Grub Crawl - I Drive: Ichiban and Pao Gostoso Bakery

I went to these places on the north side of I Drive today for lunch.

Ichiban - I was dreading this encounter and they didn't disappoint. It's an Asian buffet that unconsciously provides you with a theme experience. That theme would be - holiday soup kitchen or post disaster gymnasium. The lunch buffet is $8. I used a 10% of coupon to see if they would cop out. They kind of didn't. They only discounted the buffet portion. That's a whopping eighty cents. You have to buy a two dollar soda to qualify for the discount. The only items that I dared to try were some sushi and butter shrimp and a fried crab claw. The crab claw was just paste fried around a crayfish claw. That is the funniest thing ever tried. The frozen crab claw they usually use is bad enough. The shrimp were ok. The sushi scared me. You can't take a culinary concept that requires better ingredients and use the worst of breed. They were using talapia! And talapia that had it's corners curling. I'm not sure if that was what did it or if it was the sale priced sausage from Publix (every sale item they sell is spoiled) I had last night, but, I had to use their two stall (not enough and already full by the way) restroom after plate one. *If you are observant enough, you will notice I said plate one - to my eternal shame. There were others even after the IBS*. They also tried some rainbow rolls, etc that did have ok salmon. That makes them less cheap than Koy Wan (who incidentally tried to tack on an extra $5 to my last signed receipt). The tuna was paler than me and they used talapia again. I had some ok spicy tuna rolls and avocado rolls. The real issue is the crowd and the cleanliness. They can't do much about the customers. They try and shelter their own people by having a "yellows" only side. And perhaps the "untouchable" people also create the mess. The carpet was littered with food and utensils. My cup was sticky. The rags I saw them "cleaning" the tables with could start a "Genesis"  like project on a lifeless planet. And of course the place was packed. I think it has been there for about a year. They didn't take any prizes and they didn't take Amex either.

Pao Gostoso Bakery - This place is in a little Brazialian enclave across from Sonic. They say they have been there for six years. I may have been here before. It's just a little bakery for sweets and hand held meals. I had a Chicken Esfirra for $3 and a Chicken Frango for $2. The first was a triangular soft roll with cheese and chicken inside. It was fresh even after a date with a microwave. The other item was a tiny, biscuit like chicken pot pie (sans veggies). Also, fresh. They had around ten sweets and ten savory items. They didn't list the prices. The place has three, connecting, open rooms. A patio. A main area. A tv room. Not bad.

La Calle, OIA

I grabbed dinner to go at this Puerto Rican restaurant on 436 on Monday. It is in the strip mall that is the second from the airport. I think Publix (not Walmart) is the main tenant. The menu seemed better than what they served me. I had limited time and free hands, so, I just had a Pernil con Barbacoa sandwich for $7. It wasn't good. To start with, the owner/cook coughed right in it. She was moving slower than a lazy healthy person could, so, I assume she dragged herself off her sick bed to keep the gears moving. That is admirable up until the point that you infect all your customers. I was getting on a plane, so, I figured I was doomed anyway. It turned out that either I'm "Zika free" since 2003 or she wasn't that contagious. The pork was like the worst dark meat leftovers from Thanksgiving that your mother pawns off on you while you are getting into the car to leave. Slimy, undercooked, membrane coated, tough pork. Obviously not cooked long enough. Straight out of the buffet display. Gross. I had to pry apart the flesh with my hands. It was too much work for my teeth on their own. It came with purple cabbage slaw and an isipid, store bought barbeque sauce. She pressed it. Took another ten minutes. The roll was the best part. It's a shame because she had some interesting items. Mofongo in a pot pie like pastry cup. Can Can pork chop. They have been open for around a year. The space is small. It is decorated in a feminine way.

Grub/Pub Crawl - Mills Ave: Black Rooster Taqueria, Guesthouse and Thirsty Topher

I went to these place last Friday night. The first two adjoin near Virginia across from Pig Floyd. The last is down towards the train tracks on Virginia.

