Working with restaurant owners and franchisees for more than a decade has made me sympathetic to the blood, sweat and tears that go into creating the perfect eatery, derived from the restauranteur's passions and dreams. To put that much of your soul into a vision, just to have it close, sometimes just a few years after an opening, has to be heart-wrenching. As Mom says, I can only sympathize, not empathize, as I could never be brave enough to marry my entrepreneur skills with my creativity and love of good food, and open a restaurant of my own. If it's any consolation, sitting on the other side of the table, the restaurants I have mentioned below were all largely a part of my life in one way or another. These establishments were where I shared fabulous conversations, reunited with old friends and forged new relationships, all over some amazing dishes!
As my tribute to all of you restaurant owners and chefs out there, this week my blog is dedicated to paying my respects to my five favorite restaurants around Jacksonville that are now sadly closed.
As my tribute to all of you restaurant owners and chefs out there, this week my blog is dedicated to paying my respects to my five favorite restaurants around Jacksonville that are now sadly closed.
#1 - ‘Town (Historic Avondale)
Formerly located at 3611 Saint John’s Ave, Jacksonville, this American fare, “farm-to-table” modern restaurant provided fine dining in a casual atmosphere.
Formerly located at 3611 Saint John’s Ave, Jacksonville, this American fare, “farm-to-table” modern restaurant provided fine dining in a casual atmosphere.
On the rare occasion that my husband and I would be granted the opportunity to go out for date night (pretending we were still newlyweds and didn't just have a baby), our favorite place was sitting side-by-side at 'Towns open-kitchen bar. We loved discussing future vacations and our dream-home plans over the hustle and bustle of the kitchen staff preparing their latest creations. Somewhere between the heavenly aroma and slight wine buzz, we would get lost in each other and forget that we would have to hurry home soon, since one of us would be waking up with our latest creation at 3 a.m.
When Owner Meghan Purcell and Executive Chef Scott Ostrander teamed up, they brought Jacksonville the talk of the 'Town. Open Spring 2010, and closed April 30, 2012, two short years wasn't long enough to savor all 'Town had to offer.
"It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the closing of our doors on April 30th. Late last year, we were presented with the opportunity to take over the entire space and expand the restaurant. After thoughtful consideration, we decided it was not in our best interest. It wasn't until recently that we made the final decision to close."
My Menu Favorites:
Prince Edward Island Mussels w/spicy green coconut curry
Prince Edward Island Mussels w/spicy green coconut curry
Roasted Beet Salad
Painted Hills Boneless Short Rib
Side of Brussels Sprouts w/ Cherry Smoked Bacon
Where Are They Now?
Unfortunately, Chef Ostrander only performed a short-stint at Sakana and Blue Bar, Asian Fusion flair in Jacksonville Beach (former Atlantic Restaurant/Club) open just three-months. However, the silver lining is that another of Ostrander's restaurants opened in it's place October 12, Ocean Grill. Serving up Seafood and Steak entrées, located at 333 First St. N., Jacksonville Beach, the restaurant celebrated it's official grand opening December 13-15, 2012.
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| 'Town Restaurant |
#2 - Galangal (Ponte Vedra)
Formerly located at 145 Hilden Road (new shopping center on U.S. 1, between County Road 210 and Palencia), this high-end Thai restaurant was modern and trendy.
Where Are They Now?
Thankfully Lemongrass, located at 9846 Old Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, continues to thrive and is voted one of the best Thai restaurants in the city, year after year. We hope our favorite sibling restauranteurs have another concept up their sleeve to share with us soon!
#3 - Paradise Alley (Jacksonville Beach)
From the moment I stepped into Galangal, I felt I had been transported to the hottest restaurant/bar in South Beach, Miami. Every detail from the sheik decor, to the lighting, to the music screamed "you are not in Jacksonville anymore Toto." Over the years, I had the privilege of getting to know the owner, Voradet well. The effort and care he put into every aspect of all of his restaurants was evident. He not only was at Galangal day and night, making sure every detail was accounted for, but on his limited free-time, he was handpicking the freshest seafood at local fish markets like C&C Fisheries and Safe Harbor Seafood, both located in Mayport, to use in the dynamite sushi rolls and fresh catch dishes. The food was not the only thing that was amazing at Galangal. All the signature cocktails were refreshing and matched perfectly with the light Thai cuisine, while the wines were hand selected by the owners on their yearly trips to wine country to find the perfect blends and pairings.
With the Thai Room (Jacksonville Beach) and Lemongrass (Southside) already in tow, Owners Voradet Thepsouvanh and sister Phet Thompson opened Galangal in the Spring of 2008, which closed three years later in 2011.
