Mumbai Flavors, Longwood *UT/NV Travel Notes

I tried this vegetarian North Indian spot I told you about weeks ago in a strip mall on Ronald Reagan near Lake Mary HS today. Glad I persisted. It doesn't really have a set menu. It is more of a catering enterprise. I trusted the owner to order for me. She gave me a small Malai Kofta Curry (potato croquettes stuffed with paneer in an onion and tomato cashew sauce) for $11.50 to go. Loved it! Very tasty. Heat can be adjusted. This was just right to hot. Four croquettes. Golf ball size. I used some ground turkey I had in the fridge (and made my own rice) with the excess curry. They ran out of rice, so, she gave me garlic naan. And tossed in a sample of Pav Bhuji (potato, cauliflower, green pepper puree) with a buttered hamburger bun. Also, very good. Creeping heat. She said the first dish is from Delhi. So, not just Mumbai flavors. The naan wasn't the best I've ever had. They opened a month ago. There are no seats. It's bare bones. White. Four chairs. The open sign is rarely turned on. Still has the real estate agent key lock box on the door. I think they are closed on Monday. It took a while. Two in the kitchen. She said she DID want people other than her catering clients to come in for meals. It seems to be a kind of seat of your pants type effort so far. But, I liked it alot. And the pop up feel of it gives it allure in my demented head. 

*Travel Notes - Utah and Nevada: I flew Frontier to Las Vegas (late pm/red eye) for $178. I rented a car for a week from Hertz (boycotting Budget/Avis) for $312. No issues. I ate White Trevally (a first and excellent) sushi, stir fried Waygu liver (a first and good), fried oysters and grilled stingray fin (chewy and bland) at Izakaya Go on Spring Mountain Rd. I had received a tip (I think from a concierge) about them during Covid. Finally got there. I stayed in downtown at Main Street Station (Expedia 8.6) for $48 plus $34 RF because parking was free and I'm trying to stay at EVERY hotel. Plus I was in so late. It was recently renovated. Noise from highway though. Watched LA wild fires.

The next day I bugged out early because I had forgotten the CES show was that week. I drove to Salt Lake City. I stayed again at the Plaza (now owned by Best Western) because it was the cheapest and near the Delta Center. It's an Expedia 8.4. It cost $103 plus $10 for parking. I saw the Utah Hockey Club play the Florida Panthers for $35. I finagled a physical ticket with effort. I had deep dish Little Caesar's and a souvenir soda at the arena. It was the "best" value. The next day I had lunch at Greek Souvlaki. A sloppy gyro. It was just some place I had always been curious about. I then grabbed "dinner" at some new Mexican place (Piko) a few blocks away that I saw. I had three (mushroom and cactus, steak and shrimp tacos with beans and rice. They were ok. I drove north to Ogden. I stayed at the Comfort Suites (Expedia 8.8) on 15 for $210 for two nights. It was good. Less noisy and expensive than the Hampton Inn in town that I stayed at last time. I just did recon that day because I had decided to ski both resorts the next day. I found an in town ski rental place (Level 9) and made sure my online purchase went through at Nordic Valley. I just ate my Piko because I got tired and wanted to watch ND and Penn State. 

The next day I had a lame (meatloafy) bacon cheeseburger at Dylan's/Warren's. I rented skis and boots and poles for $30. I skied Nordic Valley (small) for $59. It had two areas. That f'ing dynamic pricing had this bitch at $89 if you bought day of. I then drove a few miles to Powder Mountain. It was $79 just a few years ago. Someone told me that Reed Hastings (Netflix) has purchased it. It now is $259! But, the night skiing (4pm-) is only $19!. Plus I didn't have to rent skis for two days. Had it not turned cloudy, I would have had plenty of time to ski. Sun was still out. The only downside was that you can only ski one area of the resort. It was still was good. And great (sunset) views (Great Salt Lake, etc). Parking was free at both. And now (I believe) I have conquered every resort in Utah. I also had a good slice of pizza there at Lucky Slice Pizza. I returned the skis and had local beer, whiskey and an Angry Goat Bacon Burger with french fries at the Angry Goat Pub & Kitchen in downtown. It was recommended the last time I was here. I went back to watch the rest of Texas v OSU and Bettlejuice Beetlejuice (sucked). 

The next day (snowing) I drove to Cedar City (still too $ in LV) because it is around half way back and you gain an hour which brings you into Vegas too early the next day if proceed further. I had a double double and fries at In & Out in Centerville. I stayed at a Ramada Inn (Expedia 8.2) for $72. It was a two story motel. I was tired and just had a $5 McD's Meal Deal and watched the playoffs. 

The next day I drove to Las Vegas. I had AYCE at 888 Korean BBQ in Chinatown on Spring Mountain Rd. I think it was top ten on Yelp when I checked at some point years ago. It was worth the $26. Many free apps too. Avoid the seafood. I was only here and not at the brunch at Giada's because I couldn't find the free parking at Planet Hollywood that I was looking for. I stayed at the Suncoast off Charleston in Summerlin (Expedia 9.0) for $58 plus $41 RF. I had a great view of a golf course, so, I bought some wine at Total Wine and cheese remnants, a baguette and jalapeno hummus (only $3!) at Whole Foods.

The next day I had lunch (Benedict with chorizo on an arepa with a side salad) at Chica by Lorena Garcia at The Venetian. It was expensive and disappointing (salty, over-citrused greens with scant chorizo and undercooked arepa). I had seen her on Top Chef re-runs. Almost went the last time I stayed there. I parked across the street (searched online for the free spots) at Treasure Island. I then walked up to the Cosmopolitan to eat at their burger place. It is now a Mexican place. I passed. I then walked through the Bellagio to see the Chinese New Year decorations. And then back to TI through Caesar's. A few spots in the food court there changed over. The Mirage is being knocked down to form a Hard Rock. Adios white tigers and ligers. I drove to Decataur and over to near Charleston to the Arizona Charlie's Decataur. It was $41 for two days plus $60 RF. I did this because it was the cheapest and I was only staying until 9pm the second day. It's a bitch to be homeless waiting for the red eye. It was terrible. Junky weed and cig smoke all over. Even in the non-smoking areas. Plus just basic to begin with. I then drove down Desert Inn Rd to the 15 to Area 15. I only saw the outside last time. It was cool. I saw it on Samantha Brown's Places to Love. They have taken this warehouse space and put lots of art and food and booze and adventures (ie lazer tag) inside. Some things are pricy. But, you can just walk around. They had John Wick's car, etc. The main room is a fake supermarket called Mega Mart. I believe it costs $60. Parking was free. I went back to Spring Mountain Rd and the Shan Tau Square. I had a less than generous serving of mushy lobster (half a small tail) and lemongrass Yum Takrai at Lamaii. Rice was extra. It cost $27. Place looks cute. I was still hungry, so, I walked across the parking lot to Silver Lake Ramen. It turned out that they are ranked as the top ramen in LA by some publications like Zagat. I had a nicely valued shoyu ramen with pork and gyoza for $20. Back to the hotel.

The next day I had breakfast at some diner near the hotel on Decataur called Blueberry Hill. Average eggs/hb and toast. The sign said since 1987. They had a few locations. I then drove back to the strip. Up to where they just knocked down the Trop. Back to TI to park. Then walked the Palazzo through Wynn and Encore to Resort's World and the Fashion Square Mall. Couldn't find any appealing snacks. Almost did a Hello Kitty Cafe in the mall. No one was behind the counter. Drove back to Spring Mountain Rd and settled on ShangHai Taste at the Shanghai Plaze because the signs in the window said Jimmy Li 2023 James Beard Semi-Finalist and had plaudits from NYT, Nat Geo, Food & Leisure, etc. I had reasonably priced Xib Angus Beef Xiao Long Bao (8) and a large bowl of wonton soup with many pork and shrimp dumplings. My first non-pork xiao long bao. Not great. Total cost around $30. Back to the hotel. I went back to the Shan Tau Square for dinner. I finally ate at Sparrow + Wolf. It is well regarded. They either big timed me or it used to be pricier the first time I stumbled across it. Years ago. I walked out that time. I had Banh Cuon (small duck summer rolls three ways) for $20. Salty and no taste of duck. I also had Black Ink Octopus Risotto for $24. Great risotto. Mushy octopus. Elephant garlic slivers. Back to the hotel. To the airport.

