An Unexpected Visit...Aunt Kate's

While this restaurant was not on my list to review, it is hard to ever turn down an opportunity to see an intracoastal waterway sunset in St. Augustine, FL. Since this was an unplanned trip, this review will be short and sweet. Recently, my beloved and I stopped in at Aunt Kate’s for a quick bite for dinner while we were in the area. The reason it wasn’t on my list was that I could tell from mixed reviews and the menu that it wouldn’t be a good fit for what I typically look for. It seemed it would be hard to beat Caps on the Water, the only other intracoastal waterfront restaurant in Vilano Beach that I reviewed last year. Nevertheless, we decided to give it a try.

From the outside, it had a cute southern coastal home vibe shaded by large oak trees. They have a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating, but the outside patio and deck is the star of the show. They have tables or picnic benches covered by either the patio roof or umbrellas. After being seated, we were immediately served a complimentary bread basket that included a mix of pumpkin bread, cornbread and Johnny cakes. The corn bread had a kick of heat from featuring the famous St Augustine Datil Pepper. It is a small, but very hot pepper. The Datil Pepper is almost exclusively grown in St Augustine, though its exact origin is debated. The most commonly accepted origin links it to the Minorcan settlers who arrived in Northeast Florida in the 18^th century. Another theory is that they arrived via the West Indies and Cuban trade route. No matter the origin, this unique pepper remains an integral part of St. Augustine’s food culture. Now if you are unfamiliar with a Johnny cake, it is common to North American and Caribbean cuisines. Historically, it was made from cornmeal into a flatbread or griddle cake. The texture is generally crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside. It is believed to have originated with the Native American Indians. The name Johnny cake has been assumed to have derived from the term “journey cake” that referenced a portable food for pioneer travelers. Over the course of time, they have evolved into different types and uses, like being filled with other ingredients such as meats or cheeses. I am used to the flour based fried dough version from the Caribbean. Aunt Kate’s serves the traditional cornmeal version in the shape of a mini round disc or muffin top.

Since we were just stopping in for a light meal, my beloved ordered the smoked fish dip appetizer and I ordered a grilled Mahi Rueben sandwich with coleslaw on the side. The server mistakenly brought me just a simple grilled Mahi sandwich at first, but happily sent the dish back to correct my order. Service was pretty slow considering it was a mid-week dinner and not many patrons there when we arrived, but the view of the water, boats going by and executive private planes flying overhead kept us entertained and relaxed. When my Mahi Rueben was brought to the table, once again, it included something I didn’t order. Potato wedges. However, I am happy to say that this was the best mistake, because it was in my opinion the highlight of the meal. The outside was super crispy and golden brown, while the inside was delectably soft. They were by far the best potato wedges I have had in a long time. The next best bite was the smoked fish dip that was comprised of flounder, cream cheese, Tabasco sauce and other secret ingredients and seasonings. While I can confirm that overall Caps on the Water is the best pick for ambiance, food, and service, I will say that Aunt Kate’s view of the sunset can rival Caps. They have quite an open and expansive view of the intracoastal and St. Augustine sky. While Aunt Kate’s does have its own boat dock, the neighboring Usina Park has a dock, fishing pier, a nice short boardwalk along the shoreline with a few benches for seating, and a considerably wide sandy beach by intracoastal standards. As always, the St Augustine sunset did not disappoint. It was the highlight of the evening and a perfect end to a busy day.