Grub/Pub Crawl - DeLand: Persimmon Hollow, Dally in the Alley (Closed) and Da Vinci's

I stopped here after the beach on Friday. They are all on W. Georgia Ave. in the city center.

Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company - I had one of their selections at another bar on Mills a few weeks ago. I tried a flight ($7) here to round out my knowledge. They were all good save a watery blond ale. The facility is engaging. All the metal tanks are visible behind the bar. They have a huge interior with a pool table, darts, juke box and mismatched dining tables and chairs. The staff was polite and knowledgeable. They have little, artisan snacks and you can order in from neighboring restaurants. They open at 4pm.

Dally in the Alley - Another Sentinel recommendation. I just had an app because I was stuffed from lunch and anticipated a night out in Orlando. I had the top neck clams (from Tampa) because I had never had those. The potatoes were a little raw (the chef humbly acknowledged that) and the clams a little overcooked, but, the cream and wine broth could have been a soup. I tried to soak up as much as possible with the slices of toasted baguette they included without making a spectacle of myself. The portion was more than generous. It could have been an entree. It cost $9. The menu was artful and ambitious. Things like parpadelle with a Meyer Lemon cream sauce. The chefs (3) seemed engaged, young and talented. The place is cute without being precious or derivative. It seats about forty. It's part of (Cress, De La Vega, Persimmon) what could be a new and sophisticated DeLand.

Da Vinci's - Across from Dally's. It's a saloon with a huge enclosed patio. I had one from their extensive beer selection and then headed home. I feared the police presence on a holiday weekend and the long drive back. It looks like it could be a party place. The crowd was a little salty at happy hour.

Dolphin View, New Smyrna Beach

I went to this seafood restaurant on Riverside Dr on Friday for lunch. It's on the left side of the bridge before it crosses over the intercoastal/river. It's in a marina. I went because the Sentinel put it on a list of places to try last summer and I already did those places last year. The view was great. The food was alot better than I expected. The vibe was fun and relaxed. There are now three places on this stretch of water. This is the least fussy of the three and maybe the most satisfying. The view is great. Sometimes you see dolphin or manatee and always boats and jumping fish. Most of the tables are right on the water. You order at a counter and they deliver it. I had a Flounder Rueben because it was the best value ($11) and allowed me to try their sides. The sandwich roll was good. The flounder (4 filets!) was perfectly fried. No oily residue. Crisp. Fresh flesh. Not like that ridiculous frozen door stop at the place in Astor. I asked for slaw instead of kraut and it was good. The grits were good. The waffle fries were perfect. They have four or five other sides like garlic mashed potatoes. They have baskets and sandwiches of fried things, Fish topped with other stuff. Your typical seafood shack stuff kicked up a notch. They have booze. If I had friends visiting, I think I'd choose this place over all the others for an authentic beach experience. They even allow dogs. They have a $20 night cruise that leaves from the dock. Perfect start to a day at the beach.

Olea, Maitland

I grabbed a pita to go at this Greek fast casual place on 17-92 (Orange Ave) last Thursday. Although, it has been there (near Francesco's) for eighteen months, I just noticed it last week while waiting for a car repair. I had a meatball for $7. It came with your choice of two spreads and unlimited veg. I chose hummus and tzatziki and cukes, tomato, onion and pickled onions. It was good. They also have falafel, gyro meat and chicken. They are available in a pita, salad or platter. The place is nice and white and blue and clean. It is a Greek Subway. You can get that crap or something good and different here for the same outlay.

