Margarita Festival? … me? … the Jax Brew Bitch? … years ago,
upon hearing about such a thing, I would have been instantly donning my
sombrero and doing my interpretation of the Jarabe Tapatio all the way to the
Morocco Shrine Center ( 3800 St. John's Bluff Rd. - 904.642.5200 ) where this
year's Folio Weekly Margarita Festival was being held.
However, since my focus has been on craft beer, I wondered
if I was too far removed from the “Tequila Appreciation Studies” portion of my
life to be able to enjoy anything being presented Friday (June 22) at the
event.
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| Where's my sippy cup? |
Being ever the adventurous sort, I accepted the gracious
invitation extended to companion and me by Scott Russell of North Florida
Sales. By the reflection in my laptop screen, I had the impression I saw Tinker
Beer, the Brew Fairy faint and fall backward off my shoulder.
Scott would have several products on display that evening
and I decided if nothing else, I would enjoy the food being provided by the
various vendors (please forgive me for any I missed):
O' Brothers Irish Bar
Poe's Tavern
Fionn's MacCool's Irish Restaurant & Pub
Whisky River
Tijuana Flats
El Ranchito Restaurant
Applebee's Restaurant
Le Petite Cheri Cupcakery
Bahama Breeze
Nipper's Beach Bar & Grill
Libretto's Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
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| Barbie's Margarita Stemware |
I decided this would be a great venue to have our friends
and associates, ReelFLA Productions attend and gather some video and photo
footage for themselves and Jax Brew Bitch. George Deacon and Bobby Bergeron
head up this avant-garde production company with headquarters at CoRK. Please
check out their YouTube Channel, the link to which is included below. Their
talent is very impressive and their dedication to the Great Jacksonville area
is significant and real.
George and Bobby met us at the Morocco Shrine Center around
6:00 pm, the scheduled start of the event. Upon entering, we were cordially
greeted and provided a small glass to use for tastings and a raffle ticket to
use to vote for our favorite food vendor of the evening.
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| "Scotch Eggs" from O'Brother's Irish Pub |
We headed straight for the food! ... the early crowd had
surrounded the tables set up by Poe's Tavern and O'Brothers. Poe's Tavern was
offering delicious fish tacos with a slice of lime and O'Brothers was
presenting scrumptious Scotch Eggs in
quartered sections served atop a ladled portion of a tasty dipping sauce.
Starting in a clockwise rotation from there, I stopped at a table presented by 91.5 WAPE where I won, by spinning a wheel, my choice of movie tickets to see “Ted”
or a water bottle. Opting for the water bottle, I noticed companion had deviated
from our rotation to check out a chocolate flavored vodka at a table one level
down. Joining him, I tried it and it was good – reminding somewhat of the
chocolate wine I sometimes enjoy.
The rest of our time there was spent zig-zagging across the
large auditorium visiting each food vendor, and approaching drinks vendors -
sampling some, passing on others and deliberately avoiding at least one table
with Jose Quervo because of the warnings of the “Ghost of Pass-Outs Past” -
youthful memories – or lack thereof – of an earlier focus in my life.
Now, don't get me wrong – this was a FANTASTIC event for
those whose tastes run along the lines of tequilas, margaritas and blends
- trust me, I even liked a blend
presented of Patron Silver and a white apple liqueur. However, my palate – and
motivation – has changed through the years, so I knew I would not stay until
the scheduled end of the Festival (10:00 pm).
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| Margarita and Pina Colada Cup Cakes |
All the food was marvelous – a sincere well-done to each
vendor for creating such unique offerings for attendees. I noted that many of
those providing the drink samples had some knowledge about what they were
providing which certainly made trying something more interesting. A distant,
nostalgic wave to the tequila and other liquor distributors, reps and vendors
for their informative and friendly participation at the Festival – obviously on
top of their game.
I was hoping to find someone offering bottled water (or selling
beer!) but I didn't notice any. The crowd was getting significantly larger as
the evening progressed and the talented DJ was getting the crowd moving and
dancing on the dance floor.
Crowds of folks whose preferences are centered on tequila
and margaritas have a different motivating force behind their drinking than I
do. As I have stated before, I drink craft beer “for fellowship”, not “for
effect”. I am in no way dissing the
crowd at the event – all were very friendly and having a great time – but their
excitement is for the feeling they get from imbibing the liquor and any
resulting “activity” just “different” than mine, that's all.
