Re-Roofing Your Home Tutorial

Here is a summary of my experience re-roofing my home. I will provide you with: pricing, analysis of the providers, the process and things to look out for. I hope it is of use to somebody. I have an A-shaped, 5/12 pitch shingle roof with some eaves on a 1800 sq ft home that required 152 BD's (bundles?) of shingles. They also said it was 40 (then a zero with a line through it) squares.


Pricing and Analysis: The high was $10,900 without facia replacement or replacement boards on the roof. They wanted alot of the payment in advance. I won't mention the company. They were a recommended, smaller provider that doesn't specialize in roofs.

Collis: They were by far the cockiest. They did the estimate on an IPad so you didn't have anything in writing. They were supposed to email it. They never did. I felt the bid would be around 10k. Facia and boards would have been extra. They wouldn't paint the trim after. They said it would take two days. The offered a ten year warranty on Timberline shingles. Payment upon completion.

Russ Noyes: They wanted $9,600. Boards would cost $50 per sheet. Facia was $6 per foot. They use Tamko or CertainTeed shingles with a thirty year warranty. They offered a seven year workmanship and leak guarantee. Payment upon completion.

Roof Pros: Some kind of insurance scam. The guy went up on my roof and said he found evidence of hail damage and would get me a roof for free if I let him negotiate a claim with my insurance company. They would sue and keep whatever the insurance company paid out and keep any extra funds. I wish it were true, but, I know hail was not the cause of it's condition. I didn't bother inquiring further.


RTS: They wanted $9,600. Boards were $1.50 a square foot. Facia was $3.50 if one foot wide and $5.50 if two. They used Timberline shingles with a 50 year manufacturer warranty and what I think was their own five year warranty. Payment was due upon completion.

A. Larson: They wanted 10,780. Boards were included. I'm not sure by the quote if facia was as well. They used CertainTeed shingles. They were nice and polite. They sent a young girl in as the "closer". Funny. Payment due at completion.

HISL: This guy actually got mad when I told him I was taking other bids. I actually had the maturity to hang up on him before I went postal.

Oviedo: Never returned my call.

Most of these guys came the next day after I requested a quote. Either Noyes or RTS also had a very nice and trustworthy sales man. I can't remember. Most if not all allowed you pay via credit card and used 30 weight felt.

The Winner: I went with Mid Florida Roofing. Not just because they came in at $8,790 with boards at $50 per and facia at $3 a square foot, but, because I figured all these guys use the same type of out sourced labor to actually do the work and the results wouldn't necessarily differ. They offered CertainTeed Landmark Plus or Regular (something about a change in name allowing some of the better shingles to be offered at blow out pricing) or Altlas. I chose CertainTeed Landmark Energy Star. They have a lifetime warranty. The workmanship warranty is five years. Drip guard, 4 lead vent covers, and ridge vents were included. Payment was a little weird. I had to pay the suppliers directly and they deducted what ever the price was from the quote. I actually liked it because I had recourse through my credit card company if anything untoward happened and I could use the whole month to carry the cost before the credit card bill would be due. The price included all permits, lien waivers, insurance mitigation forms, removal of debris, etc.

The Process: I met or spoke with the salesman one more time to iron out the contract, set a date and choose the shingles. I ordered "squirrel guards" for the vents ($20 each). On day one, some workers and lumber showed up and they (only one guy spoke English so it was a little confusing what was to happen) began to strip off the old shingles, renail and replace the boards and place the felt. The overseer (not a Mid Florida guy like I assumed) left right away. It was me and them and they could barely tell me what was going to go down. That took all day. I noticed they were going to try and use 15 weight felt and called the salesman. He fixed it. On day two, they ( a totally new set of people) did what was left over from day one and then called in the roof inspector. They were a little behind schedule. They started repairing the facia, installing the vents, adding fern strips, replacing the drip guards and nailing down the rest of the felt. There were a couple of problems. The re-felted over two vents and would have shingled over them the next day if not for a lucky misplaced nail gun the next day. They also let the fern strips peek out of the drip guards. It's a really coarse, ugly strip of wood and would have looked atrocious. They fixed it the next day by removing the facia and drip guard and sawing of some of the fern strip so the drip guard extended beyond it. They also damaged some of the wood around the facia and would have left it if I didn't point it out. Most of it, eventually, was corrected. On day three, they (other new people) started putting on the shingles. The guy who did the facia did some left over wood work and caulking. They didn't finish and had to come back the next morning. The salesman and I did a walk through. On day four, the salesman took me out for lunch and gave me the bill (with a credit for returned materials that he returned which wasn't folded back into his part of the quote), lien waivers, materials invoices and the roof inspector came over. Some piece of paper was missing so I had to wait until they gave it to him to get the ok. Most days started at 8 or 9am and ended at 7pm.

