The Cookbook Restaurant

Have you ever been so excited for something, but keep missing your opportunity for it?

I have. And it's called The Cookbook Restaurant.

After holding the #1 spot on my to-do list for weeks, I finally had a chance to visit. Located in the historic Springfield, there is a small brick strip that houses The Cookbook restaurant, an apothecary and a barbershop with the signature rolling pole under the sign. You get the picture-this entire block is something out of a Lifetime movie. With the chalkboard sign greeting you, walking into The Cookbook is nothing short of sweet anticipation.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is a mixture of the eclectic and authenticity of a small business and the potential of something greater with a fully loaded stage for live music.

Every employee I came in contact with was so warm. You can't buy this type of hospitality. They weren’t too sweet where it was obviously fake, but just genuine. Especially Ms. Patsy who is one of the cooks, but also served us some of the best fried chicken I’ve EVER had. I can’t make this stuff up, y’all. My friend, who is known as an insufferably picky eater, demanded I give her the leftover fried skin-which would be way gross if the food was less than wonderful.

I also ordered the greens and mac & cheese. I know-I could’ve ordered something more adventurous, but I’m a firm believer that these two staples will always tell the worth of a restaurant. And they didn’t disappoint. They tasted so much like my family’s recipes, that my first thought was the chef and I must be related.

My companions had the lasagna, which was comparable to Italy itself and the fish & grits, which were not spared a crumb. We skipped desserts, but did get to take home some delicious, homemade cupcakes for the owner’s birthday. Happy 33rd Brandon!

Only time will tell if the Cookbook will remain a favorite, but from my first impression I would say this could be exactly what Jacksonville never knew it needed...

The Cookbook Restaurant

1827 North Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32206

www.facebook.com/TheCookbookRestaurant/

(904) 802-7080

Hours Vary

Gilbert's Social

Back with another restaurant review! I feel as though I haven’t wrote anything substantial since..March? But I’ve been on a rollercoaster for the past few weeks with transitioning from a one bedroom back to my parents home until my roommate is ready to get a place. Phew. Then, I just CELEBRATED MY 25TH BIRTHDAY in Savannah with friends and lets just say it was a movie 😁

But now that my life is settled for now, I gotta tell you about Gilbert’s Social. Located on Southside Blvd, this unassuming culinary hotspot is a hidden gem. If you’re familiar with the area, you may know it as the orange building with multiple bbq pits blowing smoke daily. Well, Gilbert’s Social is definitely a book that shouldn’t be judged by it’s cover. My first impression was startled by the bright orange, but the warm interior is very cozy and southern chic.

Owned by the famous Chef Kenny Gilbert-Top Chef Season 7 contestant, Cutthroat Kitchen and Beat Bobby Flay winner-Gilbert’s Social is one of Chef’s multiple dining concepts around Jacksonville. And I’ll be here to report on all of them. But in the meantime, let’s get into this food…

The menu details Chef Kenny’s famous BBQ, but the real fun is with the specialties items: southern remixes to international classics, like Southern Ramen, which features smoked ham hock broth, pulled pork, and shrimp cakes alongside the popular egg noodles.

The drink menu is impressive as well. The Social Red Sangria tastes as good as it’s aesthetics. The fresh ginger is the perfect balance for this fruity drink.

I hear the Southside & Hogan is the bomb, too. How amazing does strawberry watermelon puree, wine based tequila and florida citrus sound?

I ordered the Loaded Chicken & Biscuit-which was glorious. Fried chicken between two jalapeno cheddar biscuits with pimento cheese, turnip & mustard greens, and bourbon sauce on the side. This may sound like too much, but somehow Chef Kenny made these ingredients taste amazing. This dish was the perfect balance of savory, sweet and spicy. It was difficult not to overindulge, but somehow I showed a little self-control.

These brussel sprouts tho! This green goddess and I have a weird relationship because I tried to make them once and it didn’t end well. Yet when I tried others’ recipes (including Gilbert’s Social), they were amazing so I felt some type of way...but anywho, these brussel sprouts were crispy and simply delicious. I also tried their homemade hot sauce and this stuff was the perfect dipping sauce for the meal.

My first impression of Gilbert’s Social was successful. I can’t wait to go back and try the Kenny’s Southern Bowl, which takes me back to how I prefer to eat my holiday food-all mashed together, the Roasted Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower, and the sweet plantain skillet cornbread. So pretty much the whole menu. I can’t forget the beloved Southside & Hogan. And if I’m feeling extra saucy, I’m getting Anna’s Kitchen Sink too. Beware that parking is a pain, and everything is cooked to order so don’t visit with a tight schedule.

GILBERT'S SOCIAL

4021 SOUTHSIDE BLVD. #200

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216

www.gilbertssocial.co/