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| Large and in charge at Moon River Pizza |
Well, it's happened more than once to me, so that's why I
was particularly focused on my research for our culinary adventure options on
Monday (June 18).
One intriguing special that evening of which I had learned
was the “Old School Special” at Moon River Pizza (1176 Edgewood Avenue
South – Murray Hill – 904.389.4442 ). A LARGE one-topping pizza and a pitcher
of any beer they have for $20! … any beer??? … like, for instance, “Bold
City Dukes Cold Nose Brown Ale?”, I asked hopefully when I called Moon
River Pizza to confirm..
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| Our lovely server, Adrian at Moon River Pizza |
A short drive later, we were parked right in front of Moon River Pizza and from outward appearances, I expected it to have a dimly lit older pizza-parlor interior – nothing wrong with that, by the way – that is just what I was expecting. Entering, I was amazed at the décor! … upbeat, upscale, eclectic, warm and welcoming, I knew at once this was going to become a regular spot on future Prowls!
We were cheerfully greeted at the counter by lovely Adrian,
who took our order and invited us to sit wherever we wished. She noted that
since we had arrived early in the evening, the pizza would be out rather
quickly.
Of course, we ordered the pitcher of Bold City Duke's
Cold Nose Brown Ale described on Bold City's website:
"This is a mild brown ale which
is easily drinkable. A slight nuttiness and sweetness are present."
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| Large Meatball Pizza from Moon River Pizza |
As I mentioned, the “Old School Special” is a large pizza –
large as in the “large” of companion's youth – heck, even MY youth – much
larger than you get now at the pizza chains. Impressive quality – amazing
flavor – and so huge, we had to stop half-way through and decided to take the
rest home. This is DEFINITELY a great deal!
Make next Monday a “night out” for you and yours - grab your
huckleberry friend, cross on over in style to the Murray Hill area and take
advantage of this phenomenal – and delicious - value served up each Monday at
Moon River Pizza!
My appreciation to Adrian and the rest of the staff at Moon
River Pizza for excellent and friendly service and to the ownership and
management of Moon River Pizza for providing a tremendous value on this first
stop of that evening's Jax Brew Bitch Prowl!
To view more photos from Moon River Pizza, visit the link below:
Moon River Pizza
Bold City Brewery
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| Keegan from Brewer's Pizza and Pinglehead Brewing Company, JBB and James |
Being summoned to the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire is something
not to be taken lightly, of course – and fully fueled by our mass consumption
of great pizza and a whole pitcher of Bold City Brewery's Dukes Cold Nose Brown
Ale, it took us no time to paddle our wa’akaukahi to the front of Pele's Wood Fire (2665 Park Street – 904.232.8545), our second visit there.
Opening the door to Pele's I wondered if we needed to offer
a sacrifice to her prior to entering – a little concerning since we had nothing
left to show for this Prowl thus far – other than half of the Moon River
meatball pizza which I had stealthily stashed away in The Beast for safety. No
one, even Pele herself, would venture into the confines of The Beast .
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| Pinglehead Red Ale |
Companion and I selected bar stools next to these three and
companion soon became occupied inspecting all the various 50 beers Pele's has on tap. Since we were there
for the Pinglehead Red Ale, we both opted for that.
Pinglehead Brewing Company's website includes a description of this
awesome ale:
“Pours a clear red body with an off-white colored
head. Aroma is caramel sweet with floral undertones. Dry-hopping gives subtle
floral hop flavors to compliment a smooth caramel malt backbone. A combination
of mellow bitterness, candy sweetness and medium body result in a balanced,
highly drinkable red ale.”
This is a great beer! … not just saying this to appease
Pele's fiery disposition, always prone to aggressively protect her newly tapped
beer – but it is truly a righteous
brew!. The Pinglehead Red is NOT a “middle-of-the road” red ale like several of
those I have tried – those whose flavor is apparent but very subtle. Pinglehead
Red Ale has in-your-face eye-opening flavor and I am very impressed with it.
