While seeking an exceptional dining destination in San Marco for dinner this evening, I selected…read moreTown Hall, and it proved to be a thoroughly marvelous decision! Arrival was effortless, as the parking options outside the venue are remarkably convenient. Stepping inside, I was immediately struck by the pristine cleanliness of both the interior and exterior spaces. The decor is wonderfully stylish, featuring a lovely variety of private seating options that set a warm, serene, and sophisticated atmosphere. The service was top-tier from start to finish. My server, Patrick, was extraordinarily gracious, polite, and attentive, ensuring every detail of the evening was handled with complete care. To begin, I ordered the Dayspring Martini, which was expertly mixed, brilliantly balanced, and utterly refreshing. For my main course, I selected the house-made pasta. When it arrived, it was an absolute culinary triumph cooked to absolute perfection, rich with authentic flavor, and deeply satisfying. Between the spotless ambiance, chic interior design, divine cuisine, and Patrick's stellar hospitality, Town Hall earns full marks from me. A thoroughly marvelous experience I shall most certainly be returning

Absolutely love the warm and inviting ambiance at Town Hall. Starting with the decor and enhanced…read moreby the staff. We came in for dinner with a party of 4 and were sat at bar top. Right away our server greeted us and answered all our questions about the menu. I was having trouble deciding on a Sauvignon Blanc and he brought me some samples to choose from. We started with the Pepper Crusted Ahi Tuna and Sweet Pea Hummus. Both delectable, but the Ahi Tuna was the clear winner. So fresh and melted like butter in your mouth. For my entree I went with the Seared Scallops. I went with the larger order of and I'm glad because the they were not as large as we thought. They were good, but I was expecting them to be not as chewy as they were. We ended a brownie that had popcorn on it. We really wanted the cheesecake, but they were out. The brownie was good just the popcorn may throw you off if texture is important to you. It was warm and gooey yummy. Overall a wonderful spot to visit and they also have patio seating.

Truth be told. I am more of a buffet guy. Also a meat connoisseur. I just love and enjoy lots of…read morefood, of all kinds. So when the word TAPAS came about for places to eat from my group of friends, I cringed because I know I'm not gonna get a lot of food. And if I did decide to eat the TAPAS way, I would need to take out a personal loan knowing that I will end up spending alot of money. But let's be honest, some of the best foods are served small portions. Case in point...Bar Molino, a Tapas joint. I was skeptic at first, but the minute I stepped inside this place, it was hard to deny the ambience that calmed my tummy before eating. Despite all the items we ordered, I was quite please with how delicious they all were. Nice + fresh + yummy. In terms of Tapas, Bar Molino would be my go-to place. The food is really delicious. I would go here again and again and again. If only this place was a buffet joint, I would have been their #1 Fan. Every...Bite...Is...Worth...The...Pay.

This restaurant is incredible. I seriously wish I could eat here everyday. Every dish I tried was…read moreso wonderful, and what a fun way to eat with friends, ordering various tapas to share. The location, the atmosphere, the service - everything was on point- and I felt so comfortable as soon as I walked in. I ate: papatas bravas, harissa carrots, pulpo a la Gallega, tortilla Espanola, mushroom croquetas. Possibly some other items too. The mushroom croquetas were so delicious, I had to close my eyes after every bite. The omelet was scrumptious, and I even liked the octopus, which was sliced into thin circles (at first I did not even identify it as octopus at all, an item I generally avoid). Also had a dessert which I took pictures of but cannot actually match with a meny name, but it was definitely delicious. My friends and I closed down the house, but the staff generously didn't push us out, just left us merrily showing down and chatting. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Bar Molino!

What a beautiful space! Their wine selection was solid, and their house Cabernet is the same as…read moremany other restaurants and bars in San Marco. I got to meet the owner, and their hospitality and friendliness made for a great experience!

Would recommend! Service was a bit slow to start we sat at the bar unnoticed for a bit but the…read morebartender was great and really explained the menu items. We loved how casual and chill it felt inside, perfect spot before a date night. I got the lavender spritz and I still think about it. So delicious. I wish their small bites options were bigger but I understand that just have restricted options because of the space. Cool neighborhood spot.

