the avondale aura - View this location on map  breeze north of riverside along st. johns avenue, where two miles of mansions lure you into avondale. in 1920, the florida architect telfair stockton unveiled avondale as ''the residential ideal -- where only the correct and well-to-do people would live.'' the community still hums at a high-society pitch, with cultural luncheons and gallery openings. the center of the avondale art universe is the r. roberts gallery ( 904-388-1188), which carries works by artists like the naif master michel delacroix. prada, lilly pulitzer and fantini are staples at the boutiques along st. johns between talbot and pinegrove avenues. when the mississippi-born donna berdine opened donna's chic boutique (3581 st. johns avenue, 904-389-1133) in october, she was politely told that ''avondale isn't ready for you.'' now her nicole bakti cocktail dresses and pink-labeled ''donna's chic boutique'' bottled water (a status symbol at local gyms) only add to avondale's aura. New York Times 3606 st. johns avenue, Jacksonville, FL Cultural, Shopping |