dish update + events

by erin thursby
One of our newer farmer’s markets, the St. Johns Town Center Farmers Market, has moved from a rather dusty lot behind Dick’s Sporting Goods and onto the tarmac. It’s also been growing rapidly as word has spread. The market is held on Fridays from 3 pm- 8 pm. Produce does go quickly, so get there as early as possible.
Go for a Twofer Tuesday at the Landing. Through September 1st each Tuesday, certain food vendors at the Landing will be offering two-for-one deals. Participating vendors include: Apple A Day, American Cafe, Benny’s Steak & Seafood, Cinco de Mayo, Dipper Dan’s, Flamers, Great Wraps, Karlene’s, Koja Sushi, Orange Tree, Smoothie Shack, Sbarro and Vito’s Italian Cafe.
Some of the kids who used to frequent PF Chang’s before prom now have kids of their own. Naturally they now have a kid’s menu for these generation Why Not? Tots.
Kickbacks has a new brand of beer from the Magic Hat Brewing Company out of Burlington, Vermont.
Art Walk is sure going to be a lot sweeter! Let Them Eat Cake will be selling cupcakes and tiny baked goods for your eating pleasure. They’ve also got a nifty van labeled Let Them Eat Cupcakes, which sells baked goods early afternoon on Wednesdays outside of Bank of America Downtown.
Ocean 60 in Atlantic Beach is now open for lunch.
Jax Beach should have a little more taco love pretty soon. The Yucatan Taco Stand will be at 2429 Third St. S. Expect fresh ingredients and a plethora of alcohol, as is customary at the Beaches.
Food meets radio on AM1320 WBOB on Fridays. Each Friday at 5 pm the First Coast Showcase hosts Christina Bruno and David Oglesby feature top restaurants and entertainment venues such as Pusser’s Caribbean Grill, Don Shula’s Steak House, J Alexander’s (St. John Town Center), Mandaloun Mediterranean Cuisine, Big T’s Steakhouse, Fuji Sushi and Grill, Johnny Angel’s Diner and more.
August 4 Roy’s Island Hop Celebration The incredible Island Hop menu features five unique dishes, each created by a different Roy’s Executive Chef Partner and paired with a complementary glass of Caymus Vineyards wine. Indulge in Chef Konishi’s Kewalo Beach Yamaguchi Sushi Roll, featuring Hawaiian tombo, avocado and Korean spiced vinaigrette. Or Chef Mukogawa’s Cracked Pepper Pesto Crusted Rack of Lamb, served with chevre souffle and D Anjou pear marmalade. And be sure to save room for Chef Watada’s Molokai Toffee Crunch Cake with an almond milk anglaise and strawberry-guava mascarpone. Without question, it promises to be an evening you won’t soon forget. 6:30 pm, $85 per person Roy’s 2400 3rd St S. Jax Beach, www.roysrestaurant.com
August 4 Hot Summer Wines First Tuesday Tasting at The Tasting Room. 6-8 pm The Tasting Room Contemporary Spanish Restaurant, 25 Cuna St. Saint Augustine
August 5 Wine Tasting Series at Zaitoon Mediterranean Grill Monthly Wine Tasting will be held on the First Wednesday of each Month from 6 pm to 8 pm, $15, 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 40 (located behind Fresh Market in the Harbour Village Shopping Center) www.zaitoongrill.com
August 13 VIP Test Drive Event at the Capital Grille Best Buddies of Jacksonville and Audi are teaming up at the Capital Grille. You can enjoy live entertainment, drink specials, appetizers, and a special roped off section for all Best Buddies guests. Guests will be able to sign up to test drive the new Audi series. All proceeds will go to Best Buddies, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities, and for every person that signs up to test-drive a car, Audi will donate $50. From 8pm – 9pm. $20 cover charge, or $15 in advance. For more information on the event or to pre-register, contact 296-0510, ext 401.
August 15 Japanese Favorites Cooking Class One Saturday each month, Blue Bamboo’s Chef Dennis Chan hosts a cooking class. $38 per person, includes lunch and a glass of wine. 10 am-noon, 3820 Southside Blvd www.bluebamboojacksonville.com
August 17-23 Eat Up Downtown Save the date and your appetite! Downtown Vision, Inc. is dishing out exquisite cuisine at an affordable price during the third annual Eat Up Downtown, Downtown Jacksonville’s dining week. More Downtown restaurants have joined this year to promote Downtown as a dining destination including Charthouse and Morton’s Steakhouse. From hip cafes to elegant steak houses, participating restaurants each offer specially selected, three-course dinner menus for $25 per person. There are no coupons to clip or tickets to buy, simply view the menus online, select a restaurant and call the restaurant for reservations. Try a new restaurant or visit an old favorite and Eat Up Downtown! www.downtownjacksonville.org
August 20 Especially for Seniors Talks and Tea Art and tea go beautifully together. Part of the Woodcock Foundation Learning Initiative. Antiquities and Mythology. Seated gallery talks with reception immediately following. Seating limited; pre-registration required. Members and Non-members $6. Call 355-0630 to register. 1:30pm The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens 829 Riverside Avenue www.cummer.org