I love good food and I love to dine out, at least several times a week. I always make sure to have a handful of business cards with me. More times than not, I'll run into at least one prospective buyer or seller. I love to mix business with pleasure.
Since I am often out and about, clients ask for my restaurant recommendations. St. Augustine has hundreds of fabulous restaurants from which to choose. Where is a hungry patron to go?
Here are a few of my choices in the Downtown St. Augustine area:
A1A Ale Works is located downtown overlooking the Plaza and Bridge of Lions. Featuring New World Cuisine, handcrafted beer, and live music on weekends. A1A offers a blend of Caribbean, Cuban, and Floridian influences. Their specialties include Tavern Fried Shrimp and Fried Lobster Bites, to start, and Bistro Filet, Surf & Turf, Seared Tuna (my absolute favorite!), Grouper Oscar, and Grilled Seafood Paella. Dine inside or outside on the wraparound deck-both feature panoramic views of Matanzas Bay and the plaza. There are even banquet facilities for large parties up to 150 guests. Children's menu. Full bar. Open daily at 11 a.m., with live music Thurs.-Sat. evening
1 King St. 904.829.2977 www.A1AAleWorks.com
Barnacle Bill's a family-friendly establishment, is my go-to restaurant for some of the best Fried Shrimp in St. Augustine. You have to try the Shrimp Buster! In addition to the seafood-focused menu other items include steak, chicken, and gator tail. Barnacle Bills is known for their signature spicy Dat'l Do-It Shrimp and Dat'l Do-It Chicken Wings. Located across from the Visitors Information Center Parking Garage, Barnacle Bill's is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Children's menu. Full bar. Group bookings available.
14 Castillo Dr. 904.824.3663 www.BarnacleBillsOnline.com
Café Alcazar This was one of my Father's favorite restaurants. He would always comment about dining at the bottom of a swimming pool. Here you may enjoy international favorites in the spacious elegance of what was once the world's largest indoor swimming pool - truly a unique setting. Located in the former Alcazar Hotel (now the Lightner Museum), Café Alcazar offers fine dining in a casually elegant setting. Lunch is served lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Enjoy sautéed specialties such a Shrimp Giovanni, the delicious Crêpes Alcazar, sandwiches, paninis, salads, and homemade soups and fabulous desserts. Serving wine and beer; all major credit cards accepted.
25 Granada St. 904.824.7813 www.cafe-alcazar.com
The Cellar Upstairs is FUN! Here you will enjoy live jazz and a selection of San Sebastian wines, imported beers, and gourmet appetizers at St. Augustine's finest jazz hideaway. Located atop San Sebastian Winery, I love to come here to relax to music and enjoy breathtaking views of the San Sebastian River and St. Augustine's skyline. Open weekends (weather permitting); call for details. Banquet facilities on the third floor include two open-air decks for more than 7,500 sq. ft. for private functions. Seasonal special events include Winefest in February, Fine Art & Jazz Show in May, Annual Harvest Festival in August, and Holiday Open House in November; call for info.
157 King St. 904.826.1594 www.SanSebastianWinery.com
The Collage - I have to warn you, when dining at Collage, be prepared for a first-class experience. Here the focus is on fresh local seafood and a variety of flavors from around the world-including steaks, lamb, veal, and more-Collage was voted Best Global Cuisine in the 2008 Best of St. Augustine awards and I can tell you that this honor is well deserved! Serving dinner nightly Wed - Mon from 5:30 p.m. along with a global assortment of fine wines (one of the best selections I've seen in St. Augustine) and beer. Available for group luncheons. Serving Lunch Thur - Sun. 11:30am-2:30pm,
60 Hypolita St. 904.829.0055 www.CollageStAug.com
Cortesses Bistro This European style bistro is located in a quaint circa 1880s home and offers a menu of incomparable cuisine such as seafood, veal, chicken and beef. Enjoy Light Fare Menu of salads, pastas, burgers, and sandwiches in the courtyard and Flamingo Room. They also serve the best Espresso Martini's I've ever had. Voted Best Outdoor Dining and Most Romantic Atmosphere by Jacksonville Magazine and Marjorie Taylor! I love to go to the Flamingo Room to enjoy live music on Friday, Sat., and Sun. Happy Hour daily from 4-7 p.m. Full-service catering for large and small events.
172 San Marco Ave. 904.825.6775 www.CortessesBistroandFlamingoRoom.com
Florida Cracker Café For a true taste of St. Augustine, Florida Cracker Cafe has been a St. George Street favorite for 19 years. This colorful cafe features indoor and outdoor patio seating and specialties include fresh regional seafood with favorites such as stuffed shrimp, blackened scallops, oysters, fresh catch, and fried gator tail. Grilled steaks, chicken, burgers, pasta, entrée salads, specialty sandwiches such as the Oyster Po' Boy, and yummy desserts round out the selections. Serving lunch daily from 11 a.m.; dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. Serving wine and beer; daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Kids menu. Private parties and catering available.
81 St. George St. 904.829.0397 www.FloridaCrackerCafe.com
Harry's Enjoy authentic New Orleans-style seafood favorites such as étouffée, jambalaya, fried shrimp, and blackened specialties and the Red Beans and Rice are Mmm-Mmm Good! The menu also features fresh seafood, grilled steaks and chicken, burgers, po' boy sandwiches, and garden-fresh salads. Full bar features Harry's famous specialty drinks such as the Hurricane or Ragin' Cajun Bloody Mary as well as fine wines by the glass and a wide selection of imported and domestic beer. Dine inside or outside in St. Augustine's finest brick courtyard setting, featuring live music daily. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full Children's Menu available.
46 Avenida Menendez 904.824.7765 www.HookedOnHarrys.com
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. She holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
904-591-9121
www.TheBestAgentInStAugustine.com
Marjorie@MarjorieTaylor.net
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