Best Restaurants: Jacksonville, FL

Biscotti's 3558 Saint Johns Ave Jacksonville, FL 32205-8446Phone: (904) 387-2060
Biscotti's is a great upscale restaurant that is both formal enough for an anniversary celebration and casual enough for dinner with friends. Understated elegance: The great thing about Biscotti's is that you can meet up with your elderly parents for lunch, or meet your 30-something friends for dinner. The atmosphere is great no matter who is dining or what the occasion is. Staff is very attentive and the place is always very clean. A potpourri of dining room furniture gives the impression that they went to several different estate sales to furnish the place, and it really adds to the atmosphere. I first encountered Biscotti's with my dear friend and co-worker Ann Marie nearly 10 years ago and I continue to go back time and time again. My personal recommendations at Biscotti's: Appetizer: Tomato Bruschetta with Pine Nuts Entree: Mandarin Salad (they have great pastas and other entrees as well, but their salads are all marvelous and inviting as entrees themselves, especially if you decide to finish with the following...) Dessert: White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake(once they tried to remove this from the menu, but due to public outcry, it came back!) Drink: Mango Iced Tea (this absolutely rocks) Probably the most fun is selecting your dessert from the dessert case. It is the first thing you see when you walk into the joint. Their wine selection is admirable for a restaurant in this price range. Biscotti's also has wonderful coffee in several varieties. Biscotti's sits in a beautiful residential neighborhood called AVONDALE, home to some of the oldest money in Jacksonville. I highly recommend a stroll thru a few blocks of the AVONDALE neighborhood to walk off your White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. Biscotti's ambience spills out onto St. Johns Avenue and continues for several blocks. YOU GOTTA TRY THIS PLACE!
Pros: Service, Ambience, Menu
Cons: Parking-be prepared to walk 1 to 2 blocks.

European Street 2753 Park St Jacksonville, FL 32205-7607 Phone: (904) 384-9999 There are multiple locations in Jacksonville but the location on Park near King the best E Street to eat at in my opinion. The building has a great deal of ambience and the art deco building design really sets it off as a landmark in its Riverside neighborhood. There is a large outdoor dining area for all you outdoorsy folks, although mostly people just sit out there to eat and smoke. Inside, you will find an air conditioned old world style bar and dining room. They also have a shop with a considerable carry out beer/wine selection and wonderful gourmet food items for purchase. The place exudes a bavarian style. The staff is always irreverent, charming, and accomodating. E Street has 3 'claims to fame' and they are: Excellent Sandwiches of all kinds, Desserts with unique style and flair, and a beer selection second to NONE! My favorite sandwich is the 'white russian', favorite soup would have to be the 'beer cheese' served in a bread bowl, and my favorite dessert is definitely the Peanut Butter cookie. Its HUGE! I also recommend the Chicken Salad platter, oh and one more thing, their german potato salad is really good! The owners run a clean establishment that will no doubt impress you!
Pros: Good Pricepoint, Attentive Staff
Cons: none.