Outrigger's Tiki Bar, New Smyrna Beach

I was on my way home on Sunday and I decided to try this other suggestion by The Sentinel. It's near the boat ramp/marina when you go over the drawbridge heading out of town. I thought the location meant it would be some salty dog dump frequented by the lower middle classes. It wasn't. It was a brand new edifice (last December) surrounded by brand new Key West inspired condos. A valet parking type of place. It's right on a tributary of the intercoastal. The outside has a bar area and a table area. There are tables inside too. It was packed. What The Grille must be the past of New Smyrna, this place is to the present. Don't get me wrong. Both places are worth going to. This place just seemed to be the new girl in town. It attracted a younger crowd. Now, it was a little disjointed (even at 4pm), but, my food came out fast once I could get it taken down. I had a yellow fin ceviche for $12. It was a little much for a martini glass that was mostly corn. However, they always job you on this item and I was ready for it. The fish was pretty good. We used to quote some movie where some guy said "Hey Coolidge, shave with an axe?". I could ask the same question on how they cut the tuna. That said, it was a big surprise and I recommend it. I lucked out on what I assumed were going to be two missions of pity in a sleepy beach town. I liked them both for different reasons. One was classic and one was hip. Choose your poison.

The Grille at Riverview, New Smyrna Beach

I went to this restaurant on Flagler and the intercoastal (behind the hotel) Sunday afternoon. It's under the drawbridge. I liked it alot. It's a big place (100 inside and out). I was told (Sentinel) to try the cheeseburger. It was good. I wanted it medium rare, but, it was well done. It was a nice size and the cheese was melted properly. The veg and bun were fresh. It came with fries or potato salad. I chose potato salad and it was good. I think they had slivers of sweet potato in it. The meal cost $10. They also had a nice brunch menu and I checked the dinner menu and it was extensive. This is old school dining, but, not ossified. The place looks similarly. It has the bones of an older restaurant with some flourishes. It has alot of brick. The deck is nice. The view is great. The service was polite. I would do without the live "warbler", but, I guess the manager has to have someone to sleep with. Prices reflect its probable positioning as the town's most enduring fine dining alternative. Don't worry about a dress code for brunch (at least) though.

Club Crawl - Downtown: Sideshow, Aero and Olde 64

These places are all new and replaced One Eyed Jack's, Sky Bar, Bar-B-Q and Eye Spy. I went on Saturday night.

9-9:30pm: Sideshow - They did a great job here. It has freak show art. The bar is huge and in the middle. It was totally full of FSU fans. I could have stayed here, but, it was so packed and I had to try the other.

9:30pm-12am: Aero - It looks almost the same as Sky. They redid the "cabanas". They connected the old Eye Spy and Bar-B-Q to here, so, I bounced between the three. It started getting a mixed crowd at 11pm. The free cover seems to brought in a different crowd.

Olde 64 - This replaces Bar-B-Q. It was almost identical in look and crowd. It collected the "whitey" hipster crowd. The smoking policy ruined it for me. I'm not sure if the Eye Spy part has a different name. The layout is the same. The back rooms have some interesting decor. One has old fashioned TV's and one is all big TV's. The music mash ups were kind of poorly chosen.

*It seems like most of the clubs have discontinued covers and raised drink prices.

Chicago's Stuffed Pizza, Downtown - Closed

I tried this new (2 months) Italian restaurant on the train tracks at Church St on Saturday night. Of the two prospective restaurants I wanted to go to, one (Red Cafe or something) was out of business and a new one on N. Magnolia wasn't open yet or couldn't be found. This place is in that space in the back of Hamburger Mary's. It's a plastic menu kind of place. I had a pan pizza despite the 30 minute wait time. They softened the blow with free cheesy breadsticks. They were fine. However, I was full by the time the pizza arrived. It was just as well because the pizza was like a cheese pot pie. I have to acknowledge that I don't count this as pizza to begin with and have never had one that made me happy. Pizza must be done Neopolitan style. Flat. I know I just lost the Mid West. This one had a very cracker like "shell". It was an "individual" size with sausage. It costs $9, but, they added $1 for the sausage. They didn't state that when ordering and the menu is likewise silent on the topic. That said, it was a pretty hospitable place. In addition to the free app, the beer was also being sold at happy hour prices ($2). They had enough wait staff. Three for the outdoor patio. The place has an unfortunate layout. It's a serpentined dining room that can't accommodate alot of indoor seating. It also causes them to put tables in odd places. It fills a niche, but, I doubt I would return. I don't love the main attraction and I'd doubt the regular Italian dishes are world class. Plus it just killed my night. Those globs of cheese and bread just sapped all my energy. I'd leave it to the great pale masses from the Big Ten. However, a woman from Ohio told another table that she didn't consider this real deep dish pizza.

