Outdated-world structure and allure draw guests to St. Augustine — and there’s lots to see and do on this historic metropolis on Florida’s northeast Atlantic Coast.
However a key cause individuals preserve coming again is the meals, in keeping with Jeff McNally, proprietor of the Floridian Restaurant along with his spouse, Genie Kepner, who can be the chef.
St. Augustine garnered accolades from Southern Residing journal as the highest “Foodie Metropolis” within the South in 2019.
McNally mentioned the Floridian — an ethereal, informal restaurant within the historic part — was the primary within the metropolis to popularize farm-to-table delicacies. “Nowadays now we have loads of firm,” he instructed me on a current restaurant tour.
Southern consolation meals stays a staple, however with a contemporary spin. The Floridian, for instance, serves fried inexperienced tomatoes on a mattress of contemporary spinach with a basil aioli dipping sauce. Seafood, particularly shrimp, is all the time a wonderful alternative, after all.
Here is a sampling of eating places I visited on a current cease in St. Augustine:
• The Floridian. Tucked right into a facet avenue within the touristy historic district, the restaurant affords artistic Southern dishes in addition to vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Attempt the pickled pepper shrimp or the beet salad, with a alternative of blackened protein. A preferred rice entree with shrimp and sausage is seasoned with native datil pepper sauce.
• Forgotten Tonic. Eclectic artwork and craft cocktails welcome diners to this neighborhood gem within the historic district. Begin with a craft cocktail like Elevating Cane, blended with domestically made vodka and elderberry liqueur. Restaurateur Jeff Moore mentioned the restaurant dries its personal fruits and shrubs for cocktails. Ingenious small plates embody lima bean hummus and Cajun egg rolls with blackened rooster and black beans.
• Aunt Kate’s. Situated on the Tolomoto River north of downtown, that is the place to dine on the dock and watch the sundown, whereas nibbling fried alligator tails dipped in a creamy orange sauce or the Pilau of the Day, a standard Menorcan rice dish with datil pepper and different spices. The primary course needs to be native seafood — the restaurant is understood for its shrimp, served fried, grilled, broiled or blackened. The Ursina household, which has owned this informal restaurant for greater than 100 years, additionally operates the Reef restaurant, a extra upscale restaurant with Atlantic Ocean views.
• Ancient City Brunch Bar. This beginner within the previous metropolis is a deal with for breakfast or lunch. Carry buddies to share a luxurious brunch board that friends create from just-baked blueberry scones in addition to contemporary fruits, egg dishes and sandwiches. Good espresso choices, too. The thought for this revolutionary brunch bar resulted from an entrepreneurial class that Melissa Schroeder’s twin daughters took in highschool. Now Schroeder, her husband and two different youngsters share duties operating the quaint cafe.
Guests preferring to depart eating selections to a neighborhood meals professional ought to think about taking a tasting tour from the St. Augustine Experiences or the Tasting Tours. Most embody an insightful metropolis historical past tour in addition to luxurious meals.
