Bistro Aix

If there is such a thing as a culinary version of a harmonic convergence where meat, vegetables, sauces and spices align in perfect harmony, it happens in the mind of Bistro Aix Chef Tom Gray. When Gray opened Bistro Aix in 1999, he brought a California sensibility to San Marco, picking his foodstuffs in season from small artisanal farms. Sometimes that’s meant air freighting meats to Jacksonville, but Gray has also formed relationships with local farms like Twinn Bridges. His job is to select and blend the ingredients into a whole, a task he does with aplomb and confidence in dishes like Colorado lamb shank on couscous with a black olive curry and arugula, or risotto with sweet peas, tangerines and shrimp with a balsamic glaze.

BEST RESTAURANT IN ST. AUGUSTINE

Gypsy Cab Co.

This beloved locally owned restaurant hasn’t changed much in recent years — though its menu changes daily — because it’s got things pretty well figured out. The food is creatively prepared and celebratory in style, with a bias toward special occasion dishes like mussels, duck and lamb. The atmosphere is a tropical fade, like South Beach for ordinary folks. And the service is always welcoming and friendly. It’s no surprise that weekends still see a line out the door, much as there have been since it opened in 1983.

BEST RESTAURANT ON

AMELIA ISLAND

Salt, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

You’ve cracked a lobster, noshed on beluga caviar, harvested white truffles and bathed in saffron. So what’s next? For local foodies, Salt, a fine-dining restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is an upscale culinary experience. The eatery features nearly two dozen salts from around the world, like Bolivian rose (harvested in the Andes), aguni (from an obscure Japanese island) and alaea (a traditional Hawaiian table salt). And the chef pairs them with everything from Iberico ham to foie gras to a chocolate soufflé. If you’re still not impressed, take a seat in the kitchen’s private dining area while the chef customizes a menu to your liking.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT Salt Life Food Shack

When beach locals saw that the omnipresent decal outfit Salt Life had decided to open a restaurant in Jax Beach, some cynics might have wondered about a fad reaching saturation point. But the owners of this always-packed establishment have parlayed brand loyalty into a sea of loyal diners. Offering a full bar and a reasonably priced menu with tasty appetizers and killer entrées like the signature Backyard Beer Can Chicken and make-you-pick-a-fightit’s-so-good Caliche’s Poke Bowl, it’s no wonder that townies and beach bums alike voted Salt Life Food Shack the best new place to chow down.

A DATE Orsay

You’ve been stalking your co-worker for more than a year and she finally agrees to go out with you. Don’t screw it up: Take her to Orsay on Park Street in historic Avondale. Named after a village southwest of Paris, the restaurant excels in French cuisine like mussels and frites, duck rillettes and escargot and desserts ranging from homemade sorbets to passion fruit chiboust. Orsay also features an extensive wine list and Sunday brunch. We’re pretty sure it’ll help you score a second date.

BEST RESTAURANT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS PAYING Ruth’s Chris Steak House

For the fourth year in a row (and five more wins), Folio Weekly readers have chosen this acclaimed gourmet “chop shop” as the place to go when the boss is buying. Which proves one of two things: Either we’re really cheap people or Ruth’s Chris cooks up a helluva steak. Sizzled up at the now almost-mythical temperature of 1,800 degrees, the life-altering steaks and other signature entrées, like stuffed chicken breast or barbecued shrimp, are enjoyed by diners. They even offer a veggie entrée, and you can wash it all down with a wide selection of wines or cocktails. And what’s that, Mr. Moneybags? Now that you mention it, I do think I could eat a dessert or two.

The Fox

For the last two years, Amber LinskeyRhodenberry’s been serving classic diner-style fare with a smile. From little old ladies to big, burly construction workers, the patrons at The Fox Restaurant on St. Johns Avenue know Linskey-Rhodenberry by name. According to owner Ian Chase, that’s because the 27-year-old and recent UNF grad is “attentive, personable and always has something sweet to say.”

