Ice Plant Bar, Farm-To-Table, St. Augustine, Fla.

St. Augustine, Fla.—The Ice Plant Bar embraces old timey food and drink traditions. It is located just south of the historic old St. Augustine and in the 1927 established St. Augustine Ice plant. One of the owners used to be a co-owner of the farm-to-table Floridian Restaurant also located in St. Augustine.

Ice Plant Bar, St. Augustine, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

In keeping with the name and history of the building The Ice Plant Bar makes their own ice with a method dating back to the 1920s.

They move purified water as it freezes to make large blocks of ice daily that are free of air bubbles, impurities and imperfections. Then they carve that ice into several shapes and sizes.

This means it does not melt as fast as modern ice and so it is colder and makes more precise drinks.

This bar, located on the second floor of the building, makes artisan cocktails, drinks, and plates of food made with ingredients partially sourced from Florida farms including two dairies that make cheese.

Cedar Key Clams in Harissa broth, Ice Plant Bar,
St. Augustine, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

I went in for lunch back in April of this year. I ordered a small plate dish of Cedar Key Clams in Harissa Broth with black eyed peas and local fingerling potatoes ($13).

It was the best Florida sourced clam dish I had had all year. The spicy, slightly salty broth with bits of fresh tomato and green onions really brought out the sweet, earthiness of the clams.  

If you want to go to the Ice Plant Bar, it is located at 110 Riberia St., St. Augustine, FL 32084. Phone number (904) 829-6553