Things To Look Out For: You have to be there. They will try and take short cuts or just fuck up. The people they use don't have the same sense of quality that you do. Communication will be a problem. Take pictures of the supplies when delivered and what is used. I had different ideas about how much lumber was used, but, didn't have proof. Also, they will say you only get charged for wood that is used, but, then it becomes - what is cut (even if it is thrown out). See if they give a discount for cash/check. I got $150 back. Watch out for tacks. I stepped on one through my shoe and had to get a tetanus shot. Make sure they clean up thoroughly. Iron out all details. I assumed fernstrip was included with facia since it wasn't mentioned in the contract. It wasn't. I cost me $114 extra. Buy those "squirrel guards". Squirrels gnaw on the lead covers and create a gap where water comes in. Be ready to repaint the facia. It's probably a different color than what you have now. Make sure they don't lose you gutter nails. Don't pay until you get a complete roof inspection. Get lien waivers from everyone involved. Get a home insurance mitigation form to try and lower your home insurance (they say 10%). Get receipts. Check them against your credit card statement. Check the suppliers and ask the suppliers about them. They used Buck Lumber and ABC Supply Co. Both were legitimate and verified the reputation of the roofers. Let them know you are fielding competing bids. Don't act/look rich. Negotiate. Stay on the sales man/overseer.

Summary: The roof survived the first rain test. It looks fine. Some of the facia is a little sloppy. They did leave one fern strip area on an upper level that I didn't see until I went to repaint my facia. No problems with the suppliers charges. No problem with the final bill. They deducted the supply cost from the quote. No funny business. They probably overestimated the boards and facia.

Conclusion: I believe most of these companies just organize the re-roof. They hire some groups of workers and pocket the difference. Therefore, the oversight is not perfect and things can go wrong or can be variable. You are at the mercy of the crew they outsource to. A glossier or more expensive company won't do a better job. My supply cost was $ 4,736. They probably get a cut of this. I looked at material cost at Home Depot and it seemed closer to $2,500. That leaves about $4,000 or $5,500 before labor. I estimate that at $2000. That means their profit is $2,000 to $3500. Makes me mad at how greedy the other guys were. Final costs with extras less credits ($100 supply and $150 check) - $9,167

Lake Mary Food Truck Roundup - April: Cafe Rouge, Cafe Cocoa Mo, City Eats and Streats 407

I went here yesterday (1-4pm).

Cafe Rouge Express: I had Escargot on Melba Toast with a Shallot Cream Sauce for $7. It was good. Seven snails. Very rich. They even buttered the toast.

Cafe Cocoa Mo: I had a medium mango smoothie for $5. It was fine.

City Eats: I had Blue Crab Salad Sliders for $5. It was not blue crab. I've been catching and eating blue crabs out of Shinecock Bay every summer since I was a kid. I know what they feel, taste and look like. They are not half dollar sized. They don't taste like fish. They aren't red. This was sharimi. Shame on you.

Streats 407: I had a Curacus (Caracas is the right spelling) Dog for $3. It was an overcooked, limp dog with a crappy slaw and some potato stix. They were the best part. The vinegar is the slaw soaked the bun. It made it pasty and overwhelmed your taste buds. The bun was also split so everything fell out. It took forever to get it. They say they do iinternational street food. I guess hamburgers qualify.

Central Florida Hospital Tutorial

All the rumors and warnings are true. If you have to go to the emergency room because you have no insurance or worse because walk in clinics and doctors aren't capable of treating your affliction, you are going to be paying a premium for all the people who get treatment and don't pay. Like how it works in higher education. I had a recent (imagined) scare with the Tetanus virus and had not had a tetanus shot recently and didn't go for one right after the injury. As a result, I would have needed a Tetanus Immuno Globulin shot to correct it. Here is what I learned about the local hospital networks and what you can expect if you find yourself in a similar situation.

