As part of the citywide celebration of the 450th anniversary of the arrival of French explorer Jean Ribault at Mayport, area restaurants are offering special menu items and promotions through May 6.
Downtown’s part of the festivities began Wednesday at Olio Market on East Bay Street, when samples of the restaurant’s duck grilled cheese sandwich were served and a proclamation from Mayor Alvin Brown was read to make it official.
Also taking part in the Gallic gastronomical event Downtown are Adams Street Deli, Chamblin’s Uptown Café, Juliette’s Bistro at the Omni Hotel, the Wine Cellar and Zodiac Bar & Grill.
Olio owner and chef Greg DeSanto is baking French apple tarts for the next week to complement the sandwich, which is a finalist for the Travel Channel’s “Best Sandwich in America” award.
For the complete list of participating restaurants, see visitjacksonville.com/french-week.
356-2466