the twenties and thir- ing forward to it. I’m 41 now, so I’m not going to say Bill Rice Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) ber being quite blown away in the day. ties. You know the chord progressions haven’t really I don’t have the energy that I did when I was eigh- Mystic Dino Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) changed that much, it’s just packaged different. It teen, but the energy is a little more refi ned. Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax EU: What was it that made you and your sister sort of matters how you do it. You can play a blues Jimmy Solari My Place, Jax (737-5299) both grow up to be professional musicians in such song done blues but you can play the same chord To fi nd out what Dex thinks of punk rock and standup Seth Ramsdill Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) different genres? progression rockabilly and it sounds rockabilly. Or bass, read the entire interview on eujacksonville. Ron Perry Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) DR: Yeah, it was a pretty musical household. We had country. It just matters what way you’re coming at it. com. El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) TUESDAY-WED., AUGUST 21-22 Gene Nordan Mackenzie’s, Ponte Vedra (543-9143) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 Mr. Beam Casa Marina, Jax Beach (270-0025) Dave Massey My Place, Jax (737-5299) Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach (241-3138) Dex Romweber Duo Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Gypsy Highway Duo River City Brewing Company, Jax FunKtion Brix, Jax Beach Wes Cobb Band Square One, Jax (306-9004) Elisabeth Williamson Creekside Dinery, St. Augustine (829-6113) Schubert & Smith The Pier, St. Augustine Gutterboy Snookers, Jax (696-0714) Stu Weaver The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Eric Dawkins Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Jesse & Leaa Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Steve Plays Too Loud Cedar River Club, Jax Jodies Fiasco Castillo de Mexico, Jax XKingdomX Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) Shawn Lightfoot The Casbah, Jax Soulo Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) The Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax (396-3396) El Toro Loco Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) Big Engine Buffalo’s, Orange Park (778-1101) Chuck Nash Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) Sidewalk 65 Latitudes, Jax Beach (247-6606) Pili Pili Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Dave Massey My Place Bar & Grill, Jax (737-5299)

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 17 BRADFORD “SHIPWRECKED OFF LABRADOR” yucks. What was most fascinating, though, were the paintings that earned a single slip, or the ones that got culture & arts some of each. AUGUST Many art snobs would discourage expressing a gut reaction, but they’d be missing the point. The real 16 Opening Reception – Michael Baum Exhibit Ocean 60, Atlantic Beach point of the exercise was to examine how a viewer’s 16-17 “Go, Dog, Go!” Seaside Music Theatre, Daytona Beach fi rst impression changes as information and opinions 16-17 Creativity Camp The Art Center Cooperative, Jax are shared. The paintings that earned both hearts and 16-18 “Benchwarmers” Players by the Sea, Jax Beach yucks were the most heavily discussed, and I found that my thoughts had changed after hearing the argu- 16-19 “Snapshots” , Daytona Beach Seaside Music Theatre ments for and against them. 16-19 “Peter Pan” Seaside Music Theatre, Daytona Beach I encourage everyone to try the “Token Re- 16-25 Torch Song Trilogy First Coast Theatre Arts, Jax sponse” exercise. Bring a group of friends, colleagues or relatives to the Cummer and take a brief look at the 16-26 Impermanence: Recent Works By Andres Michelena MOCA, Jax paintings. I bet you they’ll even let you put slips of pa- 16-SEPT. 1 Brian Edmond Paintings Cultural Center, Ponte Vedra Beach per on the fl oor – as long as you ask fi rst and pick up 16-SEPT. 1 Exhibit Audrey M. Stultz “I’m Alive” Energy Lab Art after yourself. Don’t read the information plaques until Gallery, St. Augustine after you’ve placed your slips so you won’t infl uence 16-SEPT. 1 “Expected/Unexpected” Exhibit By Daryl Bunn Jane your decisions. Then talk with your group (quietly) Gray Gallery, Jax about your initial reactions. 