I was excited to get some photos with Scott, his supervisor
Gentry and his On-Premise supervisor Keith. Their tables encircled the dance
floor and I believe I did try something from each of those tables.
It was halfway through the festival I decided it was
high-time for a beer! … we thanked Scott for his generosity and Bobby and
George for their fellowship and professional participation and left those two
there at event so they could enjoy themselves without “Ma and Pa” !
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| The Three Muses Beauties |
The Morocco Shrine Center is an amazing place and my
feelings for it and the Shriners are still the same as I mentioned in my post
about the Folio Weekly Beer and Music Festival.
Folio Weekly Margarita Fest 2012
O' Brothers Irish Pub
Poe's Tavern
Fionn's MacCool's Irish Restaurant & Pub
Whisky River
Tijuana Flats
El Ranchito Restaurant
Applebee's Restaurant
Le Petite Cheri Cupcakery
Bahama Breeze
Nipper's Beach Bar & Grill
Libretto's Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
Morocco Shrine Center
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| Engine 15 Brewing Co. Ramming Speed |
Okay, 8:15 pm and time for the Jax Brew Bitch to get
“beer-centric” once again! … companion, please whisk me away to Engine 15
Brewing Company! (1500 Beach Boulevard – Jax Beach –
904.249.2337)
Entering Engine 15, it took a couple of minutes to realize
it was indeed Kevin behind the bar! … he had shaved his significant mustache
for charity a few weeks ago, raining over $600! … Kevin is always so
personable, gracious and professional - he always helps make our visits to
Engine 15 spectacular.
I couldn't precisely remember the name of what I wanted to
try, so I made a feeble attempt to mention it, using a butchered combination of
words. Kevin has known me long enough to be able to translate – or decipher –
my cryptic guesses on obscure brew names that he was able to clarify that what
I was ordering was actually the Engine 15 Brewing Company's Ramming Speed
Black IPA. Oh yeah! … that's what I meant! … full-bodied dark and flavorful
Black IPA – delicious!
Companion had selected ice water to cleanse his palate from
the Margarita Festival but he did enjoy a few sips of my Ramming Speed.
We wanted to run by another place while on that side of
town, so we bid farewell to Kevin and I thank him for exemplary customer
service and Engine 15 for always being a consistent enjoyable stop on Jax Brew
Bitch Prowls.
Engine 15 Brewing Company
The other place we wanted to visit was Green Room Brewing
(228 3rd Street North – Jax Beach - 904.201-9283 ).
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Green Room Brewing - Saint Somewhere Brewing
Company's Carolin Saison |
There was a sizable crowd when we entered and were greeted
warmly by our friends Mark and Kathy who were seated at a table with some of
their friends. They introduced us and invited us to join them. Companion and I
walked over to the bar and noticed that Molly, Christina and Jason were
effecting serving patrons that evening. Another Terrific Trio! … Molly took our
order of the Green Room Brewing Anniversary Secret Spot and Saint Somewhere
Brewing Company's Caroline Saison.
The Secret Spot was aged at Green Room within Maker's Mark
barrels and the Caroline has an amazing flavor brought about by its brewing
with coffee beans!
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| Green Room Brewing - Secret Spot |
We enjoyed some good fellowship with Mark, Kathy and their
friends as we sipped our tasty brews … so good ... and I was relieved to be
back in my beer-centered Happy Place! …
Jason, Molly and Christina were once again spectacular. I
thank them for their wonderful service, provided so effectively even when Green
Room is slammed.
Thank you to Mark and Kathy for their friendship and to Eric
and the rest of the crew at Green Room Brewing for providing a safe, clean and inviting
environment for this relaxing stop on that evening's Jax Brew Bitch Prowl.
Green Room Brewing
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| Taking on T-Rex ... |
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| Matsuya Sushi and Grill |
Both Tinker Beer and the Freakin' Fried Fairy were waiting
for me as I buckled in for our trip back home. The Freakin' Fried Fairy was
consoling Tinker Beer and started chiding me about attending a non-beer related
event earlier in the evening. I explained I had ventured “back to beer” later
on and that we were now done for the night.
