Food and Dining
Let Tommy Thompson, our Food and Dining blogger and “Sportsman’s Kitchen” columnist for Florida Sportsman Magazine, point you toward the best eats in Natural North Florida.
Stop by The Nut Hut–Steinhatchee’s Source For Boiled Peanuts and Fresh Veggies
You don’t have to be tired of fresh seafood to have a craving for fresh vegetables and fruit. And nothing goes better with a cold beverage than some of the Nut Hut’s famous boiled peanuts. The Nut Hut is located about a half-mile north of the CR361 curve at Roy’s Restaurant, in Steinhatchee. …
Head East From Gainesville to Blue Water Bay Restaurant in Melrose
Now that the intersection of US301 and SR26 has been “passed over” by the new overpass, the 20-mile trip east from Gainesville to Blue Water Bay is pretty easy. And when you get there, the food’s pretty good, too! Blue Water Bay is open for lunch Monday-Friday, 11AM – 3PM; dinner Monday-Thursday 5PM – 9PM. …
Bay Scallop Season To Begin on Florida’s Nature Coast, June 27, 2015
The 2015 bay scallop season opens June 27th. Ports along Florida’s Nature Coast from the Pasco/Hernando county line north to the Mexico Beach Canal are expecting a record “crop” and are prepared for a very busy couple of months. This year’s season begins on June 27 and ends on September 24, giving everyone plenty …
61st Annual Watermelon Festival, Chiefland, FL–June 6, 2015
The 61st Annual Chiefland Watermelon Festival is coming up on June 6th. There will be contests, a parade, music, entertainment for the kids, and of course watermelon! This event will be taking place at the Train Depot Park in Chiefland from 8am to 2pm The Annual Watermelon Festival is perhaps the biggest event in Chiefland …
Learn About “Florida Cuisine” at Gainesville’s Matheson Museum, May 2015
Florida’s food baffles lots of visitors. As a surprise to many, oranges are not our largest agricultural output, nor are fish. Would you believe beef cattle? Natural North Florida is especially varied, and you’ll likely see more cattle ranches than citrus groves as you cruise our 10 county region. Of course, we have fish, …
“Customer Fish”: Catch Fish–And Let Someone Else Cook Them!
Yes, you’ll still have to clean your catch, but in many coastal settlements and towns along our Natural North Florida coast, there are restaurants with “customer fish” on the menu. There’s nothing quite like fish, fresh from the Gulf, served in the comfort of a restaurant, and usually accompanied by side dishes like grits, butter …
Take a Tour and Taste a Sample at Island Grove Winery, near Gainesville
I’m a product of college in the 60’s. That means when I hear the words “local”, “southern” and “blueberry wine” in the same sentence, I think of the Boones’ Farm Apple wine and “Mad Dog 20/20” common at fraternity parties. But I’m a pretty open-minded guy and recently took the opportunity to visit Island Grove …
Island Grove Blueberry Festival, Saturday May 16, 2015
>>>BLUE BERRY FEST 2015 SATURDAY MAY 16. IN ISLAND GROVE 8am – 4pm<<< Fun for the Whole Family! Delicious Florida foods, blueberry bake sale, arts and crafts vendors. Kids activities and entertainment, old time activities ( cow drop, turkey shoot, etc.) blueberries and plants. Proceeds benefit Cross Creek Volunteer Fire Department 21921 S HWY 301 …
New Sportody Mobile App Simplifies Finding and Planning Outdoor Activities in Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (April 28, 2015) – Florida visitors and outdoor enthusiasts now have a comprehensive resource for the many trails, golf courses, boat launches, dive spots, skate parks and other sporting activities in the state. Gainesville-based startup, Sportody, released its new application to supplement Sportody.com, the online review network for outdoor sports. The free app …
Fiddler’s Restaurant in Steinhatchee: The Place To See and Be Seen
There’s no hiding out in Steinhatchee if you eat at Fiddler’s Restaurant. You’ll see just about everyone in town at this popular eatery, located at 1306 SE Riverside Drive, known for its great seafood, steaks, cold beer, generous cocktails, and professional service. Even when the main dining room is busy and the crowd overflows to …