Clean Up Your Act And Get A Little Dirty...

My Review of Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage

I have a big family.  Actually, that is an understatement.  At last count there are 28 of us living in the Jacksonville area, if you count all of our spouses families (...and only four were actually born here)! So you can imagine how thrilled everyone was when we came up with the idea of doing "Secret Santa," where all the adults pull a name from a hat and only purchase a present for that individual.  This year I drew my mother-in-law, who I knew would appreciate a gift consisting of quality time spent together making memories, rather than a traditional wrapped gift.  Needless to say, when I divulged the surprise that I would be taking her to dinner and a show as her "Secret Santa" gift, she was thrilled.  That's a lie - she was more than thrilled!  She screamed when she found out we were going to Dirty Dancing.

After a lovely dinner at Juliette's Restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Omni Hotel (conveniently across the street from the Times-Union Theater) it was on to the show!

Just after we nestled into our red velvet seats, I anxiously flipped through the marquee to check out the cast.  Much to my surprise, the lead of Francis "Baby" Houseman was being portrayed by my girl Jillian Mueller.  Mueller was the lead "Alex" in Flashdance, just last season in the Artist Series. "This should be a treat," I thought.  Mueller danced her heart out on stage just the previous year, and even had me coining the phrase, "triple threat" in my review of Flashdance.

Growing up, my sister and I must have watched Dirty Dancing, the movie, 100 times.  My mother-in-law even told me that every time it's on TV, she stops to watch it with her teenage daughter mumbling in the background, "Again Mom?"  Needless to say, our entire family are big fans of the original movie.

A most interesting fact about Dirty Dancing, is the same woman, Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the original screenplay, also wrote the stage production.  She stayed true to the movie, with the same sequence of events, songs and quotes, but also added a few scenes for a more "in depth" feel of the storyline, along with new songs composed just for the stage show.

As everyone knows, the story takes place in 1963 at a family resort in the Catskill Mountains.  What most people don't know, as I was so delightfully informed by my mother-in-law, was that many families from New York City and the surrounding areas, actually went to the Catskills (just 100 miles north of the city) in the summer with their families.  She went on to describe the boys (mainly Jewish) who would work at the resorts bussing tables prior to their departure the following fall to this or that ivy league school.  She vaguely remembers her older sisters engaging in summer flirtations with the boys, only to have their hearts broken at the end of the summer when everyone had to leave. Ahhh, summer romance. 

Just to call out a few of the outstanding cast members - Jenny Winton, who portrayed Penny Johnson, was my absolute favorite!  The passion and grace she puts in every dance step was mesmerizing.  And with Dirty Dancing being a non-traditional musical, as the lead cast-members don't sing, rather this show uses an ensemble with back-up dancers and cast members to act as singers and soloists.  Most impressive are Jennlee Shallow and Doug Carpenter, who both had incredible vocals that left the audience awestruck with goosebumps. 

Some of the best scenes were definitely the opening and closing dance numbers, with lots of fun in the middle, including all the staff housing "dirty dancing" scenes, and a hilarious rendition of Lisa's Hula "Hula Hana," by actress Emily Rice. 

Overall this show is a great one for date night or girls night - It’s lots of fun and very entertaining!

Shows run through Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the Times Union Center-Moran Theater.

 My Video Review For Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage

Grils Night At Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage
(Lisa, Melanie & Tina)

Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage

Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage

Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage

Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage

Go Underground for a Culinary Masterpiece

The Rise of the Supper Club in Jacksonville

Flashback to the roaring 20’s, when women liberated themselves by chopping off their hair into the “flapper” bobs and were seen as “brash” for exerting their independence and overall feminism by, dare I say it, driving a car by themselves - (gasp)! These were the days of speakeasies and secret clubs, where citizens payed homage to the social activities they enjoyed most - mainly jazz and liquor. (Insert “We Both Reached for the Gun” from Broadway’s Chicago, here.)

