WHAT: Cobalt, a Kimpton Restaurant, is the idyllic dining destination for couples this Valentine’s Day. With its enchanting ocean front views and casual elegance, Cobalt offers guests fresh seafood and dinner specials all weekend as the restaurant celebrates Valentine’s Day.

From Friday, February 10 through Tuesday, February 14, Cobalt will be offering a three-course special Valentine’s Day weekend menu expertly prepared by Executive Chef Brad Willits. The special menu includes:

First Course

Confit of Berkshire Pork Belly
red lentils, country ham, bacon powder

Local Shrimp Carpaccio
black caviar, kumquats, marcona almonds, yuzu, olive oil

Local Citrus Salad
red watercress, shaved radishes, pears, candied garlic vinaigrette

Second Course

Sautéed Florida Golden Tile Fish
sweet onion, soubise, pickled baby corn, Tokyo turnips, pistou

Seared New Bedford Scallops
black garlic parsnip puree, ginger, swiss chard, miso butter

Grilled Creekstone Farms Rib Eye
tater tots, celery root cooked in brown butter, bordelaise

(Add Lobster Tail to entrée for $20)

Third Course

Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Tarte
sweet basil ice cream

Grilled Pineapple Cheese Cake
coconut tulie

The Valentine’s Day weekend menu is $60 per person and includes a glass of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

For more information or to make a reservation, please call 772.469.1060.

ABOUT COBALT RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
Cobalt, a Kimpton restaurant, is located on the first floor of the beautiful Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. As one of the Treasure Coast’s premiere dining locations, Cobalt provides deliciously fresh and innovative American seafood in a casually elegant atmosphere. The dining room features West Indies-style décor while floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean. The menu is complemented with an extensive wine list and an exciting selection of cocktails.

ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, Bill Kimpton founded the company in 1981 and today it is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Adjacent to the hotels are locally-loved, top-rated, destination Kimpton restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately held Kimpton operates 51 hotels and 52 restaurants in 24 cities. For more information visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.
WHEN: February 10-14, 2012

WHERE: Cobalt Restaurant and Lounge
Located on the first floor of Vero Beach Hotel and Spa
3500 Ocean Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
772.469.1060

3 Boys Productions announced today the program of films selected to screen at the 2011 Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival(MIFF). This year, the festival`s program comprises films from U.S. and international filmmakers selected from 238 entries. The 2011 MIFF runs September 9-10 in Melbourne, Florida at the beautiful Premiere Theaters Oaks Stadium 10.

“I`m particularly struck by the creativity in this year`s selections. These filmmakers are charged with telling compelling stories and engaging the audience and they really deliver” said Terry Cronin, the MIFF 2011 director of programming . “For 2011, we are pleased to be able to shine a light on Florida filmmakers who are making their way on the world-wide film festival circuit. We are particularly proud of the talent that has originated here in Brevard County.”

“On the heels of two sold-out showings at the Florida Film Festival, Melbourne native Andrew Kenneth G(a)y brings his feature film, A Beautiful Belly, to his hometown. Palm Bay`s Lee Thongkham brings his hypnotic feature, Tears of Remedy, for a special engagement on Friday. Orlando`s Jose Zambrano Casella will delight the horror enthusiasts with his suspenseful feature, The Sacred. MIFF alumnus Michael Baumgarten brings an after-hour s(e)xy Hollywood-produced thriller called Pretty Obsession which was co-produced by Melbourne`s Robin Krasny. And the short films will really knock your socks off, too! Whether its the dark humor of Matt Cantu`s zombie reality show The Zombie Factor or Devi Snively`s amazing short Last Seen on Dolores Street or the weather reality of Brevard County`s Chris Kridler and her short film Chasing Reality about passionate storm chasers, it`s all sure to be fun”

The films selected for the 2011 Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival are:

Features

A Beautiful Belly directed by Andrew Kenneth G(a)y

A warmly comic story of an aspiring but out-of-work children`s entertainer who gets his longtime crush pregnant on their first date: It`s engaging, entertaining, and hilarious.

Butterflies directed by Ester Brym

A feature documentary film following the lives of six young people that are prominent `weblebrities` on the video site YouTube. The film explores the new media, its power, and its future.