Caribbee Key

BEST ITALIAN CUISINE

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Thai Room

For the third year in a row, Folio Weekly readers have voted this Jax Beach restaurant as the place to go for curries red and green and everything in between. Just walking through the door can be a calming experience, since the soothing décor, mindfully placed Buddha statues and comfortable seating can prepare even the most snooty diner for an impressive selection of appetizers and entrées. The spring rolls are always a good place to start, the traditionally prepared red snapper is a hit, and most entrées, like Panang curry or amazing dish can be served with beef, chicken, pork or tofu. A spacious bar, nice beer and wine list and lip-puckering-good Thai sweet tea add to the Thai Room’s exotic yet strangely down-home dining experience.

BEST INDIAN CUISINE India’s Restaurant

BEST JAPANESE CUISINE Daruma Japanese Steakhouse

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE

Casbah Café

BEST ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT

Wasabi Buffet

BEST COFFEEHOUSE

We may not know the difference between a venti and a grande, but we know that this citadel of coffee is No. 1 for a reason. WiFi abounds, for one. So do cozy chairs, comfortable acoustics and copies of The New York Times. Add to that the fact that we as a nation are as hooked on upscale presentations of our drug of choice every bit as much as we’re addicted to caffeine, and you’ve got your answer. That and a venti pumpkin-spiced latte will set you back $4.10.

In these turbulent times of financial doubt, political divisiveness and cultural entropy (i.e., the game “Cornhole”), it’s nice to know that as a race and readership, we can agree on one thing: We love sammiches! Devotees of the Earl of Sandwich’s namesake head east to Jax Beach’s Sun Deli for fresh salads, deli favorites like the Reuben or Radical Side, with both tuna and egg salad, and awesomely good subs Hot Cuzzo, South Beach or even your own personalized meat-and-cheese monstrosity. Bon appetit, brah!

If you like your boat dock nearby, your gator tail crispy and your animals heavily taxidermied, Clark’s is one spot you don’t want to miss.

Best Neighborhood Bar on Amelia Island:

The Palace Saloon

Located at the end of Hood Landing Road in Mandarin, right on the banks of Julington Creek, Clark’s has been catering to boaters and the people who love them for more than 30 years. In addition to fish camp faves like fried shrimp, crawfish and u-shuck-’em oysters, Clark’s serves up an impressive variety of unusual menu items, ranging from fried kangaroo to charred snake, smoked eel and gator eggs (actually gator sausage wrapped around quail eggs and deep-fried). Add that to the hundreds of stuffed wild animals perched throughout the restaurant, and you have some idea why fish camp fans who like to live on the wild side keep coming back.

BEST TAPAS

This Riverside hotspot is run by the Spanishborn-and-raised Chef Howard, who orchestrates a kitchen staffed with experts in the classic tapas style of Mediterranean cooking. Everything at 13 Gypsies is made daily from scratch, from the breads and chorizo sausage to the cheeses and cured meats, using organic ingredients whenever possible. The reasonably priced menu features dishes like the citrus-tinged Quixote style beef, Roman gnocchi and a signature honey-garlic hummus that has made return customers out of many local food fans.

Yummy Sushi

T-Ray’s Burger Station

The hamburgers at T-Ray’s Station are seared just right — the outside forms a crust but the inside is still juicy — and it makes a nice handful of a sandwich on a bun, with tomato, lettuce, mustard and mayo. Best of all, this is the joint where everybody in Nassau County goes to dish — on everything besides food. If you’re looking for the latest gossip with a side of crispy fries, T-Ray’s is the place to go. It’s easy to miss, since the restaurant is inside a defunct Exxon gas station. But on any given day at any hour, there’s usually a raucous conversation going on among the crowd that makes Amelia Island what it is: shrimpers and crabbers, Amelia Island Plantation rich folks, eighth-generation Florida crackers and an array of local artists, writers and musicians — all of whom call T-Ray’s home.

