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intricately hand-painted ceilings.
Executive Chef Aaron Chavarria
recently re-imagined the menu,
which now offers guests tapas style
dining, a throwback to his days of
cooking as a child with his mother in
his native Nicaragua. Everything was
made with fresh, local ingredients
paired with healthy tropical fruits
and flavorful herbs, so Chef Aaron
has brought this experience to 95
Cordova. The menu features Spanishand Mediterranean-inspired small
plates that are simple, yet elegant.
Chef Aaron wants guests to
experience different flavors by
offering small plates for sharing,
such as conch Carpaccio topped
with oil infused with St. Augustine’s
iconic datil pepper, tuna cured in
cumin, a goat cheese medallion with
pomegranate syrup over arugula, and
salmon cured in Limóncello. Tapas are
a great way to please all palates, and
the Casa Monica certainly sees its
share of international guests. Best
of all, loyal local diners don’t have
to travel abroad to experience rich,
exotic flavors.
Most evenings, you’ll find a mix
of guests and locals in the Cobalt
Lounge, listening to live music which,
in keeping with Spanish traditions,
may include the unmistakable sounds
of flamenco guitars or classic jazz.
Guests come for the music, but also
for the hand-crafted cocktails.
I
’ll put St. Augustine up against any
other U.S. city in terms of charm.
Sure, as America’s oldest city, it’s
bustling with historical ambiance
and attractions, but it also has
a certain je ne sais quoi that adds
a level of quaintness I don’t find in
other cities. This ranges from
the historic district lined with
cobblestone streets to quaint
cafes and offbeat artisan shops.
St. Augustine, located just 30 minutes
south of Jacksonville, was established
in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro
Menéndez de Avilés and the Spanish
influence is still prevalent throughout
the city. The many historic structures
– Fort Matanzas, Castillo de San
Marcos, the Lightner Museum and
even the Fountain of Youth – make you
feel as though you’re in another era.
The city’s only luxury hotel is an
attraction unto itself. Situated in the
heart of the downtown district and
just steps from the Matanzas Bay,
is the historic Casa Monica Hotel.
Built in 1888, the hotel opened with
only three guests and struggled
through its early years. Rough times
forced the hotel to close in 1932,
and it then served as the county
courthouse for three decades.
In 1997, The Kessler Collection
acquired the property and, following
a $10 million restoration, Casa
Monica Hotel debuted once again as
the luxurious destination it is today.
The moment you step into this
Mediterranean revival-style building,
you’ll know you’re someplace special.
The lobby transports you to an
ancient era with Moroccan frescos,
exquisite tapestries and luxurious
chandeliers that feel more like
a palace than a hotel. But don’t
let that fool you – the hotel is
blessed with the best of all modern
day amenities. Each of the 138
guestrooms has its own unique style,
with furnishings and décor fit for
a king and queen. If you’re feeling
especially royal, suites are the way
to go. The Ponce de Leon Suite is
a two-story tower suite with a
striking, wrought iron four-poster
bed and panoramic views of the
historic district and St. Augustine’s
picturesque bay. The Flagler Suite is
a luxurious three-story tower suite,
with two bedrooms and a living room
offering views of the magnificent
Lightner Museum. Its third floor
bedroom features colorful glasswork
windows from the hot V