Casa Marina Inn:

Play it Again Jacksonville Beach

by Kathleen Walls

Casa Marina, one of the oldest buildings on Jacksonville Beach
Photo credit Kathleen Walls

The fresh water trout topped with its praline bourbon sauce is perfect. You relax on the veranda, enchanted by the sparkling candles and tiny lights within the dining room, yet still at one with the moon-bathed beach. The crash of the waves competes with the big band sounds emanating from the small stage within. You know you are in the Casa Marina and it is the twenty-first century. Yet if you relax your eyelids and take just one more sip of the sparkling champagne, you could easily believe you were in this timeless refuge back when it was the newest, most innovative building in Jacksonville Beach. The striking couple seated at the corner table lost in one anther reminds you of someone. But who?

The Seafood Crepes are only one delightful choice at Casa Marina.
Photo credit Kathleen Walls

You hail a passing waiter and he tells you the history of the building. It was built in 1925. The newspapers of the day touted it as the safest place to stay since they had a state of the art fire sprinkler system. The building was the first fireproof building on the beach. The then 60 room hotel offered a living room filled with wicker furniture where their wealthy and powerful guests could relax, dine and dance the night away. Most of the rooms had an unobstructed oven view. The Spanish Mediterranean style with its terra-cotta tile roof was reminiscent of many of Hollywood's most palatial homes.

When World War ll struck, it was transformed into military housing. After the war, it went through various hands and degenerated from apartments into a boarded up derelict.

From 1987 to 1991, it remained forsaken. Then new owners, Allan and Mary Lou Brown, began renovating it back to its original splendor. They reopened it in April 2001. In August2002, the present owner took it over and pledged to remain faithful to the splendid building's early purpose.

Mark prepares a drink
Photo courtesy Leigh Cort

When you dine in its restaurant today, you will be served by a cheerful staff. The food will be the freshest available. Chef Aaron Bean will prepare it in an innovating and tempting way. You can order over 44 wines by the glass or bottle. You can choose mixed drink crafted to perfection by bar manager, Mark Vandeloo.

Chef Arron prepares one of his favorites. Photo courtesy Leigh Cort

The menu is varied. Items like Seafood Crepes, Fried Goat Cheese Salad or Flounder Spanaki, (a flounder filet rolled around spinach, feta and parmesan cheese baked in a fylo pastry and topped with Dijon cream) are some of the more exotic fare served at the Casa Marina. If you are more of a conservative, you will be ecstatic over their Roasted Chicken or Grilled Rack of Lamb. For lunch, you can choose a ligher fare like soup, salad or sandwiches.

You can dine in the fairytale like dining room, on the veranda overlooking the ocean or in the Mediterranean courtyard. One thing is for sure; no matter what food you request or where you sit you will not be disappointed.

In spite of the many transitions the building has undergone since 1925, it still preserves its ambiance of a bygone time when elegance was demanded and glamour was expected if a restaurant catered to the rich and famous of the gilded era.

Yes, The Casa Marina was designed to entertain princes and politicians. moguls and movie stars during the Roaqring Twenties. Now it is back on the scene for you to enjoy. An old time beauty back on Jacksonville Beach with a new face lift

The band launches into "As Time Goes By" and you suddenly remember who the curvaceous blond woman and the rugged dark haired man at the shadowy corner table remind you of. You glance over half believing your own fantasy but the table is empty. You must have imagined it. Were they ever really there? No! Impossible! Yet, Casa Marina is that kind of place.

To see more about Casa Marina http://www.casamarinajax.com/ or call them at (904) 270-0025