321 Flavor Bites: An oyster bar, Locals Hours in Cocoa Beach and wine dinners, oh my!
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So much cool stuff has been going on during this hot summer.
I got to debunk some rumors about Twisted Birch Sports Bar & Grill in Rockledge (Spoiler alert: They're not closing.), and I got to hear plans about their new Cocoa Village oyster bar. Read all about it here.
While I was busy writing about new restaurants, my colleague Lyn Dowling was scoping out cocktails. She identified five must-try rum cocktails across the Space Coast, from rum riffs on the classic old-fashioned to coconutty concoction with fresh pineapple.
This week, I'll be writing about what's happening at a longtime favorite meat market, and video master Rob Landers and I will be heading to Epcot to preview this year's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. (I know, tough job, but somebody's got to do it.) You'll have to wait until next week to read about those, but in the meantime, why don't you grab a cocktail and check out what's happening now on the 321 Flavor food scene.
It's good to be a local
Do you live within 25 miles of Cocoa Beach? if so, head over to Big Daddy J's 5 Great Things, 3850 N. Atlantic Ave., between 2 and 5 p.m. or between 9 p.m. and midnight for the locals discount. Show your ID to prove you live within a 25-mile radius of the restaurant, and get a 30% discount on everything during Local Appreciation Hours.
That's a 30% discount on giant loaded potatoes, brisket, Frito pie, mac and cheese, biscuit bread; all the great things on the 5 Great Things menu.
"We are trying to show our thanks for all the local support AND give anyone that hasn’t tried us locally a great chance to," reads a post on the restaurant's Facebook page.
Local Appreciation Hours are for a limited time, so don't wait too long to check it out.
Big Daddy J's is open 11 a.m. to midnight daily.
Want to learn a little more about the place? Check out this story I wrote a few weeks ago.
Wine dinner at Cafe Margaux
Seared sea scallops and prime beef tenderloin are just two of the courses in the upcoming California wine dinner hosted by Café Margaux at 6:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Aug. 3 and 4.
Dinner begins with double duck consommé with wild mushroom ballontine. A salad of Lolla Rosa, frisée, dried Anjoy, toasted marconas and grated Asiago d’Allevo follows before the scallops arrive with Bamboo rice cakes and lemon tarragon brown butter. The beef course of prime beef tenderloin is served with applewood bacon-whipped rutabagas. Afterwards, proceed to a cheese course of Beemster Xo Aged from Holland before dinner ends with chocolate and white sponge cake with layers of chocolate and Chantilly cream studded with Amarena cherries.
Each course will be paired from wines from Alexander Valley Vineyards, home to Sonoma County’s finest handcrafted estate wines.
Cost is $135 per guest. Reserve at 321-639-8343. For full menu, see margaux.com. Café Margaux is at 220 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village.
Gourmet in the Garden
If you haven't been to Sprengergarten yet, here's your chance. The upscale events venue in West Melbourne will host a food, wine and spirits pairing from 5-9:30 p.m. Aug. 11.
Indulge in a variety of gourmet dishes crafted to complement a selection of fine wines and luxury spirits. Explore the garden setting while savoring the delicious flavors and aromas.
This place is a hidden oasis not far off I-95. I got to tour it for this story at the first of the year, and was super impressed by all the detail the Williams family has put into it. There's a huge events hall and a more intimate pub, plus beautiful grounds. Check out the photo gallery to see more.
Cost for the dinner is $95 per person. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com (search for "Gourmet in the Garden"). Guests must be 21 or older.
This week's food holidays
What foods will you celebrate this week? Here's a list of upcoming food holidays, according to nationaltoday.com. A couple to note: July 29 is National Chicken Wing Day, so be on the lookout for a story from my USA Today network colleagues. We've rounded up the best wings in Florida just in time for the occasion. That story will publish Friday morning.
Also, July 27 is National Refreshment Day. I'm not sure what that entails, but stay refreshed, my friends.
National Bagelfest Day, July 26
National Coffee Milkshake Day, July 26
Chicken Finger Day, July 27
National Chili Dog Day, July 27
Crème Brûlée Day, July 27
National Refreshment Day, July 27
National Scotch Day, July 27
National Milk Chocolate Day, July 28
National Chicken Wing Day, July 29
National Lasagna Day, July 29
National Cheesecake Day, July 30
National Avocado Day, July 31
National Jump for Jelly Beans Day, July 31
National Raspberry Cake Day, July 31
National Shredded Wheat Day, July 31
National Albariño Day, Aug. 1
National Raspberry Cream Pie Day, Aug. 1
Until next time, happy eating, y'all.
If you have questions about any of our food content, feel free to reach out anytime via email at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Or connect with me on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard
FLORIDA TODAY food editor
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Locals Appreciation Hour in Cocoa Beach, plus rum cocktails, oysters