The weather was dry. One accident on 15 that I manoeuvred around. Knocked almost everything remaining on my to do list in UT and NV. A good time was had by all (again). I tried to stay at Fontainebleu and some place called Ahern Boutique. They kept pulling a bait and switch on Expedia (said rooms were no longer available and wouldn't remove them from displaying over many days), so, I mentally told them to go fuck themselves. There is a new, white colored shopping area across from NY NY called BLVD. I think I accounted for all the changes since last year. I would have tried some other restaurants at the casinos if they weren't such dicks about the parking. Most START at around $20 for an hour or two! I got the list of free parking from a site called www.feelingvegas.com. They were also getting a H Mart. And like here, it was still under development. It seems to have a food court component. Gas was north of $3.35 in LV. Under $3 in UT. There are two restaurants that I took off my list because of price. Yui Sushi is $200-$300 (omikase) it turns out and Partage (French) starts at $100+. Both on Spring Mountain Rd.

Rico Chico, OIA Area

I tried this Puerto Rican Chinese take out spot in the strip mall on 436 that has the Five Guys on Tuesday at dinner. It wasn't plan a. I had the cheapest option of two pieces of fried chicken with fries for $5. They were much better than I anticipated. A big drum and thigh. Perfectly crusted. Moist inside. The fries were also fried well. I don't trust these places to cook Chinese. They haven't so far. It's like what Bad Bunny is to hip hop. A piss poor interpretation. But, this chicken was good. They have a typical menu at a bit above average prices. Most $13 and over. Fried rice is $6. Lo mein, chop suey, teriyaki, curry, etc. They have some confounding family meals. One is $100 for 20 pieces. Can their clientele afford that? That's like a dinner for five. That's a $20 average per family member. The place has six tables. It was full. The employee barely spoke English. Food came out quickly. It is what it is.

*FYI - Views are exploding again. Weird. Shaq's chicken spot still reads Boston Market and hasn't changed at all for all of the last year. Doubt it will come to fruition.

Grub Crawl - Disney Area: Simply Capri, Sofrito and Havana's

I tried these spots on Saturday at lunch. The first is (the way I went) through Disney (Buena Vista past Epcot and Coronado Springs to a right on Western Way and past 429). I think they said the area is called Flamingo something. Somehow this is also Winter Garden. The second is one block up on the left on Palm Parkway (535 at Disney side). The last is across the street in that strip mall that has Kung Fu Dumpling and Susuru. A K Pot is the most visible building.

Simply Capri - The waiter started the meal by asserting that they were the real deal. Not Olive Garden. Ummm? Their (OG) breadsticks may be better. Main couldn't be much worse. I have only been there once though. Ages ago. But, they don't raise the bar that high. Their strips of foccacia were stale. It didn't get any better from there. My main was the $31 Scaloppine di Pollo. One (uncrusted), poorly butchered, probably unpounded shingle of chicken over peppers (three colors). In an overly salty, over reduced sauce of some kind. I can't remember. When I ordered it, I had it in my mind that it was a lemon sauce. It was something different. And that was it. $30 worth of profits. Poorly conceived. It was basically a fresh pepper dish. And I didn't eat any of them because I find them unappetizing and gas inducing. I guess someone enjoys them. I was in the mood for scaloppine only. I have nearly a pound of $4 Sanderson Farms breast fillets in my fridge that I bet I will make a better dinner of tonight. The rest of the lunch menu was a equally boring. Some pizzas ($18+ for a 12"), four dull panini (like cold cuts or mozz or sausage), six or so pastas, a few salads, a few more secondi and desserts. The pizza had a very large crust and didn't look particularily great. The place looks like a Greek place. Blue and white. I don't remember those colors in Capri. Etched scenes on the window. Stenciled advertising. Light colored chandeliers. There are around twenty tables and a ten seat bar inside. Maybe ten tables on a patio. Parking lot views. They had a pizza oven. Service was good. Uniformed. They said the owner used to own a few restaurants at Disney. They are opening an American spot across the street. This opened about a year ago. A bit overpriced and out of the way (for most of us) to bother with. The strip mall there had a few other fast casual places (like Skyline Chili). A bbq/beer place called something Ellie's too.

Sofrito Latin Cafe - It was more fast casual than I was expecting. You order from a kiosk. Maybe six to eight sections of six to eight options. I had a Venezuelan Beef Empanada ($5.50) and a Cuban ($10.50) to go. The empanada was sweet corn. Very fried. Filled with bland pulled beef. Generous portion size. Not too dry. Garlic dip on the side. The Cuban was half-assed. Barely (if at all) pressed. No oil on the roll. No melted cheese. Ham and bland pulled pork. About the same quality as the beef. Mustard. Pickle. Came out too quickly. The menu draws from Latin and South America and the islands. The usual snacky apps. Sandwiches. Two main areas. I think the most expensive thing was the pargo (snapper). Maybe $30? Most under $20. Drinks. Desserts. They bring the food out to you. Maybe sixteen tables inside with a bar. Seats on a patio. Seems to have had a remodel recently. Pretty packed. They have a breakfast menu that stops at 11am. Brown, black, brick, baskets. Open for nine years. It could be more.

