7/29/2019 Vacation in St. Augustine, Florida

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ST. AUGUSTINE

Hot Getaways

By Gail Gerson-Witte

Florida

CharlotteBeach Lodgings atST. FRANCIS INNAnastasia Island St., St. Augustine(800) 824-6062www.stfrancisinn.com

Casablanca Inn24 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine(800) 826-2626 (904) 829-0928

www.casablancainn.com

INNon

52 Charlotte St., St. Augustine(800) 355-5508 (904) 829-3819www.inoncharlotte.com

ClaudesChocolate15 Hypolita St., St. Augustine

(904) 808-8395

ww w.claudeschocolat e.co m

Kingfish

GrillAT CAMACHEE COVE MARINA

The atmosphere, food and serviceare all completely in tune, with no jar-ring notes to interrupt the harmony offine dining. We loved dining as we watched the boats parked i n

the Camachee Cove Marina - the home of so many excitingships goes beyond food - its about l iving well, about good con-versation at the table with family and friends and about sharingand creating new food memories, taking time to enjoy the goodlife! Filet Mignon is given textural and flavor interest and fresh

fish, too, are beautifully sauced,grilled and handled. What theygive you is a memorable expe-rience that will leave you eagerto return for another magic nightin this casual waterfront setting.

252 Yacht Club DriveSt. Augustine(904) 824-2111www.kingfishgrill.com

COLLAGE60 Hypolita St., St. Augustine (904) 829-0055

www.collagestaug.com

My husband and I enjoyed sipping Chocolate Martinis atthe engaging Tini Martini Bar. A choice of exotic martinis, 32 vin-tage wines by the glass and 28 distinctive brews with live jazz orblues make relaxing evenings areas best.

The fluffy beds and superb appoint-ments, are amazing, in all of the 23 beauti-fully decorated suites and rooms, that over-look the Matanzas bayfront. From firstclass, very friendly service, amid well-designed stylish surround-ings, all brilliantly restored to their 1914 Mediterranean elegance,this bed and breakfast with whirlpools, flat screen TVs, privateporches, sundecks, antique furnishings, decorative fireplaces,and private entries, to thehorse and carriage tours,inches away. This was so

romantic and I felt as ifI was stepping into

another time andplace.

This charming Inn with swimming pool andbicycles for guests, provides complimentaryadmission to the Saint Augustine Lighthouseand Museum and 50% off admission to thenearby Oldest House is in the center of theoldest part of the city. We fell in love with theBeach Cottage, just 8 miles from the St. Francis Inn, and aside the AtlanticOcean! They provided beach chairs, drinks and everything one requires forfun at the beach.

We were truly at home the second we stepped into this adorable house.A lovely fireplace, desk and modem hook-up, comfortable deck overlookingthe beach, washer and dryer and a pleasing kitchen, had my family not want-

ing to go anywhere else. The Evening

Social Hour (5:30 - 6:30pm daily) atboth Inns, with complimentary drinks,homemade desserts and gourmet ap-petizers, was a treat as we talked toother guests. The two bedrooms and 3bathrooms added to our memorablestay but breakfast back at the inn withChef was the veritable icingon this award-winning cake.

Claudes Chocolate withClaude and Nicole Franques,present a true European-styleof luxurious romantic chocolate.Claude Franques left Toulouse,France for New York and wasthe Chef for 20 years at RenePujol Restaurant in Manhattan.

I really enjoyed the many unique presentations like ChocolatePeanut Brittle and chocolate covered Dried Mango. Claude craftshis Belcolade Belgian chocolates by hand in small quantities, usingonly the purest ingredients. I smelled thearoma of rich Belgian chocolate when Ientered and sampled some of the 24 va-rieties of pecans, hazelnuts, passion fruitand espresso, all luscious tastes of in-dulgence. This is where I am doing myholiday shopping for friends, family andclients, at claudeschocolate.com.

Under the watchful eye of Cindy andMike Hyatt, with Chef Melody Stewart(inset below), this bril l iant foodiedream team hasbeen pleasing allsince their recentarrival. I enjoyed awonderful dinner

which I call Global cuisine andadmired the seasonal ingredientsutil ized to produce beautifullyplated inventive dishes. They doserve lunch and dinner in this terracotta, well designed setting, withthe sorts of small touches that in-dicate someone is paying atten-tion. Our tasting by the talentedkitchen proved that they are cre-ative, with an accent on freshness,top quality ingredients, a beauti-fully designed plate and matchless

My husband Ed and I agreed that every-thing that comes out of Melodys kitchenshe makes herself, using the slogan, Keepit simple and work with great ingredients.

Built in 1918, the Inn on Charlotte Street isan elegant bed and breakfast that is the creationof Lynne Fairfield, a glorious innkeeper, that hasknowledgeably restored this very special homeaway from home to replicate its initial splendor. I

loved sitting on the large front veranda, the dazzling accommodations, the gour-met breakfasts, like Gingerbread Pancakes, Orange Nutmeg French Toast andhomemade cookies and the meet and greet cocktail hour with complimentarydrinks and goodies. The majestic antique furnishings, grand gardens and charm-ing accessories, and Lynne, were romantically unforgettable.

St. Augustine is eccentric, romantic, unpredictableand engrossing. Spain founded the city in 1565 and onecan visit every part of it s history through museums, gal-

leries, art and the accomplishments of Henry Flagler. From pottery, toferry trips, to fine rest aurants, to kayaking, beaches and a celebra-

tion of nature, my family was thrilled with this something foreveryone historical adventure.

Thanks to Leigh of Leigh CortPublicity (leighc@aug.com) orwww.LeighCortPublicity.com for di-

recting me to this amazing town.