In life it's not where you go but who you are with……Charles Shultz
Vagabond Tales-Have a Taste of St. Augustine
February 1. Anastasia State Park, Florida
February 2 Travel Day to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee, Florida
The three of us spent our morning hiking out to the beach and doing the overlook. One more place that discriminates against dogs on the beach! Harry and Finn did the overlook and I walked out to feel the sand between my toes!Harry’s picture of me coming back from a good look. The beach was not crowded as you can see!
Harry and I have done food tours all over the country and thought it would be fun to check out Saint Augustine’s food scene. We were fortunate only two other people signed up to go. These trips…max 12 people and minimum 4. We broke bread with Judy our tour guide and a couple from Minnesota! We had a lot in common so it provided for great conversation. We met Judy at the St. Augustine skyscraper. I think she said it was six floors. The Tasting offices are on the fifth floor and Judy gave us a rare tour of them!
The upper right picture is an expensive wedding venue that used to be a bank. It resides on the first floor. The two bottom pictures are taken from the offices with views of Flagler College.
Our first restaurant – Athena…Greek cuisine…It was the first time we had ever experienced Saganaki a flamed cheese with pita. I hope it won’t be the last! Scrumptious! The waiter set it on fire and put the flames out with squeezed lemons. Short video below.
Next course…Cafe Alcazar in the Lightner Museum. Located in the former indoor swimming pool.
The pool, back in the day!We ate at the empty table in the front. Harry couldn’t hear what was being served and he just “dove” right in to the dish nearest him. I was eating the hummus on the other plate and Harry was eating from the dish in front of him. With a big grin he said, “ What is this that I am eating? It is really good.” I said…” ESCARGOT.” He said, Well, in Rome.” So I ate some, too. Not bad!Escargot is served!
Next, Judy walked us through the front entrance of the Flagler college. If you remember from the last blog, it was originally a Flagler owned and built, Hotel Ponce de Leon. What we saw was truly magnificent!”
Saint Augustine is getting a new type of bar. We took a sneak peek as we walked to our next restaurant. It wasn’t opened, but Judy talked them into letting us take a look. Whatever you get to drink, you can pick whichever rubber Ducky you want to float in it. I think it’s a bit strange. I’d say that’s quirky!!The little bathtub bench could be cute in a dressing room. So what do you think? Will this be a winner new business or a loser? Charcuterie board at Bin 39. Just so so! Judy just had to take our picture kissing under the “Love Tree”. Folk lore has it , if you kiss under this tree…you will never grow apart. Note the live oak tree hosting a palm tree. Judy says she does not think man grafted these to together but instead is a natural phenomenon.Last but certainly not least, Oreo Cheesecake…we think it was Bar Harbor Cheesecake…I should have taken pictures of the front of these restaurants but this is our best guess.The light house in Saint Augustine.
We traveled today and have settled into Kissimmee Prairie State Park site number 19. I will share more on it tomorrow!
They had a whole wall of mid-sized duckies on shelves but they weren’t tiny! I have trouble with ice in my water glass bumping into my nose…don’t think I would have any better luck with a ducky splashing my drink. Maybe once for a kick.
It was a wonderful day! Best of the trip, so far! I know…who wants a duck floating around in a beverage? The other half of the store is a soap store! Guess it goes well with their theme!
What fun! Good time to be in Florida. Cold here. Good memories of food tasting in Helena. Pictures of Finn?
Just made reservations for Glacier NP this summer.
Love to both
Love this post! What a very interesting food tour – what a great variety of food and locations. And a sweet Love Tree to top it off.
** Never knew you could put out fire with lemon juice??
hkdorr 
Love the pool restaurant. Not sure about the duck thing Are they full size rubber duckies??? The cheesecake looked, well AWESOME. J
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They had a whole wall of mid-sized duckies on shelves but they weren’t tiny! I have trouble with ice in my water glass bumping into my nose…don’t think I would have any better luck with a ducky splashing my drink. Maybe once for a kick.
Now that’s looking like FL! What a fun food tour. It all looked good. Ducks in a drink? Interesting, but I’d certainly try one 🙂
It was a wonderful day! Best of the trip, so far! I know…who wants a duck floating around in a beverage? The other half of the store is a soap store! Guess it goes well with their theme!
What fun! Good time to be in Florida. Cold here. Good memories of food tasting in Helena. Pictures of Finn?
Just made reservations for Glacier NP this summer.
Love to both
We loved Glacier! It is spectacular! Will Bill and Joyce be joining you?
Love this post! What a very interesting food tour – what a great variety of food and locations. And a sweet Love Tree to top it off.
** Never knew you could put out fire with lemon juice??