By Jeff Stolowitz
Photos By Jeff Stolowitz On any other night Wednesdays around here is Bike Night with hundreds of Riders going back and forth to end up at Main Street Station or Bam Bam's but this week we were once again lucky to be invited to the Wine Dinner Series at The Shores Resort and Spa. Something a little magical occurred this night as the dinner featured a duet called Memory Lane playing. in that duet is a guitarist who plays with the Band Miss Intent one of the most popular bands now in our area. With St Francis wines as the headliner having Memory Lane was the touch that caused the dinner to be the most interactive dinner since we started attending them, about 30 attendees were treated to a fabulous 4 course extravaganza. With the first course arriving the wine began swirling, a 2015 Chardonnay, Buttery and balanced, the wine had the perfect nose of peach and burnt oak. It paired with Chef Patrick Ransom's Sassafras infused White Lafourche Shrimp Gumbo. A shining example of what working with fresh ingredients can mean. . Next up was the ORA KING a farm raised fatty Salmon from New Zealand bred to be just that fatty and flavorful this paired with my favorite wine of the evening the 2015 Pinot Noir a shining example of a 100% Pinot Noir with clarity and visuals that leave you shaking your head. I asked for another glass. lest not forget the Golden Beets that added an earthy undertone that made this dish an experience. We chatted a bit with food blogger for the West Volusia Beacon Ryan Rougeux and I both agreed this was a special meal and then the third course arrived. Ox Tail Osso Bucco, yes it was and not since my days eating a Blue Ribbon Restaurant in NYC delving in Bone Marrow with Oxtail Marmalade have I melted into a dish so eagerly. For me this was the highlight of everything great they have done this year. Of course it was paired with a Cabernet Blend 2014 it needs that tannin to cut through the delicious cartilage, marrow meet and fat that made me want more. The evening finished with a dessert few would endeavor to attempt a 10 layer Crepe Cake, Chocolate & Raspberry yummy goodness and the tenacious Chef Ransom pulls another Rabbit out of the hat and completes the meal with a 2015 Old Vine Zin reminiscent of what you'd expect roots, earth, bittersweet chocolate the perfect touch to a perfect meal. The Shore Resort & Spa 2637 S Atlantic Ave (32.41 mi) Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118 Get Directions www.shoresresort.com
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The Winners
Millie's Restaurant and Catering A fantastic small family eatery. One of the best dining spots to open in years. The freshest fish and locally sourced produce are a key ingredient to this eatery headed by Chef Jeremy Wimmer Creative and affordable. Floridian Cuisine no doubt. We recommend Shoestring fries and Pineapple Upside Down Cake Bonus they deliver. A fantastic addition to the Daytona Shores scene. WINNER: BEST NEW RESTAURANT Off the Hook at Inlet Harbor
This place is quintessential Florida. Situated at Ponce Inlet, the entire restaurant was rebuilt by Restauranteur Michael Schaler after it was destroyed by the last two Hurricanes. A brand new look and feel combined with the fish from the area that literally jump off the boat into your plate. Live music and a friendly upbeat staff make this the Shangri La of Dining in our area WINNER: COMEBACK OF THE YEAR Azure in the Shores Resort and Spa (Daytona Shores)
The chef became the F&B Manager but that has not affected anything regarding the delicious food. Most certainly the view has not changed. A mainstay in the hospitality industry in our area. The creativity is still a focus as is the way they incorporate exotic produce to pair with aged steaks or Piranha Ribs. Pricey but worth it. WINNER: BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT DINING & BEACHFRONT VIEW Ice Plant (St. Augustine)
About as unique place as you will ever find anywhere in the world. The Ice Plant was exactly that at the turn of the century. The building now converted serves up a blend of contemporary cuisine mixed with a craft cocktail hipster bar, Shaped Ice Cubes, Smoke and Steel WINNER: MOST UNIQUE EATERY Main Street Station (Daytona Beach)
By an overwhelming margin Main Street Station is the place to visit. Concerts, Fashion Shows, Fundraisers, Comedy, Culture, History and so much more. The owner Phaedra Lee has created and preserved Daytona's cultural iconic building owned by NASCAR's Bill France As she likes to say #lifesbetterinthegarage No loss for diversity either as they host Latin Night, Blues Night, Bike Night and Comedy Night on a monthly basis. Paired with bigger shows Main Street Station is the place locals call home. WINNER: BEST PLACE OVERALL The Seabreeze Entertainment District (Daytona Beach)
Richard Kitt is an eclectic entrepreneur to say the least. He has created a strip of bars and eateries he collectively named the Seabreeze Entertainment Center. It is locally known for its 420 munchies and best burgers. They host an incredible array and blend of local talent along with some very unique underground national acts. We call this the incubator and it is great to catch some of the young talented teens that play on the outside stage fondly called The Patio. WINNER: BEST LATE NIGHT 420 MUNCHIES Cocina 214 (Daytona Beach)
Opened in 2018 the is the first brand new restaurant opened on the beach in decades. Mexican food, fresh margaritas and fajitas. The view is like no other in Daytona Beach as you dine outside facing the immense Atlantic Ocean. There is nowhere else in Daytona they have fresh Homemade Tortillas and the Ceviche is always fantastic WINNER: BEST MEXICAN, SECOND PLACE FOR OCEANFRONT DINING Sunsetters Riverfront Bar and Grill (Daytona Beach)
