dish update

by erin thursby
We all love food with a view. Downtown’s cityscape is pretty impressive dozens of stories up, but in the past the highest restaurants with an aerial Downtown view were also members-only propositions. Not so any more, with the opening of the Skylight Dining and Conference Center (50 N. Laura St.) on the 42nd floor of Jacksonville’s tallest building (the Bank of America Tower, originally called the Barnett Tower). Word is that you can actually eat lunch there for around $10.
The Uptown Market & Deli (1303 N. Main St.) is in full swing in Springfield. You can find it in new Third & Main building, along with City Kidz Ice Cream Cafe (do try City Kidz crab cakes). Uptown is the newest place for Jacksonville’s Urban set to catch a deli bite or breakfast and will be open ’til 8 pm. If you want table service, you’ll have to go from 7 am to 2 pm, after that you can order from the deli.
Shatki Life Kitchen (51 Pine St., Atlantic Beach) is a restaurant, but they’ve been spreading their raw-foodist vegan cheer in more places than you would expect. They sell vegan crackers at the Beaches Green Market, Native Sun Market carries their various sundries and now European Street is selling their desserts.
We hope the Village Bread opening at the Landing will survive longer than Karlene’s Deli did. Since they’ve weathered a less than stellar locale in the past, perhaps they will.
Culhane’s in Atlantic Beach has added to their menu. Ahi Tuna Salad, Blarney Lamb Burger, Mussels, Crab Cakes, NY Strip and Fresh Cod from Boston are the additions. You can also now and customize your own mixed grill with Thai Chili Sauce, Tropical Fruit Salsa, Guinness Au Jus or Whiskey Glaze.
Don’t take the loss of The Fresh Market at its 10950 San Jose Blvd locale as another sign of our doomed economy. It’s merely moved just down the street (on the opposite side) to 12795 San Jose Blvd. Things must be looking up, because they’ve actually expanded.
November 4 Wine Tasting Series at Zaitoon Mediterranean Grill Showcasing five different wines and Chef Mike Barbour will be preparing light hors d’oeuvres for the event. 6 pm to 8 pm, $15, 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 40 (located behind Fresh Market in the Harbour Village Shopping Center) www.zaitoongrill.com
November 6-8 Annual Ponte Vedra Beach Food & WineFest Are you a fan of wines from around the world and delicious foods that stimulate your tastebuds to a state of bliss? The Ponte Vedra Beach Food and WineFest is an elegant adult affair that you will not want to miss. Event prices and venues vary. For reservations and more info, visit the event website or call 285-2004, www.pontevedrawinefest.com
November 7 Festival d’Vine More than 300 wines and fabulous foods from many area restaurants including: Athen’s Cafe, Bistro Aix, bb’s, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Chew, Havana Jax, Morton’s, Matthew’s and Orsay, share the spotlight at this San Marco event. 6:30 pm, $75, Balis Park in San Marco, www.ccbjax.org
November 14 Native Sun Fall Food Fest From 12 pm – 5 pm, both Native Sun locations will have tons of delicious fall dishes, sides and snacks for customers to sample while kids can enjoy face painting, caricatures, bobbing for apples and other fun crafts and activities. From 5 pm – 8 pm, Native Sun’s Baymeadows location will offer live music and a free all-natural and organic beer, wine and hors d’ oeuvre tasting for customers 21 and older. 11030 Baymeadows Rd. & 10000 San Jose Blvd. www.nativesunjax.com
November 17 The 25th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon Ceramic bowls created by students, senior citizen groups, other community groups and professional potters are displayed. School groups and other community groups perform during the heartfelt program. Guests are served a simple meal served by local celebrities, symbolic of the meals served by soup kitchens to which Second Harvest distributes food. Noon, $25. Prime Osborne Convention Center, 1000 Water St, Info: 739-7074, www.WeNourishHope.org
November 20 St. Johns Riverkeeper Oyster Roast Support Riverkeeper and also enjoy one of the best parties of the year! Outstanding food, music, fellowship, and of course, lots of oysters. 7 pm, $125 each, $75 each if 35 years of age or younger, Garden Club, 1005 Riverside Ave., www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org
November 21-22 First Coast HAM JAM & Classic Car Festival Barbecue competition and party right on the river. Enjoy a festival atmosphere, classic cars and classic barbecue. Reynolds Yacht Center 842 South R 16, Green Cove Springs. www.hamjam.org
November 28- December 23 The Gingerbread Extravaganza and Victorian House Tours This annual South Jacksonville Rotary and society event at the Old St. Andrews brings thousands to the site to enjoy the artistic Gingerbread exhibit installed in a National Register Site, the Merrill History House, open for tours, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 1 pm to 3 pm. www.jaxhistory.com
December 5 Breakfast with Santa What could be better than a day at MOSH that begins with a eating a meal with Santa Claus? Santa will be at MOSH to listen to children’s Christmas wishes. Admission to “Breakfast with Santa” includes admission to MOSH. So, skip the mall and have a stress-free day at MOSH! 9 am-5 pm. $10 children / $12 for adults. Children 3 and under are free. 1025 Musuem Cir.