Park Avenue Tavern, Winter Park *DC Travel Notes

I tried this new (1 week) American restaurant in the old Dexter's space in Hannibal Square on Thursday at lunch. I was there for Piano Cafe, but, switched when I saw they had finally opened. Maybe a wrong move? No biggie. Will try Piano in a few days. You didn't really feel that it was a soft opening. I heard some mention of an area being closed for work. And my knife wasn't clean. However, my service and food were fine. Although, I did only order a Cobb Salad. The menu was dull and filled with things I had eaten recently. Plus my tummy wanted some avocado. The salad was more 'Spring Mix-y" than usual. Not overdressed. Acceptable blue cheese crumbles and bacon. Nicely done "medium" yolked egg. Avocado could have been scooped with more finesse. The one problem was that they printed it on the menu at $16 and it was $19 on the check. They "fixed" it for me. Not sure which side the error resides. Just watch your bill for other "soft opening" mistakes if they don't address it. The menu had two steaks, burgers, orecchiette, salads, soups, salmon, quinoa, fish and chips and sammies (ie chicken, pork banh mi, turkey for example). Mid teens and up (especially for the steak). The menu is the same for lunch and dinner. 8 booths on both windowed walls. Some tables and hightops mixed in. A bar with sports on. Lots of hooch. Brass. Black pleather cushions. Stained wood. Cloth napkins. Seasoned host. Place was nearly full. Lots of guys who look like they went to school in state and own a 500k fishing boat. It was like the Naked Man. It gives you exactly what you need. Nothing more and nothing less.

*Travel Notes - Washington DC: I used an expiring credit on Jet Blue and cut a $168 flight to Ronald Reagan to $118. I've seen it as low as $98. Not sure the time of year though. And this was a less than a full week trip that didn't start or end on Tuesday. They are having an early Spring and cherry blossoms are due mid-March this year. I saw some (plum trees I think) this trip. Weather was good. Walked around in a sweat shirt. Little rain. Left out of new Terminal C. That is JB's terminal now. It was a pain finding the train to C. Plus that JB was now located there because they just took their name off the other Terminal signs and didn't put up a C sign. Go to B side where people arrive next to the TSA line. Go through those people. Then it is quite a walk from the offloading stop (through a parking garage) to ticketing. The benefit is (although it will probably change and the TSA tries to keep lines long by opening fewer lanes) that there are less people getting cancerous x-rays over here. I took the Blue Line (FYI - limited to one track because of construction. Yellow Line is off) Metro in DC to McPherson stop ($2 on weekends and $2.40 off peak plus $2 initial re-usable card purchase fee). It was safe. I stayed at the Architect on L and 15th (near White House) for $632 for four days (starting on a Saturday). It was the cheapest by a hundred dollars on Booking. Though, they added a 3% credit card fee AFTER booking that took it from $612 to $632. They hotel had thin walls and windows. Lots of noise. Good location. I should tell you that I lived here for one miserable years and hadn't been back. I came to knock off the remaining national monuments, etc off the list. Things that I bypassed or were built since I left. I ended up doing that and revisiting most of what I did before. Too much to write about. Get a map and point your finger. I saw that. All the way up to the Cathedral and over to Georgetown and all around. I had a great time. Everything was free. Got "museumed out". Quite a feast for the soul. Went back to Ben's Chili Bowl for a Original Half Smoke. Went to Old Ebbitt's Grill (icon) for oysters and a cb with fries. Bumped into Rice Bar (near Sculpture Garden of the Art Galleries) while starving for chicken curry rice with karage. Had barley tea for the first time. In Georgetown (my old hood) saw Sequoia, Clyde's and The Tombs again (St Elmo's Fire kinda). Most other places were gone. Had a tiny blah Double Chocolate Birthday cupcake at Georgetown Cupcake. Had an ok (only $21) lobster roll at Georgetown Seafood. Had a good falafel across the street at Falafel Inc. Only $5! They had signs inside that said USA Today top sandwich and Yelp Top 100 restaurants. We need them here. And proof that what I've been telling you is true. Everyone is charging twice what they have to. Ate Chipotle twice and McD's once. I was too tired to get dinners. Except Ebbitt's. Great trip. Got the opposite of stink eye from the ladies. Although, they aren't they greatest lookers. Part of why my year there was miserable. It's close and cheap and safe and walkable. Felt like being in another country. You should go before it gets too hot. I also finally tried (unrelated) those white strawberries (pineberries. Like unsweet strawberries.

