Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails - Farm to Table Plus a Twist

The first few months of 2014 have quite literally flown by and although I’ve encountered many interesting food adventures, I find myself only just catching up on several of the more noteworthy culinary delights in around town. Here's one we sampled in March and it's worth another try.

A relative newcomer to the 904 and the Markets at Town Center is Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails. Described as a Full-Circle Approach restaurant, this “not for a special occasion”, eco-minded, contemporary watering hole is the culinary brainchild of former Bistro AIX Chef Tom Gray.  The restaurant’s concept is simple: local, sustainable and organic ingredients giving way to American flavors found from coast to coast. The building is fantastic with its breathtaking urban rustic décor, inviting open kitchen and outside dining options allowing for a truly unique and environmentally friendly ambiance and experience.

Being that it was a Saturday when we opted to visit Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, we were offered the Brunch menu and sat outside to enjoy the al fresco dining option. The patio was a surprisingly pleasing alternative to the inspired indoor space however, having lunch while overlooking JTB was less idyllic than one would think. Still, service was prompt, friendly and extremely courteous. Naturally, the first question was about water – sparkling or still – worth mentioning because Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails makes its own sparkling and distilled water through a unique filtration system that actually supplies the restaurant’s tap water and allows for water purification without the plastic water bottle waste. Pure, delicious and conscientious. 

 

The menu provides for quite the variation – not only in the types of dishes but also in the way they are prepared. The chicken potpie for example is not your grandma’s potpie. This homegrown staple is served in a single serve cast iron baking dish, loaded with roasted vegetables and sage infused juices, topped with a flaky, cheddar biscuit crust that quite literally sits atop guarding it's treasure.  Proclaimed to be unexpectedly delicious and ingenious, the chicken potpie is a perfect example of home cooking with a modern flare and what you can expect from many of the menu items. 

But I digress as our “ladies who brunch” foursome started the meal with Moxie’s Deviled Farm Eggs, denoted on the menu as “our way, four ways”. Essentially, these were deliciously prepared deviled eggs just as expected but with a topping twist: roasted cherry pepper, paper-thin gherkin-like pickles, salmon roe, cured sausage slice.  Presentation was simple and elegant. Taste was flavorful with four distinctly unique renderings. We were ready for more and sampled the Moxie burger, a beef-pork-bacon blended patty served with French fries – nothing unexpected here – a fresh, leafy Spring Salad with Tofu – upcharge for the Tofu – and the Maine Lobster Roll served in brioche with green tomato ketchup and slaw. Portions were satisfactory and each dish tasty but not notable. Dessert was a treat. The "Dessert of the Moment" was a double-layered lemon custard cake with beautifully toasted and perfectly peaked merengue – just the right size for sharing.

 

 Although we had no complaints and generally enjoyed the meal, brunch fell a little short of the WOW factor we were expecting. Perhaps in order to gain a true sense of the culinary delights that makes Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails special, one must be prepared to order one of Chef Grays specialty cocktails, sample a wider range menu offerings and experience the ambiance that it is known for.

Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails

4972 Big Island Drive

The Markets at Town Center

904.998.9744

www.moxiefl.com

Blue Jacket Brewery and Tavern - Innovative Brews in a Historic Space

Usually I write about interesting food and drink finds around the 904, but last weekend I had the opportunity to head to DC, spend some time with great friends and experience a few new finds in the nation's capital.

Always on the lookout for really great and interesting local brews, we found ourselves near the Naval Yard and a very cool brewery and tavern appropriately named Blue Jacket. This DC hotspot is unique in that it not only serves some of the most innovative craft brews but also is housed in a fantastic, truly historic industrial circa 1919 building that was once the Boilermaker Shops, part of the Navy Yard ship and munitions complex.

The space is, of course, what strikes upon entering Blue Jacket. It is a massive warehouse with exposed steel beams, industrial décor and floor to ceiling windows letting in more natural light than you can possibly imagine. In a word – awesome. The Arsenal, Blue Jacket's restaurant, had a rather long wait, so our party of three opted for the tavern area occupied by an eclectic group enjoying beer, food and watching football oblivious to the massive vats of beer surrounded them. 

Sunday being brunch day, the menu featured a variety of items to please both the breakfast lovers or those interested in lunch. We were there mainly for the beer but opted to sample a few smaller dishes. Our server had some challenges with questions we psed about the food but she was quick to offer beer and water. When food finally arrived, it came in waves and not exactly piping hot. But what it lacked in speedy delivery and temperature it certainly made up for in taste. The biscuits smothered in Tasso gravy were savory with just the right amount of spice, pepper and smoky flavors to remind one of Louisiana.  The Home Fries were nicely sautéed with red and green peppers and the Arsenal fries were perfectly crispy and salty. I have to admit that my side salad was a bit confusing consisting of a bowl of mixed greens, tomatoes and red onion. It had little to no dressing and although as satisfying as greens can be, I expected a little more to it.  

