6th Annual Taste of the Beach

Bob Samuels told Historic City News local reporters that the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association is sponsoring the 6th Annual “Taste of the Beach” on Sunday, May 15th.

The event is held each year at the St. Augustine Pier and Pavilion from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm. Local restaurants within the beach community are featured.

A shuttle bus will be running from Anastasia Square Plaza, at 1961 A1A South, to the Pier Pavilion.

Participating Restaurants include:
Amici’s Italian Restaurant, Antonio’s Grill, Barnacle Bill’s, Café Eleven, The Crab Cake King, Dune’s Cracker Restaurant, Napoli’s Italian Restaurant, Panama Hattie’s, Paula’s Beachside Grill, Purple Olive, Ramano’s Italian Food, Sea Oats Caffe, South Beach Grille, Sunset Grill and the Wildflower Cafe’

Fifteen participating island restaurants will be serving in the pavilion at St. Augustine Beach.

Tickets are sold for $1 and guests will use these to purchase taste size portions. Each restaurant will individually decide on pricing per taste (between $2 and $5), and there will be a wide variety of “tastes” on display for guests, Samuels said.

In addition, Kenyon Dye and his online interactive Piano Bar, will entertain from 12:30-6:00.

Sodas, water, beer and wine will also be available for sale.

The Community will vote for the “People’s Choice” while a panel of celebrity judges will decide which restaurant has the Best Appetizer; Best Dessert and Best Entrée.

The five celebrity judges are:
St. Augustine Beach Commissioner, Gary Snodgrass
St. Johns County Commissioner, Mark Miner
Director of the TDC (Tourist Development Council), Glen Hastings
St. Augustine Beach Police Chief, Richard Hedges
Director of the VCB (Visitor’s Convention Bureau), Richard Goldman

Of course, the restaurant to be named the “Judges Choice” will also be decided by our celebrity judges.

The winners will be awarded their trophies near the end of the event.

A portion of this year’s proceeds will go to support Betty Griffin House — a private, nonprofit agency that provides emergency shelter to abused women, men, their minor children.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer