13 Gypsies - Jacksonville

Lunch at 13 Gypsies: Ben is an excellent server. Decided to have many small dishes “tapas.” 1st Round: FRESH CALET SAUSAGE $8 HOUSE MADE CUMIN SAUSAGE WITH HOUSE MADE CREME FRAICHE AND TOASTED PEASANT BREAD. Very good. Best flavor profile is to have each bite with bread, crème fraiche and sausage. SCALLOPS REMINI $3 PER SCALLOP PAN SEARED SCALLOPS ON TOAST SQUARES WITH SAFFRON AIOLI. 2 SCALLOPS ARE A STANDARD IF YOU WANT MORE OR LESS, TELL YOUR SERVER. Excellent scallops. The saffron aioli was very concentrated. The peanut bread did not add anything to the dish. 2nd Round: ROMAN GNOCCHI $8 THE ORIGINAL GNOCCHI. SEMOLINA AND PARMESAN FLATS, SERVED WITH A MUSHROOM SAUCE. Very unusual. Gnocchi was made with pasta, then grilled giving it a nice roasted flavor. Mushroom sauce was delicate, however using button mushrooms was disappointing. SHRIMP PIRI PIRI $9 SHRIMP SAUTEED IN A TRADITIONAL SPICY PORTUGUESE GINGER AND LEMON SAUCE. Worth the trip. About 7 31 40 count shrimp in a very spicy sauce. I believe the cold puree had parsley and garlic which was a superb accompaniment to the dish. 3rd Round” FRESH CHORIZO AND PEARS $9 CHEF’S HANDMADE CHORIZO SAUSAGE, SAUTEED WITH PEARS AND SPICED DATES. Fantastic. The combination was wonderful. BRUSCHETTA DEL DIA (MARKET PRICE) OUR DAILY BRUSCHETTA SELECTION ASK YOUR SERVER FOR DETAILS. It was peanut bread topped with a crab salad. The bread added nothing to it. The crab salad used first rate ingredients, however the taste was average at best and at $14.00 was disappointing. Overall it was a good experience. A little pricey. Good news, the Sangria was only $3 per glass. Believe it is the place to have a minimum of 3 people to share.

First visit and will be returning until we have sampled each item on the menu. My wife and I spent a date night out without rugrats and enjoyed the Mongolian Beef Skewers, Ahi, Garlic Shrimp, and the Lemon Thyme Rissotto. All were great and the housemade white sangria was impressive as well. We didnt have reservations on a saturdau evening but were able to sit at the Bar which I would prefer to do again. All tables were packed and the phone was ringing constantly for new reservations for the upcoming week so you know this is a great place to come for great food.

This was my fourth visit to 13 Gypsies, and it was the visit that changed my mind about eating here.  After three tries, I gave up and stopped thinking about this place.  My foodie friends eat here often and I always decline based on past experience.  They rave about the Queso and Risotto, on and on about these dishes.  So tonight when the call to dinner came, and I was needing a friend fix, I relented and made my way over.  The restaurant itself is a mere “hole in the wall” spot with seven tables and seating for 20 and a close 20 it is. Reservations are a must, this is a hot spot for the residents of the area and getting in can be a challenge, but worth it. The bread  is made daily, by hand, plus they make their  our own sausage, cheese, cured meats, pickled vegetables, spice blends, and fresh pasta.  Menu changes with the seasons and availability of produce. Not many restaurants can boast as much.  A nice brunch is served on Saturday.

Writing reviews for any restaurant that's been on tv seems unnecessary. That said, the food is worth the visit. The salami was good; the homemade bread was excellent. The bruschetta was however, truly outstanding. Bravo. By the way we went on a Tuesday without a reservation and had to sit outside, which was pleasant. But, those averse to eating al fresco may want a reservation.

First timers at 13 Gypsies and we were overly impressed from start to finish. Great service as well. The menu items are creative and the preparation, ingredients and presentation were total home runs! Wine list, while short is really impressive, unique and paired up perfectly. The house made chamber items rock!!! Do not miss this eclectic spot, a hidden gem.