Tokyo Sushi and Grill, Orlando

I grabbed two rolls at this Japanese place a few doors down from Q'Kenan on Saturday while I waited for the empananda to be cooked. I had an avocado for $3 and a salmon for $4.50. They were cigar shaped and nori wrapped. Not bad and the prices were low. It's a little place (20 seats). It's decorated appropriately. Not a bad option if you're down that way.

Q'Kenan, Orlando

I got totally lost trying to find a place that I thought was close to Singh's and stumbled upon this Venezuelan place I've been searching for that is at the end of Sand Lake Rd in the last shopping center on that road (intersection of Vineland Ave). It was kismet. I just had room for an empanada. My loss. I had a Pabellon for $3. It was sweet plantain, shredded beef and black beans in a sweet corn cake. Excellent. It came with a garlic dipping sauce. It tasted great with or without. It's a small place and was totally full at 2pm. They have a menu that includes breakfast, tequenos (cheese sticks), pastelitos, salads, soups, cachapas, arepas, and meat and specialty dishes. It all seems to be in the capable hands of one man. The prices were low. The place seats around twenty inside. It has the look of a cafe. It's "real deal" Venezuelan. It takes its name from a mountain in that country.

Singh's Roti Shop and Bar, Orlo Vista

I had lunch at this West Indian (think Indian) restaurant on Saturday. It's near Lee & Rick's on Old Winter Garden Road. I had a Channa Roti for $6. I usually go for meat, but, I wanted to mix it up. The place was very crowded, so, I also didn't want to confuse the issue. The roti (a wrap) was great. Great curry blend and just the right amount of heat. It was also huge. They must have triple wrapped it. I'm still eating it two days later and I don't love vegetarian dishes. They serve a host of west Indian dishes (goat, shark, beef, etc) and even have a full Chinese menu. It seats about sixty. It was full of "Islanders" so you know it must be the shizznit. The place isn't that much to look at. Don't let that dissuade you. If you can't get to Trinidad or Guyana, settle in here.

900 Degreez Food Truck

They were at Hourglass on Friday. It was their first night ever serving. They're going to be a big hit. I had a great Margarita pizza for $9. It was perfectly cooked and they used fresh mozzarella (you could see the water/whey on the pie) in pats. The sauce was just mushed tomatoes. They have put an old cargo container on a flat bed. It's huge. The whole front is glass. They make the dough in the truck. The oven is 900 degrees and wood fueled. Everything is cooked to order. They put a lot of thought and money into this venture. Be thankful if you ever run into them.

Hourglass Brewery, Longwood

I finally visited this working micro-brewery on Ronald Reagan Blvd Friday night. I had been ambivalent because it just looked like a seedy bar. Boy was I wrong. They make their own and have alot of specialty beers. It's a little tap room with plenty of outdoor seating. On Friday's they bring in a food truck. They have an event almost every night. I tried one of their brews (good) and another Florida beer. Both were $5. The place was pretty full around 7pm. They are moving down the street (across from Lyman High School soon. It will be in the Reboundz (sic) location. I would try it soon so you can say you knew them when. A hidden surprise.

*12/6/14 - I went back to their new digs down the street and it is sharp. It's about twenty times as big and it's clean and they have a big selection of beer that they actually put on a menu and list the price of (unlike World of Queers). The have digital menus on big screens for the drafts and big screen showing sports. I saw a stage that may be used for live music. If you liked the old place, you'll love the new place.

Border Grill, Universal

I had lunch II at this Mexico City style Mexican spot on Vineland (off Kirkman) on Friday. I had a lengua taco, a pibil taco and a carnitas taco combo. It cost $6. The lengua was perfect. The best I've ever had. No earthiness. The two pork tacos were a little (very) salty. I had them Supreme style (can also get them with just onion). That meant they added some crema, grated hard cheese, lettuce and tomato. I also had hard shells. It was a lark because I usually do soft at a real Mexican place. I'm glad I did. They were among the best shells I've ever had. So light and thin and not greasy. The place serves all the usual dishes. I would bet that they are all great. This place is the real deal. It's in a little strip mall and isn't much to look at. Who cares? It's cheap and excellent. I would advise them to remove the old sign that says "Island" from the exterior. It must be a remnant from it's previous incarnation as Thai Island. It confuses the customer. They have been there for a couple of years, so, I think they should have addressed this by now. Not withstanding, this place must be on of the best Mexican restaurants in town.