16-SEPT.2 Tradition in Transition: Russian Icons in the Age of My opinions didn’t always change, but my Romanovs Cummer Museum, Jax reasons for sticking with or changing them became more developed. It’s fun to challenge oneself, and the 16-SEPT. 2 Smokey Joe’s Café Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax Cummer’s American Art exhibit is actually a pretty 16-SEPT 3 The Cabaret of St. Augustine-Spirits Community oh say can you see good subject for such an exercise. On the surface, it’s , St. School of Performing Arts a boring genre that reminds me of my grandparents’ 16-SEPT. 4 Hurricanes III-Dora The Destroyer Exhibit Beaches house, but there’s a wealth of history behind most of Museum, Jax Beach American Art from the West Foundation Collection the paintings, giving them a documentary quality. For 16-SEPT. 17 “Lost & Found” Exhibit Women’s Center of instance, Thomas Moran (one of the more famous Jacksonville, Jax names in the collection) painted a stunning country- 16-SEPT. 30 Elemental Atmospheres Paintings By Princess BY DONALD DUSINBERRE [email protected] side scene – of Long Island. Good luck fi nding that Simpson Rashid MOSH, Jax I called my Top-Secret Contact at the Cummer have an article in next week’s issue of EU, then you’ll spot now. 16-OCT. 14 381 Days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story Museum of Art & Gardens and asked if I could see the know they’ve found me and silenced me forever. I’ll tell you which artists I liked the most, and you Ritz Theatre, Jax new American Art exhibit before everyone else did. The Cummer Museum is hosting a collection of can email me at [email protected] to argue They agreed to a special meeting, so I sauntered up to American Art, predominantly from the 19th Century. 16-OCT. 14 Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals MOSH, Jax or agree, if you like. Either way, I’ll bet you come away the Museum before it opened to the public and walked The collection of 50 oil paintings is owned by the more informed and entertained than you ever thought. 16-FEB. 28 Oh Say Can You See: American Art Cummer Museum, Jax right in. West Foundation, an Atlanta-based organization com- My faves are: De Witt Clinton Boutelle, Daniel Ridge- 17 Back To School Craft Beaches Branch Library, Jax Beach “We’ve been expecting you,” said the Top-Secret mitted to highlighting American art. way Knight, Arthur Parton, Elliott Daingerfeld, and 17-SEPT. 15 Exhibit: Jim Draper – “Produce” Stellers Gallery, Contact. “Right this way.” Truthfully, I haven’t been a big fan of landscape, Maurice Frederick H. DeHaas. Neptune Beach After we passed through a few secret doors portrait and still life paintings, and I didn’t expect that Check out the Oh Say Can You See exhibition and down a long dark tunnel, we approached the putting “American” in front of those words would 18 Dog Days of Summer MOSH, Jax anytime before January 2008. Jacobsen Gallery, which, of course, is not a secret make me enjoy looking at them any more than usual. 18 Film Series “4 Little Girls” Ritz Theatre, Jax room at all. It’s one of the Cummer’s primary exhibi- But something on the staff tour gave me a different 18 Experimental Painting with Instructor Kim Barry MOCA, Jax tion spaces. But inside, the entire staff of the Cummer perspective. 18 Book Signing-Estelle Shrum “He is the Word” Barnes & Museum was being treated to a private tour, and I was They conducted an exercise called “Token Re- Noble/Town Center, Jax lucky enough to gather some very sensitive informa- sponse,” wherein each member of the staff was given tion. two slips of paper–one with a heart on it, the other 18-19 “Vital Signs” The Women’s Theatre Project Wickline Center, Flagler Beach I may have played up the drama on that one just with a “yuck face.” They were instructed to briefl y pe- a bit. But I was there and I learned a few things that ruse the gallery and place the slips on the fl oor in front 19 Summer Jazz Concert Series , Jax Beach Sea Walk Pavilion might help viewers better appreciate the paintings of their favorite and least favorite paintings. Some 19 Magician Bill McRea Jester’s Court, St. Augustine on display. Heed these words carefully, for if I do not paintings had many hearts, while others had many 19 Craig Hall – Purcell & Bach Church of the Good Shepherd, Jax 19 Tango Jax Sunday Matinee Milonga Avondale Dance Directions, Jax 19 Mark Williams-vocals, guitar Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax 22 Go Figure: Drawing Live Models With Jonathan Lux MOCA, Jax 22 Improv 101 Mad Cowford’s intro to Improv 121 E. Bay St., Jax 23 Family Art Fun Argyle Branch Library, Jax 23 Art & Winefest to Benefi t Shands Hyatt Regency, Jax 23 “Some Like It Hot” Main Library, Jax 24 Toast to the Animals-Wine Tasting/Auction Florida Theatre, Jax 24 Gear Up For Fall Gardening Mandarin Garden Club, Mandarin 25 ZOObilee Zoo, Jax 25 Decades of Styles Fashion Show Modis Building, Jax 25 Start Your Fall Vegetable Garden 101 Extension Offi ce, Jax 25 Artrageous/Children Main Library, Jax 25 Experimental Painting with Instructor Kim Barry MOCA, Jax 26 Andrew Bruck-violin Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax 26 Magician Bill McRea Jester’s Court, St. Augustine 26 New Jax City Rollers Mandarin Skate Station, Mandarin 26 Auditions for the Joyful Singers 12:30pm Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax

18 august 16-22, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper r-done at [email protected] and To Red White & Blue Be True with a couple of Stars & Bars in the infi eld. Also, and most of all, If it ain’t NASCAR, It nascar news & notes ain’t (aw heck with it) It ain’t SHIT!!! BY RICHARD TEAGUE [email protected] Yea, it’s going to be a short one this week his equipment. Meaning the Fords were the problem. because my boss said there is so much other news Tony, you have got to talk some sense into the boss’ in this week’s paper that I got to give up some room. heads to stay with Chevrolet, because if it goes over, It’s the quality that matters. First, and I know y’all it’s embarrassing to come back. Toyota will be better might not really give a hoot, but last week I men- next year? Yea right, that’s why UPS was rumored to tioned that this Sunday was my 30th anniversary be leaving MWR all along and why NAPA was sup- and I needed some advice on a gift for my wife. posedly unhappy. Well, I didn’t get any good advice so I went with my And what about sponsors, will they like having instinct. Most men would have taken their bride to their logos on Toyotas? Interstate Batteries might “dinner and a movie,” but I’m a “breakfast and a not mind because they merely change their name to movie” type, and it worked just fi ne. I got my new International Batteries. How bout FedEx, could it be a toaster and the fi rst thing I did was toast two pieces problem for them? I doubt it since they fl y the world of bread, and Bubbas was it great. We got a couple on time already. The one I’m thinking about, and a of Hardee’s biscuits and then off to see Chuck & few of my friends too (yes I’ve picked up a couple of Larry. new ones this year) is Home Depot. Will they enjoy All and all we had a good time and now I’m at a #20 Home Depot Toyota Camry on the track next my ‘puter writing this short one for Will so he can year? The Depot is a performance company and I have more room to make the dollars to feed his fam- once read that the man that started it was real peo- ily and everyone else at EU, oh yeah, and to pay my ple-friendly and actually cares how customers feel Big-A salary too. Enough of that, let me talk about and made his employees work hard to please them. NASCAR, and it won’t be too much about the race at Will they approve of their car running middle or last The Glenn, cause I don’t do much on road races, but on race day? I will say that Jeff should know how to drive on one. If UPS and NAPA aren’t thrilled with TRD and Then again, stuff happens even to the best of drivers. more rumors arise of teams switching back to other Tony Stewart slipping by for the win was just fi ne brands, how can Gibb’s sponsors be happy with a with me. While I’m on Tony, I wonder about a couple major change like this? OK, I’ll say this too: many of rumors that have been going around. I sure hope fans and teams have felt that Toyota does not belong that this one isn’t true, because it may change a few in NASCAR because it is a foreign manufacturer, minds among fans and sponsors alike. even if they are made here now. You know, I’m not Please say it ain’t so, Joe Gibbs Racing, about real knowledgeable about Indy racing and Grand how a Toyota may have the #20 on it, let alone the Prix or any of that kind of racing, but I wonder (and 11 and 18. Toyota has not proven that they can re- perhaps one of y’all can fi ll me here) did American ally compete in Cup (so far at least) and why do you made cars race back when those types got started, think that next year will be any different? I don’t want or was it mostly European? Now you have Toyotas to see Tony Stewart in a Toyota and I sure would like and Hondas right in the thick of it with little-to-no to know what he thinks about it. Is the money that American cars. Is that what NASCAR fans have to big to bring JGR over to them rather than stay with a look forward to? Will Mercedes-Benz or Honda be winner like Chevrolet? This goes back to before the next? Perhaps with all the “New Wave” NASCAR season started and how people talked about TRD fans Mr. France has enjoyed winning over, we will bringing in the big bucks to get the big name teams soon see a #21 Beamer on the track. to switch. Toyota said they were not buying their way You know a few weeks ago it was passed into Cup, so it was the mediocre teams that went around the net that NASCAR was moving the Dayto- with them and only a couple have performed well. na 500 to Homestead for the last race of the season. The so-called “Flagship” MWR ain’t showed squat, In years to come they could do just that. They could so I guess it’s time for the buy-in, ya’ reckon? also change the name from “The Great American Stewart has got to be thinking, just how am I Race” to something like, “The International Race.” going to win races in 2008 if I’m in a Toyota? Be- Heck, they lost the IROC didn’t they? So why not let cause he sees them on the track and beats their butt any manufacturer into NASCAR so it can be an in- along with Dodges, Fords and other Chevys. He is a ternational event? Isn’t that what Brian France wants great driver, but, like Mark Martin said about his 01 anyway? I can see it now, no more Bud Shootout, Army Chevrolet after the Daytona 500, he thought it is now the “Evian Pour Out.” Well, I’m making it his driving was wearing out but it could have been short, like I said, and if you need to contact me, get-

eujacksonville.com | august 16-22, 2007 19