French Flair in St. Augustine

St. Augustine is rich with European influence. However when thinking about the history of the city, Ponce De Leon and the Spaniards come to mind. But the French also played a role in St. Augustine’s history, which is why I find Bistro De Leon to be one of the city’s gems. While I am a bit biased on this one (I have been working at this restaurant for over a year now) the food and atmosphere continues to inspire me.

 Owner Jean-Stephane Poinard and wife Valerie opened the bistro a little over 4 years ago. Chef Jean is a 5^th generation chef and he and his wife came to St. Augustine from Lyon, France. They decided to open a French bistro in a Spanish town to give the city a touch of French flair. The name itself shows the sense of humor of the couple by using a play on words. While they are from Lyon, France, the town c

ommemorates Ponce De Leon, and thus Bistro de Leon was born.

The restaurant is extremely small and narrow and pictures around the restaurant allow guests to view the resemblance of this bistro to Chef Jean’s bistro in Lyon. The tables are small and very close together which encourages guests to interact with one another in an open environment. Bistro De Leon is not a place for an intimate evening but rather a gathering to meet new people and be able to share in conversations with strangers about food, wine and travel.

The menu features French specialties such as escargot and pate as well as the Lyon specialty Fish Quenelle (a fish soufflé baked in a lobster bisque). All of the dishes are rich and serving sizes are larger than you would expect from a French restaurant.

While I have dined her on occasion my fondest memory was actually a night working. Last summer a transformer blew downtown leaving the restaurant without power. Rather than disappointing guests Chef Jean remained open until all of his guests were fed. We served tables by candle light and I watched as guests were drawn closer together through laughter and food.

One table consisted of a group of seven men who had made it a tradition to dine at the bistro every year. They traveled from across the country to meet up for dinner at our establishment. They continued to chat and laugh for hours and despite the lack of lighting they enjoyed their meal, even invited the staff to join them. The men were inspiring and by the end of the night we were all sitting with them and laughing as well. No one wanted the night to end.

My favorite characteristic of Bistro De Leon is the commitment to quality. The restaurant is part of the Slow Food movement, a campaign began originally out of outrage when a McDonald’s opened in the Vatican. Slow Food means that every component to every dish is made fresh in house. While this does mean you may have to wait a little longer for your meal, it gives customers the chance to enjoy their company or a couple of glasses of wine while they wait. In addition to receiving the Slow Food “Snail of Approval”, the Bistro De Leon has been voted by Best of Saint Augustine as Best French Restaurant since 2010. The restaurant has received approval by AAA and has been featured in Orlando food magazines as well.

When you go to the Bistro be sure to try the Pork Shank. It is my favorite! A 24 ounce bone in pork shank slow roasted confit style served with mashed potatoes. The meat falls of the bone and is packed with flavor.

Bistro De Leon is located in the heart of downtown at 12 Cathedral Place

Hours 

Monday 5 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Wednesday CLOSED

Thursday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Sunday 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Laid Back Lunch

If you are rushing for time and want to have a quick lunch out with friends Back 40 Urban Café is a great place to try. The menu is mostly American with some Latin twists, but the experience is completely unique. Off of West King, Back 40 is located in a small old house, but don’t let the exterior fool you. Inside is a laid back café dripping with local art and culture. There are 4 separate dining areas made out of the bedrooms of the old house. One room even features retired church pews rather than booths.While the menu is small the experience is amazing.

I originally heard about Back 40 from a co-worker who bragged about the value. The restaurant has enormous portions (so

me big enough for two full meals) and low prices. Nothing on the menu is above $12 and most menu items range between $7-9. I thought if nothing else I will be able to grab a quick lunch that will get me through the day.

I went into the restaurant with low expectations but left with a new lunch staple. During a break between classes me and a few of my friends decided to try Back 40. We spent most of our time there (when not stuffing our faces) admiring the local artwork and discussing the pieces.

Their black bean hummus intrigued me so I order that as well as the “wet burrito” which I greatly underestimated.  The hummus was delicious and served with warm seasoned pita slices as well as fresh veggies for dipping. There was definitely enough for the 4 of us to share.

