The Well Watering Hole Menu

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  • Jay M.

    The following review was published under my byline in the Florida Times-Union on Saturday, July 25, 2015. This is an original, unabridged version of that review. King Kong isn't hanging around one Baymeadows Road restaurant anymore. Before he found another building to swing to, he cleaned this one out, menu and all. Such was the fate of a Larry's Giant Subs on Baymeadows near San Jose Boulevard, which in January hit the reset button in a big way to become The Well Watering Hole Bistro. The concept, launched by Larry's franchisee Nancy Barber, couldn't be any more different than its predecessor. A kitschy, homespun spot where barstools rule the dining room instead of tables, the gang from Friends would feel right at home in this modern-day Central Perk. As you snake deeper into the slender space, you'll find window ledges chock-full of board games, children's books, even a wall-mounted guitar begging for a healthy strum. Up front you'll find two rows of barstools, a handful of tables and a larger-than-life glowing wooden The Well sign (originally fashioned for out front, it didn't pass muster with the landlord). Then there's the restaurant's namesake wishing well. Throw down some coin and the restaurant will match it with a donation to a local nonprofit each month. The Well is a wine and beer bar. You'll find a healthy selection of reds, whites and Champagne by the glass and bottle, along with six taps almost exclusively dedicated to local craft brews. What stands out here are its eight Champagne and wine cocktails ($7, $5 during happy hour, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.), which mimic liquor cocktails with grape-based rum, tequila and vodka. For a little bite at the back of your throat, ask for the Coconut Jalapeño Margarita. The Well also calls itself a bistro, with lighter fare populated by appetizers, salads and sandwiches. While Peruvian chicken and meatloaf are your primary protein options, vegetarians and vegans will find plenty to enjoy on this menu. The happy hour Munchies selections feature six discounted appetizers. We tried out the Peruvian Chicken Taco and Meatloaf Taco ($3 each). Both handhelds were decent-sized flour tortillas neatly folded down over their respective pockets of meat and fillings. The pulled Peruvian chicken had a creamy inside, blended with pickled slaw, Ranch dressing and Sriracha sauce, while it was harder to find that same bite in the meatloaf. Still, each was a substantial starter for one. Our smooth Feta Cheese Spread ($6, happy hour $5) could easily be mistaken for cream cheese, came with a delicious fig topping and was served alongside water crackers and animal cracker "accents." The spread was addictive; it had the feeling of something your grandma would proudly pass at a formal family get-together. You won't go wrong with the Grilled Roasted Veggie Sandwich with Feta ($10), a pressed creation on ciabatta that my friend aptly described as "a little farmer's market in your mouth." Melty to the end, the marriage of that creamy feta, carrots, peppers, eggplant and more in that crusty enclosure was a study in delicious contrasts. My friend's Chicken Salad Sandwich ($10) on focaccia featured iceberg-sized chunks of white-meat chicken, blended with Hellmann's mayo, smoked salt, spinach, tomato, Ranch and Sriracha. If you like your chicken finely chopped, this sandwich isn't for you. I couldn't put my finger on the smoked salt or spicy undertones, but those big blocks of creamy chicken meant business. Desserts don't make the printed menu, but they do show up on a blackboard near the front door. We chose the Choco-Latte Cake ($6), a martini glass layered in chocolate espresso, cinnamon ginger rum cake and chocolate ganache. The spongy-yet-thick cake drizzled with rum and topped with whipped cream and a colorful M&Ms garnish was a treat that could be easily shared. I suggest they serve it on a standard plate, as that pooled rum at the bottom of the glass can be a bit intense. The Well keeps the same menu for its lunch service, which launched a couple of weeks ago, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. With a menu that does the basics very well, and innovative cocktails at reasonable prices, even outside of happy hour, this Well is a delicious, family-friendly destination that tries hard to be unique and makes the grade. The Well Watering Hole Bistro 3928 Baymeadows Road, Unit 9, Goodby's Creek (904) 737-7740 TheWellWateringHole.com Type of cuisine: Bistro/Eclectic Hours: Monday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4:30 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 4:30 to 11 p.m.; closed Sunday Credit cards: All major accepted Bar service: Beer and wine Children's menu: Yes Reservations accepted: Recommended for parties of six or more Catering: Yes Price range: Appetizers, $3-9; entrée salads and sandwiches, $10

    (5)
  • Daisy S.

