OCTOBER 2019 | taste of the south 38
A few blocks down on Spanish Street, The Floridian off ers their
lunch with plenty of personality in the form of decorative plastic pink
fl amingos, alligator paraphernalia, and vibrant pops of color galore.
Grab a spot on the porch or patio to bask in the warm Florida sunshine
as you feast on Chef Genie McNally’s creative seasonal Southern fare.
Don’t skip the appetizers at this St. Augustine favorite—the Company’s
Coming! off ers a sample of bestsellers like fried green tomatoes, fried
pickles, and pimiento cheese and is perfect for a group, while the Biscuit
and Belly boasts a little sweet, a little spice, and a lot of decadence on a
slightly smaller scale. For your main course, you can’t go wrong with the
Bay of Pigs (Genie’s spin on a Cuban sandwich), the Cornbread Stack
(loaded cornbread topped with blackened fi sh and a hint of Chimichurri
Aioli), or anything else on the diverse menu.
If you’d rather get away from the bustle of downtown, head a little
farther afi eld to The Reef. Opened in 2002 and helmed by chef Bob
Henle, this beachside spot is known for its prowess in showing off the
locally grown datil pepper and has dozens of awards to back it up. While
you may think seafood would be the name of the game at this waterfront
joint—and they certainly show it off spectacularly—the stand-out on
the lunch menu is the St. Augustine Datil Pepper Cheese Burger. This
juicy creation boasts applewood-smoked bacon, onions, mushrooms,
Cheddar cheese, and—the key ingredient—Chef Bob’s spicy datil pepper
sauce; it’s an absolute must-try in our book.
Tame the heat and end your midday meal on a sweet note with
a stop at The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops for popsicles served with a
side of whimsy. Their downtown location sports a wall-to-wall mural
of vibrant colors matched only by the more than 20 playful pop fl avors
listed behind the counter. From familiar options like Chocolate Sea Salt
and Key Lime to more adventurous varieties like peanut butter-banana-
honey-fl avored Elvis, Ginger Plum, and Pineapple Cilantro, founder
Stephen DiMare’s fanciful creations feature minimal ingredients, major
fl avor, and are not to be missed, even on a quick trip to town.
OPPOSITE PAGE (Clockwise from top left) Stop by The Kookaburra Coffee
for excellent espresso, coffee, and scratch-made baked goods; Fiction Donuts;
strolling St. Augustine’s beautiful downtown streets is the perfect way to spend an
afternoon. THIS PAGE (Clockwise from top left) Fiction Donuts offers a sweet start
to any day; appetizers at The Reef; The Floridian dining room; the Lightner Museum.