Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast
Chefs in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra, Florida, are busy working on signature dishes featuring local favorites and heritage-inspired flavors to offer during Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast.
Planned for the entire month of October, it showcases the region’s culinary diversity. Each of the participating restaurants is presenting a special “Chef’s Choice” prix fixe (fixed price) three-course meal. But — wait! — there’s more: a streetscape redesigned just for outdoor dining and events celebrating the region’s rich heritage and flavorful foods are planned.
These are the featured events for October:
* October 1 – 31: Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast – the “restaurant month” sponsored by the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau (where you can also find more information on visiting this part of Florida’s eastern shore).
* October 1: First Friday Art Walk – A walk through the art galleries in St. Augustine.
* October 1: Grand Re-opening of Aviles Street – The oldest street in the oldest city, Aviles Street has undergone a transformation to restore its original 17th century authenticity—complete with sidewalk dining.
* October 2: Hispanic Heritage Festival – An afternoon of Hispanic heritage featuring colonial Spanish re-enactors, flamenco dancing and Latin music.
* October 8 through 10: 13th Annual Greek Festival – A celebration of the Greek culture that is an integral part of St Augustine’s history.
* October 16: Cracker Day – Florida’s Country Cracker Heritage featuring bluegrass, horsemanship demonstrations and barbecue.
* October 23: Datil Pepper Festival – an event featuring the exceptionally hot little pepper that’s been a part St. Augustine’s epicurean history since the 1880s. Taste local dishes and purchase pepper products along with plants and garden décor – all at the St. Johns County Agricultural Fair.
* October 23: Oktoberfest Celebration – Lots of German beer, wine, food and entertainment!
* November 7: 25th Annual Great Chowder Debate – More than 30 area restaurants come together in a flavorful competition to decide who has the best chowder on Florida’s Historic Coast.
Located mid-way between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast features 42 miles of Atlantic beaches; the nations’ oldest city, St. Augustine, and the seaside resorts of Ponte Vedra.
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine continues to celebrate daily the flavors of Spain that were a rich part of the everyday life here for nearly 250 years. Combined with the Mediterranean culinary traditions brought to Florida’s Historic Coast by Minorcan and Greek colonists in the 18th century, the area offers both time-tested Old World favorites and cutting-edge culinary creations as new as today.
(Photo courtesy of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau)