Flash forward to the year 2014, where artists and local citizens are still liberating themselves, just through a different expression. For the purposes of this article, the artists will be referred to as “chefs” and citizens “foodies.” 

Ninety years later, and some secret clubs are still in existence. Lucky enough for us, prohibition is over (which was a really ridiculous idea in the first place, since it ultimately backfired). Instead of the typical 1920’s vices, we crave delicious food, more specifically, a different type of culinary experience. There has to be something in-between a traditional restaurant and in-home dinner party. Thus the “underground supper club” or “guestaurant” was born. Typically these “supper clubs” are run out of a private home and give the chef an opportunity to create and sample a one-time menu and serve a small, intimate group of friends who love the idea of being able to try new food in a casual, yet elegant environment.

Extremely popular in Latin America, supper clubs have recently gained popularity in the United States, hitting an all time peak around 2009-2010. Other larger cities like New York and Chicago have a lot of these clubs, but this is Jacksonville, and while we are gaining momentum to ultimately be a larger metropolitan area, we are still behind the curve with most trends. Check out this list of other (hush-hush) supper clubs all over the country here. 

Again, flashback a few months, this time to Bold Bean Coffee Roasters in Jacksonville Beach. I was having my usual writer's block before my morning coffee kicked in, when I overheard a woman talking about how she had just moved here from Seattle (where I grew up)…in the most adorable, yet familiar accent. I approached her, and found out she is a pastry chef (a pastry chef who worked for the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, and is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, from where my husband’s best friend lived). I decided we had way too much in common and we traded contact information. I mean, who wouldn't want to make a new friend who can speak intelligently about delectable desserts in an adorable accent. 

A couple of weeks later, to my surprise and delight, I received a text from Chef about wanting to start up a monthly supper club and invited me to attend the first one. Then she posted the menu to her Facebook page - Quoina and Cocoa, and I drooled all over my laptop - Attending (click)!

After weeks of sweet anticipation, the night of my first supper club was upon us! …and without further ado, may I present Quinoa & Cocoa (Verousce and Leni), the dynamic duo and private chef services of two fabulous women whos tagline reads “Food is Memories.” 

November 10th Supper Club Menu:

Bread: Organic Stoneground Wheat Bread and White Cheddar Bread Sticks, with Organic Grass-fed Butter & Smoked Sea Salt, and Herbed Olive Oil & Champaign Vinegar Dipping Sauce

First Course: Butternut Squash Bisque with Cilantro Macerated Apples & Curried ChantillySecond Course: Figs, Mozzarella & Cranberries on a bed of Arugula

Third Course: Walnut Roasted Chicken Thigh on top of a Goat Cheese Polenta Cake, with a Honey Brown Butter Sauce

Fourth Course: Spiced Coffee Chocolate Hot Cake, served with Whipped Vanilla Marscapone, drizzled with a Date Compote. 

We arrived at my new friend's adorable home, which was within walking distance of the beach. With a slight November drizzle in the air, the scene was set for a memorable warm and romantic culinary feast. We dined out on the back terrace, with the table set and the candles lit, along with the smell of fresh rain in the air. It was an intimate setting, and a great opportunity to meet new friends who shared our table - another local chef and her husband, and a mother and daughter, who were all fabulous company for the night's delicacies. 

We all brought our own wine, based on the recommendation of Chef, and were also offered water and iced tea. To start the meal, we all raved over the warm, fresh, soft bread paired with salted butter (that I could have eaten by itself with a spoon). We also gobbled up the cheddar bread sticks, which were dipped in the olive oil and champaign sauce. This was so delicious, we told the Chefs' they should bottle it up and sell it at the local markets. 

 Next, we had the bisque, which rolled down our tongues with a velvety thickness, with a hint of sweet and savory and a slight bitterness from the apple. I didn’t realize I had eaten it so fast, when my spoon hit the empty bowl it almost startled me out of a food rich coma. To follow, we were served the salad course, which was a symphony of wonderful textures and flavors…the perfect pairing with an unbelievable dressing. 