Pretty Obsession directed by Michael Baumgarten

A pretty eighteen year-old puts herself and her family in danger when she leads a double life as an erotic web cam model.

The Sacred directed by Jose Zambrano Casella

Five young people went on a journey, a weekend of fun, and what they found is the evil inside themselves. Sins come back to kill you!

Tears of Remedy directed by Lee Thongkham

Every teardrop comes with a story, one that endures beauty and pain, and mostly, love.

Palm Bay director, Lee Thongkham, tells a rich and enigmatic story about the power of tears.

Horror Films

Blinky™ directed by Ruari Robinson

Meet Blinky™. All he wants is a friend. The only problem is, he`s not very good at making friends.

Last Seen on Dolores Street directed by Devi Snively

In a hard-boiled town, a heartbroken woman says goodbye to an old pet and hello to a new nightmare. Sometimes, life`s a real bitch.

The Sacred directed by Jose Zambrano Casella

Five young people went on a journey, a weekend of fun, and what they found is the evil inside themselves. Sins come back to kill you!

The Zombie Factor directed by Matt Cantu

The zombie apocalypse becomes REALITY on The Zombie Factor, the most dangerous show on television.

Florida Shorts

This year`s MIFF features 18 films shot in Florida

The Adventures of Monty Moudlyn directed by Zach Hibbard

Monty Moudlyn is the friend who`s always `up`. The kind of eternal, insufferable optimist that you sometimes want to kill.

The Breakdown directed by Robby Sparks

Stress relief never felt so good!

Burial Island directed by Ray and Migdalia Etheridge

Two friends set up camp on a deserted island in the Everglades which had once been an ancient Indian burial ground. (Plus preview of The Money Trail directed by Ray and Migdalia Etheridge)

Chasing Reality directed by Chris Kridler

Storm chasing is portrayed as an extreme sport on television, but the reality is dramatically different. In this documentary, storm chasers talk about life on the road, their peculiar relationship with their cars, and the frustration, smells and miles that go into those few moments of seeing a tornado.

Follow Your Dreams directed by Sue Dontell

A man trying to follow his dream to be a singer is sidetracked by his wife`s illness. He has to set his priorities in that his wife is the most important thing in his life. The wife realizes the light is gone from her husband`s eyes in not being able to follow his dreams. She realizes the importance of following a dream as things come full circle.
The Incredible Banana directed by Paulette King

No matter how hard you think you may have it, there is always someone who is less fortunate them you.

Life Lessons directed by Paulette King

A sister saves the day for her seven year old brother

Maybe directed by Kevin Shah

An average guy Jim trys to find a girlfriend. Jim gets “Maybe`ed” every time and there seems to be no hope, till he meets Rachel. This is a light-hearted take on dating, relationships and being average. A movie inspired by true events.

Melbourne, FL: December/January:

Home directed by Craig Weinstein

A short nonfiction (mostly) collage of the filmmaker`s home of Melbourne over a winter holiday.

No Boundaries directed by Paulette King

Trusted neighbor is having an affair with her next door neighbor`s son.

The Red Shoes directed by Sue Dontell

“I cried because I had no shoes until I met someone who had no feet.` A girl learns a valuable life lesson to be grateful for what you do have rather than to be unhappy about what you don`t have. There is always someone in this world worse off than you.

Special Sneak Preview of “The Space Coast” directed by Lear Bunda

Starring Dana Snyder(Aqua Teen Hunger Force), Amber Freeman, Pat Martin, Dustin Harbin

Twilight of Youth directed by Jerald Fine

Brash, young stockbroker who despises the elderly contracts a strange virus that rapidly ages him.

Vestiges directed by Alex Sushil

Calvin Fields has an appointment with a dermatologist.

Extraordinary Shorts

Caught Short directed by Will Hall-Smith United Kingdom

A scatological romantic comedy.

Crossing Salween directed by Brian O`Malley Thailand/Ireland

In eastern Burma, a young girl named Ho Reh finds herself orphaned after the massacre of her village by the army. She must make the arduous journey to the Salween River that divides the horrors of Burma from the safety of Thailand.

Fumbling Toward Ecstasy directed by Gemma Faith Ireland

Offers comfort in its familiar Irish surroundings yet challenges stereotype, daring to explore female s(e)xuality in later stages of life.

