Beach Lodgings at

ST. FRANCIS INN

Anastasia Island St., St. Augustine (800) 824-6062 www.stfrancisinn.com

INN

52 Charlotte St., St. Augustine (800) 355-5508 (904) 829-3819 www.inoncharlotte.com

on Charlotte

This charming Inn with swimming pool and bicycles for guests, provides complimentary admission to the Saint Augustine Lighthouse and Museum and 50% off admission to the nearby Oldest House is in the center of the oldest part of the city. We fell in love with the Beach Cottage, just 8 miles from the St. Francis Inn, and aside the Atlantic Ocean! They provided beach chairs, drinks and everything one requires for fun at the beach. We were truly at home the second we stepped into this adorable house. A lovely fireplace, desk and modem hook-up, comfortable deck overlooking the beach, washer and dryer and a pleasing kitchen, had my family not wanting to go anywhere else. The Evening Social Hour (5:30 - 6:30pm daily) at both Inns, with complimentary drinks, homemade desserts and gourmet appetizers, was a treat as we talked to other guests. The two bedrooms and 3 bathrooms added to our memorable stay but breakfast back at the inn with Chef was the veritable icing on this award-winning cake.

Built in 1918, the Inn on Charlotte Street is an elegant bed and breakfast that is the creation of Lynne Fairfield, a glorious innkeeper, that has knowledgeably restored this very special home away from home to replicate its initial splendor. I loved sitting on the large front veranda, the dazzling accommodations, the gourmet breakfasts, like Gingerbread Pancakes, Orange Nutmeg French Toast and homemade cookies and the meet and greet cocktail hour with complimentary drinks and goodies. The majestic antique furnishings, grand gardens and charming accessories, and Lynne, were romantically unforgettable.

Casablanca Inn
24 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine (800) 826-2626 (904) 829-0928 www.casablancainn.com
The fluffy beds and superb appointments, are amazing, in all of the 23 beautifully decorated suites and rooms, that overlook the Matanzas bayfront. From first class, very friendly service, amid well-designed stylish surroundings, all brilliantly restored to their 1914 Mediterranean elegance, this bed and breakfast with whirlpools, flat screen TVs, private porches, sundecks, antique furnishings, decorative fireplaces, and private entries, to the horse and carriage tours, inches away. This was so romantic and I felt as if I was stepping into another time and place.

Hot Getaways
By Gail Gerson-Witte

ST. AUGUSTINE
Kingfish Grill
252 Yacht Club Drive St. Augustine (904) 824-2111 www.kingfishgrill.com
The atmosphere, food and service are all completely in tune, with no jarring notes to interrupt the harmony of fine dining. We loved dining as we watched the boats parked in the Camachee Cove Marina - the home of so many exciting ships goes beyond food - its about living well, about good conversation at the table with family and friends and about sharing and creating new food memories, taking time to enjoy the good life! Filet Mignon is given textural and flavor interest and fresh fish, too, are beautifully sauced, grilled and handled. What they give you is a memorable experience that will leave you eager to return for another magic night in this casual waterfront setting.

Florida

AT CAMACHEE COVE MARINA

St. Augustine is eccentric, romantic, unpredictable and engrossing. Spain founded the city in 1565 and one can visit every part of its history through museums, galleries, art and the accomplishments of Henry Flagler. From pottery, to ferry trips, to fine restaurants, to kayaking, beaches and a celebraMy husband and I enjoyed sipping Chocolate Martinis at tion of nature, my family was thrilled with this something for the engaging Tini Martini Bar. A choice of exotic martinis, 32 vineveryone historical adventure. tage wines by the glass and 28 distinctive brews with live jazz or Thanks to Leigh of Leigh Cort blues make relaxing evenings areas best. Publicity (leighc@aug.com) or www.LeighCortPublicity.com for directing me to this amazing town.

Claudes Chocolate
Claudes Chocolate with Claude and Nicole Franques, present a true European-style of luxurious romantic chocolate. Claude Franques left Toulouse, France for New York and was the Chef for 20 years at Rene Pujol Restaurant in Manhattan. I really enjoyed the many unique presentations like Chocolate Peanut Brittle and chocolate covered Dried Mango. Claude crafts his Belcolade Belgian chocolates by hand in small quantities, using only the purest ingredients. I smelled the aroma of rich Belgian chocolate when I entered and sampled some of the 24 varieties of pecans, hazelnuts, passion fruit and espresso, all luscious tastes of indulgence. This is where I am doing my holiday shopping for friends, family and clients, at claudeschocolate.com.

60 Hypolita St., St. Augustine (904) 829-0055 www.collagestaug.com

Under the watchful eye of Cindy and Mike Hyatt, with Chef Melody Stewart (inset below), this brilliant foodie dream team has been pleasing all since their recent arrival. I enjoyed a wonderful dinner which I call Global cuisine and admired the seasonal ingredients utilized to produce beautifully plated inventive dishes. They do serve lunch and dinner in this terra cotta, well designed setting, with the sorts of small touches that indicate someone is paying attention. Our tasting by the talented kitchen proved that they are creative, with an accent on freshness, My husband Ed and I agreed that everytop quality ingredients, a beauti- thing that comes out of Melodys kitchen fully designed plate and matchless she makes herself, using the slogan, Keep
it simple and work with great ingredients.

COLLAGE

15 Hypolita St., St. Augustine (904) 808-8395 www.claudeschocolate.com