Lee & Rick's Oyster Bar, Orlo Vista

I had lunch at this 64 year old Oyster Bar on Old Winter Garden Rd (south of West Colonial - parallels it) on Friday. I had a dozen oysters (from Galveston) for $10. They were fine. A little salty. The waitress shucked them at the bar behind my table. The place is really old school. The outside looks like a barge. Inside it's scary or quaint depending on your mood. They also serve a collection of fried seafood. The place has been in the same family (Lee is the mom) since its inception. It's not a must visit aside from its historical significance. It seats about sixty. There were around eight people there at noon.

Grub Crawl - South OBT: Bombay Grill and Junior Columbian

I went to these places on South OBT today. Why am I doing this "week of crawls"?

Bombay Grill - This was in the Bombay Market and was supposed to be good. Ehh. Now it's a few hundred meters south in its own spot near the a billboard for salt water fish. It's halal. That can mean fresh or it can mean that the food is to food what their fashion is to fashion. In this case, I'm nor sold on the fresh argument. I had a chicken boti kabob for $8. Boti is cubes. There were four, big cubes on two wooden skewers and a whisper of onion or pepper in between. The chicken didn't seem marinated. The peppers (I hope) gave it a mouldy flavor. The hot pepper spice it was dusted with had no flavor just heat. It came with Naan or rice or french fries. I had Naan. I ate it like a sandwich. It also came with a salad with no dressing that I didn't eat. If you look at it like it was two chicken pitas for $8 then it makes sense. If you say "for a dollar or so more I could go to an all you can eat Indian buffet almost anywhere" then it doesn't. The food took every second of the 15 minute wait time espoused. That means it was probably fresh (only person there) or it was a hell of a long wait to be let down. Maybe their other stuff is better. They had burgers, gyros, seafood, lamb, beef, etc in sauces. The place seats about twenty. It's more of a take out place. The decor is horrendous. It wasn't that clean. You can skip it.

Junior Columbian - These guys had one of the first food trucks in town. It was near Universal. I never found it or the brick and mortar store they replaced it with. I finally went into this branch near Central Florida Parkway today. I didn't know they were the same people. I ordered a single cheese burger. It comes with everything including potato chips. Very rich and fattening. You have to say plain if you want that. But, what's the point of having a Colombian burger if you do that. It was fine. I'm used to them now. The burger is always a little Euro. That means you can just tell it's not American. The kind you get when traveling. It cost $6. I also sampled a dish called "salchipapa" for $5. It was just cut up hot dogs and baby potatoes. You can skip that. They have odd things like "maicitos" and not so odd like empanadas and churros. They now have four locations - Universal, UCF, this palce and Lee Vist Blvd. It seats about fifty in what looks like a New York themed diner. Good value.

Smiling Bison, 50 (Moved to Sanford)