Then, came the pièce de résistance, the walnut roasted chicken over polenta. The only way to describe this dish, no doubt served because it’s almost that time of year, as the best, most upscale Thanksgiving masterpiece on a plate. The chicken was so tender and savory, with its perfectly seasoned, slightly breaded crispy outer-layer, and inner juiciness. Along with the creamy, buttery, cheesy goodness of the polenta and warm, sweet sauce, this was one of the best chicken dishes I have ever had. When I closed my eyes, I was transformed to my family's Thanksgiving table and filled me with happiness. 

Lastly, and right before we all popped, we were served a single chocolate cake in a ramekin, with a side of what appeared to be ice cream with a date sauce. Just in case you haven’t tried it, whipped marscapone is like room temperature gillato that has been injected with fluffy clouds from heaven. A small spoonful, with a drizzle of the gooey, sweet compote, as if that isn’t amazing enough, you slowly crack through the slightly crisp shell of the chocolate cake, to find a melted wonderment of chocolate decadence. Yes, it’s that good. I was wrapped in warmth by this meal, and the love that went into preparing it. 

Quinoa & Cocoa's December Supper Club dinner is already sold out, but don't dispair! In mid-December they will be taking requests to be seated at their table for the January Supper Club, and you won’t want to miss it!

The Chefs' also provide private chef services, cater dinner parties, small events and make custom cakes. Check out their website for photos of their culinary creations, more information, and to book them for your next event.

Thanks ladies, you’re right, food is memories and this is something I will never forget.

Wheat Bread & White Cheddar Bread Sticks

Butternut Squash Bisque

Arugula Salad, With Figs, Mozzarella, & Cranberries

Roasted Chicken Thigh Over Cheesy Polenta Cake & Butter Sauce

Spiced Coffee Chocolate Hot Cake with Marscapone & Date Compote

December Supper Club Menu

Wrapped in Warmth – Yummy Goodness for the Tummy and the Soul

My Review of Maple Street Biscuit Company and Annie the Musical 

One of the best aspects of being a parent is being able to share your interests with your children. Whether it is the love of food or the arts, sharing my passions with my four-year-old daughter is an absolute JOY.

Let’s start with a little semi-newcomer called Maple Street Biscuit Company.  Besides appearing on Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best New Biscuit Spots” last year, it was also ranked one of “Florida’s 12 Best Restaurants (outside of Miami),”by Thrillist.com this September! 

These charming local “Southern Comfort Food” counter service restaurants are the perfect spot for an array of occasions - Casual business meetings, with their freshly roasted and ground coffee, meeting up with a group of friends, with all locations featuring a cozy and inviting atmosphere complete with large community farm tables, and of course, a perfect spot for the kids, with their delicious, all natural and homemade food offerings and friendly customer service.

One of the most unique qualities of the Jacksonville Beach eatery was the fun way Maple Street takes your order by asking you a question, and calling out your answer when your order is ready.  Our question was “What was your first Halloween costume?”  My daughter was an “Angel” when she was a mere three-months-old, which was very cute to her when this was called out across the counter. 

What we ate (we had help from friends, don’t judge us)…

The Farmer (Signature Sandwiches) - Biscuit, fried chicken, bacon, cheese & apple butter – Flaky, crispy, salty-sweet deliciousness…so small, yet so filling!

Smokey Mountain Mac-N-Cheese – Creamy, warm and oodles of flavor (my preschooler kept knocking my fork away when I tried to snag a bite)!

Fried Green Tomatoes (subbed the ranch dressing for the maple mustard dipping sauce) – down-home, goodness with the perfect crunch!

Hashups – Homefries with ham, veggies and cheese – the perfect crisp mashup accompaniment to any of the MSBC Signature Sandwiches.

