Always looking for new and better ways to serve its customers, Argyle restaurant has launched a high-end catering service for pickup or local delivery. The menu includes a host of options, including displayed platters, sandwich platters and boxed lunches, salads, hot and cold skewers, sides and entrees.
And it’s an extension of the Argyle philosophy of giving the customers the best possible experience.
Co-owner and chef Jon Blackford called Argyle a “chef-driven restaurant” that makes just about everything in-house.
Blackford takes great care in his sourcing. He buys directly from purveyors that he trusts, like certain ingredients from Anson Mills in South Carolina, meats from Olympia Provisions in Oregon and Rancho Gordo Beans from California. Some breads come from New York, and a special ham called surryano comes from Edwards Smokehouse in Virginia.
“There’s really nothing like it,” Blackford said. “It just completely melts in your mouth.”
In fact, the Argyle menu changes often as Blackford discovers new products or farms that he would like to feature.
“If you’re looking for something a little creative and different, I feel like we kind of fill that void,” he said.
In fact, he’s always looking for ways to improve. Whenever he and his cooks try something new, even if it’s really good, he always asks the same question: “How do we make it better?”
Argyle never uses processed foods or anything that’s pre-made.
“When we make appetizers for big parties, we make every individual appetizer that we send out,” Blackford said.
Because Argyle is using owner.com, which partners with DoorDash and Uber Eats, to make the deliveries, there are none of the usual fees, which means Blackford can avoid raising menu prices.
Deliveries can be made up to eight miles from Argyle, which helps the restaurant reach a broader range of customers. Located at 254 Alta Mar Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, at The Yards, Argyle doesn’t have the kind of drive-by or foot traffic that other restaurants enjoy. Some customers may even be intimidated by the gate at the entrance to Sawgrass Players Club.
But the catering initiative takes Argyle to communities outside the gates, something that Blackford called a “game changer.”
“This helps us expand our reach,” he said.
Offices use the service, often to order a sandwich platter or charcuterie board for a meeting. But it also appeals to people having guests in their home or those who simply enjoy having the food come to them.
In fact, COVID may have introduced people to the satisfaction of staying home for meals rather than going out.
“I feel like some people enjoy being at home and throw more parties, now,” Blackford said, “or maybe have people over a little more often.”
Catered orders require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice because the Argyle team needs time to prepare. For larger orders, a longer period of notice may be needed.
To learn more, see the menu or place an order, go to argylepvb.com.
