Ready to get mellow – St Augustine style

When Historic City News reported last month’s new business licenses, it was with some celebration we noted Mellow Mushroom — a new adventure, built from scratch on Anastasia Boulevard, and a first for St Johns County diners who are already familiar with the several Mellow Mushroom restaurants around Jacksonville and the Beaches.

This restaurant location, with its unique art deco appearance, has been hiring new employees over the past month and is finally scheduled to open next Monday, July 22.

“Mellow has such a wonderful and unique concept, and we are thrilled to bring the atmosphere and incredible food to town,” said owners Matt and Tara Strickland.

The St Augustine restaurant has its own look and feel; and, in keeping with Mellow’s goals, will be locally owned and operated by Panic Pizza Inc — not John Valentino who operates the Jacksonville businesses.

Setting the St Augustine restaurant apart from its namesake:

• A commissioned piece from international artist R. Land takes a seat of honor near the front door. Land’s talents in collage and color bring the local region and town to life through his unique stylized work that enjoys a special significance to the Mellow Mushroom family since St Augustine is Land’s hometown.

• A mosaic of Michael Houser, a founding member of Widespread Panic in his famous chair playing his “lingering lead” guitar.

• A scaled replica of Castillo de San Marcos National Monument has been placed in the dining area; providing the ideal setting for a life sized Marlin, in full color glory, sparkling from the center in a splash of light and glass.

“St Augustine is a wonderful community full of art, history, music and the outdoors, which is an unparalleled match of perfection to Mellow,” Strickland told reporters.