I went to these bars last night.
Tin Roof - I went just for a pre-dinner beer and stayed for some apps. It's below the new ferris wheel. They have been open for two months. It's a chain from Nashville. They tout live music. After I got swindled into a $7 beer, I forgave them (because of the menu) and tried calamari and pork rinds for $9 and spiced bacon popcorn for $3.50. The calamari was soggy. The breading fell off. The pork rinds were very good. They outnumbered the squid three to one. The whole serving was small (in a little pail). The popcorn (black kernels) was very good. The bacon in it was meaty and crisp. It came in the same little pail. The place has a huge American Flag painted on wood planks in back of the stage. It has a ramshackle appearance. Not much of a crowd at eight. There is a four or five level, free, covered garage for the places here. The menu had alot of unique plays on traditional dishes. Not your typical paint by the numbers menu for a chain.
McFadden's - A large Irish bar that just opened seven days ago. It's behind Tin Roof in the strip Mall that has Sleuth's. Nice staff. I just had a $5 PBR. Empty. Vanilla Ice is coming on Aprill 11 I think. Another free parking lot in this strip mall.
Cafe 34 Istanbul - I decided to ditch my original dinner idea and have a Chicken Donner Gyro here. The chicken was dry and tasteless. The pita was from a bag. It cost $9. The fries were good and saved the meal. It's hard to compliment this cuisine in general because it's just (over priced) bad meatballs or chunks of flesh served with dips of gross vegetables (not a powerhouse location for produce), but, this basic dish underwhelmed. There was only one guy doing all the work. Most people seemed to be there for the Hookah terrace. They are next to Hanamizuki. I think they said they opened in January. Open until 3am.
Drip - This is a bar that has a nightly performance art spectacle that showers the audience in dye. Dancing is also involved. Good thing I didn't go here first as planned and missed the spray. It's literally in the back of the Denny's near Howl at the Moon. I had a $5 beer (ok selection) and would have stayed to chat with the leftovers from the show, but, the lot I parked in made it seem like a towing was eminent. I think they said this has been going on for two years.
King's - I went back to the Cafe 34 strip mall to look into this bowling alley/bar. It's really nice. However, I'm sure that the owners feel like Louis Roederer or Tommy Hilfiger if you get my drift. Who knew black people have to bowl? I had a $6 beer. I think this is fairly new.
Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill - This is on the other end of I drive in the Artegon Marketplace. someone invested serious coin in this behemoth. It was empty at midnight. It looks great. They had a seemingly professional band playing for about twenty people. They didn't put prices on their menu. The drink were weird concoctions of moonshine and fire ball whiskey. There is a huge guitar ceiling. Lots of wood and aluminum siding. A young Mama June and a bartender with a short wig and cellulite sticking out of her Lee booty shorts were there. This could be an epic failure if the crowd is always like that.
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Sunday, March 22, 2015
Grub Crawl - E. 50: Jet's, Smashburger, Tomasino's and Peteys
I knocked out these misfits on Wednesday after my first choice turned out to be in Japan on vacation. They are all on 50 near the Mall.
Jet's Pizza - This is a chain, conveyor belt pizza place ala Wing Zone that just opened in November. It's next to Kabooki Sushi. I had a Sicilian slice that turned out not to be half bad. It was a slight bit smaller than the usual slice. It had an almost deep dish-like crisp bottom. It cost $2 and came with four circles of pepperoni (Hormel-ish). They hail from up north. I think this is the first or second branch here. They also have no pizza dishes.
Smashburger - I've eaten at this chain in NYC and San Diego. I had a classic burger for $5. It's ok. The veg was a little wilted. Nice bun. The burger isn't as good as Shake Shack. I think it replaced a place called Broadway Burger. They serve chicken too.
Tomasino'sPizza - This is in the strip mall that has Total Wine. It replaced another pizza place two years ago. I had a slice of pizza for $2. It was good. Thin (crust too) with natural sauce, They have pasta, wings, subs and baked specialties. They have a pizza eating challenge. They have another location on Red Bug.
Peteys Pizza - This place is in the strip mall across from the Total Wine strip mall. It has been a few pizza joints before this owner (two years now). The slice ($2) had burnt cheese and the sauce was salty (marinara). The slice was too thick. They make stromboli, calzones, subs, seafood, chicken, eggplant and pasta. A typical menu.
Jet's Pizza - This is a chain, conveyor belt pizza place ala Wing Zone that just opened in November. It's next to Kabooki Sushi. I had a Sicilian slice that turned out not to be half bad. It was a slight bit smaller than the usual slice. It had an almost deep dish-like crisp bottom. It cost $2 and came with four circles of pepperoni (Hormel-ish). They hail from up north. I think this is the first or second branch here. They also have no pizza dishes.
