Another fun Friday Night in StA! Malbec Mania wine tasting at the Gifted Cork. 7 Malbec Wines from Argentina and one bonus surprise wine – Jeanne’s favorite Malbec and the first case of Malbec she and her husband bought together. We enjoyed great wines, a cheese plate, information on the grape, region, and each wine poured, met new wino’s—I mean fun, friendly, people in our neighborhood. We took 4 bottles home with us—3 featured in the wine tasting and a Provençal Rosé; because 1) the bottle was beautiful and 2) it was a delicious dry rose, perfect for the warmer days ahead. And bonus, as members of their wine club we got an additional 10% off. Who doesn’t love a wine discount!
So quickly on their wine club, $60 a quarter, 2 free wine tastings a month, 2 free bottles of wine a month, and 10% off on all purchases. If you are local and a wino you need to go see Jeanne and sign up for her wine club and start enjoying the perks! Tell her Phil and Dee sent you.
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
2023.5.10 Prologue: Started this project a year ago but had to put it on hold…so much happened so quickly: Mother had a series of strokes, then she passed, we had to get her house ready to sell, we both got sick, Phil was in hospital, job changes—I guess you call that life! So here is my first blog albeit a year late!
2022.5.10 / We’re Here!
We always knew we would be back. Philip lived in America’s Europe for over 20 years. He had a business on St. George Street (a story for another day). This is where we met. We lived together in a small apartment for a year—we called it the Hobbit House because the front façade was hidden with vines and the bedroom window was the only thing not hidden by vines. But family commitments took us away.
We arrived late and starving with both of our Kia Soul’s completely packed; they hold a lot of stuff! We grabbed a few necessary items: toiletries, sheets, air mattress and bath towels and then ventured out for a bite to eat. It was mid-week, so most places were closed or serving drinks only. But we lucked out and found Casa Reina, a taco tequila bar still serving food. We sat at a table outside with a view of the Bridge of Lions and the Bayfront. The Mexican Flamingo: El Tesoro Blanco, Pamplemousse, lime and a dash of Peychaud’s went down fast so we ordered another round. I had the Veggie Tacos and Philip had the Mexican Sushi. Both were delicious and light. Perfect for a late night dinner. And then we walked less than 200 steps to our new apartment. Giddy at the sound of, ready to walk home, we are home, this is our home now.
Mexican Flamingo Cocktail
Moving can be tedious and tiresome. Our first two nights we found ourselves sleeping on that air-mattress. Night one was ok, we pretty much were exhausted from travel and carrying numerous boxes up 18 stairs and then 14 more for the master suite.
It was unseasonably cool for May in St. Augustine, so we opened all the windows when we first arrived and marveled at the breeze. The next morning, we woke at 6:00 AM to the sound of church bells…6 gongs followed by a chorus of bells. We weren’t bothered in the least.
Instead, we got up and took a walk. First stop Kookaburra Café on Cathedral. We sat at a table outside and watched the city come alive. Apparently, we arrived just in time as a line formed around 7:00AM—Soccer Moms, Students, the Deacon from the church next door, a Golden Retriever with his owner, a few early bird tourists. The line moved quickly. The coffee was delicious—smooth and rich. I understand they roast their coffee at another location. I like that!
After our coffee we took a leisure stroll on St. George Street. We peeked in the windows of the shops—a mix of tourist t-shirts and seashells, artisan shops, and restaurants and bars. Looping back along the Bayfront we passed the Fort: Castillo de San Marcos, Hotels, B&B’s and more restaurants and bars. Then back home – still loving the sound of that – we put in a full morning of emptying our cars, cleaning, and unpacking followed by Target, Wal-Mart, and Publix for all the things you need when you are moving into a new place. But the most important stop that day was Mattress Firm. As tired as we were from moving, I’m surprised we didn’t fall asleep trying them out. Best news – they could deliver it Friday. So only one more night on the air mattress.
Kookaburra Cafe on Cathedral
By the time the mattress arrived on Friday we had put in another full day of unpacking including several trips to our storage unit here. Once we knew we were coming back we secured a unit and started bringing things over. We have a lot of stuff!!! Garage sale? Facebook Market place? Regardless stuff needs to go! We are downsizing from a 3 bedroom 1 ½ bath home with a formal dining room and a flex room that was our art studio, 1920 square feet, to a 750 square foot apartment. And we are good with that!
After an hour nap on the new mattress (it was hard to keep it to an hour), and a nice hot shower, we ventured out for dinner. We walked around the corner to our local Gastro Pub—Forgotten Tonic, shared some appetizers—Montenegro Meatballs and Cajun Egg Rolls (both good), I had a glass of wine, Philip had a cocktail, we met new people, and made friends with the Mixologist Chris—always a good thing! Our local Gastro Pub is our new go-to place. America’s Europe, we’re here! And we feel alive!
Ciao!
Philip and Dee
Images: Forgotten Tonic (3), Smallest Dishwasher ever, kitchen is all unpacked, we have a bed!
Living in America's Europe 