1. If you ask for pricing upfront you will be looked at as if you are a lunatic. You may encounter a few people who just will not give you any information. You may have to try a couple of times before you get any. And then, they will "forget" to tell you about other charges, give you wrong figures or misrepresent facts. I will list the prices I was quoted herein.

2. Don't accept any "free evaluations". They will just put you in the queue and then charge you for a full visit. Nothing these guys do is free unless you stiff them. No wonder so many do.

3. Not for profit hospitals are cheaper.

4. You will not get a thorough exam. They (not the one I eventually went to) will just try and line you up with an expensive treatment. I don't know if it is to make money or to cover their asses.

5. They will side with their own in any billing disputes.

6. They give discounts if you pay upon release.

My first stop was at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford. I thought it might be nice to swing some money into an impoverished area where maybe the prices would reflect the community's ability to pay. Big mistake. They were the biggest thieves. When I called, they said a Level 2 visit (which was what it sounded like I needed) would cost $195 with a 75% discount on the $200 shot Probaly just a booster not the cure I was asking about). When I arrived there, they had a sign that said there was a $451 triage fee. That's a fee you have to pay to get your temperature and blood pressure checked. You have to go through that just to see a doctor. I was going to leave and try other routes when they suggested I ask for a "free" evaluation. Against better judgement, I decided to see what it was all about. I, eventually, saw a doctor. A greedy, little milquetoast Asian wimp who immediately diagnosed me as having Tetanus (I didn't) after asking we four questions. When I informed him (I had informed no less than four people in each step (triage, data entry, admittance, nurse) that this was just a "free" evaluation and I had to think about it, he said "no" he had given me his medical opinion and I was on the hook for the full amount. I asked to talk to someone else and (I think) they sided with me and aren't going to charge me. However, I'm still waiting for a bill to arrive. The worst part is I felt I would be trapped there once I was admitted. They abuse their station more than flight attendants.

My second step was to go home and see if clinics or doctors could give me this shot. I tried some clinics before this. They can't. It's very rare I guess. I even called the Seminole County Health Department (after some kind advice by a clinic assistant). They couldn't give the shot either, but, it sounded like this is the place to go if you need shots (cheapest).

My third step was to try two other hospitals that were initially reluctant to give out pricing info. I had better luck this time around. They were cheaper, although they seemed like better hospitals. Florida Hospital in Altamonte charged in two layers (Hospital and Doctor). Level 1 was $217 for H and $117 for D. With their 75% H and 50% D discount , it would be $112. They said no triage fee, but, I didn't go there so I don't no if that was accurate. Level 2 was $304 H and $227 D for a total of $190 with discount. Level 3 was $698 H and $347 D for a total of $347 with discount. They didn't say if shots were discounted. I then called South Seminole Hospital in Longwood (ORMC). They said they had a 65% discount on ALL fees if you self-pay. They even said that you didn't have to pay the bill right after and could still get the discount if you went on a payment plan. The triage fee was $75, but, it would be subtracted against the hospital fee if a doctor saw you. Level 1 was $205 ($71 with discount). Level 2 was $337 ($118 with discount). Level 3 was $527 ($184 with discount). Sounded the best.

My fourth step was to go to South Seminole. Wisely, I asked for confirmation that they had the shot before they admitted me. They didn't, but, their sister hospital downtown did and they charged the same. BTW - I was told they had the shot over the phone. This was a much cleaner hospital btw.

My fifth step was to confirm with that hospital that they had the shot and if the fees were the same (they weren't) here as in Longwood. They did tell me the cost of the shot - $885 ($309 with 65% discount).

My sixth step was to go to Orlando Health (ORMC) downtown and admit myself. My imagination was playing tricks on me and I didn't want to risk the serious complications being wrong on this could bring. Everything went great there. I was admitted. I didn't wait to long. It wasncharge was $337. I pointed it out to the kid and he went to check. first, they said I was right, but, their software wasn't operating correctly so I couldn't get it. I said BS. He checked again and now said that the discount didn't apply to the doctor's portion. I'm not sure if it was a computer issue they couldn't or wouldn't deal with or bad info about the discounting, but, I paid the bill because he said I would forfeit the discount if I didn't pay then. I'll take it up with Amex.