Goliath directed by Ryan Daniel McKinney USA

After contracting HIV, a boy struggles with what is out of his control while his father tries to hold it together by looking to hold someone accountable.

Happenstance directed by Sandy Pranjic & Victoria Strehlau Canada

A cautionary tale.

Karate Wipe directed by Virginia Abramovich USA

A comedic exploration of one of the many challenges of fatherhood.
Loft directed by Gareth Chambers Ireland

A man and his pigeons live in fear of a young boy and his soccer ball…something must be done!

Manhood directed by Melanie M. Jones Canada

Forced to flee to the woods when war strikes their cozy suburban neighborhood, Midge continues her quest to turn her husband Harold into a paragon of manliness with surprising results.

Ol` One Eye directed by Brain Folan Ireland

An old man gets a new glass eye, however this is not your standard prosthetic. To his amazement he discovers that he can in fact see with his new eye.

Orange Desespoir Directed by John Banana France

What happens when a small sad orange decides to leave for the other side of the shop to meet a bunch of fun dancing pineapples ?

Rest Stop directed by Melanie M. Jones Canada

Danny must make difficult choices and live with the consequences of his actions while hitchhiking through Northern British Columbia.
Signs directed by Vincent Gallagher Ireland

There is magic in what we see every day. Sometimes we just have to look hard enough.

Festival Sponsors

The 2011 Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival sponsors include: Celebrity Level Sponsors- A Cut Above Video, Premiere Theaters Oaks Stadium 10, Treasure Coast Dermatology; Leadership Sponsors-Browning`s, The Courtyard at the Oaks, Academy Award Sponsors- Against the Grain Tattoos, Bill and Karen Slover. Food sponsors include The Courtyard at the Oaks, Flo`s Catering, Freddie D`s, Forever Soul Ichabod`s, Island Pasta, Miyako`s, Mustard`s Last Stand, Nature`s Market, Pizza Hut, Shells, Skewer`s, Taste of India, Tijuana Flats, and Tropical Smoothie. The MIFF recognizes critical support from the Space Coast Film Commission, and our patrons- Better Bodies, Victoria Buckley, Paulette King, Tommy “Tricks” Loomis, and Sky Diary. The support of these organizations will help the charity Unconditional Love, Inc. In return, sponsorship of the MIFF provides these organizations with community exposure and unique access to MIFF attendees.

About Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival

Now in its 13th Year, the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival prides itself on the promotion of independent filmmakers to the Brevard County community and as a destination for filmmakers worldwide. Each year independent films are screened to enthusiastic audiences and all the funds raised go to charity.

3 Boys Productions

In 1998, a creative group of friends (Terry Cronin, Jeff Hall, Bob Lizek,and Pat Martin) decided to form a production company to produce independent films in Melbourne, Florida. This group has evolved into publishing comic books and novels including the critically-acclaimed detective series “The Skinvestigator”. They continue to host the annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival and the Megacon Indie Film Expo in Orlando.

For more info go to

www.3boysproductions.com

www.premieretheaters.com

or join us on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/#!/melbourneindependentfilmmakersfestival

“The world is a book and those who so not travel read only a page.” –Saint Augustine

When it comes to travel, St. Augustine, Florida is simply a superlative southern style getaway. St. Augustine, Florida is located on the Northeastern Coast of Florida just a short 30 mile drive from Jacksonville, Florida and a hop skip and a jump away from Daytona for all you NASCAR fans and lighthouse lovers.

St Augustine is the ideal getaway for a romantic weekend because it is immersed in rich American history. St. Augustine is known for having a wonderful collection of Bed and Breakfast Inns and there is a cozy little Bed & Breakfast on the Matanzas Bay named the Westcott House, located at 146 Avenida Menedez. This quant 16 room B&B was originally the home of Dr. John Westcott, a prominent doctor in St. Augustine in 1880`s. The rooms are decorated with an old Victorian style feel and are furnished with American and European antiques.

Once we arrived, we walked into the main house and felt very welcome. The Inn has a warm and elegant feel but at the same time very comfortable and non-intimidating with the smell of the antiqued oak floor accompanied by the smell of fresh baked cookies out for everyone to enjoy.

