Athenian Garden, Lake Mary

I had lunch on Monday at this new Greek restaurant in the cursed location near Fish Bones on 46a. They didn't do anything to the lay out (neither did the the costly Italian experiment before it). It is like it was when it was the Wine Room. It's still nice though. I had a Souvlaki Gyro with lamb pieces for $8. They didn't look skewered. Which doesn't matter to me, but, I thought that was what it is. The meat was ok. Some pieces cooked alot more than others. The tatziki was very strong with raw garlic. You've got to let it age a little more or wash it it in water (same with the onions). It came with a field green salad that is a little wimpy after Greek flavors. The service was fine (2). The place seats about 80 (2 room and a bar). About 8 people were there at lunch. Their wine list is almost all Greek (rare). Most things are $10 and up. Ownership seemed like they hadn't given up yet.

Club Crawl - Plaza Cinema, Blank Space Gallery, Bullitt

8:30pm-9pm: Plaza Cinema - Grabbed a beer here. No action. Didn't expect any.

10pm-10:30pm: Blank Space Gallery - Watched some people play ping pong. Had some Sake. Left with the people to the next club.

10:30pm-1am: Bullitt - a great new club. They half a Scooby Doo van as a cooler. Cool vibe. Great mish mosh of music. They have booths in the back. Brick walls. Pop art. Pretty full. Cool Crowd

310 Lakeside, Downtown

Last Friday I had dinner at this American restaurant on Lake Eola where Sam Snead's used to be. It looks about the same. I had their loaded burger for $10. It was overcooked. I like the concept of the cheese inside, but, it really just robs you of meat. The fries were crispy (krinkle kut). The toppings were fresh. The service was good. It has a circular bar in the middle. It seats about 70 inside. They have a patio. The decor is plush. It was about 1/3rd full at 9pm. Decent looking crowd.

Fish N Loaves, W. 50

I got a fried chicken breast with hush puppies and fries to go at this Soul Food restaurant on W. 50 on Wednesday. It cost $5. The chicken was good. Not greasy or dry. The fries were a mushy, uncooked mess. The hush puppies were soft. The place is mostly white walls. I believe they have some charitable (religulous) purpose. It seats about 60. You have to find the hidden strip mall next to the police station on John Young or you will miss it. The serve turkey wings. I don't recall alot of places offering them. I love them. The don't take AMEX.

Ginza, 50

I got some rolls to go at this location for this Japanese restaurant on Wednesday. I had an avocado roll and an asparagus roll at $3 a piece. They were average. The rice was bad. They have redone the old Vietnam Town. The have a big statue in a pond in the front. A sushi bar to the left. A bar to the right. Quite a few hibachi tables in the center. It must seat about 120.

China Town, N. Mills Ave - Closed

On Wednesday I had lunch at this Chinese restaurant on N. Mills. I had Szechuan Shrimp with white rice for $7. It came with Wonton Soup. It was fine. The shrimp were not fresh. Are they ever? It came with sliced zucchini, celery and squash. Service was fast. They checked on my experience a few times. There were two other couples there at noon. The place seats about 60. I was told that by natives that they do Hong Kong Style cooking very well. Or at least they used to. I was told that a while ago. The walls are white. It's pretty sterile.

Pub Crawl - Pour House, 903 Mills Market

9pm-10pm: Pour House on S. Hiawassee. Mostly empty. Not a happening crowd.

10:30-11pm: 903 Mills Market on South Mills. Mostly empty. Closing down.

Habibi, Metro West

I got a Falafel wrap to go from this Lebanese deli on S.Hiawassee (same as Taquitos) on Friday. It cost $4. The Falafel was fried fresh in front of my eyes. It came with my choice of hummus, hot sauce, tomatos, parsley, and onions. It was tasty even after spending the night in the fridge. The people were nice. It sits about 20. You order at the counter. They have Shawarmas, Kebabs, platters and sandwichs. It was filled with a young, arab crowd. They don't take AMEX.

Taquitos Jaliscos, Metro West - Closed

I had dinner at this Mexican restaurant on S.Hiawassee in the strip mall in Metro West that has Tavern on the Lake and Pour House on Friday. I had a lengua (tongue) soft taco for $2 and a mixed appetizer that had a mini pork soft taco, a mini chopped beef soft taco, 2 chicken taquitos, and a chicken tostada for $6. It was big enough for a main course and everything was excellent. The lengua was good too. All of this was good because I was warming up the big guns before the food came. I was going to tell you about the cheezy frescos, the dirty floors, the watery salsa, the fat rolls pouring out of the waitresses pants. However, I'll let all that slide and remember the food. Not the best in Orlando, but, up there. The place seats about 100 in two rooms (one is more of a bar). It was pretty full. Gringos and whatever the opposite of that insult is. The service was fast. It was dirty. Napkins and straw wrappers (etc) on the floor. Stains on the silverware and tables. Just pretend it's a taco truck and you won't be disappointed. Most things were around $10.

Art's BBQ, Altamonte Springs - Closed

I had dinner at this Southern Style (No Frills) BBQ in Uptown Altamonte where Shane's BBQ used to be for about five minutes. I had a hot links (sausage) sandwich with potato salad for $6.50. What do you want from me? It was two butterflied links of spicy sausage served on a plain roll. Whoopee. The links were probably bought at Costco. The potato salad also. It was very similiar to the mass produced, sweet spugen they sell at super markets. The place is big. It must seat 100+. It has a barn house facade. I'm not sure if that is a remenant of the previous owner. Three others were there (it was semi-early). It's no frills, over priced bbq that this town is awash in. I guess I should be happy it didn't come on white bread.


I think it's now a World of Beer.

Green Lemon Cafe, Winter Park

I had a dessert at this creperie/deli in the Whole Foods strip mall east of town. I had a rasberry jam crepe for $4. They put too much jam on it, but, I bet the fatties who go there expect it. They serve smoothies, sandwiches, crepes and other things. It looks like a yougart/smoothie shop. Bright colors and glass. The service was fine. They didn't take Amex. It's badly marked. Just a sign that says cafe. I don't think they stay open at night. Another over rate by the Sentinel.

Il Pescatore, E. 50

I had lunch at this Italian restaurant off 50 on Primrose on Wednesday. I had the meat filled cannelloni for $8.25. I wasn't aware the Chef Boyardee made canelloni. It tasted exactly like their ravioli. There were also only two of them and they were thin. Just as well. It came with a predictably bad salad and garlic bread. The service was fast. The decor was rustic (hand painted murals). It seats about 30 in the side room and 50 in the main room. It looks shuttered from the outside. Too bad it isn't. Why it's called Il Pescatore is a mystery as they had no seafood on the menu. It's everything I hate about Italian restaurants -high prices, bad food, and an ugly setting. I'd liked to say I was shocked that it was half full, but, most people are devoid of sense so it fits.