Havana's Cafe - I just grabbed a beef empanada to go because I already had enough disappointing food and this cuisine isn't my favorite. It cost $4.68. Braided crust. Barely filled with bland ground beef. They have a big menu. All the way to about to $40+. I think paella was $30. The usual stuff. The main problem here is that they told me that since Covid many of the workers in the area aren't coming to the office. That business dried up. So, they don't open until to 2pm. Even on weekends. The room is a dull square. Dark. Maybe twenty tables. It has been open for 26 years, so, maybe Cuban-ophiles will enjoy it. 

*The drive through Disney was enjoyable. You don't get dead ended onto any toll roads if you don't want to. Nice to see these new areas and the mainstays. On the way back, I took Buena Vista all the way north past Disney Springs) where it ends at 535. I took this a few miles southwest where I passed by The Conrad and some Nature Reserve (something Belton). Never been in this area before. On the way back, I passed the Grand Cypress. Forgot it was there. I took Apopka Vineland a mile or so down to see what was there now. And then back and left onto Palm Parkway to Sand Lake and over to I Drive. North to the outlets and then right onto Oak Ridge. First left to the Mall at Millenia. Nice that this is all connected now. Let's you bypass the log jam at the Conroy exit. Traffic wasn't that bad. Except around the mall.

Rosetta Bakery, Mall at Millenia *Gator Bowl Travel Notes

I tried this Italian Bakery at The Mall at Millenia today at lunch. I had a Prosciutto Schacciata to go for $11. It was ok. I've never heard tell of this terminology. I didn't translate check. I was told it was foccacia. It is on foccacia. Dry. Too old for a place that seems to have an onsite kitchen. Dry. The prosciutto was a bit pasty. Not very aged or fatty. But, way more (like nine slices) than I expected. The arugula was ok. Some (not so great tasting) olive oil. They also do these in turkey and mortadella. I believe the $9 foccacia sandwiches are round. They have like half a dozen types. An interesting one looked like a circle of attached rolls with one in the center. They also did pizzas. I think tey were $9. Many sweets. I'm not huge into Italian pastry. So, I didn't try any. I believe the prices were $3 to $12. Some drinks. It was a smaller, food court looking set up than I expected. It is right where you walk into the mall in the rear. On the right. Some seats. White color scheme. The main reason I'm not that enthused by them is that they hide the prices. Nothing in front of the items. Then you have to turn a corner to the register to see the prices. Add in the weird names they give them and the girls behind the counter who can barely understand your questions and it feels like they purposefully designed a system to rip you off. I believe they are a chain from Philly. Open for about a month. Pretty full. Did you know foccacia means hearth bread and ciabatta means slipper? And god damn it, (I looked it up) schiacciata means crushed/squashed. I also went to three places around Disney. I will do a stand alone report on them on Monday.

*Travel Notes - TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville Florida: I drove up on Thursday. Three hours (accidents) there and an hour and a half back. I left here at 1pm because I was bored. Game was at 7:30pm. I tried to dis-intermediate Ticketmaster (unsure if I did) by calling a day before and booking directly. If you did that, they would print out a ticket an leave it at Will Call. That was a bit of a pain. They closed off the area right in front of Will Call and you had to walk all the way around the stadium to get there. Oddly, I saw guys trying to scalp tickets. not sure how they got their physical tickets. I thought they renovated the stadium since the last time I was there (maybe ten years ago). It still looked like a shit hole. Pathetic crowd. Maybe 4,000 people. My ticket was in Row M in the end zone. It was the cheapest at $50. I moved around after the first quarter. The game was Mississippi (let's now refer to them as Olay Miss) and Duke (let's now refer to them as Douche or Dook). Mississippi crushed them. I only stayed for the first half because it was too cold and I really just went because I'm trying to go to every bowl game. I spent the hours between arrival and the game at Intuition Ale Works. It was near the parking lot I chose (the same that I chose when I went to the minor league baseball game). It (and every other lot) cost $40. And that's all I have to say about that. 

