Saigon Gourmet, Oveido

I had dinner at this Vietnamese restaurant last Friday. I had the Chicken Claypot for $11. It had chicken cutlet pieces simmered in a fish stock with brown sugar, pepper, and green onions. It came with two piles of white rice (supposed to be jasmine) and some steamed broccoli. I was a little disappointed that it came in a metal bowl and not a claypot. It was tasty. The place looks like half a fifties diner. There was one other patron. The owner operator was polite. The service was good. It was clean

I would suggest a little more Vietnamese ambiance.

Sho Gun, Oveido

I had a yellowtail roll at this hibachi restaurant on Friday for $5. It was pretty good. The rice was warm and firm. the yellowtail was fresh. I do hate the nori though. The place has some hibachi tables. It's decor is a little sparse.

Chuck Wagon, Apopka

I had lunch at this greasy spoon last week. I had the chicken fried steak with eggs and toast for $6. It was your typical greay breakfast. The service was OK. The place was drab.

The Ravenous Pig, Winter Park

I had lunch at this gastro pub last week. I had the Pub Burger for $12. It was a nice burger. Although the ham handed cook couldn't resist pressing it on the griddle. Note to all burger preparers - Alton Brown proved on Good Eats that searing a piece of meat does not seal in juices. Leave the poor thing alone and it will cook properly. You are squeezing out all the natural goodness. This burger was topped with sauteed onions and blue cheese. It came with truffle oil infused shoe string fries. The place has a bar area (that they always try and force on single diners), a middle room and a kitchen room. The servers were attractive and attentive. The silverware was modern (the knife was balanced so you couldn't lay it sideways). The decor was bricky modern. The place was clean. It was mostly full. They have an annoying valet service (but you can find your own parking if you try). It suffers from what seems to be a decade long muncipal street improvement project outside its doors. The dinner menus seemed alluring (lots of game). I was told it changes regularly.

*10/31/2016 - Moving to Cask and Larder location.