April 21, 2006
Fernandina Beach On Amelia Island: Historic Waterfront Seafood Community
Relax and feel the stress fade away at one of Florida’s historical waterfront communities, Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. Not only will you have the opportunity to enjoy some sensational Florida seafood while you watch the sun setting over the pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean but you can also learn how much the food you are eating influenced the development of the area. Fernandina Beach is the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry and it is 100 years old this year.
Amelia Island has been an escape for hundreds of years for many different groups of people during its long and eventful history. It is a barrier island off the northeastern-most tip of Florida separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Amelia River (part of the Intracoastal Waterway) to the west, the St. Mary’s River estuary to the north, and by Nassau Sound to the south. Historically, this isolation made it the destination of Timucuan Indians, pirates, smugglers, explorers, and fishermen. Presently, it is an upscale resort and golfing area and a retreat for nature lovers. Fernandina, once an active port because of its natural harbor, is the only town on the island and takes up seven square miles in the North Central region.
The island's Golden Age, between 1870 and 1910, was the period when many wealthy Americans made Fernandina their home, creating an elegant Victorian community that flourishes to this day. The boom was fueled by the shipping industry and tourists visiting from the Northeast to enjoy the warm climate and luxurious hotels. Such notables as Ulysses S. Grant, William Jennings Bryant, the Carnegies, and Jose Marti were a few of the island's historic visitors.
In 1890, Standard Oil co-founder, Henry Flagler, extended his railroads, which lured tourist traffic to St. Augustine and points south. This resulted in a faltering local economy, until enterprising fishermen saw the potential for the shrimping industry. Rowboats and cast nets were replaced with power driven seines and otter trawls, giving birth to the modern shrimping industry on Amelia Island. Consequently, the picturesque and historic harbor of Fernandina Beach, once a haven for pirates, became one of the most productive shrimping and fishing centers in the southeast. Where can you go to sample some of the harvest today? You are in luck. The community welcomes and caters to vacationers. Here are just a few examples of places to relax and enjoy the bounty from the sea.
Florida House Inn
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
22 South Third Street
Telephone: (904) 261-3300
Web: www.floridahouseinn.com
Popular Florida grilled tuna and grouper sandwiches are the dining favorites at the historic Florida House Inn. The Florida House was built in 1857 by David Yulee's Florida Railroad. The original building was of typical frame Vernacular "Cracker" style construction. Over the years it has had a few renovations but the ambience continues to provide a sense of history. Joe and Diane Warwick are the owners today.
La Bodega Courtyard Café
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
19 South Third Street
Telephone: (904) 321-1922
The Florida seafood stew is a must have at this delightful café. Chef Lisa Harter is also the owner of the La Bodega Courtyard Café so you can be confident that she will make sure your culinary experience is memorable. She shares the success of the Florida seafood stew. It is a light broth filled with “whatever is fresh down the street, with lots of white wine and fresh herbs.” Harter grows an herb garden in the restaurant’s beautiful Spanish-style courtyard. All dishes are accompanied by zesty jalapeno collard greens, creamy cheese grits, and fresh biscuits baked with orange juice, orange zest, thyme and candied ginger.
The Down Under
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
Highway A1A and Intracoastal Waterway
Telephone: (904) 277-1557
The favorites here are the fried Florida shrimp and red pepper shrimp plates. Family owned and operated by the McCarthy family since 1982, they serve a variety of fresh seafood daily. Due to the location, this restaurant has become an important part of the waterfront community’s history.
Sliders Seaside Grill
1998 South Fletcher Avenue
Telephone: (904) 277-6652
Web: www.slidersseasidegrill.com
Sliders is famous locally for its original Sunday afternoon Florida oyster roast on the ocean. Located on Amelia Island, it provides a beautiful ocean front dining experience. It opened in 1945 as a traditional American roadhouse called The Seaside Inn. Since it originally provided lodging and food, it flourished as a vacation destination for many. The name Sliders was adopted in 1980. In 2003, Sliders Seaside Grill was renovated to become a Caribbean-themed restaurant. The festive dining rooms, ocean front tiki bar, covered deck and children's playground offer unique settings for fine food and beverages.
The Marina Restaurant
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
101 Centre Street
Telephone: (904) 261-5310
Owned and operated for 38 years by the Toundas family, the Marina Restaurant serves fresh seafood daily. A local favorite is the fried Florida shrimp but their “shrimp scampi with linguini” has also found its way into locally produced cookbooks. The owners are related to the Tiliakos family who were the first shrimp boat builders in Fernandina.
Beech Street Grill
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
801 Beech Street
Telephone: (904) 277-3662
Web: www.beechstreetgrill.com
This is an award-winning restaurant with daily blackboard specials that showcase the areas freshest seafood, seasoned with freshly cut herbs, homemade sauces and chutneys. The restaurant is actually a restored Victorian home with a very elegant atmosphere.
España Restaurant and Tapas
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
22 South Fourth Street
Telephone: (904) 261-7700
Web: www.espanainamelia.com/
Owners Roberto and Marina Pestana offer delicious old world cuisine from Spain and Portugal at España. After owning and operating a successful Brazilian restaurant in South Florida for 18 years, they moved to the quieter lifestyle of Fernandina Beach. A specialty is the Seviche, small, tender chunks of Florida grouper “cooked” in a mixture of lime juice, cilantro and red onions.
For more information about the history of Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island and northeast Florida visit www.fl-seafood.com/fernandina.htm.
For more information:
Phyllis McCranie
(850) 488-0163
mccranp@doacs.state.fl.us