Kappo, Audubon Park

After swinging and missing on two more spots on my list Thursday (not open for lunch), I decided it was late enough to try (for the fourth time) this minuscule Japanese booth in the East End Market. I still ended up waiting on hour, but, they squeezed me in at 3pm. It was worth the wait. I ordered a sashimi platter called the Big Something. It was supposed to be fourteen items (I think), but, they gave me more than that. Every item came in pairs or threes. It had two types of salmon, two types of sea bream, peeled octopus, arctic char, salmon roe with crab, two types of uni, raw shrimp, amberjack, clam, suzuki, and some other stuff I can't remember. Everything was fresh, fresh, fresh. The plating was exemplary. They cut and sliced up tiny lemons and key limes and layered them throughout. The wasabi was fresh as can be (grated as needed). They also added as little pile of moist, diced nori and a bowl of properly prepared rice. Then they ended the meal with a mushroom soup with some kind of (belly?) in it and a wonderful ice cream. They have sake and Japanese sodas and beer available. The water they serve doesn't taste like bad tap water. The vibe wasn't elitist at all. All the (7) customers were yaking it up with each other and the engaging staff. Helped by alcohol in some cases. They let us dilly dally because this was the last serving for lunch. I spent two hours there (flew by) and I was the first to eject. My food preparer was schooled at places in NYC like Morimoto and hailed from Miami. He was Filipino. I'm not sure if he was the major domo or owner or what. The meal cost $42 before tax (I think) and was one of the more expensive options. You could go upscale with a omikase option (around $60 I think) or try something ala carte-ish for around the teens. They also had a lot (including a lunch special) for around $20. This place probably secured the number one position in my mind for CF's Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere. The ingredients. The intimacy. The approachable exclusivity. It all works. I've had many omikase type services and they can be a little sterile, uptight and over priced. This is better than all those Zagat super stars in super star cities and half the price. I suggest the "second lunch" time slot (3pm) if you can schedule it in. They don't take reservations and you will probably find it full. It's not a secret to foodies. The couple next to me was from Wisconsin and read about it on Yelp. They are also closed on Mondays.

Patacon Con Todo, Universal

I grabbed something to go at this Colombian restaurant on Conroy Windermere Rd and Turkey Lake Rd after being thwarted on my first three desires on Thursday. I noticed this place a few months ago when I went to a Chinese spot nearby. I put this and a Japanese place next door (closed) on my list at that time. I chose the Patacon (plaintain) Original at $6 although I told myself this place would just act as a go between to my "real" lunch and was just going to get a $1 taco or $3 hot dog. I'm glad I "splurged". They covered a fried plaintain the size of a burrito tortilla with fantastic chicharron, shredded chick and shredded steak and cheese. Excellent and hearty. They also make quesadillas, ceviche, arepas, grilled meats, sandwiches, salads and daily specials. The place is rectangular. It's spartan in the decor, but, clean. It seats about fifty. It was about a quarter full. Closed on Sundays. Nice experience. Everything is under $10.

Grub Crawl - Astor: William's Landing and Castaways

I ate at these two restaurants on opposites sides of the St John (on 40) River today for lunch. I was trying to experience the area written about in The Yearling. I turned right on 19 after lunch and hit the Yearling Trail. I then went up to Palatka and came back down via 17. It's a pretty boring drive to be honest. I also forgot to search for the town she writes about in the book (I think it's Salt Springs) before I set out and I think I drove passed the place when it was right in reach (soon after the turn onto 19. I did see a big canal that they call the Cross Florida canal. Who knew?

William's Landing - This is atop The Blackwater Inn (my original destination - opens at 4pm). It's a snack bar above it. I had the daily special of a Cod Rueben for $7. It wasn't special. A frozen slab straight out of a box. Not much else. The macaroni salad was the highlight. Love it when soda, tax and tip costs me $12 for a Filet-o-Fish. The place is ratty. The selection is sad. I checked the menu at Blackwater. It wasn't much better. Fried crap. Probably frozen. Hard pass. Maybe bikers and people on Medicare medication don't know where to find the dine that is fine?

Castaways Bar and Grill - This was the unfancy place in town. They didn't take AMEX, so, I had to order something within the $8 in my wallet. Just as well because I didn't really want anything they had. I had a BLT for $6 because it was basically that or some fried crap that didn't sound local. Didn't see many guys in waders raking for clams. This place was even dirtier than William's. Menu was sad here too. You can bypass this place as well. The BLT was sloppy, but, not so bad. It came with fries (limp/undercooked).

The best place I saw in Astor was some road side Mexican food truck. You don't need to go here.

Tony's NY Pizza, Deland

I grabbed a slice on the way back from my meanderings today at this Italian restaurant on W. New York Ave. It was thin and good. It cost $2. They also tossed in some garlic knots that were tender in the middle, but, a little overcooked on top. They have the usual menu with the exception of a Calabrian pizza slice. Prices were good. The place looks like a saloon. It was a little messy. Spiderwebs on the lights, etc. The people were very nice. It seats around eighty. There were about a dozen people there at 3pm. They have been open for thirteen years.