Or so I thought … on the way westward on Beach Boulevard, I
remembered that Matsuya Sushi and Grill (11380
Beach Boulevard – 904.996.0008) was just up ahead at the Winn Dixie Shopping
Center at the southwest corner of the intersection of St. Johns Bluff Road and
Beach Boulevard
On a very early Jax Brew Bitch Prowl (Dec 2011), I had been excited
to learn they offered late-night sushi on certain evenings and was impressed
with their customer service and youthful, energetic and motivated management.
I asked companion to pull in so that I could find out if we
could have a sushi roll or two. Immediately, the Freakin' Fried Fairy and
Tinker Beer prepared to vanish, saying something like “We don't even KNOW
you, right now” as they departed.
Just as we pulled into the parking lot, the “OPEN” sign was
turned off and I was SO disappointed. However, I noticed a young man had exited
the building and was speaking on his cell phone and sitting on a chair outside.
I rolled down my window and inquired if they were still serving.
I was pleased and impressed the young man explained they
were just closing but to please come in if we wanted sushi! … WooHoo! …
As we entered, we noticed they had completed some remodeling
since our visit in December, 2011 and the alterations certainly improved the
ambiance. I learned the young man seated outside inviting us in was the owner,
Jacky Chen – and he made sure I knew his last name was spelled with an “e” and
not an “a”! … Jacky is so friendly and has a great sense of humor!
I inquired if they still had the late-night sushi (like
after midnight) as they did on certain Wednesdays back in December and he
replied that they indeed did but not on a regularly scheduled basis. Beer-Pong
events necessitate the late nights but he said if a large enough crowd
approached him for such a late-hour dinner, he would certainly accommodate.
Jokingly inquiring if I would participate in karaoke, I told
him, “I would have to be drinking” - that led to discussions of what I would be
drinking - which led to me indicating I felt sake was an excellent drink for
sushi dinners.
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| Sake and Quail Eggs Shooters |
Jacky quickly disappeared into the back and returned
carrying a tray with a sake carafe and three small sake cups. He said he
sometimes likes to share sake with his customers and I noticed as he sat down
at our table, there were three quail eggs on the tray, as well. Now, I have had
quail eggs on top of seaweed-wrapped fish roe and this is like dessert for me –
the quail egg is almost sweet in contrast to the salty brine of fish eggs.
But what was Jacky going to do with these quail eggs? ...he
started cracking/peeling them and then broke them over each cup to allow the
egg yoke to drop into the bottom of the cups … huh? … I was wondering what the
combination of the quail egg and sake would produce. Jacky pointed out that
the hot sake “cooks” the egg to some degree while we let the cups set for about
30 seconds. Then, we drank the sake – sake shooter style – and the quail egg
yoke tasted like thick, almost sweet, cream at the end. Amazing and delicious –
you MUST try this! …
We looked over the impressive sushi menu available at
Matsuya and selected the following:
Dynamite Roll ($6.20) – fresh salmon, krab meat &
asparagus deep fried - with mayo, hot sauce and eel sauce
Shrimp Tempura Roll ($4.75) – cucumber, fish eggs
with eel sauce
Spicy Tuna Roll ($5.20) – self explanatory
Philadelphia Roll ($4.75) – cream cheese & krab
meat
JB Roll ($4.75) – smoked salmon & cream cheese
The preparation and presentation by Sushi Chef Domingo was
excellent! … I was able to speak with Domingo a little and learned he is from
Guatemala and loves living in the United States. He is very talented – just
look at the photos!
The sushi rolls were magnificent! … the items used as
garnish are edible and delicious, too – so, at the end of the meal, the huge
plate was empty.
Jacky introduced us his lovely wife Huan and the newest
addition to their family, their daughter – they also have a son at home. Great
family – great staff – Jacky is a lucky man, indeed!
Jacky also explained something they offer which blew my
mind – Sushi Classes on certain Sundays from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Cost is $29 per
person and it is all-you-can-make & eat sushi for those four hours. They
only do pre-paid reservations and community seating is the order of the day.
For instance, the booth at which companion and I were seated would accommodate
four people, so during Sushi Classes, you and your significant other will be
sharing that booth with two other people. Jackie instructs each student to use
the name tags he provides for the class so that you will be motivated to mingle.
Sell-outs are common, so allow time to arrange your visit.
