Looking forwward to trying Black Sheep

Been super busy, haven't posted much.  I am looking forward to trying Black Sheep (@BlackSheepJax) this week.  Cannot wait to see the roof top bar.

Great article on Jacksonville's new beer district

Great article on King St in Riverside, the new beer capital of northeast Florida.  Props to Roger Bull from the times union.  Kickbacks is great and I love the 2 breweries.

http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-08-24/story/riversides-king-street-becoming-jacksonvilles-beer

Brio opening in Jacksonville August 20th

Brio Tuscan grill, a favorite of mine, will open its first Jacksonville location in the St. Johns Town Center near Blackfinn Grille on August 20th.  Brio features mostly northern Italian food, is in the medium price range, and  is an upscale casual type of restaurant.  I recommend the Brio sliced steak salad or the beef medallions.  Check out the menu and stop by for some good eats at a reasonable price (for the Town Center)

EatUp DownTown coming back in August

EatUpDownTown returns the week of August 13-26 this year.  This event is a great opportunity to sample some of the high end (and pricier) eateries in downtown Jacksonville at lower prices.  The menus are varied but generally are a set 3-4 course meal.  Restaurants participating this year include:

Basil Thai & Sushi ($25)

bb’s ($25)

Big Pete’s Pizzeria ($25)

Café Nola @ MOCA ($35)

Casa Dora ($15)

Chart House ($25)

Chicago Pizza Sports Bar & Grille ($25)

Chomp Chomp ($15)

Cinco de Mayo ($15)

Fionn MacCool’s Pub & Restaurant ($25)

Indochine ($25)

Juliette’s Bistro ($25)

KOJA Sushi ($15)

Northstar “The Pizza Bar” ($15)

Olio ($15)

River City Brewing Company. ($25)

Sake House ($35)

The Brew House Lounge at River City Brewing Company ($15)

The Wine Cellar ($35)

Underbelly ($15)

University Club ($35)

Vito’s Italian Café ($25)

Zodiac Bar & Grill ($15)

Trucks coming to JAcksonville Food Truck Rally

Participating food trucks include for this weekends Jacksonville food truck rally on saturday are

• Corner Taco 
• Driftwood BBQ 
• Gourmet Aviator
• Mike B’s
• Monroe’s on the Go BBQ 
• Mother Fletcher’s
• On the Fly
• Sprocket’s
• Super Food Truck
• 3 Moms Ice Cream

See my earlier post for more info on the event and links to their facebook

http://6ate10.blogspot.com/2012/05/jacksonville-food-truck-rally-at.html

See Gary Mills article below for reviews on some of the food trucks

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-06-04/saturdays-downtown-rally-features-10-jacksonville-area

Picasso's Restaurant really is where food is an art

    I have now been to Picassos enough times to truly say it is my favorite restaurant.  You know it's a good place to eat when the only complaint you can think of is its to cold in there.  Picasso's is somewhere between an Italian place, a pizzeria, a bakery , and traditional Florida restaurant.  They have amazing pizza's.  If you have never had pizza sauce "St. Louis style" you have to try it.  It's a thin crust with cheese blended into the marinara that leaves a creamy savory deliciousness i've never had on a pizza.  they also feature 30 different special pizzas including a "meatball Madness", a BBQ chicken, and a chicken cordon bleu.  I have had 4 of them so far and all have been as good as I've had anywhere else.
    The true beauty of Picasso's is there specials.  From fresh trigger fish and salmon, to steaks, to homemade ramen Duck con fit, yo never know what's coming up next.  Several times I have walked out of the gym or work and checked my facebook and the Picasso's specials pop up and I immediately go there for dinner.  Last night I had an herb marinated grilled salmon with creamy polenta and grilled veggies.  All perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked and delicious.  Even included an edible flower on top (see Pic below)

   Another favorite of many of my coworkers are there salads.  There spinach salad is simple yet flavorful with strawberries, bacon, apples, goat cheese and homemade croutons.  The Greek salad is also a favorite of mine.  And they have 2 of my favorite appetizers around.  Fried Mac and Cheese and St. Louis Toasted Ravioli.  Don't start a meal with out one of these.
    Finally, the desserts.  While those that know me know I'm not a big dessert person, I make an exception for Picasso's.  They tell me someones grandma makes the desserts every day.  The gooey butter cake is ridiculously good and the bread pudding of the day is always worth a shot (sometimes with chocolate, sometimes with strawberries, always changing).
    Give Picasso's a try and you won;t regret.  It is family friendly, has free WiFi (always a plus to me), and has a cheap kids menu.  The food and variety will ensure you come back.  Make sure you like theri facebook and/or follow on twitter to get the daily special updates!