Taverna in San Marco was a wonderful dining experience. The atmosphere is cozy, romantic, and…read morewelcoming, making it perfect for either a date night or a relaxed dinner with family and friends. We started with an Italian Chardonnay, truffle fries, and a charcuterie board, which were all excellent. For the main course, I had the Bolognese, and it was absolutely delicious, a flavorful. The service was outstanding from start to finish. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made us feel genuinely welcome throughout the evening.

First time visit for lunch for our anniversary. Made the reservation online and noted it was our…read moreanniversary. We didn't really need the reservation as we arrived right after they opened and it was not busy. We were greeted immediately and wished happy anniversary by multiple staff members. They also brought us two glasses of white wine to celebrate. The space is beautiful, bright and clean. We asked for a recommendation between two appetizers and chose the shrimp with garlic and chili. We added sourdough toast on the recommendation and we were not disappointed. The toast was perfect to dip in the sauce and the shrimp were delicious. I also ordered their old world fashioned and was super happy. I try old fashioned everywhere I can and this one is definitely in my top three. Unfortunately, my entree was not as good as the rest of my meal. The flavor of the scallops was strange, I am guessing from the pea flavor. I love mushrooms and risotto, but this one was not good. The risotto was not super creamy, seemed a bit uncooked. Based on most of our meal, I would definitely return to try other entrees.

My girlfriend and I came to this place because we had heard such good things about it. Safe to say,…read morewe were not disappointed. Jean-Luc and Sean were exceptional and made our experience hard to forget. Came on a slow Monday night and we couldn't believe there was not more people. Service was completely tailored towards us and made us feel like we were the only people there. Couldn't ask for anything more.

We celebrated our anniversary at Gemma Oyster Bar and, as always, the atmosphere was wonderful…read more It's one of our favorite things about dining here, it's comfortable, relaxed, and quiet enough to easily have a conversation. We also appreciated that multiple staff members wished us a happy anniversary, which made the evening feel special. That said, for a nearly $400 dinner, the level of service didn't quite match the price point. Our server was very kind and pleasant, but she appeared inexperienced. She spent about five minutes struggling to open our $130 bottle of wine and, while everyone has to learn somewhere, it felt uncomfortable for that learning experience to happen tableside during such an expensive meal. There were also several menu availability issues. The restaurant didn't have the 2016 wine we initially ordered, and we were told it had been unavailable for the past four weeks. They also didn't have the first bourbon my husband selected for his Old Fashioned. At that point, it seems reasonable to update or reprint the menu so guests aren't repeatedly ordering items that haven't been available for an extended period of time. The timing of service also felt off. We were expecting our bottle of wine to be delivered and uncorked before our meal arrived, especially after taking additional time to select a replacement bottle. Instead, our entrées were delivered within minutes while we were still waiting for the wine, which made the experience feel rushed and a bit awkward. At this price point, we expected better coordination between beverage and meal service. None of these issues ruined our evening, and we still enjoyed celebrating our anniversary there. The atmosphere remains a highlight, but for a nearly $400 dining experience, we expected a more polished and seamless level of service to match the overall ambiance and price point.

Don't sleep on your local bookstores!…read more We participated this morning in a group walk and afterward, of course we had to stop into the bookstore! It's basically the law - you're in San Marco square, you go to San Marco book store. The book selection is ever evolving so there is always some new treasure to discover among the stacks. And often, I find books in there less expensive than Amazon. And there is a selection of books with author signatures as well, for no additional cost. Some of the signed ones have been ordered from the publisher, but a good portion of those come from live author events the book store participates in. There are so many wonderful events you can attend here, like the author signings mentioned above (and of course a slew of other things) And often, those authors will sit for a chat. I discovered a new favorite author when I accidentally stumbled into one of those events. It was neat to hear her discuss her book and answer some great questions. The. Store is also very involved in the community around them which I love. (The owner even participates in the group walks in the area sometimes!) They also partner with the library for some larger author signings and other events. If you love reading, this is a must visit!

A wonderful surprise find was this bookstore. They have lots of books of all kinds there. I…read morepersonally loved that Harry Potter got his own section for not only books. They had games and other collectible items in the Harry Potter section. They may have that book you been looking for but cannot seem to find.