Black Rooster Taqueria - They finally opened either the Tuesday before this or the Tuesday before that. Local fish wrap have had them opening ever since the Spring. I had the guacamole for $6 and a meatball sopes for $3 and an achiote pork soft taco for $4. The guacamole was freshly made to order and had a perfect chip to dip ratio. The chips were fresh too. The sopes was excellent. A mix of beef and pork with beans and a nice mole. The taco was good. I know it is weird coming from me, but, I thought it could use some/any salt. The place is small. You order and fight for a seat and they bring it to you. It was jammed. The menu is small. What I ordered plus a shrimp ceviche, four other tacos, two salads and two bowls. That's it. Not sure if they are starting small until they get into a groove or if this is all it is going to be. It's ok. Alot of competition in this food space. I didn't think we needed it when I heard about it and I'm still not sold. Not because they don't measure up. Because there is saturation.

Guesthouse - This is a little bar next door. I think it has been open for five months. The center is all bar. It has a Spartan sophisticated feel. Part mixology nonsense, part craft brew, part lounge. It had a clean crowd that was diverse in almost all the ways that can be. It's a pleasant boite. I'm not sure, but, the space may have been some kind of dark, comfy bar before this. I always get confused by the layout on Mills.

Thirsty Topher - Like the Irish girlfriend in Caddyshack, "Iams told" that they just moved here from down the street. It's a little craft brew bar with a back patio. It's kind of like Celery City in Sanford. Maybe that's just because they have the same video menu that hides the prices from you. I think it is a Rollins favorite. The crowd had some groups (why always in fours) that could have fit that description and older folk. They had a food truck selling pizza outside. Look for the marshmellow pie. I don't get why there is a buzz about it, but, I don't have any complaints about it either. Other than the complaint I have for all three of these places - lack of parking.

Grub Crawl - I Drive: Boi Brazil, Sugar Factory and Paramount Fine Foods (Closed)

I went to these places yesterday for lunch/ The first is off Kirkman on the north end and the other two are at the Ferris wheel.

Boi Brazil - I expected this review to be unkind. They really surprised me. To start with, I don't love these kinds of establishments. If I'm going to be impelled towards gluttony, I don't want it to be something that takes days to digest. I've bypassed this place numerous times because I knew I would still look pregnant come the weekend. And there is always a chance that a stranger might see me naked on the weekend. Although, it seems to be the case that a belly full of meat isn't as bad as one filled with carbs. Especially if you forgo carbonated beverages. I will say that all the passengers are still on the train at this point in time though. This place is a Brazilian churasscuria. They prepare ten skewers of meat that they bring table side. They also include a "buffet" of salads, pasta, soup, etc. I tried ten things. Some multiple times. Everything was good. I had sirloin, top sirloin, tritip, garlic steak, sausage, chicken drumstick, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, parmesan crusted pork chop. lamb, and maybe another type of sirloin. I really liked the tritip and steak. I also had a sample of cous cous, tabouli, chicken salad, potato salad, beets, tomato and mozzarella and a sauce that I think was meant for the spaghetti. All were fresh. The beets and mozz tasted soapy. Maybe the plate was soapy in that area. They also provided some interesting "rolls" that were more like popovers and were called bao de something. I think they were warm. I didn't taste until the end of the meal. I would say that the $25 buy in ($5 more at dinner) is a little steep unless you have a Homer Simpson like stomach. However, I've spent $17 on four wings and a tritip sandwich at 4 Rivers. So, I guess that isn't that outrageous. It helps that the free magazines around I Drive have a coupon that drops the price to $21. The water wasn't disgusting, so, you can save three more bucks if you stick with that. The price is equivalent to Fogo or Texas. I was worried that this place wouldn't provide the same selection and the ambiance is obviously less apparent. However, they compare equally on meat. I don't think the other two have a coupon. The decor is a little shabby. It feels a little cheap. It seats about sixty. It started getting full as I ate. They have been there for two years. They own the terrible pizza place next door and what was called Nelore in Winter Park. I was prepared to tell you to avoid this place. Now I would say that it has good, fresh food. Use a coupon. There are some other places that charge less. They have less meat selections.

Sugar Factory - This is a candy/ice cream restaurant chain that is in around eight other cities. There is some affiliation with the Jenner Kardashian girls. The restaurant part is only open at night. It has a Cheesecake Factory feel. The menu is way smaller and is mostly desserts, crepes and around ten meals. They have a Sunday brunch with a full menu. I had a strawberry ice cream (1 scoop) for $4. I was fluffy and didn't taste like it was concocted with natural ingredients. It looks nice. Very white (color not race). It's not cheap. An impressive looking ice cream sandwich was $10. They have been open for three months.