So, there you have it. Some of what you can expect if you ever need emergency room care. Pray you don't have to. It's a quagmire. I feel fine. I can't imagine what would have happened if I listened to that first retard. I would have been fleeced and given something I didn't need.

Update.

Central Florida Regional has since sent me a bill for the 'free evaluation".

A company other than ORMC sent me a new bill for over $800 ($362 with some discount) for the doctor's fees. It seems ORMC "outsources" the doctor's in their hospital and "Emergency Physicians Fees" do not include those charges. I'm not sure if they consider their nurse or maybe the intern a "physician". This extra layer was never disclosed when I asked about pricing. I am currently disputing all of the charges and now know why nobody pays the ER.

Fil-Am International Food Mart, Longwood - Closed

I purchased a meal to go at this Filipino market in a strip mall off 17-92 on Wednesday. I had adobo chicken with white rice for $4.75. It was ok. Mostly drumstick heads and coarsely chopped thighs. The rice was a little spongy. They serve around four options a day. It was mostly fish that day. They sell alot of products dear to the Filipino community. It's a small market. Nice people. I believe the grandmother does the cooking. How many options do you have for the Philippines?

Colombia La Bella, Longwood

I had lunch at this Colombian restaurant in a strip mall off 17-92 on Wednesday. I had the carne asada y arepa con queso (skirt steak with a white corn cake topped with cheese) for $9. It was fine. The steak was fine. Not overcooked. It had a slight residue of a garlic marinade. The arepa was a little hard. It came with a lot of cheese. It was served on a white dish over a lettuce leaf. The service (2) was quick and polite. The place looks almost exactly like it did when it was Chilaquiles(?). Perhaps the art work has changed. The menu isn't extensive. It seats about thirty. It was almost full. I think it is popular with the court workers. It's not a destination spot, but, it does what it is supposed to.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, SSC

I saw the last showing of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee yesterday at SSC. It was cute. The first act is the better act. The second is a bit maudlin and slow. However, the sum total of the parts is good. The acting was good. The set requirements were perfect for this intimate setting. It was almost a packed house. I think everyone had a good time with lots of laughter at the core.

Quickfire Sub Station, Sanford - Closed

I had lunch at this sandwich shop in a strip mall on 17-92 and Lake Mary Blvd yesterday. I had a 8" Double Train Turkey and Roast Beef sandwich for $6 ($8.68 for 12"). It was fine. The roast beef was akin to what you get at Jersey Mike's. The turkey was a little salty to be considered fresh. They have more hot sandwiches than the competition. They also have soup and wings in addition to what the competition serves. All sandwiches cost the same. The condition of the store is ok. The have a flatscreen and the theme seems to be trains. I guess quickfire is some term used by the rails for something having to do with the engines. The place doesn't have that new, cookie cutter polish of a chain restaurant even though it only opened in January. It seats about 6o. There were three others there at lunch. I wouldn't encourage you to make a special trip, but, if you are on your way to the Sanford airport of to SSC you could do worse. The prices are a little higher than some sandwich places.

Club and Grub Crawl - Winter Park, Antiques District and Downtown : Italia, Wine Room, Fish Out Of Water, Lodge, NV, Allan's Jerk Shack

I went to these places on Friday night.

9-9:10pm: Italia by Cafe Noam- This is a new gelato, dessert and coffee shop in Hannibal Square. I had an espresso. It just opened this week.

9:10-10pm: Wine Room - Pretty full.

10-10:30: Fish Out Of Water Sushi Truck - They are aside a club (forget the name) on a side street off Orlando Ave in the Antique District on Friday's until 11pm. I was a bit disappointed. The selection is pretty basic. I had a goat cheese and crab roll for $7. It was one of the more ambitious offerings. The rice was awful. The worst I've ever had (including pre-packaged). It had a grayish hue. It was cold, slimy and sticky. I'm not sure if they use some gluten free range sustainable nonsense, but, it sucked. The goat cheese didn't really add anything that cream cheese would have. The worst part is they don't tell you that they take orders from the club. You end up waiting a lot longer than it first appears.

10:30-11pm: The Lodge - Too smokey and empty to suffer through.

11pm-12am: NV - A cute little spot on Pine St. Most people stayed at the small bar up front. It seemed to be a lot of regulars. It became very Korean by the end. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Just what happened. The drinks were a little more here than elsewhere.

