2023.5.11
The Conch House on Anastasia Island has been there for over 70 years, and I have never been there. It is on the Intracoastal Waterway, and boasts not only a restaurant, but a bar with live music, a Marina, and a Motel. It’s a fabulous outdoor space with a very cool Polynesian vibe. It was a beautiful Thursday evening and we just wanted to go out to eat, some place outdoors, and Phil suggested the Conch House. He kept talking about the ‘bird houses’. Ok, the ‘bird houses’ are Tiki Huts on the edge of the deck that hover over the water. And they are very cool!
Because the Tiki Huts are so cool there is a wait list—they are first come first serve and they do not take reservations. But the wait was only 15-20 minutes, so we went to the Conch House Lounge – a cool hut 300 feet out over the water. It has the beach vibe people love when on the water in Florida. Carved totems, a grate in the floor where you see the water and the oyster beds on the dock pilings, a spiral staircase reminiscent of a light house that takes you to a crow’s nest lounge—half circular seating, a large cocktail table, a beautiful view of the water. I envision young hip people vying for that spot on a weekend night, dressed beautifully, sipping their cocktails and leaving the work week behind.
Outdoors on the dock is where the live music is. There is both covered (umbrellas) and uncovered seating. You can see where the fish boats come in with their catch from that day. It does not get any fresher than that. It could be very easy to just sit there and stare at the water, sip on a cocktail, and watch the day turn into night. But we were hungry, and I received a text that our table was ready.
In our ‘bird’s nest’ view we sipped on our drinks, watched an egret fish for his dinner, listened to the music wafting over from the Conch House Lounge, watched the boats cruising by, and basically, we just relaxed in the moment and the beauty of the environment and the evening.
Dinner was delicious! Heads up, I have a shellfish allergy so for me the choices were a bit limited. I had the Minorcan Catch—because I saw the fresh catch just a few minutes ago, Phil had the Jamaican Jerk Chicken. He is a big fan of ‘jerk’ sauce and has spent a lot of time in Jamaica. He loved his dinner. As I said we were starving, so we ate everything and had no leftovers. We did however take a Key Lime Pie to go. I’ll let you know how it is!
It was worth it to get in the car and drive over the bridge! Good food, great atmosphere, great service, cool vibe. I know I have used the word cool a lot – that’s because it really is a very cool place. Check it out.
The Conch House | 57 Comares Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32080 | 904.829.8646
Having a wonderful time, wish you were here!
Living the dream in StA!
Ciao!
Philip and Dee
Links:
Living in America's Europe 