Juju, East Colonial (50)

I tried this Izakaya next to the old mall on East Colonial (and Maguire) at dinner on Wednesday. It is an offshoot of Susuru. And not a Smith Schuster. I'm not sure if it was the novelty or execution, but, I liked this less. I had two grilled wings stuffed with white rice that they call Teba Gyoza. Bland on bland. Or in bland. They cost $10. Then I wanted to see what they would do with non-grilled fare. I tried the Chirashi Box for $20. The rice was overworked. The fish was far from the "premium" cuts (ie otoro) promised by the menu and waiter. Something even tasted off. Very fishy. Mackerel fishy. Maybe the purported yellowtail belly. The salmon was tasteless. Salmon roe was salmon roe. Not sure what elese was piled onto that outer shell of trimmings. Spicy tuna (etc) rolls all over the world were laughing at this economy. The one ok element was the uni. I considered a few other dishes. But, they asked if I minded there not being certain things in the dish. Like uni in the dry noodle dish. Uhh..yeah. That's the most expensive ingredient! It's a small menu. Mostly robata grilled things. Some funny ones like chicken knees. Limited to chicken, pork, beef and veggies. Tip - oyster = oyster mushroom not the one in a shell. Most things seemed more expensive than Susuru. They pimp the drinks. And sake. They have a reservation-ed omikase meal. Not sure of the price. Around 8 seats. 8 bar seats. 40 others. Spaced far apart. I tried once on a Friday and it was a long wait. I left for Kaya. This time it was mostly empty. The decor is made up of Japanese pop culture nick nacks. Dark. A bit gloomy. I think this was an old Pizza Hut. It doesn't really offer a holistic experience. More pressure on the food as a result. Therefore, I would suggest Doshi and then Kaya over them. As far as new Asian experiences go. 

Grub Crawl - Winter Springs and OIA: Winter Springs Seafood Station and Sunshine Diner by Chef Art Smith *NC/GA Travel Notes

I tried the first spot Friday at dinner. It is halfway between 17-92 and the high school in Winter Springs. I tried the second spot Saturday at lunch. It is in Terminal C at OIA. They also have a Santa Monica something, Chick Fila, Orlando Brewery, Einstein's, Shake Shack, Cask and Larder and one other. Prices weren't that inflated. I also had a chicken sandwich at Chick Fila for $5.69. It's a pain to find, but, new and the TSA line is much shorter (even though they still try and gum it up with only one lane working). It's a haul through a parking garage from the tram. There is a cool video sculpture in the center. Jet Blue and some foreign airlines are now at Terminal C. Less garbage people (no Spirit of Frontier passengers).

Winter Springs Seafood Station - Open for a few years. I bypassed it because I knew it would be average at best. I asked if crawfish were frozen. Yep. Claimed blue crabs were not. One was mushy. One was dry. One was better. Not sure if they were frozen or not. That is one pound. That cost $13. Had to ask for a cracker. No tiny fork. Soda was not overly expensive. They also sell steamed/boiled shrimp, clam, mussels (2x), scallops, snow crabs, dungeness crabs, king crabs and lobster. Plus teriyaki meals and fried platters. Overly expensive to my mind. Simple interior with a net with fish on the ceiling. 5 tables. 2 are family tables. One family there with me.

Sunshine Diner by Chef Art Smith - Sort of. I grabbed a ground beef empanada and a sticky bun from the to go area. Both $5. Both not made by him. Empanada was good. From Sergio's Cuban (supposedly from Miami). Bun was sourced locally. Ok. Didn't see diner menu. Not that he'd be in the kitchen, but, you would think he only sell his own grub throughout. Not sure what I'm paying a premium for. 

