"Meals on Wheels" - Food Truck Luncheon at MPI

Food trucks have taken a little time getting to the Jacksonville area, but like many cities, the craze has hit and big time. I attended the Meeting Planners International Southeast Conference last week and was pleasantly surprised to find that food trucks were the featured lunch event on Thursday’s agenda. Around 12:15 the clouds parted and the sun came out to allow for the special lunch to go off deliciously. Trucks offering BBQ, Tacos, Burgers, Wraps and Ice Cream were on hand for MPI attendees to sample and enjoy for a most unique conference lunch experience. “Meals on Wheels” was the appropriately named lunch theme and attendees were not disappointed.

 

Each attendee was given three meal tickets to use at the trucks of their choosing. Lines were a bit long but I was well positioned at the front of Corner Taco’s window and placed an order for their carnitas tacos. Two piping hot tacos were delivered moments later. Perfectly seasoned pork on homemade tortillas with an amazing and indescribable spicy and slightly tangy sauce graced the plate. A welcome change from the usual rubber chicken served at most conferences. 

I sat down with some fellow attendees who had each decided on different fare from the various trucks. The BBQ was a definitive favorite. Generous portions of ribs, mac n’ cheese, coleslaw and baked beans were in their containers and comments affirmed that the Monroe’s Smokehouse BBQ truck lived up to its reputation for authentic home cooked BBQ. Not to be outdone, the line at Monster Burger ‘N More was Disney-ride worthy before it even started serving. Could it have been the amazing aroma that came wafting throughout the area to entice even the most non-carnivorous of taste buds? Although I did not partake of what looked like a bit of grilled heaven on earth, I overheard two diners state that their satisfyingly huge burger was cooked to perfection and packed with juicy goodness. 

 

The Gourmet Aviator on the opposite end of the food spectrum had quite the impressive line as well. Its menu of Puerto Rican inspired sauces and recipes with an aviation theme seemed quite the crowd pleaser. And to be sure there was something for everyone, Super Food Truck was on hand offering a turkey pesto Panini, a salad wrap and a blackened fish sandwich for those wanting a little “healthier” option.

The dessert market was cornered by 3 Moms Ice Cream – traditional, organic, dairy-free, gluten-free and adventurous ice cream treats. Their selection was extensive and varied including Oreo cookie bars, organic strawberry yogurt bars, and key lime gelato graham sandwiches to name a few. I spied a colleague enjoying a Snickers Ice Cream Bar and she commented that, not only was the ice cream a nice treat, but that the service was quick and friendly, she was greeted with a smile, and had a nice chat with Sophia the owner. Clearly a lunchtime hit, 3 Moms Ice Cream tantalized and pleased taste buds while at the same time providing some conscientious treats.  

Having become a lunchtime staple in several cities nationwide, Jacksonville food trucks are a welcome change from the usual conference fare offering a fun, creative and yummy twist to lunch. It’s also a great opportunity for a business partnership: local meetings, conferences and events supporting local businesses – a definite win-win for all.

Be sure to check out the Jaxtruckies page on Facebook to find out where the Jacksonville food trucks will be setting up and serving your next lunch.

Island Girl Cigar Bar and Rocky Patel

Air purifiers were on overdrive last Wednesday night at Island Girl Cigar Bar in Ponte Vedra. The air was thick with tobacco smoke as cigar aficionados were treated to a special meet and greet with cigar master Rocky Patel. Island Girl Cigar Bar is one of the few public places in Jacksonville where cigar smokers can gather, enjoy a drink, have a smoke and relax in a cozy, lounge atmosphere. Tucked away in an office park off A1A near the Sawgrass Marriott, Island Girl boasts a comprehensive full bar, comfortable varied seating, and the best selection of cigars in Northeast Florida.

Our party settled in at one of the tables near the private humidors and was promptly served one of the evening specials – Fat Tire Belgium Ale in a beer bomber. Finally having rolled into Florida, this medium bodied beer accompanied by a special commemorative pint glass was the perfect way to start the evening.  Adding to the event was a complimentary tasting of Jameson and Powers Irish Whiskeys whose robust flavors make them quite apropos with a premium cigar.

 

The event began at 5:00 p.m. and within the hour Island Girl was brimming with an assortment of characters, mostly male, talking to Mr. Patel, partaking of his cigars and posing for pictures with him. A well-positioned table outside of the walk-in humidor showcased Mr. Patel’s premium cigars. Boxes of Decade, Private Cellar, 15^th Anniversary, Vintage Connecticut, Vintage 1990, Vintage 1992 and his seasonal blend Winter Collection 2012 (to name a few) all available for purchase, to enjoy that evening or take home for later pleasure.  I chose a Private Cellar to experience the amazing sweet spice, dark chocolate, espresso bean and hint of earthiness promised by the on-hand tobacconist.

