Lido's, Orlando

I grabbed dinner to go from this old time (they say established in the 70's) Italian restaurant near Numero Uno (Michigan and South Orange) on Wednesday. I had a sausage and meatball parmesan sub with chips for $7. Everything tasted pretty much like it should have. Not great. Not bad. Just regular. The roll was poor. The weakest link. You really can't skrimp on that. It is just penny wise and pound foolish. The ingredients are too heavy to be supported by a fragile roll. The place looks like it is 40+ years old. It's a time warp. Maybe you like the kitsch. The mostly older diners seemed to. It seats about 70 in mostly tables of four. They serve all the old classics and champion an eggplant rolotini they call a Miguel. They do chicken, veal, and sea food a la piccante, parmigiana, francesca, marsala, florentine, spesatini, chablis, cacciatore, pepperoni, and pizziola. They have pasta, soups, salads, steak, desserts, etc. I didn't remember pizza. I'm sure it's an adequate old fashioned Italian restaurant. I suggest it for those who have a superficial relationship with Italian cooking.

Chai Thai, Orlando

I had lunch at this Thai restaurant on South Orange across from the SoDo living area on Wednesday. I had Chicken in Green Curry with a Spring Roll and Salad for $8. It was good. The salad was similar to a Japanese salad. Cheap iceberg lettuce with a grated ginger dressing. The spring roll was the same as it is everywhere. The curry was good. I think they like to make it hot because my "weak" even had a little punch. The chicken came with red and green peppers, carrots and bamboo shoots. It was served in a bowl. You moved it to your plate of basmati rice to eat. It had good flavor. The place seats about 80. It is booths and tables. It was about one third full. It sounded like they had a lot of regulars. The staff was great. Very hospitable and engaging. Everything came out fast. I think it is a family (Thai) affair. The decor is fair. The walls are yellow with sectional wall art. The weak spot is what is below and above. The ceiling clashes and seems a little dirty. I'm surprised because I thought it was a brand new building. I think this is a fine place to get Thai from a bunch of really friendly people. I wouldn't make a special trip, but, if you are in the area feel safe choosing this spot. They even have a few Chinese dishes. I wonder if that is why it is called Chai - Chinese Thai. Chai is an Indian drink so that makes less sense.

The Fantasticks, Seminole State College

I saw this musical on its final afternoon last Sunday. I saw it about 10 years back in its home theater on Sullivan St. I didn't love it then, but, I enjoyed this performance. I'm not sure if I changed in the intervening years or if casting more age appropriate actors was all that it took. I would like to think that the second act was too depressing for me at the time, but, I'm pretty sure I was just as morose back then. I remember having an e-zine where I made up the real endings of what happened to fictional characters in the years after the happily ever after. Yes I have been bloviating for that long on the Internet. I'm an OB. Back to the event. There are only eight characters in the play and one is mute. Discussing them should be a snap. The musical is based on the Romeo and Juliet-like love story of Pyramus and Thisbe. It pre-dates it. The lovers were good. The boy was a little old. He looked like a Guatemalan Matthew Broderick. I liked him better in the second act because I didn't really believe him as a boyfriend. The girl is just a freshman so she didn't look too out of place playing an adolescent. Her voice was good. She seemed like she might have been coached by someone who has a little too much respect for Disney musical theater. The parents were an odd pair that grew on you. One guy kept exaggerating his pronunciation. It reminded me of the way old timers used to act in musical theater. It was dissonant with the other performances and odd, but, it just endeared him to me like an otter with his head caught in the plastic from a six pack. The villain had a lisp that may have been caused by false teeth. But, likewise he made you like him. He had good presence and his voice was up to the challenge. The final two "accomplices" were fine. The old stage actor was played by an old stage actor. He hit the right notes. His apprentice could have been played by a walk in. My favorite was the mime. Not because the role is so integral but because she looks like that Scottish or Irish actress in Ronin and the Truman Show. She was in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum last spring. I hope she will be in everything this year. Is community college two years or four? Let's hope she isn't too bright. Her role required her to be engaged throughout the whole show. It would have been easy to become bored with such a little part (especially after repeated performances). She played it perfectly. Subtle and attentive. The staging was minimal. This was a perfect type of musical for this venue. Thank you for resurrecting a fallen musical for me. The next thing they are doing is the Laramie Project (the play bill only said later this Fall). I found it a bit melodramatic and preachy when it first came out in the late 90's. Maybe they can change my mind about this as well. I would also like to congratulate the people who put together the playbill. It's much more informative and professional than in the past. It keeps getting better.

