The Blind Fig restaurant takes root in Riverside (originally Salty Fig)

ben says · January 01, 2013, 09:06:39 PM

^ I think this is a conversation for a different thread, but my .02 cents: a trolley that goes East Bay to San Marco, San Marco thru Riverside Avenue to Avondale, Avondale to Park/King, Park/King to Five Points, Five Points to East Bay, etc etc etc...sounds like one hell of a loop, but it's probably the best route as far as urban core, drinking, and fun....

Non-RedNeck Westsider · January 01, 2013, 10:31:04 PM

Quote from: ben says on January 01, 2013, 10:58:08 AM
Went here last night. They did a fantastic job with the place. Looks beautiful...kind of a Black Sheep vibe. Great bar. I like that they're not trying to be something they clearly aren't...they know what they want to do and they're doing it well. The menu is well balanced and concise (lack of vegetarian options, but oh well...). It was the second day they were open and they definitely have some front of the house/back of the house communication issues, but other than that, really a great experience. Give them a few days (yes, that short) and they'll be another premiere dining spot in Jacksonville. Bravo

I"ve been off the grid for a week or so, and come back to read that ben says has actually reviewed a restaurant BEFORE getting everyone else's take on it!!!!!!!!!!

If we're ever to meet in person, ben says, but when we do.....

BridgeTroll · January 02, 2013, 07:25:32 AM

ROFL... welcome back to the grid...lol

ben says · January 02, 2013, 07:53:28 AM

PeeJayEss · January 02, 2013, 09:42:33 AM

This place is fantastic, and the coolest restaurant/bar space in Jax, in my opinion. Opening pretty quietly without the fanfare of Black Sheep, I think this will be my top choice for date night...

jaxlore · January 02, 2013, 01:30:33 PM

+1 on the night trolley through the core. I've been jonsing about this for a while now. I can walk less then a mile to King and make the rounds at night!

Riverrat · January 02, 2013, 02:26:12 PM

A party of 4 of us went on New Years Eve night and all loved it. The atmosphere is perfect, the price point is perfect, the service was friendly and seemed knowledgeable given the short time it has been open. All in all, this is the best new addition the neighborhood has had in quite some time. It's kind of everything the Brick has always wanted to be, if that makes sense? I did feel like they were offering an extensive menu for the soft opening and with some tweaks will be fantastic. I can't wait to be a regular at Salty Fig!

fieldafm · January 02, 2013, 10:02:17 PM

Quote from: exnewsman on January 01, 2013, 08:10:42 PM
Curious if JTA was to put in a night time trolley service in the Park/King area - where should it go? Has to serve a residential component but is that an Avondal crowd? Strictly a Riverside vibe? Downtown? What's the route you think would serve this area the best?

Well that is interesting considering for two years we have advocated for such a service. We put on over a half dozen pub crawls using JTA trolleys to prove it would be successful. And JTA has heard from DVI, RAP and downtown merchants (Mark Hemphill has literally begged for it) who have all advocated for such a service. Glad to know JTA may finally be listening

MusicMan · January 03, 2013, 12:58:29 AM

I've mentioned a trolley to all the merchants I know, and I really think it is up to them to provide it. Call it "The Riverside Connector" and run a loop from Starbucks/Einstein's up to The Shoppes of Avondale, down Ingleside to Orsay, then down to Pele's, down King to Kickbacks, From there to Bold Bean, then to the Five Points/Sun Ray Cinema. Down to Starbucks and do it again. Make it free and it will allow pretty much anyone living in Riverside-Avondale to go anywhere they want without having to drive or park. Start at 6 pm on Thursday through Saturday going 'til 2 am. See if it works.

Will try and get down to Salty Fig and report back.

exnewsman · January 03, 2013, 10:58:03 AM

Quote from: fieldafm on January 02, 2013, 10:02:17 PM
Quote from: exnewsman on January 01, 2013, 08:10:42 PM
Curious if JTA was to put in a night time trolley service in the Park/King area - where should it go? Has to serve a residential component but is that an Avondal crowd? Strictly a Riverside vibe? Downtown? What's the route you think would serve this area the best?

Well that is interesting considering for two years we have advocated for such a service. We put on over a half dozen pub crawls using JTA trolleys to prove it would be successful. And JTA has heard from DVI, RAP and downtown merchants (Mark Hemphill has literally begged for it) who have all advocated for such a service. Glad to know JTA may finally be listening

Don't know that they are. I was just asking the question and was curious as to what people thought the best route would be. This is obviously an area on the move. I read on a previous thread a few months back I suppose (perhaps it was something Lake wrote) about needing to pull from the nearby residential areas but then that begs the question - who are the customers here and where are they?

jaxlore · January 03, 2013, 01:19:03 PM

While a trolly for just riverside would be nice, something city based that would incorparate the whole core would cut down on drunk driving and parking issues dramatically.

thelakelander · January 03, 2013, 01:29:52 PM

^For something to work long term, I think it would have to be at least urban core based, with Riverside's districts being tied into it. That way, you'll have something that won't rely too much on a specific segment of the population or use.

As for Salty Fig, I'm looking forward to trying them out. Anyone know what their hours of operation are currently?

fieldafm · January 03, 2013, 01:47:41 PM

Quote from: thelakelander on January 03, 2013, 01:29:52 PM
^For something to work long term, I think it would have to be at least urban core based, with Riverside's districts being tied into it. That way, you'll have something that won't rely too much on a specific segment of the population or use.

As for Salty Fig, I'm looking forward to trying them out. Anyone know what their hours of operation are currently?

Agreed
I think a route that went from King/Roselle down to Park Street over to 5 Points and into downtown/Bay Street makes the most sense.

That being said, I am biased... but I am a BIG fan of Salty Fig. The menu is southern american style cuisine with a decidely New Orleans style (the Stanfords cut their culinary teeth in New Orleans). The fried oyster appetizer with a corn bisque is really good, as is the sandwich made famous on their truck that has been amped up even more (their version of a BLT-but with pork belly instead of bacon... and they kicked it up a notch by adding fried oysters) and the mahi was really good too. Their signature cocktails are also good. They are open for lunch and dinner.

Great menu and REALLY cool space. There is even a river-friendly bioswale in their parking lot courtesy of Doug Skiles. And the whole Stanford family is top notch.

All this b/c of a little food truck... weird

Non-RedNeck Westsider · January 03, 2013, 01:58:05 PM

Quote from: fieldafm on January 03, 2013, 01:47:41 PM

All this b/c of a little food truck... weird

Who would've thunk it, huh?

MusicMan · January 03, 2013, 02:18:06 PM

Just finished lunch there and it was all very tasty. Had the Mahi tacos, angus burger and gorgonzola chips.
Will definately be going back. The interior is great, reaching back into the space that was previously occupied by Goodwill, and the new parking in back is a big plus. Another solid option for foodies in Riverside-Avondale.