Paramount Fine Foods - This is apparently a Canadian chain. They are opening up in Lake Mary (old Lime locale) and Downtown. It's Lebanese style Middle Eastern cuisine. I just had a falafel sandwich to go for $6. It was ok. It may have been better if I ate it right away. It needed more sauce. The falafels were a little dry. They added pickled turnips (I think), parsley, tomato and green peppers. The menu is typical: shwarma, kebabs, kafta, dips, sujuk (sausage), burgers, etc. They also do pizza and manakeesh (Middle Eastern pizza). They said that they started as a service less endeavour, but, now they have that. The place is big. It seats around eighty. It has a glass waterfall at the entrance. The seats have an alligator pattern. The inside is mostly dark earth tones. The kitchen is in the back. They have a dessert counter and a take out counter in the middle. I missed the lunch specials. They may need some more bus boys. Alot of the tables were still a pig sty. I'm not sure if they get alot of children or adult customers that act like them. Lunch specials end at 2pm. They have been open for nine months. The serve breakfast. Alot of Middle Eastern looking families were eating there. They are behind the Shake Shack.

Brigadoon Old Florida Fish Camp, Port Orange

I hit this place last night on my way back from Hilton Head. Where I had a respectable seafood shanty meal at a place called Hudsons. So, it is possible. No luck here. I ended up here because place number one had a forty minute wait and place two was just another outpost of that Hidden Treasures place I already tried. This place is on the south side of a bridge/bay on US 1. Take 95 to 421 and make a right on US 1. Or take 14 to 46 (NSB) to US 1 North. It's really a small bar with only outdoor seating (6 picnic tables). They were closing, so, I just had a tuna poke for $11. It was terrible. Bad, warm, mushy tail meat. Small portion. A bad soy/teriyaki sauce. Rice as mushy as grits. Ok slaw. The menu is small. Wings, burgers, salads with some fried items, poke, steamed stuff and this and that. The one saving grace is that they have blue crabs. Service was friendly. The menu says they were established in 2015. They have a bait and tackle shop and what appears to be a retail seafood shop.

Boondocks, Wilbur By The Sea

I tried this seafood shack on the intercoastal (S. Peninsula Dr) for lunch on Tuesday. You take 95 to 421 (Dunlawton) across the bridge and hang a right onto Atlantic Ave then a right onto Marcell about a mile down. It bears to the left at the water. I went because it was on that regional list in the Sentinel. It was ok. Nothing special. It's like many of our blue collar tourist traps. I mean what will it take to salvage this genre. I've seen them resurrect bbq, cupcakes, coffee, Mexican, Asian, tubed meat, beer and many other food categories. Can't the chefs of America do something with the dockside seafood shanty? I'm embarrassed to be a Floridian (hell an American) while these places are the best we offer. It's an insult to the seafood we murder. This place was ok for the company it keeps - as I said. I had a special of fried shrimp and clams for $9. It came with over salted and over bay seasoned fries. The clams were the usual frozen blend. The shrimp probably was too, but, they weren't the most suspicious I've ever had. They weren't oily. I think that was more of a result of them being batch fried and left under a heat lamp. They came out in thirty seconds. The price was way lower than these items on their own for some reason. They usually run $14 and $16. The whole menu is really two times what it's worth if not more. I'll say 50% because all seafood places are delusional. They have the typical land food. Seafood is mainly crustaceans and crap fish. Their "special" was kasa (sp). It's worst than talapia or whiting. Highest profit margin. Service was good. It seats about sixty. It's in a plastic tent. One side is a bar. They have a patio. It's in a small "marina".