Think of it – all-you-can-eat sushi for $29 per person PLUS
you learn to make it yourself! … for an extra $10 per person, you can have
all-you-can-drink sake! … I feel a S&S (sushi & sake) night coming
soon! … the next classes are Sunday, July 15 & July 29, 2012.
Call Jacky NOW (904.996.0008 ) and get your pre-paid
reservations!
My heartfelt appreciation to Jacky and Huan for being such
gracious hosts and for sharing the sake! .. and to Domingo for a spectacular
sushi dinner. Most significantly, my congratulations to Jacky and Huan for
their close family relationship and for maintaining the same top-notch service
and food quality we experienced over six months ago at Matsuya Sushi & Grill
… a most memorable and exciting experience during this unusual Jax Brew Bitch
Prowl!
Matsuya Sushi and Grill
Okay, so NOW we were through for the night, right? … Nope …
not yet …
Our route home took us tantalizingly close to “Beer Central”
for Jacksonville - Kickbacks
Gastropub! (910 King Street – 904.388.9551)
Not having any room available for even the smallest bite of
food, it was companion's fault for letting me know Kickbacks had Highland
Brewing Company's Kashmir IPA on tap! … no respectable Brew Bitch could
pass this close to that delicious nectar without stopping for a pint, right? …
and guess what? … even on a Friday night (Saturday morning), we found a parking
spot right in front across the street!
As expected, Kickbacks was packed but we soon found seating
at the bar. We met a wonderful and beautiful young woman. Rolanda, sitting at
the bar awaiting food-to-go for her hospital-bound fiancee. She was such a
sweetheart and surprised us with the gift of our round of beer which consisted
of the aforementioned Highland Brewing Company's Kashmir IPA and out
most favorite and treasured Terrapin Beer Company's Wake N Bake Coffee
Oatmeal Stout.
Highland Brewing Company Kashmir IPA
A full-bodied India Pale Ale. This beer is golden in
color with a moderate malty character with full hop flavor true to the classic
ale that has traveled on sailing ships from England to India. Bold and brazen.
This is Highland’s version of the classic British beer
which was designed to survive the long journeys from England to India on
sailing ships. The higher alcohol content and much higher hop level provided
the longevity necessary for the casks to arrive in India in a most drinkable
condition. It is very often serious beer drinkers’ favorite style. Being “Just
a wee bit different” we chose Kashmir, a controversial section of the Indian
subcontinent in the north and matched it with a Madras inspired plaid from the
south. Note: 6% ABV & 60 IBUs
Terrapin Beer Company Wake N Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout
Black as night, this coffee stout is thick, rich and
full of real coffee flavor. Brewed with the Terrapin Wake-n-Bake coffee blend
created by Terrapin & Jittery Joe’s Coffee.
The high content alcohol of these beers make them
perfect for cellaring…hide them away and pull one out for a special event 2-3
years later.
The Jitery Joe’s Wake-n-Bake coffee blend is available
for sale in our gift shop online and at the brewery!
Note: 8.6% ABV & 50 IBUs
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| Jimmie of Kickbacks Gastropub |
Jimmie and Will were our experienced, friendly and effective
bartenders that evening, making this experience at Kickbacks very special. I
was also able to see Cindy and my original Ale Angel Kat as they both stopped
by to say hello.
My sincere thanks to Will and Jimmie for their excellent
customer service and friendly demeanor and to Rolanda for the generous gift of
our beer – the best of luck to you and your fiancee – we'll be lifting y'all
up.
My heartfelt appreciation to Steve Flores and the rest of
the gang at Kickbacks Gastropub for always being the place we can confidently
refer to as our “home away from home” - and always rely upon to be the perfect
spot to end any Jax Brew Bitch Prowl!
To view more photos from Matsuya Sushi and Grill and Kickbacks Gastropub, please visit the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.368155233270092.88771.181100418642242&type=3
Highland Brewing Co.
Terrapin Beer
http://terrapinbeer.com/
Kickbacks Gastropub
Completely full … and completely content, I settled into The
Beast for the balance of the ride home. Companion started the engine, looked
over and asked if I happened to be seeing Tinker Beer or the Freakin' Fried
Fairy at that particular moment.
Leaning
back and closing my eyes as he started to drive, I responded, “No, not now …
but it's all right – they'll both be BACK – because although it may not have
looked like it tonight, so am I.”
