I've visited The Local several times, but brunch here is a total standout. If you go, you HAVE to…read moretry The Blue Goat. It's essentially a decadent dessert disguised as breakfast! The whipped goat cheese paired with fresh basil is a home run--it adds an unexpected brightness that perfectly balances the rich bread pudding. The Neptune Beach location is my personal favorite. I love the walkable proximity to the beach, and the patio is the place to be when the weather is nice. Plus, they are dog-friendly, which is a huge win--I love being able to bring my pup along for a post-beach brunch!

Came here for the first time and had a mixed experience…read more The location itself is nice. It's tucked next to a bakery with a pleasant outdoor setup. We came in through the back since we wanted to sit outside. It was a little hot, but the outdoor area was still enjoyable with a big shade tree in the middle. Definitely a good vibe on the patio. We ordered our food and, for how slow it was inside, the wait felt longer than it should have been. The restaurant wasn't very busy at all, with more people sitting outside than inside. Unfortunately, most of the food came out lukewarm. My roast beef sandwich and potatoes were barely warm, like they'd been sitting for a while, and the bottom bread was completely soaked. Our daughter's grilled cheese came out with the cheese not even melted, so we sent that back along with my sandwich. The salmon and quinoa also arrived lukewarm. The fried fish was cooked too long in the fryer and wasn't great. The bright spot was the short rib tacos my wife ordered. She said those were really good and probably the best thing we had. I do want to give credit where it's due. Our server was incredibly kind, attentive, and professional. He genuinely saved the experience for us and handled everything with a great attitude. Bathrooms were also clean, which I always appreciate. Overall, the experience was average. Not a top pick for me, but I'd be open to giving it another try in the future to see if things improve. Just wanted to leave an honest review of our visit.

I stopped by Southern Grounds and tried their Cherry Vanilla Matcha Latte, and honestly... this…read moremight've turned me into a matcha girl. This was my first time really giving matcha a fair shot, and I was surprised by how much I liked it. The flavor was earthy and nutty, really smooth and comforting. I personally didn't taste much cherry or vanilla, but the matcha itself was good enough that I didn't mind at all. Service was pretty standard--quick, friendly, and easy, which is exactly what you want when you're grabbing a drink and settling in. What I loved most was the atmosphere. It's such a good mix of people--some working, some chatting, some just enjoying their coffee. There are plenty of outlets, lots of space, and it's definitely one of those spots where you can bring your laptop and actually get things done without feeling awkward or rushed. They also have food if you plan on staying awhile, which is always a plus. Overall, Southern Grounds feels like one of those dependable coffee shops you keep in your rotation--good drinks, comfortable vibes, and a great place to park yourself for a few hours. I'd definitely come back... and yes, I'd order matcha again.

Had a good first visit to Southern Ground. I really enjoyed trying the GF/V pastries…read more I ordered a latte, which was the purpose of my visit, and it was just ok. I did like that they offer SF syrup. I liked the options for both outdoor and indoor seating. Overall, I would recommend Southern Grounds and will definitely return for their GF/V pastry options!

Some restaurants surprise you with one great dish. Others deliver a memorable experience from start…read moreto finish. Our visit to Biscottis in Jacksonville's Avondale neighborhood managed to do both. We were greeted warmly when we arrived and seated immediately, and the atmosphere had a welcoming energy that made the restaurant feel like a true neighborhood gathering place. Susan ordered the Quiche Lorraine, and after the first bite we both knew it was something special. The crust was delicate and buttery while the filling was rich and perfectly balanced. It was so impressive that we awarded it our Culinary Duo Best of the Best dish recognition, which is something we reserve for truly standout dishes. Peter went in a different direction and ordered the Sweet Potato Pancakes with house made white cheddar hash browns. The pancakes were flavorful and comforting, and the hash browns were crispy with bold cheddar flavor that made them impossible to stop eating. Another thing we appreciated was learning that Biscottis carries the Slow Food First Coast Snail of Approval, recognizing restaurants that support sustainable agriculture and local food traditions. The service throughout the visit was cheerful and attentive, and the staff seemed genuinely happy to be there. If you enjoy restaurants that combine great brunch dishes, incredible desserts, and a lively neighborhood atmosphere, Biscottis is definitely worth visiting.