When I received my burrito is was intimidated. The monstrosity was literally the size of a football and must

have weighed at least 2 pounds. But when I cut into it I was hooked. Filled with brown rice, black beans, roasted red peppers, avocado and jerk chicken then topped with a red mole sauce, lettuce, jalapeños, melted cheese and sour cream the medley of flavors was addicting. Being the cilantro addict that I am I was pleased at the amount that laid in my plate.

Back 40 uses local produce which gives all of their dishes a feeling of freshness and satisfaction. There is something about eating fresh local vegetables that makes the quantity of food consumed feel less guilty. 

The servers were extremely friendly and were quickly making jokes with me and my friends. I continue to dine here and so have my friends. This is the perfect place for college students who are eager to find a great meal at a reasonable price. My friends and I have almost made it a challenge to see who can turn the most people into Back 40 addicts.

Back 40 is on Trip Adviser if you need more proof to go. They are currently rated 17 in Saint Augustine which is impressive considering they market more towards locals. 

197 reviews from our community

92% Recommend

Excellent

147
Very good

35
Average

12
Poor

2
Terrible
1

Rating summary

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

  

Back 40 is located at 40 S Dixie Hwy  St Augustine, FL 32084

Hours 
Monday- Saturday 11a.m.-9 p.m.
Closed Sunday

Going Raw

It doesn’t hurt to be vegan for a day. Last year I gave up meat and dairy for lent. This made it pretty difficult to find places to dine with my friends. So I gathered a group of brave souls, some vegetarians and I went to Present Moment Cafe for the first time. Honestly I had no idea what to expect. I thought maybe the place would be full of peace children gnawing on carrot sticks, but what I found was a whole new side of cuisine.

At first I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to order my staple diet coke with my meal. But I think the cucumber water definitely complimented my meal more than my chemically enhanced beverages ever could. The atmosphere was dim and surprisingly modern. I expected earth tones and images of nature to fill the dining are but instead the dining room was quite modern and eclectic. The walls and furniture were brightly painted, there was a table with a bright turquoise sofa, and blue swivel bar stools stood around the juice counter. More than anything the décor reminded me of a hip coffee shop I used to frequent when visiting my brother in Boone, NC.

I was nervous about ordering. While I had been cooking vegan meals for myself for nearly a month I tended to rely on pastas and vegetables. I had never attempted to eat raw, gluten free, vegan before.  We started with the cashew hummus with still amazes me to this day. I never imagined nuts could be so rich and creamy.

For my entrée I ordered the nut loaf simply because I was curious about the vegan mock Alfredo pasta that came with it. Again I was amazed by the power of nuts and the similarity of almond and cashew based “cheese” to the real thing. While I initially thought the portions were small, I could not finish my meal. The richness and the amount of protein in my dish was more satisfying to my hunger than a steak would have been and more importantly it left my body feeling refreshed.

Very rarely do I leave a restaurant without over eating. Call me a glutton if you must, but I like to get the most out of my time there. At Present Moment Café I was able to fill my stomach and leave actually feeling healthier than when I walked in. Instead of the “please roll me to the car” feeling I usually receive, I honestly felt energized and happy that I actually did something good for my body.

I have racked my mind trying to figure out how they do it. But I decided to instead not question the magic and accept Present Moment Café as an awesome experience. While the Nut Loaf doesn’t actually taste like meat, it is delicious and every dish on the menu is so fresh you would think it was still alive (mainly because their ingredients are fresh and most probably were alive moments before they were on your plate).

I cannot wait to go back to this restaurant. I feel that it may just be the refresher I need to make it through exam week. Present Moment Café is currently rated #5 in St. Augustine on Trip Advisor. If you aren’t ready to have a full vegan meal you can always stop by for juice and a muffin to break the ice.

Present Moment is located at 224 W King St, Saint Augustine, FL 32084-4144

They are open Monday- Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Creating Nostalgia Through Food

If you are seeking the “Dinner at Nonna’s” feel CasaBenedetto’s is the place to be. I originally found this restaurant using TripAdvisor. It was late on a Sunday evening and I had planned to make pasta, but by the time I finished my homework I was too exhausted to pick up a pot or pan. I read the reviews of Casa Benedetto's and knew it was a place I needed to try. They had Brasiole (Braciola), so I knew I’d feel at home.