Smashburger - I've eaten at this chain in NYC and San Diego. I had a classic burger for $5. It's ok. The veg was a little wilted. Nice bun. The burger isn't as good as Shake Shack. I think it replaced a place called Broadway Burger. They serve chicken too.
Tomasino'sPizza - This is in the strip mall that has Total Wine. It replaced another pizza place two years ago. I had a slice of pizza for $2. It was good. Thin (crust too) with natural sauce, They have pasta, wings, subs and baked specialties. They have a pizza eating challenge. They have another location on Red Bug.
Peteys Pizza - This place is in the strip mall across from the Total Wine strip mall. It has been a few pizza joints before this owner (two years now). The slice ($2) had burnt cheese and the sauce was salty (marinara). The slice was too thick. They make stromboli, calzones, subs, seafood, chicken, eggplant and pasta. A typical menu.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Doug and Lil's Potato Patch, DeLand
I had a really good egg, ham and cheese sandwich to go here two Sundays ago. It cost $5. A lot of ham that actually touched the griddle (that's a proper use of the word actually and not a superfluous add on girls). It's right in between Stetson and their stadium on Woodland. They say it is year 16 in business. It was packed or I would have sat down. The place is, let's be honest, a dump. It's an old-fashioned cafe in something that was probably once a home. A big, prototypical Southern cafe menu. They only accept cash. Prices were good. They close at 2pm. Closed on Monday.
Grub Crawl - Winter Park: Umi and Parkview
I went to these two places on Park Ave after Brass Tap two Saturday's ago.
Umi - This place near the 7-11 has been a host of Japanese places over the years. This version is pretty good. I had 2 pieces of salmon ($4 each), squid (listed as $2 each but they tried $4) and tuna ($3 each) nigiri. The salmon was ok. The squid was excellent (snappy, firm). The tuna was ok (tasted of lemon). They prepared their rice properly. Firm kernels/grains and not too vinegary. I also had two things from the robata. Tsukune (two meat kabobs at $4) that gave me a little indigestion and bacon enoki ($6) which consisted of six bacon wrapped morsels. Prices were a little all over the place. Who has salmon more than tuna? I just realized they hosed me on that one too. It says $3 for salmon on take out menu. They price sushi by the piece, but, you have to order two minimum. Lunch is not so special at $14 and $16 for very meager portions of sushi or sashimi. I don't feel like parsing the menu. Just go and be selective. The chef/owner is Korean. There is some cross over. The place looks the same. They have some unique imports. It was better than I expected.
Parkview - It was a wine bar. Now it is a wine/beer bar. They have a Wellington on the menu and I keep saying I'll try it and I can't work it in. Could only work in some terrible barrel aged beer this time as well. Similar to what it was. Maybe a bit more experimental. It looked like it was in the hands of a Polish family now. Cute girls. I left at 11pm because of a road trip to Texas that started the next day at 9am.
Umi - This place near the 7-11 has been a host of Japanese places over the years. This version is pretty good. I had 2 pieces of salmon ($4 each), squid (listed as $2 each but they tried $4) and tuna ($3 each) nigiri. The salmon was ok. The squid was excellent (snappy, firm). The tuna was ok (tasted of lemon). They prepared their rice properly. Firm kernels/grains and not too vinegary. I also had two things from the robata. Tsukune (two meat kabobs at $4) that gave me a little indigestion and bacon enoki ($6) which consisted of six bacon wrapped morsels. Prices were a little all over the place. Who has salmon more than tuna? I just realized they hosed me on that one too. It says $3 for salmon on take out menu. They price sushi by the piece, but, you have to order two minimum. Lunch is not so special at $14 and $16 for very meager portions of sushi or sashimi. I don't feel like parsing the menu. Just go and be selective. The chef/owner is Korean. There is some cross over. The place looks the same. They have some unique imports. It was better than I expected.
Parkview - It was a wine bar. Now it is a wine/beer bar. They have a Wellington on the menu and I keep saying I'll try it and I can't work it in. Could only work in some terrible barrel aged beer this time as well. Similar to what it was. Maybe a bit more experimental. It looked like it was in the hands of a Polish family now. Cute girls. I left at 11pm because of a road trip to Texas that started the next day at 9am.
Pub Crawl - Mills Park: Segafredo and Brass Tap
I guess Virginia and Mills is now Mills Park. I went to these two new bar/restaurants about a week ago on Saturday night.
