Weekend in Amelia
- 1. 90 taste | SUMMER/FALL 2015 Exploring the Isle of Eight Flags via its cuisine Weekend in amelia words by VIRGINIA CHAMLEE photos by AGNES LOPEZ Timoti’s Seafood Shak poke bowl taste SUM2015 p46-98 articles.qxp_Layout 1 7/23/15 6:18 PM Page 90
- 2. SUMMER/FALL 2015 | taste 91 With its long stretch of coastline, beautiful golf courses and historic B&Bs, there are a slew of reasons to spend some time in Amelia Island. But perhaps the best way to explore the historic isle is through its cuisine. Our advice? Drive up Hwy. A1A North from town and grab din- ner before hitting the hay at one of the island’s stellar lodgings—both the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Is- land and Omni Amelia Island Plantation are top choices—and don’t bother coming home til Sunday evening. Heck, you may never want to leave. Itinerary: Friday Dinner Once you make it up to Amelia, head straight to Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen for a Southern-style dinner with a gourmet twist. The charcuterie board ($16) with house-cured meats, pickles, jam of the day, mustard and grilled country bread is a must, as is the Fernandina Beach Hot Chicken ($19), complete with dill pickles, cherry peppers, datil pepper mash remoulade and jalapeño cheddar biscuits. Saturday Breakfast Head to Jack and Diane’s, a casual haunt on Centre Street located in a quaint, 1800s-era home, for a fluffy stack of pan- cakes served with apples and berries, two eggs and a side of sausage ($9). Lunch After working up an appetite at Kayak Amelia, grab lunch at T-Ray’s Burger Station. Housed in a converted gas sta- tion, T-Ray’s is renowned for its burgers ($5.75), made from a half- pound of fresh ground chuck and a secret mix of spices. The po’ boys ($11-$13) are nothing to sneeze at, either, and come piled high with crispy fried shrimp or oysters. Fernandina Beach hot chicken from Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen taste SUM2015 p46-98 articles.qxp_Layout 1 7/23/15 6:18 PM Page 91
- 3. 92 taste | SUMMER/FALL 2015 Snack Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort has eight beehives that churn out an estimated 1,200 pounds of honey per har- vest—so there’s no shortage of the sweet stuff to add to whatever you might fancy. The resort’s One Sweet Summer menu (available until October) includes a honey grapefruit crush ($12), a refreshing blend of grapefruit jalapeño vodka, wildflower honey water, a splash of fresh grapefruit and lemon juice. It’s just the thing to sip when lounging poolside. Dinner The menu at 29 South is rife with classic Southern dishes with a modern twist. The sweet tea-brined pork chop ($24) with maca- roni and blackberry preserves is a popular choice, but pan-roasted scallops ($26) served atop Low Country rice cake and Sea Island red peas are equally delicious. T-Ray’s Burger Station Sweet tea-brined pork chop from 29 South taste SUM2015 p46-98 articles.qxp_Layout 1 7/23/15 6:18 PM Page 92
- 4. Seared tuna nachos from The Salty Pelican SUMMER/FALL 2015 | taste 93 taste SUM2015 p46-98 articles.qxp_Layout 1 7/23/15 6:19 PM Page 93
- 5. 94 taste | SUMMER/FALL 2015 Sunday Brunch It might not be the type of place you go for a white tablecloth, buffet brunch, but The Salty Pelican is an ideal location for a laid-back start to your day. The seared tuna nachos ($14) with seaweed salad, goat cheese and wasabi sesame seeds, go down like a treat alongside a bloody Mary. The Salty Pelican’s Ketel One bloody Mary bar comes complete with toppings like olives, celery, bacon, sausage and Mayport shrimp. Lunch Tuck into a poke bowl at Timoti’s Seafood Shak (they’re open til 3 PM on Sun- days) before exploring Downtown Fernandina. T’s Poke Bowl ($10) is a mound of coconut rice, avo- cado, spinach, kelp seasoning, black sesame seeds and fresh- off-the-boat tuna. The New Eng- land style lobster roll ($11) is an even more filling option, if you’re looking for heartier fare. Lobster roll from Tomoti’s Seafood Shak taste SUM2015 p46-98 articles.qxp_Layout 1 7/23/15 6:20 PM Page 94
- 6. SUMMER/FALL 2015 | taste 95 Dinner Before heading back to Jax, cozy up at the bar inside Beech Street Bar & Grill. The re- cently re-opened restau- rant, actually a restored historic Gingerbread Age- home, offers a low-key at- mosphere and upscale eats. A glass of wine and an order of local shrimp with stone-ground grit cakes, tasso ham and house made hot sauce ($22) make fighting the impending Monday blues just a little easier. * Local shrimp with stone-ground grit cakes from Beech Street taste SUM2015 p46-98 articles.qxp_Layout 1 7/22/15 10:47 AM Page 95