Six Awesome Restaurants Opening in Downtown

[CityLife]

I think the best example of a local dining scene is Beaches Town Center in Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. In just a few blocks, you have Ocean 60, Azurea (One Ocean), Flying Iguana, Ragtime, Mezza Luna, Poe's, North Beach Fish Camp, Sliders, Al's, Joseph's, Tama's Sushi, M Shack, Lillie's, and probably others I'm leaving out. Plus Pete's and Lemon Bar for partying. Its a true dining and entertainment destination that does fantastic business.  There are a lot of reasons why Old Atlantic Beach is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Jax (tree canopy, quiet beach, architecture, minimal traffic, etc), but being in close proximity to the Town Center is definitely a big boost.
Similarly, I think a great downtown dining scene can be a big pull factor for residential development.

One of the big plusses the Beaches Town Center has is clustering. Having a continuous grouping of bars and restaurants makes its vibrancy instantly visible. Visitors can immediately tell it is a place worth checking out. Right now, Downtown is still a bit scattered, but hopefully the gaps will start to fill in. These new places are definitely a huge step in the right direction. They also appear to be the type of quality  places that can draw people from all around the region for a night out. Exciting times for Downtown Jax.

[WarDamJagFan]

I completely agree with the above comments regarding Atlantic Beach. It's my first recommendation for out-of-town visitors or when we've got friends in town. Spending a day at the beach, then biking up to the Atlantic Beach town center for dinner and live music is a damn good way to spend a Saturday or Sunday.

[Pottsburg]

This is awesome. Jacksonville is very weak in the steakhouse department,  the millhouse is the only decent one and it's pretty far away.
Looking forward to some good steaks!

you need to check out III Forks.  The millhouse is a joke and borderline insulting to steak fans.  Ruth (downtown location) was my top choice for a long time but III Forks has won me over.  Every time I go there the place impresses me more.

[ChriswUfGator]

Ruth's Chris downtown has gotten too crowded since Morton's closed. The last few times I've gone there it's been a lengthy wait. If I'm paying $400 for dinner, my tolerance for an hour long wait for a table tends to decrease. With reservations it improves somewhat, but not much. They're just busy lately. Where is III Forks now? That was the one who used to have a location in the Hyatt right?

[ProjectMaximus]

III Forks is and always has been in Tapestry Park.

[ChriswUfGator]

Then what was that one in the Hyatt? I can't remember but thought it was that one.

[ProjectMaximus]

Not sure. I tried searching for ya last night but gave up.

[thelakelander]

Plaza III Steakhouse (http://www.plazaiiikcsteakhouse.com/), based out of Kansas City, was the one in the Hyatt. Speaking of the Hyatt, I'm surprised a restaurant hasn't opened in that space.

[JeffreyS]

Love the Atlantic beach town center.
But I'll take 13 gypsies
Blind rabbit
Black sheep
Kickbacks
Carmine's
Lola's
Maple Street biscuit
Moon river (not trying to start anything)
Biscotti's
And bluefish
Up against anywhere in this town.

[CityLife]

Love the Atlantic beach town center.
But I'll take 13 gypsies
Blind rabbit
Black sheep
Kickbacks
Carmine's
Lola's
Maple Street biscuit
Moon river (not trying to start anything)
Biscotti's
And bluefish
Up against anywhere in this town.

Black Sheep and Biscotti's are 2 miles apart. The places at the Beaches Town Center are 2 blocks apart.

There are some fantastic dining and drinking establishments in R/A, but still not nearly as cohesive, clustered, and walkable as the Beaches Town Center.

[JeffreyS]

That's very true and particularly for out of town visitors the clustered shops with proximity to the beach are fantastic.

I guess the five points, first block or the shops of Avondale would be more comparable and of those alone are as good as BTC.

[ProjectMaximus]

You guys don't like the fabulous cluster of Brio, Seasons 52, Cantina Laredo, J Alexanders, Mitchell's, and Capital Grille??  I'd include Moxie but that's a local joint so no telling the quality there.

[JeffreyS]

Moxie is great. Capital Grill and cantina Laredo both have a meal that I love.

[camarocane]

Since the foreclosure of the Barnett Building, is the Laura Street Trio off the table as well? The Bullbrier?

[MusicMan]

On a related thread, Scottie Schwartz friend said BullBrier is a couple of years away, basically pending/contingent on a finished product in
the two tall towers (both currently vacant and awaiting ?) adjacent to Marble Bank.