*Travel Notes - North Carolina and Georgia: Rented a car for a week to be returned at OIA for $295. Drove eight hours through Columbia Sunday to Hendersonville. Almost Asheville. No traffic. Stayed at Hampton Inn for $128 (rack rate). Skied Wolf Ridge the next day (30 minutes north of Asheville) for $23 (half off because Men's Monday) and $34 ski rental. Only one lift and two trails open. It was supposed to snow the day before. Left after an hour. Drove to Boone on 19. They had more snow. Stayed at Country Inn and Suites for $98 a night (2). Ate and drank at Cardinal. Emu and chorizo burger. Had good beer at Appalachian Mountain Brewing. Blew off skiing the next day and drank good beer at Booneshine Brewing and had good pizza and beer at Lost Province Brewing. Drove through Charlotte to Savannah. Stayed at Thunderbird Inn for $132 plus $15 parking (cheapest option). Roamed around. Saw Revolutionary War battlefield and Train Museum and City Museum (at old train depot) and Forrest Gump bench (did it before) and Riverfront and other things. Ate Apple Pie Chicken Sandwich with bacon and cheese at Treylor Park (on Food Paradise). Walked around town some more at night. Had drinks at The Grey (old Greyhound bus station). Learned that it is renowned. On some show called Chef's Table for instance. Grabbed fried oyster (waffle) cone at Savannah Seafood Shack (on Food Paradise+). Had lunch at Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons. The smallest option is two mains with four sides. I had chicken and dumplings and fried catfish with collards, creamed mashed potatoes, fried okra and mac and cheese. Plus a cheese biscuit. Good. You can have as many refills as you want. Oh and a dessert. I had some kind of butter pie or something. All for $20. Rolled out of there. Drove to St Simon's Island. Stayed at a weird historical Methodist Colony called Epworth by the Sea for $146. Good view. Ate a bagel with cc at Sandy Bottom Bagels and Fried Catfish with pimento grits and ff at Porch. Have some REAL trips coming up.

Grub Crawl - UCF Area: Island Wing Company, Bounce House, CrunCheese, Big Bad Wolf Barbecue, White Rabbit and Jolibee

I tried these spots last Saturday at dinner. The first is in the shopping plaza at Alafaya Trail and University. The second is south on Alafaya. The next three are in the shopping plaza at Waterford Lakes. The last is a few yards east of Alafaya on 50.

Island Wing Company - A chain (about 9) from Alabama. New ownership. Your typical theme place with typical options. I had a beer here. Inside and outside areas. They don't brew their own beer.

Bounce House - Open for a year. I heard tell that this is "THE" UCF bar now. It was too early when I popped in. Pretty empty. Just had a beer. Had a road trip the next day. They also sell snack foods at lunch and dinner. IE pizza, burgers, sammies, bbq. One big room.

CrunCheese - Told you about them in a Las Vegas review. A Korean hot dog franchise. Tried a basic one this time. Like a corn dog. $3.49. Better than the black ink one. Still tastes like bologna. Good crust. The place is one white hallway that already has dirt or mold on the wall. Open two months? Too soon for that. The whole left side is just bare. They even didn't notice that they had the open/closed sign turned to closed. Order at a counter.

Big Bad Wolf Barbecue and Brew - Saw them trying to find CrunCheese. Open for two months. In the old Slapfish location. Their first and only location. Had the Carcass special. A $9 special sandwich with bologna, pulled pork, brisket, sausage and pimento cheese. Tried some while hot and the rest the next day cold. Might have been better cold. Brisket seemed to have tenderized. It was a little too tough and dry initially. Didn't pull apart easily even though sliced less than pencil thick. They say they smoke it there for 10 hours. I didn't see much fat on it. Maybe it starts out too lean to stay/get delicate and moist. Texas style. Sausage is made by them. Had an interesting flavor that I can't pinpoint. Soft texture. Not spicy. Pulled pork was the worst. Mushy. Over sauced. Bologna was the usual. Hard to detect (one slice). Pimento was good and plentiful. Texas toast that had half the grease of the Wellborn toast. That sandwich had most of their menu. They had a few interesting things though. Some kind of soup that I forget now, etc. Sides. They sell alot of booze too. Looks cool. Woodsy. Order at a counter. Pricing was good. Maybe not top notch bbq, but, not poor either. A good value.

White Rabbit - A fancy dessert place from Northwest NY. Opened in September. I grabbed a Little Miss Strawberry milkshake for $9. Like every other. Menu is expensive. Place looks plush. Next to Domu Chiba.

