Candid Florida

Dining's fine at Chez Pierre

Once upon a time, there was a sweet little French restaurant in Ocala, in a space – still unoccupied – that sits next to Tast-T-O donuts on Silver Springs Blvd.  When sweeping through Tallahassee for restaurant reviews, I was surprised to find that Chef Eric – owner and creative force behind the capital city’s finest French restaurant, Chez Pierre – came from that eatery in our humble city.

Chez Pierre is a delight, updated to fit the times. No stuffy waiters and over-the-top European elegance here! It’s now full of modern Euro flair. Chalk paintings greet you along the walk, and flamboyant modern impressionism dresses up the tasteful maroon walls, setting a festive mood that spills over to Chef Eric’s parade of fresh French cuisine, with entrees that range from magret de canard to shrimp and grits. Call it French / Southern Fusion. Call it good.

Tucked into an urban Tallahassee strip backing up on FSU, Pitaria is a grill shop serving up souvlaki, pita, dolmades, and other Greek standards in veg and non-veg versions (make mine lamb!). Around for nearly 20 years, it’s obvious it’s an FSU tradition as the back-to-college crowd files in. Falafel, hummus, and fava beans accent the menu. Opa! You’ll find them at 617 W Tennessee, downtown Tallahassee.

Tallahassee’s newest portal to the past is also its oldest. It was a delight to return to Mission San Luis and see the ancient village from a whole new perspective, thanks to a new prominent entrance on US 90 (Tennessee Ave) and a grand two story visitors’ and education center in the style of a historic Spanish mission. The approach to the plaza is now perfectly level, affording the insight that this was once the entrance to the Messer House, a historic site in it’s own right and the former visitor center. There is now a modest entrance fee, but it’s well worth the price, especially with a new museum of artifacts in place and detailed, colorful interpretive signage throughout. Do pay a visit!

Imagine the beginning of a river the size of Wakulla Springs, and you’ll grasp that this undeveloped beauty is an awesome sight. Hidden in the hills of Jefferson County, Wacissa Springs is a little-known gem for kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. It’s been a favorite for folks in the know, of course, for generations.  But imagine my surprise to discover a headspring that looks almost identical to Wakulla Springs, but without a shred of commercialization or development. A dirt lot with plenty of parking, a boat ramp, a grassy shoreline, and a diving board into the deep spot — that’s it! Wacissa Springs is located off SR 59 in the tiny community of Wacissa, north of US 98 and south of Lloyd along US 27.  To kayak or canoe here, contact the Wacissa Springs Livery

Collected another hike to add to my Florida Hikes website in the not-to-distant future, while visiting the Terry Rhodes Trail System at the Bear Creek Tract of Lake Talquin State Forest, between Tallahassee and Quincy in Gadsden County. Quite a beautiful place. It was late in the day and I was the only hiker there, and on a mission to complete at least the Ravine Loop before sunset. Good thing I didn’t go for the longer loop, since I just made it out of there in time, and it was tough hiking for a Central Florida flatlander.  I’ll have more about it at Florida Hikes soon, but meanwhile, there are several big draws for not-so-hikers: an educational center for the kids, a “talking trail” with kiosks along the paved trail, each with a voice interpreting the plants and habitat around you (which makes this a very accessible trail), and an arboretum of well-identified native trees of the slope forest. Birding, too.

For years, I’ve been passing a sign along SR 20 west of Tallahassee that made reference to a picnic area along Lake Talquin, the reservior created along the Ochlocknee River for a hydroelectric plant that serves the city of Tallahassee. On this last trip, I noticed the sign said “Lake Talquin State Park,” so not wanting to miss an opportunity to chalk up another state park visit on my tally (I’ve been to almost all of them), I stopped. And was I glad I did! There’s a beautiful nature trail through the slope forest above deep ravines that drop off to the lake, as well as the promised picnic pavillion.  Even better, a steep staircase drops down a ravine to the surface of the lake, where a boardwalk offers a place to sit and enjoy a novel … or cast a line. The view from the boardwalk reminds me of the Adirondacks of my youth.  This is a little gem for anglers, picnickers, and hikers to enjoy.