Sbraga & Company to open November 14, 2015
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Dining/Sbraga/i-FDzpZdz/0/X3/kevin-X3.jpg)
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-oct-sbraga-company-to-open-november-14-2015
I've heard great things about this restaurant but NO ONE has blogged or reviewed it here on MJ.
I'm going tonight to grab a beer and a bite at the bar, but would love to know what to expect.
Anyone been?
I went last night. Really enjoyed myself, but the place was pretty much empty. Will have to go back on a weekend night but they have to sell more plates if they want to stay open for the long run.
Can see Riverside as being a hip place to open a restaurant but more folks better get out and support these establishments. Or they will be gone.
I haven't gone yet, but some friends have. They loved the atmosphere and service. Hated the menu. I hope Sbraga's idea isn't too "far-fetched" for Jacksonville. Our palettes aren't as refined as some other big cities. I realize I am generalizing, but Jacksonville residents tend to love their chain restaurants.
^Not sure that's a fair statement. I live in Riverside and outside of lunchtime (geographic related), I haven't had a meal in a chain restaurant in I don't know how long. The menu did give me pause though-doesn't really exite me. I'm not looking for Salmom and fries, but it's not a menu that I'm really anxious to dive into. The point is, the menu may be giving people a little apprehension.
Regardless, I will definitely try it and if it's good, then I'll be back.
I don't disagree, Steve. I myself prefer to support our local chefs and wonderful restaurants, but we are also not your typical suburbanites. I mention restaurants like Black Sheep, Indochine, Taverna, etc. to colleagues and they have never heard of them.
My point is that I'm not sure a place like Sbraga can remain profitable with an uninspiring menu. I too hope to try it out this month, and then perhaps I can provide thoughts on my experience. I truly want the place to succeed!
I had brunch there and the food sounded more plain than it turned out to be.
My wife and I went and we loved it. It was packed when we went. It was the week before christmas. I believe it was on a friday. The place was packed when we were there, it was also late.
We loved the food we had. (Most of the vegan items were sold out) We will be returning soon to try those other items that we missed out on.
Our favorite was the mushroom medley dish.
QuoteWill have to go back on a weekend night but they have to sell more plates if they want to stay open for the long run.
Not to worry, the staff when we dined a couple of weeks back suggested, no kidding here, 3-5 plates per person. So for the 4 of us 12-20 plates. We could only get through 8 small and 2 large, some friends went for lunch, they had 4. The server staff are really pushing hard the number of plates you consume, but except for the Octopus and a few other small dishes, it was really nothing to write home about. Menu changes would be good to keep it fresh.
The chairs there are the most uncomfortable I've seen in Jacksonville. Picnic tables that sit outside every day at E-Street are more comfortable than those chairs at Sbraga!
Quote from: JeffreyS on January 06, 2016, 08:09:33 PM
I had brunch there and the food sounded more plain than it turned out to be.
That was my experience as well. I had made plans to have dinner there and spent quite some time looking at the menu online and I really wasn't looking forward to it, other than to just check out the space. (To be fair I think that's more of a reflection on me than on the restaurant). But once I got there and tried a few things, I'd have to say that I wasn't disappointed by anything. The grilled octopus was my favorite. The beef carpaccio was delicious. When I saw Hog & Hominy on the online menu I wasn't interested, but once I sat down I went ahead and ordered it and I'm glad I did.
Besides that, the view looking out toward the Blue Cross and Everbank buildings was a new perspective for me, and watching the rush hour traffic stack up at Riverside and Forest as they headed away from downtown was relaxing.
My server was attentive and friendly, and offered helpful suggestions. She also talked us out of ordering too much - we were going to get a couple of the bigger plates but she suggested that we might not be able to eat that much, so that probably saved us $15-$20.
It wasn't cheap and I don't think I would want to eat there every week, but I'll definitely go back. We have some family coming in for a few days from out of town and this will probably be one of the restaurants that we will take them to.
I had the fried chicken plate, it was a bit "greasy" but I ate every bite. It came with a delicious and sumptous rice accompaniment and a slaw of cucumber and greek yogurt. It was $12.50 and a perfect portion for my meal. Also had the grilled Caesar salad which I devoured.
This place has a great setting and potentially a terrific outdoor space/terrace. Opening in November (despite the warmth) might not have been the best choice. When Spring hits this could be awesome.
The menu seemed similar to Black Sheep. New American with Southern influence. Not far fetched at all in my opinion. There were many things I wanted to try, and will in the future.
If they can survive until the Candy Apply restaurant and pizza joint open up, I think they will be fine. Once you have all three open next to each other (not to mention burger fi and burrito gallery one block over) there will be a nice little dining destination which should help all restaurants in the immediate area.
We went about a week after they opened and really enjoyed it. Have only been back once since though. The unique dishes (at least on the dinner menu - have not checked out brunch yet) are what I enjoy about Sbraga.
Went today for lunch.
Had the Best Burger I've had in Jax in recent memory. Fries were perfect as well.
If you love a burger check this one out. It was awesome. It's only on the lunch menu, but perhaps they would make you one at night.
Spraga abruptly closed this morning:
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/07/18/220-riversides-sbraga-company-abruptly-closes.html?ana=e_jac_bn_breakingnews&u=11189397374e6a451121b1b0bac0c5&t=1468855025&j=74942372
Done...in less than a year.