12:30am: Allan's Jerk Shack Food Truck - I gave up on the night after walking around a bit. I swear there was a contest going on and it involved being ugly. I felt I had stepped into that Twilight Zone episode where they people wear the ugly masks and get stuck that way. This place was ok. I had jerked chicken with french fries for $7. I'm not sure if I have a cold or tetanus, but, the food kind of made me nauseous. The flavors were good and the hot sauce that came with it was good, but, it still had that effect. Maybe it was the raw lamb or sushi. In any case, this serving of chicken was very authentic. Authentic if your idea of authentic is getting served those skin and bones cranes they call chicken in the Islands. It was mostly bones. And at $7, I bought 6 plump breasts of chicken at Winn Dixie this week (for reference). The fries were half crisp and half raw. They are near the 7-11.

Hannibal's, Winter Park

I had dinner at this restaurant in Hannibal Square on Friday. It has a weird set up in which it is owned and connected with Chez Vincent. They have to use the same kitchen. I had the lamb burger for $16. It comes with a Caesar salad or fries and has brie cheese in the center. The salad was fine (a little too much parmesan). The burger was supposed to be medium rare. I think the cheese pocket complicated things. It was burnt/well done in about 95% of it and raw in the middle. I asked for medium rare. It had a nice flavor (Middle Eastern). You could tell it was lamb. It also came with a nice condiment (savory and sweet). The bun was dense and very buttered. The place seats about 80 if you count the outside. There is a private wine cellar that I did not check out. Not sure how many it can fit. The decor is modern. There is a white brick wall with a mirrored TV below on the left side (bar). The rest of the dining room is is bit more plush. It has more formal feel. I don't remember much about the seating because I was relegated to the bar (underlit white marble). The place was packed. You need a reservation. The reason I haven't reviewed it yet is because I had always left before when I found out they were full on other occassions. But, I'm running out of locations to review so I sacrificed for you. The service was ok. You can get lost in the shuffle if you are not pushy. All the staff were well dressed. It was a rainbow of nationalities. Some conversed in French. But, I would bet that they were more Colonial French citoyens if French at all. I think it also explains some of the less continental French dishes on the menu. It's not a huge selection and most things are pretty pricey. They don't serve lunch so you can't sample at a discount. They had an older man singing 21st century classics at a piano and a younger girl singing lesser known songs. Parking can be a pain. I heard the piano player telling another couple that they should park in a lot behind the restaurant and come in through the back. I would usually love a place like this, but, I have to drop it down a notch because of personal peeves. I've become antagonistic to reservations because you don't often have to have them here. And I think the prices are a little steep. But, it's a good choice if you aren't on a budget and don't mind planning ahead. Not everyone felt the need to dress up. They weren't looked down upon.

Provisions Crawl - Maitland : Hollieanna Groves and Antonio's

I went to these two purveyors after my lunch in Maitland on Wednesday. They are both on South Orlando Avenue and deserve your love. They are both mainstays in the area.

Hollieanna Groves: I picked up some fresh squeezed OJ (delicious) and some half price pasta. Unfortunately for you, the dry goods were on sale because they are shutting down for the summer. I think today. However, when they reopen, make sure you check them out for citrus juices and other produce and other items. They press everything on site.

Antionio's: They have a nice selection of Italian goods and wine and other items in the deli downstairs. They even make sandwiches and pre-made meals there. Upstairs is a gem of an Italian restaurant.

SoNapa, Maitland - Closed

I had lunch at this American restaurant that seeks to combine the "attributes" of Sonoma and Napa on Wednesday. It is across from Antonio's on South Orlando Avenue. I had a grouper sandwich special that came with crinkle cut fries for $12. It was ok. The fish was thin for grouper (maybe tail pieces) and it was overseasoned. The seasoning wasn't bad. Just not subtle. The portion was kind of small as well. The fries were fine. The menu is pretty limited. Salads and flatbreads (yuck) make up half of the menu. Dull. The rest of the menu is seafood and farm animals with one pasta course. Appetizers tip toe around the $10 mark. Entrees start at $9 for a chicken sandwich and rise to $29 for steak. The median is $15. A burger even costs near $10. I think it is all a little overpriced for a place that feels more chain-like than high end. It's a new building. So, the ambiance seems artificial. It has low ceilings and the interior decorating seems formulaic. They have some (4) faux fireplaces made of tiled stone. There is: a private room, a patio, a main dining room and a lounge area. It seats about 80. It has a semi-North California feel. More yuppy Western. It was well staffed. They are in uniforms. The service was ok. Although, they did forget to offer me bread like they did for the other tables. The place isn't bad. It's just not my cup of tea. I've experienced real restauranteering from these locales and this is just a facsimile. None of the dishes would make me want to go back. Why I chose a special. And that was more to see if they are really serving grouper because the news has recently had reports that many restaurants are substituting. If you need a introduction to this "lifestyle" and can't afford the real thing then I guess this place will serve a purpose (like Brio serves as a stand in for Italy). Unfortunately, the most authentic thing about them is the prices. The wine selection is also small and disappointing. All they have are bottles you can get at any supermarket. Go on a lark.