Maple Tap Coffee – Smooth, with not a trace of bitterness and a hint of sweet maple…the perfect remedy for a dreary fall day.

There are currently three Maple Street Biscuit Company locations in Jacksonville, the first opened in 2012 in San Marco, the second in Jacksonville Beach, the third in Murray Hill.  The most recent addition to the MSBC family is located in Chattanooga, TN (home to the Division 1-AA National Football Championships – GoUM Griz!!!)

Now, on with the show…

The Tony Award winning, Annie the Musical, kicked off the FSCJ Artist Series 2014/2015 season with an incredible standing ovation opening night this past Tuesday! 

My daughter has watched Annie, the movie (1982), about 100 times (all parents with toddlers know what I’m talking about here), and has all the songs and even a few of the dance routines memorized.  So when I heard Annie the Musical was coming to Jacksonville this fall, I jumped on the opportunity to bring her to see it!  As luck would have it, Tuesday night was also the annual Chase Family Night on Broadway!  My daughter absolutely loved all the wonderful activities planned and sponsored by local businesses and organizations such as the Jacksonville Public Library and First Coast No More Homeless Pets.  All ticket-holding kids have the opportunity to partake in all the fun one hour prior to show time.

From the moment the curtain was raised, we were both completely engaged and found ourselves singing along merrily to all of our favorites like “Maybe,” “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and “Tomorrow.” 

The talents of all the youngsters playing the roles of the orphans were incredible, lead by the sensational Issie Swickle, as Annie, from our very own state of Florida!  Other stand-out roles were Lynn Andrews, as Miss Hannigan, Gilgamesh Taggett, as Daddy Warbucks, the entire staff at the Warbucks mansion, and of course, Sunny the dog as Sandy.  Also, who could forget the triumphant live Annie orchestra, lead by conductor Keith Levenson.

Annie is set in New York City, December, 1933.  Our story begins in the Hudson Street Orphanage, run by the mean, yet incredibly hilarious Miss Hannigan.  After countless attempts to run-away and find her real parents, Annie our heroine, is invited to spend the Holidays with Oliver Warbucks, the billionaire.  The heart-warming journey of Annie and “Daddy” Warbucks discovering the only thing missing in their lives is each other is nothing but magical.  This all-time favorite children’s classic is a crowd-pleaser for the young and young-at-heart alike. 

Shows run through Sunday, October 26, 2014.  Hurry up and buy your tickets HERE before it’s sold out!

Maple Street Biscuit Company

The kids loving their Mac-N-Cheese!

The Farmer

Smokey Mountain Mac-N-Cheese

Fried Green Tomatoes

Hashups

In-House Coffee Roaster and Grinder

Community Farm Tables

Maple Street Biscuit Company Menu

Community Farm Tables

Excitedly Awaiting Annie the Musical

Chase Family Night On Broadway Activities

Chase Family Night On Broadway Activities

Chase Family Night On Broadway Activities

Chase Family Night On Broadway Activities

Just Before Curtain Call

Annie the Musical

Annie the Musical 

Annie the Musical

Annie the Musical

Annie the Musical

Our Video Review of Annie the Musical for the Artist Series Jacksonville

A Sip, A Bite, A Night At The Limelight

My Review of Michael's Tasting Room and Oliver! the Musical. 

With the Artist Series shows winding down for the season, I took it upon myself to explore other theatrical avenues (more-or-less) close to home, to get my theater-junkie fix.  I was more than thrilled to see that one of my former co-workers was featured in the play Oliver! at the Limelight theater in St. Augustine!  The production of Oliver! had always been on my bucket list, but I have never had the pleasure of viewing it...not even the movie version. With opening night already sold out, I seized the opportunity to enjoy the show the following night.

With my sister, Tina, in tow, we made the hour long journey down to St. Augustine.  (This is the part where I go on a ten-minute tirade about the lack of parking downtown, but I will let it go since it was such a minuscule part of our night). 