Many hoped this trendy concept would set the tone for future restaurants and bars in the area, but with taking such a big risk opening up a restaurant so far from the center of town, Galangal couldn't sustain enough traffic to remain open. Eventually Nocatee and Palencia will grow into a booming "super community," but for now, with the economy in a recession, it's just not fast enough. If that wasn't bad enough, the owners found themselves against another hard decision to close the Thai Room in Jacksonville Beach due to soaring rents.
My Menu Favorites:
Every Sushi Roll on the menu was amazing!
Every Sushi Roll on the menu was amazing!
Fresh Spring Rolls
Green Curry Kiew Wan (with chicken, shrimp or tofu)
Lemongrass Crusted Chilian Sea Bass
Where Are They Now?
Thankfully Lemongrass, located at 9846 Old Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, continues to thrive and is voted one of the best Thai restaurants in the city, year after year. We hope our favorite sibling restauranteurs have another concept up their sleeve to share with us soon!
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| Galangal Restaurant |
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| Galangal Restaurant |
#3 - Paradise Alley (Jacksonville Beach)
Formerly located at 831 N. First Street (Previously the Hilsmore Hotel), this dive-bar serving up beers and burgers was a favorite for the beach
You may be very surprised to see this “restaurant” make my top five list. Let's face it, Paradise Alley was a total dive, hole-in-the-wall, renovated from an old crappy motel that has no business appearing on a list in-between some of the cities finest establishments. Contrary to what you may think, those who frequented this gem in Jax Beach all know exactly what I am talking about. I’m sure they were written up a time or two by a health inspector, with their extremely laid-back attitude towards renovations and general cleanliness, but Paradise Alley didn’t make my list for their fru-fru menu selections or trendy ambiance. Paradise Alley was a Jax Beach staple where you would ride your beach cruiser on a hot summer day to sit outside, catch some rays and enjoy the beautiful views of the beach. Years ago, Paradise Alley was hands down the best place in town to grab a big, juicy, fatty burger, with a side of homemade crispy onion rings, and as an added bonus, once, at its prime, Paradise Alley boasted the 5th biggest beer selection at any eatery in the United States. The service was always slow and their beer menu was always outdated, but the owners would always let the patrons snoop into their beer cooler and pick out whatever they fancied.
You may be very surprised to see this “restaurant” make my top five list. Let's face it, Paradise Alley was a total dive, hole-in-the-wall, renovated from an old crappy motel that has no business appearing on a list in-between some of the cities finest establishments. Contrary to what you may think, those who frequented this gem in Jax Beach all know exactly what I am talking about. I’m sure they were written up a time or two by a health inspector, with their extremely laid-back attitude towards renovations and general cleanliness, but Paradise Alley didn’t make my list for their fru-fru menu selections or trendy ambiance. Paradise Alley was a Jax Beach staple where you would ride your beach cruiser on a hot summer day to sit outside, catch some rays and enjoy the beautiful views of the beach. Years ago, Paradise Alley was hands down the best place in town to grab a big, juicy, fatty burger, with a side of homemade crispy onion rings, and as an added bonus, once, at its prime, Paradise Alley boasted the 5th biggest beer selection at any eatery in the United States. The service was always slow and their beer menu was always outdated, but the owners would always let the patrons snoop into their beer cooler and pick out whatever they fancied.
Owners Ron and Kathy Detwiler (now divorced), opened Paradise Alley in 1998. Despite Kathy's undying struggle and promise to her loyal patrons to keep Paradise Alley alive through a divorce, being completely flooded by a hurricane and refusing many, many offers for condo buy-outs, sadly PA closed in 2008.
My Menu Favorites:
Bacon Blue Burger
Homemade Onion Rings
Beer Selections: Black Voodoo (New Orleans), Fat Tire (Colorado) and Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen (Germany)
Homemade Onion Rings
Beer Selections: Black Voodoo (New Orleans), Fat Tire (Colorado) and Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen (Germany)
Where Are They Now?
I am not privy to the whereabouts of Ms. Kathy, but I am sure she is still in Jacksonville Beach doing her thing, living the life. Thanks for everything Kathy - my time spent at PA was awesome!
I am not privy to the whereabouts of Ms. Kathy, but I am sure she is still in Jacksonville Beach doing her thing, living the life. Thanks for everything Kathy - my time spent at PA was awesome!
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| Paradise Alley Restaurant |
#4 - The Corner Brasserie (San Marco)
Formerly located at 1430 San Marco
blvd., Jacksonville (next to Bistro Aix, formerly Stacks Grill), this bistro-style eatery featured tasty American-regional cuisine with a European flair.