2024 Favorites List and Travel Notes Index

Not many trend news this year. We have most things covered at this point. Many new food halls. Quite a few new franchises/non-original venues. I will grouse about the proliferation of kaiseki/omikase budget busters. I also don't love the four day work week (Dinner only) that some of the higher end places can only muster up. I had at least five places on the list that were to open early on this year or earlier and still have not (Leiah, Nabe, Snooze, Mochibae and Big Chicken). On the entertainment end, I still wonder how many sales sports and entertainment purchases venues lose by forcing people to go digital (has to be a violation of the ADA) and/or through Ticketmaster Online (no pre-date, in person ticket sales option). At least just text the Ticket/QR Code directly. Not a link to site. Or print it out at will call if there is a problem. I'm not risking a glitch just to see the Pop Tarts Bowl. Don't give me another reason to stay home (traffic, parking, weather, prices etc). We know they shovel enough money to you Steve Hogan. How about you spend some of it on support services/systems? Human bodies! And not support staff for you! A f'in ever ready ticket kiosk (like the used to have outside the Amway) at a minimum. FYI - some of the Favorites have already shut down. I'll star them. Remember that I did quite a few tutorials this year. And posted a summary index around the middle of the year.

$$$$ - Coro (August 28)

$$$ - Palm Beach Meats (December 14), Pocha 93 (December 30)

$$ - Briskets (February 4), Boiled Fish (February 18), Box & Clover (April 18)*, Smokemade Meats + Eats (May 12), Uno Mas (May 18), City Market Bistro - New Smyrna Beach (June 6), Schmakerl Stub'n (June 28)*, Death in the Afternoon (July 19), Kyu Ramen (July 23), Ji Bae Chuan (July 28)*, Chili Star (October 29)*, WaLaLa Asian Noodle House (October 29), Lim Ros (November 15), Rion Poke (December 27), One Stop Dumpling (December 30)

 

$ - Vicky Bakery (March 25), Los Tres Golpes (March 27), Chic-n-Gyro (March 30), Blue Amphora (July 23), Shah's Halal Food (July 28), The Stuffed Puff (August 20), Burgerbach's (September 23), So Gong Dong Tofu and BBQ (October 1), Inspirazione - Winter Garden (October 1), Yumfinity (October 21), Side Chik (October 27), Toshka Syrian Street Food Truck (October 29), Athena Roasted Chicken (November 15), Esca Pizzeria (December 18), Filo (December 18)  

2024 Travel Notes Index

January 17 - TX/LA/MS/AL/FL

February 4 - Southern California

February 13 - Cancun Mexico

March 8 - CO/UT/NV/AZ/NM

March 21 - Daytona Beach Florida

March 30 - Chile

April 18 - Brazil

April 27 - Florida

May 12 - FLorida Gulf Coast

May 30 - Germany

June 17 - VT/NH/ME

June 28 - Saint Lucia

July 22 - England

August 3 - MO/IL

August 17 - SC/GA

September 1 - Colorado

September 19 - Switzerland

September 23 - Italy

October 5 - VA/NC/SC/GA/FL

October 23 - South Florida/Florida Keys

November 15 - Greece

November 18 - Istanbul Turkey

November 27 - New York

December 16 - Texas

Grub Crawl - West Colonial: Pocha 93 and One Stop Dumpling

I tried these spots on West Colonial (50) yesterday at lunch. I actually dined in the first spot. It is in a strip mall called Highland Lakes Center. About half way to Winter Garden. On the right after Gogi Korean. It was an Ale House. The second replaced Friendship BBQ in Chinatown. To the left of Enson Market.