After walking through a real-life war reenactment, with the gunpowder still lingering in the air, we made our way down the twists and turns of the cobblestone streets to Michael's Tasting Room.  
Michael's Tasting Room, formerly-known-as "The Tasting Room," located at 25 Cuna Street, St. Augustine, is a charming tapas restaurant, serving up innovative cuisine with Spanish flair. 

This contemporary Spanish restaurant has been serving up delicious dishes to St. Auggie's and tourists alike since 2006, and we were happy to oblige, playing the role of tourists in this tasty production!

The rustic ambiance was warm and inviting and quite romantic, with even the soft candlelight and acoustic guitarist acting as the perfect accompaniments to our fabulous experience. 

What We Ate/Drank:

"Pescadito Frito" Crispy Local Mahi, Horseradish Salsa Verde, Potato Puree, with Seasonal Veggies
Grilled Hanging Tenderloin "Churrasco," with Tomato Panzanella
2011 Cline, Cashmere, Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, California

After receiving all wonderful recommendations from our very helpful (and quite cute I might add) server, we plunged into our main courses with fervor.  (If only we had more time before the show to try more of Chef's offerings)!

I usually don't order Mahi, as it is usually a thick cut of fish, and due to it's low fat content can be prepared a bit too dry for my liking. The Pescadito Frito was cooked absolutely perfect!  The Mahi was melt in your mouth tender, with a rich, buttery flavor from all the yummy accompaniments on the plate. One of my favorite "secret" ingredients I use to sneak extra zest and heat into various dishes and sauces is prepared horseradish.  (Try it sometime in your homemade ranch or tartar sauce).

The tenderloin was also quite succulent, with a hint of tang and fire, cooked to medium-medium rare perfection. This dish was accompanied by roasted veggies and a light nutty olive oil drizzling.  Recently becoming a pescetarian, I was jealous watching my sister thoroughly enjoying her meal and almost licking the plate clean.  She later mentioned that it would be very hard to come back to this restaurant and not order this dish again and again, since it was so amazing!

Sip, bite, repeat....the wine was versatile enough to go with both of our dishes beautifully.  Is there nothing better than a fabulous warm meal and a perfect wine pairing?  Nope. 

If I lived in St. Augustine, you'd better bet Michael's Tasting Room would be my go-to staple for date night and family get-togethers. 

Michael's Tasting Room is open for dinner seven-days-a-week beginning at 5 p.m.

On with the show! 

We quickly scurried down the street to the Limelight theater (yet again, due to the seriously lack of parking in this town). As we excitedly flew up the steps and bounded through the entrance to this historic little theater, the slight creek of the opening doors and rustic scent transformed us to St. Augustine's rich past, that makes you forget about those 1st world problems and start to relax and focus on what's really important.  Family, friends and good company.  This cozy local theater lacks nothing in charm and ambiance, complete with a very warm and welcoming staff.

We found our seats just as the lights dimmed and were transported to 1820's London.  This well-loved musical adaptation, by Lionel Bart, of Charles Dicken's classic tale, Oliver is an orphan who runs away from his cruel caretakers only to land himself in trouble with the wrong kind of people.  As he navigates his new life, he finds hope in the kindness of newfound friends. 

The most memorable parts of the show were the impeccable choreographed musical numbers with the incredibly talented youngsters, including the opening scene with the orphans and the number with Fagan's merry pick-pockets. 

For a storyline who's underlying theme is about cruelty to our beloved characters, the musical score is quite likable with memorable favorites like "Food, Glorious Food," "Where Is Love," "Consider Yourself," "Oom-Pah-Pah," and "As Long As He Needs Me," just to name a few. 

