by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Wi-Fi has massively increased in availability all over Jacksonville over the past two years. You can surf the net at the Landing, at the St. Johns Town Center, at most of the coffee shops in town and at a surprising number of fast food joints. So, if you want a little Internet interaction as you dine, take a look at this listing of some of the places where you can grab a bite to eat and surf the net.
3556 St. Johns Avenue, Avondale, 904-387-2060
You can feel comfortable at Biscotti’s and still feel like you’re having a fabulous meal. You can enjoy wine and cheese, indulge in their decadent desserts or have one of their gourmet pizzas. The place is well loved by locals for a reason. $$$
1034 Hendricks Avenue, San Marco, 904-399-4848
It’s not just a place to get tea and breakfast; they’ve got a decent lunch menu besides. Lunch items range in cost from about $7 - $10. We’ve heard a lot of positive talk around town about their homemade quiche, which is one of the items that bring people back again and again. They serve a quiche of the day, so you never know what you’re going to get! $$
2708 Park Street, Riverside, 904-381-4242
If you’ve got a hankering for a breakfast with incredible flavor, then try the HELLO bagel with smoked salmon, or the three egg spicy sausage. Breakfasters with a sweet tooth can nosh on their fluffy pancakes (excellent with added blueberries), French toast or homemade muffins. If you enjoy sweet potatoes don’t miss the sweet potato fries. For dessert, Cool Moose has a cookie that legends are built upon, which is why the legend is printed on a sidebar of the menu. They taste even better once you read the story about how the chef “stole” the award-winning recipe from his mother. $$
3105 Beach Boulevard, St. Nicholaus, 904-398-4326
The menu at Mudville Grille promises bar food, in all its fried glory. On the appetizer menu, amidst classics like Buffalo chicken fingers, Mudville’s red chile poppers are a standout. But bar food isn’t all you’ll find on the menu at Mudville. Live it up with fresh seafood- oysters steamed or raw, peel and eat shrimp or crab legs. Dinner selections, which are served with a salad and your choice of French fries or baked potato, include a monster 16-ounce New York strip, a butterfly shrimp platter or a marinated chicken breast. $$
3628 Saint Johns Avenue, Avondale, 904-981-9966
At the Casbah, there’s inevitably some guy at the end of the bar playing Internet poker. We love their kibbie, a deep-fried football-shaped snack stuffed with beef, onions and pine nuts. The Casbah has items on their menu for those less attracted to exotic selections (like their Casbah “pizza”). That means if you like to try different types of food, but all your friends are more apt to hit up Bennigan’s, then the Casbah is actually an apt compromise, with belly dancing entertainment. $$
1023 Park Street, 5 Points, 904-598-5271
If you’re looking for an eatery where you can surf the web in Five Points, try Ragland’s. They have all the key ingredients: the beers, the lounge, the food and the art. Their dining room walls are dedicated to canvas and their food is dedicated to flavor. Ragland’s features “food without a map,” which means fusion dishes prepared with perfect taste in mind. Beer & Wine. $$
835 Museum Circle, Southbank, 904-398-2299
Known for a river view and Microbrewery is River City Brewing Company. Serving upscale food like steaks, they’re often a stop for business lunches and dinners. For their popular Sunday buffet, they serve snow crab legs, have carving stations and a made-to-order omelet station. There’s just nothing like putting a freshly made waffle on a plate next to crab legs and shrimp, if only for the novelty. Full Bar. $$$
303 North Laura Street, Downtown, 904-301-1065
Located inside the Downtown Main library. They keep library hours, so you’ll always be able to grab a quick bite between hitting the books. Besides Batdorf-Bronson Coffee, organic decaf gourmet coffees, teas and the usual morning beverages, they also serve gourmet sandwiches and salads. Have a club sandwich or go a little exotic with Shelby’s “The Strand Sandwich,” a mix of chicken salad, fresh sprouts, pecans, grapes and tomatoes on 8-grain bread. $
The Landing downtown is blanketed by Wi-Fi coverage. That means that all the eateries in the center should have Wi-Fi.
Besides the individual Wi-Fi networks at places like Panera and Barnes & Noble, there’s also a general Wi-Fi network for the whole St. Johns Town Center. That means that you can email stuff from whatever table you’re occupying, whether it’s from the Cheesecake Factory, Mimi’s or the Healthy Way.
Article Published in the 03-08 Issue of EU Jacksonville
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