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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
For information and/or directions for any of the following establishments, please visit our interactive "Gypsy Kitchen Tour '09" map. Make sure to log onto www.cookwithjohn.com and subscribe to receive FREE weekly recipes (this week's recipe: "Limping Susan Gets Her Grove On") and chance to win a 3-course dinner for 10 guests performed by the Gypsy Kitchen in the comfort of your own home.
This past week has been challenging as we have tried to venture further and further south, searching for warmer weather with little to limited success. We reached Florida on Thursday only to experience two nights of hard frosts. Today, Saturday has finely begun to change coarse as it was in the mid-60's today here in St Augustine, the country's oldest city.
Like the weather, our dining experiences started out a bit uncertain but have certainly improved as the week progressed.
Our goal is to highlight culinary establishments that we would recommend to friends and family members - not find fault with establishments that might not have lived up to our expectations. So, although I will give all restaurants we dine at a score of 1 - 5 wooden spoons, I will most likely simply give just the basics on those establishments that were not "on par". For those establishments that we would suggest, I will most likely go into more detail.
Cindy and I absolutely loved our time at Hunting Island Sate Park in South Carolina and we could not recommend it enough for anyone looking for a beautiful place to spend an afternoon on the beach or a whole week exploring the nature trails, fishing dock, lighthouse, science center and more. We originally checked in for a 2 night stay but quickly extended it for an additional 2 nights.
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
While there, we decided to dine out on two different evenings. Our first evening we headed north on Route 21 for less than a mile to dine at Johnson River Tavern. We shared a bowl of She Crab Bisque which was very tasty. Cindy had the Crab Cake Entree and I tried a local favorite Frogmore Stew. We felt that both lacked flavor and seemed extremely plebian.
Johnson River Tavern rates: 
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
The following evening we headed a bit further north along Route 21 to Boondocks Restaurant were we shared the Calamari Appetizer which was typical but good. Cindy had the Blackened Bass Special and I had the Baby Back Ribs...we both enjoyed our meals, the service was pleasant but this place is certainly on the "casual" side complete with paper napkins and plastic water tumblers but the food was of good quality and properly prepared.
Boondocks Restaurant rates: 
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
On Monday we packed up and headed down Route 17 to Savannah, GA for two nights. We stayed at the Skidaway Island State Park which was nice and quite and a bit more rustic then Hunting Island. Tuesday was spent visiting Savannah, which is a terrific little city with so much history and culture. We especially enjoyed the River Street area with so many restaurant choices. As we attempted to walk along the cobblestone streets, bundled in our warmest jackets, Huey's New Orleans Cafe caught our eye and I'm certainly glad that it did. Our table was right on the window overlooking River Street so we had a grand time watching the boats navigate the river, the trolley stroll along the rails and the tourists struggle down the cobblestones. We shared an order of beignets (delicate French style doughnuts) served warm with powdered sugar and pecan-caramel sauce - wonderfully sinful. Cindy then had the Shrimp and Grits and I opted for the Muffuletta Sandwich served with Red Beans and Rice. Patrice did a lovely job of attending to our needs in a friendly, informative and hospitable Southern way.
Huey's New Orleans Cafe rates: 
(I would highly recommend this one!!!)
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
Ida Mae and Joe's Restaurant rates: 
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
Thursday, we crossed over the Florida state-line and made our way onto Route A1A (Atlantic Coast Highway) and made our way to Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island for the night.
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
29 South Eats rates: 
(Probably 5 spoons if not for the ordering mix-up)
After lunch we explored the downtown area as well as the beach area and had a chance to give the dogs a nice walk, although the bread pudding made us want to take a nice afternoon nap!
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
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| From The Gypsy Kitchen Adventures |
Casa Maya rates: 
(Highly recommended)
For information and/or directions for any of these establishments, please visit our interactive "Gypsy Kitchen Tour '09" map.
Make sure to log onto www.cookwithjohn.com and subscribe to receive FREE weekly recipes (this week's recipe: "Limping Susan Gets Her Grove On") and chance to win a 3-course dinner for 10 guests performed by the Gypsy Kitchen in the comfort of your own home.
Until next week,
Chef John
in the "Gypsy Kitchen"
Ratings Scale:
= Needs Work, Most Likely Would Not Return
= Good Basic Find, Things Could Be Improved, Would Probably Try Again
= As Expected, Good Choice, A Few Things Could Be Better, Almost Certainly Visit Again
= Better Than Expected, Great Choice, Would Definitely Revisit
= Totally Blown Away, Every Point Exceeded Expectation, Would Drive Out-Of-Way To Revisit
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