The owners of the Westcott House, Andrew and Joy Warren were very elegant themselves yet very down to earth and very inviting. After our meeting, we were led up the winding staircase to our room and were amazed with the beautiful view of the Matanzas Bay from our private balcony that also had a private entrance from the deck. This was perfect for coming in late from a romantic dinner at the wonderful restaurant Rhett`s Piano Bar which Joy recommended. Rhett`s Piano Bar is located at 66 Hypolita Street.

Once we were settled into our lovely room, our day began with a trip to the Castillo de san Marcos, the Alligator Farm, the lighthouse that overlooks the bay and some yummy treats from touring Whetstone Chocolates. The chocolate coconut fudge is to die for.

We started our night by attending the 5:30 p.m. social hour at the Westcott House. The staff served an assortment of wine, champagne, and beer accompanied with a delicious array of Hors `devoures. The goat cheese and cranberry spread was a perfect start to our romantic evening that just got better as the night passed.

After the social hour, we retreated to the Jacuzzi in our room and enjoyed a nice soak in the tub and a glass of wine on the balcony while watching the sunlight fade into the distance and the old city`s streetlights flickering on like fireflies shimmering in the dusk. We then set out to the restaurant that Joy recommended. We had a lovely dinner and then took a horse and carriage ride around the enchanted city.

St. Augustine is a lovely quant romantic city with a sort of mysteriousness combined with abundant history that continuously draws you in. The click-clack of the horse`s hooves echoed throughout the peaceful cobblestone streets. We were delivered to our doorstep and could not wait to get back into our lovely room. The best was yet to come ”

As we settled into our room and slivered into the soft silky sheets that smelled of lavender and rose, we both said aloud, This is the most comfortable bed we have ever been in. ” As we woke in the morning to the sounds of birds chirping outside our window we retreated to our balcony to watch the sunrise on the bay with dolphins swimming and splashing in the sunlight. The Bay looked like a carpet of diamonds shimming in the sun.

Our breakfast was served by the friendly staff and owners. The eggs Benedict were delightful with a slight hint of lemon along with bagels and cream cheese and some fresh fruit on the side. To top it off the fresh squeezed orange juice complimented the champagne which created delicious mimosas.

The last morning was so peaceful and wonderful that we didn`t want to leave.

The Westcott House truly made us feel as if we were living in a fairy tale. This is one Inn that we highly recommend and will definitely be on our list of 10 best places to visit in Florida. It was truly a romantic weekend to remember.

By Jerry and Jenae Scarborough

For more information on the Westcott House: http://www.westcotthouse.com/
See More:

Judyth Piazza chats with Andrew Warren, The Westcott House Bed and … (Click here to listen to interview)The Westcott House Bed and Breakfast, built in 1880, will take you back in time to the Victorian Age. It is one of the few inns located …

Bonjour!

Want to break out of the usual chocolate and flower frenzy this Valentine’s Day?
Say you love them with shortbread. And pink icing. (…and of course we couldn’t leave out the chocolate entirely).

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Panera Breadis offering heart-shaped shortbread cookies, available now through February 14.

Each Valentine Cookie is frosted with pink icing that has a hint of citrus and a dusting of red sprinkles of granulated sugar.

There is also the six miniature version of the heart-shaped shortbread cookies, covered with the same pink icing and red sprinkles, but with an extra treat– red chocolate gems. The Valentine Petites are pre-packaged and tied with a ribbon, ready to be picked up as a treat for your Valentine.

Local Restaurants Join Together To Help By the River and Sunshine Physical Therapy –“Fine Dining For Seven Days”–

Some of the area’s finest restaurants are showing their support for the community in a fundraiser that will benefit two local non-profits, By the River and Sunshine Physical Therapy. Joining together to offer “Fine Dining for Seven Days” to one lucky person and their guest are Stax, Costa D’Este, Green House Café, Lemon Tree, Mulligans and Lobster Shanty. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn on February 9, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at Sunshine Physical Therapy, 1705 17th Avenue in Vero Beach.

Each sponsoring restaurant donated a dinner-for-two, for a total package valued at $375. Raffle tickets are $30 each. Members of the non-profit organizations will be selling 100 tickets. Monies raised will go to By the River, the Treasure Coast’s eco-friendly and affordable, independent residential community for low-income seniors. And Sunshine Physical Therapy, an independent outpatient treatment center, founded in l953 by a group of volunteers to serve the physically challenged in the community.

