Wine 4 Oysters - The OW made me aware of them (somehow) maybe two years ago. They have been languishing on the list because of their location and mostly dinner (M-F) hours. I tried. I just never drove far enough to spot them. They are near a community called Eastwood. In the Eastwood Shoppes. Look for a Publix. Google Maps says Winn Dixie. They said they have been open for four years. So, the OW was late to the party to begin with. It was much smaller than I thought. And way less shacky. It's really a wine bar that sells things that go with it. They have a portion of the menu that is all oysters. Mostly Gulf ones (they said). They were selling Texas ones. They only sell raw ones by the dozen. So, the two halves added up to zero for me. Didn't want twelve warm water oysters. They cost a reasonable $20 by the way. The rest come with some flavoring or cooked. I did wade in with the oyster stew soup for $8. It had a thin, cream (more milk like) broth with some red (probably hot sauce) mingled in. Chock full of mussel sized oysters. A little mushy. Probably where the leftovers end up. And then may bathe until ordered. It came with a slice of bread. It was soft. Crusty would have been better. And that's the feeling you get. It could be better. I tried to pair the stew with a reasonably priced main. That was in lieu of just trying a main. A non-oyster one in an oyster place too. I chose the lamb tacos. Good in volume. Poor is quality. Very dry. Probably were good at one time. I wonder if they mass cook on Monday and then mete out the results over the week. The slaw and fat tortillas were good. Showed effort. The lamb just killed it. Two tacos. The place is a narrow rectangle. Cutely decorated. Soft tones. Bar on left. The owner (Russian woman) was the service. Two families and a couple while I was there. Chinese, Vietnamese and Russian, if I were to guess. The menu had some surprises like 4 claws of stone crab for $20 and Russian "ravioli". Around ten "surf" option and ten "turf" options. Probably deserves your consideration. If you aren't too far from it.
Hangry Dobo - In the strip mall on the corner of University and South Alafaya Trail. Open for one year. Tiny. narrow place. Ready to go buffet area and seated dining. I chose take out. Chose a small Pata Tim because it sounded funny and I don't think I've had that before. Good call. Soft, tasty braised pork in a spiced vinegar marinade. Around a pound of it. I think it cost $ 9 or $12. They may have given me the large. No printed receipt to consult. A two item combo with rice was $13. Pretty big selection. They even have sisig. Decor looks worn for the length of ownership. It's Filipino, if that wasn't apparent.
Kung Fu Tea - Only tried it because it was next to Dobo. Had a white grape punch. I think it should have cost $4. I think they added boba and charged $5.50. Totally gross. Super sweet. Boba added to the grossness and wasn't good boba anyway. A chain. Few in Florida. Open for eight months.
Soupa Saiyon University - I recently realized that I tried the original (Universal area) a while ago. Didn't love it. Didn't love this. Had soup there. Had steamed dumplings here. Chicken, shrimp and pork. All sucked. Straight from the frozen food aisle. I remember buying a bag (20+) of similar dumplings for $4. These cost $4 per order. In other news, the place was packed at 2:30pm. It's in the old Taco Bus location near Rouse. Open for two months. Place looks like a hip manga comic book store. Black with lots of murals. Order at the counter.
Las Carretas - Mexican. Open for four months? One of those "trying to be classy" places like Don Julio. Went to it because the temp at the OW reviewed it. Not really worthy of the effort. Had a pork tamale and chicken enchilada to go because I wasn't in the mood for Mexican and the prices were pretty high. High teens or more. For basics like a plate of tacos, for instance. These were a la carte. $4 a piece. enchilada was bad. Dry chicken. raw tortilla. Bland sauce. Tamale was better. Came with cheese and green tomatillo salsa. They also threw in chips and water salsa. Chips were multi-colored. Holy shit. Cincinnati is going to win! Huge menu. All the regulars. Place is modern. Blue. Big outdoor patio. Bar in back. L shaped interior. Booths. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Shaka Shaka Tea House - Grabbed a black plum smoothie while waiting for food. Next to Las Carretas. Open for four years. Hawaiian twist on Chines/Taiwanese tea stuffs. Smoothie cost $5. Ok. Fresh.
*Tried to bring you fried chicken news from new Korean one on 50 and/or Jam in WP. Both had forty minute waits at 3pm on Sunday. Are we all becoming Spanish? An Asian place on Lake Howell turned out to be closed as well. And I also drove through Avalon Park while at Wine 4 Oysters. Didn't see much to sample. It's near the nuclear power plant. Further south on South Alafaya Trail. Stoneybrook golf course is nearby too.
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