Delicious Rituals

All of Tallahassee has good taste

At the sunset of a bad day, my best friend and I have a routine. We always go to Charlie Park. We go around 6 o’clock to catch happy hour and golden hour. We sit at the same two bar seats on the rooftop deck, right at the edge of one of the huge windows that opens into the bar. We like to order the Charlie’s Choice—a “mystery” drink served only at happy hour—because when you’re having a rough go, you certainly don’t feel like making decisions. And we always order a plate of the Duck Frites to share. They’re steak fries double-fried in duck fat and served with the “green sauce” we love, which is actually a creamy Peruvian Pio Pio sauce. My main concern is no longer the bad day, but that I’m not eating more than my half of the fries. But we can always order another round … desperate times call for desperate measures, after all.

Reader, I tell this story because I’m sure you have your own ritual just like this: a place you go and a treat you love when you need to feel nurtured on a good day or bad. I’m fascinated by how, despite the universality of the experience, the foods that feed our hearts are so different. This is the idea that spawned the “Bucket List Dishes” feature in this spring issue on food and beverage. On 62, you’ll hear from community members across career fields and walks of life about the Tallahassee dish, dessert, or cocktail they deem absolutely essential. I hope you’ll be inspired to follow in their footsteps and take a bite. 

This is just the beginning of this year’s dive into Tallahassee’s culinary landscape. On 56, Paige Bowers takes us on a tour of the vineyards and olive orchards quietly transforming North Florida and South Georgia’s agricultural prospects. Speaking of transformations, Caroline Laganas introduces us to Jason McArthur on 26; Argonaut Coffee, with McArthur at the helm, will be permanently “docking” at RedEye Coffee locations this summer. You’ll also find some colorful cocktail inspiration on 52, a sneak peek into two local festivals on 19, and outfit inspiration on 29 to get you stepping out for Tallahassee’s sweetest bites in style. I’ll see you there. 

I look forward to savoring this gorgeous spring together.

Photo by Nathan Saczynski