“This is a great way to give back to our community, especially to the elderly and those who are physically challenged,” said Joe Coakley, Director of Charitable Gifts at By the River. “And the winners will have a ball dining out every night for a week. Thank you to all the restaurants who donated to this cause.”

Raffle tickets can be purchased at By the River in Sebastian at 388-5858 and Sunshine Physical Therapy in Vero Beach at 562-6877.

See More Judyth Piazza chats with Jane Faraco, Executive Chef, STAX Restaurant, Vero Beach, Florida on The American Perspective Radio Program

Innovative new on-the-go lunch menu

WHAT:Ever been tempted to dine and dash? Well now you can at Cobalt Restaurant. During lunch every Monday through Wednesday, Cobalt will be offering its “Dine and Dash” menu for $20. Tax and gratuity are already included in the bill, so no need to ask for a check – just leave your money and go.

The “Dine and Dash” menu selections include Fried Green Tomato BLT (pimento cheddar cheese, soft roll and fries), Duck Confit Salad (Bing cherries, roasted baby fennel, endive, raspberry vinaigrette), BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich (pickled onions, shredded cheddar, soft roll, coleslaw), Grilled All Natural Sirloin Burger (choice of Swiss, blue or cheddar cheese, kaiser roll, fries, house made bread and butter pickles), and the Heirloom Tomato Flatbread (heirloom tomatoes, organic extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella and basil). All entrees come with a choice of soft drink or iced tea and chocolate chip cookie.

ABOUT COBALT RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
Cobalt, a Kimpton restaurant, is located on the first floor of the beautiful Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. As one of the Treasure Coast’s premiere dining locations, Cobalt provides deliciously fresh and innovative American seafood in a casually elegant atmosphere. The dining room features West Indies-style décor while floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean. The menu is complemented with an extensive wine list and an exciting selection of cocktails.

ABOUT KIMPTON RESTAURANTS
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. Founded in 1981 by Bill Kimpton, the company is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Each hotel provides a range of exciting culinary experiences through locally-loved, top-rated, destination, chef-driven restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Privately held Kimpton has consistently earned high customer satisfaction scores by the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, exceeding other hotel companies including those in luxury and upscale segments. Among the company’s newest properties are the LEED certified Hotel Palomar and LEED certified Square 1682 restaurant by Chef Guillermo Tellez in Philadelphia, PA, which opened in September 2009. Currently, projects are underway in New York City and Chicago. For more information, please visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.
WHEN: Monday through Wednesday beginning January 17, 2011

WHERE:
Cobalt Restaurant and Lounge
Located on the first floor of Vero Beach Hotel and Spa
3500 Ocean Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
772.469.1060

Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard and his wife Valerie invite patrons to dine on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day – New Years Eve and New Years Day…celebrating their best Christmas gift. They are sharing their 3-Diamond AAA Award with friends, fans and family after opening Bistro de Leon two years ago in historic St. Augustine.

Chef Poinard is proud to say “We are honored to receive this coveted recognition for our little Bistro. During the holidays, we are displaying it proudly, especially from Christmas Eve throughout New Years Day. I have prepared exceptional holiday menus along with Valerie’s exceptional wines”.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Poinard is serving a 4-course menu for $39 per person.

New Years Eve and New Years Day Poinard is serving a 6-course menu for $69 per person.

Note: The Poinard’s are offering (in addition to their Bistro wine list) an amazing wine for their holiday dinners: “1989 Chateau Pape Clement Grand Cru Classe’. For guests who reserve it in advance, it will be opened two hours prior to dining. Cost; $210.

For interviews, menus and photos, contact: Leigh Cort Publicity

Bistro de Leon

#12 Cathedral Street

St. Augustine, Florida

904-810-2100

Judyth Piazza chats with Jane Faraco, Executive Chef at STAX Restaurant, Vero Beach, Florida (Click here to listen)

Executive Chef Jane Faraco, husband Chef Jim along with son-in-law Josh Niebels are stacked for success.

The trio recently opened STAX, located at 1931 Old Dixie Highway, which was the former site of The Undertow Restaurant on April 22 with the intent to immerse themselves in the urban downtown area of Vero Beach, Florida.