Antonella's Pizzeria, Winter Park

I grabbed dinner to go at this Italian restaurant on Saturday. It opened recently. I believe it is the daughter and son in law of Stephano What's His Name. I reviewed his place a couple of months ago. Well, I liked this more casual place alot better. They took over the Pi Hole space on Fairbanks across from Keke's. It looks similar inside. Maybe some new photos and knick knacks. I went in for a pizza and came out with a slice and a mambo combo. The slice was $2.25 and the combo was $11. The combo consisted of manicotti (shouldn't one be manicotto?), a meatball, chicken parmigiana and bread. All were delish. The meatball was huge and better than the one I had at Stephano's. The manicotti's ricotta was nice. The pasta was good. The chicken was unbelievable. Huge. An inch thick and shoe sized. All this was covered with a quality mozzarella and a very basic, fresh tomato sauce that may have had a little oregano and garlic. The sweetness comes from the tomatoes themselves, I think. When I got home, I took a bite to sample before I had to warm it, if I had to warm it. Then I took a second. Then I had a talk with myself. Then I waited. It took so much will power. And I had already eaten. It was one of the afternoons where you kept looking up from the TV or book to see if it was dinner time yet. Is 5 pm dinner time? It was on Saturday because I couldn't stand it anymore. I even like the bread. Ate so much, I had to cancel my night's festivities because I looked preggers. The slice was the only disappointment. which is funny because that is all I've been hearing about and what I came in for. A fresh pie may be better. I think this slice (small) was at least a day old. The crust was stale. Otherwise, it seemed ok. A little thick. The cheese tasted too nutty when it was hot, but, the flavor weakened as it cooled. They have a medium sized menu. Say three or four of the same (popular) recipes spread across meats/seafood/veg. Calzones, stromboli, snacks, heroes, pasta, etc. They have alot of lunch specials. Pricing is good. Seating is limited (16) and I think they want you to order out. It's way better than what was there before and I would take it over Stephano's if I was picking sides.

Dave's Boathouse, Winter Park

Rollins College has a bar. It's open to the public. This can't be a good thing. And I'm one of the reasons why. You really want guys like me on campus hitting on co-eds? Not to mention the under age and excessive drinking issues. Well, it's your funeral. Thank you for this very "progressive" decision. I stopped by on Saturday afternoon. It is in front of the swimming pool which is in the back of campus. It looks nice. Kind of like a new, blue collar seafood place from the Seventies or maybe earlier. It has those low ceilings and  dark stained wood that opens up a room. I think I saw a portal. The front is a little more modern. Some canvas accents. It's huge. It's as big as the dining hall. The menu is impressive. Stuff like tequenos, fried pickles, poutine, etc. Alot of "hip" dishes. They also have a "deli" counter. They have only wine (unfortunately from Quantum Leap) and local craft and big bottle beers. They have alot of flat screen TV's showing sports. It wasn't very busy. It's very lucky for the both of us that I don't live in WP or I would walk around pretending my name was Dean Martin. Why wait for Rollins girls to walk down Park Ave when you can go find them. The only thing Park Ave had going for it was food and pretty women. Now both are down the street.

Market on South, Milk District

I went to this Vegetarian restaurant for lunch on Saturday. I believe it has been open for just four months. It is on the edge of the Milk District at South St (aside the 408) and in between Primrose and the street at the edge of the private airport. South St runs one way, so, make sure you hit it east enough. I had a Georgia Peach Sloppy Joe because Edible magazine said it was good and I thought it sounded fun. It cost $11. They write on the menu that it is made with their "special meat" or something to that effect. I guess that means tempeh or tofu. I'm not sure how they differ. The sandwich had so much bbq sauce that I can only guess that the "meat" was fried in some way. It tasted crunchy. The sauce was very sweet/cloying. The peach was almost non-existent. There was alot of sauteed onions. The bun was good. It was a huge portion. It came with a side. I chose potato salad. The potatoes weren't cooked long enough. It came in a cute glass. The sandwich came on a metal try. This had to be a fat bomb. This and the "hybrid engine" type pricing always makes me laugh at vegans. Wait until you see what I got at Antonellas for the same price. And that meal was probably healthier if you can believe it. They have enough options so you could (barely) have a different option each day of the week. Things like a tofu LT, fried (again) green tomatoes with eggplant, kale salad, etc. They partner with Valhalla Bakery for more "healthy" alternatives. It's a cute place. It seats about thirty outside and thirty inside. It looks like a house that became a grocery store that is now a restaurant. It's rustic. They have a mural on the back wall. They "rent" (floor) space for end cap type displays of artisan crap. I'm not a woman with body and Daddy issues or a member of the proletariat or gay or oppressed or hypochondratical or too sensitive for my own good, so, I guess I'll never get veganism. I'll just have to wait for a health related problem that I think can be solved dietetically before I join the cult. However, it is a cute place and at least they are trying to make the food appealing. Just remember it ain't healthy. It was packed on a rainy day. Parking was no problem.