I grabbed a snack here (just under the wire -2 pm) during their new lunch hours. I had a chicken fried chicken sausage for $11 because I was already full and the kitchen was closing. I had a nice chat with the staff and management while I waited. I tried a bite in the car so I could judge it at its best. I would have downed the whole thing, but, I restrained myself (or my waist band/abs did). It was great. I have to confess that any fried chicken sandwich gets me because that was the best thing they served at boarding school. They opened up a grill my senior year (to squeeze more money out of us) and the fried chicken sandwich was unforgettable. Mostly because it wasn't Shepard's Pie or some other slop that the townie cooks or our own under-formers didn't jizz into or put wasps or condoms in. You knew it was frozen safe and then fried to a point that would eviscerate any evil intention. So, I have a love for fried chicken because of that. Their chicken sausage seemed freshly ground and cased. The bun was large and buttered. They added mayo and pickles and lettuce or cabbage. The only problem was the sticker shock. I know it was a sausage and not a dog, but, that extra TLC may not deserve the mark up. $9 maybe. And I think therein lies the problem. They serve mainly food truck type items (more extensive stuff for dinner). I think they are going to find that the average customer isn't going to get their raison d'etre and will be doubly scared by the ambitious menu and the prices. They will get foodies and hipsters. For some reason alot of these non-corporate types seem to have unlimited access to cash for these extravagances and weed. The closer to the poverty line people are, the less they seem to bitch about prices. I'm not sure if it is a lack of financial acumen or trying to peacock or an accessible indulgence or a nihilistic acceptance that they world is going to shit on them, but, they pay to play. I just hope for these guys that there are enough of them to keep the poutine train moving. Most things were funkified snacks - poutine, terrine, sausages, burgers (I'm drawing a blank). It's a place that smacks of a chef with carte blanche. I'm sure it's only the freshest ingredients from the best places. I'm sure it's all made from scratch. I'm sure it's made daily. That's great. Just remember that that may be overkill for the level of food that is on the menu. It's like obsessing over a water color. It may be energy/talent directed at the wrong medium. Re-inventing pub food was clever about five years ago. Now it has lost the whimsy that made you pay an extra 50% for a plate. Now it has a past. A past that at best allows the customer to compare it to a library of memories or at worst bores them. In any case, I think the chef has talent and their heart is in the right place. I just think that the category may have jumped the shark for me and especially at $11. The place is across from The Roxy on Bennett (across from the small airport on 50). It seats about sixty. It's the old Redlight Redlight building. It was clean. They serve beer and wine (specialized). The last call wings are supposed to be Buffalo, NY good.

Grub Crawl - College Park: Ragazzi's and Hubbly Bubbly (Closed)

I ate lunch at these spots on Edgewater Dr yesterday.

Ragazzi's Pizza - I just grabbed a slice here because I wanted to multi-grasp. I ate here when it was Alfonso's years ago. The slice was large and everything a pizza at this price point should be. It's a traditional American pizza parlor slice. Thin. Buttery sweet crust (might have been better than the center). No boils. Cooked through. No gimmicks. It  also cost just a tad over $2. Good job. The place serves panini, subs, pasta, calzones, stromboli, salads and some American bar apps. Prices are reasonable. It seats about sixty. It's clean. They have a bar adjacent. The service was quick and polite.

Hubbly Bubbly Falafel Shop - This was the main act. I just read about them in the Orlando Weekly the day before. It employs a Chipotle operational model. They have about three items three ways if you had to generalize. You choose a falafel or lamb/beef or chicken base and then make it a salad, a hummus bowl or pocket sandwich. I chose falafel because they looked so tiny and cute. They fried them fresh in front of me. It took a few seconds. Then I had it their way (Georgie's I think). They added a salad blend, pickles, radish, tzatziki, hummus and maybe tahini or garlic sauce or both (I wasn't watching). It cost $6. It tasted great. They also have "mazel tots", and baklava fingers or you can get falafel balls or pita and hummus as sides. They serve beer. They try to make everything on the premises. They seem to give a damn in a way that many higher priced and self important places could take a lesson from. This place is eminently franchise-able and I was pleased to hear that they planned on branching out. It has a modern, minimalist industrial look. It seats about twenty inside. They have a large patio area. It was full. The crowd was very representative. It's in the spot where a barbeque place used to be at the end of town. Parking is a little bit tight. Solid entry. I think they opened a few months ago. I think everything cost in the single digits. The name has something to do with hookahs.

Grub Crawl - Chinatown: Sapporo Ramen (Closed) and Chinese Cuisine

For those who don't know, Chinatown is a small strip mall on west Colonial (50) that houses the Oriental Market. I ate here today.