Sleeping Moon, Winter Park

I was going to grab a coffee, but, switched gears to a cup of Mushroom Brie soup and a coffee at this cafe behind/aside a gas station (I think it's a Chevron) Friday night. the soup cost $2.35. The coffee cost $1.50. The soup came with four slices of panini pressed bread. It was really good. It had mushroom slices and that great essence of Brie. A great combo. I thought the place was just a hipster coffee house. And while it is that (replete with live music), it also serves desserts, sandwiches, salads, etc. The food isn't just vegan. The have creative selections of turkey, ham, roast beef in addition to the tofurkey, veggies, grilled cheese, and fake meat. They even have a salmon salad (which is good now that Panera has discontinued theirs). All the coffee is roasted locally. It seats about 60. It was one quarter full. which is impressive because it is hard to see from the road. The crowd was mixed. A good looking young girl was just finishing her set on the keyboards. It is decorated with art for sale. It has tables. It was alot better than I had anticipated. I would recommend you stop in whether you are part of the hipster scene or not.

Chin Hua, Winter Park

I ordered some steamed pork dumplings to go at this Honk Kong style Chinese restaurant next to Rooster's (behind a McDonald's on Aloma) Friday night. They cost $5. The skins were a little pasty and thick for good Dim Sum, but, on par with what most places serve. There were six of them. They were just to ameliorate my appetite from the disappointing dinner I had minutes earlier. As I didn't dine in, my review will be quick. It is a sit down place. Not stylish. Similar to many utilitarian Chinese places. It seats about 80. It was one quarter full. The hostess/owner was nice. She said they have been there for sixteen years. Not a destination spot, but, probably adequate for your needs if you live close by. Fun Fact: Chin means Golden and Hua means China (according to the owner). Although you would think Chin would mean China.

Rooster's, Winter Park - Closed

I had dinner at this Global Kitchen in the far corner of a mostly untenanted strip mall on Aloma (halfway to Oviedo). The location should have been foreshadowing. But, they had advertised in some fanciful magazines and seemed to have some intriguing ideas. Oh, the best laid plans... I'll get to that in a minute. I had the "Sultan's Feast" for $16. Apparently the Sultan must have had Dexia handling his finances because what passes as a feast therein is 1 Koobideh (minced lamb and beef) Kabob and 1 Barg (grilled flat steak) Kabob with a char-grilled tomato, dry basmati rice and a hunk of raw onion. The Koobideh had no flavor and was tough. The Barg was actually good. However, it is odd that if I had ordered 2 Barg kabobs I would have paid $14. They charge you an extra $2 to get a cheaper kebob ($12) switched in! It came on a bare, white plate. The kabobs were thin. In any event, the food was just the tip of the iceberg. The place is in an inconvenient location. It is in a ugly location. It is decorated by an imbecile. It must have started out as a saloon/pub. That's the base. Then they added some Middle Eastern flair. Then they added video games! Like 20 of them. The place looks like Chucky Shia's. It's a hot mess. It seats about 40 in the lower level and 20 in the upper level by the bar. There were 2 sots at the bar playing video poker and a few loud families with kids running all over the place in the main room. There was no hostess or hostess station. I was served by the bartender in the upper section. I didn't even complain about the seat assignment because I could see this was already a mistake. A mistake I indended on extricating myself from as cheaply and quikly as possible. He was attentive. They have a hodge podge of meals that Gordon Ramsey would disassemble after the second round of commercials. They have Thai, Greek, Persian, American, Italian, Indian, Seafood, Steak and they claim Jewish (no evidence). They marketed a wood burning pizza oven, but, they said it wasn't in use. Not sure if that means ever. It's shaped like the face of a blond, mustachioed Viking. I kid you not. It sounded kitschy until I saw it in person with all the slovenliness around it. I think they offer music at times. I saw some old guy setting up something from his van. Then again he could have been delivering or picking up some more clutter. Or disposing of a body. I think they said the have a buffet on Sunday. It should be sumptuous because they are sure to have alot of uncooked food left over every week. Hope that they don't freeze it. You may think I'm being a little hard on them and maybe I am, but, I had high expectations. You would have to to justify the trip to this part of town. I think they thought their food would be tantalizing enough to get customers to this rent friendly location. I think they failed and now have to cater to the hillbillies that live around there. At least I hope they tried at the outset. I didn't get here when they opened in the Spring and I just wish I was as lucky this Fall. Pass.