Jolibee - Open for one month. Filipino KFC. Like them all. More expensive than US chicken places. Grabbed a Chickenwich for $6.50. Had a weird texture. Peeled in layers when pulled at. Thick. Not alot of seasoning. Still busy. They have "oddities" like spaghetti. 

Grub Crawl - Downtown: The Wellborn, Solita Tacos and Tacos My Guey

I tried these spots on Saturday at lunch. The first is on North Lucerne Circle under the 408 in a hotel. The second is in the old Wahlburgers on Church St and South Orange. The third is a few blocks north next to Neon Beach on Orange.

The Wellborn - Alot of bother for more Snack Food Nation. They say parking is only for guests. But, one group said they ignored that jive. The public spots under the highway were all empty. But, signs said you needed a pass. Few other options. I parked in my special spot blocks away and walked. They make you order and pay up front from your phone. I bitched about it and got them to do it normally. The menu is limited. Like ten items. Brunch (only weekends) and dinner menu are almost the same. I had a Cuban sandwich with a fried egg for $15. A greasy mess. Greasy toasted white bread (not pressed). No ham. Roast pork. A bit dry. Mayo. Rubbery, overcooked, tasteless fried egg. I had a better quasi-version of this later on at dinner (wait for next post) for half the price. The menu has things like sliders, beignets, brie grilled cheese, french toast and empanadas. Priced around what I paid for the sandwich. $5 sodas. $6 coffees. They were reconditioning rooms at the hotel (noisy) that day. Plus too loud lounge music. Traffic noise. Some tables inside a house. Some around it. Some (8 tables) on the patio in front of it. About half full. Mostly gays and fat girls. Not the quickest delivery. Not worth the effort.

Solita Tacos - A California chain. Open for one month. Another needless Mexican Bennigans. Sadly I overheard some saying it is packed at dinner. I tried a "large" taco because it was the cheapest thing. A pork belly for $9. For one taco. Tortilla size was just regular size. Soft. The pork belly was (no exaggeration) 80% fat. And 100% tough and dry. A complete fail. Too salty and peppery. The tortilla was raw. Came with a slaw that tasted like catsup. The best thing about it was when the jalapeno killed my taste buds. They tacked on chips (with weird wagon wheel things mixed in) with a very garlic-y chipotle salsa. Humdrum menu. Overpriced. IE $12 for a burrito WITHOUT any meat. The space is a large, open, gray square. Bar on the right. Tvs. Solita means "alone". Avoid.

Tacos My Guey - They have another in Hunter's Creek. Should have stayed there. Replaced Bread & Wine. Open five months. I tried a chicken street taco for $2.69. Horrible. Bland, blanched balls of chicken. Like salad bar chicken. Not even warm. Tortilla was raw and cold too. The best thing about the meal was the salt and pepper packet in the take out knife and fork packet. I can use that later on. Typical options. You order on a touch screen. Some ok decorating. No one there. Internet says guey means "dude". Avoid.

*FYI - Twitter is charging for the increased character limit. So, I won't be moving platforms after all.

Crocante, East Colonial (50) *AL/LA/FL Travel Notes

I settled on this higher end (priced) Puerto Rican play last Friday at lunch. Plan A and B disintegrated before my eyes. It is in a strip mall closer to 436 (across from the Executive Airport). It means crispy. I tried the porchetta sandwich with one side (I chose arroz blanco y habichuelas) to go for $15. It's not Italian porchetta. It is chunks of tough pork cut into cubes. They are not conducive to being in a sandwich. The only thing that saved it from being tossed in the trash was that I ripped up the chunks (a few too many were just gristle or fat) into bite sized morsels and put them (and the white rice) in the left over stew I took home from Kabob King. How halal is that? There was another container of some sauce that held the peas. They looked like beans. It was ok.. The bread was ok. They put cheese and a salad mix on it. It was supposed to come with chichurron. There were two gristly pieces that they might consider chichurron in there. The rest of the menu was platters and mofongos and rotisserie meats and other things. All high teens or higher. I'm glad I didn't pay the premium to try them out. The place is one huge, open space. 22 tables, 14 seats at the bar in the back and three 12 seat communal tables in front of that. Wood accents. Kitchen at the rear on the right. They seem to be prepping a to go (deli style) counter on the right. Service took to long. They said they had a soft opening three months ago. But, they said they are planning a real grand opening in the future. It was mostly empty at 2pm. I wouldn't go back. The overly loud music they subject you too gives reason enough to pass.