Picasso's


http://jaxpicassos.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/JAXpicassos/141059288645?ref=ts
twitter= @jaxpicassos

Jacksonville Food Truck Rally at Burrito Gallery!

    Mark your calenders for June 9 at Burrito Gallery.  At least 10 local food trucks will be participating in a rally to raise money for second harvest food bank.  1$ donation for admission with lots of great food.  If you haven't checked out any of the local food trucks in Jax you are really missing out.  This is the new wave of innovative cuisine on the first coast.  Check out the story below from the T-U or see the facebook page.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-05-23/jacksonville-food-truck-rally-set-june-9-burrito-gallery

Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/events/195342653921667/

Summer Fun and Wellness Event at Jax Farmers Market

Come to the Farmers Market off of Beaver Street this Saturday June 2nd!  I will be there with Florida Blue doing free nutritional screenings.  St. vincents will have staff on hand for health screenings as well.  There will be live cooking demos, children's activities, a classic car show, and of course fresh ripe Produce much cheaper then at the grocery. If you have never been to the Beaver Street Farmers market you are missing out on the oldest biggest and best in Jacksonville!  Come see me.


http://www.jaxhealth.com/calendar/event-search-results-detail/?eventId=28e0ddc9-9789-e111-917c-e0cb4ef9b7ad

Read more at Jacksonville.com: 
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-05-23/story/summer-fun-and-wellness-fest-comes-june-2

Jacksonville Farmers Market
1810 West Beaver Street
Jacksonville, FL. 32209
http://www.jaxfarmersmarket.com/

Cheese Burger Pie!  Super Fast and Super easy (basically hamburger helper)

Ingredients:

1 Box Macaroni and Cheese (can use kraft or off brand.  I use the Publix brand all the time)
1 lb Ground Beef (the leaner the healthier)
1/4 cup margarine (I like Promise) and 1/4 cup margarine for the mac and cheese
1/2 c milk (again I use skim to make it a little healthier)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
shredded cheddar cheese to taste (I use about 1/2 a bag)
1/2 cup mixed onions and bell peppers (I use the frozen)
Worcestershire sauce to taste

Directions
1.  Brown the beef and onion/peppers mix.  Add worcestershire sauce to taste (I like about 1-2 tbsp)
2.  At the same time cook the boxed macaroni and cheese per directions (boil, drain, add in cheese mix, milk and margarine)
3.  Place the mac and cheese in a large casserole dish.  Add the beef, 1/2 cup milk, and cream of mushroom  and mix.  spread out
4.  Top with shredded cheese to taste.  It really doesn't need that much cheese
5.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 10-15 minutes if you just made it or 20-30 minutes if you made ahead and refrigerated it (You may want to wait and add the shredded cheese with 10 minutes left to keep it from burning)
6.  Pull it, check it to make sure its done and let rest 5 minutes.

Some good variations I've done include:
- adding frozen broccoli to veggie it up
- adding frozen peas and carrots to veggie it up
- adding onion/mushroom soup mix in when mixing
- adding taco seasoning to the beef when browning for a taco pie
- putting a layer of mashed potatoes on bottom (or top) to make sheppards pie

This can be made in about 30 minutes and there are a number of ways you can make it healthier if you work on it.  Fast ad easy.

Freshfield Farms, Orlando grocer, coming to Jax!

See the story below from the TU.  They are an Orlando market that specializes in fresh, local, and organic foods and meats.  Apparently they carry no canned or processed foods.  Never been there myself but I will be sure to check it out.  They will be on University Blvd near spring park in the old Liberty Furniture location.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2012-05-08/story/freshfields-farm-coming-jacksonville-grocery-buys-liberty-furniture

Ahh the food of Cinicinnati and Northern KY!