    I was pleasantly surprised and other than the fact that my roomie won a gift card while we were there, I will totally be going back again. This place was on point and the staff were lovely. Basically going to give a run down of everything I was given: The Well's Strawberry Lemonade Not for children. It was okay. I like vodka and lemonade. It wasn't anything special but it wasn't the worst I've had either. Feta/Goat Cheese Spread with Blueberry Compote I really liked this. If you know me, you should be surprised. I'm not huge on cheese that isn't cheddar and blueberries I consider icky. This though... I could eat all night. Hummus with Tabouli and Sriracha Not bad... I'd pick the cheese spread over it, but I think hummus is always a safe choice if you're not sure about what to order as an appetizer. Tomato Basil Soup I have no feelings for or against this soup. I didn't love it. I don't love most soup though... Again, it wouldn't be my first choice, but it definitely wasn't the worst soup I've ever had. It did have a little kick in it. Breezy Salad with Pulled Peruvian Chicken You know that emoji with the hearts as eyes? That's how I feel about this salad. It was simple and I loved it. Meatloaf Taco This is on the happy hour menu, not the everyday menu. They do have several meatloaf options on the menu though. I liked this more than I thought I would. An interesting take on a taco. Black Bean Burger I think I would have picked the meatloaf taco over this burger. I can't quite put my finger on what I didn't love about it, but I think maybe my hopes were just too high. Cheesecake Brownie Not always on the menu but I could have eaten three more! To me it didn't take like cheesecake at all, but whatever it tasted like worked for me! I don't like brownies that much and this was yummmmmmmy.

    (4)
  • Susie R.

    The Well Watering Wall has a fun atmosphere and great food. They also have a wishing well where all monies donated are matched and given to a different local charity each month. We will definitely be going back for sure.

    (4)
  • Craig S.

    Great place!! Menu looks great. Owner and staff are first class! Highly recommend. So cool to have a local place to go and have great healthy delicious food at reasonable prices in a warm and inviting atmosphere. A bonus is live music!

    (5)
  • Adam S.

    Great little bar I've been in it a few times and always treated very nice by the owner and all the staff. The beer is cold and the food and atmosphere is great I will for sure be a regular here

    (5)
  • Belinda K.

    lovely laidback atmosphere.great for happy hour or after dinner drinks. Tried the fetta spread with blueberries and the eggplant bruschetta both yummy.

    (4)
  • John F.

    LOVE IT ! She also makes her own snacks .. try the cheesecake brownie !

    (4)
  • Kristina K.

    I recently got the chance to check out the Well Watering Hole as part of Folio Weekly's bite club as Daisy S.'s plus one and I am so glad I got the chance to check it out. The event was held on a Monday, when the Well is normally closed. The location is just in front of the Palazzo, almost to San Jose on Baymeadows Rd. The upside of an event like this is that we get to hear some great background and details from the owner. The Well has only been open for about 3 months (the owner, Nancy, also owns Breezy Coffee Shop Cafe in Jacksonville Beach). They have a really cute setup and fun atmosphere that really encourages interaction. They have everything from a guitar on the wall with a note encouraging guests to play it to board games and books in the back and notepads and little game books on the tables. The decor is rustic and simple but very nice. They have a small well up front in which you can throw coins. Each month the business matches the money from the well and donates it to a local charity. You can even trade in your dollar bills for gold coins to toss in. Such a great way to give back. Because this was a special event, we tried some smaller portions of their regular menu items. The first course was a feta/goat cheese spread with blueberry compote. My understanding is that the cheese spread is served with different toppings on the regular menu. I love both feta and goat cheese but was hesitant about the blueberry. The salt in the cheese and the sweetness of the blueberry compote actually worked really nicely together. Next up was their hummus and lentil tabouli, also very tasty spread on the pita slices provided. We had some tomato basil soup after that. I'm a big soup lover and this soup hit the spot. It tasted very fresh and homemade with a slight smokiness. I really enjoyed this and would absolutely order it again. We tried their breezy salad with pulled Peruvian chicken next. SO good. Both the chicken and the salad dressing had a lot of flavor and a really great taste. I could definitely devour a full sized version of this. My biggest surprise of the night was the next dish, a meatloaf taco. I am generally not a meatloaf fan but this had a lot of flavor. They meatloaf was accompanied by some coleslaw and sauce and was really great. As someone else at our table mentioned, I'm not sure I could eat a plate of these as a meal but it would be great to share (in fact, it's on their happy hour menu). A nice draft beer would go really nicely with this (or the next item we tried). The last course before dessert was a black bean burger (served as a slider). This one also had the same coleslaw and sriracha sauce. Another table mate mentioned that coleslaw and sriracha seem to be the chef's secret (not in a bad way, the flavors really work). Last up we had the cheesecake brownie for dessert. We were warned that this item is not always on their menu but it should be! The topping was creamy and gooey and went perfectly with the fresh brownie on the bottom. Overall, my experience at the Well was absolutely fantastic. I will absolutely be back (I also won a gift card but I'd be back even without it). The staff was so friendly and the food came out at an impressively fast speed. The food was flavorful and fresh and the environment was laid back but fun. The Well feels like a real neighborhood hangout with some really great people. This is a must check out if you're on this side of town!

    (5)
  • Kristy W.

    Cute place with a fun atmosphere. I recommend the artichoke nachos and the kale salad with the pablo chicken. Delicious! I will definitely be coming back!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

The Well Watering Hole

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