Pocha 93 - From the Shin Jung people. 93 is the birth date of that. Based on some Korean pop up pubs that they said appear between dinner and clubbing. It will be a Favorite. It has ambiance and good food and a bit of fun. It's really two mints in one. On Saturday or Sunday (11am-) they have a brunch menu (only open after 4pm otherwise). I found that menu to be superior. The dinner menu steers you towards 2-3 person stews/combos or meat by the ounce. 14 apps (ie pig's trotters, beef intestines, fried chicken wings or an interesting sausage and rice cake skewer - $5-$20). Stews are $22 and $25. Combos $45. The 7 meats(ie hanger steak, pork jowl, pork shoulder, top blade) range from $9 to $14 per 4oz. They also offer banchan and desserts. And booze. The brunch menu (I didn't get a snap at that) had about half the apps, a $20 burger, katsu sandwich, two ramen(yeon), a few rice and meat dishes, a few other dishes and maybe six meats with a soup, bonchan and rice cakes. I chose the $18.50 Cotes-Sal pork belly. I thought maybe it meant salt rubbed because cotes means side. But, sel is salt not sal. Anyway, it was great. Two slabs that must have been near over that 4ozs a piece. Very fatty. I had to almost turn them to bacon to appeal to me. And they did. There is a gas powered hot plate in the center of every booth. My dish came two long, white mushroom slices (king oyster?), scallions, rice cakes, a huge slice of white onion and a dipping dish of sesame oil, ssamjang and raw garlic. Also a bean sprout soup. Clear brown broth. Only two bonchan - kim chi and sliced savory rice cakes. I guess I was in the mood to cook because it was very diverting. You needed the scissors and tongs. I dipped and mixed every which way but loose. Good fun. All the sides were fresh and good. Service (4 on the floor) was knowledgeable, attentive and professional. The place is transportative (I know that's not an OED term). With the Korean kitsch signage and K-Pop on the tv, you feel (as close as you can in most restaurants nowadays) that you may not be in a strip mall. The layout is square. Black and white colors. Vibrant. Twenty booths on each side of an elliptical bar. I only tried to sneak this in because the Weekly critic had it in his top ten. He was correct. Open since July. Ample parking. Worth the effort.

One Stop Dumpling - I was expecting an order at the counter, fast food 10' by 10'. It isn't. As I wrote, it replaced Friendship BBQ. Opened a month ago. They said they were a one off. Still understaffed and working out kinks it seems. That said, I think I'm going to add it to the Favorites List on a provisional basis. Based on potential. The menu is unique. I have never seen technicolor dumplings. Let alone technicolor soup dumplings. Let alone technicolor soup dumplings with non-pork fillings (crab roe, shrimp, mushroom, malantou). I don't even know what malantou is. Seems to be associated with or a tofu dish. Because I'm a cheapskate and I didn't feel the need to trust them off the bat and I wanted the plain shrimp ones and they cost twice as much ($12), I didn't try any. My loss. Probably. The shrimp ones ($6.50) were very good. Large pieces of whole shrimp. Almost zero to no shrimp paste. Up to two per dumpling. About half had an irony taste. We'll forgive that so that we can contemplate why that spelling in this sense is pronounced completely differently than when it is used to denote something that means the opposite of what it is. The menu was so odd that I had to try at least one other thing. I tried to try Orleans Chicken Rack for $8.50. Looked like inside out roasted chicken breast. They said the meats were out or something like that. I was under the gun, so, I chose the similarly priced Rice Wine Soup with Rice Balls. In a section with no English translation. It is bland. Like sweet egg drop soup without salt with big boba tossed in. Almost a quart. I'm going to have to tinker with it. Let's try and describe the menu. Although, the take out one I have seems to be different than the one at the table. Categories - Soup Noodles (9), Stir Fried Noodles (9), Congee (3), Chef's Recommendations (11), Exquisite Cold Dishes (7), Vegetables (3), Skewers (14), Snacks/Dumplings (35). They snacks are basically Dim Sum. I asked if the menu is Cantonese. They said "all China". Prices are in line. Snacks run $2 to $12. Some interesting dishes are (I'm not putting a lot of effort into this) - century egg, foil wrapped fish, pineapple shrimp fried rice, fried dough stick, loofah soup dumplings and Hong Kong style roast duck. $24 walnut shrimp is the costliest (individual dish) at $24. The place looks exactly the same. Narrow. Mural on the left wall. Circular, communal table in the center. Useless bar in the back. Useless entry way. They were packed. It took a while to get my order. Only two women serving and taking orders. Not sure how many in the back. All that aside, I'll be back to tackle those technicolor raincoats.

*I was also going to go to Pho Huong Lan in the strip mall on Kirkman and 50 that has Ten Ten. I think it is called Golden Sparkling something. On their menu, they had an address to another location at East Colonial and Mills that I had been to before. So, I saved some money. The West Colonial location was Sanshi Noodle House. In Chinatown, I saw that the dump Pho Saigon (a few door to the left of One Stop Dumpling on the corner) had totally been modernized and is now a Saigonese Oc Lau & More. I will try that next year. Around the corner towards 50, the Caribbean dump that was Alez Caribbean Cuisine will/may be Le Gout Lakay. The Lakay is throwing me. Le gout could mean the taste. And I didn't recognize the flag on the banner. Chili Star has closed already. But, I knew that.