Sapporo Ramen - I think the fat lady at the Sentinel turned me on to them.They just opened recently. It's a little noodle restaurant. I have to admit that I've never become a devotee to this branch of Japanese cuisine. Maybe it is the association with Top Ramen or Oodles of Noodles, but, I just don't get shelling out $10 for soup. No matter what they top it with or how great the noodle is supposed to be. I remember a girlfriend dragging me to the first trendy import in Soho and my anger that there was no sushi and the noodles cost $50. I'm not sure, but, I think this is the first or one of the few to try its luck in Central Florida. I had (I forget the name, but, it meant fox) a Udon (large noodle) bowl with a fried tofu "blanket" and onions, carrots, mushrooms, scallions and baby bok choy for $9. It was predictable. A slightly too sweet broth and fresh vegetables. They have about three Udon bowls and three Soba bowls and some rice platters. Some rolls too. All are about the same price. Rolls are $5. The place seats about thirty. It was pretty full of a mixed crowd. You order at the register and they bring a bowl. The place is new. They have a black ink mural along the top of the walls (too high) and some interesting wall sconces of people done in similar ink. The beer signs and busy glass window kind of clash with the rest. It's perfectly respectable. Just not my addiction.

Chinese Cuisine - I saw they had dim sum when I went into Sapporo (next to it) so I ditched my scheduled stop for take out dinner and tried a few dishes to go. All, but, the last didn't survive the trip. I started with your regular shrimp dumplings for $2.75. Not bad. Full of shrimp fused together with some binder. The dumpling fell apart. Then I had what was supposed to be a crab meat and shark fin dumpling, but, was a pork and mushroom and shark fin dumpling. I would have chosen that if I had a choice anyway. It was the best. It only cost $2. Very big portion. All the dumplings came in groups of four. I held off on the steamed ribs with black beans sauce for $2. A fair amount of pork even after you accounted for the bones. The sauce was the first clear black bean sauce I've had to my imperfect memory. Not bad. They took every minute of the fifteen they quoted to deliver the meal, so, I guess it was fresh. The place is old school Chinese. Spartan decoration and little care to aesthetics. It seats around eighty. It was pretty empty at 1:30. Chinese crowd. The menu is funky. Fish heads, offal, jellyfish, frog, glue pudding, fish stomach. You get the picture. However, they do have a lot of non-American Chinese food that you should be ok with and you should be eating instead of the aforementioned. Most dishes barely touch the teens in price. Include this place in your culinary evolution/education. And you don't have that many choices for authentic dim sum (and then some) anyway.

Sunny Breeze Cafe, Sanford - Closed

I bought some snacks for dinner at this cafe on 17-92 and Lake Mary Blvd yesterday. It was a sandwich place that was called something like Fire Station until recently. They pretty much scrapped the theme and added a Latin section to the menu. I can't remember if I liked the old menu. I'd guess it has stayed the same. Don't be scared that the "American" side will now suffer. Most of the staff is still American. That said, I only ordered from the new items. I had a tamale with chicken and potatoes, a soft chicken taco they call a taquito and a pupusa with shredded pork and cheese. All were $2. Talk about value! The tamale was in a banana leaf and was big. The tamale was light and moist. The chicken was a little dry and salty. The taquito was filled high with diced chicken and just some diced onion on top. Traditional. The pupusa was the best. I'd exchange the store bought, shredded cheddar for something less American, but, the chicken was less salty here and the "sopa" (I know that's Mexican but I don't know its real name) was moist. The dishes have an El Salvadoran character. The cook who does these meals is from there. The area totally needed a non-Americanized Mexican/Central American, cheap joint. Now it has one. Two dollar snacks? How can you go wrong? If they were anywhere near eatable, they would have filled a void. They do better than that.

