Dinner at Jax Beach

Jacksonville Beach is one of my favorite runaway to places. I ran away to there when in my twenties and I keep going back. For breakfast and lunches, I usually like walk-in-from the beach, “come as you are” places but when dressing up for dinner it’s more than likely going to Mezza Luna Ristorante—within walking distance from One Ocean Spa & Resort and well worth the drive from any place else.

This locally owned and operated Italian restaurant offers dinner and full bar service every evening in three unique environments: a bar and lounge, with live music Sunday-Thursday 6-9pm, a main dining room for a more formal setting, and a newly refurbished outdoor courtyard offering al fresco dining.

The musician in the bar and lounge is actually on the payroll because he’s that good. (One night he heard me whisper “I wonder if he knows any Dire Straits…and the next song he played was “Romeo and Juliet”. )

From the Chiopinno to the Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna and things in between such lamb lollipops, citrus crab cakes and even a variety of artisan pizzas prepared in their wood fired stove, there’s not a bad choice on Mezza Luna Ristorante’s menu.

* Technically, Mezza Luna and One Ocean are on Neptune Beach but the entire strand is commonly know as Jax Beach. Neptune Beach is also where the famous Pete’s Bar (one of my old hangouts) has been since 1933.