Club Crawl - Sand Lake/I Drive : Le Rouge, Cricketers Arms, Bravo (Closed), Blue Fin, Alchemy, Senior Frog's

I tried a few bars around Sand Lake and I drive on Saturday

9-9:15pm: Le Rouge Wine Bar and Tapas - A really cute and chic place next to Saffron. Good selection and ambiance. Mostly empty.

9:15-9:30pm: Cricketers Arms - Moved from I Drive to this old Twisted Burgers and I think the original Vines location in the strip mall that has Moonfish. They did a great job remodeling. It seems as most of the sots that peopled the old spot did not make the transition (Thank God). About 20 people.

9:30-9:45pm: Bravo - In the strip mall that had City Fire (shuttered) and has Fleming's. A chain looking Italian eatery that I shunned in favor of Saffron. Bread crumbs on top of ravioli? Come on! It was also a bit pricey for the bitch sister of the Brio family of restaurants. It's not bad. Just chainy. Nobody at the bar. Some still eating.

9:45-10pm: Bluefin - In the same strip mall higher up. It's a Blue Fin. Done one. Done them all. A few people at the outside bar. Mostly leftovers from dinner service.

10pm-10:30pm: Alchemy Wine and Hookah Bar - A really good DJ with video mixing tools. I hate smoke and smokers, but, this place had a great vibe. Most of the patrons insulated themselves in their hookah circles. Many were underage. They said they could let in people 18 and up. I was going to clubs at fourteen. Too bad today's youth has to settle for hookah lounges.

11-12pm: Senior Frogs - On I Drive near Bahama Breeze. A poor facsimile of the original. It still has the same Spring Break crowd as the original. Too bad it is the original Spring Break crowd (ie everyone over thirty and then some). You can tell because they still dance like it's a scene in Can't Hardly Wait. One arm in the air twisting back and forth. Fat ass backing up like they are in a Sisquo video. There are also some youngsters who can't afford the original experience and think this is close. It's a big place. All new. The DJ was horrible. He wouldn't even get out of a track (usually some Latin piss) after everyone stopped dancing. He even seemed to take delight in his inability to connect with the audience. I would fire him asap. It was about half full of all the same people your parents spent good money on college to keep you away from and yet you still hooked up with on Spring Break. The party was dying at 12.

Saffron, Sand Lake

I had dinner at this Indian restaurant on Sand Lake in the strip mall that has Roy's on Saturday. I had expected to write a glowing review, but, sadly the dish they served me didn't measure up. It's a shame because the place is cute and they have a good reputation. I had the Rajasthani Hara Maas which is stewed chicken in a red pepper sauce with ginger for $16. The chicken was tough. The rice was dry. I didn't love how the ginger played of the hot sauce it was stewed in. A citrusy, herbal note after a hot pepper sauce is like having lemonade with salsa and chips. I prefer a counterpoint such as cream to dull the punch. This pairing inflames it. As for the condition of the ingredients in the dish, it would be my guess that they were cooked on Friday and weren't consumed then. And in a fit of Indian thrift, they were not discarded. The service (5) was polite and efficient. My meal came out lickety split. Though I think I hit the queue just at the right time. Some of the people who were seated before me, but, put their orders in after were still waiting on their dishes as I was finishing mine. Maybe they received the fresh food? The place looks like it is trendy. It has an eclectic set up that is part boudoir, part farmhouse and part lounge. They have large mirrors in modern and period frames. The seating (40 inside and 14 outside) is mostly modern, black tables and chairs with certain tables resembling faux booths with white upholstered removable benches. One wall and the ceiling is off white. One wall is pale brick. They have regionally appropriate wall art. Iron chandeliers are on the ceiling. The place was three quarters full when I sat down at 8pm. It was full by the time I left. It was about three quarters Indian and one quarter other. The dress was mixed. It wasn't just adults. They seem to have a pretty representative menu. The prices are indicative of a confident self disposition. I can't place the food in the top tier of Indian restaurants based on my experience. But, it is a cute place and the people are friendly. Hopefully, you will get a better taste experience than I did.