Public House, UCF Area

This (Friday night) was supposed to be a pub crawl consisting of the aforementioned, Knight's Pub and the Mad Hatter. The Mad Hatter (and the place next to it) is shuttered. Knight's Pub wanted $10 for that dump. KP is near the intersection of University and Alafaya if you are interested. It's been there forever. There is a new Bar Louie across the street now. Culpepper's is now something called B&B something or other.

Public House wasn't bad. It's a craft beer spot. The selection was good. They had a band playing. It had a brand new interior. It was about half packed. The crowd was a little more seasoned than in the college bars. It's at the end of that strip mall on the right of the end of University. You have to watch out for the west entrance that says Collegiate Way because it comes up fast. You must drive through a housing development that looks like a motel.

100 Montaditos, UCF Area - Closed

I had dinner at this Spanish restaurant in that big outdoor mall on Alafaya Trail in Waterford Lakes on Friday. It's in the back by the movie theater. I thought "montaditos" would be something like rebel fighters, but, it is a sub-section of Spanish gastronomy that seems to relate to tiny sandwiches and/or little snacks. I was in Spain last spring and I don't recall that word being thrown around. Who knows? Anyway, they really have 100 montaditos. Actually that is a lie. They have more. They have 100 mini sandwiches. They also have 2 platters (of 9 options), 5 appetizers, 4 salads, and beer, wine, sangria and a drink called "clara".  They also have sodas, coffee and water. Refills are free. And get this. The most expensive sandwich is $3. Five are $1. Fifteen are $1.50. Twenty are $2. Forty are $2.50. They call their rolls "chapata". They are around five inches long. They are like a mini-baguette. Almost REALLY good. I can't even get into what comes on them. I had the whole $1 section. That was - serrano ham, chorizo, salchichon (cured sausage), lomo (dry cured pork loin), and chistorra (basque style sausage) with piparra (peppers). They say the source from Spain. I also had a shrimp one for $1.50. It was way too much. I "boxed" three of them. The fillings (minus the shrimp) were all more than respectable. If I lived near here, I would go maybe every other day. I think it's a chain. I want one. In my house! The wine and some of the beer is all Spanish. The place is counter ordering, but, it looks like a real Spanish tapas bar. You'd swear it wasn't manufactured. It seats around sixty. It was pretty full. This is a real find. It rocks the scales on value and is still kind of novel with respect to the cultural experience. They just put all fast food places on notice. I hope they make all of them pick up their game. Extinguishing a few of them in the process wouldn't bother me either. It is a joke that a place like Subway is a dynamo and this place is barely a whisper. Subway is just the most egregious example. This place crushes any sandwich chain in existence.

Pammie's Sammies, Universal Area

I grabbed a chicken salad sandwich to go from this spot on Turkey Lake almost across from Dr. Phillips High School on Friday. You can't see the place from the road. It is at the back of the mostly untenanted office building near the Universal administration entrances (look for the Hess station). The sandwich cost $8. It was very good. It came on good wheat bread. It consisted of chunks of fresh chicken breast. It also had walnuts. The field greens were a little wilted. It came with really good potato salad and a pickle. The sandwich may be better if served on a baguette. The chicken falls out. It is a cute place that seats around twenty. They have two rooms. They also offer barbeque, burgers, salads, soups and flat bread pizzas. They also have breakfast, coffee and smoothies. Most things are under $9. It seems like alot is made from scratch. They have been open for three years. It would be in my weekly rotation if I lived near here.