*Travel Notes - Alabama/Louisiana/Florida: I rented a car from Budget for $316. Drove Orange Beach AL. Stayed at the Sleep Inn for $134 (rack rate). Went to the Flora-Bama bar on the border. It's always packed. Must be famous. They have a bunch of businesses there. Ate a very good Conecuh (place in AL) Sausage Po Boy at Flying Harpoon (on 3D). Drove to New Orleans. I was going to stay here for a while, but, the idiot weather people scared me with forecasts of storms that never came. I booked stuff in Florida instead. I grabbed great Boudin eggrolls at Piece of Meat in Treme (on 3D) and saw a good bar (Bayou Beer Garden) behind it. PoM said they changed the direction of the place since the 3D episode. It's now fancier. Drove into Garden District and grabbed a great head cheese taco and hand held chicken (so tender) pot pie at Turkey and the Wolf (on 3D) off Jackson St. Stayed at St Charles Coach House (a Choice hotel) on St Charles for $118 a night plus $15 parking. Ate two eggs with house fries and toast breakfast at Surrey's Cafe (on 3D) off Terpsichore. Walked into town (with a jacket I ended up not needing) in 80 degree heat to Antoine's off Bourbon on St Louis. They invented Oysters Rockefeller. After some mental turmoil, I selected the Oysters Foch instead. These are corn meal fried oysters (small or cut up) on foie gras covered toast with a cherry wine reduction. An interesting combo. Reduction was not needed and too liberally applied and goopy. I also tried the a good Duo potato bisque (potato and cheese) and Paneed (sauteed) Gulf Fish (they said Drum) in a beurre blanc with artichokes, cherry tomatoes et al. This may have been the least good and most expensive meal of the trip. Total outlay $55. It is an institution though. Ask to sit in one of the back rooms. The front room is for suckers. Luckily some locals hipped me to that jive. I walked backed and finally tried the WWII Museum for $33. It was fine. I walked around Magazine St in the Garden District and had a cider at Tracey's Original Irish Channel bar because it was very hot and it said it opened in 1940 something. No other reason. Drove back to the north side of 10 around Tulane Ave in Mid City to Marjie's (on 3D). This was the worst area I drove through (fyi). The others were ok. Most north of 10. I had the Cambodian Crab (apple slices) Salad to go. They had less of an Asian menu than I expected. Parking was hard and sketchy, so, I didn't dare eat in. I drove to Liuzza's by the Track in Esplanade Ridge (off Esplanade Ave) the next day for gumbo and a half (still huge) oyster (entire large) po bay. Both were great. The gumbo is supposed to be top notch. I don't love it in general. This was probably the best and freshest I've had. I met the guy who makes it. His name was Roadrunner. He was being interviewed (by Bon Appetit?) while I was there. And this place is a shack. This was on some show with some guy named Misha Collins (Roadfood). I then drove to the Raceway (horses) because it was right there. I then drove back to Orleans (missed the turn earlier) and grabbed a great two piece fried chicken meal with a side from Dooky Chase. This is a famous civil rights landmark. I even just saw a repeat of a Julia Child episode where the old owner cooked this with Julia. I felt a little underdressed, so, I got it to go. I drove a long way too Gainesville so I could try Spurrier's Grid Iron Grille finally. I had the Chicken Marsala with mp. They have all his memorabilia there. Roof top bar. I stayed at the Hom for $103. Went the next day to Kanapaha Botanical Garden (on SR 24) for $10. Drove down 75 to Treasure Island (just N of St Pete Beach). Stayed at the Sea Jay Motel for $123. Had salad and coco cashew encrusted mahi over bananas with a side of baked pastry encrusted potatoes and chocolate crust key lime pie at Snappers (AAA Magazine article). Only $22 (4pm menu) including a generous tip. Everything was great except the salad. Huge piece of fish. Walked the beach at sunset. Drove the next day through St Pete and visited the Sunken Gardens for $15. I knocked quite a few restaurants and oddities off my to do list on this one. Doing road trips because I'm being thwarted by high air or hotel prices, flight delays/cancellations and scary weather. I also saw something interesting at Publix in St Pete Beach. Astin Farms Berry de Blanc (White Strawberries/Pineberries).

