Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter
June 16, 2016 1:00 a.m.
Two new restaurants with exciting new flavors have opened recently off Centre Street. Lechonera El Coqui opened about two months ago at 232 North 2nd Street where Wicked Davy’s used to be near the port. This restaurant is decorated with a Puerto Rican flair outside and in and includes bright artwork for sale, painted by one of the owners, Haro Santana. Husband Larry and Haro, own the restaurant and have long tables for family or large groups as well as smaller tables and outside eating as well. The long bar has full bar service, not just wine and beer and lively music (some live at times) fills the restaurant.
The menu (pictured) is in Spanish and English and has special pork, chicken and steak specialties as well as unique appetizers and desserts, such as flan, which we enjoyed for lunch.
The manager, Yadira Figueroa, who is also from Puerto Rico, mentioned that the roasting pig, or pork is traditional in that country. Having visited this country before, my husband and I were also familiar with the “coqui” or little frogs that are seen around the outside restaurants in Puerto Rico as well.
The servings are plentiful and the atmosphere fun. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday until 10 p.m. They are closed on Monday, but do have a Facebook page and can be reached at 904-432-7545.
Sabbia at 11 North 3rd Street is a Mediterranean Street Food restaurant and just opened last week to rave reviews on Facebook sites. Owner, Tonino Tizzano of the already famous Arte Pizza on the same street, says that his food is a little Spanish, Italian and Greek. He calls it the type of food eaten by everyday people on the go in the Mediterranean. The menu has Paninis, Pita and dips, Salads, Souvlakis and Gyros as well as small bites to sample Spanakopita, Keftedes, Shrimp and Crab Fritters and Sicilian Sausage for example. Beer and wines are also available.
The redo of this space is clean, modern, light and bright and conducive to a lively atmosphere. The Tizzano family has a 10 year successful restaurant history in Fernandina and hopefully this will continue their journey.
Currently the hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 pm and closed on Tuesday, although the hours can be flexible, depending on staffing and the vagaries of start-ups. Call 904-624-7447 to check.
Speaking of street food, a new restaurant called Cantina Louie, will be opening in four to five months on the northeast side of the bridge to Yulee, according to the crew working in the old “Snappers” location in Gateway Center. This is a chain restaurant and has several Florida locations already. According to our source, the bar will be bigger and better and the Mexican food unique to our area. This should be fun to watch and give us more opportunities on the island with great parking.
Editor’s Note: Gerry began free lance writing for fun and is the author of a published book (available on Amazon and at Books Plus) about funny real estate experiences. Gerry is a longtime member of our local American Business Women’s Chapter, a volunteer cancer driver and church deacon who loves to read, travel and meet interesting people.
They said they will have Salsa dancing tonight (Friday) so we are going to check it out. The food is great.