From the time I first walked in the door I felt nostalgia rushing over me. The walls were adorned with antique books, posters and photographs and vintage bird cages hung from the ceiling. The décor was almost an exact replica of my Grandmother’s living room. It had a very warm comforting feeling. Then against the wall at a small table sat an older Italian couple sipping coffee, dipping Biscotti and chatting. I soon found out that these were the owners of the restaurant and they welcomed us as if we were family.

Because it was my first time at the restaurant we decided to indulge. My friend Candice and I missed the comfort of slow simmered tomato sauce and wanted to feel at home. When we ordered we were brought warm baked

bread garlic butter and another ramekin filled with the sweet love of homemade gabanadine, an eggplant and tomato tapenade. My first thought was back to the World War III that erupted when my Great Aunt Theresa refused to give her nieces and nephews her recipe, and my Aunt talked the recipe out of her anyway.

My friend and I shared similar experiences about our crazy yet lovable Italian families. We enjoyed rice balls and reminisced about the delis in New York. We ordered Calamari and joked about who would get the “tentacles” which we both felt were the best part.

By the time our entrees arrived we knew we would have to be wheeled off the premises, but we simply could not stop eating. The sauce was rich and filled with the flavor that only hours of slow simmering can produce and we both laughed knowing our grandmothers would have referred to the tomato sauce as nothing other than “gravy”.

Although we put up a fight we had to take most of our food home with us. It was so rich and indulgent that we could never leave it behind. With us we also took an Italian cookie tray. Before leaving the restaurant I had to open the tin and smell the sweet comforting aroma of anisette.  We took the cookies home and enjoyed them with coffee as we continued to chat about our families. 

Casa Benedetto’s has made its way into my favorite places. If not for the first experience, when we returned weeks later, the owners remembered us and joked with us about how we were too thin and needed to eat more… just as our grandparents would have. While it is a bit of a drive from downtown (on south St. Augustine Beach), Casa Benedetto’s provides the perfect cozy Italian experience.

Casa Benedetto's is located at 6357 A1A South , Saint Augustine, FL 32080

They are open Monday- Thursday 12 p.m.-9 p.m.
                      Friday-Saturday      12 p.m.-10 p.m.

My Love Affair with Food

I grew up with a passion for food. It was more than delicious ingredients, it was the memories and the quality time with people you love. Dinner wasn't a meal, it was an experience of working together in the kitchen and collaborating to make something beautiful we could enjoy together. My parents were both raised by Italian parents who taught them the importance of food and its connection to family. When we gathered it was never just my parents and brother, every member of the family (no matter how distant) was invited. 

My father has been in the restaurant industry all his life, and I believe this has also fueled my passion for food in many ways. Most importantly my father has taught me that a restaurant is more than the food, the ambiance creates a whole new experience. I remember when I was younger we would not eat out much, not because of the cost of dinning for a family of four, but because my father has high expectations for the atmosphere and experience of dinning out that chain restaurants could not uphold. My father taught me the importance of quality ingredients and opened my mind to trying new dishes.

Sunday Dinner. My father (front left) and 3 generations gather at  "Nonna's."  

Now as a college student I am frequently short on money and time. I cook as much as possible for my room mate and friends and love to experiment with new ingredients and make recipes that are all my own. Above all to me food should be about sharing something inspiring with those you love. It shouldn't be about finding the nearest drive-thru (although late nights at the library make this a necessary reality for every college student), but rather taking the time to enjoy a meal and the people you are with.

To me each meal should be an adventure, whether trying something new or reminiscing in a nostalgic atmosphere, food should not only be fulfilling physically, but emotionally. My fondest memories revolve around food and I often use food to make me feel closer to home despite the distance, but I also use it as an opportunity to make new memories. So I sit here writing and reminiscing about my best dining experiences in St. Augustine hoping to share them with you in the hope that you too may find comfort through food.