Kaya, Mills and 50 Area

I tried this upmarket Filipino spot on Thornton Ave (1 block west and south of Mills and 50) on Thursday for dinner. It had a line. But, with some effort, I convinced the hostess to let me have the sole bar seat (of 9) available. I argued that all the people ahead of me were couples. That and a check with the owner won the day. The place is small. A converted house. There is a large outdoor waiting area in front that seems like a wasted opportunity. The bar area is on the front left. Open kitchen in the center rear. Tables (6-7) on the right. Light gray paint. A few decorations. Quaint. The menu is equally modest. 2 apps. They ran out of the toro. 5 mains. 2 desserts. 1 side (garlic rice for $5). Portion sizes were in between apps and mains. A fairly nice (pricey) wine selection. Quite a few cocktails. I tried the Adobong Kabute (mushrooms) for $15 and the Pancit Sotanghon (mung bean noodles) for $16. They also had a tile fish terrine (which I was talked out of by a diner), bistek and one other that I forget. I didn't do the toro because it was $20 and what can you tell about the kitchen's abilities by such a dish. I could have done one main and the rice (they scolded me that you must eat rice with a main in Filipno cooking), but, I wanted to sample. The mushrooms (3 types) came with three types of adobo. A spicy red one (not very) atop cauliflower, a tan creamy one on the bottom and a third in the middle that I can't remember. Good flavor. Fresh ingredients. A bit salty. There was also some crunchy purple vegetable loitering around. Turnip? I can't recall if I've had mung bean noodles before. These (if they all aren't) were very thin and sticky. I almost couldn't swallow them if I grabbed a fork full with out the veg with it. Kept sticking to the back of my throat and choking me. As stated, it had julianned root veg on top. And a poached egg on top. I liked the vibe. Everyone was very sociable and attentive. They didn't have a dress code. The kitchen didn't seem to be overwhelmed. They said they soft opened in November. However, it seems like they have truly been open just recently. I found free parking on the street. I'd recommend it to all. I believe the dishes reflect the Northern areas of the Phillipines. 

*Driving around Thursday, I noticed a few things. I don't know how the lack of parking around Moderne will not effect its (and neighbors) bottom line. It's a S show. Was before. Now even worse. The Wellborn Hotel's restaurant/bar is very hard to find. Beneath and in between the two overpasses that branch off I-4 and 408. They also are only open after 5pm and on weekends during the day. Seems like there is no free parking there either. And the menu seems dull. House of Mac down in Sodo had a sign that said they were not open as of the day the put up the sign. Did the open and close? Hasn't it been a year since they were supposed to open? Solita Tacos is where Wahlburgers used to be. Pigzza still seems nowhere close to opening.

Kabab King, OBT/Central Florida Parkway Area

I tried this spot in a big strip mall on OBT past Central Florida Parkway yesterday at lunch. They term it Zabiha Hallal Pakastani and Indian Cuisine. It was very good. I had the Murgh Cholay for $11. It was pieces of on the bone chicken (4) in a thick red "stew" with chickpeas. A huge portion. I stuffed myself and still took half home. I asked for medium low heat. It was still spicy. Great flavor. It also came with basmati rice. A little dry. The menu has many interesting things. Dishes like; brain (they were out of it), nihari (stew), haleem (stew), goat paya (legs), boti (chunks of meat), etc. They offer up apps, breads, biryani, rolls/sandwiches, lassi/drinks, dessert and even a breakfast dish. All the meals I saw were humungous. People gasped at the size. I mean "family" size portions. Even the naan was twice the plate size. The decor is a different story. Not much. The place looks old even though they opened a year ago. Two rooms. Waiter service. I thought it was going to be gyro/shwarma type fast food restaurant. It's not that at all. You (or at leat I) don't see a ton of Pakistani (Northern Indian) options around. That alone makes it interesting. A great value. They even took 20% off since it is their anniversary. They have a buffet on Sat and Sun from 12p to 3p. Closed on Tuesday.