SCHOONER’S SEAFOOD HOUSE – 3560 N Ponce De Leon Blvd., Saint Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 826-0233 – www.schooners-seafood.com
Q-Tips say: Schooner’s is a restaurant recommended by locals. We had the “Special” of the day, 12 Fried Shrimp $8.99 Choice of Salad, Choice of Potato, Served Daily 3:00pm to 6:00pm The food was decent, good service, good drinks, price was right and very busy with tourist and locals. Mrs. Q has had better shrimp but they were ok. Was a good choice for our arrival night.
HARRY’S Seafood/Bar Grill – 46 Avenida Menendez., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-7765 – www.hookedonharrys.com
Q-Tips say: We asked some of the locals for recommendations and this was one. Service was ok but the server did not take off the discount – had to be reminded. Mr. Q ordered: Bourbon Street Salmon – house marinated & finished with a bourbon honey soy glaze served with smashed potatoes and vegetables. They offer it Blackened and that is not how it came. Mr. Q sent it back and they Blackened the bottom only. That is not how Blackened fish is done. He was not happy with his meal. Mrs. Q ordered Trout Arugula – seared trout topped with a light lemon beurre blanc finished with a fresh arugula dill salad and nola rice. She did not want the rice and got smashed potatoes. She did enjoy her meal. The Trout was delicious.
Mrs. Q’s notes: Yes, this is a chain. Some chains are good. Harry’s menu resembles a not so high end restaurant you might see in New Orleans – a lot of rice/red beans and rice, etc. Even tho Mrs. Q enjoyed her meal she says, “try some other restaurant.” The drinks were just ok. They offer Oreo Beignets – Oreo cookies fried in a light fluffy “beignet” batter, topped with white chocolate bourbon sauce and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Who ever heard of an Oreo Beignet? What a dis-service to the original Beignets served in New Orleans. There are many restaurants to choose from in St. Augustine – so try something else, even tho the locals seem to like Harry’s.
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune — all against the back-drop of a suddenly dramatically changing Continent.
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody,
Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, & more.
Q-Tips say: We enjoyed it. A former concierge tells the story of how he came to own the once-elegant titular hotel, a story involving a murdered widow, a stolen painting, and a jailbreak. A stylish, well-made movie! Too bad not many people are going to be watching it it is a bit more artsy and obscure. Big name actors in this film, and they are all great Edward Norton, Adrien Brody some of my favorites. Quick paced, funny, with a unique blend of of different styles of cinematography and amazing visuals. Not for little ones but older teens might enjoy it.
PIZZALLEY’S Restaurant 117 Saint George St., Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 825-2627-
Q-Tips say: – Stopped for a glass of wine and Bruchetta-was ok for what we wanted at the time. There is a person handing out samples of pizza out front, it was extra, extra cheese pizza – tasty.
Mrs. Q says: This is really a pizza place. Saw many families having pizza and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. The service was good as was the wine and Bruchetta. Yes, most restaurants you get a !0% off your bill w/ trolley ticket or the discount from the discount books, so use them.
FLAGLER COLLEGE – 74 King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 829-2424 www.flagler.edu
Q-Tips say: A must see/do. The 45 minute tour given by a student is worth taking. Yes, you are correct, I believe it was $10.00 pp but worth it. You’ll learn a fantastic amount of history about the old hotel and Flagler’s legacy plus you’ll get to see parts of the auditorium and Women’s lounge that are closed off to the general public. The Tiffany stained glass windows and Tiffany carved chairs (yes, they did make the chairs) and their imitations are definitely worth the price of admission. Mrs. Q says: The dorms are NOT co-ed. There were areas that were off limits, like the dorms. You can take photos except for the last room which was the Women’s Section of the Hotel – your guide will remind you.
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH – 8 Carrera St., Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 829-8272 www.umc.org
Q-Tips say: Stop in for a visit if you are in the area. Lots of history. Mrs. Q says: Word has it that Mr. Flagler wanted some of the land that the Methodist owned so he told them he would build the church in exchange for the land he wanted, to construct the Ponce de Leon Hotel. However, it cost him more than he anticipated. It is not as ornate as the Basilica but worth seeing due to its history. Remember, this is a Church so hats off men, and no loud boisterous talking.