Black Bear Smokehouse, Mount Dora - Closed

I separated this place out from the grub crawl because it isn't in the main town. It's on 40 (Donnelly St) and 441. It's the real reason I went to Mount Dora. I had Big Sexy (Brisket and Pulled Pork) with two sides for $10. My bill says the sides cost $1, so, I'm not sure if I could have just ordered the meat. The brisket was really smoky and peppery. It was also dry and very lean. I could swear I tasted a coffee rub. The pork was a little bit better. Still a little dry. They both needed bbq sauce which was not provided, but, may have been available on the tables. I chose potato salad and spoon bread for the sides. The potato salad was good. Wet. It has eggs, celery and onion in it. The spoon bread was a first for me. It is basically corn bread scooped into a mound. It was very sweet and had whole kernels in it. They have been open for three years. The original is in Ocala. The owners are from Kansas City and the barbeque is in that style. They have around eight things (bologna, chicken, etc). The inside is nice. Brick. It looks professional. It seats around eighty. It was pretty empty at 2pm. It's in a strip mall. It wasn't earth shattering, but, I think they are worth a look. Hopefully, you get a better example of their work than I did.

Grub Crawl - Mount Dora: Lakeside Inn, Vitality Bistro and Village Coffee Pot

I ate at these spots within the main town today for lunch.

Lakeside Inn - They have the same menu for a main dining room and a bar. I ate at the bar. I had a tomato pie for $12. It was ok. A quiche like thing with a side salad. Small portion. The menu at this place is pretty dull and overpriced. The dining rooms are decrepit. I think you can skip it. Tourist trap.

Vitality Bistro - This place is on the second floor of a building on N. Baker St. I had an orange juice for $5. It was ok. I hate health food places. the people in them always look sickly and they seem to prey on their fear with high prices. The staff always seems zoned out. The person before me was told she had to wait on a simple order even though it was the only one up. Pass.

Village Coffee Pot - I had an ice coffee because I found the simple fare overpriced. It cost $2 and was good. The owner says he has been there for 25 years. It's on Donnelly St. Another pass.

You can pass on the whole town for a while since they are ripping up the streets.

Taco Norteno, Winter Garden

I grabbed two tacos to go on my way out of town on Sunday. I had a barbacoa and a carnitas. Both cost $2. They came on two smallish, but, incredibly fresh tortillas with nothing on them but lots of meat. The carnitas was perfect. The barbacoa was good just different. The meat was very tender and moist and rich. Almost pastey. They have a nice menu (the usuals and things like sopes and tortas). North Mexican although the have a Mexico city taco category. The place was packed at two. Alot of Mexicans, but, a fair amount of gringos. The place is in between the scary quasi-market that authentic, cheap Mexican can come in and the trendy modern Mexican places. A respectable space. The salsa bar was well stocked, Watch out for the green puree. It's right after one of those main arteries (417?) if you are coming from Orlando on 50. I have bypassed this place on my way into WG for the last couple of years and always been mad at myself. I had reason to be. Good authentic Mexican cooking. They serve breakfast.

Grub Crawl - Winter Garden: Moon Cricket Grill, Axum Coffee, Crooked Can Brewing, David Ramirez Chocolates and The Wandering Wonton (Closed)

I went to these places on Plant St central and the new market down the road a bit on Sunday

Moon Cricket Cafe - I had a cheeseburger with fries for $9. It was better than I expected. They got the cheese right (gooey) which is the main thing. It was well done not medium (boo). The veg was fresh. The bun was good, The fries were excellent. Crisp, shoestrings with a nutty flavor (oil?) and a garlic dust. Lots of them. The building is one hundred years old. The restaurant has been there for thirteen. It looks like a saloon. They use reclaimed bowling lane wood for the bar counter and booth tables. There is a huge blimp propeller on the ceiling. They have 99 beers. They are smart enough to sticker the numbers on the glass on the refrigerator window. It has a stage (in the corner) for music. It is probably a better bar than restaurant. The menu is a little basic. It seats about forty in the ten booths and ten at the bar and ten at the high tops in the middle and thirty in the outside patio. Service was quick and polite and attentive.