Just got back from the NKY/Cincinnati area and it made me appreciate what I took for granted growing up.  Skyline chili, Dixie Chili, Frisch's Bigboy (especially the tartar sauce), LaRosas Pizza (especially the Baked Buddy!), and White Castle to name just a few.  Cincinnati truly has some delicious regional restaurants, makes me wonder what good local food and chains Jacksonville have.

Jax Beer Week Schedule

Jax Beer Week is really shaping up nicely.  I am sorry i will be out of town for it. Try to attend an event and support local Beer!

The schedule courtesy of Roger Bull at the Times-Union

Here’s the schedule:

MONDAY, APRIL 2

■ Kickbacks Gastropub on King Street will have a local beer night. Owner Steve Flores is hoping to have five to seven beers each from Bold City, Intuition and Green Room. He’s actually phasing them in this week, but they’ll all be $1 off all day Monday.

■ Bold Bean Coffee on Stockton Street will have $4 pints of local and coffee-inspired beer all week.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3

■ Intuition Ale Works on King Street — Florida beer week, with guest beers from state breweries on tap through Saturday. Davis isn’t sure how many he’ll have. “As many as we can get our hands on.”

■ Green Room Brewing on Third Street, Jacksonville Beach — Unveiling of a double wheat IPA brewed by the staff of Mellow Mushroom on the Intuition equipment.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4

■ Sun-Ray Cinema, Five Points — Screening of “Beer Wars,” a documentary about the battle between the mega-breweries and the craft brewers for the American beer drinker. It’s at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a Q&A with brewers Ben Davis of Intuition Ale Works and Eric Luman of Green Room Brewing. Admission to the movie is $6.50 and the six beers on tap will be local.

■ Engine 15, Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach — The bar’s own Oak-Aged Simcoe Imperial IPA paired with steam burger sliders and coconut rice, $10.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5

■ Engine 15 — Tapping of Amber Wave amber ale, brewed by the writers of that particularly shallow column. All proceeds go to the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

■ Brewers Pizza, Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park — Local IPA night with beers from Intuition, Bold City and Green Room, plus the debut of Brewers’ Landslide double IPA paired with an IPA soup and bread.

■ Mile Marker Brewing, Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine — Double feature movie night “Beerfest” and “Strange Brew” where, in one of the great cinematic feats, Rick Moranis drinks his way out of tank of beer, then puts out a large fire ...

FRIDAY, APRIL 6

■ Engine 15 — Local beer tap takeover. In addition to Engine 15’s beers, 10 beers from Intuition, Bold City and Green Room will be on tap.

■ Green Room Brewing — Florida beer night, with 30 beers on tap that day, all from the Sunshine state. Pensacola Bay Brewery and Seventh Sun from Dunedin will be making their first Jacksonville appearances, along with some special beers from Cigar City, Swamp Head and Tequesta.

■ Downtown — Downtown Pub Crawl. Walk to various local bars sampling beer. Tickets are $15 and includes one local beer along with discounts at the other venues. Starts at 5:30 at the Jacksonville Landing. www.sprbrewcrew.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7

■ The grand tasting will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at Mellow Mushroom off Southside Boulevard at Tinseltown. Tickets are $30, and include unlimited beer samples, snacks, a T-shirt and a glass. VIP tickets, $45, get you in at 2 p.m. for some special beers not available to everyone. Organizers are hoping for 500 people. Tickets: beerweekjax.com.

■ Jax Brew Bus will be operating a shuttle between Mellow Mushroom and Intuition Ale Works every 30 minutes. If you want to reserve a spot, that’s $2. (904) 352-0982 or www.jaxbrewbus.com.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/amber-waves/2012-03-27/story/jax-beer-week-will-have-samplings-food-even-movies#ixzz1qQyIPQg9
or
http://jacksonville.com/amber-waves/2012-03-27/story/jax-beer-week-will-have-samplings-food-even-movies

Quick Review: Ancient City Subs

    Every now and then you stumble across a restaurant or place that you normally would never stop at but circumstances force you there.  Well yesterday I was dropping my car off for an insurance adjuster and had some time to kill.  I had my choice between Al's Pizza (go there all the time), Taco Bell (recently ate enough Doritos tacos to make me sick) or Ancient City subs.  I am always down for a good sandwich or sub so I gave Ancient City a try.