The view is spectacular when the sunsets, its the perfect spot during Biketoberfest and Bike Week to view the Motorcycles as they cross over the Mainstreet Bridge. Live music on the deck, sunset shots, and a tasty menu are just part of this slice of Florida in Daytona Beach. Fried Softshell Crab Sandwich, Loaded Chicken Tenders, Oysters and a Free Sunset Shot Every night and the traditional blowing of the Conch greets patrons as they watch the sky go by. WINNER: BEST SUNSET DINING Burgey's Tiki Hut (Daytona Beach)
Now in their second year Burgey's is a great find on the Beachside, Mainstreet in Daytona Beach. There Crinkle Cut fries are second to none and the Burgess family has embedded itself in the heart of our community featuring local musicians and incredible fish tacos and the incredible Walking Taco WINNER: MOST FRIENDLY BEST SERVICE The Bounty at Flagler Tavern (New Smyrna Beach)
Our best kept secret. Upscale perfection on Flagler Ave in New Smyrna Beach. Craft Cocktails with a unique viewing perspective of one of the oldest cities in America , New Smyrna. The attention to detail is incredible. A must for the foodie in you. WINNER: BEST SPEAK EASY By Jeff Stolowitz
Staff Writer Photo Contributors Jeff Stolowitz Karen Romano Adams One of the best things about Daytona Beach is that it is the World's Most Famous Beach and recently it has been absolutely living up to its reputation with the openings of Millie's Restaurant and Catering in the Daytona Shores and Off the Hook at Inlet Harbor in Ponce Inlet followed by the grand openings of Cocina 214 and the Landshark Bar & Grill on Beachside and that is just the tip of the iceberg. It sure has been chilly this winter but things heated up this week call meeting with the ribbon cutting at both places VIP events on Wednesday night and Thursday showcased incredible food that both places have to offer and the hospitality that will be shown guests as they come to these places Fresh Tortillas freshly made margaritas and LandShark beer that Jimmy Buffett made famous are but just a few of the things that people can try while visiting these places featuring outdoor bars, fire pits an outdoor stage, shopping and access to the beach. For vision this new Daytona Beach look is striking with it's Ocean Backdrop. It took guts to pull this off in a short 6 Month period. We have an album of photos showing various phases of construction xxxx Insert Gallery. It is also certain that the music scene already booming with places like Main Street Station, Sunsetters Riverfront Bar and Grill, and now Burgey's Tiki Hut. Will no doubt bring new talent and offer local musicians new places to entertain. Event Promotion and planning are on the rise and so it goes. With the Mayor Derrick Henry, The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, Executives from Tomoka Consolidated, County Executives, Owners, friends and families from both locations, a full staff and a crowd of about 200 people cheering, the ribbons were cut and Restaurant History was made Behind Daytona Make your reservations now!!! FULL PHOTO ALBUM By Stknthe80's Photography By Jeff Stolowitz Daytona Beach Behind Daytona was fortunate enough today to get a hard hat tour of the brand new Cocina 214 that's going to be opening beachside on A1A in Daytona at the end of January. The building is nearing completion and the owner and founder of Cocina 214, Lambrine Macejewski was telling us how she's going to having a job fair onsite Jan 2nd, and can't wait to start hiring locals. Training begins soon. Lambrine Macejewski by all accounts is the exact type of entrepreneur the city is beginning to attract. As we talked with her she mentioned that restaurants are in her blood. Having been in the industry for 40 years I could see the drive and passion in her eyes. It is unmistakable. They light up when you ask her questions like, what type of entertainment they will provide and she pointed to an area between Cocina and the soon to open by Jimmy Buffett. Saying, “that will be green space with access to the ocean, it will be shared and they intend on doing outdoor sit on the lawn events.” The restaurant will hold 345 people and is an impressive 7857 square feet. It features an outside Tiki Bar, Private Dining area, outdoor fire pits and views from inside of the Atlantic Ocean. Breathtaking and fantastically planned the contractor and master builder John McCann was able to get the best out of this space. It's impressive. He even thought through the material that will be used to make the bar outside so that it will weather the extreme elements we can experience on the beach. A massive kitchen will allow Executive Chef Isidoro Alvarez and his team to focus on their inventive Tex-Mex cuisine with fresh local ingredients and made from scratch dishes, can you say “Homemade Tortillas”. While there will be a wide variety of wine and beer and a full bar, Lambrine is all about the Margaritas, made always with fresh lime juice and ingredients. This means tequila, lots of it. Coquina will be an awesome compliment to the growing dining scene in the city. It will be the first restaurant to open on the beach in decades and by all accounts signals the great boom in Daytona is here and here to stay. We are looking forward to the Grand Opening and to many years of dining on the ocean drinking margaritas and eating Tex-Mex cuisine at this location. Dining Beachside on Facebook Behind Daytona or Online Behind Daytona Cocina 214 357 S.Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach,Florida 32118 www.cocina214.com Behind Daytona is Sponsored by |
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