David Theus

We chose to have our Sunday lunch at The Bridge – Market & Bistro at 377 South Roscoe Blvd., Palm Valley, 904-285-1103 - just under the new 210/Palm Valley Road Causeway. Formally Edie’s Fish Camp on the Intra Coastal Waterway. Our first choice would have been the always fine dining experience that is Barbara Jeans just north on the water way, but we wanted to explore and see what the new owners had to offer.

If you are not familiar with this particular location, Edie’s was famous as fish camps go during the days of the old draw bridge located at the same crossing. A much simpler time to say the least, a kind of a locals only hide-a-way that you would go to knowing you were going to come away smelling like peel and eat shrimp and warm beer.

Today’s visit was to be different indeed, as you enter the restaurant you are quickly greeted by a make shift market in transition. They will soon feature fresh breads, racks of gourmet sauces and mustards, honey and the like from the local scene. As you venture past the open kitchen towards the vast open dining room, all you notice is how stark in design the room feels. Still the award winning view of the waterway and the passing yachts though.

I must say the staff was happy to see us and warm to directing us to our seating. Our server was quick to greet us and answer some preliminary questions about the fare, but failed to offer any insight on what if any specials. When asked what he recommended he quickly offered his favorite, but advised us it was not on the menu, but the kitchen would be happy to prepare it all the same. Odd, I thought - Fish Tacos, in case you were wandering.

Several of us ordered the Shrimp Bisque and Seafood Gumbo as starters and an order of the Jambalaya, Shrimp Scampi, Grouper Sandwich, and the dinner version of the Tilapia followed as our main dishes. First of all, the soups were served piping hot, just the way I like my soup served, even near the bottom of my cup, it was still hot to my touch, and that’s a good thing. The Bisque was some of the best I have ever had, there were even nice size pieces of shrimp to further the shrimp experience.

I’m saddened to say the main course experience did not exceed or equal that of the soups. My jambalaya was clearly the winner hands down, but still nothing extraordinary. The grouper sandwich was fishy and gooey, like the tilapia, and the shrimp scampi swam in a lemon broth with no flavor of garlic or herb butter – an $80.00 lunch without tip and alcohol for five - I’m sorry to say a definite non-repeat for this dining destination. My hat is off to anyone willing to risk everything and go into the restaurant business - this location is still great, and maybe better served as a peel and eat shrimp and warm beer experience.

I give it a score of two forks out of five.