**Favorites with Travel Notes Index will be up either on NYE or NYD. I have to look and see where I put it last year for consistency.

Grub Crawl - Audubon Park, Winter Park and Casselberry: Papi's Burritos, Rion Poke, Yummii 2 Go and Zocalo 436

I tried these spots yesterday at lunch. All to go. The first two are at the East End Market. The third is next to Jeff's Bagel Run on North Orange. In a strip mall near North Orlando (17-92). The last is on 436 near Rachel's. It was two pho places before this. Plan a was to be Parea in Maitland. They will only be open for dinner.

Papi's Burritos - In the rear. Open for a month. Only three breakfast ones to this point. I had the chorizo for $10. It came with scambled eggs (egg beaters?), potato cubes and maybe cheese. Not terribly large. Ungrilled flour tortilla. Yet, still tasty. Lots of chorizo. The liquid elements melded into a satisfying melange. Reminded me of this chicken burrito I used to love at Topp's in Altadena. I was picking at it and ended up finishing it of. Ate it in a weird way. Peeled back the outside flap. Picked at the mushy inside flap with a fork. Picked out the insides with little pieces of the tortilla. It may become my thing. The other burritos were similar. Without the chorizo. No M. 8a-3p.

Rion Poke - In the middle. They will have a sit down adjunct called Kyu Katsu Rose soon. They have around ten types of poke. I had the two scoops poke for $18. Good. I had the Hawaiian Ahi and Spicy Garlic Ono (wahoo). Ahi was very fresh. Onions and kukui nuts. The ono was firm. Hard to taste the flavor with all that sauce. Firm. They also had versions of shrimp, salmon and crab. Rice was a bit stale. They may have had some other things than poke. Seemed popular. Open for a month? One scoop was $16. I like that they close when they are out of stock. Sign of freshness. May be a Fav. No word back on if it is named for Chanel Rion.

Yummii 2 Go - Open for a week. Still in a soft opening. 11am-11pm. Very Spartan. Two kiosks. One delivery window. Many glass pick up boxes/lockers. White paint. I had the Kung Pao Chicken for $13. Big chunks of veg. Thin strips of chicken. Hot oil was in a separate container. Nothing to write home about. Fried v white rice was no price difference. Small menu. Maybe eight entrees (ie black pepper chicken), four specials, four apps (ie chicken egg rolls). A one off. 

Zocalo 436 - Open for four months. Kind of gringo Mexican fare. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, chimichangas, nachos, soups, etc. Some kind of beyond basic dishes like Xcaret (chicken with sausage) Chicken. One dish claimed Colombian influence. Fajitas seemed expensive at $23+. I had the Crash tacos (3) for $13. I chose hard shell and they let me do two chicken and one ground beef. Ground beef had that weird Mexican taste. Like cumin, etc. Chicken was shredded. Dry. Average size. Very little sour cream. Tomato. Lettuce. Sides of beans and rice. Rice had a soapy taste. Cilantro? Everything was too salty. Unfortunately, I learned later that the had a two taco lunch special (6 in all) for $10. They tossed in chips and salsa. I believe they painted a tree/leaf mural on one wall. Re-painted. Some kind of suspended structure (with a beam) in the middle of the ceiling. Looks a little nicer. 

*I noticed that a Poblanos is replacing that Vegan Diner near Buffalo Wild Wings (near Zocalo 436). Same as Maitland? Across the street there was a Japanese Burger place that closed down a while ago. It seemed like it may be open again. The new strip mall closer to I-4 on 436 will just have fast food. 

Grub Crawl - East Colonial: Unigirl, Kai Kai and Pho Bar

I tried these spots on East Colonial near Mills today at lunch. Everything to go. I came here after plan a was scuttled by PF Kitchen on Conroy having (apparently) already shit the bed. Then I didn't want to wait through the traffic at Mall at Milenia for the second half of that plan (Rosetta Bakery). The first two of these places are in the Mills Market. It was (still half way is) a grubby little grocery store that Banh Mi Boy (still there) semi-classed up. Now it has these two stalls, plus a $10 small or $15 medium snow cone stall (Saigon Snow) and Cowboy Curry (not yet present). The last spot in the new build aside that. On the corner closer to I-4. All were disappointing to downright bad.

UniGirl - Opened six months ago (per them). Onigiri (sushi triangles). I had a shrimp and wasabi for $5.50. Other than annoying me because I'm going to have unlimited sushi, etc tomorrow for $12, it was almost ok. Rice, shrimp and seaweed were ok. Fresh. But, it seemed like the maker had dug their hands into a pile of rotten fish before they molded this giri. They had around eight flavors. Pre-made. Just the shared seating. 

