OCTOBER 2019 | taste of the south 40
(Clockwise from top) Downtown St. Augustine; St. Augustine Distillery produces
small-batch vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin in the Ancient City; Deviled Egg BLT
w/ Southern Fried Oyster from Catch 27; The Well at The Collector Luxury Inn &
Gardens; Grits & Shrimp from Catch 27; St. Augustine Seafood Co.’s New England,
Minorcan, and Half & Half chowders; Ice Plant Bar’s Minorcan Seafood Stew.
After lunch is the perfect time to grab a ticket for the hop-on, hop-
off trolley tours to get around town at your leisure with ease. Stop over at
the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park to explore living history of
St. Augustine’s past and sip from the spring that sparked the tale or ride
down to Historic Downtown to peruse the local shops like The Spice &
Tea Exchange or Whetstone Chocolates to snag a bit of local fl avor to
take home. To explore the other side of town, hop off at San Sebastian
Winery or the nearby St. Augustine Distillery, both of which off er
free tours and tastings, for a reprieve from the afternoon sun and learn
more about the wine- and spirit-making processes.
When suppertime rolls around, a visit to Ice Plant Bar should
be next on your to-do list. Set in a 1920s-era ice plant, complete with
overhead rigging leftover from its days of hauling ice for the community,
this industrial-style restaurant and bar is taking local ingredients and
treating them right. With a duo of dipping sauces, the shrimp- and
okra-studded beignets are a crisp, fl uff y, and delicious opener. And the
Minorcan Seafood Stew—a datil pepper-tomato broth brimming with
local seafood, chorizo, and olive gremolata—is a bold taste of the city’s
Spanish infl uence. For a milder nosh, the Pan Seared Local Fish or the
NC Blue Crab Gratin are also favorites for their simple yet deliciously
rich and thoughtful fl avors. And be sure to save room—Ice Plant’s take
on banana pudding is the best we’ve ever tasted.
If alfresco dining is in order, head to the heart of historic downtown
to Catch 27 for the ultimate seafood experience. Sourcing from local
farms and fi shermen, owner Stephen Hutson and Chef Joshua Smith
pride themselves on a daily rotation of ingredients so only the freshest
catches make it to customer plates. Snag a seat on the back patio and get
ready to make some diffi cult choices. St. Augustinians can’t get enough
of the deviled eggs topped with tomato-bacon jam and fried oysters—and
might riot if the Fried Buttermilk Chicken was ever pulled from the
menu—but don’t miss out on the Grits & dish with collards and shrimp
or the blackened fi sh fi nished with a delightful sherry cream sauce.
Whatever you choose, you’re sure to leave full and happy.
When you’ve eaten your fi ll and walked as many steps around
this picturesque city as your feet can take, settle in for the night at
The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens. Comprising an entire block
of historic homes that have been restored and transformed to house
beautifully appointed guest rooms, a brick-paved courtyard, and
gorgeous landscaping, this luxury hotel is the perfect place to wind
down from a busy day exploring the city. Before turning in, you’ll want
to grab a nightcap from The Well, the onsite bar, to sip as you relax by the
communal fi repit and imagine your next trip to St. Augustine—because
once you’ve visited, you’ll undoubtedly be coming back.