Juicy Pot, West Colonial *England Travel Notes

I tried this hot pot restaurant in Chinatown at lunch on Wednesday. It opened under a month ago. It looks nice, but, the food is nothing to write home about. I tried a simple hot pot even though I really didn't want it. I chose a veggie broth ($4) and udon noodles ($1) and bok choy ($1). The noodles were gross. Already mushy. Defrosted. The bok choy was fresh enough. They have inset hot plates that they place the broth pot on and you add the rest. I also had a pound of blue crab for $11. Three crabs cut in half. They were boiled. I prefer steamed. They seemed frozen. They didn't give you a tiny fork to pick out claw meat. I also tried a half pound of crawfish. They also tasted frozen. That cost $6. A soda can was $2.50. They also sell all the hot pot add ins and lobster and abalone and some other seafood. I just wish the food was as good as the décor. It's white and modern. Fifteen, four pot booths and a "bar" of single seats that runs down one side of the booths. Four tvs. Some wall murals. Another annoyance was the local r & b and rap station they had on. I'm not a big fan of one imbecilic lyrical line repeated for three minutes. "Let me rub you down". Hard to say which is more annoying - mumble rap or 80's r & b. I also would like them to have held back one of the items instead of bringing everything out at once. Soup was over cooked. Seafood got cold. There were four others eating while I was there. You don't have to rush to sample this place.

*Travel Notes - England: I saw a weird drink at a boba place in Manchester England. Cheese in the boba. I guess it must be powdered cheese? Not much else to mention. Yorkshire pudding wraps in Leeds and York. Black olives on a cc and lox bagel. Some kind of empanada/pasty called a Bridey in Carlisle. I also had a mackerel sandwich in Leeds at Mr Mackerel. They said they are big in Istanbul. So, if you go there try and find them.

F&D Italian Kitchen, Hourglass District

I tried this Italian restaurant on Curry Ford Road (opposite Claddagh's) on Tuesday for dinner. It has been open for seven months. It replaced another Italian spot (Peppino's?) that I evidently wasted my time on just before it closed. I guess this from the F&D people in Lake Mary. Therefore, I'm not surprised that I liked it. I changed a chicken parm or rigatoni Bolognese order to a due carni pizza (sausage and pepperoni) at the last second. I'm not sure what fate would have held if I hadn't, but, the pizza was great. The sole criticism could have been some bubbles (unpounded dough) in the crust. However, it was one of the better pies I can remember having in town. Nice char. Toothy dough with some richness (olive oil). Not tough. No residual flour. Nice and plentiful pepperoni and sausage (hot fennel seed). Thin. Nice cheese. Nice sauce. Not too much. Nice coverage. Some rosemary (maybe in the oil). Bigger than the usual personal size. 10"?. And freshly made. It cost $15. They have a Wednesday special where they sell a margherita for $7 or $8. They sell around ten styles of pizza. An arugula prosciutto pie next to me looked good. Stacked with fresh arugula. They had lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs and mussels served on a flat iron skillet (special price on Monday). Maybe ten more dishes. They serve beer and wine. I think they list the sodas at $2.50, but, my bill shows $3. Maybe they refill. They didn't. *I don't know if I have enough personal evidence/experience to expose a trend, but, this wouldn't be the first time a F&D restaurant billed me for an item higher than the menu price.  They didn't do much to the place. Maybe some paneling and some murals/stencils. I think the old place had their wood burning oven in the same place. It seats thirty (tightly) in the front room and the same on the enclosed patio. Both rooms were full at 6:30pm. They have five or so wait staff, but, they seemed overwhelmed for some reason. All in all, I was very pleased. I will make it a point to come back. F'in delicious.

*I gave one last drive by Never Never Naan. It was closed as usual. That will be my last attempt until some other new place requires my presence in the neighborhood.

Mito, OIA Area

I tried this Japanese restaurant in the new shopping area (Epic Theaters) off 436 on the way to OIA last week at lunch. I grabbed two rolls (yellowtail and salmon) to go for $5.75 and $5.45. They were long, thin, cigar shaped rolls. The rice was properly cooked. The fish wasn't very discernible. They have another location on Narcoossee Rd. They have been here for a year. Who knew? It looks like the typical modern Japanese boite. I remember undulating wall treatments. Bricks. Black tables. Bubbly water tanks. Smallish. Seat about fifty. A fullish menu. Hibachi, katsu, tempura, noodles. Not bad. Next to that Greek place I reviewed a short while ago.

