A new restaurant is set to debut in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, bringing a blend of elevated dining, curated wines and live music to a familiar space.
17 King American Bistro debuted May 1 in downtown St. Augustine, taking over the former Harvest Restaurant location with a refreshed concept just steps from the historic Plaza de la Constitución and the Bridge of Lions. Named for its address, the restaurant is positioned as a destination for both locals and visitors seeking a more immersive dining experience.
“Our goal with 17 King American Bistro is to create an immersive and memorable dining experience,” owner Gary McGeddy said in a news release announcing the event.
Beyond the food and drink, live music plays a central role in shaping the atmosphere at 17 King American Bistro.
Here are three reasons to visit and what you can look forward to in St. Augustine’s vibrant dining scene.
1. A wine-curated library
One of the defining features of 17 King is its curated wine library, which anchors the overall concept. The selection caters to both casual drinkers and enthusiasts, and the on-site tasting table offers a chance to sample and purchase favorites. The dedicated tasting area allows guests to sample selections and purchase bottles to take home, while a full bar rounds out the experience with craft cocktails and a mix of domestic and international beers.
2. A chef-driven menu
The menu, developed by Wyatt, focuses on elevated comfort food with a refined edge. With a decade of experience and training from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he has crafted a lineup that balances familiarity with finesse. Signature dishes include a pan-seared crispy half chicken served with pommes purée and Brussels sprouts, duck pappardelle, grilled shrimp polenta and seared scallops with lemon risotto. Each dish is designed to pair seamlessly with the wine list while still standing on its own.
3. Dining paired with live music
17 King places a strong emphasis on atmosphere, with daily live performances from local artists. The steady rotation of musicians, combined with its location in one of the city’s most historic areas, helps create a dining experience that extends beyond the table.
Take a look inside 17 King American Bistro in downtown St. Augustine
When does 17 King open?
17 King is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are recommended.
Where is 17 King American Bistro located?
The restaurant was named after its location and it is located at 17 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084 in downtown St. Augustine.
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 3 things to know about new17 King American Bistro in St. Augustine
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea and Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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