Havana Cafe, Downtown (Closed)

I ordered two things to go at this Cuban cafe on the south side of the Suntrust building this Wednesday. I had a Cuban Hot Dog for $2 and a Pan Con Bistec for $5. The hot dog was microwaved in a bowl of water and looked and tasted like it. The baguette (the one they use for sandwiches) it came on was a step up from a bun. They put potato sticks and a sour Mojo (Mojito) sauce on it. It was a refreshing change of pace hot dog wise. The steak sandwich was thin slices of beef similar to what is used in a cheese steak. Sometimes this sandwich can be a big hunk of flank steak. I like it this way even if it may be less traditional. Less chewing and gristle. It also came with potato sticks and Mojo sauce on it. It was pressed. I enjoyed it very much. The place really doesn't have seating. You order and eat outside in the atrium or at your office. They serve breakfast. They have soups, complete meals, coffees, desserts and sandwiches. Two cute, young sisters work the place. It was better than I expected. I wouldn't ignore it if I work or live in the area. They have been open for a few months.

Rusty Spoon, Downtown - Closed/Rebranded as Elize (Closed)

I had lunch at this seasonal food restaurant near the train tracks on Church last Wednesday. I wanted it to be my new favorite location in all of Orlando and it came close. I had the soup of the day which was a spicy sweet potato puree with pecan brittle for $6 and a "Lake Meadow" salad for $9. The soup was a bit bland. I couldn't really taste the sweet potatoes. Mostly just a delayed hit of pepper that showed some proficiency. It definitely was not infused with dairy. The brittle was superfluous. It didn't melt (if was supposed to) and just became an annoying distraction that didn't help the dish. The "Lake Meadow" salad is a salad of escarole and spinach in a a warm bacon vinaigrette with chicken livers and a softly boiled whole egg. It was wonderful. The egg would be slightly overcooked for some traditionalists, but, I like the yoke somewhere between liquid and solid. The vinegar in the dressing was very light. You almost didn't notice it. There were gobs of thick cut bacon lardons. The chicken livers (not my thing but I'm trying) were silver dollar size and split in halves to create four pieces. They might have been a little soft. They have a strong, savory flavor that added a little panache. The greens were fresh and well washed. The portion was huge. Enough in itself. The constants through both dishes were a subtle hand on the seasoning, discernibly farm fresh ingredients and a bit of southern whimsy and ambition in the choices on the menu. The place seats about 80. I bet they could fit double that if they crowded the tables. The front faces Church St through floor to ceiling windows. There is a bar that separates it from a "room" in the back. There is a small intersection that has a view of the tracks and the waiters station. There may have been another interior room. The place is done up in a grayish earth tone with black and white photographs and abstract art that try to evoke that artisinal vibe you find in Napa or Pottery Barn. The ceilings are very high. The silverware is funky. The service was pretty good. All male. The prices were very reasonable. Even on the dinner menu, I think one thing was over $20. They say they change the menu frequently, but, keep some constants like a burger and fish and chips. They are about to change it for the Fall. And so why is it that it didn't become my new BFF? #1. A smarmy host named Douglas gave me the unceremonious affront of parking me next to the waiter's station in a half empty restaurant. After trying to pawn me off on the bar. I wasn't in a wife beater and cut off jean shorts. Let me say this once and for all for all you nearly retarded restaurant hosts: DO NOT EVER INQUIRE IF A SINGLE CUSTOMER WANTS TO SIT AT THE BAR IN A HALF EMPTY RESTAURANT. THEY DO NOT. IT IS NOT THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND IT IS AN INSULT! AND NOT ONE WE WANT TO SUFFER FROM A DOUCHE WHO HAS TO WORK AT (NOT EAT AT) SAID RESTAURANT. Assume that the customer's blood is bluer than yours. Which in this case is absolutely accurate. That single act erased a resevoir of good will. I had been waiting all summer to get back and try this interesting menu and I almost got up and left. #2. $3 soda. #3. The space. It's ok, but, it looks a little unfinished. They need a little more something before it gets a superior grade in that department. They need to hide that waiter station. It is an eye sore. #4. I think the waiters play pass the potentially small tip. I must have gone through three waiters until one stuck.