Axum Coffee - I had a coffee at this place on Plant. It's a big coffee joint. Been here before, but, I forget if I wrote about it.

The rest of these places were in the new (two months). market. A great place. packed. Much better than the East End Market in Audubon.

Crooked Can Brewing Company - I had a flight for $8. Everyone was top notch. They have around sixteen brews and two ciders. Packed.

David Ramirez Chocolates - I bought a box of six for $10. Really good. Cinnamon Habanero, Jack Daniels ganache, hazelnut crunch, brownie, and assorted ganache. All in a fancy box. They also have macaroons and other treats. Articles posted near the register mentioned awards and something about a new show of Emeril's. As good as Jacque Torres in NYC. I thought the French owned chocolate.

The Wandering Wonton - I grabbed an assorted six pack (Rangoon and Egg and Bacon) for $5. The tops were a little crunchy.tough and the Rangoon had chive instead of faux crab, but, they were ok. I would guess that the owner is a event caterer that is repurposing her inventory.

There were two other food stalls and a host of others selling trinkets. There was a butcher and Axum coffee stall. Good looking crowd. Great ambiance.

Bowigens Beer Company, Casselberry

I've been waiting for these guys to open ever since I did that review of Vinzo's and saw the sign the had in the window. It's a brewery that serves their and other beer. Beer made on the premises. I had a flight (4) for $7 last night. Every one was great. The place is clean (smallish) and was pretty full. It's next to Colorado Fondue on Red Bug and 436. I think they have been open for a month or so. The name is a combo of the two owners/brewers.

Colorado Fondue Company, Casselberry

I went back (finally) to the scene of my first meal in CF last night. I've been meaning to, but, who goes to this area (Red Bug and 436) at night when they open? Not me, evidently. I only went back because a new brewery opened up next to them. I had an Alpine Swiss cheese fondue for two (only way they do it) for $12 and then ala carted shrimp, scallops and filet mignon for my entree. The cheese fondue was enormous. The cheese was ok. Needed Kirsch. I've been eating the real stuff in Switzerland since I was eleven, so, I'm kind of a snob. The bread was pretty bad. It also came with nacho chips (unflavored), apples, grapes, broccoli and carrot. I could live without all that. Maybe keep the apples. The shrimp (9) cost $6 and were pretty decent. The scallops (6) cost $8 and were also decent and large. The filet (5 pieces) wasn't a-one. It cost $8. I'd stick to the shrimp. A bargain. They don't give you hot oil or bouillon. Litigation? They give you a hot stone. Also fun. Service was good. The place was packed. It has a fun chalet feel. Two rooms (main and bar). Their alcohol selection was ok (craft brews). When I compare the $40 I dropped here versus the $50 I dropped at Two Chefs last week I want to puke. This place is great value. I could have gotten out at under twenty if I tried. They also had some fresh (3) dinner rolls ready for me. Still good after all these years.

Swine & Sons Provisions, Winter Park

I was intrigued at first when I heard the Cask & Larder people were teaming with a pal on this new sandwich shop next to C&L. Then I was slightly disappointed when I saw their menu (small and dull) through the window because they were closed on the Monday of my first attempt. Now I'm disappointed. I went here (Fairbanks) on Friday for lunch. I had their burnt ends sandwich for $10. I was a little curious as to how there could be enough "ends" for a lunch staple. When I have had them at a place like Arthur Byrant's, they always to seem to imply that these are scarce. I don't know where the rest of the brisket is going and after I had the sandwich, I think that they may be stretching the definition of "ends". I really didn't see anything resembling what I've tried before. It was more like the tough stewing meat you get at a Latin place or Chinese take-out. They were also overcooked. They gave me a slight sense of nausea right away and stayed in my system like a pernicious and queasy rock until they were thankfully expelled this morning. And I ain't that regular. They came on an ok bun with home made pickle slices. The pickles reminded me of the closet full of pickles we had to suffer through the Winter my mother decided to give up drinking (not sure that actually happened) and get herself a hobby. I've rarely seen a layman produce good pickles. They always get the spices or vinegar flavor wrong. As they do here. The place is cute in an old maid sort of way. It's small and they don't have enough seats by half. It was packed. You order at a counter. They only have seven sandwiches (one is a hot dog). They eight sides/apps. They serve C&L beer. No regular sodas. Just hippie sodas. Everyone was choosing the free water. They also seem to prep the sandwiches before hand for easy warming (not made to order). It reminded me of one of those "express" refrigerators for some name chef that you see at the airport. The butcher shop seemed to be the best part. However, do you really want a hipster making something that any Italian or German butcher can make in his sleep? If we are comparing it - to say Coop or Pig Floyd or that Meat Market around the corner - then I say that this wasn't really needed and doesn't stack up. I expected more because I like C&L. You can demote this on your list of places to try.