I was more than overly impressed by the utterly talented cast and crew as a whole, of this production.  I didn't mean to sell anyone short by having "community theater" expectations, but all that was blown out of the water.  While all the hard-working thespians in this cast were wonderful, there are a few "stand-outs" that I would like to call-out:

The character of Nancy, played by Chloe Cordle, a second year student at Florida School of the Arts, was spot on.  Cordle's theatrical passion, along with her heart-felt solos were a sure crowd pleaser.  

Another outstanding performance was delivered by Chris MacEwan.  His portrayal of the utter  scoundrel Bill Sykes, who disappointingly doesn't appear until the second act, is undoubtedly broadway quality.  It probably helps that MacEwan was actually an actor in New York prior to his current career in the exciting field of account management.  Never-the-less, knowing MacEwan personally as someone who is quite lovable, and always has a smile on his face, it must have been a stretch playing such a villain, (but also quite fun, I should think).

Andy Nance, playing the role of Fagin, is a St. Augustine native and regular at the Limelight.  Nance added much humor and likability to his vagabond character, who delighted in the rewards of others dirty deeds, managing to not get his hands dirty himself in the process. 

The obvious star of the show and my personal favorite character, The Artful Dodger, or Jack Dawkins, is played by young superstar Jack Rose.  This playful and very challenging role has also been portrayed on stage by talented artists such as Phil Collins, Davy Jones, Jack Wild and Elijah Wood.  Bravo my dear fellow!

Spoiler Alert: Another memorable scene in the show was the murder scene between MacEwan and Cordle, only made more menacing and erie due to the high-quality production lighting and sound effects. 

Overall, I was very impressed by this local production, directed by Tom Fallon, and proud to have such a theatrical gem so close to home (more-or-less).  I highly recommend seeing this show – you won’t regret it! You'd better reserve your tickets now, as I predict this show will sell out fast!

June 6 - July 6, 2014 at the Limelight Theater, Matuza Stage, St. Augustine
For Oliver! reservations, click here, or call (904) 825-1164

The cast of Oliver! Courtesy of The Limelight Theater

The cast of Oliver! Courtesy of The Limelight Theater

Chole as Cordle as Nancy, Courtesy of The Limelight Theater

Chris MacEwan as Bill Sykes, Courtesy of The Limelight Theater

Andy Nance as Fagin, Courtesy of The Limelight Theater

Jack Rose as the Artful Dodger (left),
with Alexander Lawless as Oliver Twist (right), Courtesy of The Limelight Theater

Alexander Lawless as Oliver Twist, Courtesy of The Limelight Theater

War Horse - A Riveting Journey

My Review of War Horse the Play.

This past Tuesday marked War Horse's opening night in Jacksonville, Fl.  I didn't know what to expect, never having read Michael Morpurgo's best-selling 1982 novel, or seen the 2011 six-time Academy Award nominated film, by director Steven Spielberg.  I had, however,  heard whisperings that War Horse is an incredible story, and I must go see this 2011 winner of five-Tony Awards, including "Best Play." And how glad I am that I did!

Growing up on the west coast, in a town where the outskirts sprawled into the beautiful countryside, we knew several families who owned horses. My love of horses began at an early age, at just six years old, when I was taught to ride "Blackie" by a dear family friend amongst the grassy rolling hills.

I continued to be captivated by these creatures in my youth, as I went on to horse camp during the perfectly long Washington indian summers, later attending college in Montana, where there were horse ranches as far as the eye could see.  There is something emotional and raw about a relationship between man (or in my case, woman) and horse.  You are taken in by their beauty, charming character, and majesty, but also terrified of their sheer power, force, and unpredictability.  Riding a horse feels amazing and terrifying all in the same breath.  There is an unspoken respect between horse and rider.

Once the show began, I was immediately enthralled by the hugely talented puppeteers, bringing Joey and the rest of the animals to life on-stage, making the audience truly feel the heartache and turmoil of this epic portrayal through the animals eyes.

