EATS
Roundup
FAMILY DAY OUT While kid-friendly restaurants are a valuable asset to our community, a family day out extends to much farther than just where to eat. Eat, drink, and play at any one of these local hang outs.
THE DISH Super Salad Bowl with Tempeh
Living on the Veg
CREATIVE HUNGER FIX Fresh fare in a relaxed island locale, Creative Juices Natural Cafe is sure to be your new favorite go-to spot.
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By Sarah McCartan
y own personal rules for meal selection when dining out are fairly straightforward: use of fresh plant-based ingredients, hearty portions, thoughtfulness in flavor, and perhaps most importantly, something I wouldn’t typically make at home that leaves me feeling fully recharged, and satisfied. Creative Juices Natural Cafe on Anastasia Island meets all of these rules, and then some. Of course, when choosing to dine with another person for breakfast, lunch, or any meal for that matter, it’s not just about your rules, but consideration of their preferences, tastebuds, and dietary needs. Although one can’t look past what Creative Juices is known for — being a cold-pressed juice and smoothie shop — the cafe presents a selection of breakfast and lunch plates, served all day, made suitable for all, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Though a salad might seem like a rule-breaker of mine — something that can readily be made at home — the Super Salad Bowl with tempeh is anything but ordinary. It’s a game-changer
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that feels as cleansing and energizing as a juice. This packed salad combines a blend of greens and quinoa lentil salad, with cucumbers, tomato, avocado and root vegetables, and is served with a house tahini dressing, or vinaigrette. A sandwich winner is the Tempeh Reuben, readily made totally vegan by request. A simple slice of tomato layered with the signature sauce and kraut adds a sweet punch to this savory bite. It feels almost wrong to dine at Creative Juices without making it a combo. Here, that means ordering a juice or smoothie to sip with your meal. If you have fresh juice on the mind and it happens to be after-hours, Creative Juices has a vending machine out front with a few favorite 16 oz. juices in stock. Though the cafe seating at Creative Juices is pleasingly small and intimate, there’s the opportunity to dine outdoors if you have a larger group with you, thanks to the newly added backyard picnic-style seating area. Creative Juices is open 8 am-4pm, MondayFriday; 9am-3pm, Saturday; and 10am-2pm, Sunday (for smoothies and juices only) 846 Anastasia Boulevard www.creativejuicesnaturalcafe.com
www.STAUGUSTINESOCIAL.com
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Become a member of the zoo and get in for free 365 days a year. Skip the gators (if you choose) and head right to the playground and let the kids run free. Swing by the Tucan Tina snack bar for a cold beer, $5 for the first pour and $3 for drafts after that. Post up at a picnic table under the shelter for relief from the heat. Kids and parents alike will be begging to go back. 999 Anastasia Boulevard Nalu's Tropical Takeout & St. Augustine Ampitheatre Grab your tacos, quesadillas and iced teas to go and hop back in the minivan and enjoy them at the neighbooring Ampitheatre. After you eat, explore the arboretum and enjoy the shade. Don't forget, if there's a concert taking place that night, you'll want to get out of there early! 1020 Anastasia Boulevard & 1340C A1A South The Museum Café & King & Bear and Slammer & Squire The Juniors Play Free program allows parents to bring up to three children (17 and under) to play for free during twilight hours (approximately 4 hours prior to sunset). Before heading out on the course, be sure to fill up on soups, salads and sandwiches. Our pick? A crowd-pleasing BLT or Steak Philly (because 18 holes requires plenty of fuel). 1 World Golf Place & 2 World Golf Place