Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sample Florida's Southern 'Cracker' cuisine surrounded by the surreal animal menagerie of
'America's largest private taxidermy collection,' which resembles the freakish love child of
Tim Burton and Mr Kurtz from
Heart of Darkness
. Taxidermied monkeys prowl the ceil-
ing. Leopards glare glassily from the corners. This swamp shack is unforgettable: gator,
smoked eel, fried snake and frogs legs all make menu appearances amid more prosaic of-
ferings such as catfish and steak. It's far south of downtown Jacksonville.
If this grotesque menagerie puts you off your food, you can always sit outside by the
murky water. But a word to the wise: don't feed the gators.
Casbah
MIDDLE EASTERN
904-981-9966;
www.thecasbahcafe.com
;
3628 St Johns Ave; mains $8-15;
11am-2am)
Upon spying the swords, camels and Moorish lanterns lining the walls, you'll wonder if a
passport is required for entry to this divey local favorite featuring authentic Middle Eastern
dishes, beer, music and belly dancing. For the scent sensitive, note that the cafe doubles as
a hookah lounge with dozens of flavorful tobacco concoctions.
Bistro Aix
FRENCH
11am-10pm Mon-Thu, to 11pm Fri, 5-11pm Sat, 5-9pm Sun)
Dine with the fashionable food mavens on fusion-y Mediterranean dishes at Aix, whose
menu bursts with global flavors. There are over 250 wines by the bottle, and 50 by the
glass! Reservations recommended.
GAY HOT SPOT: METRO
ville's top gay entertainment complex, has a disco, a cruise bar, a piano bar, a games
room with pinball machines, a smoke-free chill-out loft, a leathery boiler room and a show
bar.
Drinking & Entertainment
