Dish Update – June 2012

by Devon Stiles & erin thursby
More than fifty of Jacksonville’s best restaurants and beverage distributors are gearing up to face off in the 22nd Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT™ on Thursday, June 7, 2012, from 6:30 to 9 pm at the EverBank Field Touchdown Club. Proceeds from the event benefit Second Harvest North Florida. General admission tickets are $60 and VIP tickets are $100. For more on what Second Harvest does visit www.WeNourishHope.org. See the event entry below for more info.
Olio Market downtown celebrated its one-year anniversary by announcing their Grilled Cheese with Duck Confit had secured a wild-card spot on The Travel Channel’s Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich of America.
After serving the Murray Hill area for more than 60 years, local ice cream icon Dreamette opened a second location in Mandarin at the Mandarin Outback Plaza Shopping Center on San Jose Blvd.
Jimmy Johns opened its sixth Jacksonville location in Riverside last month located at 630 Park St. Another location at 9971 Baymeadows Road in Deerwood Marketplace is planned for 2012.
Sun-Ray Cinema in 5 Points is now offering a walk-up pizza-by-the-slice window on Friday and Saturday nights from 11 pm to 2:30 am. Options include cheese, pepperoni, and vegan cheese pizza.
Asian-fusion restaurant Sakana is set to open in June in Jacksonville Beach. Sakana features Executive Chef Scott Ostrander’s culinary creations. Ostrander was previously Executive Chef at Avondale’s now closed ‘town.
Pollo Tropical has opened another locale in north Jacksonville on Skymarks Drive. The chain has been finding as many ways as possible to be involved in the community. In May, they honored teachers with their teacher of the year campaign (the most-nominated teacher in each county got free Pollo Tropical for a year and the school with the most nominations received $500 for its student activities fund). This month they’ll be offering free family meals for family Zoo memberships. Anyone who renews or purchases family-category zoo membership at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will receive a free Pollo Tropical Create Your Own Family Meal, valued at more than $16 and valid through June 30.
FOOD EVENTS

Wednesdays, Mid-Week Market Fresh nutritious local foods and treats! Bring your basket and shopping bags to the weekly Mid-Week Market at Bull Memorial Park in Atlantic Beach. 4-7 pm, www.facebook.com/midweekmarket.

Wednesdays, King Street Farmers Market This new market just opened last month. You can find it at the lot next to Riverside Market Antiques & Interiors at 1021 King Street. Expect fresh produce, bread, honey, teas, baked goods, organic food and chocolate vendors.11 am-2 pm

Thursdays, Low Country Shrimp Boil Come to the back porch of Marché Burette at the Omni on Amelia Island Plantation for a good old-fashioned low country shrimp boil. Every Thursday through August 30. Expect hermit crab races, bag games and hula hoops. 5-8 pm, www.aipfl.com/Events/resort_calendar.html.

Saturdays, Riverside Arts Market 10 am-4 pm. Under the Fuller Warren Bridge on Riverside Avenue, www.riversideartsmarket.com.

Saturdays, Beaches Green Market 2 pm-5 pm. Jarboe Park, Neptune Beach. www.beacheslocalfoodnetwork.web.officelive.com/greenmarket.aspx.

Sundays, Avondale Farmers Market A neighborhood Sunday market featuring local produce, artisan smokehouse products, fresh bread, local cheeses, and heritage beef and poultry. Vendors revolve on a weekly basis, so be sure to ask your favorite farmer when they will be at the market. 1-4 pm, Historic Avondale at the corner of St. Johns and Talbot.

June 7 The Girls Gone Green Launch Party A vegan girls group will celebrate being featured on I Know Jax. Expect live entertainment, veggie delights and a very fun atmosphere. $10 for nonmembers. Green Room Brewing, Jacksonville Beach, 7-10 pm, www.thegirlsgonegreen.com/upcoming-events.html.

June 7 The 22nd Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT This year’s event will bring together some of the First Coast’s finest restaurants, caterers and beverage wholesalers for a friendly competition where partygoers prove to be the biggest winners. The event has raised more than $1 million to help fight hunger in Jacksonville over the last 20 years and hopes to raise at least $100,000 in 2012; all proceeds benefit Second Harvest North Florida. $60 for general admission and $100 for VIP access, both of which include tastes of delightful dishes prepared by the top restaurant chefs in the city along with numerous beverages and live entertainment. The VIP admission entitles partygoers to exclusive access to the Jaguar Suite level, which will feature an additional 20 restaurants and vendors. VIP access also comes with entry to all restaurants on the second level from 6-6:30 pm; a private seating area available throughout the event; entry into a prize drawing for a variety of special items on the Jaguar Suites level; and a commemorative FOODFIGHT wine glass. To order tickets or purchase sponsorship packages, visit www.JacksonvilleFOODFIGHT.org or call 739-7074.

Jun 9 Food Truck Rally Jax Truckies is hosting a gourmet food truck rally at Burrito Gallery. Participants are asked to contribute a $1 donation to Second Harvest for the purchase of a wristband allowing admission into the event. 11 am-5 pm. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/JaxTruckies.

June 13 ABC Wine Tasting This is their regular wine tasting, with wines from all over the world to try. Cost is $10 for which you receive a coupon to use on the night of the event and a wine glass. 6-8 pm, ABC Fine Wine and Spirits in Mandarin, www.abcfws.com.