Category: 0 Florida

Singleton's Seafood Shack

2/14/2017

Mayport, Florida

In 2016, Don and I were heading north in Florida, along the Atlantc coast. It was lunchtime. This place didn't look very inviting, but we had heard about the seafood shack. It was featured on Food Network's, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. So why not?

Trash or Treasures

As we headed towards the door, we saw a cat and quite a collection of weathered boat related goodies. It was hard to tell if these were discarded items or decoration.

The Porch

The porch also held a lot of clutter, but a Budweiser sign seemed to be welcoming us.

Tub-O-Fish

The first thing we spotted inside, was a gigantic built in tub of ice, holding all the fresh seafood.

Shark Above

Above the tub, was a shark on the wall, with a bottle in his mouth. All very festive.

Tables and Benches

The warped tables and benches made me feel like I was at summer camp.

Filling up
The tables began to fill, soon after we arrived. The larger tables invited strangers to dine together, which encouraged a community feel... which was helpful at one point.

I had noticed a white haired woman earlier. She looked like she was from another era and I imagined her heading off to her square dancing club after lunch. All eyes turned to her table at one moment when her tipsy bench sent her tumbling backward onto the floor. Before I had a moment to gasp, a number of men dressed in camo jumped up and rushed over to assist. She was actually fine, but I'm guessing she wasn't up for square dancing after that.

Ray Singleton

Founder, Ray Singleton was featured in many news clippings and photos. He and his wife Ann, opened the tiny shack in 1969 to serve breakfast to fishermen. Ray is no longer with us, but his son Dean is carrying on the tradition.

Ann's Pigs

Ray's wife Ann, is evidently responsible for the pig artwork.

More Collectibles

Florescent lights gave a special glow to the collections of old bottles and cameras and toy vehicles on an upper shelf. There was lots to look at.

Seafood

The Shack kept things simple with Styrofoam plates. Don's Mahi Mahi was quite good, even with plastic cutlery. I ordered the New England Clam Chowder, but should have ordered the Minorcan Clam Chowder. I didn't read up on my history earlier, or I would have known about the Minorcan colony in the area. Dean Singleton claims to be 10th generation Minorcan.

Dining with a View

The outside deck wasn't open, but it had a nice view of the St. John's River and ships carrying cargo.

A Museum?

The most memorable part of our oddball dining experience, was the free of charge, attached "museum" that held over 100 large carved boats. Ray Singleton evidently was the creator of these ships years ago. There were many signs reminding us not to touch. There were also signs telling us the boats were not for sale. The good news is, these boats did not float away last fall when Hurricane Matthew did some damage to Singleton's Seafood Shack!

A Better View

After a museum visit, we wandered around back and found a better view of the restaurant. The dock and boats were much more appealing than the unpainted front.
I guess we'll just plan to arrive by boat, next time!

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Columbia in St. Augustine, Florida

8/10/2016

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Gem of the Spanish Restaurants

Don and I spent a few days in St. Augustine last January. We were delighted by the atmosphere of the historic city.

Many times, we'd walked by this wonderful building with waving fans and trickling fountain.

Since 1905!

1905 is pretty young for St. Augustine, which was founded in 1565! But the building was inviting and 1905 is old in my book. How could we resist?

So Many Options for Seating!

We entered the charming building at 9:30, on a Sunday evening. Luckily, there were still enough diners to make things festive. The hostess seemed a little tired, though. She walked us through the arched entrance of the room marked "El Patio". She put menus down at a cramped table for 2. When I cheerily asked for another table facing the fountain, she yawned and moved us. I didn't ask her to move the broom and dustpan that rested up against a column. I'm pretty sure someone was eager to use that and get home, but I tucked them behind the column where I didn't have to stare at the eyesore.

Exploring

Before ordering, I did a quick "Race to the Ladies Room", which means, I went exploring. There were so many rooms in this great old place.

Family

I wanted to know all about the 5 generations of The Hernandez Family who have been running Columbia since it first opened.

And More Seating

The murals, stucco, iron and tile felt very Spanish, but Mr. Hernadez, Sr., evidently immigrated from Cuba. The foods on the menu reflected that.