Full disclosure, I've been a docent with Jacksonville Public Library for a couple of years now, and…read moreI'm a raving fan! If you're not already plugged in, subscribe to their emails! Every week, special events happen at branches all over the city. From author presentations like "Lit Chats" (ranging from local authors to James Patterson, yes, the James Patterson!) to special events like the Candlelight Concert series, there's something for everyone. PRO TIP: The $1M Memory Lab on the 4th floor of the Main Library downtown is FREE to use with a JPL card. Ask the Special Collections librarians for help, bring a thumb drive for downloads, and you're all set!

went to another Amazing Candlelight Concert at the Jax main library. Te quartet of talented string…read moremusicians was playing selections from the three Lord of the Rings movies. The music played in a beautiful setting of candles was beyond description. If you haven't been to one of their many concerts you're missing out on an incredible experience.

Nice cafe with a great menu, plenty food and pastry items. My cold brew was really good and not too…read morebitter or strong yet perfectly balanced with mild sweetness. The power bowl was really delicious but the cup they serve it in made it hard to enjoy. I was trying to scoop out the egg which falls to the bottom so that was awkward to eat but super good. I suggest more of a tray or actual bowl would be easier to eat this in. I got my order really quickly and they have plenty parking. It was busy and plenty customers. Really enjoyed my visit and stayed a bit to work in the cafe on my laptop.

Really cute coffee and food spot! The guy at the counter was very patient with my questions. I…read moreended up getting the grits bowl (whole grain grits woooo!) and it was yummy. I had a plum cinnamon tea which was also great and hit the spot on a rainy day. The WiFi connected but wouldn't open any pages except google, so that was a bummer. I'd love to see for-here food come in an actual plate or bowl. The bowl mine came in had all the egg & sausage on the bottom, so you ate grits first then everything else. Still, I'd come back and try more things. I also tried the chocolate banana thing (muffin? Donut? Cupcake.) and found it pretty disappointing. The cake part itself is good, very moist. Too moist to be a donut or a muffin, so it must be a cupcake, which is weird considering the shape. The icing was awful. It's so overpoweringly sweet it doesn't taste like chocolate or banana, just sugar. If you don't scrape it off, it makes the whole thing way too sweet.

When looking for a dinner spot, I noticed an opening on Open Table. I peeked at the menu, and…read moredecided to try out this location. I'm very glad as my server was very friendly, and the dining area was very cozy. What I Ordered: - 4oz Filet Mignon (Brussel Sprouts, Whipped Potatoes, Gorgonzola Butter, and Braised Shallot Sauce): Just the perfect amount of meat. With the amount of sides, I was absolutely stuffed and satisfied as the combination of flavors was perfection. - Dirty Vodka Martini with Blue Cheese-stuffed Olives: A perfect martini after a work day as I traveled to Jacksonville for work. I'd definitely return if I'm sent to Jacksonville for work, and would recommend for anyone living or visiting in the area.

We had high hopes for this spot. I know they claim their pasta is made fresh in house but didn't…read moretaste like any freshly made pasta I've ever had. Thick chewy noodles that stuck together. The Alfredo sauce was flavorless, watery and just all around awful. Soggy bland chicken parm. I even tried my friend's Lugo and he said it tasted like a boxed meal. To top it off the meatballs did not taste homemade and the table swore they were premade frozen. Sadly most of the party we were with didn't enjoy their meals but we were there for a birthday and all decided to keep it to ourselves. It wasn't a busy night and our poor server seemed all on her own for the most part. Dishes piled up and expected someone to come help her clear for the party or refill drinks. She did the best she could. The only redeemable dish is the pizza. The godfather pizza was great with crispy edges and full of flavor. Please just stick to pizza! Pleaaaaassssseeeee The food photographs well but oof I couldn't even eat my dish.

Best bartenders in the city. Excellent service and knowledgeable. Bartenders Tommy and Kenneth were…read moreextremely hospitable and polite! The cocktails were smooth and strong. Music was also a vibe. Holidays here are pretty cool they deck this place out during Xmas.

It's been a while. Glad I came in tonight. I absolutely love this bar. It's perfect any time for a…read moredrink and relaxation. It's located in the heart of San Marco Shops and restaurants. The Bartenders are nice and helpful. Pros: location Cons:parking Recommend:YES, always