BEST BURGER IN JACKSONVILLE

Five Guys

With seven Five Guys locations in the Northeast Florida area, local burger fans come out the winners when it comes to smackin’ down on a crazy-good hamburger. This popular joint offers up hot dogs as well, and fries so large they’re just this side of felony intent, but the burgers are what makes Five Guys return champions in our Best Of Jax poll. Add cheese and bacon or go crazy at the condiment counter — any way, you can’t go wrong when it comes to Five Guys, the preferred and juiciest gut-bomb on the local feeding scene.

BEST BURGER IN ST. AUGUSTINE

Cruisers Grill

Cruisers Grill takes Americana fare seriously. Root beer floats, cheese fries, chicken sandwiches and strawberry shakes abound. But the burger takes center stage, and Cruisers is a repeat winner in the Best Burger category. Opened in 2008, the open-air St. Augustine location sits on touristy St. George Street and operates seven days a week ,with live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. And at Cruisers, it pays to be a local: Downtown St. Auggie employees get 25 percent off, and Facebook fans are given “magic words” to say for a discount.

BEST PIZZA ON AMELIA ISLAND Moon River Pizza

Located on 14th Street in Fernandina Beach, funky and fun Moon River serves up piping hot pizzas with traditional toppings as well as atypical fare like breaded eggplant, gorgonzola, feta and white cheddar cheeses and fresh garlic that will have your taste buds doing backflips. Everything is handmade every day at Moon River, and the hand-tossed Northern-style pizzas come loaded with a choice of more than 20 toppings. Add to that the freshly prepared calzones, and it’s no wonder this pizzeria is popular with both locals and local artists, whose works hang on the restaurant’s walls.

BEST PIZZA IN JACKSONVILLE Al’s Pizza

Once again, Al’s Pizza sweeps this category for Best Pizza in Jax, which is a “No duh” moment for their loyal customers. Hand-tossed, Sicilian or by the slice, Al’s features meat, deluxe, veggie and white pizzas to rock the most stubborn food snob. “I don’t like pizza!” You do now, sucka! Al’s menu also offers standard Italian fare like pastas dishes and calzones, as well as generous appetizers, subs and the “Al’s original chicken salad” which just slays the competition. This family-owned place is also a great place to host a party or gathering.

BEST PIZZA IN ST. AUGUSTINE Pizzally’s Pizzeria

It’s a sign of this restaurant’s well-placed confidence that it gives out pizza — free — to St. George Street passersby in an effort to lure them inside. And, judging by the bustle there, it works. In addition to the popular pies, Pizzally’s grown-up Chianti Room serves a full Italian menu from bruschetta to salads to fettuccine alfredo. For families looking for a place to land after a day of Ancient City attractions, Pizzally’s has become synonymous with satisfaction.

BEST CHICKEN WINGS

Dick’s Wings

Wanna see if see if you’ve found true love? Go on that first date to your local Dick’s Wings and ask for a 100-count order of Ragin’ Cajun wings (heat level set at Swamp Fever). If your honey matches you bite for bite? I hear wedding bells! Save the bones as a souvenir! What could be called the Caviar of Northeast Florida is served by the mighty and unrivaled Dick’s Wings. With a location in nearly every neighborhood in town, Dick’s Wings serves up more than 25 flavors of wings with eight different levels in heat alongside some amazing waffle fries, hot dogs, bodacious sandwiches and a wide array of burgers, wraps and salads. The place always packs out on trivia nights, so get there early and snag a pitcher of your favorite brew.

BEST SMOOTHIE

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

The famous steaks at Ruth’s Chris garnered even more attention this year, when they were part of the celebration for the city’s naming rights deal with the Jaguars. But who can fault the city’s fat cats for their taste? With two Jacksonville-area locations — one on the Southbank and one in Ponte Vedra Beach — Ruth’s Chris is the go-to place for a meal made of cow. Seared at 1,800 degrees to the temperature of your choosing, Ruth’s Chris’s cuts — whether petite filet or porterhouse for two — are a slice of carnivore heaven.