Blue Jacket's draft menu did not disappoint with several varieties and flavors to choose from.  I was curious about a few of the brews and opted for tastes, smaller pours for a smaller price, of three different beers. I began with the Figure 8 cask Ale – a full-bodied, malt-driven ale brewed with 30lbs of dried figs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and bourbon soaked oak chips. It was smooth and delightful but the small taste was about all I could handle.  Thirsting for something a little lighter, our server suggested the Seersucker, which was definitely effervescent, juicy and zippy (as the menu promised) with wheaty sweet flavor and quite refreshing. My one observation was that the tastings came in what seemed to be tuliped wine glasses – an odd choice for craft beer or cask ales.

The other guests, and more advanced beer aficionados in my party, opted for full pints of the Cut & Dry, a classic Bohemian pilsner with a Blue Jacket twist; Mexican Radio, a mole-inspired imperial stout; and the Redhead, a hoppy red ale with hints of cocoa and toffee.  Both agreed that each was satisfying to the taste buds and unique enough to come back for other signature Blue Jacket brews.

Blue Jacket brewery and tavern at the Naval Ship Yards in Washington, DC. – a must for specialty beer, pretty good food, atmosphere and a little history.

Blue Jacket

Brewery and Tavern

300 Tingey St, SE

Washington, DC 20003

(202) 524-4862

www.bluejacketdc.com

The Arsenal

Lunch Dinner Sunday Brunch

Epik Burger - Quality, Taste and a Dash of Healthy Creativity

 

In a small strip mall and unassuming store front off Atlantic Boulevard is no doubt one of the best burgers you will find in Jacksonville. Epik burger is a collaboration of husband and wife team Korey and Lovice Konopasek whose background is rooted in culinary arts and hospitality.  Their idea of combining fresh, unusual and amazing ingredients while being mindful of people's thirst for healthy yet innovative menu items resulted in the birth of this special burger joint, Epik Burger, where quality and taste is served with a dash of healthy creativity.

As promised in the company mission statement, Epik Burger is low

frills and not fancy furnishings. Upon entering, once must maneuver the tables scattered throughout the front of the restaurant in order to reach the counter. But take your time getting there as the rather extensive menu while certainly give you pause. Grab a menu and study it at either the long picnic-style table anchoring the eating area.

The menu features seventeen specialty burgers, three ahi tuna “burgers”, seven chicken sandwiches and five veggie burger creations. But before you check those out, be sure you’ve reviewed “the 411” on the back. This gives you info on gluten free options, vegan versus vegetarian choices, add ons such as Lettuce, Tomato, Onion (LTO) and of course the different burger sizes: FFB or fast food burger which is a 3 ounce serving as opposed to an RB or restaurant burger which is a generous 6 ounce serving. This side of the menu also offers rules on ordering an “old skool burger” or your basic burger with a few options, handspun milkshakes and by their own admission, “not your ordinary sides”.

I went old skool and following the Rules ordered a FFB with a wheat bun, lettuce tomato and pickle, cheddar cheese, no specialty toppings, and standard Angus beef.  My lunch mate ordered the signature Epik Burger – pancetta, hold the Brie, cornichons (tiny crispy gherkins), balsamic mayo, and LTO also in a FFB and shared a side of truffle Parmesan fries. Mrs. Konopasek herself works the counter and delivered our piping hot and incredibly aromatic food. The smell of the freshly cooked burgers and the undeniable truffle and Parmesan instantly filled our nostrils and made our mouths water. Trust me when I say that we were not disappointed. I believe the commentary throughout most of the meal was quite simply, “mmmmm.” The flavors, the aroma and the ultimate satisfaction of a well-cooked and put together burger prompted me to try a strawberry milkshake. What can I say? 

 Once again, perfection. 

Served with just the right thickness to go through the straw and with enough strawberry to make you believe you were eating the actual fruit, my shake was in a word, superb, and I loved the extra touch of a strawberry pirouette cookie. I left with a completely full stomach but not so overfed that I regretted any bit of my scrumptious meal.

This is a burger joint not to be missed. True to their word, Epik Burger strives to provide high quality and innovative burgers utilizing the best ingredients available with a variety of healthy eating options. They've completely hit their mark.

  

Epik Burger
12740 Atlantic Blvd. Suite 105
904-374-7326

Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 11a.m. to 9p.m.
Friday-Saturday 11a.m. to 9:30p.m.
Closed on Sunday