The outside seating has a lush garden and plenty of shade to cool you when Florida's oppressive heat returns. (And I can't wait! I'm a summer lover.) I love how St. Augustine businesses are carved out of old buildings, they have history you don't normally see. Everything inside is neatly curated yet comfortable, like hanging out at a friend's house. A friend with good taste that loves vintage and cooking, that is! And this friend has great taste in neo-retro blusey music to match the decor. Listen to this playlist while scrolling through the photos for full immersion.
When you first walk in there's a display case of 1950s-60s orange kitchenware. Yep, I see why people kept telling me I needed to come here.
I love finding these bits of Florida history. They're not good sellers but maybe a lot could do well?
Drinks are served in mason jars and fresh flowers are on every table. An yep, those are chicken salt & pepper shakers. It really is the perfect mix of kitsch and class. They played neo-blues rockabilly music like "The Black Keys" and "The Heavy" and it matched the (awesomely) contrived Southern dive vibe.
I love the teal/wood color theme and the giant alligator art piece. Their logo (mascot, even?) is an alligator with angel wings!
The collections really are like looking at a few of my favorite things; sea bits, Florida tourism, string boat art and old books. I'm marine biology obsessed.
Definitely the type of restaurant that has a vintage reseller thinking about contacting kitschy eateries to buy in bulk. I know where to find all the retro Florida goodness, I encounter it all the time!
Above is the beautiful flying gator artwork, it also appears on Floridian t-shirts. Love all the live plants in this restaurant, too.
The back room had a nautical bar complete with an antler chandelier, colorful boat paintings on velvet, blowfish lamp, gator skulls, and sexy mermaids.
If you're ever in St. Augustine stop by the Floridian, I had an absolutely delicious vegan bean burger.
Afterwards we walked around the whole city, took in the beautiful lights, window shopped, and picked up some red wine (so much good local wine to choose from in the Old City). Nothing beats St. Augustine to recharge and reboot inspiration. I need to schedule another trip, soon!
Very cool!
ReplyDeleteDid you get some items up on ebay? How'd it go?
I listed some more manga I'm trying to move out of the way, need to move some vintage over but figuring out the system is tough for me, tricky for a new-user. Thanks for the follow-up :) Will follow-up on eBay progress via Twitter and maybe next week or before the end of this week. Really appreciated your tips!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. You'll get used to it in no time.
DeleteHope so! Thanks again!
DeleteI love St. Augustine, We go there every year and I have never gone to this place. So next time we are out there, we will definitely make that a stop! I love old Florida kitschy stuff. I have never tried to sell any, but just yesterday I purchase an old "Cypress Garden" doo dad. Personally I loved Cypress Gardens. Lego land is great too, but I think I like the old park a bit better. I haven't listed this item yet, so I don't know what to expect. I didn't pay much for it, maybe all of a quarter, so no big loss if it doesn't fly out the door.
ReplyDeleteSherri, the lady with the gorgeous mid century modern filled house collects Cypress Gardens goods aplenty. I looove/miss that place and need to take a visit to it in Lego Land form, haven't been there yet. That's the good thing about kitchenware, it can be a very slow sale but it's usually super cheap to acquire. I have plenty of tacky Florida tourism planned this year!
DeleteI def. see why you liked the place! So, HAVE you contacted other Kitschy Eateries? What a great idea! SOMEone decorates Cracker Barrel....(I've always wondered who/how, etc.)
ReplyDeleteI haven't but have definitely considered putting myself out there as a decor pro-picker/interior design type person. Would be a LOT of work but also very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a cool place, great pics by the way. I love the Alligator on the wall. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLuckily it was pretty empty so I could be a crazy person snapping photos. It gets crazy busy at night!
DeleteLooks like a very fun place!
ReplyDeleteThat it 'twas. Now I'm hungry looking at it though, lunch time!
DeleteOHHHHHH!! Looks just LOVELY!
ReplyDeleteFlorida sounds sound glamorous and languid! X
It can be both ;) Have loved it since I first moved here.
DeleteI've never been to St. Augustine, but I may have to go someday JUST to see that restaurant! How cool!
ReplyDeleteSt. Augustine is beautiful all-around, I never get tired of visiting the oldest city in the USA. Great vintage hunting too of course!
DeleteHow fun! We were in St. Augustine over 25 years ago! Hot as H____ in the summer, but probably perfect temps in February. Linda@Wetcreek Blog
ReplyDeleteYep, hot al hell in Florida summers for sure, super humid. I love it though, can't wait for it to come back.
DeleteWhat a fun place! Love the color combination and all the fun stuff to look at too:-)
ReplyDeleteYep! I really enjoyed the colors, too.
Deletehow fun! just last night we booked a week in st. augustine through air bnb! we'll have to eat there for sure!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love it there, absolutely beautiful city. It's 30 minutes away so we visit often.
DeleteWhat a cool place! We don't have anything like that around here
ReplyDeleteTons of cute kitschy eateries in Florida. :D
Deleteoh wow. this cafe looks so epic!! I would love to start up a cute little cafe one day just so I could decorate it :-P
ReplyDeleteYeah, I still sometimes dream of opening a health food cafe....
DeleteSt, Augustine =s my real home, at least my heart thinks so. We vacation there at least once a year and I never cease to find things that are new to me even after 12 years. I'll put this place on our list of 'musts' for our next stay.
ReplyDeleteI feel grateful it's a 45 min drive from me. Maybe I'll take another trip this weekend :D
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