Lunching in Downtown Jacksonville
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Dining/viCARIous-Dining/vicarious-banner/897882625_rJn2W-O.jpg)
Guest Gastronomist Cari Sanchez-Potter provides a succinct primer for Downtown's various venues for midday meals, lunch, love and laissez faire dining.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jun-lunching-in-downtown-jacksonville
Awesome reviews! Thank you Cari! I look forward to more!
BG is very addictive. Good stuff.
Just hop on over the river to Aix or BB's, now there are some great lunch spots.
What a great way to learn about some places I haven't tried. Thank you.
I miss working downtown and having those lunch time options available to me. If only I could have been picky about my job search! There's just something about stepping out on your lunch break and walking the downtown streets that a ride down Southside blvd doesn't quite replace.
Great reviews Cari! I went to highschool with you husband, glad to hear you guys are living in riverside- I love when beach people cross the ditch :)
Justin's City Place looks delicious. I hope they have evening or Saturday hours so I can check it out.
I was wondering...I don't get out much late in the evening. Once I am home, I'm home. But I work downtown and wondered if any other MJ members also work downtown and might want to meet sometime at one of the downtown eateries for lunch to meet and greet and eat. Maybe just an informal gathering. I'd like to meet some of the regulars on MJ and put a face to a screen name.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 16, 2010, 11:22:27 AM
Justin's City Place looks delicious. I hope they have evening or Saturday hours so I can check it out.
Per their website they aren't open weekends, but are open until 6 or 7 on weekday evenings.
Quote from: David on June 16, 2010, 08:44:36 AM
I miss working downtown and having those lunch time options available to me. If only I could have been picky about my job search! There's just something about stepping out on your lunch break and walking the downtown streets that a ride down Southside blvd doesn't quite replace.
At least you've still got unique and delicious places like McDonalds and KFC.
Jbroadglide - I'm in for almost any day during the week. Personally I love the MC, but can handle anything new. And I've never been in the Skyline.
I'd love to meet with you guys for lunch sometime. Any other takers?
I work DT as well so I'm in on meeting up for lunch one of these days.
Alright then all we have to do is pick a day, a time and a place. Lets set this down the road a bit so everyone has time to plan their schedules. How about June 30, last day of June. Time anywhere between 11:30am and 1:30pm. Place? I only have a couple places I eat at so I am open to suggestions.
Open the floor for discussion..
Quote from: Bewler on June 16, 2010, 11:46:31 AM
Quote from: David on June 16, 2010, 08:44:36 AM
I miss working downtown and having those lunch time options available to me. If only I could have been picky about my job search! There's just something about stepping out on your lunch break and walking the downtown streets that a ride down Southside blvd doesn't quite replace.
At least you've still got unique and delicious places like McDonalds and KFC.
Or he could go to Tommy's Pizza, Blue Bamboo or Crazy Sushi.
The times described work for me... barring those never ending OMG incidents at work... :)
Quote from: copperfiend on June 16, 2010, 12:39:27 PM
Or he could go to Tommy's Pizza, Blue Bamboo or Crazy Sushi.
OR he could go to ill forks dawg.
Quote from: copperfiend on June 16, 2010, 12:39:27 PM
Quote from: Bewler on June 16, 2010, 11:46:31 AM
At least you've still got unique and delicious places like McDonalds and KFC.
Or he could go to Tommy's Pizza, Blue Bamboo or Crazy Sushi.
Southside does have way more lunch options than downtown, but it doesn't match the ambiance. Plus there's hardly any hotdog vendors for those days that you're running short on time and don't care what you put in your body.
The Southside is also insanely spreadout so you must travel by car to reach the majority of options. To accurately compare, DT's dining options would have to be tossed in with surrounding areas like San Marco, Riverside/Avondale, Durkeeville, Springfield and Murray Hill.
Lake, I agree. The three places I listed are relatively close to each other. My point in posting them was to counter that there are more than just fast food options. There are locally owned places serving good food.
Hey everyone, glad you enjoyed the reviews... boy, doing the research for this article was tough, I tell you. So many great places in downtown Jax - just ate at the International Cafe yesterday for the first time and had some very flavorful and tender Nicaraguan pork frito with rice and beans and fried plantains. Gotta check it out if you haven't already.
@iluvolives - so you knew the pre-Cari Phil! I probably don't want to hear those stories:) We're loving Riverside - it's a whole different world from the beach. The food's better, too... !
Quote from: copperfiend on June 16, 2010, 01:49:03 PM
Lake, I agree. The three places I listed are relatively close to each other. My point in posting them was to counter that there are more than just fast food options. There are locally owned places serving good food.
You still don't get the same ambiance in that area though.
Where is the International Cafe?
Food looks great. I will be starting a new job at St.Luke in Aug so hopefully yall can set this lunch date well before then. I think Friday I am going to check one of these places out.
The International Cafe is on Hogan Street near Hemming Plaza - check out my review and some photos on Yelp! http://www.yelp.com/biz/international-cafe-jacksonville
Thanks. Sounds tasty.
Okay then with Cari's seal of approval, how about those who work downtown and wanted to meet for lunch head over to the International Cafe around 12noon on Wednesday June 30. Noon it will be busy but so will every place else downtown. Maybe plan on taking a lunch hour and 15 minutes. We can work out the final details later, like how will we all recognize each other since many of us have never actually met face to face.
See you on June 30.
A trick I've learned for expediting lunch all over town is to meet between 11:30 and 11:45. That way, your order is in when the crush of people arrive.
