Jacksonville-area restaurant roundup: 10 opened, 2 closed in October
October saw a well-known St. Augustine chef open his second fine-dining restaurant and the first Vilano Beach rooftop restaurant.
In Jacksonville, two Burger King restaurants closed abruptly after nearly 40 years. And a downtown breakfast and lunch spot shut its doors three years after succeding a longtime favorite restaurant at the same site.
Aiming to strike a chord with craft beer fans, the bass player and guitarist of a Jacksonville-based punk rock band opened a music-themed microbrewery at a local marina.
And a Jacksonville seafood restaurant branched out to St. Johns County as it casts its net throughout Northeast Florida.
Here's a recap of Jacksonville-area restaurant news in October.
More recent openings, closings: Jacksonville-area restaurant roundup: 5 opened, 2 closed in September
Pesca Vilano
An award-winning St. Augustine chef opened his second fine-dining restaurant on Oct. 17, offering inspired coastal cuisine and rooftop dining in Vilano Beach. Pesca Vilano from Chef Michael Lugo showcases fresh seafood, including lobster paella as well as smoked Wagyu beef and more at the restaurant at the new three-story, 120-room Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach hotel at 117 Vilano Road, a short stroll away from the ocean. Pesca is the first restaurant with a rooftop bar and grill in Vilano Beach. Reflecting Miami's Art Deco architecture, the main indoor dining area boasts a bar, a curated wine library, a private dining room and a chef’s experience table. | Read more
Mag's Cafe
Three years after opening, downtown’s Mag’s Café closed on Oct. 6. The restaurant was known for its menu of salads, soups, quiche and sandwiches. Located at the corner of Laura and Monroe streets across from the Jacksonville Public Library and James Weldon Johnson Park, Mag's Cafe was the successor to The Magnificat Café, which closed in August 2020 after 17 years in business. Mag's Cafe paid homage to longtime Magnificat Café owners Chef Benoit and Kathy Desclefs who had closed their restaurant due to ongoing health issues. | Read more
Burger King
Dating back nearly 40 years, two Jacksonville fast-food burger joints closed abruptly in October. Shuttering its doors were Burger King at 210 E. State St. downtown and Burger King at 1981 Kings Road near Edward Waters University. No reason was given for the closures. | Read more
Grace Note Brewing
A new microbrewery from two members of a popular Jacksonville punk rock band launched Oct. 13 at 4591 Lakeside Drive Suite 108 in Windward Sadler Point Marina on the banks of the Ortega River. Grace Note Brewing offers a "playlist' of artisan craft beers on tap plus a bass line of refined pub grub. The microbrewery from Inspection 12 bass player Jeremy Baker and guitarist James Trimble celebrates the artistry as well as the symmetry and commonalities of craft beer-making and music, be it classical or punk-influenced rock. | Read more
Corner Farm Kitchen
A drive-thru-only bakery and sandwich shop, Corner Farm Kitchen opened in early October at 6661 Bowden Road — a successor to cherished neighborhood mainstay Liberty Bakery near Parental Home Road. Authentic Indian specialties such as vegetable samosas and naan with butter chicken from Corner Farm Kitchen founder, owner and cook Subhashini Golla share the menu with banana bread, cinnamon rolls, muffins and other breakfast favorites plus sandwiches. | Read more
Spliff's Gastropub
A downtown Jacksonville gastropub known for its craft brews and innovative interpretations of comfort food such as mac 'n cheese, Hot Pockets and burgers branched out to suburbs. Spliff's Gastropub opened its second location Oct. 14 at 14985 Old St. Augustine Road, Unit 108 in Durbin Crossing Shoppes near Bayard. The restaurant offers 24 craft beers as well as a full liquor bar. Spliff's also emphasizes that it offers a "unique twist on traditional gourmet comfort food." | Read more
Peterbrooke Chocolatier
Known for its artisan chocolate-covered popcorn, pretzels, potato chips and strawberries as well as freshly made gelato, Peterbrooke Chocolatier opened its newest shop at 70 Silver Forest Drive Suite 112 in SilverLeaf Commons. in northwest St. Johns County. Describing itself as a "neighborhood chocolate shop," Peterbrooke specializes in European-styled handmade chocolates. The gourmet confectionary shop also features hand-made caramels, truffles, cherry cordials and petit fours. | Read more
Pandan Leaves
Indonesian stir fry noodles, Korean bulgogi, Japanese sushi and Thai curry are just a few of the signature menu offerings showcased at Pandan Leaves Asian Bistro, which opened in September at 725 Skymarks Drive, Unit 6 at River City Marketplace near Jacksonville International Airport in North Jacksonville. The restaurant pledges to be "storytellers of Asian cuisine." | Read more
Mocama Beer Company
Mocama Beer Company based in Fernandina Beach opened a satellite taproom in Wildlight Oct. 14 at the former StoryCenter at 123 Tinker St. in Yulee. Founded by four friends, Mocama offers a variety of beers including lagers, stouts and "not your average IPAs." Among the 11 beers listed on tap are Cosmico India Pale Ale, Prosím Pilsner, Rare Cargo and Burial at Sea. | Read more
Jax Fish Fry
Jax Fish Fry, a popular Jacksonville seafood restaurant known for its fried cod, lobster roll and made-from-scratch cheesecake, launched its second location Oct. 16 at 170 Fountains Way, Suite No. 7 in The Fountains in St. Johns. With the addition of some new specials, the new location will feature the same menu that has built a loyal following at the original location at 8380 Baymeadows Road, Suite 8, which opened in 2019. | Read more
Zaxby's
Known for its chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches and salads, Zaxby's opened its newest restaurant Oct. 23 at 3175 New Berlin Road off of Yellow Bluff Road in the Publix-anchored Northpoint Village Shopping Center. The opening coincides with the restaurant chain's introduction of its limited-time Fried Chicken Philly sandwich.
Smoothie King
One year after an electrical fire forced it to close temporarily, Smoothie King reopened in October under the same ownership at 1020 Third St. S., in Jacksonville Beach.
Times-Union writer Gary T. Mills contributed to this report.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville-area restaurants: Pesca Vilano opens, Mag's Cafe closes