Pretentious and overrated…read more I wanted to like this place - it has such a hype. But the food is terrible. The burger is greasy/wet, it is drenched in a bland cheese sauce, the meat is underseasoned, and the patty has no sear. Definitely not worth anything near the $21 cost. The salmon BLT is served on bread that is cut so thick you're mostly just eating old/stale bread, and the sandwich is also greasy. Their french fries come drenched in a disgusting garlic oil and cheap grated parmesan. It's bad cooking dressed up to look fancy without any understanding of the basics. The restaurant fits as well. Its ugly artwork is accompanied by furniture that looks like it was ripped out of a Le Pain Quotidien. The cakes look amazing, and the bar is nicely designed and well stocked, but neither saves the drab surrealist-cafeteria vibe of this pretentious establishment.

My husband and I went on a much needed date night tonight. I've always wanted to give BB's a try…read moreand finally convinced him! We ordered the Brussel sprouts as an appetizer, they were phenomenal! Then we both decided on steak for dinner. I got the filet, and ordered it medium rare and it was perfect. My husband ordered the ribeye and his was medium, his was also spot on. Then of course, we had to get dessert. I got the German chocolate cake (this apparently isn't their normal one) and my husband got the dulce cheesecake. The waitress we had was great, and she recommended lots of tips and favorites to try. The only negative thing that I would say is that it's a bit cramped, so it was very loud and hard to hear each other at points. This was an amazing dinner. We will be back

Had a fantastic double date tonight celebrating my girlfriend's birthday! We were greeted warmly…read moreand given a nice table in the dining room. Our waiter, Evan, was very proactive & offered suggestions with menu items. We started with some cocktails, the gentlemen with the cider beer & an old fashioned. I chose a glass of bubbly & the birthday girl had the fizz cocktail. It was incredible with a fresh blackberry puree. We started with the fried green tomatoes & the calamari, both were delicious! Calamari was prepared well and not too chewy. We shockingly each chose a salad: the bistro steak, the chop chop Asian, the goat cheese, and the salmon. Each one was incredible. Mine was the chop chop and I absolutely loved it! It was HUGE and you can bet I ate every single bite. Loved it!' We finished with the brownie topped with ice cream for the birthday girl, it was extremely tasty! Thanks again to Evan for making our night! He was a fantastic waiter! Would absolutely request him in the future.

Made reservations about a week in advance because it was Mother's Day weekend, prom season, and…read moregrad season. Free parking in the parking lot (though it gets fairly full). I enjoyed the food; however, I think some details were missing or off for the price point. For example, the rib eye was requested for medium temp; however, it was medium rare and very chewy. The broiled ocean platter was kind of skimpy for the price point, and the shrimp & lobster diavolo were pretty good (though lobster wasn't very tender and slightly rubbery). I also wasn't given a pasta spoon- so had slight difficulty eating it. It took quite a while for us to get our food, approx 45 minutes? Our waitress was very kind and checked in- but forgot the lemons I had asked for- for the waters. We had inputted in our reservation request to not be in the center- and we were sat in the middle; though, 80% of the tables were empty. So, all in all, it was good but for the price point, I had higher expectations.

Crystal is a fantastic server…read more Portions were HUGE. Had to take a lot of foid home because of the portion size. Enjoyed the vegan burger which seemed like mostly beets and black beans. Didnt mind that it fell apart while i ate it, because that's what homemade vegan burgers usually do. But dont order this messy item on a date. I held the sauce. They let me sub a HUGE side salad for the fries. Enjoyed the vanilla ice cream a lot but not the apple tart. The tart was 90 or 95% cinnamon bun and i could hardly find apples. Fruit tarts are usually more fruit than crust; thats what i expected. Apple cinnamon bun eould be a better description. Beautiful ambience indoors. Lots of parking behind the restaurant at 4 PM on a Friday.

Deliciousness is an understatement. Amazing fettuccini Alfredo made from scratch with some protein…read morein the side. Their pastry chef made the most delicious summer berry coffee cafe which I paired with a cappuccino. Hands down the best Italian restaurant in Jacksonville FL.

It's been a few years since my last visit to Taverna, so I was excited to give it another try…read more Starting with the positives: the space is absolutely gorgeous, and the service was impeccable from start to finish. We loved the gambas al ajillo -- the shrimp had great flavor and just the right amount of heat -- and the grilled sourdough was perfect for soaking up every bit of the delicious sauce. A few things fell short, though. Our table for two felt cramped, especially since it was positioned directly against a wooden divider. I was facing the back of the restaurant, so as right-hander, sitting up against the wall felt awkward and made the space feel even tighter. I'm a huge fan of seafood stews and almost always order them when I see one on the menu, so I was looking forward to the Sicilian Stew. While the overall flavor was good, it leaned a bit too salty for my taste. More disappointing was the fish itself -- it seemed cooked down and stirred into the broth to the point where it acted more like a thickener than a distinct part of the dish. I would have preferred visible pieces of fish with more texture and presence. Overall, the staff was warm and attentive, the service was excellent, and the food arrived promptly. Despite a few drawbacks, I'd still be open to giving Taverna another try in the future.