*I just watched half of food show (Lucky Chow with Danielle Chang) on ramen. I appears as if "men" means noodle. They showed a few "in" places. I missed the name of the firstand the second. I believe they were in NYC. The second was in a market. The first was making dry ramen. Masaramen or something that sounded like that. That was intriguing. They also made a wet ramen with an additional (foie gras) dipping bowl. The market guy did a dry one with egg and pork. Plus a mussel broth one. and a tuna one. He incorporated more seafood in his repertoire. The third one was one called Ivan Ramen. He started in Tokyo. And though a gaijin, he became respected. He made one with cheese and pork. He last group was in SF. Ramen Shop (I think). They did all kinds. Some interesting ingredients were: persimmon, a veggie broth one and some kind of bitter leaf vegetable that I'm blanking on. Anyway, it served to increase my curiosity on the subject. And I hope it will inspire the breadth of choices around here. The dry ones looked especially promising. They also pointed out that the noodles taste if often hidden in broth and continue to cook in it (overcooking).

Pub Crawl - Milk District: Southern Craft, Whippoorwill and Iron Cow

I went to these places last night. Early. The first two are on that road that parallels the 408. Near Bumby. The other is where all the other bars are (Robinson?).

Southern Craft - I thought it might be this purported brewery that seems to never have developed. It isn't It is craft beer and cocktail bar. It's small. Cute. They have wall art of baddies from the movies. A woman was warbling with a ukulele. I believe it is a gay bar. Not that there is anything wrong with that and I'm sure they don't discriminate. I think the place around the corner (Southern Nights) is too. Open for two years. Opening another bar next door - soon.

Whippoorwill - They are down the block (away from Bumby) a few hundred feet. A craft beer bar with adjoining coffee bar. They have a bar with drafts and a fridge with cans and bottles. Great pricing. They add a buck or two if you drink it in house. Good selection. Nice atmosphere. Modern look. I think they said "open for seven months".

Iron Cow - We finally met in the middle. Closed when I drove by at 7pm (of course), they were open two hours later. Utterly forgettable. Just a dive bar. Dirty. No food. Cook hadn't come in yet. Said they are working on lunch. It has been two years since they said they were going to do that. They said it. To a newspaper. They didn't have to. Amateurish. At least it is off the list for good now.

*Dinner ended up being Black Rooster because the " bigger" Tako Cheeka (however they spell it) locale said go to the old one. I though they finished retrofitting that other location a long time ago. What is it with the places on Mills? Are the local politicos throwing up red tape? I tried a beef and bacon, kale and other things and pork fat taco. All untried. Pork fat was the best. The others were good too. Long wait though.

**Tried to do dinner at a Vietnamese place near the Arena. It was closed for some reason.

Vera Asian, Lake Mary

I tried this Sushi Wok and Teriyaki fast casual spot in the shopping center at Lake Mary Blvd and Lake Emma Rd yesterday at lunch. It is by Too Jays. I think it was an Italian place most recently. Now it's an assembly line Asian place. I went with the $8.50 option of chicken (tofu or veggies also at this price point), white rice, asparagus, scallions, broccoli, mushrooms, sprouts and Hong Kong XO sauce. It was fine. The rice was a bit flaky, dense and soggy. It got better as the sauce mixed in and some of the wetness evaporated as it cooled. The veggies could be fresher. You see the guy cooking it up in front of you. Thye also offer shrimp or beef for $10. They have three noodles and two rices. Around ten veggies. Five sauces. They also nine "familiar" dishes (ie Kung Pao Chicken ready if you don't want to craft. They also do sushi rolls ($6-$10). They had egg drop soup as the daily soup. They have around five apps (ie dumplings or spring rolls). It looks new and polished. Hard to believe it is a one off. They have been open for a few months. If you live nearby, it should be in the rotation.

*The sushi maker (I think he's the owners husband or boyfriend) told me he is opening a $150 15 course omikase joint in downtown Sanford soon. Ten people. Two seatings. Who, out there, is going to be the first to report on it?

Grub Crawl - UCF Area: Domu Chibi, Le Crave, Rumaku and Tandoori Bowl

I tried these places at lunch on Wednesday. The first two are near neighbors in the Waterford Lakes shopping area (the first left off Alafaya Trail after 50 and then the first right). The next two are back towards (past) UCF. The last is on the other side of Alafaya in a strip mall seen off the road. The third is just past that on the other side of the road (in a strip mall - on the corner).

Domu Chibi - A fast food version of Domu. They even buy the noodles here. Ramen, rice bowls, gyoza and chicken bites. I had the small shio bowl for $10. Salty chicken stock with mushrooms, chicken thighs, half an egg and thin noodles. It was fine. Chicken was tender. I'm not a ramen guy. Wanted to just escape with an app ($5) , but, I drove all the way here. They only had three cooks. And only one seemed to be in action. It took a lit bit to get served. The chop sticks, etc are by the soda machine, so I don't see why they feel the need to have a deliverer. You just have to get up anyway. They only bring you a spoon. Plus they already have a machine taking the order. It seats about thirty at countertops. It was full. Modern design. I think they opened three months ago. They claim Tori Tori is still in the works.

Le Crave - A creperie with two other locations (Rockledge and somewhere else). Open a year. I had a nutella crepe for $4. It was ok. Underdone and a bit tough. It's a crepe, so it can vary with the preparers level of interest. The also do savory ones. And ice cream. Small foot print. I think the sign said baguettes, but, now I can't remember seeing them on the menu. I think they had drinks too.

