by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
A hidden gem nestled in the heart of the beautiful downtown St. Augustine, Fla., Gaufre’s and Goods has earned quick acclaim among both locals and critics alike, for its quaint, charming atmosphere, scrumptious array of traditional Polish and Greek dishes, and a mind-blowing line up of domestic and imported wines, beers and more.
Owned and operated by Darius, an acclaimed Polish restauranteur and connoisseur of fine Greek and Polish foods and wines , Gaufres and Goods is one of the only restaurants in the area featuring this highly specific and unique genre of cuisine.
Since it’s opening in 2005, Gaufres and Goods has cemented its status as a premiere St Augustine breakfast destination, serving up a wide variety of specialty coffees and made-from-scratch gaufres, which is a European version of a traditional waffle dish made from leavened batter or dough that is cooked between two plates that are patterned to give a characteristic size, shape, and surface impression. Gaufres and Goods is also known as a go-to lunch and early dinner destination, serving up signature Greek and Polish fares sure to make even the most discerning “foodie” feel as though they have taken a trip around the world…no passport required!
DRINKS
Samos: Dessert wine (white ) reminiscent of Muscat, golden in color, with hints of dried fruit. Works ideally with fruits and desserts.
Black Stallion: House wine (Red) semi-sweet wine made in Coka Serbia. Like merlot with a gentle sweetness and a balanced palate.
Blackberry wine: An exceptional blend of sweet, smooth, and pleasantly acerbic flavors, this delightful wine feels like snacking on fresh blackberries, making it a quintessential spring or summer libation. The blackberry wine is 17% alcohol, packing a stronger “punch” than most traditional wines.
Nalewka Babuni brand cherry wine. A product of Poland, this full-bodied wine is bursting with cherry flavor and boasts a smooth finish, with 18 percent alcohol content, significantly higher than the average wine. A black currant wine with neutral grain spirits and natural cherry flavor added, this wine is highly recommended to enjoy with a gaufre or by itself as a dessert wine. Honey and raspberry flavors are also available .
BEERS
Zywiec 1856: A light and airy, yet highly satisfying beer that is brewed using three ingredients only and pure mountain water. 5.6 % alcohol by volume.
Warka High Quality beer: 6.3% alcohol by volume, this bold, rich, and flavorful beer , combines a unique species of barley and is dark roasted for optimal flavor.
APPETIZERS
Greek sampler: A combination of three homemade Greek dips : tzatziki, melitzanosalata-eggplant salad-and hummus. Served with pita.
Joseph’s Safanaki: Flour battered slab of feta, broiled and topped with tomato and bell pepper slices, garnished with Kalakaua olives, lemon and red pepper flakes. This dish is beautifully presented in a skillet.
SOUPS
Spicy Coconut Soup: Chicken breast, mushrooms, red pepper and green onions in a light, creamy broth.
Lentil soup: A Vegan friendly dish, this thick soup has lentil, celery, carrots, fresh herbs, onion, garlic, oregano and lemon juice with small potato cubes.
Borsch: A vegetarian friendly dish with red beet cubes and mushroom filled dumplings in a clear broth.
HOUSE FAVORITES
Spinach Pie: Savory pastry consisting of spinach and feta, wrapped in a filo dough and baked to perfection.
Pierogies: Traditional Polish dumplings stuffed with one or more choices: potato and cheese, sauerkraut, and mushroom/meat/spinach.
Gyro: The quintessential cultural symbol for Greek cuisine, this gyro is packed with lean protein, generously portioned, and bursting with flavor.
GAUFRES
Certainly, no trip to Gaufre’s and Goods would be complete without a freshly made Gaufre, which is traditionally known in Belgium as a dessert; however, this restaurant’s gaufres are immensely popular to enjoy for breakfast or as an afternoon treat.
Sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with thick, decadent maple syrup on the side, this eatery’s signature gaufres are lightly crisp around the edges and fluffy on the inside for a taste and texture that are simply scrumptious. We ordered one gaufre topped with pecans for a protein packed crunch and the other topped with thick, premium quality applewood smoked bacon for a sweet and savory culinary experience.
FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/Gaufresandgoods
INSTAGRAM: @gaufres_goods
PHONE NUMBER: (904) 829-5770
Victoria Henley writes Backstage Pass for iHeart Radio and CTFashionMag.com