Hamilton's, Winter Park

I think they call this place a "country kitchen". It's in the new Alfond Inn across from Rollins. I had lunch there yesterday.I think they opened in the Fall. I had a Yellowtail Snapper over Chorizo Hash for $16. It was almost sublime. The snapper was a little mushy. I would guess that it was the last of the previous week's delivery. It was pan fried to a point that almost crisped up all the skin. It was probably "spoon" poached (oil ladled over the fish). The "hash" was an extrapolation on the common diced version. It was potato wedges with cubes of chorizo. Very good. They also dressed it with some baby arugula and blue watercress. I ate it every which way. It was the best when you had a piece of all the components. Someone took the care to think this dish out. I don't love mushy fish with mushy potatoes usually, however, it didn't fail. This hash could go with alot of creatures. The chorizo worked especially well to spice up the blandness of the fish and potatoes and add a tough element to the tender fish. You'll see in this review that I pay alot more attention to the meal. That's always a sign that the food was above average. They have a small menu for breakfast and lunch. About three apps and entrees. $16 was the high water mark. The dinner menu is more extensive, but, it is pretty much twice the price. I think $30 was the low water mark. And I think that was for chicken breast. I hope they can deliver at that expectation level. They had a diversified menu for dinner - one dish of about eight types of critter. The place is big, has a patio and is decorated like a mix of Restoration Hardware and a farmhouse. They mix and match the chairs. How rebellious.The tables are wood. It seats around eighty inside. Maybe forty outside. And there is a private dining area. The biggest work station is hidden from the diners behind a half wall. There is one area near the kitchen that isn't hidden. They have a viewable kitchen. I was a little nervous that it would be a let down, but, I think they surpassed expectations. I'll probably stick to lunches because I'm cheap, but, if you are a Winter Park swell or a Rollins student's parent (or simple scion with their charge card) who has the veneer of respectability then this may be right up your alley.

Brown's New York Deli, Maitland - Closed

I ate breakfast at this "New York Deli" in that little strip mall that houses Copper Rocket at N. Orange yesterday. I had their Challah French Toast for $7. It was fine. I like it a little more "soaked", but, at least it wasn't a crust with dry bread inside. The slices (3) were thick. The place is true Kosher. No dairy or pork. They have been serving breakfast recently after a summer opening. They serve the usual suspects during the day - tongue, brisket, chopped liver, liverwurst, pastrami, corned beef, et al along with non-Yiddish staples like turkey, meat loaf, roast beef, salami, etc. They also have knishes, stuffed cabbage, latkes, bobkas, matzoh ball soup. You get the picture. They even have hot dogs, burgers, salads, and other "regular" food. They follow the usual NY model of higher prices for larger volumes. Personally, I would prefer a model that doesn't simultaneously stretch my budget and waistline, but, at least it isn't high prices and small portions. Sandwiches hover around $10, but, come with fries or potato salad. Hot dogs are $6 (same sides). Burgers are $10+ and I'm nor sure if they come with anything. Get the idea? The place needs a little age to evoke the tradition of the NYC deli's they have on the wall. It feels more like a cafe than a deli. The place seats about 80. There were eight people there for breakfast. The service was great and friendly. I had three unsolicited refills in ten minutes. They even gave me a newspaper to occupy my time. If I were to prognosticate, I'd trust them to deliver on the other selections. It has to be one of the safer options for this kind of food in Central Florida.

iPho Noodle House, Lake Mary

Ok. Here's the real reason I'm catching up on my posts. I think the "i" is for Immodium. I had a Curry Chicken Hot Pot to go for $10 from this new Vietnamese restaurant next to Bagel King on Lake Mary Blvd. If Cress might have served the best curry I've ever had then this is what balances out the Universe ala Mr. Glass. I'm not exaggerating when I say that 90% of the chicken was bone. CARCASSES! The worst pieces on the (bird?). A character on Criminal Minds last night was served some gruel by his captive. I think I would have traded. It gave me stomach and bowel discomfort. The curry broth was sweet (no heat). Horrible. The potatoes (only accompaniment) weren't cooked through. The rice must have used it's cooking time. Mush. Thank God there is a real Vietnamese restaurant on 46 so I don't have to give then a second chance. I think they are cheaper anyway. I had never seen a curry on a Vietnamese restaurant before and I hope I never do again. It's sad because the place looks cute and seemed to be getting some attention. It just opened a few weeks ago. They have a beautiful hand painted mural on one wall. The place is tiny. It seats about twenty. The menu is mostly hot pots and noodle soups. Hopefully, disappointing restaurants also come in threes. I give this place - the finger. Pho-get about this place.