PSA - Amex Rental Car Damage Protection Warning

Amex has stripped a number of its benefits from card holders. Among them is the benefit that used to cover your deductible if you or someone else damaged your rental car. Double check your contract (ask them to send you an updated one) to see if you are effected. You can (supposedly) find cards that have the coverage at www.youcarrentalclaim.com and the main amex site. They are now pimping a $20 a rental "Premium" service that you have to arrange with them on top of time you spend choosing a rental. I'm sure there is no correlation. Also, be forewarned that they knuckleheads will let you go all the way through the process of filing a claim before they deny it. They never tell you it is because of the kind of card you have. They even send some bs email that you didn't rent with your Amex. They don't have the decency to tell you that your card has been stripped of privileges. I wonder if the rental car companies know which cards are covered and that makes them more likely to start a claim against you? And as always, tell your friends.

Grub Crawl - Downtown: North Quarter Tavern (Closed) and Coffee Culture Cafe and Eatery

I went to these two fairly new spots on the north side of 50 on N. Orange Ave at lunch on Wednesday. They are calling the area North Quarter. I was worried about finding available parking (free). It wasn't an issue. I guess all those condo dwellers are at work at that time.

North Quarter Tavern - I had their fried chicken entree with potato salad for $15. It may be the best fried chicken I've ever had. I don't mean in Orlando. I don't mean for thighs. I mean anywhere ever. I've been to almost every place on Triple D and then some. I've had it honey dipped, hot peppered, broasted, double fried, Cap'n  Crunched, rice floured, corn flaked, panko crusted, gluten free, - you get the picture. And it didn't take much. The recipe was basic. The execution was marvelous. I don't want to make too much of this because maybe it was a fluke. You try and tell me. My order had two nice sized thighs (not my favorite part) that seemed like they had a good pedigree. They flour them - bathe them in buttermilk - flour again and fry. No double fry even. They discard the skin (and bones). They came out moist but not rare (chewy/slimy). The crust had volume, stuck well (oil at right temp) and was crisp and not burnt or oily. No oil odors. The "batter" had just a pinch of salt and black pepper. The potato salad was also top notch. Nice tiny red potatoes with mayo, fat slabs of bacon and maybe a tad too much Dijon mustard. A big pile. They presented the meal on a wood carving board with pickles (sweetish) and pickled jalapenos. Both pickled items added a little zing when the other elements became too rich. A nice palette cleanser. The place looks great. High ceilings. Lots of windows. Outdoor patio. The inside is painted red and some gray tone with black ceilings. There is wood and white tile splashed around. The bar dominates the center of the room. They have flat screens. The tables are mix of high tops and regulars. They have black and white photos of our city in frames. It seats about sixty. They have a separate bar that opens at 7pm. Service was fine. A little bare bones at two (the amount and the time). The menu is familiar, yet, inventive. Neo-pub stuff like brats, meatloaf, burgers, steak frites. They have a chef de cuisine and executive chef. I was told they actually show and even show for lunch. They have been open since July (I think). The owner is/was partners at Citrus, etc. He must have been the soul. This place is everything that stupid Two Chefs or whatever they call themselves promised they would be. I'm at half chub for this place. The only problem is they aren't open for lunch on Saturday.

Coffee Culture - I grabbed a turkey sandwich to go at this Canadian chain that is next to NQT. I was worried that Black Rooster would still be closed (it was) and I didn't feel like cooking dinner. Plus I needed to tell you good people (all three of you) about it. It's like a Panera. Sweets, coffee, sandwiches. The Sierra Turkey sandwich cost $7. Do they speak Spanish? Do they know it means "mountain range"? What they hell does that have to do with turkeys? Do Canadian turkeys live in the Rockies? It was ok. Two thickish slices of turkey that has somehow just gotten out of the bath. Slices of a good, racquetball sized tomato not 80% seeds and water. Ok lettuce. The bread was foccacia like. I had cheese on it. They pressed it. The place is large. High ceilings. Forgettable interior. They said the franchisee is fielding offers if you want to buy it. They don't take Amex.

