a generous offer

I am offering up compensation of $5 (american) to anyone who opens an indian restaurant in the 5 points area of jacksonville, FL. At a minimum, menu must feature southern indian cuisine as well as goan dishes including vindaloo. chad has raised the ante to five dollars and a promise to dine at proposed restaurant once a week for a minimum of four weeks in a row. i am now raising chad to eight weeks. It’s starting to sound like anyone who opens this much needed eatery would pretty much be set for life.
any takers?

Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Jacksonville FL

The new Whole Foods Supermarket is probably the best all around vegetarian restaurant in Jacksonville. While visiting there on last Saturday they had 6 vegetarian main entrees. The selection ranged from Asian, kung pow tofu to Bar-B-Q Seitan.

The hot bar was very fresh and was constantly being monitored by several chefs and staff. There was traditional sides like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese….you name it.

In addition, they have a gelato bar, coffee/expresso, brick hearth pizza oven (slices available!) and a dessert bar.

The food is all $7.99 per pound and there is indoor and outdoor seating with free WI-FI.

Row Restaurant Does Vegetarian!

Great Vegetarian Meal at the Row Restaurant

Please see my huge disclaimer at the bottom

The Row Restaurant has been Jacksonville’s Magazines top 25 restaurants for 6 years straight. I live very close and head to the pub every now and then since they have delicious Rogue Juniper Pale Ale on tap. There’s also some excellent vegetarian appetizers. The artichoke dip comes to mind.

Even though there is no vegetarian options on the menu Chef Eric will whip up some stuffed grilled portabello’s or an extremely rich freshly prepared basil pesto pasta dish with fresh vegetables from the farmer’s market.

One night while I was there I had heard another table raving over his Chicken Marsala. Well, I don’t eat chicken but I had an idea. I asked Chef Eric if I could bring in a fake chicken patty and asked if he could prepare the dish completely vegetarian. He was up for the challenge! I ran home and grabbed some Quorn patties.

In about 15 minutes Chef Eric presented a wonderful meal for me and wife complete with fresh French green beans sauteed in a light butter sauce and roasted potatoes lightly spiced. The marsala wine gave a sweet hint while the capers rounded it out with a salty finish. We finished off with a special Chocolate cake dessert. The chicken marsala was fabulous.

I asked Chef Eric if he would be willing to do this for others and he gave an enthusiastic YES.

One thing to note, if you want to dine on Thursday, Friday or Saturday reservations are highly recommended.

• Huge disclaimer
  • My family owns and runs the The Riverdale Inn and The Row Restaurant
  • My brother Eric is the Executive Chef
  • I’m vegetarian and rarely eat there but love my brother’s cooking.