AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (September 20, 2011) – Located just off Florida’s northeasternmost shore, Amelia Island is introducing a number of new and enhanced dining opportunities and other activities for guests this fall. From a two-day cooking school, restaurant reopening and new menus, to river cruises and award-winning hotels, visitors have several new ways to dine and enjoy their way around one of North America’s most popular island destinations.
Family Dining at the Florida House Inn
The Florida House Inn recently reopened their restaurant and is now offering family-style southern cuisine daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu of homemade dishes varies daily and typically offers two entrees, such as fried chicken, pot roast, seafood gumbo, meatloaf or fried fish. They also serve fresh biscuits and four vegetables per day, such as cabbage, collards, succotash, mashed potatoes, cucumber salad, black eyed peas and more. The all-you-can-eat cost is $13.95 per person and $6.95 for children, and includes a homemade dessert such as strawberry shortcake, cobbler, pie or banana pudding. Visit www.floridahouseinn.com for more information.
Meet the Farmers at Café 4750
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island will be hosting Meet the Farmers – Fall Harvest, a unique opportunity to meet several area farmers, growers and seafood providers at the resort’s Café 4750. Chef Garrett Gooch has created an exquisite menu for the occasion, including an appetizer buffet, passed hors d’oeuvres, local fish, meat and vegetables. The event takes place Friday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m. Call (904) 277-1100 for additional information.
SALT Cooking School
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s signature restaurant, SALT, is offering several cooking schools through the end of the year. The SALT Cooking School package includes coastal view accommodations for two nights and participation in the two-day cooking school, which features a daily breakfast, champagne-du-jour and luncheon, as well as a Ritz-Carlton apron and recipe book. Pricing starts at $879 for one guest and $1,239 for two. SALT Cooking Schools are also offered a la carte, without accommodations, for $339 per person (inclusive). Upcoming themes include Oktoberfest (October 26-27) and Holiday Classics (December 15-16). Visit www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland for more information.
Sushi Saturdays at The Ritz-Carlton,
Amelia
Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is offering Sushi Saturdays in the Lobby Lounge every Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The sushi menu also includes Nigiri sashimi and chef specialty items including Shrimp, Ahi Tuna, and house cured Yuzu Salmon. Yuzu is a citrus that originates in Japan and has a distinctive, light citrus taste. It is also used to flavor the rice in the sushi rolls. Sushi Saturdays is open to the public. Complimentary valet parking is available. For more information about Sushi Saturdays, call (904) 277-1100.
Verandah Restaurant Enhances Menu
Staying true to its roots, The Verandah Restaurant at Omni Amelia Island Plantation is enhancing its top quality menu to be designed daily and inspired by local seafood, fresh ingredients from regional farms and a hint of classic, southern tradition. Their local partners include Blue Buddha, Cabbage Creek Farm, Twinn Bridges Farm, C & C Fishery, and several local day boat captains, including Capt. Billy Brown aboard Mule Train, Capt. Ron Seurencey aboard Miss Daisy and Capt. Albert Butler aboard Jennifer Ann. The dinner menu will include daily features as well as items from the kettle, for the table and regular entrees from land and sea. The Verandah has also expanded its beverage selections to include a full array of hand selected wines, including 40 for $40 and under, and homegrown cocktails created in a southern tradition. The new menu will be available mid- to late-September.
Full Bar at
Amelia
Hotel
at the Beach
The 87-room Amelia Hotel at the Beach now offers a full bar available in their lobby. The Lobby Lounge will be open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and is available for guests, as well as the public. Visit www.ameliahotel.com for additional information.
More River Cruise Options
Amelia River Cruises is now offering two, two-hour Eco-Tours on Saturdays, through Thanksgiving weekend. Guided by a marine biologist, the eco-tours feature catch-and-release using an authentic shrimp net or Otter Trawl, allowing visitors to hold and learn about marine life before releasing them back into the wild. Visitors can also choose adult-oriented BYOB Twilight Cruises on weekends in the fall and winter. The cruises offer live entertainment and a relaxed setting to enjoy spectacular sunsets of Fernandina Beach. Visit www.ameliarivercruises.com for additional information.
Awards, Recognitions, and More
The Ritz-Carlton, AmeliaIsland went from #37 (in 2010) to #26 on Travel + Leisure’sWorld’s Best Awards 2011.
The Omni Amelia Island Plantation was recently awarded the Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award for 2011. The Pinnacle Awards celebrate hospitality excellence by identifying the convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, and conference centers that set the standard for others to follow. The Omni Amelia Island Plantation was also recognized with the coveted Meeting & Conventions Gold Tee Award for 2011, given annually to outstanding golf/meeting properties worldwide.
Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant in Fernandina Beach was awarded the Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award by Celebration Media U.S. (CMUS) and Talk of the Town News.
The Fairbanks House has launched a new Web site which includes a photo tour, a variety of unique packages, dining and activity recommendations, a blog, and much more. Visit www.fairbankshouse.com for additional information.
-Amelia Island Convention & Visitors’ Bureau-
About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Consistently ranked in the top 10 North American Islands by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