Pub Crawl - Downtown: Island Time, Ferg's Depot (Closed) and Herman's Insurance Office (Closed)

I went to these bars on Saturday night.

9-11pm: Island Time. This place is in Thornton Park on E. Washington. It was a tapas bar. They have wine and beer now. They have a few snacks like Jamaican patties. They have fire pits. All the girls I met were lesbians. No, they weren't just pretending to dissuade me from making lewd advances. It wasn't like that. Prices were cheap. Selection not bad. It's just shack.

11-11:59pm: Ferg's Depot. On the tracks on Church. They finally started serving dinner that night. More of the place is open. It was still pretty empty. But, all of downtown was. They gave me half a glass of premium whiskey for $8. Unbearable music from a jukebox.

12-1am: Herman's Insurance Office. I may have the name wrong. Not the Herman's part. It is the latest from the NV/Hansen's guys. A cocktail lounge. The door guy gave me the old "private party" line and then let me in to look around. I just stayed and they didn't toss me out. The bartender was cool. There were some good looking girls there. Bigger than NV or Hansen's. But so is my car. It's in the alley between Church and W. Pine on the highway side. It still has the awning for the place it replaced. I think stardust something. My drink was $12.

I should also mention a bar I went to a few weeks ago and is kind of new, It is on Orange and W. Washington. Across from the Independent. Beer bottles/cans all over the walls. It is called,,,,, F me if I can find it on Google. Seriously, how does that company thrive. I never get an answer to any of my searches. How is this technology worse than when they started? Anyway it is there and has some stupid, forgettable name.

SoCo, Thornton Park

I went to this Southern restaurant in the old Hue Space (East Central Blvd) on Saturday night. I'll take a stab in the dark and say the name is short for Southern Cooking (wait I see on my receipt that it is Southern Contemporary).Well Soco was just so so. Beyond the snooty and fruity manager (let's call him Peebles) and the tiny, semi-prive dining room and the cuisine of the hour menu, it doesn't appear that this chef can translate his (purloined) vision to the plate. It was the same at his other diversion - Baoery. They said he was in that kitchen on this night. If (and I've seen no evidence of it so far) he can cook then he can't delegate (or teach). I'm bored with new-Southern cooking by now, so, I just tried two dishes (that didn't break the bank) that would test them in two separate directions. I had an oyster app for $9 that came fried in cornmeal. The four oysters were decent. There was some sort of white dressing and some green tomato accents. Not bad. I also wanted to see a cold preparation, so, I ordered their steak tartare. I also did this because I've had it in at least three other spots downtown and figured it would be worth comparing them. This was the worst of the bunch. They added almost nothing to the tasteless beef. I usually hate how much salt chefs feel we should ingest. However, this had no salt and no pepper. Also, no mustard or capers or egg or onions or whatever is usually in a tartare. I'm all for reconstructing, but, this was a canvas with no paint. They claim to have added some chicken skin. It was indiscernible. There were some poorly chopped scallions in there. The "toast" was also terrible. They were still soft in the middle. They also brought this (the bigger plate) out first and then the oysters right after. It needed to be oysters (cheaper and smaller plate) - pause - steak. All they did was force me to order more drinks elsewhere. I would order the burger if I were you. It has to be the same thing. The waiters came by with some free fried hominy for all during the meal. If I didn't truly believe it was a kitchen fuck up (the salt DC used for de-icing last week), I would have been thankful. It would have been good if they didn't fuck it up (oversalted). And that is the impression they made. Good intentions with poor execution. I think they think a little too much of themselves. They need a glass of cold water to the face. Walking around the area, I saw that they had the most open seats. Maybe the public is speaking and they aren't listening. Maybe this guy (Greg Ritchie) is wilting under the weight of two restaurants and people thinking he's keeping Madonna from their son. Maybe they were executing well before Baoery and will again in the future. Who can say. I can say that I won't. I don't like making reservations. I don't like being relegated to the remedial room (bar). I don't particularly like treating southern cuisine as if it is acceptable in a white tablecloth restaurant. There are too many other places more desperate for my patronage. The place looks nice. They aren't one to let a fad pass them by, so, they are heavy into whiskey at the bar. There is also a circular main dining room and a patio. They offer you a whiskey shot before your meal. Parking is a pain in the ass. They think they are too good to do lunch. Did I mention Fruity Peeples?