Angel's Diner, Disney

I have to do the the unthinkable. I have to review a place without eating there. As a warning to all locals and tourists. I stopped by this place on 192 near Disney a few weeks ago. It is in a shabby hotel with a parking lot so scary that I feared my car would be broken into. I went because I was in the area and they had advertised in an up scale food magazine a few years back (so it was on my radar). I walked in and out. The pedestrian buffet costs $20. If you want some "poor people" frozen crab (Alaskan and Snow), I think it jumped to $30. And if you want (I can only imagine the quality) "lobster" it was even more. Please don't go. You are "(insert race) trash" if you think this is enticing. The stuff all looked scary. The place looked scary. The threat of botulism or crime should be enough to dissuade you from eating here even if they were giving the stuff away. And if you choose to ignore my advice, know that they only serve at dinner time.

Caffe Venice, Lake Mary - Closed

I had lunch at this new Italian restaurant in Lake Mary (off Lake Mary Blvd in the shopping plaza behind the Burger King) on Wednesday. It's in the old Caffe Positano spot. I had the Ziti Aum Aum for $9. It was ziti and eggplant in a marinara sauce with grated parmigiano reggiano. The menu said mozzarella too, but, I didn't observe it. They are using some of the old menus and I think they don't all say the same things. Also, make sure you get a menu with the lunch menu that doesn't say lunch menu. It has sandwiches on it. The dish was really good. The ziti (they say they will/do make all their pastas fresh) was al dente. The eggplant couldn't have been more fresh and sweet. I have to think they were using a smaller variety. The sauce was fresh. It was, thankfully, devoid of salt. There was alot of grated cheese. The portion was large and well plated. They even used fresh basil. They also served a basket of freshly (in house) baked rolls (just out of the oven). My server (2) was the cook who is also an/the owner. While it might be cause for alarm that the other two men in the restaurant (maybe they weren't waiters either) had to be supported by the owner/cook in waiting on the other two tables of patrons, it gave me a chance to ask the BMIK (Big Man In Kitchen) some questions. This is his first restaurant. He will cook. They still have the old place's menus and sign, but, are in the process of replacing them. They still serve all forms of pizza. They still serve slices. They still deliver. The owner seemed Hispanic, but, I would warrant that if you still believe that only Italians can cook Italian then you need to back to your Grand Ma's house or take a look at who is inside the kitchens at your "Italian" restaurants. This guy was good on this occasion. And they couldn't have been more polite or efficient. If they keep it up, they will be the best Italian in Lake Mary. And you know how I hate to praise Italian restaurants. To be honest, I was dreading this meal. It combined my least favorite things - mid-market Italian in a location I had already reviewed or eaten in. Plus it was replacing one type of cuisine with the exact same cuisine. I can't remember what made Caffe Positano such a bore that I only went there occasionally, but, I am more enthused about going back to this location because of the new owners. The place is exactly the same inside. I encourage all those who liked the old place and anyone who was turned of by it to give these new guys a chance. The experience may be uneven until they get a handle on running a small business, but, I'll bet the food will make up for whatever growing pains they might experience. The food was really good when there wasn't a rush. I hope they can maintain that if they get one. I'm not sure if they will keep the old price points, but, they weren't outrageous.

Grub Crawl - Tampa, Sarasota and Palm Beach

Here are some hot food spots for Central Floridians or visitors that are under two hours away. I went to them last week. Most have been on Man Versus Food or Diners Drive Ins and Dives.

Tampa: Delicias Latinas on W. Hillsborough Ave (near 275) - Mexican Food Truck. Average.

Tampa: Taco Bus on E. Hillsborough Ave (near 275) - Mexican Food Truck(s) inside a building. Amazing. Try the Conchita Pibil and Carne de Res Desebrada tacos. Big Portions. Man Versus Food.

