Club Crawl - Tastings and Ember

10-11pm: Tastings. Mostly empty except one table of girls there for the $20 ladies night tasting. I was only there to try some wine and watch the Magic.

11pm-1am. Ember. Very full. Mostly guys (because of the game). Good atmosphere (because of the game). Back bar smelled of puke the whole night. Someone should be accountable for this mess (literally). I can't believe there could have been a manager on duty and this escaped them. Can I also request that douche bags don't take ownership of a bar stool when the whole crowd is looking to get a drink. I know you dragged $4 out of you bare trap like wallet for that beer you've been nursing for half an hour but some of us who came to spend money on real man drinks would like a drink too. You probably tell the girls that you're a high roller too. Don't ya? Left early because of that damn DUI law and the wisdom that you don't play when the odds are stacked against you. Live to cruise another day. No use fighting over the fat chick and the cougar. Orlando Tip - their boyfriend is at the bar and just trying to get out of paying for their univited and undesired company.

Nagoya Sushi, Sand Lake

On Saturday I had an after-thought second meal at this Japanese restaurant. I was in the neighborhood and wanted to kill time before clubbing. I had some conch (fresh and meaty), baby octopus (same), sea urchin (rich and served with a sliver of lemon), surf clam (cut in two for easier nibbling), and a grilled half of a baby homard lobster tail (a new one). All but the lobster and urchin were under $2,50. $5 for the urchin and lobster (and once again that's real Maine-style lobster not frozen langoustine or Australian "lobster"). Unbelievable prices. Urchin is usually $8. The owner had promised that they serve more fish than rice and she wasn't lying. The rice was even properly vinegared. The staff was great, young and cute. The owners were attentive and knowledgeable. Even the house sake was good enough to be served cold ($5). It's great when the establishment gets it. The place is small enough to allow attention to detail. It's not a sushi factory like Amura (also good but impersonal and expensive and sometimes impolite). The decor was Japanese casual. It was about half full. It probably seats 50. Parking was free and close. I would ask you to find this little gem tucked in an alcove behind Christini's. You'll become a fan even if you stick to your California Rolls and Tuna Sushi. They even had Toro.

Tang's, Sand Lake

On Saturday I had dinner at Tang's restaurant on Dr. Phillips. I had the Red Curry Chicken for $14. It was unlike any Thai dish I've had before. An uncut, grilled chicken breast was placed atop length-wise sections of carrot, squash and zucchini in a pool of red curry. It was decorated with strings of carrot and an orchid. The waiter came by with jasmine and curry rice and portioned out contents in a separate ritual. The meal was excellent. Extremely tasty! The service was great. Every member of the staff (including owners) aided in the task. They showed great care in my satisfaction. They were stylishly dressed and reverent. The waiter even went as far as to replace the orchid on my plate before serving because it had moved slightly on its way from the kitchen. The restaurant itself had the requisite Thai decollatage. But, they added elements that made it thoroughly modern. They even had booths (which struck me as funy because I just saw a Chris Rock special in which he observed that girls always want a booth. They were indeed peopled with women). The wine list was great. Not the usual best sellers and distributor influenced dreck. Someone has taken this upon themselves. The place was immaculate. I was given a good seat. Everyone dining (aside from one table of yokels) was dressed well. The place was about half full, but getting fuller as the night went on. They had alot of courses that you won't find on a traditional Thai menu. All improvements in conception. Parking was easily found across from the entrance. An unbelievable surprise. I can't understand how anyone wastes their time with greasy Chinese take-out when you can do Thai or Vietnamese. It's so cheap. I order you to realign your sensibilities. Thai is the new (always was) Chinese.

Spice Modern Steakhouse, Downtown (Closed)

On Wednesday I had lunch at Spice Steakhouse Downtown on Lake Eola. I had the cheddar burger with fries for $9. The burger was plump and pefectly cooked at medium rare. The chef even refrained from leaning on the spatula in the false hope that it would cook faster, therefore, it was moist. Good job. The burger came on a rectangular piece of with china in what is referred to as a deconstructed state. It was appointed with a fresh slice of tomato, onions and lettuce. Catsup and mustard were provided in steel tins. The bun was large, artisinal and fresh. The cheese was well melted. The french fries were mostly crispy (I still don't get how some fries can fry limply). The service was excellent. Even the hostess didn't ruin the experience with an insulting table placement. The place is styled in a modern deco motif. Very clean and enervating (in a pleasant way). The space is broken up by booths, etc so that most have a private area. They have an outdoor patio that overlooks the lake and two bars. The space was very clean. I can suggest no improvements. You can even find free parking on the street.