A-Aki Sushi and Steakhouse, Florida Mall Area

I grabbed a roll lunch special to go from this new Hibachi/Sushi spot on Sand Lake near the mall on Friday. I got talked into it because it was before 3pm and they offered a 15% discount. That was nice, but, I later saw a sign for $1 sushi after 3pm. The rolls stunk. I had a salmon roll and an Alaskan roll (salmon, avocado and cucumber). The salmon may have been the worst I've ever had. It had no flavor. None. It looked like smoked salmon. It was cut so haphazardly that it looked like they used their hands. It came with a miso soup and a salad for $8. The place (an old Smokey Bones) is large. It must seat over 100+. One side is a bar area with seats, one is a hibachi room and the middle is a dining room with the small sushi bar at the back. It's a modern black motif. It looks like they spent a lot of money poorly. It looks nice at first glance, but, you see the bad contracting the longer you stare. I was there at an odd hour, so, it was pretty empty. I just sensed a hint of desperation in the management already. A space that big can't come cheap. I would be surprised if they get a reputation for quality, but, can't we say that about most sushi places that do hibachi. It may find a home with the non-discerning segment of the population.

Froots, Florida Mall

I had a caffe americano for $2 at this smoothie stand in the mall near OBT and Sand Lake on Friday. I wasn't about to join the legions of imbeciles that pay $6 for a smoothie. I just saw a comedian on Fallon do a set on how you need to take out a loan for a smoothie habit. He is dead on. An even stupider addiction than coffee. Avoid.

Khasiyat, OBT

I had the lunch buffet at this south Indian restaurant on W. Lancaster off OBT on Friday. It cost $8. I'm not a huge fan of vegetarian menus, but, the flavors here were outrageous. I sampled all their dishes - a curry with paneer and spinach, a curry with cauliflower, peas and peppers, a spicy potato dish, a cabbage dish, two types of fried balls, a fried donut that you cover with broth, basmati rice, really thick raita, papadam, a fried bread and roti. A soda (can) was a bit overpriced at $2. The trays are styrofoam. The place seats about 60. There were two others there while I ate. They have been open since 1998. The aesthetics of the place are a little unassuming. The hospitality was impressive. They have a fairly extensive menu. Parking is a bit limited. The name means "specialty" or specialties". It is a really good value.

The Crepevine, Altamonte Springs

I had two crepes to go at this new (three months) creperie in The Village Shops off 436 (near I4) on Saturday. I had a Cupid (nutella) for $3.50 and a lemon and sugar for $3. They were ok. A little chewy. I think that means they overworked the batter. They have savory (meats) and breakfast crepes too. They also have salads. The place is nice and modern and clean. It can seat alot of people. It's an order at the counter place. They are out of Tallahassee. They have beer (craft) and wine. It's near Amigo's or Ker's or Kohinoor. Most things are in between $6 and $8. They are open from breakfast through dinner.

Ms. Pat's Fish and Wings, Sanford

I achieved the seemingly impossible Friday night. I found a time when this fish and wing place was open for business. I had tried no fewer than five times before then (different days and times) to eat here. They don't have their hours listed on the door (or anywhere). The locals were always wrong (or disingenuous) with their information. It turns out that they work a nail grinding four nights a week (W-Sa). They had a sign that said they were starting lunch last Monday. Good thing I didn't believe them because when I asked they said that didn't happen. They had to have some indescribable cuisine to get a recommendation. They didn't. I had 8 wings with fries for $8. The wings were tiny. They did add two wings to even things out. They were fine. The fries were under cooked. It took twenty minutes to get the order out. I know wings take a while, but, I think they'd take that long on a sandwich. It seems like the slightest rush could overwhelm the single preparer (Pat). They also serve fried fish. I presumed the fish would be frozen so I avoided it. I saw a plate come out and it looked ok. Don't ask me why the have don't have fried chicken if they have fried fish. They must have at least two fryers if they have wings. The place has four tables that looked alot like the ones at Shantell's. I wonder if they have a relationship. The place is fairly new and clean. Four other groups came in after me. One ordered a burger and they didn't have any. One person had a huge to go order that could have gummed up the in house dining (I think it came in early enough that it didn't). They also have shrimp fried rice, shrimp, pork chops and a cheesesteak. They have six sides. It's on 4th St near Buster's. It has been open for a year. That is really more pub than they deserve. It's just too quixotic (in the sense that they are more in love with the dream of having a restaurant than operating one) for me. It's not a place an A type personality can appreciate.

