Jeff McNally / The Floridian

The Floridian is the St. Augustine restaurant that has created buzz among locals and tourists alike for almost four years. The restaurant serves up unique Southern fare, with a healthy and local twist. Chat Chow TV sat down with co-owner Jeff McNally to learn more about the cuisine and its creative dishes and cocktails. Jeff and his wife Genie McNally opened the Floridian Labor Day weekend in 2010 after much encouragement from their friends and family. Prior to that Genie, who runs the restaurant’s kitchen and back of the house, had a small catering company and was serving up food at local farmers markets where she made strong bonds with many local purveyors in the area. The eclectic restaurant prides itself on its relationship with the many vendors in the area and supporting the local community no matter their taste or preference. The restaurant’s slogan is “innovative Southern fare for omnivores, herbivores, locavores,” and this remains throughout the menu. No matter if you are vegetarian, vegan or even gluten intolerant, the restaurant has something to accommodate any guest. The Floridan is divided into several parts, the back bar that serves creative beer and wine cocktails, the main dining room and the front porch located right on a popular street in town. Behind the restaurant is the quaint Florida Room where guests can get a freshly brewed cup of coffee, sandwich or salad, or even a glass of wine or local beer. Curious what a “Porch Sipper” is? Or which local pepper dominates The Floridian’s menu? Find out all that and more in the video above.