I went to these places on or off S. Orange near Belle Isle on Saturday afternoon.
Vanbarry's - The third time is not the charm for this year old gastropub from the Ollie's and Finnhenry's guys. And given that those lackluster places predated this one, I'm not surprised. All places like this do is give the great white masses more expensive versions of the old pub slop. They try and make it au courant, but, they rarely deliver a better mousetrap. Their ill bred customers barely notice the hoodwink. The prime example for this meal and this spot was their short rib bowl at $9+. Boston Market has a pot roast frozen tv dinner that is the spitting image/tasteage. Even the over reduced, salt-acious "sauce" compares. Here's a tip. Don't salt it until AFTER the diluting solution (that's water) has evaporated by half. You just might have twice as much salt as it warrants if you do it your way. The beef had a game-y taste and wasn't exactly falling apart. The potatoes and veg were ok. I can't imagine this meat in a taco (one of their items). The best part of the meal was the pickle jar. And I just got through ripping the self-pickle guys in a previous article. I ordered it for the onion rings. They were one inch wide and the beignet the coating wasn't cooked through. Oil not at 350. The menu was very Mexi-centric. That and copy cat burgers and sandwiches dominated the menu. The place looks casual. Lived in. Any real estate agents want to translate that? They have patio chairs in the main room. Most of the seats are uncomfortable high tops. They have a patio. It seats over 100. It's across from that Julie's Waterfront place. I'd skip it if you don't have infinite dining game plays.
Uncle Henry's - This is a cafe that closes at 2 pm. I reviewed one in Winter Park (these guys say it closed) previously. I had a chicken fried steak sandwich to go for $6. It came with chips. It was fine. I'm sure it comes frozen and they just have to fry it. Bun was fresh. I don't think it needed to be buttered. But, I can see my toes. The place is kind of gritty. Uncle Henry (a 80 year old white guy) seems to start these then sell them and watch them go under. The current owners have had control for two years. The location has been open for ten. It has breakfasts and lunches. You turn onto Hansel (I think) from Orange. People were nice.
Stone Fired Pizza - A dinky Italian place in a stand alone shack off S Orange and Hoffner. I just grabbed a slice for $1.75. Pretty Bad. Chewy crust with undertones of soap water (did he grab it with soapy fingers?). Too white cheese - origin unknown. Salty. Spicy sauce. They also serve pasta, salads, sandwiches cals and stroms. Would go undrafted if we did that with restaurants.
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