All in all, I love what they are all about. Sometimes this kind of seasonal, locavore nonsense can be pedantic. But, I just didn't get that vibe here. They weren't throwing it in your face or crowing about how "holier than thou" they are. I think they do it because it is a challenge and produces better results. I like the creativity. I'll be back. And the best part is if none of you like it I will probably get a healthier portion of "about to rot" locally grown produce on my plate. That's the good part about this movement. They don't freeze things for a rainy day if they don't get used. You get it, the staff gets it, a food bank gets it or Waste Management gets it. It rewards you for being a savvy eater. I encourage you to make time for this superlative player in Downtown. I'm trying to think of a better menu in all of Downtown, but, I can't. Pray it doesn't disappear along with almost everything good in this town.

Club Crawl - Downtown : Whiskey Dick's, Versus, Baby Grands, Touch, Independent, Boss, Brick and Fire Pizza Truck

9pm: Whiskey Dick's - There were about 20 people, one waitress and two bartenders in the old Brix space. They changed the space with a horseshoe bar (convenient). The decor is minimal. There were a surprising number of young, attractive girls for such a no frills locale. The Bartender was hot.

9:30pm: Versus - There were four people and one bartender in the old Clubhouse location. They totally redid the interior. Why? They never have any customers and are too far off of Orange to ever have any. The place looks nice, but, it's basically the same theme.

10pm: Baby Grands - It was about one third full and felt empty. It's on the second level above Touch on Church. A poor knock off of the enigmatically popular Howl at The Moon.

10:30: Touch - There were about forty people in this interesting club under the overhang on Church. The DJ was great. There were three male and one busty bartender. The bar surface lights up when you "touch" it. The space has a big, central dance floor, two bar areas, a patio and reserved seating. A cool atmosphere. Too bad I had ants in my pants and couldn't wait to see the promise of a full club after 12 come true.

12pm: Independent - The same hipster vibe that has been going on for years. It will be the same club 100 years from now. Too smoky to enjoy.

12:30: Boss - I believe this is the name. It's across from the new 7-11. This place which has been a billion things was now doing a retro thing. It was packed with all ages living an 80's flashback complete with original music videos. I've seen youngin's reveling in nostalgia, but, never like this. It seemed like they were yearning for a time machine. A hell of a lot of fun.

2pm: Brick and Fire Pizza Truck - Two young entrepreneurs have licensed the brand name and bake pizzas from their truck. I knew it could be done. I didn't love the pizza at the Brick and Fire I went to, but, I liked theirs. It was fresh and they add a little grated Parmesan on top for a little pungency. They are in the alley behind the Lodge aside the back entrance to Wall St.

(Friday 9/30/2011)

Chico's, Downtown

I had dinner at this Mexican restaurant on Central across from the museum in Downtown on Friday. I had 2 soft tacos for $7. The first taco was chicken with tomatoes, cabbage and shredded cheese. It was pretty decent. I don't love big squares of chicken, but, I can adapt. The second was a carnitas (little meats) which is shredded pork shoulder. It also had tomatoes, cabbage and cheese. This one had a lot of flavor. Cinnamon and maybe nutmeg. They were both well loaded and kept sanitary in a sheaf of aluminum. Both needed the table side hot sauce. They gave out complimentary chips and salsa. I was disappointed when I ordered because all of the fun stuff (short ribs, tongue, tripe) had been discontinued (yet not the menu that marketed them itself). However, I can say they delivered on what remained. It was a pretty small menu to begin with. Now it's basic. I think they have given up pretensions of being a restaurant and now just use food to service the bar crowd. It seats about 18 in tables inside the main room and maybe 1o at the bar. There is a hallway between it and Whiskey Dick's (that used to lead to the club behind it during some of its iterations) that seats about 20. A young crowd of all types. There were about 20 people there at eight pm. They have screens playing sports all over the place. The main room has two window view tables. The bar has a big, colorful menu mural that I believe lists their tequilas. It was hard to read quickly. There is a big iron tree in the middle of the main room that I swear I have seen in another restaurant. Is it new to the Ikea collection? The service was good. Maybe too good. I think they were expecting a bigger crowd. All in all I say it's a fine place to start the night out or have a cheap lunch. The prices are good. The room has some capacity to transport you. They have tequila. It's just a shame that what appeared to be an ambitious approach to Mexican cuisine did not seem survive the summer. Oh well, it's still better than another Tijuana Flats.