Yesterday, after our fun day at the beach, we felt bad for the dogs and brought them out to the beach to play for a solid hour or so before we headed out to dinner.
Dogs are allowed on Jacksonville beach before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
They had a blast, but that hour on the beach made all of us rather hungry!
We quickly changed and hopped in the car in hopes of dining at Palm Valley Fish Camp thanks to a friend’s recommendation, but we didn’t realize it was a hoppin’ place and were told the wait would be nearly 90 minutes. No thanks.
With that, our unexpected tour of Jacksonville Beach began. We popped into at least four different restaurants after parking and walking around downtown Atlantic Beach, but everywhere had a crazy-long wait. Must plan ahead. Lesson learned.
Since it had already been more than an hour since our quest for dinner began, we were all getting antsy and hungry. We drove by a Carrabba’s en route to another restaurant and Ryan said, “You know, I could really go for Carrabba’s.” We all immediately agreed and found ourselves at the lovely Italian chain restaurant after spending over an hour searching for a fun unique-to-Jacksonville Beach restaurant.
The minute we sat down and demolished the bread and olive oil, we felt better.
Ryan placed an order for the calamari for our table to share and I went to town.
I absolutely love calamari (Atlanta friends, my favorite calamari ever is from Two Urban Licks) and I ate more than my fair share of the appetizer. Between the calamari and the bread (our waiter brought us another loaf), I was feeling a little full by the time my entrée was delivered.
I ordered the Insalata Johnny Rocco with scallops, shrimp, olives, roasted red peppers and ricotta cheese. The scallops on the salad stole the show.
For dessert, Ryan, Ross and I shared two cannoli for dessert. Love ‘em!
Though our night didn’t include dinner at a unique Jacksonville Beach restaurant, our group had a great time at Carrabba’s and left feeling full and happy.
Time to get some breakfast in my belly!
P.S. The Fashion page was updated this morning.
Sometimes you’ve just got to eat at a chain, and still just as good! It certainly looked delicious!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
Ive never been to two urban licks and I love calamari, thanks for the rec! Also your salad looks delicious!
Molly
Aw man, that’s a bummer that everywhere was so busy! Palm Valley Fish Camp is amazing, but it’s such a small restaurant and there isn’t that much around there so its always busy. They actually just opened a sister restaurant in Neptune Beach last week, but I haven’t been yet. My favorite in that area is Sliders, not just because my sister and two of my little brothers work there. I used to work there and they catered my wedding, so I’m a little biased! But if you end up going, try the shrimp sausage, scallops or whatever special the server suggests. Last week I had panko encrusted trigger with chimmichurri and it was out of this world!
Anna @ Ray Bans and Travel Plans
It’s like ordering a Starbucks in a foreign country- sometimes it’s the only thing that will hit the spot!
Khushboo
Its a bummer you couldn’t try a place local but I have heard great things about Carrabas, I have never been there but a family friend made their stuffed artichokes from their cook book and they were heavenly! P.s. love your dress!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
I completely agree with the above recommendation for Sliders. Also, if you ever find yourself on A1A near St. Augustine, you MUST try Caps on the Water. Amazing atmosphere, and even more amazing seafood
Catie Carey @ The First Rep
Carraba’s is always a good choice. Next time, try Mambo’s. It’s this amazing Cuban restaurant, right on 3rd Street in Jacksonville Beach. They usually have live music on the weekends too!
Nilda
I had that sala last time I went to Carrabbas too and LOVED it! Good choice
Brittany from Counting My Cupcakes
CALAMARI! Carraba’s is great… I always have lunch for the next day!
Brie @ Coxswain’s Dilemma
You and your sister are so pretty!
Ashley
I love calamari as well, considering what it is! My favorite place to eat it is at a place called Tomato Street, good italian food right there
Glad you had a good time. Sometimes it isn’t the place you eat that makes the evening memorable, it the people you’re with!
Hannah
Ever have the zucchini fritte appetizer? Amazing. I always get that when I go there.
Lisa
no! i need to!
peanutbutterfingers
everything about that dinner looks amazing!!!! glad I found your blog, love your posts!!
Amy
In my opinion, Carrabba’s is one of the best chain restaurants out there! Your meal looks delicious & very filling! I love the picture of Ryan and Sadie — Sadie looks like she’s smiling.
Alison
This is totally off topic, but I remember you mentioning that you were getting Wild from the library last Friday. Have you started reading it yet? I read the first 2 chapters last night.
Alison
i brought it to the beach w/ me but still haven’t started! hoping to start it this week!
peanutbutterfingers
I’ve read half of “Wild”; almost can’t put it down.
Looks like a great time; makes me miss my sister in Cali! Think we’re going to One Ocean in Jax in a few weeks; one last vacay before my kids start school.
LisaG
Carrabba’s is delicious! My bf is originally from Naples, FL and we go down there every year over the holidays to visit family. Carrabba’s is a must-go-to every year!
Electra @ Vanilla Bean Lean
I haven’t been to Carraba’s in years…but the last time I went I got scallops and they were so good I obviously still remember it!
Kelly
Oh my lord, the food ….it looks so good!!!!
Robyn
yummmm i love carrabba’s…i’m going with my boyfriend and his parents tomorrow night and now i’m even more excited. we always get the calamari
molly @ heart, sole & cereal
Yummy! What is the color on your nails? Do you get them done or do them yourself?
Julie
thank you! i usually do them myself, but this was actually one of those gel manicures that i had done b/c i had a groupon. it’s awesome b/c it hasn’t chipped and i’m already on week two! i think the color was something like “cajun shrimp” from OPI?
peanutbutterfingers
I love your dress! Adorable! And the food looked pretty great as well!
The Blissful Baker
Fried calamari is my favorite!! Hmm
Emily Butler @EmilysHomestead
Mmm I love calamari too!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake
Mmmm cannoli with pistachios! Looks tasty. I hate that feeling when you gorge down too much food because you waited too long too eat haha.
Bek @ Crave
Hi!
Did you know that doggies are allowed all day at Atlantic Beach, just a few miles minutes north of Jax Beach?
Robyn
are you serious!?!?! ah!! good to know. we’ll definitely check it out!!
peanutbutterfingers
Sometimes the chains are good knowing you will get a decent meal – I hate waiting when I’m hungry!
Two Urban Licks is one of our favorite restaurants here in Atlanta (we almost had our rehearsal dinner there!) – have you been to any of the others in the restaurant group?
jenny
no but i would LOVE to!
peanutbutterfingers
Chains definitely just have to happen sometimes – I eat at them more often than I care to admit!
And really, as long as the calamari’s good, you’re fine.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
I actually saw you walk into Ragtime and ask how long the wait was… haha. I was sitting in a booth in the bar and I thought it was you but i wasnt sure, then Ryan walked up to you and I knew.
If you were at the place across the street from Ragtime then that’s actually North Beach Fish Camp. Like someone said above it’s a “sister” restaurant to Palm Valley Fish Camp. It only opened about a week ago so that’s why there is a rediculous wait… but the food is worth it if you’re ever back in the area! 
Lindsey
no way!! that’s so funny! we actually tried to get into BOTH palm valley fish camp and north beach fish camp. both had quite the wait!
peanutbutterfingers