I am somewhat more critical of red ales since my first “Out-of-Jax-Craft-Brew Body Experience”
occurred in San Diego at the moment I tasted the Red Trolley Red Ale brewed by
the Karl Strauss Brewery. I fell in love with Red Trolley - that's been my favorite for awhile - and Pinglehead's Red Ale gets as close as any
COULD, since I'm sure Red Trolley's No. 1 position in my palate is due in part
to it being my first. It is SO special to me that companion carefully wrapped a
six-pack in his suitcase for me returning from his last solo trip to San Diego
(I've still got two bottles left!)
It's not that I'm overly fascinated with Red Trolley –
heavens, no …I mean, all I did was send Red Trolley my phone number, address,
e-mail address, a request to meet Red Trolley here in Florida and only a couple
of “Thinking-of-You” e-cards … *Dear Diary, I wonder if Red Trolley will
ever call me?” …
Seriously, Pinglehead Red Ale is one you MUST try – and
you'll be able to find it at several places in the Greater Jacksonville area!
Although several orders of Pele's tremendously popular
Tuscan Fries were floating about tempting me with each pass of my nostrils, I
held off ordering since I was still stuffed from our earlier meal. Even
companion mentioned he was still way too full to consider eating anything.
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| With Jamie at Pele's Wood Fire |
James mentioned the Pinglehead Red Ale was also on tap at
Kickbacks Gastropub, just down the street … well, all right, then! … let's not
let any tap go untried tonight! … let's get moving!
My sincere appreciation to James with Champion Brands / Team
HopHeads for inviting me, to Keegan and Pinglehead Brewing Company for an
inspired Red Ale and to the ownership and management at Pele's Wood Fire for
making each visit an enjoyable stop on Jax Brew Bitch Prowls. Mahalo nui loa!
Pele's Wood Fire
Pinglehead Brewing Company
http://www.pinglehead.com/
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| James, Fidel, Steve, JBB and Keegan at Kickbacks Gastropub for Pinglehead night |
Keegan and James had already staked out a high-top table
near the kitchen and companion and I soon had another pint of the amazing Pinglehead
Brewing Company's Pinglehead Imperial Red Ale in our hands.
Owner Steve Flores stopped by the table and said hello –
notable because he is so busy while in the demolition phase of the structure
next door, making way for the soon-to-be expansion! … I can't wait!
It is always a pleasant experience at Kickbacks Gastropub –
Steve and his staff are so dedicated to their customers. I really enjoyed our
time spent with Keegan and James and the Pinglehead Red Ale, sitting there in
our home-away-from-home.
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| Charming beauties enjoying Pinglehead Red Ale at Kickbacks Gastropub |
Thanks again to James of Champion Brands / Team HopHeads for
inviting me, to Keegan for graciously discussing the Red Ale and future plans
for Pinglehead Brewing Company and as always, to Steve and the gang at
Kickbacks Gastropub – for truly caring about your customers from all walks of
life – one reason Kickbacks is a regular stop for me and the perfect place to
end that evening's Jax Brew Bitch Prowl.
To view more photos from Pele's Wood Fire and Kickbacks Gastropub for Pinglehead night, visit the link below:
Pinglehead Brewing Company
http://www.pinglehead.com/
The Beast made it back to its stable at home and I quickly showered
and settled into bed to check e-mail, respond to a few and make some notes
about the evening. Companion followed suit and was soon next to me and we were
discussing the night's events and how much we loved the Pinglehead Brewing
Company Pinglehead Imperial Red Ale.
Later, as companion fell asleep, I found myself typing just
one more e-card to Red Trolley Red Ale – wishing it well, thanking it for the
good times – bemoaning the difficulty of maintaining long-distance beer
relationships - and letting it know that I had found another Red Ale, much
closer and probably better suited for the Jax Brew Bitch. Reviewing the
completed message, I realized I was at a Red Ale crossroads – all I had to do
was click “Send” …