After mingling with guests, Mr. Patel took to the mike to talk about his cigars and the painstaking process of production. As a boutique cigar manufacturer, his brand has reached popularity not only through name recognition and reputation, an absolute must in this industry, but mainly because of the quality and integrity of each cigar he produces. Mr. Patel educated the crowd on his process of growing, fermentation, aging, rolling and punching of his cigars and further explained the uniqueness of his method in that each stick is touched by 300 hands and put to an extensive four draw test ensuring a most thoroughly inspected and highest caliber product for the discerning pallet. He finished his talk by thanking Island Girl owners, Rick and Joyce, for having him and inviting all to a trip of a lifetime: his cigar factory in Honduras, “you take care of the airfare and we take care of everything else.”

 

The event capped off with fantastic raffle prizes and Mr. Patel mingled and visited with guests long after it was officially over. Cigar aficionados were not disappointed and Island Girl Cigar Bar put out all the stops for an enjoyable, educational and truly exciting event.

Intuition Ale Works - Girls' Pint Out

Cloudy skies and torrential down pours could not keep the ladies away from Intuition Ale Works last Thursday night for Jacksonville’s Girls’Pint Out (GPO), a national organization with local chapters ready to explore the world of craft beers. This being my first event with JaxGPO, I wasn’t sure what to expect but because I had recently delved into the world of craft beers, I was familiar with Intuition and the King Street brewery.

Growlers

We started in the taproom with a pint and a souvenir glass to commemorate our visit. Choices ranged from the flagship People’s Pale Ale to the unique I-10 IPA to the imperial King Street Stout – a little something to entice every taste bud.  Once the gang (we were about 25) had their choice brew in hand, our tour guide and beer master Robin, who not only knows all the ins and outs of brewing an amazing pint of Intuition, but also serves as their Creative Projects Coordinator, took us into the brewery to see and learn all about the beer.

Kegs and Pallets

When you first walk into Intuition Ale Works, the humidity will engulf you. Think a cross between a steam room and a Turkish bath – hot, wet and a bit thick minus the steam. Robin was quick to point out that the perfect pint requires the perfect temp hence the warmth of the brewery. This was first lesson in our very tasty and educational brewery experience that evening. As we made our way past the expansive bar, pallets of packaged Intuition beer ready for market and large brewing vats, Robin explained the major ingredients of beer and their importance to the outcome of the taste. Like grapes to wine, hops and malts are the essential elements that bring flavor, aroma, and clarity while at the same time preserving the beer and contributing to the head. Intuition uses malts in grain form evident by the sacks stacked high at the back of the brewery. Robin passed out small handfuls of different malts, showing us the texture and allowing us to taste the grain that eventually makes its way into the beer. This is where the body of the beer comes to play as malts vary in richness, nuttiness and sweetness. After walking among the giant barrels, the silver vats lined up throughout the brewery, we entered the chiller – a welcome respite from the heat and humidity. Within the chiller we saw barrels, wine and whiskey, where the fermented beer ages. It was the perfect place to cool off and listen to the rest of the Intuition beer process.

Brewery Vats

Malt

Chiller Barrels

Once the tour concluded, our thirsty gang headed back to the taproom to imbibe in a few brews on tap that evening. Intuition tasting glasses were passed out as our GPO organizer Regina, equipped with a Growler of Belgian Hoppy Blonde began pouring.  The Belgian Hoppy Blonde is a light and refreshing brew, easy to drink and described by Robin as funky and bright in character.  Our second taste was the Riverside Red, a bit more aggressive in flavor, which we learned is a result of hops. This caramel colored brew provided more punch on the palate. Moving on to more full-bodied brews, we enjoyed a dark Saison the DragonGlass, brewed with Belgian Pilsner Malt and the Liver Kick, a black IPA with a strong hop aroma and definite immediate kick followed by a smooth finish.

By the time we finished our tour and tasting, the taproom was a buzz - overflowing not just with ladies enjoying another pint but also with Intuition regulars. Overall, the Jacksonville Girls’ Pint Out group had a very fun, educational outing along with a terrific sampling of the brews that Intuition has to offer. Thank you Robin and Intuition Ale Works!

Thanks to Jacksonville Girls' Pint Out and Intuition Ale Works. Growler pic courtesy of FindTheBest.com.