Crazy Eddie's, Longwood

I paid a pity call to this little Pizza and Grill today and ended up surprised. It's on N. Ronald Reagan in a mostly deserted old strip mall near that road that goes by Lake Mary High school. It was another pizza joint before, but, the new owners have been there for two years. Eddie is an Albanian via NYC. He seems to be a one man band and handles all the cooking. I had a slice of pizza and Chicken Marsala. The slice was $2, but, he gave it to me for free. It was thin. A little salty. It had a garlic flavor. The Marsala was $7 (lunch price) and came with noodles and a decent salad with plum tomatoes and cucumber in a balsamic vinaigrette. The chicken (two breasts) was smothered in mushrooms. I believe the fettuccine was actually noodles (Albanian spin) because they were too delicate to be made of semolina. Maybe I'm wrong. The dish was too salty, but, that was about all that was wrong with it. The chicken was moist. He also seemed to be giving out fresh baked bread like his life depended on it. One customer said he ate eleven pieces. They'll also smear some garlic butter on it. I had four pieces left and they packed that up for me. I'm not sure if he bakes the bread, but, it wouldn't surprise me. The guy next to me seemed to have a gorgeous calzone. That sounds gay. They also have stromboli, subs, salads, all the pasta combos and chicken made four ways. The lunch options are large and the great values. Most around $7. The place is clean inside. Eddie has the kitchen under control. He also seems like the kind of guy you want running a place like this. Gregarious. Serious. Generous. You aren't going to find a better value than this unassuming spot.

Turkish Bar & Grill, Altamonte Springs - Closed

I grabbed something for dinner at this new (1 week) Turkish spot on Douglas Ave (1st street that runs parallel with I-4) off 436. I tried the calf liver app because it was only $7 and I hadn't tried a Turkish version of that, ever. It was good and I'm not a huge liver fan. Nineteen pieces! Tender. Not too gamey. No stringy things. Slight Middle Eastern flavoring. It also came with some under done (probably because I was a to go order) fries, sliced tomato, and pickled onions. They also have the dips, lahmacun and pide (flatbreads), sigara boregi (feta taquitos), soup, stuffed peppers, gyro, kebab, breads, and desserts. The wine selection is ok and they have two Turkish wines. The exterior is exactly the same as the old Thai place that was here before. They should change that. The parking is also cramped. The inside has been cleaned up. It seats around eighty. They have posters of Istanbul landmarks on the wall and they have trimmed the room in green (A nationalistic color?). The tables and chairs are stained wood and looked new. The cooking seems Istanbul-ic in influence. Most main dishes are over $10. Smaller at $6. Turkish options aren't as rare as they used to be. That said, this place competes with them. Try and distinguish between regions now that that is a possibility.

Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar, Downtown - Closed

My luck on Friday ran out at this new Southern/Seafood/Cajun spot on North Magnolia (past the 7-11 on 50 on the right). What part of "Seafood Oyster bar" denotes southern/cajun? The Sentinel has been pimping it for months though it just opened a month ago. Its allure was supposed to be the two accredited chefs (Emeril's and some other hotel restaurant near a theme park). This is just another instances of two heads NOT being better than one. Or CF chefs being vastly over rated. The smallish menu might as well be split into different pages - his and mine. It has no synergy. There are Southern/Cajun dishes and then New Englandy dishes. And then some dross like hamburgers. I had a BBQ Shrimp app for $12 and a Fried Chicken entree for $12. Plus one raw oyster. The oyster ($2 per) was fresh. However, that's just purchased excellence. The plating was nice. The shrimp (4) were huge (good purchasing), but, they weren't all cooked evenly and some were raw in the middle and mushy at the edges. And don't start with the pink in the middle meat justification. We can't be applying that to shrimp now. It's bad enough some are trying to apply this to white fish. The sauce tasted like balsamic vinegar and warm piss. If you must use vinegar, don't use balsamic with bbq sauce. They also plated it with some fresh rosemary that leeched into the sauce and made it even more inharmonious. The plating was nice. The chicken was four pieces of the upper thigh for $12. It was beyond bland. Just fried skin. A piece from this area is hard to perfect because the meat is so exposed and minimal that the skin won't crisp to an eatable condition without drying out the meat. And the skin would supply some flavor if you are going for au naturel. And four pieces is too much. Keep two pieces and grant me a (what looked interesting selection) side. I know your business model relies on that extra purchase, but, it's a bad model. I can get three pieces (including) a breast cooked the same way at Dixie Fried Chicken. for $3 and change. The plating was mediocre. I think they source well. They just don't season or develop a menu well. And some of the price discrepancies were alarming. Nearly $30 for a turbot (bottom feeder) with a Parmesan crust. Parmesan?! Are we at Applebee's? Hello. Y2K called and said you were a relic. And people aren't going to come for the central location or ambiance or $8 a bottle (retail) wine list. The place is a retrofitted professionals' office. It only seats around forty. They have also accented the mostly white walls with another unfortunate color choice. The "open kitchen" looks like a Subway sandwich queue with clutter all over it. It's just not an attractive composition. It looks like two middle aged men decorated it. It does have the world's most extensive collection of AC ducts if that is a draw. Count 'em all if you can. Service was good and the food came out quickly. They seemed to care what their clientele thought. It was full and the attached bar room (looks hipper/better) was too. I just hope that the fat lady at the Sentinel (seems like a friend) doesn't blow smoke up our asses in today's review and give them the impression that everything is as good as it could or should be. The clientele didn't seem that discerning and if that is who they want to work for then maybe this is enough. However, I can't believe two professionals would want this to be their legacy. It's all fixable. But, I can't see (actually I can) how they opened so poorly with all the "experience" they espouse. They all mischarged (only by a dollar) for a glass of wine. Just a sign of sloppiness. Lower expectations if you go.

Carrie's Bistro, Longwood

I had lunch at the old Zorba's spot on 434 and Ronald Reagan on Friday. It's new (2 weeks). The old owner turned Zorba's (they retained alot of that menu) into a world cuisine restaurant for a challenge. I had oxtail stew with two sides for $10. The four oxtails pieces were fresh, tender, bountiful and tasty. I had rice pilaf and french fries as my sides. The rice was really just basmati rice (too dry and crunchy) infused with a nice flavor. It worked well with the meat. The french fries were fancified with a herb sprinkle. About half of them were a little too undercooked. These things can be fixed and are probably not indicative of the norm. The owner is from Zimbabwe and has Le Cordon Blue training. She has alot of fresh baked French treats and a few French entrees and starters. There is steak, bbq brisket, American wraps and melts, lamb stew, chicken curry and the aforementioned Greek fare (rotisserie chicken, gyros, kebabs, etc). Usually I would find a change like this a change for the worse, but, I trust that she can prepare such a melange. I also trust her to mix it up. The place looks the same. It's a small, modern, clean, rectangular space that seats around thirty. The owner assured me everything is made to order and that bulk provisioning is a no-no. Pricing is sound. The most expensive dish is $11 for a T Bone. Most things are $8-$9. They have beer and wine. I was very pleased with the change and I liked the old place. It's not in the most convenient location, but for those of you who live in the area, this may be more than you deserve.

