Last Minute Ideas for the Holidays
Need some last minute gift ideas for the culinarian on your list? Wondering where to find the perfect dessert for Christmas Eve? How about a spot for the whole family to ring in the New Year? We've got you covered, but you better hurry, as the season draws near.
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DINING OUT SUGGESTIONS
Town Hall: For the Wine Connoisseur
Because both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Wednesdays, Town Hall is moving their Wine Tastings to Thursdays during those weeks. The wine tasting on 12/26 will be a champagne tasting. And don’t miss the variety of offerings from special partner Coravin through December 24th. Enjoy a Coravin glass or flight to be entered to win a trip for two to California Wine Country. Holiday hours: Christmas Eve 4:30 – 9pm; New Year's Eve open at 4pm; closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. 2012 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, (904) 398-0726
Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails: Brunch with Santa
Stop buy on Sunday, December 22nd from 10am – 2:30pm for brunch with Santa! Have your photo taken with Santa and enjoy the brunch buffet including pancake bar, hot chocolate bar, NY strip carving station, chicken + waffles, shrimp + grits, smoked salmon, build-your-own biscuit bar, charcuterie + more! Be sure to make a reservation to ensure seating. Holiday hours: Christmas Eve 11:00 – 9pm; New Year's Eve open at 4pm; closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. 4972 Big Island Drive, Jacksonville, (904) 998-9744
Mezza Luna: Christmas Eve Specials
Make reservations for a special Christmas Eve dinner, with live holiday music by Trevor Tanner 6-9pm. 110 1st Street, Neptune Beach, (904) 249-5573
House of Leaf and Bean: Seasonal Favorites
Stop by for a return of their most popular organic seasonal items: Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Pumpkin Dumplings, Happy Gut Tea, Chai Latte and more. 14474 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, (904) 379-1291
Crane Ramen: Holiday Cocktail Menu
Stop by Crane Ramen on Dec. 18, as they host a cocktail event featuring a festive holiday cocktail menu and complimentary small bites compiled by Chef de Cuisine Miles Burnett. Also available for one week only at Crane Ramen, a carefully curated menu of seasonal bites and cocktails, including a whimsical eggnog-inspired drink and a classic hot toddy. 1029 Park Street, Jacksonville (904) 253-3282
Canopy Road Cafe: Breakfast for the Whole Family
December Specials include Fluffy Gingerbread Pancakes topped with a maple cream glaze, crumbled gingerbread cookies, powdered sugar and whipped cream, Mexican Hot Chocolate Toast, Avocado BLT Benny and BBQ Chicken Club. 12525 Philips Hwy #201, Jacksonville, (904) 379-8928
FEASTING AT HOME
Crème de la Cocoa: Desserts for all Occasions
Serve the perfect Christmas dessert without using a mixing bowl. Order one from Crème de la Cocoa and leave the creation (and the mess) to the professionals. Choose from Yule Log, Cookie Trays, Seasonal Pies and luscious cakes. Order online or at the shop. 299 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, (904) 466-9499
Pogo's Kitchen: An Elegant Meal to Go
This refined dining eatery will celebrate the holiday season with their popular Holiday To-go menu, featuring an option to order a full holiday meal, cooked and read for the family to enjoy. Order online. 1408 Lewis Street, Fernandina Beach, (904) 432-8483
1748 Bakehouse: Take and Bake Brioche Buns
Fill your home with the sweet, spicy scent of Warm Cardamom Brioche Buns on Christmas morning, available by the half dozen. Simply set the ready-to-bake tray into your oven and top buns with icing. Choose from Classic Warm Cardamom or Cranberry Orange. $22. Order online. 1748 N. Main Street, Jacksonville, (843) 283-1835
Medure Brothers: Dining Made Easy
Let the Medure Brothers' Chefs handle the cooking this year and enjoy a stress-free holiday. Build your own feast or choose a few a la carte favorites to supplement your meal. Pick up the morning of Christmas Eve from their Commissary Kitchen in San Marco. Orders due by 5:00 PM December 19th. Order your Holiday Dinner To-Go online. 2107 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, (904) 396-1213
Community Loaves: Baked Goodies
To complete your holiday buffet, be sure to place an order for Sourdough Bread, Cookie Boxes, Pies, Quiches, Buns and Sweet Breads. Order online and pick up at the bakery. 1120 Edgewood Ave South, Jacksonville, (904) 381-0097.
Routes: Culinary Travels: Local Goodness on a Plate
This private chef catering service has designed a holiday menu featuring local seafood and seasonal produce. Includes Spaghetti Squash Latkes, BBQ Local Shrimp with Pumpkin Polenta, Smoked Pork Tenderloin and Chocolate Pecan Tart. To order, contact Chef Josh Agan at routes.culinary@gmail.com (970) 274-2980.