Segafredo - I tried to find something on their boring beer and wine menu, but, settled for a coffee. I finger high pour in a porcelain shot glass. It cost $2 and looked like dip juice. Tasted burnt. I will give them kudos for the piece of chocolate and shot of water it came with. Let's get this out of the way. I don't get coffee. I associate it with second period craps in between classes in high school. I've tried to get with the program. If I want caffeine, I'll have a Coke. It's cool and refreshing. Cold (and sugar) wakes you up not hot. I don't want black soup as a beverage. I can do it with a Grappa or some Cognac at the end of a meal, but, that's it. You people act like it is Cocaine. The food selection was likewise uninspired. It looks ok. A little "chainey" not in a Dick type of way. They have a deck on the ceiling (was tented b/c of rain that night). I assume that chicks (especially those who can't differentiate real sophistication from manufactured) will dig this place and guys (who don't own a Vespa or skinny jeans) will prefer their next door neighbor.
Brass Tap - Introducing "the neighbor". I wanted to hate this place. I clenched my fist in anger over another "craft" bar. The band wagon has left the station! Yet, they may have it down perfectly (or acceptably). Take all the strong points of their competition and they may have the most check marks in the most boxes out of all of these places. The beer selection was pretty large and diverse. Wine was less impressive, but, not a toss out. Prices were good to cheap. The food looked ok and had one or two unique items. They actually listed their prices. The place was a good size and the acoustics were alright. No beatnik acoustic guitar dweeb to have to do a Bluto (Animal House reference) on. Staff was knowledgeable. Crowd was washed and sociable. The have sports on the TV's. I can't remember where they started, but, this is the only Florida (maybe CF) location. They have twenty or so locations. Parking is a bitch.
Segafredo - I tried to find something on their boring beer and wine menu, but, settled for a coffee. I finger high pour in a porcelain shot glass. It cost $2 and looked like dip juice. Tasted burnt. I will give them kudos for the piece of chocolate and shot of water it came with. Let's get this out of the way. I don't get coffee. I associate it with second period craps in between classes in high school. I've tried to get with the program. If I want caffeine, I'll have a Coke. It's cool and refreshing. Cold (and sugar) wakes you up not hot. I don't want black soup as a beverage. I can do it with a Grappa or some Cognac at the end of a meal, but, that's it. You people act like it is Cocaine. The food selection was likewise uninspired. It looks ok. A little "chainey" not in a Dick type of way. They have a deck on the ceiling (was tented b/c of rain that night). I assume that chicks (especially those who can't differentiate real sophistication from manufactured) will dig this place and guys (who don't own a Vespa or skinny jeans) will prefer their next door neighbor.
Brass Tap - Introducing "the neighbor". I wanted to hate this place. I clenched my fist in anger over another "craft" bar. The band wagon has left the station! Yet, they may have it down perfectly (or acceptably). Take all the strong points of their competition and they may have the most check marks in the most boxes out of all of these places. The beer selection was pretty large and diverse. Wine was less impressive, but, not a toss out. Prices were good to cheap. The food looked ok and had one or two unique items. They actually listed their prices. The place was a good size and the acoustics were alright. No beatnik acoustic guitar dweeb to have to do a Bluto (Animal House reference) on. Staff was knowledgeable. Crowd was washed and sociable. The have sports on the TV's. I can't remember where they started, but, this is the only Florida (maybe CF) location. They have twenty or so locations. Parking is a bitch.
Mynt, Winter Park
I had lunch at this new Indian restaurant in Hannibal Square a little over a week ago. It's a sister restaurant to Saffron on Sand Lake. I was pleased. I had a Bhuna Shrimp lunch special for $13. Other lunch specials were cheaper (by $2-3). It all came together in little stacked, polished steel serving bowls. Bowl one was a healthy lentil soup (not gooey or over-salted). Bowl two was a potato and pea samosa, Not greasy. Bowl three was basmati rice. A little dry. Bowl four was the shrimp in a tomato/ginger sauce. The shrimp (3) were big and firm. "Nice restaurant" shrimp. The sauce was robust. When you added in the fresh (nice) Naam and the Papadam, it was an excess of food. And good rice pudding for dessert. The menu is a cut above most Indian places (in quality and design). I'm sure if you asked them they would say they are trying to refine the rustic Indian experience. Surprisingly, the prices are still within reach or parallel with some of their less innovative rivals. The lunch menu offers a decent selection of items available at $10 to low teens. And the dinner menu peaks at $30 for a lamb shank and $28 for a whole sea bass or $24 for King Prawns. The low mark is $18 for kebabs and some chicken dishes. I didn't include vegetarian dishes in the discussion. The chicken dishes may be high, but, the lamb is the same price. Apps are $5-$10. I usually go for lunch in any case because I find Indian a little over priced. All you can eat lunch buffets have spoiled me. The place is tiny. It seats about twenty. It is located in what was a French restaurant and then some farm to table place (across from Dexter's). It's decorated with a neo-lavish minimalist elan. Service was good. I went late and it was raining, so, it wasn't very crowded. They have been open for two months. I didn't love the three dollar sodas.
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