Bagel King, Lake Mary

I had a Juicy Corned Beef sandwich at this new deli in the strip mall that has Tijuana Flats. It was $9. It came with a side. I tried a potato knish. The corned beef wasn't juicy. I was actually quite dry. They wanted to cover it with thousand island dressing. Not traditional. They did cut the beef thin, so, it seemed tender. It might not be if cut thicker. It had alot of fat to it. That helps or hurts depending on your preference. The rye was cut thick and was good. I didn't refuse the provolone they paired with it. Once again, not traditional. The knish (a mini) wasn't good. The potatoes were grey and tasteless. The crust was too thick. They have two other branches around town. I don't remember anything special out of them. I have been wishing for a traditional deli to compete with Too Jay's. I guess this will do if that Water Bagel place is a dud. Now the question is whether their wider selection (breakfast, bagels, desserts, egg salad, matzoh ball soup, etc) will have me eschewing the hippy funkiness at That Deli and the long lines and high prices at Too Jay's. This place has two rooms and seats about eighty. They have booths. There were about ten people there at lunch. It's decorated like the home decorating section of Wal-Mart. I'm not sure what to make of it. I want something more traditional. I'll wait on the Water Bagel place.

Red Robin, Sanford

I had lunch at this mid-market chain next to Cheddar's on Rinehart yesterday. I have to begin with a reminder that I don't like these kinds of places. They don't have the efficiency of a fast food chain and they don't have the quality of a mom and pop. I understand that they began in the Northwest and I saw a sign on the highway in Virginia recently for it. They are new to Florida. This may be the first branch. I had a Tavern Double Burger for $7 ($10 with tip) because all the premium burgers were $10+ and I didn't trust them to deliver at that price point. They give you a choice of buns. I chose corn meal from a selection that included ciabatta, sesame, etc. I couldn't eat the top bun because it was smeared with their house sauce. I asked for ketchup. The bottom bun was also smeared, but, I scraped that off. I also discarded the lettuce and tomato because the lettuce was smeared and the tomatoes looked wilted. The burger meat was meatloaf-y. I think they cut it with alot of binder. There were two patties to the serving. They covered them with a lot of cheese. I think burgers are there bread and butter, so, I'd recommend a place like Burger Fi (although I find them over rated) over them. They are cheaper too. They evened up the value proposition by including steak fries. They were ok. A little thin and spongy. They did mention a fry refill. I abstained. I'm not sure if they always inform the diner of this service. I would high light it more on the menu if it was my restaurant. The whole meal came in a spiral basket that made anything but hand to mouth an impossibility. I've already spent more time than I wished to writing about the place. It's like Applebee's or TGIF. I think these place rip off yokels. It makes me sad to eat at place like this because it reminds me that I live in a backwater. However, most of my fellow diners seemed pleased as punch. The place opened a few weeks ago and it's always full. The place looks nice. They are trying to trick you into thinking it's a hip place to be. The biggest obstacle is their boring, unevocative name and the font they use. The menu is blase. I think I spied chicken and fish sandwiches as other options. They have the usual apps and salads. They have some ludicrous thing called a beer milkshake. Drinks are more expensive than say at Stonewood. A glass of Washington State White was close to $8. They seem to try and finagle an extra 50 cents out of every item. They don't list beer or soda prices. You can just smell the corporate nickel and diming in every aspect of the place. The management is very nice and involved. They are trying. The wait staff is mostly teenage girls. It makes me sad that they aren't in school (see backwater quote). It's not a place for me, but, I suspect they will be very successful despite everything I just stated.