*There are three other restaurants on this block - a Greek, FK Kitchen and A Thai Sushi place.

Rumaku - I grabbed a Philadelphia and Spicy Tuna Roll to go. $5.50 a piece. Not bad. Mostly fish with a small "skin" of rice. Long roll. Eight or ten pieces. Not much cream cheese in the Philly Roll. Cured salmon. They also do ramen bowls, a Specialty burger (fried bun), rice bowls, soup, salad and other rolls. Their ramen was $8. Not much décor. A lot of open/wasted space. Some seating to the left, Sushi bar/register on the right. Black paint. Open for two years.

Tandoori Bowl - A create your own meal Indian restaurant. You fill out the request form - meat, rice, sauce, sides, etc. They give you a plate or to go container. I did a small half beef and half lamb on white rice with yellow (cashew) curry, chutney, cauliflower, green beans and feta cheese to go for $9.50. You can split and pay the More expensive meat price. Both meats were tender. It may have been nicer to not have all the components smushed together, but, that's what you get for getting things to go. The place is small. Only a few seats. They have been open for eighteen months. They also have naan. We need more of these Indian to go places. I wanted Indian because I whiffed on Forever Naan again. This time they had a note saying "Medical Emergency". No date or helpful info.

Sette, Lake Ivanhoe District - Closed

I tried this Italian restaurant across the road from Lake Ivanhoe at the Virginia intersection on Tuesday at dinner. Mesa 21 is their neighbor. I believe the last attempt on this spot was called Stir. I had a meatball starter and it filled me so thoroughly that I had to ask for the chicken cacciatore to be put in a to go container. The meatballs (4) were a combo of beef and pork. Squash ball size. Topped with some basil, tomato sauce and ricotta. The ricotta could have been house made. It was very creamy. The meatballs all had differing degrees of done-ness. One was light and perfect. One was dense and overcooked. The other two were in between at both ends of the scale. I'm not sure what accounts for that kind of variation, but, maybe the oven has hot zones. They were decent overall. They serve them over a bed of polenta. It was a bit congealed. More of an aesthetic concern than a taste one. Served in a skillet. The plate cost $11. The portion could be cut in half. They also have: a sausage and a bread basket starter. Maybe a cheese or meat plate? I may be confusing restaurants. Two or three salads. The dishes were $9 to $11. The chicken cacciatore was made with skinned and boned chicken thighs. They were cooked perfectly. I was going to say "beautifully", but I think that is another British misuse of the word. It should be limited to visual observations, right? Anyway. They either buy freshly made fettucine or make their own. It had a noodle-y. consistency. Like spaetzl. It was ok. The sauce was very healthy and mild. More like fresh veggies (olives, celery, tomatoes, etc) than a sauce. They didn't over salt. Another decent portion. It cost $17. It was one of the cheaper entrees. A pasta may have started the bidding at $15. They had some odd things like a pot roast risotto. I remember four or so pastas. A shrimp dish. Eggplant parm. A filet was $39 ($5 an ounce). There was a pork (shank) dish. Lasagna was highly priced. The pricing is whacky. Some things are a relative bargain and some and quizzically over priced. They only have a few off ramps from the high end. They didn't seem to touch the interior. They did turn down the ac. I believe that was an issue I had with one of the other iterations. Service was good. They have a lot of staff. The place was a fifth full. Two rooms and a patio. They have been open for nine weeks. It's run by the Se7en Bites people. Only open for dinner. Some of the concept doesn't quite make sense, but, I find that fun for some reason. I think you'll have a fine time if you try it. Just don't over order.

*A birdy told me that Mesa 21 is closing. Odd timing. Two big residential developments are opening near there.

Fresh Kitchen, SoDo

I stopped by this Florida based healthy food franchise near the Michigan and South Orange intersection south of downtown eight days ago at lunch. I was thoroughly expecting to insert a "u" and a "c" to their FK trademark. It was actually pretty good. It's just bowls or salads, but, the components were good. And there always seems to be a line. They have another location near UCF at the Waterford Lakes shopping center. I had a kids rice bowl with almond incrusted chicken. It cost $7. I tried (from four or five infusions) pesto rice and broccoli (from four or five sides) and the chicken (two tenderloins). All were good. I believe the chicken was baked. I guess that is good if you can't tell if it was fried or not. The broccoli was crisp/fresh. The rice was tasty. Properly cooked and fresh. I also had to choose a sauce. I chose an Italian dressing if I recall correctly and it was served on the side. I chose to keep it out of the mix (already flavored) and just dip the chicken in it. Like I said, the menu is pretty concise. You order and compose your dish on an assembly line. The place looks "fast food" modern. Clean. It's a little bit of a bitch to access because of traffic and some road construction. Good value. They opened a few months ago. Maybe last Fall?