Looking Down

I took a quick glance down towards our table from the railing above. My photo doesn't show a very clear shot of fountain in the center of the dining room, but there was quite a curious sculpture. The glowing, white legs are wrapped up in the tail of a dolphin! It gave us lots to ponder.

Food and Drink

I was hoping for a very old server who could tell me some stories, but our young server was at least very gracious and didn't rush. She brought us warm Cuban bread, which was heavenly. Don had a Pisco Sour and I celebrated with a Margarita. Then she tossed up our "1905 Salad" right next to the table.

The salad was iceberg, mixed with ham, Swiss, tomato, Spanish olives, Romano cheese, Worcestershire and lemon. I actually liked the plate it was served on, just as much as the salad!

The Original Cuban Sandwich

A recipe from 1915 was used for this perfect sandwich. Genoa salami, smoked ham, pork loin, Swiss, pickle, and yellow mustard was pressed and melted inside long slices of Cuban bread.

Fun Food

Not only was it the best tasting sandwich I've had... since a Muffaletta in New Orleans... But it was just plain fun.

Look at Don. He looks like he's eating giant cigar. Which is kind of funny because I found out later that some of Mr. Hernandez's first customers were workers from a nearby cigar factory. They often bought the Cuban sandwiches to eat walking to and from work.

The Bad News

Don and I enjoyed our dinner, even though we sort of closed the place down. We even managed to laugh at the disappointing restaurant history we learned after our meal. I asked about Columbia's history and our young server answered with a smile. "Oh it's been here since the 1980's" I cringed and asked, "Well is the building old?" "No, it used to be a parking lot." What? So there are 6 locations of Columbia. The original is in Tampa. So much for my love of historic dining!

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Cafe Alcazar in St. Augustine

6/15/2016

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A Hotel in Florida, from 1887

St. Augustine has more than its share of fabulous old hotels, thanks to Henry Flagler... who built at least 4 gorgeous buildings on this corner. The Hotel Alcazar is no longer a hotel, but we were able to at least have a meal there!

Sunday Morning

The entrance to the restaurant was on the side, away from the big towers at the front. It looked like we were entering a church, with that rounded wall. But our dining adventure would be more intriguing than dining in an old church.

A Simple Door

The door wasn't grand, but it invited us into the portion of the building that holds the cafe as well as some antique shops.

Nothing too odd sounding about that.

Here's the Odd Part

The sweet little cafe was tucked into the "deep end" of what had once been the hotel's indoor swimming pool! The pool was once quite the highlight of the hotel's health center, where guests could swim in a constant stream of fresh water, supplied by an artesian well.

Built in 1889

It looks like a flooded building at first glance. But this is the 120' X 20' space used by the male bathers. Women had their own private pool at the west end.

Then and Now

The rock wall near the stairs, would have been nearly covered in water. The gallery on the second floor sometimes held musicians and seating for the guests who just wanted to stay dry while they watched the swimmers.

A Little Sunday Lunch

What a treat to meet up in St. Augustine with my sister Jennifer and her wife Kate, while we were on our travels. We joined up at this curious place and shared a meal... on a very tiny table.

The Food

It was nice to have a menu and not be forced into a big brunch. Don's Turkey, Bacon, Avocado Sandwich was pretty yummy. He thought the Cajun slaw was kind of spicy, but I liked. My onion soup was piping hot and the crusty brown cheese was quite delicious. But hot soup, makes me want bread. It would have been perfect with a big piece.

Classical Music

We didn't have an orchestra, but the classical piano music added a bit of a Titanic feel to the place. Something about seeing those photos of the big space, filled with water...

As we dined and the music played, we just kept staring around at all the oddball features, trying to imagine being here in 1890, paddling around the arches and columns... hanging onto some of the metal rings... Too bad the skylight is no longer visible. They used to open that up for star gazing!

Post Lunch

And after lunch, what could be more lovely than strolling through the shops, set up in the spaces behind the columns.

