Description: Tucked away along the barrier islands next to the intracoastal rivers in Florida are aging restaurants with character. They pride themselves with being "on the water". We had been visiting the
Ponce De Leon Light Station across the street from the
Miss Genevieve's Lighthouse Landing Restaurant that fits the above description. Next to the drive way, leading to the parking lot for the restaurant, a larger than life size statue of a pirate loomed over a very small dilapidated cabin cruiser named
Miss De Channel. The front door of the restaurant was in a 30-foot replica of a lighthouse.
We walked down a menacing dirt drive way, past deserted buildings, until we found a structure that was actually carrying on business. Gnarly old live oak trees surrounded the buildings, making the area darker and adding to its clandestine appearance. People ahead of us were turning around and leaving. Bob my husband, suggested we do the same. Wanting to experience the "real Florida," I persuaded him to give it a chance.
As we entered the porch, leading to the restaurant, boards with jokes written on them hung from the ceiling. If you have reservations you're in the wrong place was typical. Walking straight ahead we came to a deck with outdoor picnic tables covered with loud colored plastic tablecloths. A magnificent live oak spread its twisting heavy branches until it seriously interfered with every table. The Halifax River went right up to the deck. It was raining a little so we decided to sit inside.
The Bike Week menu was still in effect. Pictures of bikers, crowding the restaurant, were on the cover of the menu. We took a chance on Fishermen's Platter. It included fish, shrimp, deviled crab, oysters, scallops and clam strips and gave a choice of two sides. Bob chose French fries and cold slaw for his two sides and I chose new red potatoes and cold slaw, $16.95 apiece. Miss Genevieve, a former wooden sailboat, was stripped of her sails and now served as a bar in the center of the room. A black potbelly stove stood ready to accommodate a cold spell.
I thought the fried seafood had been properly prepared, but Bob said, for the price, it should have had a more appetizing appearance. I had to agree. I did want to try one of the old waterfront seafood restaurants, but that one might have been a little too rustic for our taste.
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