Amelia Island, positioned simply northeast of Jacksonville on the Florida-Georgia state line, is thought for its golf programs and seashores. However the delicacies additionally displays its mix of southern and Floridian influences. You’re as apt to seek out key lime pie as fried pickles and hush puppies on the menu.
As soon as the top level of a railroad constructed by David Yulee within the 1850s and later, a trip vacation spot for cruise steam ship passengers, Amelia Island has been common with vacationers for over a century.
And as you would possibly count on from a vacationer city, there’s a vary of delicacies from high-quality eating to your typical vacationer traps. Once I was on the town, I used to be capable of keep at each the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and had an opportunity to pattern the delicacies round city — and quiz the locals on their favorites.
So if you’re in search of the very best eating places in Amelia Island and Fernandina Seaside, I’ve obtained you coated.
Finest Eating places: Amelia Island
Be aware: My journey was hosted by Amelia Island Tourism and our Chef’s Journey Tasting Dinner was hosted by The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. My style buds and opinions are wholly mine.
Salt at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
In case you are a foodie, than you simply need to expertise the Chef’s Journey Tasting Menu within the eating room at Salt in The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. The Chef integrates up to date methods with salts from all over the world to stimulate your style buds. I’m at all times a fan of salt and I’ve sea salt, pink Himalayan salt, Celtic gray salt and even Icelandic volcanic salt in my cupboard at house so this expertise was proper up my alley. I used to be wowed repeatedly all through our six course tasting menu.
Our dinner began with a foie gras gelee with pear compote, oat crumble, and micro celery for an amuse bouche. I choose my foie gras seared however this was clean and wealthy…don’t let the “gelee” idiot you. Our first course consisted of king crab meat with cauliflower gelee, clementine, pickled radish and caviar, and the second course for many was the tuna tartare.
But it surely was the subsequent three programs that introduced the “ooos” and “ahs”, so in case you go, don’t refill too rapidly (though the contemporary bread with butter and quite a lot of salts makes it soooo tempting!) The third course have been Key West pink prawns, served with goat cheese, smoked tomato, and inexperienced tomato marmalade. But it surely was the presentation that wins the night time right here. Every dish arrived underneath a glass cloche, smoke swirling, which when lifted made for an enormous reveal.
It was the fourth course that received my abdomen. The butternut squash soup arrived in a kabocha squash on a mattress of toasted, spicy aromatics with cranberry foam and spiced pecans. This dish was elegant — extra like dessert than dinner. Candy, clean and stuffed with taste.
The “Steak, Eggs & Lobster” got here out nonetheless cooking on a scorching Himalayan salt block. It seemed superb and the presentation was gorgeous. The meat was uncommon and I used to be capable of cook dinner it to my liking on the new salt. The distinction to the lobster tail was so excellent surf and turf, however the quail egg was simply overkill at that time of the night.
By the point the s’mores soufflé arrived, with graham cracker, smoked vanilla ice cream, and Nutella anglaise, I used to be glad I don’t like marshmallows as a result of I couldn’t handle greater than a nibble.
Le Clos
Though my abdomen may solely deal with one meal of that magnitude, I did get suggestions for different high-quality eating choices on the island together with Le Clos, a French restaurant simply off Middle Avenue within the historic district of Ferdinanda Seaside in a quaint house.
I’ve been advised that the meatloaf with foie gras and the flourless chocolate cake are the issues to get right here.
Le Clos is positioned at 20 South 2nd Avenue, Fernandina Seaside, Florida 32034, (904) 261-8100
Burlingame Restaurant
One other Ferdinanda Seaside restaurant that got here extremely beneficial was the Burlingame Restaurant. The chef was previously at The Ritz-Carlton, however joined with the homeowners to open Burlingame. The restaurant focuses on coastal delicacies and contemporary, native elements.
Burlingame is positioned at 20 South fifth St, Fernandina Seaside, Florida 32034, 904-432-7671
Timoti’s Seafood Shack
Timoti’s is a basic seafood shack with a cool, barely hipster vibe. They provide minimal indoor seating however have a family-friendly, coated patio consuming space with a playground.
The meals is informal, specializing in wild-caught seafood together with fried fish baskets, tacos, sandwiches and salads. I attempted the fried oyster po boy (yum), and others in my group actually loved the seaweed salad, fish tacos, and the poke bowl.
Timoti’s is positioned at 21 N third Avenue, Ferdinanda Seaside, FL 32034, 904-310-6550
The Salty Pelican
Certainly one of my Floridian mates beneficial The Salty Pelican and we stopped right here as soon as on a highway journey dow to Orlando. This seaside bar with an out of doors patio additionally gives contemporary seafood, oysters, catch of the day, in addition to quite a lot of sandwiches, salads and starters. At night time it turns right into a occurring sizzling spot.
Salty Pelican is positioned at 12 North Entrance Avenue, Fernandina Seaside, FL 32034, (904) 277-3811
Sliders Seaside Grill
Sliders is positioned proper on the ocean entrance in downtown Fernandina Seaside, with a big indoor eating room, out of doors tiki bar and patio seating. Plus, they’ve a enjoyable playground for the kiddos. You’ll wish to strive one in every of their specialty drinks for some seaside enjoyable.
The menu is various, making choices powerful, however I’d suggest the shrimp tacos, grouper sandwich or the steak and fry salad.
Sliders is positioned at 1998 South Fletcher Avenue, Fernandina Seaside, FL 32034, 904-277-6652
Seaside Diner
f you’re like me and revel in an excellent breakfast, all of the locals I requested advised Seaside Diner, serving specialties like “eggs on the bayou” benedict from 6 am to 2:30 pm.
Seaside Diner is positioned at 2006 S eighth Avenue, Fernandina Seaside, FL 32034
Ms. Carolyn’s
One other place the locals beneficial for breakfast is Ms. Carolyn’s however they advised me you must plan on getting there earlier than 9. Her specialties embody quiche, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin cheesecake, and coconut cake.
Ms. Carolyn’s is positioned at 2120 Sadler Street, Fernandina Seaside, FL 32034, 904-261-6277
Fernandina Seaside Bars
Inexperienced Turtle
The Inexperienced Turtle is nice for drinks with a big out of doors patio and stay music. Simply take into account that the patio bar has a restricted choice so you a lot want to attend on the road inside for the great things.
The Inexperienced Turtle is positioned at 14th South third Avenue, Fernandina Seaside, FL 32034, 904 321 2324
Amelia Tavern (at Amelia Island Brewing Co.)
Amelia Tavern does provide some superb trying meals however I put it underneath bars as a result of they’ve an excellent collection of native beers, together with some they brew. I had enjoyable attempting out a beer sampler flight however my buddy would additionally suggest the Key Lime pie martini.
Amelia Tavern is positioned at 318 Centre St., Fernandina Seaside, FL 904-310-6088
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