Izakaya Toshi, Altamonte Springs

On Wednesday I had lunch at this Japanese restaurant on 434 just off 436 (the spot where there was a Hotties for five minutes). I had their 3 Roll Special for $9. I chose an Alaska (smoked salmon and avocado), a spicy escolar and a Kamikaze (tuna, escolar and salmon). All were ok. They were wrapped a little sloppily. The rice was a little flaky. The rolls were long and thin (8 pieces). The fish was fine. Real salmon is always preferable to smoked. All in all I liked three things about the place and disliked three. I liked the fact; that it was run by Japanese people, the food was ok and the price were in line with most places of this kind. I didn't like; the slow service, the bad decor and the fact that don't take AMEX. The place is old. The furniture is a bit of a melange. It is however conducive to the theme. They have a lot of prep items in eyeshot. Not nearly as fine as the reviewer in the Sentinel described. Not a destination spot. OK if you live or work in the neighborhood. Then again Crazy Buffet is a few feet away and it's all you can eat for a few dollars more.

Gringos Locos, Downtown

I had to try this Mexican restaurant on Washington more out of curiousity than out of hunger. I got a Quesadilla for (I swore it was $5 but the menu says $7.50). It was stuffed with cheese and salsa and a side of sour cream. Perfectly acceptable. It's a small place. Grunchy chic. The menu is irreverent. They stay open until 3am. Since we have been limited to dogs and pizza, I predict it will find an audience.

Club Crawl - The Lodge

11pm-2pm: The Lodge. After deciding that it is insanity that most of these dives charge a cover, I couldn't convince myself why I should play "girl" roulette and just settled in at The Lodge. They have easy enough access to cheap beer, the crowd is usually acceptable and the music is good. Plus I just saw Hot Tub Time Machine so the 80's theme was in the air. It was a good night. Handsome crowd. Not too packed. If they could just 86 the smoking.

Beard Papa's, I Drive

On Friday night I had a snack at this desert shop in the Prime Outlets Mall on I Drive. They had cream puffs and molten chocolate cake and ice cream and these bite sized mounds of ice cream covered in a jelly shell. I had a Lychee for $1.75. It was interesting. Like a Klondike Bar covered in fruit roll up rather than chocolate. Give it a go. It doesn't melt all over your hands. A plus in this climate. Challenger for "What the F" name of the year. Some one clue us in.

Kafe Kalik, I Drive

On Friday I had dinner at this Bahamian restaurant in the Prime Outlets Mall at the end of I Drive. I had Calamari and Conch Frito for $9. Two large slices of conch. A bit chewy. A nice pile of calamari. Not oily. Didn't need the marinara sauce (actually a bit off theme and unnecessary). It also came with a little salsa with Bahamian peas. I also had a piece of conch sushi for $2.25. Thin slice. Not crunchy (fresh). Over vinagered rice. I finished with a West Indies Curry Crunch Roll for $8. Nice. Filled with cooked Mahi-Mahi, cucumber, avocado, and topped with two sauces and crunchies. The menu swung from burgers and ribs to fish and sushi. They also have an outdoor bar with loud island music. It seats about 30 by the kitchen (exposed), 30 in the inside bar and 50 outside. The decor is plausible for an island theme. It is new and clean. The service was fast and concerned. It's not the cheapest option in the world, but, they did have $6 burgers if you bring the kids and parking is free. They do address a form of cuisine that is under served. Name 3 Bahamian restaurants. How about 2? One? A notch below authentic, ethnic dining or sushi. But I applaud the attempt to fuse. Akin to a Bahama Breeze. A little more creative, but, as I recall the Breeze had better execution (maybe because they didn't attempt sushi).

Wrap Planet, Winter Park - Closed

On Wednesday I got a meal to go (for dinner) at this sandwich shop behind the 7-11 on Fairbanks and Park. It's new (2 weeks). I had a Rocking Rollins Wrap for $6. It was guacamole, pumpkin seeds, turkey, steamed vegeatables, and ranch dressing. Not sure the Ranch fit, but, I'm sure some fatties have to put it on everything. I could have also lived without the peppers (hate 'em) and the cubed turkey. Even sliced turkey loaf is better than this turkey spam that you have probably encountered in cheap super market salads. It even has a gross mouth feel. The wrap was large. The place is small and is not allowed to seat anyone because the local zoning board requires they rent parking spaces to comply. Nice lobbying landlords. They serve breakfast wraps, desert wraps, vegan wraps, regular wraps, salads, soups, tacos, and smoothies. They have some unique concoctions. The decor is hip. It's clean. The staff is pleasant. You could do worse Tars.

Trattoria Toscana, Winter Park

On Wednesday I had lunch at this Italian restaurant on Park Avenue (near the 7-11). I had a plate of Lasagna for $7 (rereading my receipt it seems they overcharged by 50 cents). I figured it would be the best way to sample the basic ingredients. The tomato sauce was bland. It tasted like it was just pulled staright from a can with nothing added. The lasagna noodles were passable. There was not a lot of ricotta. The mozzarella wasn't overly flavorful. The meat was bland. It was served as two pieces (however they weren't uniform so I don't know if the split one piece or pulled one piece out of who knows where). It wasn't exactly bubbling out of the oven. All and all it was average (slightly better than Sbarro). I believe it was also prepared in advance and reheated. It needed some flavor in the tomato sauce and meat. Cream might have helped. It deeply needed the parmesan kicker offered by the waiter. My service was good, but, I could see how others would feel differently as more and more people were seated. There was only one waiter. The place seats about 36 inside and 2o outside. It's a cozy space. The decor is old world. It was clean. I know it's very popular with the people who work in the area. It was full by the time I left. It was what I expected. Another middle of the road Italian place adored by people who have never been to the Boot. The bread was the highlight.

Italian Beefstro, W. 50 - Closed

I got an Italian Beef Sandwich (Dipped) to go at this Chicago style eatery on Wednesday. It was $5. Compared to Beefy King it was a step up, but, it was still rather bland. It was just roast beef and juice. That's not really a barrage of flavors (I know it's a tradition). I can't believe how bland the undipped sandwich would be. The roast beef seemed not overcooked, but, it just had no flavor. That said, they couldn't have been nicer. They packed everything separately for me so it wouldn't congeal on the way home. They also have subs (sausage, italian and meatball), salads and dogs. It looks like it's brethren in Chicago (not chic) with the exception of the TV's in the wall. It has outside seating. It seats about 40. Self serve. You can see the Orena (F Amway) from the parking lot. Stop in before the game because they stay open for you until tip off. Otherwise they close at 6.

Beefy King, 50

On Wednesday I had lunch at this sandwich shop on Bumby (2 blocks south of 50). I had a BBQ Beef meal for $7. It was disappointing for such a landmark. It was like a wet, tasteless Sloppy Joe. The best thing about the meal (sandwich, tots and soda) was the tots. The place looks like a fast food restaurant circa 1950. It seats about 70. It was full. I don't see what the attraction is. It's just mediocre mundane sandwiches.