Q-Tips Reviews

FROZEN Featuring the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, “Frozen” is the coolest comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa, the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a funny snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

Q-Tios say: Great movie for families, old and young alike. Not at the theaters anymore but you can download or rent it.

Tarpon Point 801 Riverside Dr E, Bradenton, FL 34208, (941) 746-8700
tarponpointegrill.com

Q-Tips say: Good place to have drinks and listen/dance to the music outside in the “Tiki Bar”. Service is decent, food is just ok as are the drinks but the view is great. You can enjoy playing/or watch others play volleyball, bean bags or just enjoy the sand. Weds. you can bring your dog to the outside venue. There are many other places to have better food, drinks but they don’t have the view Tarpon Point has.

SPANISH TRAIL MARKER –

Erected in 1928, this coquina ball is the Zero Milestone. It marks the eastern end of the Old Spanish Trail, the first transcontinental road from St. Augustine to San Diego, CA.

This is a “look only” exhibit – the trolley goes past it. Most trolley drivers will point it out.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum The lighthouse was built in 1874. Became Florida’s first lighto9use in 1824.

Take the trolley to trolley stop #15 (the beach bus stop) the bus takes you to the beach and the longer route to the lighthouse. The trolley driver will tell you where to get off to walk several blocks to the lighthouse and not have to take the longer bus route unless that is what you desire. There is a bus that stops at the lighthouse to go back.

ST. AUGUSTINE Saint Augustine is a vacation spot—you’ll find classic hotels and intimate restaurants. Mrs. Q says: Those can be a dime a dozen, though. What sets Saint Augustine apart is its history—it’s the oldest European settlement in the U.S. And nowhere else in the world can you taste the waters of the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (where Ponce de Leon may have landed). Who knows, if you vacation here, maybe you won’t need that Botox or a face lift!

Trolley tickets – Red or Orange/Green line good for three day. With the Orange/green trolley ticket you get free entrance to the History Museum. Last run of the day is usually 4:30. You can get off/on as often as you like. Seems as tho many things are $10.00 pp.
Information Center and other places offer discounted coupons for exhibits, restaurants, etc.
Many Churches, Museums, exhibits, attractions offer “Docents” explaining the history, etc. take advantage of them, it is free with the cost of the ticket.
Parking: Yes there is street metered parking. Most parking lots charge, yes, you guessed it, $10.00 for the day. However, most street/lot parking after 5:00 is FREE.
Senior National Park Pass – A one time fee and your entrance fee along those w/you to any National Park is FREE.

Do you want to see the Pope of the Catholic Church? Pope Francis will be coming to St. Augustine in 2015 to help them celebrate their anniversary and will be staying, I believe, at Cathedral Basilica.

Mts. Q says: If you visit FL or are a “snow bird” have not see St. Augustine, what are you waiting for? A great place to take the kids when they come to visit you in FL.

SOUTHERN OAKS INN -2800 N Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 342-2354 – www.southernoaksinnstaug.com

Q-Tips say: Come here and be impressed. Southern Oaks is clean, neat and nicely managed and is pet-friendly with a pool. Close to local attractions and there is a Walgreens/& CVS in close walking distance should you need anything SOUTHERN OAKS INN has been recently repainted, took out old carpeting and put in laminate wood flooring in each room and recently added new blinds, there is a frig and microwave in each unit & an ice machine in a handy location for all. Still working on completing several more rooms and finalizing decorating touches. Southern Oaks Inn offers a free warm breakfast daily with inside/or outside seating – breakfast has eggs, bacon, cereal, fruit, french toast, biscuits & gravy, grits, danish, yogurt, coffee, juice, milk. The staff and owner/manager go out of their way to please.

They offer service to the Red/Orange-green Trolley line or you could probably walk there and certainly drive and park for free in the Orange/green parking lot.

The Q’s did enjoy SOUTHERN OAKS INN and would stay here again.

RAINTREE RESTAURANT – 102 San Marco Ave., Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-7211 – raintreerestaurant.com

Q-Tips say: Oh Yes, this was good.
Great food, drinks, service, ambiance, inside/outside seating. We began with sharing Tuna Carpaccio and a cup Lobster/Red pepper Bisque Soup. Both were delicious.

Mrs. Q’s entree was lightly breaded Pork Schnitzel served with Lemon Butter Sauce with your choice of sides. Let me warn you, you get two large pieces of delicious Pork Schnitzel. Mrs. Q’s entree was Homemade sausage, and we mean homemade sausage which was delicious with Red Pepper Aioli sauce over Pasta Marinara. Both entrees were outstanding.

Mrs. Q says: I’d go back here again. But alas, it was our last night and so many other restaurants to try. Perhaps, next visit.

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.