I am first timer here at Town Hall Jax. My friend who lives…read morein the area introduced me to this down town location. The server was on point and courteous and friendly. The food is delicious and seasoned to taste, you have to try dish of brussels sprouts, it had a sweet and light salty flavor. The restaurant was a small but elegant place but romantic for couples to enjoy and relax with dim lighting which met our expectations.

Came here tonight for a date night with my fiance with big expectations but unfortunately the…read moreweren't met :( When we entered the service was prompt and the atmosphere was great! The overall restaurant looked clean and great for a date night. We weren't feeling too hungry so we ordered the following based on the waitress and our friend's recommendations: 1) Crispy Brussels sprouts 2) Duck Fat Corn Bread 3) House made pasta + sugo The crispy brussels sprouts were a bit undercooked and lacked flavor but if you prefer a less crispy Brussel sprout dish I would recommend it over the duck fat corn bread. The duck fat corn bread was disappointing. It was an odd combination of flavors that did not mix very well. The corn bread was mushy and the crisp Napa cabbage with the random ranch/spicy sauce combo did not pair well and left my mouth feeling confused. I had high expectations for their house made pasta as they had a pasta maker out for viewing. The pasta was overcooked and every bite was an interesting mix of flavors...some bites salty...some bites unseasoned. There was barely any meat present and overall we ended up not finishing our meal and wrapping up the night. The only good thing we had was the homemade soda that I did not get a picture of but I believe was the hibiscus one. Overall I would recommend this place for drinks but not dinner.

Great breakfast place on this side of town. They have a front and back breakfast menu. Their…read moremimosas are wonderful. They do have small section for lunch options. If you prefer that when you visit. Everywhere looks clean and good condition. They seat you when you enter. Service is quick and friendly.

Less than a year ago, I would have called this place a gem, best-in-class value for classic…read moreAmerican breakfast and griddle fare -- but this place is going downhill at breakneck speed. Service is always friendly, but nearly every visit in the last four to six months has had at least one plate with soggy hash browns, undercooked eggs, or missing side dishes, things like that. The last time I tried to go there, the entire restaurant reeked of sewage backup; the men's room door was propped open, and in a restaurant that was basically empty, the host sat us right the hell next to it. For me, that was the last straw. We walked out before they could take our orders.

In my eyes the southern grille can do no wrong. Be it breakfast, lunch, or happy hour. I've had…read morebreakfast sandwiches, burgers, fish, quesadillas, sides and desserts and nothing has let me down. Sometimes I even pop in just for a smoked sweet potato. The staff are some of the friendliest around. I love they know my name when I walk in - which is impressive bc they see hundreds of people a day. Also carrying desserts by a third party - love the local supporting local mindset.

This is a hidden gem! Parking was tricky, but if you don't mind a short walk, you'll be fine. We…read morewere greeted when entering, and ordered at the counter/ bar. The menu is full of great choices. The restaurant is clean, and you can choose a table or a booth with outdoor seating available. Lots of TVs if you're into sports. There is a large aquarium with cool fish swimming around. I got the 4 vegetable plate. Okra, and tomatoes, red beans, pita, and hummus and a baked sweet potato. My husband had red beans and rice with spicy sausage. The food was brought to our table, hot , fresh, and full of flavor. The cornbread was excellent. We'll definitely return, and try their breakfast menu.

After the where do you want to go back and forth, again we landed at Metro. The food is always…read moregood. Service is great. Kim, Rocky & the other servers are awesome. It's a typical old fashioned looking diner where you see the cooks behind the counter. There's also a nice little outside covered patio if you'd like to sit outside. Today we had the grilled cheese & fries and their chicken parmesan. Both were really good. There's a lot of chicken in the parm. We also finished it off with their amazing peach tea and the delicious banana pudding bread pudding. The menu had great variety and have never been disappointed.

Servers are very nice. The meat lovers scramble was excellent. Cute neighborhood diner. Casual…read moreplace and glad it's in my neighborhood!