    Right off the bat you can tell it's not a corporate franchise run sub shop.  It was packed but they were cranking out the subs.  Looking at the menu, there were a lot of unique sandwiches.  There was a spicy Minorcan pork (apparently named for Minorcan immigrants who settled in New Smyrna in the 1700's?!), a Datil Pepper Chicken sub, a classic Italian, an All American (Turkey, Roast Beef, Ham, Cheddar, Ranch), and your standard subs.  But the first thing I saw on the menu I kept coming back to:  The Cuban.  While you can find Cubans all over, a really good Cuban isn't as easy to find.  And there Cuban was spot on.  Great bread, good pork, good Swiss, and it was pressed perfectly.  This is hands down the best Cuban I've had in Jacksonville.  Oh and did I mention it was $4??  

    Of course I got the combo and as I was picking out my chips, I noticed one of the combo choices was a 3 bean salad.  Never one to turn down the ultra healthy bean, I asked for a side of the salad.  It was a blend of green beans, white beans, and kidney beans (I think) and was actually sweet.  It had some pickled relish and onions in it.  It was delicious, and a large portion for a side salad.  One of the owners said she makes it herself each day from her mother in-laws recipe.

    Finding this place was a treat.  It recently moved from the Mandarin area (near Bonefish) to the corner of Baymeadows and Philips (next to Al's Pizza).  Based on the price (very  cheap) and quality of sandwiches and meats, I would highly recommend this place for lunch.  They even have a nicely shaded courtyard to sit in for when the weather was nice.  Easy access in and out to Philips make it quick to get there.  Greaty little place for the price.

 

The owners, from http://www.ancientcitysubs.com/Pages/aboutus.aspx

Ancient City Subs
(904) 446-9988 Phone

(904) 446-9948 Fax

8060 Philips Highway Suite 207
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
http://www.ancientcitysubs.com/Pages/default.aspx

Coming April 2-7, Jax Beer Week!

Jacksonville Beer week is coming April 2 through 7 this year.  Lots of events are going to happen.

Event calendar from the website

Monday, April 2nd

• Local beer night @ Kickbacks Gastropub

Wednesday, April 4th

• Brewers seminar and screening of Beer Wars @ Sun-Ray Cinema
• Tapping of house-brewed Simcoe Imperial IPA and food pairing @Engine 15

Thursday, April 5th

• Tapping of Amber Waves Amber Ale @ Engine 15 (all proceeds benefit St. Johns Riverkeeper)

Friday, April 6th

• Local beer tasting/ tapping/ swag event @ Engine 15
• Florida beer tasting @ Green Room Brewing (25 Florida beers on tap, some breweries for the first time ever in Jax!)

Saturday, April 7th

• Grand Tasting at Mellow Mushroom Southside (proceeds benefitDaniel Foundation)
• Shuttle provided by Jax Brew Bus (routes TBD)

in Tinseltown, 2 p.m.-7 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Daniel Foundation.

The official website is up and running http://beerweekjax.com/

Also can follow @JaxBeerWeek or follow Amber Waves Blog from TU (@AmberWavesJAx)

Confirmed participants include:

Brewers Pizza

Cowford Ale Sharing Klub

Engine 15

European Street Cafe

Grassroots Natural Market

Green Room Brewing

Intuition Ale Works

Jax Brew Bus

Kickbacks Gastropub

Mellow Mushroom

Mile Marker Brewing

Springfield Brew Crew

Sun-Ray Cinema

Total Wine & More

Jacksonville area food and nutrition news

Quick rundown of some new nutrition related stories

Latest Jacksonville restaurant openings, closings, and updates from Gary Mills of the T-U including Metro Diner at the Beach, Midtown Cafe Downtown, and new seasonal menu items at local restaurants
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/dining-notes

Top 20 selling beers of 2011, guess whos on top
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2012/02/02/top-20-selling-beers-of-2011.html

Bono's BBQ getting Coke Freestyle machines
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/2012/02/bonos-installing-coke-freestyle.html

Welch's Juice reward your heart porgram for National Heart Month
http://www.welchs.com/rewardyourheart/index.html

The new replacement for the MyPyramid Tracker calorie Counting Software
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools.html

To Good Health!

Gearing up for another semester

Spring semester starts this week!  Have to get my syllabus and assignments together.  Anyone have any fun food label or diet analysis projects?