Throughout the production, the narrator appears, with his beautifully erie English songs, mystic and hollow, tying in the artistry of the music, acting, lighting and sounds, harmoneously aiding in this historically accurate recount of World War I, starring our hero "Joey," the spirited thoroughbred horse.

One of my favorite aspects of this production, besides the unbelievable puppetry, are the props that were chosen to further intensify the emotions of the audience.  From the old-time cameras, complete with blinding flash and smoke, to the officers pistols firing, the carefully thought out prop selection engages the audience even more through heart-stopping surprises, making the crowd hang on every scene, waiting for the moment Joey and Albert are reunited.

Another interesting feature of this particular play is the raw artist renderings on a horizontal screen used for the scenery.  I applaud this use of artistry to further dramatize the story, as opposed to using digital HD images, with the ever improving, popular clear pixel displays.

To sum up - War Horse is a theatrical masterpiece!  Shows run through Sunday, February 23.  You will not want to miss this!

Get Your Tickets Now

My Video Review of War Horse:

http://bit.ly/WHVideoReview

Family Feeling Blue? Try This...

My Review of The Blue Man Group and Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Jacksonville.

As you may have guessed from my previous posts, (like most people these days), I wear many, many hats.  One of my favorite roles (and most challenging, of course), is playing Mommy to a three-year-old little girl.  Fortunately, Jacksonville is a great city to raise a family - there are always so many new, fun things to do!

One question that I consistently hear from parents is "where can I take my kids to eat in Jacksonville?"  This can be especially challenging for parents with children under four.  So if you're new in town, or just new to the parenting gig, (with the help of a few friends), I have created a list of the best kid-friendly, parent-approved restaurants in Jacksonville.

Some of you may be asking "What are the parameters for a "good" kid-friendly restaurant"?
Here are the qualifications:
For the kids - entertaining atmosphere (a bit on the louder side, just in case you have a crying baby in tow), highchairs and booster seats available, kids menu with lots of choices, coloring & activity sheets and extra activities for the kids is a big bonus.
For the parents: lively atmosphere, alcohol and/or beer and wine readily available, convenient location, great food, clean bathrooms with changing tables, kids menu with healthy options and reasonably priced.

So grab the kids and get ready for a fun-filled family night out with these tasty local eateries (in no particular order):

1) Taverna Yamas - (Greek/Mediterranean) This is the "go-to" for our very large "ever expanding" family here in Jax. They can accommodate large groups, the food is awesome, and the entertainment is great for small children through teens.  (Belly dancers, napkin throwing and table dancing nightly, live DJ Friday and Saturday nights).

2) MShack - (Upscale Burgers and Shakes) The Medure' boys new concept and my new favorite spot at the Town Center with the fam - great food including healthy choices like the kale salad and perfect for people watching!

3) Taco Lu - (Fancy Taco's & Tequilla) A beach favorite for years, especially in the new location!

4) Nippers - (Seafood) Come here by boat, car or bike.  Best during the summer months where the kids can play in the "beach" area and the parentals can sit in the lounge chairs sipping on tropical drinks.

5) Otaki, Kanki and Wasabi's - (Japanese Grill) Kids are mesmerized by the hibachi chef and love the fried rice and teriyaki chicken.

6) Brucci's - (Italian - Beaches location) Delicioso lasagna, pizza and salads.  Family night on Wednesday's and live entertainment on Saturday's.

7) Mojo's - (BBQ) Great live entertainment!

8) Latitude 30 - (American) Endless entertainment for the kids with the games, bowling and movie theater, but it can get pricy!

9) Poe's Tavern - (Gourmet Burgers & Beer) Great outdoor dining next to the beach.

10) Casa Maria  - (Mexican - Beaches location) Very entertaining, friendly staff with authentic food. (Many people prefer La Nap....but personally I am not a fan, it's kinda dirty and needs to get off the "bad health inspection" list before I go there again).

11) Salt Life - (Seafood) Lively, fun, great food (get the Poke Bowl with seared tuna and tropical rice) and kids love the surf decor and huge fish tank.