Milan, Longwood - Closed

I grabbed a lasagna to go at this new (2 weeks) Italian spot at the corner of 434 and 17-92 on Friday. I'm pleased to announce that this is just a reboot of the old Romansa restaurant that just closed down. It's the same owners, but, they must have come to the conclusion that Serbian (I think) cuisine was a hard sell in these parts. Thankfully, they have kept six authentic dishes on the menu. The rest is your typical American Italian fare - pizza, subs, pasta, burgers, meat, etc. The lasagna was $7 and came with a damn good field green salad and atrocious garlic bread made with a hot dog roll (please change that). The lasagna was also surprisingly good. I had it the next day for lunch and it held up to the microwave and night in the fridge. The pasta sheets were thin. The cheese covering seemed to be of a superior quality than most. It was more meat heavy than ricotta heavy. I can't even confirm it had any. But, I was hungover when I ate it. They have alot of reasonably priced lunches. Subs are $8. They have an interesting sounding Cevapi burger. The entrees peak at $18 (fish) and average around $14. Pizza was $8. I think they have the menu and pricing at a really attractive level. The atmosphere is a little weird. It still smacks of Eastern European gangsterism (maybe a plus). It reminded me of certain places in certain parts of certain cities where a certain type of clientele who seemingly have no day job loiter all day and night. The color scheme is still gypsy red and black. The furniture is restaurant salvage. It's a big place with two rooms. there were around twelve people there at lunch. Their happy hour starts at 3pm. They have live music on the weekends. The food took a little while to come out, but, I think it was more an issue of making it fresh than incompetence. I really hope that the reboot makes it more acceptable to the public and that will allow the more adventurous members of the community to have a chance to experience Serb cuisine.

Daybreak Diner, Curry Ford Rd

I had breakfast on Sunday at this diner near Charlie's (see two posts ago). I was on may way back from Vegas and needed some TLC fo my T O M E. I had a ham scramble (first time) with cheddar cheese for $7. The benedicts were over priced as usual and I didn't want what went with the other plates at around $9. Unsurprisingly, the eggs were diner-tastic. Flat, tough sheets of yellow that look like novelty throw up. Can't you beat any air into the eggs? Ever! Can't you scramble the eggs when on the grill? Ever! It's not an omlette. And an omlette shouldn't be cooked that way either. These diner atrocities should be given therir own classification. The ham cubes cubes and cheese were alright. I didn't touch the two pieces of toast, but, they looked ok. The hash browns were more voluminous than good. A little raw. The soda was overpriced at $2.50 and I wasn't asked about a refill. The place looks older than the nine years they have been there (17 somewhere else). It's a dump with Packer junk, photos of customers, bric a brac and "student" art on the walls. A readl dive. Some like that. It seats about eighty in two rooms. A lot of golden oldies were there for what looked like their one day out of the cage. Sad. I find diners to be poor values. But, people like them and there isn't much around here open before noon on a Sunday.

Pho Curry Ford, Curry Ford Rd (Closed)

I ate at this Vietnamese restaurant two Saturdays ago at lunch. They made me one piece of shrimp paste wrapped with dried bean curd (usually an entree) for $4 and a Banh Mi Bo Kho (stewed beef soup with a baguette) for $8.50. I think a soda was $1 like it should be. The paste was ok. The curd acts as a wonton wrapper. The soup was in the banh mi section and doubled as a pho. You could drink the soup or drip the bread or pull out some beef like I did and make a sandwich. The broth was very dense. The beef was tender and abundant. A good selection. They have the usual menu categories. Sometimes it's hard to find a full representation of the varoius Viet items. No problem here. They said it used to be a Cajun spot. It's near Za Za Cuban across from Charlie's (see previous post). They chose some putrescent colors for the paint job. It was definetlty a non-professional job. I keep seeing these atrocious shades lately. I think it looked different at the store or mixed poorly with the old color. I hope. It seats about seventy. It was about a third full. It's a Mom and Pop op. southern Vietnam. All the furniture was salvage, but, they try and gussy up the joint with flowers and X-mas lights. A few more live plants may help. I am concerned that the European/Latin style AC unit is enough for the summer heat. All in all, not bad. They have been open for one month.

Charlie's Gourmet Pastries, Curry Ford Rd

I grabbed a cinnamon roll at this bakery on Curry Ford and Michigan/Crystal Lake two Saturday's ago. The cross street starts as Michigan off I-4 then turns into Crystal Lake if I am not mistaken. They said that they have been in business for 37 years, I think. They have a huge selection of pastries, cakes, danish, pies, cookies, cheese cakes, etc. My roll was ok and cost $2. I can't even begin to describe the selection. It's a wide swath of cultures. I would expect the quality to be more Main Street than gourmet or Champs Elysee. See if I'm wrong. 37 years in business says otherwise. I'm not a sweets guy, so, it ain't up to me.