One shop had a dazzling ball gown, that was NOT allowed to be photographed. But this little store was my favorite. Books and magazines and all sorts of clutter jammed in so tight, the shop could only hold about 2 visitors at a time!

Sun Out!

The rains from earlier had passed by the time we exited. As we wandered outside, we got to study the towers, the arched windows and so many chimneys! What an amazing building and we really only experienced a piece of it!

I love it that we ate lunch in what was once a pool. But I'd love it more if they brought the hotel back and filled the pool once again!

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Boss Oyster in Apalachicola, FL

2/25/2013

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Oyster Town- Oyster Republic!

I've talked about Florida oysters before, but not the famous Apalachicola Bay Oysters! This odd little spot with a very odd name, has its very own oyster boat with a third generation oyster harvester in charge. The oysters are gathered daily in the bay, chilled on board until they arrive at the restaurant's dock where they are washed, chilled, and then shucked to order. "Chilled from bay to belly" they claim!

Outside Dining in January!

But the best part of the oyster experience was sitting outside on the deck with my two good friends, Kim and Kim! We had a little beer, watched some boats on the bay, chatted with some fellow diners, then decided on oysters. There were endless possibilities!

Broiled with Artichoke, Jalapeno and Parmesan

We could have gone raw, but it was too fun choosing the ingredients that are offered with the broiled and baked options. We could have cucumber, orange, wasabi, chives, crushed almonds, jerk seasoning...just to name a few!

Hope to Return

I forgot to ask what they do with all their shells! I remember piles like this outside of Florida seafood restaurants when I was a kid. You don't see shell mountains like this anymore. I'll have to come back and ask!

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Lunch in Old Florida

10/14/2012

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Good Book!

Good Movie!

Good Restaurant!

Hard to Find!

We almost gave up finding this place on East County Road in Cross Creek, Florida. The old restaurant and bar have been serving up "lunch and supper" since 1952, just down the road from the home of author, Marjorie K. Rawlings. The cozy building with its metal awnings and screened porch fit perfectly in the setting of monster trees and swaying moss...with a stormy sky brewing!

Yearling Decor

The inside was even cozier, with plenty of antiques and book related memorabilia tucked into numerous rooms. Seeing this picture on the wall brought me back to the first time I watched The Yearling on TV when I was about 10. I remember scenes of the boy romping in his bare feet with "Flag" through the jungle of palms and oaks and Spanish moss. I remember this sad scene in the movie... worse than Bambi.

Old Florida Cooking

Sadly, the restaurant is no longer allowed to serve cooter (soft shell turtle) but there were a number of alligator options. However, our server recommended the stuffed grouper. She was kind enough to encourage us to share the meal so we'd have room for dessert! First she brought the salad in 2 bowls which was a meal in itself with nuts and cheese. The grouper with homemade hushpuppies and creamy tartar sauce was delicious. The sour orange pie was rich and tangy. Think key lime pie meets creamsicle!

People Encounter

Don and I had the restaurant mostly to ourselves until a man in a white button down shirt, clutching a book sat in the booth next to ours. I had noticed him earlier when we had toured the Rawlings house down the road. For that reason I figured the book was not the bible and decided to ask him if he was an expert on Rawlings. He was indeed reading Rawlings' Cross Creek and we spoke for while about her books until he and Don got off on a discussion about road trips. I will always remember this soft spoken character and wonder what it would be like to travel alone...reading...chatting when strangers strike up a conversation.

Someone I Wish We'd Met

In the clutter of oddball stuff, I noticed a tiny space that could be considered a stage. An organ, a music stand, a tip jar and 3 old chairs. I had read somewhere that a man named Willie Green often stops by to perform a little blues guitar. He gets paid in tips. I was sorry we missed him. Next time.

One More Person to Remember

We met Harold while we finished our lunch. First we heard him chuckling to himself as he cleared a nearby table. He teased our waitress about a lousy tip. Then we heard him holler "Coming through!" in a playful way as he carried an armful of dirty dishes through a swinging door to the kitchen. He came over to our table a few times to chat. He just shook his head and laughed to hear we'd come all the way from Houston! Once he apologized for the clicking noise of his dentures. "The glue bothers my stomach." He explained. He offered to give us a tour of the nearby cabins that we could rent. He admitted prices were negotiable. I think business has been slow.