Grub Crawl - Audubon Park: East End Market - La Brexta (Closed), Olde Hearth Bread Co, Fatto In Casa, La Femme du Fromage, Local Roots And Houndstooth Sauce Co

 I ate at these stalls in the new food market on Corrine Dr last Thursday afternoon. I tried all but one of those dumb tea bars and a dumber juice bar. People who go to these are more profligate than Starbuck's douches. I bet they complain their wages are too low and taxes too high.

La Brexta - A Basque (northeastern Spain) seafood market that sells a few dishes. They are run by Txokos - a restaurant in the complex that was doing a training session that day. I had a good Mahi Mahi Ceviche cup for $7. They gave you a lot of fish in a non-corrosive marinade. It was made the night before. *now an omakase Japanese stall called Kappo.

Olde Hearth Bread Co. - I had a fairly good (a little sweet) pretzel for $2 and a good raspberry jam Danish for $1.50. They bake fresh bread.

Fatto In Casa - This stall had the most options for lunch. I bought the mini sausage quiches (3) for $3. They came in little cups that I think were pre-bought or made. They tasted old. The prices here were lowest. Mostly Italian stuff.

La Femme du Fromage - I had an order of ham and swiss sliders for $6. They (2) were pretty good. They pressed them. The cheese was pretty mild. They sell cheese.

Local Roots - This is a Florida only market and bar. I had a beer for $4.

Houndstooth Sauce Company - I bought a chicken salad in white bbq sauce for $5. It was great. Good combo. I'm not sure if they make it. The label said HT Chicken Salad. That makes me believe it's out sourced and they put HT to denote the customer. They serve sandwiches, etc.

That's basically what they have in this market.

Cress, Deland

I stopped by here last Wednesday night on a lark because I found a parking space right in front of it. Before I left on a trip, I called in and the recording said no reservations until March 6th. I thought I'd try anyway. I begged for some take out (I can never make thing work to get in here) and they did me one better. They found me a table. Even in my scruffy, end of a road trip, condition. They started me with an amuse bouche of some kind of vegetable pate. It was fine. I was going to go escargot and gnocchi with pork cheeks because that damn Bellini's pizza already filled me up. Then I remembered the head chef is Indian, so, I had to try his Panang (they spell it Phanaeng) Curry. I associate it with Thai food, but, he called it a curry so I figured it may be Indian too. It was unbelievable. Maybe the best I've ever had. It (the sauce) was coconut milk with tomatoes and hot peppers. I had the fish (Cobia) as the protein. It was thick and buttery. Two big pieces. It also had zucchini, squash, peppers, potatoes, fried basil, garlic, and other goodies in it. It came with a piece of Papadam on top. Wonderful plating (bowling). It came with a type of basmati rice that was of a shorter grain than I had seen before (another piece of Papadam on top) and some Naan triangles. I didn't love them. They westernized them herbs and oil. I would also question if they were baked in a Tandoor. It cost $17. That totally filled me up. I couldn't even finish the rice. However, I had ordered the gnocchi too. I got that to go. I had a taste before bed and the rest for breakfast. I was going to save it for dinner, but, my stomach said "no can do's-ville baby doll" and it was polished off expeditiously. The gnocchi were exquisite. It's not often you can have the starch outshine the pork. The pork was no slouch itself. Big pieces of delicate cheek meat. The gnocchi were made of potato and herbs and melted in the mouth. It even survived the microwave. The sugo/sauce was more tomato-y than I'm used to. A nice kick. I associate sugos more with a meat base. Who cares. It was awesome. The ricotta was also superior. The place isn't uptight. It's kind of shabby chic. It seats about forty. It was full-ish. They did find room for a few stragglers. No one was too dressed up. It seemed like a lot of locals. Older locals. This place is definitely one of the top ten restaurants in Central Florida. I believe the head chef won a James Beard award in '11 and last year. I think he is actually in the kitchen. He's also not the only competent chef at work. I think he has an respected sous chef and I think the wife is involved some how. They have a nice wine and beer menu too. Everything is well thought out and distinctive. They don't beat you over the head with their bona fides. They don't brag about saving the world through their "process". They just deliver. Most worthy of a visit. A destination spot.