Kathleen's Klozet, Sanford

I had a pot of tea and two little chicken salad sandwiches on a croissant at this replacement for Twisted Vine on 1st St this Sunday. It was $8 in total, I'm not sure of the breakdown. They have a daily selection of pastries and snacks. It seems to only have two tables of four to six and a counter. The owner said it is usually be reservation only. Both tables were full of women playing dress up for some one's birthday. The store also sells antiques. It's not (I won't say my cup of tea) exactly my sort of thing, but, I'm sure there of plenty of people who think otherwise. It totally fits in in the area and fills a need. It is mostly a day time experience at this point (still pretty new). They may extend hours if there is demand.

Pete's Eats, Longwood

I had a small Big Pete (Ham, Salami, Bacon) to go from this deli near the Longwood Rail Station on Friday. It cost $4. It was a salt bomb. Too many cured meats at once. Even the american cheese was salty. It was a good value though. The ham was of good quality. The salami was "brittle". They have around ten of your typical lunch sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches. They also may be the only ones who offer apple sauce and cottage cheese at this date and time. It's fine place to grab something for the commute, but, not a destination play. It has recently opened.

Vinzo's, Casselberry

I had a dinner to go at this very new Italian restaurant near Colorado Fondue Company off 436 on Friday. It's a replacement for a little pizzeria that was next door (same owner). I had a $3 slice that was huge. I was going to bitch about the price, but, it was the size of a slice and a half. It was ok. Not too much sauce (they say just Roma tomatoes) and a small crust. I thought it had too much cheese. I also had a 8" Chicken Parmigiana hero for $ 6. It was ok. Too little cheese. Both things came out in under three minutes, so, I guess it was pre-prepared and just assembled. That's the vibe I got from the place. They redid the interior very nicely, but, I fear that the food won't match up. They have a large menu and a few ambitious dishes. It's like they couldn't abandon the old "pizzeria" mindset. I hope they haven't "middled" their way out of a customer base or spent all this money just to keep their old clientele. There is a brewery opening up next door. Hopefully, that will pull people into this unfortunate location. It's right by the new overpass. That can't help an already floundering strip mall. It is also impossible to get back on 436 from the parking lot. They do have a competitive pricing strategy. The most expensive thing is $17 (shrimp dish). They have quite a few non-Italian options. To me that is a bad sign.

Royal Indian Cuisine, Casselberry

I had the buffet lunch at this new Indian restaurant on 436 on Friday. It has been open for ten days and replaced Brick and Fire. The inside has been decorated with light brick walls and the rear is cordoned off into a private area now. The buffet cost $10. I tried to try almost everything for you people. They had four chicken dishes - tandoori, butter, masalandar and one other (I think - Rogan). The tandoori was not undercooked like it can be in alot of places. The butter was a little salty and I think they shred the old tandoori for it. The other two were good and consisted of big chunks of breast meat. Both were in a red sauce. They had a light green daal and a mushroom dish for the vegetarians. They had basmati rice and a briyani with potatoes and other vegetables in it. They had a home made paneer dish. They had a dessert made of semolina and sugar that was pink. They had padam (I always see it called papadam) and naan. They also had a salad and condiment area that I didn't sample. They had one un-Indian dish which was a corn fritter/nugget. The service (2) was good. They gave me 3 refills. The owner is from Nepal. Maybe that means less frugality. The place seats about 60. It has representative art and photos from the region. The tables and seat are wood. It's not embarrassing itself. I wish them luck.