Good Food
Good Memory

Hope to Come Back!

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Breakfast on the road...in Florida

10/14/2012

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With some old Carnival Folk

The Tamiami Trail, which goes from Tampa to Miami, was once crowded with tourists. This odd spot at the north end in Gibsonton, FL has seen better days. Motels and restaurants that were once jammed with travelers before modern interstates, are closed down or getting by with mostly locals.

Open?

We parked on the side, near two doors and a peeling mural of a chef. The door marked "bar" was the only one unlocked at 10 am. My husband paused before opening the door. "Are you sure about this?" I told him to trust me, because I'd read about this place.

Carnival History

The interior was just as eerie. There were a couple men eating breakfast and a couple women wiping tables and mopping. There was a balance between Budweiser neon and carnival artwork like this one titled, "Ringmaster in the Sky."

Art Work

We were told that a local man nicknamed "Brownie" had created all the murals. I'm guessing Brownie may have had a job painting signs for sideshows at one time. Gibsonton first began attracting wintering carnival workers back in the 1940's and the town is still home to many retired and wintering workers. Too bad we didn't get to ask him ourselves. Lucy our server said he should be on his way over, but he never arrived in the 90 minutes we were there.

Restroom Rating?

Back in the day, when I was a kid giving restrooms silly detailed reviews, this one would have been off the charts.

Cleanliness issues aside, I would have given an extremely high rating for the excitement factor. The Ladies Room, had no sign, so that added an element of risk. And the creepy mural on the wall could freak a man or woman out. The lifted toilet seat added one more confusing element. I'll let you imagine what the men's room looked like.

People Encounters

Luckily Freddy was in no hurry. He sat at the Showtown table near ours and told us stories about his life as a carnival man. (more details in the Stranger Blog) While we chatted, an older woman came in and sat at the same table without ever interrupting us. After she left, I asked if the Showtown table was for some kind of VIPS. Lucy laughed that it was just the Liar's Table. So I'm not sure I can believe anything Freddy told us.

Breakfast

Since this is a dining blog, I should mention the food. This meal looks about 10 times creepier than it actually tasted. But I also was pretty distracted by Freddy's stories of Lobster Boy being murdered and the monkey circus Freddy's brother started. I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to my plate of chipped beef on toast with fried egg. I'm pretty sure it wasn't as bland tasting as this bland photo!

Restaurant History

A framed wall photo shows the original owner and his sons. Freddy told me that Joe was a "hardworking Pollack", when he opened the place 40 years ago. But when Joe died his son turned it into a bar and the place has gone downhill ever since. Now the grandson, Chuckie owns it and it's barely surviving. Freddy and Lucy complained about the changes, but clearly did not want to see Showtown disappear.

Missing the Party
Too bad we had to leave. The 40th anniversary party was the next night. Freddy said it would be "pretty crazy with lots of freaks." I'm not exactly sure what he meant by crazy or freaks!

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Regional Seafood...Florida vs. California - October 2011

11/15/2011

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EAST vs. WEST!

Thought it would be fun to compare two seafood spots we visited in October. JB's Fish Camp in Florida and Daurte's Tavern in California. Let's see who wins!

Here's the Rock Shrimp at JB's Fish Camp near New Smyrna, FL. This spicy stuff was served on a limp paper plate with tiny cups of butter.

3 points for food at JB's

Here are oysters served on an icy cold plate at Duarte's Tavern in Pescadaro, CA.

They were okay...but my avocado stuffed with crab (not pictured) gives Daurate's a total of 5 points for food!

Rating the building!

JB's in Florida was once an actual bait shop. Over the years the weathered wood and metal structure has expanded...in some odd ways.
3 points for a building that makes you feel like you're at summer camp!

Even though the exterior is not the most interesting...Duarte's gets 5 points for being the oldest building I've dined in for the dining blog!

It was 117 years ago that Great-Grandfather Frank bought a barrel of whiskey and sold it for 10 cents a shot!

Rating the tables!

