I am combining what should be two posts into one because they are short. You can blame Vida Cocina for being too full on these two occasions and screwing up the grouping. And Jimmy's Diner for having a broken credit card machine. The first is on 436 and Red Bug Lake Rd (Casselberry). In the strip mall no can see since they put in the over pass that doesn't make traffic any better. Southeast corner. The second replaced some uppity place on Edgewater Dr (CP) between the high school and Princeton. The second is closer to Princeton on the corner of the block away from the condos. The last is on the other side of the block next to the condos. I went to the first on Saturday night. The others at lunch on Sunday.
An Vi - Forgot to ask what it means. Maybe word play for envy? Not sure others would have any. It is in a soft opening. Three weeks long? Still hasn't worked out the kinks. There were three tables of four there. One left because they ran out of banh mi baguettes. Seems like a family. Mom and grandpa running the kitchen. The two kids waiting and filling in where needed. I chose the house special pork banh mi because getting the gumbo wouldn't improve my position (FIFO) and it was the cheapest thing at $10. They are giving a 10% discount for now. It was ok. The baguette was middling. Probably store bought (braille bottom). Not the worst quality, if so. A bit of pate. Pork roll cut like ham in a Chef Salad. And fatty (half the strip) pork belly. Scant carrot, jalapeno and cuke. Cilantro. And some spicy, dark green stem that tasted like spicy spinach. The rest of the menu was the usuals plus some Thai and Cajun. The sign out front said crawfish. I don't recall seeing them on the menu. And they also said the food was North Vietnamese. I didn't see much difference from the Southern menus. But, I really only know what I saw from that North Vietnamese place on Mills and 50. Phos and rice and noodle dishes were +$15. They did have sugarcane shrimp. That is always a plus. The place is mostly black. In front they have a windscreen made of (I think) those bamboo plates they dry rice on. Some signs on the wall. Twelve four seater. Three booths. Five two seaters. Kitchen in the rear. I think it has potential.
Parlor Doughnuts - Out of Indiana. Evansville. So, IU. Only one here. Opened a week ago? Their claim is layered donuts. Cronuts really. Probably trademarked by Ansel. I had some peanut butter cup one for $3.65. Good. Very good. They had a big poster of many donuts. It seemed like they only do a quarter of the menu. Most were out at this point in time. They also did keto, vegan, dog and mini donuts and breakfast items (like tacos). Coffee, tea, lattes and cold brew. A lengthwise situated floor plan. White like a hospital. A welcome addition.
Freehand Goods - I just popped in here to look while waiting until 3pm for the next place to open. Ended up having two beers and a Gnarly Cuban Empanada from Gnarly Cuban (interweb says they are coming to CP). They said they were located downtown. Can't recall eating there. The shredded pork was a bit dry. Cost $6. Great selection of beer. Mostly (to all) Florida. Fair pricing too. Around $5. They sell little keepsakes and food products too. They make leather goods. Teach a workshop on it. They were originally at the East End Market. Open for fifteen months.
Mid Drive Dive - The reason for the foray. I think they just opened. Upscale pub/diner fare? I had the Shellback Stew because they were out of the $8 kids menu chicken schnitzel with gravy and the oysters (only $9 for a half dozen from four decent regions). The stew was three shrimp and three mussels with some cod and tomato in a tomato/seafood broth. Two toasted slices of baguette. Good. But, not enough to justify the $26 price tag. They had four options in this price range (up to $29). Venison pot roast, fish and chips and steak Diane. Six burgers/sandos. An elk and one with bone marrow seemed interesting ($15-$19). Three salads ($14). Nine snacks ($7-$17). Four desserts ($8). A daily soup and blue plate special. Beer, wine, cider, seltzers and mixed drinks. The place has a high ceiling. White. Square. Mostly bar. Big, corrugated, gray back wall. Patio on the road. Totally full at 4pm. Probably worth the effort. Especially if you order wisely. Not an uptight/precious vibe. I sense that it will be a buzzy place. I'm not sure if they have a back story. The exec chef is named Matt Hinckley. Probably the guy from Hinckley Meats. The menu says they use their bacon. I think Freehand Goods supplies their beer. Happy hour until 6pm Monday through Friday. Open Monday to Thursday 3pm-10pm. Fri and Sat 3pm-11pm. Sunday 3pm-9pm. Not mid. As the youngins say.
*I noticed driving 436 that Poblanos has closed. And by Vida, Something Fishy has closed too.
No comments:
Post a Comment