Tampa: La Guaguita on Sheldon Ave off of W. Hillsborough Ave (past the airport) - Puerto Rican Food Truck. Interesting. Try the Alcapurras. The truck's name means little food truck in Puerto Rican Spanish. Man Versus Food.

Sarasota: Alpine Steakhouse on S. Tamiami Trail (near Siesta Key) - German Restaurant and Market. Great quality German food. Try the Turducken Sandwich. Man Versus Food.

Sarasota: Old Salty Dog on Ken Thompson Parkway (near Lido Key) - Seafood Restaurant. Fine dive. Original location on Siesta Key. This location has the better (water) view and was the one on TV. Go for the Salty Dog (a hand dipped and fried hot dog). Man Versus Food.

Sarasota/Gulfgate: Munchies 420 on Superior off Gateway off S. Tamiami Trail. Stoner enclave with fiery wings challenge and loaded sandwiches. Open from 4:20pm - 4:20 am. Didn't have the sauce for the challenge. The step below was still hell. 420 is some police code for weed. Man Versus Food.

Sarasota/Gulfgate: Il Panificio on Gateway Ave off S. Tamiami Trail. Pizza Restaurant. Thin crust plus more. It was ok. Has a location in town.

Sarasota: Yoder's Amish Village on Bahia Vista near Tuttle. Amish Restaurant (really!) and Pie House. Try the pies. Totally out of place in this area. Man Versus Food.

Palm Beach: Capri on Southern Ave before Dixie Highway (A1A). Cuban restaurant. Totally cheap and totally good. Real Cuban hangout. Guys blasting jibbity-jibbity music and playing dominoes. New specials every day.

Palm Beach/Lake Worth: Havana Hideaway on Lake Worth Ave (before the bridge). Cuban Food Truck surrounded by a patio and bar. Very Jimmy Buffet. Try the Guy Plate. Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.

I went to other places, but, they don't merit mentioning (except the obscenely big pulled pork nachos at the Rays Stadium in Port Charlotte).

Koywan Buffet, Altamonte Springs

I had lunch at this Asian buffet in the spot near the 436/434 intersection that used to house Crazy Buffet yesterday. Although, I was beginning to become annoyed at the price increases and refusal to take Amex cards, I still hadn't been able to find a better purveyor of mass quantity sushi since they left town. My wait is over. This place is exactly like the old Crazy Buffet, but, better. It is better because: it's $8 versus $12 (or whatever it was), it has a better selection and they take Amex. The few complaints I could cite would be: broken ice cream machine, fish tank like odor from the indoor ponds and minimal salad bar. Other than that, the place looks and acts exactly the same. I'm so mad that I didn't track it down six months ago when I heard something about the space getting a new tenant. I tried to sample a few things besides sushi for you. The flounder was a overcooked and unfirm. I'm not sure if it was an aged piece of fish or they overcooked it or if it just sat in the warmer too long. They had a steamed whole fish that I think was some kind of fresh water bass (they always have these ugly suckers in the tanks at an Asian market). It was good. The nuggets were nuggets. The had some kind of cute little whipped cream puff in a cup. It tasted like mint. I thought I tried a few more things but I guess not. I really had no room left after the sushi assault. The sushi was good and always replenished immediately. They did the unthinkable and inverted the usual buffet fish to rice ratio. There was more fish to each piece than rice! It was mostly fresh. The rice was acceptable. The white tuna, salmon were very fresh. The snapper (?) was a little dry and tough. The squid and surf clam were a little funky. I thought I might have stepped on a land mine with the clam, but, I can report no after effects after twenty four hours. They also prepared shrimp, tamago, fake crab and combos of all of the above served in cut rolls. They also fried up some rolls. I won't reveal how many pieces I ingested (not a personal record), but, I left looking like Jessica Simpson and didn't eat dinner and wasn't really that hungry for lunch today. I, absolutely, encourage you to find this place when you are in the mood to commit the venal sin of gluttony. It has everything the sushi and non-sushi fan is looking for. Definitely no peer for sushi. With a soda and tax, you will walk out at just over $10. Obviously the tip is an additional component. You could eat over $100 dollars in restaurant sushi for $8 if you put your mind to it. Parking is no problem as most of the businesses in the strip mall have closed shop.