Just before entering the heart of San Marco, you would find an adorable little Brasserie on the corner across the street from Bistro Aix. If, by any luck, you were actually able to find parking, you were in for a real treat! This was my absolute favorite place to meet colleagues for lunch. We would discuss the newest advertising trends and politics over deliciously prepared soup, salads and sandwiches.
CB used the freshest of Florida's natural resources, including regional fish and local produce. This family-owned restaurant had a comfortable atmosphere in an elegant setting, where you could even grab a frosty brewed beer, if you wanted your business lunch meeting to turn into a 2 1/2 hour "creative session." Business men close more deals on the golf course, just like agency people get all their best ideas over drinks!
Corner Brasserie was owned and operated by Chef Scott Bennett and his wife Katherine (Katie) from 2003 until 2009.
If your looking for something similar, I would suggest French Pantry (Powers Ave.) or the Corner Bistro (Tapestry Park).
Just before entering the heart of San Marco, you would find an adorable little Brasserie on the corner across the street from Bistro Aix. If, by any luck, you were actually able to find parking, you were in for a real treat! This was my absolute favorite place to meet colleagues for lunch. We would discuss the newest advertising trends and politics over deliciously prepared soup, salads and sandwiches.
CB used the freshest of Florida's natural resources, including regional fish and local produce. This family-owned restaurant had a comfortable atmosphere in an elegant setting, where you could even grab a frosty brewed beer, if you wanted your business lunch meeting to turn into a 2 1/2 hour "creative session." Business men close more deals on the golf course, just like agency people get all their best ideas over drinks!
Corner Brasserie was owned and operated by Chef Scott Bennett and his wife Katherine (Katie) from 2003 until 2009.
My Menu Favorites:
Any Soup of the Day
Tomato and Mozzarella Napoleon
Pan-Fried Crab Cakes
Tandoori Grilled Salmon Salad
Any Soup of the Day
Tomato and Mozzarella Napoleon
Pan-Fried Crab Cakes
Tandoori Grilled Salmon Salad
Where Are They Now?
Chef Scott Bennett (also former executive chef for the Ponte Vedra Lodge and Club) is now a Culinary Arts Instructor at First Coast Technical College.
Chef Scott Bennett (also former executive chef for the Ponte Vedra Lodge and Club) is now a Culinary Arts Instructor at First Coast Technical College.
If your looking for something similar, I would suggest French Pantry (Powers Ave.) or the Corner Bistro (Tapestry Park).
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| Corner Brasserie Restaurant |
#5 - Chew (Downtown)
Formerly located at 117 W. Adams St., Jacksonville, this small, American-casual delight was right in the heart of downtown serving mouth-watering bistro-fare with an edge.
Another of my favorite lunch spots, since, let's face it, living at the beach, I didn't have many reasons to go downtown for dinner. Chew was light, aerie and cozy. This was the perfect half-way location to meet my old co-worker Karen to catch up after she re-located to Amelia Island. It was the perfect excuse to patron downtown, which Chew was in the middle of everything interesting and creative, being next to MOCA, Hemming Plaza and the old main library building (which has so much character, I really wish could be revitalized by local artists). We would enjoy our local-inspired creations and take long walks around the square, taking in the scenery, trying not to fall deep into a food-induced coma.
After attending the Vision Jacksonville 2025 kick-off meeting on Jan. 19, 2013, the number one item on everyone's list is to revitalize downtown and make it a thriving, fun center of entertainment. Chew was just the type of restaurant we needed downtown to accomplish this goal. But unfortunately, with the limited space and high rent, Chew closed. Chew was open just five years from 2006 until December 2011.
My Menu Favorites:
Salads - Apple and Goat Cheese, Duck Leg Confit, Black Mission Prosciutto, Warm Fennel and Spinach and the Caesar.
Where are They Now?
Jonathan Insetta, principal of the Black Sheep
Restaurant Group closed Chew, to "relocate" to Riverside (Five Points), scheduled to open 10 months from June 2011. Finally, the much anticipated Black Sheep Restaurant, located at 1534 Oak Street, Jacksonville (Riverside - Historic 5-Points) opened in October 2012!
From Black Sheep's website: "Our focus is on fresh, local
ingredients, hand-crafted food, and gracious service. We offer a full bar,
signature cocktails, craft beers and an excellent wine list. We offer
fast-casual lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner Monday through Saturday."
Review of Black Sheep Restaurant to come!
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| Chew Restaurant |
