Do you remember the ‘90s? O.J. Simpson and Kato Kailen, Blossom and Joey Russo, Regis and Kathy Lee, Alanis Morissette and Dave Coulier? The Spice Girls, T.L.C., Brandy, Marcy’s Playground, grunge? Boy Meets World, The Fresh Prince, F.R.I.E.N.D.S, The Real World (when it was still cool)? M.T.V. Jams, M.T.V. Spring Break, just M.T.V. in general?
Those were good times. So I’m told.
With reboots of Full House and the X-Files, an O.J. mini-series, and a live-action Street Sharks movie in the works (OK, I made that last one up), ‘90s nostalgia is real. And with our fair city, for better or worse, standing as a bustling ode to the past, why not celebrate the last analog decade with these delicious eats and drinks?
’90s Brunch at Blue Hen Café (117 Martin Luther King Blvd)
Though it may seem as though brunch was invented by insufferable millennials in Portland as a way to get tourists to pay $15 for suspiciously-orange mimosas, it’s really just breakfast served later in the day. And Chef Jeff Sapp, of Blue Hen: he can do that. Enjoy some phat chicken biscuits or some of the most bangin’ corned beef hash this side of the Bridge of Lions while you get jiggy with Sugar Ray, Eagle Eye Cherry, and other ‘90s summertime faves, played all weekend long…. Why? Because Booyah Grandma! Booyah!
Champagne Mango Popsicle at The Hyppo (48 Charlotte Street) Followed by a Timewarp (111 Avenida Menendez)
Celebrate the the recent crowning of The Hyppo owner Stephen Dimare as an “Innovator Changing the South” compliments of Southern Living – with a champagne mango popsicle. Then, take it back to the ‘90s – the 1590s that is – aboard the Spanish ship the El Galeon, docked in the St. Augustine Municipal arena until April 21. After you walk to the Marina from The Hyppo’s Charlotte Street location, you’ll be treated to a lesson in 16th century sailing techniques, while you lick away your Spring blues (that is if your popsicle makes it that far).
’90s records and 20oz. drafts at Hornski’s Vinyl Lounge (106 Anastasia Boulevard)
Music aficionados lament the ‘90s – when CDs and then digital music became the standard listening platform — as the beginning of the end for sound quality. But, with vinyl making a comeback, many artists of the ‘90s and 2000s have now pressed their classic albums (remember those things?) for the first time. Complimenting its extensive collection of used wax, Hornski’s Vinyl Lounge is consistently restocking new pressings of favorites of years-gone-by. Word on the street is Hornski’s is currently stocking the alternative sounds of Soul Coughing, Blur, and Smashing Pumpkins and a rather eclectic assortment of ‘90s hip hop from Jay-Z to 2pac to Eminem. Twenty ounce brews are $4 on Sundays so grab a cold Breckenridge Agave Wheat (just tapped) as you spin some Slim Shady… yes, the real Shady.
