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Florida Restaurants
Tolf's Picks - Aug. 2007
Fernandina Beach
Brett’s Waterway Cafe
1 S. Front St.
904/261-2660
Reliably fresh seafood and many pastabilities in a wonderful waterway setting. Lunch entrées, $9 to $13. Dinner entrées, $20 to $34.
Ponte Vedra Beach
JJ’s Liberty Bistro
330 A1A North, Suite
209 904/273-7980
More than 400 wines to choose from
for the right accompaniment to your
French bistro fare, everything from great cheeses and pate to coquille St. Jacques and eye-popping desserts. Lunch
entrées, $8 to $14. Dinner entrées, $20
to $32.50.
Gainesville
Paramount Grill
12 S.W. First Ave.
352/378-3398
paramountgrill.com
A leader among the exciting happenings in this college town with chef-owner Clif Nelson blazing new culinary paths. Lunch entrées, $7 to $13. Dinner entrées, $13
to $32.
Orlando
Everglades Restaurant
9840 International Drive
407/996-2385
rosencentre.com
One of the few restaurants to use the River of Grass National Park theme so uniquely Floridian and a grand staging area for an introduction to the likes of gator chowder and venison pepper steaks. Great wines. Dinner entrées, $23 to $44.
Destin
Harbor Docks
538 U.S. Highway 98 E.
850/837-2506
harbordocks.com
Owned by the same Charles Morgan responsible for Dharma Blue in Pensacola and Camille’s in Destin. Main events of excellent seafood, or steaks and chicken for the landlubbers, served indoors or out on the waterfront deck. Lunch entrées, $7 to $16. Dinner entrées, $17 to $26.
Pensacola
The Fish House
600 S. Barracks St.
850/470-0003
goodgrits.com
Executive chef Jim Shirley uses Southern accents with great skill and spirit, traveling far afield to graze and glean, selecting wines and absorbing culinary ideas to supplement his fresh fish and original Grits á Ya Ya. Lunch entrées, $7 to $14. Dinner entrées, $10 to $23.
Naples
Bistro 821
821 Fifth Ave. S.
239/261-5821
bistro821.com
Owners Bill Holcomb, Michele Longo and executive chef Jess Housman bring out the good feelings and pleasant atmosphere that make this such a popular attraction in the heart of historic Naples. Good wines and award-winning desserts. Dinner entrées, $14 to $60.
Sarasota
Cafe Baci
4001 S. Tamiami Trail
941/921-4848
cafebaci.net
Bright and airy classic cafe ably run by Roberto Mei and his pleasant, professional staff serving loyal fans who have made this a real winner since 1991. Notable for prima pasta, succulent seafood and superlative osso buco. Lunch entrées, $7 to $11. Dinner entrées, $11 to $25.