Ashley Hayek, Crab Cake Factory

According to her co-workers, Ashley Hayek makes a mean Long Island Iced Tea and a kickass margarita. So it’s no wonder the 21year-old bartender at Crab Cake Factory, a seafood grill on Beach Boulevard in Jax Beach, is considered a top-shelf mixologist. Owner Nicole Yousefzadeh describes her as “young, vibrant … the kind of girl who lives life to the fullest.” It’s an attitude that proves infectious, especially at Crab Cake Factory’s extensive happy hour — 3 to 8 p.m. every day.

BEST BEER SELECTION BEST BAR FOOD

BEST MARGARITA La Nopalera

History is confused when it comes to the margarita. There are nearly a dozen commonly repeated tales of who created the sour-andsweet concoction of tequila, triple sec and lime or lemon juice. Whether you like it frozen, straight up, on the rocks or with salt on the rim, La Nopalera is the place locals go to grab a margarita. With locations all over Northeast Florida, La Nop offers bottomless chips and salsa, happy hour two-for-one ice-cold margaritas and humongous portions of authentic Mexican grub.

Ocean 60

Writer H.L. Mencken called the martini “the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet.” That was decades ago. Today, the elixir continues to gain popularity — Ocean 60 in Atlantic Beach has an entire room dedicated to the drink. The Martini Room features classic concoctions like the Manhattan as well as modern nips like Hang Ten, Espressotini, Girl Scout Cookie and the Dirty Blue Goose (vodka, olive juice and bleu cheese-stuffed olives), live music Thursday through Saturday and half-price martinis for the ladies on Wednesday nights. We’re pretty sure James Bond would approve.

BEST MOJITO

Christopher Seafood and Company

The Mojito, an intoxicating mixture of white rum, cane sugar, lime, sparkling water and mint, originated in Cuba. But it’s Christopher Seafood and Company, a family-owned-and-operated restaurant on Atlantic Boulevard, that dominates the local Mojito market. They offer a variety of flavors made from scratch, like watermelon basil, pineapple cilantro and the house signature drink, a blue mojito with Cruzan citrus rum and blue Curacao. General Manager Brandon Carmichael explains, “Every customer who comes in can’t drink just one!”

BEST WINE LIST

The Grotto

Tucked behind wrought-iron gates on San Marco Square, this tapas-bar-slash-wineretailer combines urbane sophistication with hundreds of professionally vetted quality wines. Knowledgeable servers help you find the right glass for sipping after work, or pairing with one of their heady appetizers — mushroom empanadas, kalamata olives, sliced manchego cheese served with dried chorizo. The cozy couches and low tables are made for intimate conversations and lingering over good wine. But when you’re ready to leave, you can always pick up a bottle — or a case — to go.

BEST PUB

Lynch’s Irish Pub

If you’re looking for a spot to let loose, Lynch’s Irish Pub in Jax Beach is the place to go. This laid-back yet hard-partying watering hole is known for its extensive selection of beers on tap, unique décor (the whole joint is plastered in signed dollar bills), loud, live music and Irish pub fare like fried mushrooms, fish-’n’-chips and corned beef and cabbage. At the same time, it’s smoker-friendly, meaning it’s one pub where the ever-dwindling opportunity for public tobacco indulgence still asserts itself, without apology.

BEST SPORTS BAR

Sneakers

Football, baseball, Ultimate Fighting, boxing, golf, curling … well, maybe not curling. With two locations (Jax Beach and Baymeadows), Sneakers Sports Grille is the best place to catch a game. The sports bar features dozens of TVs (some a full story tall), servers wearing cheerleading outfits, cold beer, tasty wings in more than a dozen flavors, sports memorabilia and weekly events like bar bingo and trivia night. For as many years as a sports fan can remember stats, this place has been Folio Weekly readers’ favorite.

BEST BAR TO NETWORK