Even though I (unfortunately) do not work in lovely Downtown, I may join the lunch date. Hmmm, sounds like an afternoon: drive to the Southbank, take the Skyway over, meet MJers for lunch, ride back, drive back, return to reality and then redouble my efforts at finding a job in the Core. :D
Quote from: jbroadglide on June 17, 2010, 01:37:38 PM
Okay then with Cari's seal of approval, how about those who work downtown and wanted to meet for lunch head over to the International Cafe around 12noon on Wednesday June 30. Noon it will be busy but so will every place else downtown. Maybe plan on taking a lunch hour and 15 minutes. We can work out the final details later, like how will we all recognize each other since many of us have never actually met face to face.
See you on June 30.
YUM, I think Wednesday is taco day! FYI, the chipotle chicken sandwich, on french bread, is pretty good
Quote from: jbroadglide on June 17, 2010, 01:37:38 PM... how about those who work downtown and wanted to meet for lunch head over to the International Cafe around 12noon on Wednesday June 30. Noon it will be busy but so will every place else downtown. Maybe plan on taking a lunch hour and 15 minutes...
I AM THERE!
Lunch at the Skyline Cafe today was fun. The food was perfect tasty every day lunch fare at a great value. The view is what will bring me back.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn72/Vendingman/IMG00335.jpg)
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn72/Vendingman/IMG00336.jpg)
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn72/Vendingman/IMG00337.jpg)
I had lunch at the Magnifcant Cafe today. It was one of the better lunches I've had downtown, and the view from the outside dining area into Hemmings Plaza was very relaxing. I had the ham and brie croissant special and the carrot and ginger soup. Very tastey.
The constant public annoucements over the speaker announcing whose order was up kind of annoying, but it was a lunch crowd and was needed.
One interesting side note. I sent a picture of the street view of Hemmings Plaza from the cafe, and sent it to some friends and family in New York and they asked me if I was in Harlem.
good to know.....
We offer a $5 Lunch that includes a drink from 11 am to 2 pm!
The specials include:
6" Baked Ham & Ch sub with chips and a drink
6" Baked Turkey & Ch sub with chips and a drink
4 tenders, chips and a drink
Hamburger/Cheeseburger, chips and a drink
2 slices and a drink
1 slice, a side salad, and a drink
119 E. Bay Street between Ocean and Main Street
Visit www.northstarsubstation.com for more information, full menu, and events
^See you tommorow.
Boom. Hook, line and sinker.
Quote from: BigGuy219 on July 15, 2010, 04:48:45 PM
I had lunch at the Magnifcant Cafe today. It was one of the better lunches I've had downtown, and the view from the outside dining area into Hemmings Plaza was very relaxing. I had the ham and brie croissant special and the carrot and ginger soup. Very tastey.
The constant public annoucements over the speaker announcing whose order was up kind of annoying, but it was a lunch crowd and was needed.
One interesting side note. I sent a picture of the street view of Hemmings Plaza from the cafe, and sent it to some friends and family in New York and they asked me if I was in Harlem.
Bernard DeClefs (DuhClay) is a classically trained French chef who headed the kitchens at a number of high end restaurants around the country, but decided that he wanted a life and a family which is difficult in the restaurant business. He decided to open the Magnificat Cafe as a lunch only place to keep the hours sane. His wife, Kathy, is now behind the register while their son, Luke is in school.
He has to make the best quiche in town and even his simple things, like the pasta salad, are fresh and delicious.
He and Kathy are really super nice people and very involved with their church which explains the name. It was going to be called something like the French Cafe, but we were getting angry with the French and talking about Freedom Fries at the time of opening, so they chose the alternative name.
Midtown Deli & Cafe
Manager Insulting Clients
DONT GO THERE! - DONT GO THERE! VERY DISRESPECTFUL MANAGER!!!. We eat out very frequently and this is the first time that something like this happens to us. Although it was my first time visiting that restaurant, my group mentioned that something wrong with our food and the manager came to the table to INSULT us and then he said that he was tired of us always making trouble in that restaurant. We clarified that he was confusing us with somebody else and very offended we said that we weren't coming back to that restaurant ever again. The manager then completed his NASTY BEHAVIOR by saying that he was pleased of hearing that and that he didn't want to see us again on that restaurant. If he was having a bad day, customers shouldn't pay for that!!! :(
Quote from: JeffreyS on June 21, 2010, 03:58:00 PM
Lunch at the Skyline Cafe today was fun. The food was perfect tasty every day lunch fare at a great value. The view is what will bring me back.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn72/Vendingman/IMG00335.jpg)
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn72/Vendingman/IMG00336.jpg)
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn72/Vendingman/IMG00337.jpg)
Love the pics.
Would love to join you someday.
Quote from: ELLA25 on October 02, 2012, 01:06:45 AM
Midtown Deli & Cafe
Manager Insulting Clients
DONT GO THERE! - DONT GO THERE! VERY DISRESPECTFUL MANAGER!!!. We eat out very frequently and this is the first time that something like this happens to us. Although it was my first time visiting that restaurant, my group mentioned that something wrong with our food and the manager came to the table to INSULT us and then he said that he was tired of us always making trouble in that restaurant. We clarified that he was confusing us with somebody else and very offended we said that we weren't coming back to that restaurant ever again. The manager then completed his NASTY BEHAVIOR by saying that he was pleased of hearing that and that he didn't want to see us again on that restaurant. If he was having a bad day, customers shouldn't pay for that!!! :(
One of the more interesting first posts I've ever seen. Welcome to the forum!