12) Lulu's - (Seafood) Great for Saturday or Sunday family lunch.  It has a mini putting green, walking dock, live bands, a big chair swing, and lots of room for kids to run...do you need more?

13) Mambo's Cuban Cafe & Pizzeria - (Cuban) Our family loves Mambo's (the hubby is from south Florida), especially their Ultimate Mambo's Pizza!

Other notable regional chain restaurants: Mellow Mushroom, Your Pie & Bento's.

I would love to add great kid-friendly Chinese, Thai and Steakhouse Restaurants, as well as establishments in other areas of town like Riverside/Avondale and Mandarin.  Please email me if you have any recommendations and I will update the list: LisaMatz@gmail.com


"Mommy! I want to see the Blue Men again!" exclaimed one very excited little three-year-old this morning.

Ahhh, yes, my daughter's first broadway show experience was a complete success, which I hope paves the way for a lifetime love of the theater.  ....ok, maybe that's too much to ask, but if you are looking for an awesome experience for the whole family, Blue Man Group is your ticket to ride!

While traveling through New York City 15 years ago, I was told that I must check out the Blue Man Group, in their off-broadway production.  My first thought was "this seems very strange." And it was! Deliciously, off-the-wall, totally originally, dance in the aisle strange stuff.  I loved it and vowed that someday I would see it again.  As luck would have it, the production has finally made it to our beautiful city and I could share the experience with my daughter.

As we entered the theater, for a split second, sheer terror ran through me - as it has with any parent when you have that single moment thinking, "Did I make the right decision to bring my child here? She looks so much younger than the other kids.  What if she doesn't like it? What if she is scared by the blue men? What if..."  I gathered my composure and proceeded to try and enjoy myself, which wasn't too hard with the pleasant distraction of all the wonderful kids activities available all over the Times-Union Center!

Last night was a very special night - it was The Artist Series annual family night! Upon entering, we received a map indicating twelve different kid-friendly activities to partake in an hour before curtain call.  Some of the various activities included a photo booth, face painting, coloring station, techno dance floor, music makers area, hands-on-art project and selfie photo area, all sponsored by local vendors, museums, and the Jax Public Library. Not to mention the opportunity to snack on some blue refreshments before the show!

After finally peeling my daughter away from all of the fun activities, we found our seats. Oh good, close enough to the action, but not so close that I will get paint on me or have a blue man regurgitate marshmallows in my new Coach purse (yes, I am serious....and it's not gross....it's awesome)!

The Blue Man Group show runs about an hour and a half, with no intermission (and you don't need one).  The three-year-old was literally wide-eyed, clapping, with jaw dropped the entire time.  Normally she has about a three-minute attention span, but those wacky blue men kept her attention until the last.  It probably helped that they picked her out of the audience and decided to surround her like sharks and stare at her for a few minutes...she found this all very amusing, especially after seeing herself on the gigantic screen onstage, and even said "The blue men love me!" Yes, my next blog will be about teaching my daughter a little humility and the joys of parenting.

The Blue Man Group show is wildly entertaining from start to finish! You will be blown away by the sets, music, lights and of course the totally insane humor.  To me this show would be like if you dropped three blue alien guys in the middle of an urban playground to experiment with art in every way imaginable. Another cool attribute to this show is the widely used audience interaction. It keeps the crowd engaged at all times and gives fans a chance to study the extremely talented actors up close.  There is no other show like this anywhere - so if you get the chance, go see it!

Shows run Tuesday, January 21 - Sunday, January 26, 2014.  You will not be disappointed and neither will the kids!  Purchase your tickets here.

M Shack Town Center

Face Painting Station

Selfies Station

Coloring Station 

Hands-On-Art Project Station

From Our Seats

Blue Man Meets 3-Year-Old

Blue Man Group 

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group

Our Video Review of Blue Man Group