After the Faracos sold their New Hope, PA restaurant Havana and retired to Vero Beach, the couple knew that they still had something to give to the community.

“I got the concept for STAX after watching Emeril and his ability to stack and layer flavors. This is one of the things that makes STAX unique,” said Jane.

STAX is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

STAX Restaurant

1931 Old Dixie Highway

Vero Beach, FL 32960

(772) 770-0977

One-Bedroom Parlour Suite

The historic Casa Marina Hotel (circa 1925) in Jacksonville Beach, Florida is the only HHA (Historic Hotels of America) property in NE Florida.  From March through July 2010, ‘TAKE A BEACHCOMBER BREAK offers an ocean view parlor suite at $159 SUNDAY thru THURSDAY that includes:
 
Two Drinks and Signature Tapas in the Penthouse Lounge
Continental Breakfast in the Main Lobby
Free Parking
Wi-Fi in each suite
 
The Casa Marina Hotel has a full-service fine dining restaurant and penthouse martini bar that serves lunch and dinner daily. Chef Aaron Webb has been at the helm of the hotel’s kitchen for 8 years, bringing their ala carte dining, weddings, corporate events and penthouse tapas menus to life with innovative dishes and desserts. Each season he is inspired to create healthy, exciting specialties – always caring about what the guests enjoy and demand.

Casa Marina Hotel History – A Grand Old Lady
 

Oceanfront Casa Marina Hotel (circa 1925)

The Casa Marina Hotel, at 84, is a grand old lady and still turning heads!  Ever since it opened its doors onto the Jacksonville beaches in 1925, when every postcard of the era announced ‘world’s finest beach’, the Casa Marina has remained an alluring landmark of Florida history.  There have been many forgotten moments in the vast drama of the 1920’s, but the mystery of the Casa Marina is that she must have seen it all. 
 
Jacksonville Beach was originally known as the town of “Ruby” (circa 1884), named by W.E. Scull, a railroad surveyor with the Jacksonville and Atlantic Railway Company, for his daughter. By 1885, the railroad and depot were completed and ‘Ruby’ was transformed into a tent city as crowds of beachgoers arrived with tents in which to live.  By then the town was renamed Pablo Beach, after the San Pablo River, a name it kept for nearly 30 years, before settling in as Jacksonville Beach in 1925.
 
The Grand Opening of the Casa Marina on Saturday June 6, 1925 was the height of Florida’s first land boom.  That same day the town was renamed Jacksonville Beach, while 200 guests dined and danced in the grand ‘salon’. Its construction and Spanish-Mediterranean design brought a ‘first’ to the beach…a fireproof building composed of stucco, concrete, tile and an automatic sprinkler system.
 
The 1920’s in Jacksonville were Hot!  The train terminal opened in 1919 and everybody who was anybody came southward to Florida, from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to Al Capone. The movie industry boomed in Jacksonville long before Hollywood and the ‘greats’ like Chaplin and Pickford made appearances. 
 
The Casa Marina was two stories tall and had 60 rooms. Jacksonville Beach was the most alluring tourist town in NE Florida: its boardwalk, dance casinos, dining, amusement rides and wide beaches were known throughout America.
 
During the War Years of World War II, the U.S. government appropriated the Casa Marina for military housing.  A succession of owners followed who were passionate about restoring & remodeling the Casa Marina into private residences and an assortment of businesses…tearoom, clothing store, 37-room apartment building and restaurant.
 
The ‘grand lady’ finally took a well-deserved rest and closed until 1991.  By this time, a verandah and 3rd-story penthouse had been added to the original structure. Today, celebrating its 83rd birthday, the Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant offers 24 stunning bedrooms and parlor suites individually decorated to represent the distinctive and changing eras of its rich history.  The Penthouse enjoys its own notoriety, with one of the most stunning views of the Florida coastline.
 
The Casa Marina brings a feeling of classic glamour to Jacksonville Beach, a sultry blend of history, natural beauty and sophisticated culture.  One can still conjure up images of the ‘ghosts’ of the beach, the sounds of families and lovers laughing and a lineup of Model ‘T’ Fords as they enjoyed the best that life could imagine!   

Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant
691 N. 1st Street
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
904-270-0025
www.casamarinahotel.com