The Grace Church is built in authentic Spanish Renaissance style. The exterior has not changed significantly. Two significant changes were made to the interior, both relate to the Wurlitzer pipe organ; one when it was installed (1925), the second when it was removed in order to provide space for the organ pump.
CASTILLO DE SAN MARCO – 1 S Castillo Dr., Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 829-6506 www.nps.gov/casa
Q-Tips say:A must see for all including children. This castle, built in the 17th century, is the oldest existing castle of it’s time. This is a National Monument. There are 400,000 blocks of stone in the Castillo all of it cut and set by hand. Ground was broken on October 2nd, 1672 to start the building of Castillo de San Marcos. Built in the 17th century, originally meant to defend the Spanish empire’s holding of Florida, today its run by the National Park Service. The NPS performs live reenactments of troop marches, flag ceremonies, and cannon firings for all to enjoy.
Mrs. Q notes: Bought the Senior Pass when in Pisgah Forest, NC and it allows you to get in to any National Park for free, and those with you, I believe. Also, allows a discount for certain fees. Please REMEMBER this is a NATIONAL PARK – so stay off the walls and the cannons. Even tho there are signs stating this we did see a young woman on top of a cannon taking a selfie. A guard immediately told her to get off. The admission is, you guessed it, $10.00 per adult.
LIGHNTER MUSEUM – 75 King St., Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-2874 www.lightnermuseum.org
Q-Tips say: Must see and do. One of Mrs. Q’s favorite tours. Mrs. Q says: My favorite part of the first floor is the Natural History room, including a mounted African Lion, a dinosaur egg, and many tribal artifacts (like a shrunken head!). Who can invite people into their home and offer them a look see at your own shrunken head or mummy (in a private room and respectfully represented). NOT sure the very little children would enjoy this one because this is NOT an “interactive-hands on museum”. Probably good for older children. There are Docents on every floor who are happy to explain and share their knowledge.
A unique and incredible bit of history, the Lightner Museum is situated adjacent to the beautiful Flagler College and shares a similar sense of architecture.
The Museum has a super collection of the wealthy northerner Mr. Lightner. Mr. Lightner was not content to collect some particular item, his collection consisted of other people’s COLLECTIONS. And that is principally what you get to examine throughout 4 floors of museum.
They really have a lot of everything – most of it from the 19th and early 20th century. The first floor has the best collections, from mundane (still cool) things like canes, tobacco accessories, and dolls (including one from the remnants of Hiroshima/Nagasaki). The first floor is the Natural History part.
The second floor has more history on the museum’s days as a hotel, including its Turkish Baths and a large number of vases and other art.
The third/ fourth floors have art, statuary, some Napoleonic furniture, as well as a great view from the ballroom of the former hotel pool down below which is now a restaurant.
Twice daily there is an informative music show put on by the staff in which they play old musical instruments on the first floor. Go and enjoy, we did.
CATHEDRAL BASILICA -38 Cathedral Pl., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-2806 www.thefirstparish.org
Q-Tips say: Stop in and see it – It is FREE and Gorgeous!
It is in the middle of historic St. Augustine right at the end of the very busiest street in town, across from the central park. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is where the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine resides. The architecture is from the Spanish Colonial period.
The architecture is lovely and the details inside including the stained glass is impressive.
Mrs. Q says: Please respect that it is a church. Men should take off their hats and no loud boisterous talking and be properly dressed.
RIPLEY’S – Believe it or Not Odditorium – 19 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-1606 www.ripleys.com/staugu
Q-Tips say: Mr. Q wanted to see this, so Mrs. Q went along. Mrs. Q says: Sure, it can be cheesy, but that is part of the fun!
Yes it is good for kids but for heaven’s sake if your child is the sensitive kind and says they are frightened, take them out don’t force them to see it. After all, there are a few creepy things here including some of the exhibits.
Just what we thought it would be. Many exhibits are bizarre to us but those are the customs of what other cultures believe in and practice. Some funny and hands on exhibits as well. Go and enjoy then you don’t have to ever go again. PS: You see some of this on your local street corners.
