A Restaurant Named Ashley

If you find yourself somewhere in Orlando or Southeast Florida, you are about two hours from a charming piece of early Florida. At the intersection of State Route 76 and Federal Highway 1, you will find a town called Stuart.

To enjoy a four-hour visit, you need to remember four names: Ashley, Lyric, Earthtones and The Hobby House. The town of Student is located about 15 minutes from the barrier island, so the focus on your visit will be on the main street, not the beach. Start at the north end and find a free parking space – there’s diagonal parking on both sides of S.W. Osceola Street.

The Ashley Restaurant is named for the gang that twice robbed the Bank of Stuart (which used to occupy the building where the restaurant has operated since 1990). I had visited the dark interior in 1998 and was surprised to see the bright windows and cheerful décor, the result of a renovation in 2002.

Sandwiches have delicious names: mojo-grilled chicken, NY Strip Steak wrap, pancetta Cheese Burger. Entrees include Filet Mignon, Sea Scallops and Ravioli with Quattro Formaggi. While you wait for your food to arrive, walk around the building. The cut-glass images include sea life and imaginative geometrics. The stage at the Ashley regularly gets filled with local musical talent. Ask for a guide to show you where tellers used to stand in the bank.

A larger venue for entertainment is on the other side of the street. The Lyric Theater is host to dozens of “once-famous and still popular” acts. Recent visitors include The Lovin Spoonful and a school edition of Rent, the broadway musical. Aaron Neville and Kris Kristopherson have also performed there. According to the theater’s web site, “The Theatre continues to provide cultural benefit to the Treasure Coast, thanks to supporters and grants from Martin County. As a rental facility, the Lyric hosts a variety of private, civic and charitable events. The theatre’s mission is to restore and provide a historic theater facility in Downtown Stuart in order to enhance cultural and educational development.” Visit the web site to be sure that your visit will coincide with a fun event.

Next stop on your tour is Earthtones, a garden store. Even apartment dwellers will find the cheerful interior and large inventory worth perusing. The sale in July was "Just another Big F'in Discount"... on Frogs, Fish and Fountains. Yes, it was a big f-in deal. Great prices on frogs, fish and fountains.

Farther down the street you’ll find Nature’s Way natural foods café, a nice break before heading to Ye Olde Hobby Shoppe at the western end of Osceola. Operated by Paula since 2002, this is your destination. You drove two hours from Miami or Orlando to see some of the funniest gifts on the planet. Get your wallet out because you won’t want to leave without a bobbing pirate’s head or a flying pig. Go ahead, try to resist their squeezable foam pop guns.

By the end of your visit you will be happy to see the road, ready to share stories that you collected while visiting a restaurant named Ashley.

Steve McCrea
www.Roadlovers.com
www.FreeEnglishlessons.com

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