Our table on the porch at JB's was quiet, with a view of the inter-coastal waterway. Nice and breezy and peaceful.

3 points for having the porch area to ourselves...2 weeks before BIKETOBERFEST IN DAYTONA!

Families waited over an hour for tables at Duarte's. What a treat getting our cozy corner with a view of old counter with swivel chairs. Kind of liked the fact our table (on Oct. 30th) had a cute little pumpkin. 3 points for that! (a real pumpkin...as well as my nephew, Silas!)

People Encounters

I love my people encounters...but it was a little creepy at JB's. The guy with the cut-offs wanted to pose for me. Gotta love his hands on hips and slight lean. Note the guys high-fiving at the bar.

2 points for JB's peeps

Costumed people always get extra points...even if it's the day before Halloween. I loved this kilted server at Duarte's, who offered to entertain my energetic nephew with some spoons!
5 points for colorful wait staff !

Looks like the West Coast wins! 18 points for California and 11 for Florida!

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DJ's Deck in Daytona Beach, FL

10/21/2011

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Okay, DJ's Deck is not International...

...but it
needs to go into the Dining Blog for quirky regional dining!

Most folks, whether they arrive by boat or bike or Dusty Honda Element, will remember this place for the oysters. However, I will always remember it for the curious characters!

On a balmy Tuesday evening, we arrived just in time to see the grimy TOP TUNA pull up to the dock with 2 days worth of shark! You can see I am admiring the colorful plastic overalls on my new friends, Dwayne and Tom.

6 Bonus points for this very salty people encounter!

Tom and Dwayne's son worked at record speed unloading about 20 headless sharks, then prepping them for the seafood shop next to DJ's. They went at these slippery fish with big hooks and knives, grumbling and laughing and answering all my stupid questions. I learned about all the government regulations that make fishermen mad...like having to "deal with the shark 2 times!". Only the beheading can be done off shore.

Most of the shark went into a big cart which was rolled into the seafood shop. But the shark fins were piled into the basket and sent off to China, for shark fin soup...according to Tom!

Dwayne, on left said he won't eat shark anymore. He was hoping "Mom" would cook spaghetti and meatballs that night, before they headed out to sea in the morning.

Food at DJ's

Since it was October...a month with an "R", Don and I ordered a dozen oysters. I'm no authority on oysters, but I at least enjoy the idea of eating oysters in Florida.

3 points to DJ's for food. Hey, the oysters were a little small. ( as if I really even know what I'm talking about when it comes to oysters)

Oyster Memory

40+ years ago when I lived in Florida, I remember my parents devouring oysters at Posie's Pool Hall near St. Marx. The 4 Meyer kids cringed while we sipped our Cokes and whined about the fact there was no food on the menu besides oysters. I remember wanting to climb the big mountain of oyster shells ouside Posie's. I was curious why there was no such mountain outisde DJ's. When I questioned our server about what they did with all the oyster shells, he just shrugged. "We just put 'em in the trash. The trash is really heavy when you carry it out." Negative 1 point for no oyster shell mountain!

5 big old bonus points for DJ's having one of the nicest viewing spots for the sunset. Since my younger years in Florida and California were closer to the gulf and Pacific, I kind of forgot we would only see the sunrise from Daytona. But the colorful Adirondack chairs at DJ's, provided a perfect spot for viewing the Halifax River with rocking boats and glowing sun!

DJ's gets a TOTAL of 13 POINTS!!

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Singleton's Seafood Shack

Columbia in St. Augustine, Florida

Cafe Alcazar in St. Augustine

Boss Oyster in Apalachicola, FL

Lunch in Old Florida

Breakfast on the road...in Florida

Regional Seafood...Florida vs. California - October 2011

EAST vs. WEST!

Thought it would be fun to compare two seafood spots we visited in October. JB's Fish Camp in Florida and Daurte's Tavern in California. Let's see who wins!

People Encounters

Looks like the West Coast wins! 18 points for California and 11 for Florida!

DJ's Deck in Daytona Beach, FL

Okay, DJ's Deck is not International...

Food at DJ's

Oyster Memory

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