Bellini's, DeLand

I ate at this Italian Deli and Restaurant on Rich Ave on Wednesday night. I had a slice of pizza for $1.50 and a capicola sandwich with cheese for $5. Despite the low prices (and consequently low expectations), both were pretty bad. The pizza was a "short" slice. It was over-cheesed and the dough was more like a pastry dough than a pizza dough. Too sweet and flaky. I think they add butter. The capicola tasted like the stuff in those 79 cent packs. They didn't give you much of it either (thankfully). The cheese was again over abundant and bland. The bun was atrocious. It was like a sweet roll. I think the locals like this place. It's the sort of place that they would. It's what white people think Italian food should taste like. They had articles about the original owners on the wall. I think they were Italian. Either they changed for the public or whatever knowledge they had wasn't passed down. It's a shame because the people were nice and the prices were cheap. They have a full menu and you can eat there. It has two tables up front and some more in the back. It's not very pleasing to the eyes. A real joint. I'd avoid it.

Grub Crawl - UCF: Sus Hi Eat Station, Tenders and Taipei 101 (Closed)

I ate dinner at these places around UCF at the end of last month. They are all off Alafaya Trail.

Sus Hi Eat Station - I believe it opened (recently) as Sushi Ninja. It's a Subway sandwich shop for sushi, bowls or wraps. I had a Salmon Roll for $6. The rice was good. Better than most non-assembly line options. The salmon wasn't bad either. They wrap it in Nori and let you stuff it with a variety of items. I just went with avocado. You can also top it with a host of other things like fresh fruit. I abstained. They cut it into thin slices. The place is modern. The walls are murals or cartoon characters. They serve liquor. It seats about thirty. There were around twelve people there while I ate. It's very conducive to take out. It's in a strip mall that has two UCF bars - The Station and I forget the other. Acceptable.

Tenders - A chicken-centric endeavor that I think they said was born in Gainesville. I had a chicken sandwich for $5. It was their popcorn chicken on a roll. You trade a strip for the bun at this price point if you go for the sandwich versus the popcorn chicken. It was better than the chain competition. The place seats about twenty. It was full. The clientele provided a sad testament to certain group dynamics. It seemed that every male of a certain demographic was being treated by his girlfriend. Didn't even offer to chip in. They have alot of special days. A fine fast food alternative. Nothing fancy. It's in the same strip mall as Sus Hi.

Taipei 101 - I saw this place on the way back. It's a few blocks closer to Oviedo on Alafaya. It's in a strip mall with a pizza place and (I think) a hookah place. I had to stop because you don't see many Taiwanese places around. It was worth the pit stop. I had Bawan for $3. It was an uber-dumpling they call a jelly ball. It was a special. The clear noodle like dough was thick and very gelatinous. It was tough and chewy. Inside was hearts of palm, beef and mushrooms. It was topped with a ginger, soy, hot pepper paste, and garlic dressing. Plus something sweet. It was utterly fascinating. I also had Lu Eggs for $2. It was two hard boiled eggs that they then roasted and topped with meat bits and sesame oil. It was average. I ended with a pig blood cake for $4. It was black skewers (2) eight inches long of rice (maybe sesame seeds) combined with pig's blood and formed into a rectangle. The sauce was spicy with sesame oil, scallions, and peanuts added. It was interesting. They have all these kinds of traditional meals. You can see how affordable they are. If you have an adventurous streak then I suggest you find it. If not, I think you'll find Taiwanese food less greasy than Chinese. It's more like Vietnamese food. I'm sure you can find something something that comports with what you expect from Chinese food. The people are lovely and Taiwanese. The place is small. It seats about twenty. It's clean. Very white (in color not ethnicity). The crowd seemed Taiwanese.