If I could summarize my experience during my initial visit to The Local restaurant in the Winn-Dixie shopping center at the southwestern corner of A1A and Solano Road, I’d have to borrow a few words from Tony the Tiger in the old Kellogg's Frosted Flakes commercials: “It was “G-r-r-r-e-a-t.” Great food, great ambiance, great service.
The hustle and bustle of excitement absorbed us in a relaxing atmosphere of enthusiastic diners who — like us — were eager to enjoy a memorable eating experience. And none of them left disappointed!
The restaurant is “beaches casual,” with an interior that is varied and quite attractive with both booths and tables, a lengthy bar in front of three big-screen TVs, an outdoor enclosed patio and a bandstand for those occasions when live music is performed.
As far as the menu goes, there’s a plate for every taste. There’s a sushi raw bar, oysters prepared in various ways, soups, salads, pasta dishes, fish, chicken, burgers and steaks, breakfast items for brunch including Belgian waffles and eggs, kids’ plates featuring chicken nuggets, grilled cheese sandwiches and mac ‘n cheese, club sandwiches, tacos and either blueberry bread pudding or chocolate crème brulee for dessert.
My partner and I shared the ample-portion ginger-wasabi-crusted salmon dinner. It was quite pleasing to the palate. The chef obviously is a culinary Picasso, because the way the entree was arranged on the plate, it was almost too pretty to eat! While we devoured it, we could not help but notice hamburgers the size of honeydew melons arriving at all the tables around us!
“We're going all-out with our menu offerings, and will even be including prime steaks,” said Operations Manager Bobby Newell. “What makes us different is that our customers get chef-inspired entrees. If they want a crab cocktail, we’ve got it. If it’s simply a burger and beer, they’ve come to the right place.”
“This is the best place in the area for one to enjoy high-end spirits and wines at affordable prices,” he added. “We don’t do the huge markups most of the others do. We also will be doing catering for weddings and special occasions, so if you've got an event on the books, keep us in mind.”
“The Local” is part of the Roost restaurant chain, which now has several area locations: 301 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach in the Beaches Town Center; 4578 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville in the Miramar neighborhood; and Front Runners Tap House sports bar in the Community First Igloo ice rink at 3605 Philips Hwy., Jacksonville. It will soon be opening up a St. Augustine location in the Herrera House at 58 Charlotte St. in the Nation’s Oldest City.
For those not familiar with the layout of the Winn-Dixie shopping center, the restaurant is located in the island strip mall also occupied by Dunkin’ Donuts, Don’s Barber Shop and Ponte Vedra Cards and Comics. If you’re using GPS to get there, punch in 226 Solano Road Unit 1, Ponte Vedra.
The Local is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to midnight. Reservations are accepted, but not necessary. Call 904-373-0629.