GIFT IDEAS
Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails:
Buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 bonus card, available in-store and online. Plus, buy $100, get a $25 Bonus Card, only available in-store. Promotion through 12/24. 4972 Big Island Drive, Jacksonville, (904) 998-9744
Town Hall: Wine Accessories
Coravin systems + accessories are for sale at the restaurant for the duration of the promotion. A perfect gift for the wine lover on your list! 2012 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, (904) 398-0726
Crème de la Cocoa: Decorate with Chocolate
The best type of ornament - the edible kind! No need to store after you display this decoration, just eat it! Break open the hand- painted, hand-cast chocolate ornament dome filled with an assortment of chocolate truffles, holiday hard candies and festive sprinkles. A great gift for all ages, it comes in white, milk or dark chocolate. $20. Visit the sweet shop at 299 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, (904) 466-9499
Blue Orchid: A Taste of Thailand
Get an extra $10 on all $50 gift cards purchased through 12/24/2019. Order online or at the restaurant. 13475 Atlantic Blvd #32, Jacksonville, (904) 723-1300
Bleu Chocolat: Sweet Gifts
Don’t forget sweets for the sweet this holiday season.Create a basket filled with your choice of chocolate and sweet treats baskets, including Cookie Tins, Truffle Boxes, BonBons, Chocolate Ornaments, Santas and Stockings. 1602 Walnut St., Jacksonville, (904) 379-2610
River and Post: Rooftop Views and Drinks
Buy $100 worth of gift cards, receive $20 worth of gift cards free, now through Christmas. Buy online or at the restaurant. 1000 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, (904) 575-2366
Kookaburra Coffee: Share some Bling
Share your love for the Kook with special offerings of coffee and bling. Choose Holiday Bundles, a gift box containing their newest coffee release, a mug and a t shirt of your choice, or a Pin Pack, a set of 3 soft enamel pins featuring the new Kooks Only pin. Find locations here.
Intan's Kitchen and Bakery: Global Flavors
Order one of the special holiday treats for your next party or to give as a gift. Choose from these Indonesian specialties: Lapis Legit (thousand layered cake), Nastar (pineapple cookies), Kaasstengels (cheese sticks), Kue Kacang (peanut butter cookies) or Semprit (flower-shaped butter cookies). Available to ship in the U.S. Order at intansculinary@gmail.com, 904.613.2288
St. Augustine Distillery: The Holiday Spirits
You’ll find the perfect present for the bourbon-lover on your list at the St. Augustine Distillery, with several special packages available in the Gift Shop. The Port Finished Bourbon Holiday Special includes a King Size Ice Mold and Engraved Rocks Glass. 112 Riberia Street, St. Augustine, (904) 825-4962
True Food Kitchen: Healthy Eats
Give the gift of True this holiday season! During the month of December, buy $100 in gift cards and receive a $20 bonus card (valid in-store January 1 – March 31, 2020). 5205 Big island Drive, Jacksonville, (904) 996-7333
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails: The Last Shindig
Come out to the last bash at Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails before they make the switch to Prati Italia in January 2020. Enjoy all your Moxie favorites and party into the new year! New Year's Eve open at 4pm. 4972 Big Island Drive, Jacksonville, (904) 998-9744
Town Hall: A Night in San Marco
Make plans for a 4-course tasting menu ($70 per person) with options including ceviche, Maine lobster, housemade pasta, New York Strip + more! Plus, enjoy special pricing on bubbles all night, a Champagne toast at midnight and complimentary after-dinner offerings, including gourmet cotton candy and light bites. 2012 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, (904) 398-0726
Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach: Roaring Twenties Party
Usher in 2020 with a roaring 20's New Year's Eve Celebration. Come and experience a unique party on Tuesday December 31st, 7:30 pm to 12:30 am. There will be a special VIP viewing area of the famous Beach Blast Off fireworks on the oceanfront lawn. Live entertainment from Empire East, an open bar and incredible food. Guests are encouraged to dress the theme or dress to impress. This will be one New Year's Eve celebration to remember. Reservations here. 300 A1A Beach Boulevard, St. Augustine, (904) 461-9004
Jax Cooking Studio: Party for the Kids or Adults Only
Happy Noon Year’s Eve Party, December 31 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bring the kids and ring in 2020 with a fun cooking party! As you cook a celebratory meal, count-down to noon and ring in the New Year with a sparkling cider toast! Adults: $55; Bring a child up to age 14 with a Registered Adult for $30. Reserve tickets here.
Roaring 20’s NYE Small Plates, December 31 from 6:30-9 p.m. Have a roaring good time as the usher in 2020! In honor of the Roaring 20’s they will cook up some elegant small bites from the era to ring in the New Year! Reserve tickets here. 14035 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, (904) 742–5906
Mezza Luna Ristorante: Cheers to a New Year
Make plans for a gourmet evening to usher in the new year. Specials and an a la carte menu for New Year's Eve. 110 1st Street, Neptune Beach (904) 249-5573
Pogo's Kitchen: Amelia Island New Year's
Chef Heckman is creating a four-course prix-fixe menu, with available wine pairing option, for diners on New Year’s Eve. Make reservations here. 1408 Lewis Street, Fernandina Beach, (904) 432-8483