Tuscany's, Winter Springs

On Saturday night I went to this Italian eatery on Winter Springs Rd. I had the special for $14.95. The special was four cutlets of chicken covered in ham, mushrooms, provolone, goat cheese and a sherry reduction (I thought the waitress said Cherry. Now that would have been creative). It came with a generous bowl of angel hair on the side. It was not overcooked. The main dish was enormous. I walked out like a pregnant Buddha. It's hard to complain when they serve you so much that you wonder what their margins are, however, I must disclose that it was a bit rich at these levels. I must have received two ice cream scoops of goat cheese. That said, it's better than the alternative and I could have pushed away the plate at any time. The entree came with a Caesar Salad (a little pasty) and warm bread. Did I mention that I think I ordered the most expensive dish? The prices here are great. Most pasta entrees were under 10$. I saw mammoth sandwiches coming out of the kitchen. The owner was gregarious and seemed to have a lot of regulars. They had 4 or 5 waitresses for about 15 tables. The service was prompt and communicative (although another victim of the correct pronounciation of the dish - chicken francese). The decor is bad. Plastic vines, grapes and plants. The place was a little loud. A drunken party with kids and low ceilings combined to assault my temples. The owner was overhead discussing expansion plans. I'm not sure if that will close them down so call before you go. The one negative was the small selection of appetizers and their cost. They are almost as much as the entrees. But, who needs two courses when one is more than enough here. Don't ever think Carrabba's or Macaroni Grill if you live anywhere near here. I curse you if you do. But if you do, you are probably already cursed with a small brain. You know how I feel about most mid-level Italian restaurants. This place is the antithesis. Even the liquor was below the usual mark up.

Takeyama, Oveido

On Tuesday I stopped by this little sushi restaurant at the end of Red Bug Lake Rd and Lockwood. I had the sushi lunch for $8.95. It was a tempura roll and 4 pieces of sushi (Red Snapper, Tuna, Salmon, White Tuna). The roll was penuriously filled with CC and tuna. Fried kind of defeats the purpose of raw food. The other sushi was adequate. The place seats about 40 in a narrow setting. There is one big mural. The rest of the place is sparsely decorated. There were two other customers dining at the time. The service was prompt (it would have to be wouldn't it) from the solitary server. They didn't take AMEX.

Numero Uno, Orlando

Today I had lunch at Numero Uno on S. Orange (south of the city and before Kaley). It's a 30 year old Cuban restaurant. I had the Asopado de Camarones for $12. It was a stew like dish with rice, shrimp in a tomato/beef stock broth. It reminded me of a wet risotto. It came with fried plantains and a garlic/vinegar dipping sauce on the side. The asopado was tasty. The shrimp were fresh 24's. There were six of them. The portion was large. It came in a cute wooden bowl. It could have used a little more chopped fresh onion for texture and taste (in the summer fresh vegetables would probably give it more life). It was very savory. The plantains (4) were not too oily and weren't essential to the dish.

The place seats about 40 and was packed. Nevertheless, I was energetically ushered into a table for 4 in the middle of the restaurant without complaint or flippancy. The food did take a little longer to come out than the waitresses seemed to care for. I thought it was fast, but, they must really keep the kitchen on its toes. All the waitresses were friendly and had each others back. The ball was not going to dropped at this service (at any table). They were constantly delivering updates or inquiring as to my well being. An additional bonus. You have to go to see a true vision of the feminine form. It seemed like many of the men were there to do just that. The Ford Modeling Agency should send a scout. The place is lacking in decor and parking, but, the experience was great. They had many cheap sandwiches and lunch specials. The bread was a little boring and the silverware a little worn, but, it deserves its fine reputation. They were quick, timely and proactive with refills and accepted Amex. The place drew all kinds. No one should feel as though they wouldn't be accepted.