Kai Kai BBQ & Dumplings - Open for a year (these times seem inaccurate). Hanging ducks behind glass. I had the cheapest thing because they were taking way too long. 1/4 chicken in soy sauce (because they didn't have the honey bbq). Bland, boiled, mushy chicken. Getting this after I ordered also took way too long. They have a dim sum (dumplings, bai, etc) section that starts at $7. Rice boxes ($10-$17). Entrees ($12-$16) like fried rice and lo mein. And pork, duck, chicken by the pound. I still value steamed dumplings at $5 max. Not $8. They also charge an extra $5! to switch from white rice to fried rice on a platter. Why? Is rancid oil that costly? Shared seating. Disorganized.

Pho Bar - Saving the worst for last. Opened last week. I really think I'm over Vietnamese food. I used to think the French angle gave it a bit of lustre. It's just so boring/rustic. Consumme and a pate sandwich are really all it's good for or at. Disgusting noodles of rice. Sinewy carcasses. Rubber balls. Blech. Stupidly, I ordered the most expensive option. The Bun Cha Ha Noi. Some platter of meatballs and pork pieces that Obambi had with Anthony Bourdain on some trip to Ha Noi in 2016. My love for AB and the fact that they called this a Northern Vietnamese dish (rarer) were the only reasons I chose this. And that the rest of the menu is basically pho ($14-$20) and I'm sick of paying for gross noodles, offal and boullion. The (2) meatballs were large (raquetball size) and bland. Probably wouldn't bounce. The pork was ok for the grizzle you sometimes get. Sweet, soy based glaze. Pathetic bed of lettuce and sticky vermicelli that I saw some guy tearing with his dirty hands. There was a sour (unsatisfying) carrot and (unripe) papaya "dressing" that I doesn't really pair well with pork. And certainly not glazed pork. They also tossed in two probably store bought, frozen, liver tasting egg rolls that I'll bet were nuked. It was pretty full. 75% Asian. Around sixteen tables of between 2 and  seats. Mural on the left side wall. Glass on the front and right. Open kitchen in the rear. Graish brown color scheme. One big, communal table in front. Modern. Uniformed staff. I'm not sure IF this platter can be made good. By any Vietnamese. Their recipes and ingredients are just bad. I've had enough exposure. This whole cuisine needs a savior. Maybe one will be born unto us on Wednesday if we are lucky. Parking in the rear. Now excuse me. I, literally, have to get this bad taste out of my mouth. Although, I literally didn't need to say literally if that was the case.

*I think Chuan Lu across the street has shuttered. 

Grub Crawl - Lake Mary: Pho Mai, Esca's Pizza and Filo *TX Travel Notes

I went to these places yesterday and today at lunch. The first is in the strip mall that has Academy Sports and Toojays. The second is across the parking lot near the supermarket. The last is in the mall with the Target and Publix. It was a Which Wich before this this. 

Pho Mai  Opened ten months ago. I took their small broth and noodles only (don't recall seeing that before as an option) to go for $9. Aromatic broth. Good. Usual stuff. Drank the broth. Used the noodles with my own ground pork. Usual menu. A dollar or two higher than usual. Was a few Thai places before this. Same layout. And probably furniture. 14 tables. 3 are doubles. Half are booths. Yellow walls with dark stained wood wainscotting. Drab. Framed images of dishes. A few of Hoi An. Tons of junk in plain sight. TV with Vietnamese MTV. One waiter. English is suspect. Two other parties of two there at lunch. No need to run here.

Esca's Pizza - Opened a month ago. Original in Ozone Park Queens NY. That place (per a framed photo) has a brick oven. This one does not. Plus a slice was $3.50 and small and had too much flour on the crust, so, I skipped that part of the menu. They start at $14 for a 12". They had dessert, stuffed and pan as well. Rolls, stromboli, salads, apps, pasta, entrees and what I decided on - panini. I had the meatball parm for $11. Delicious. Beyond my expectations. Simple. Sliced, hardball sized meatballs, mozz, natural sauce in a fresh pizza dough "pita". The meatballs were made properly. Delicate. Everything fresh. I'm not sure what more I need to say. It was just a step up for a pizzeria. It gave me confidence that they know what they are doing and care. Can't wait for the next visit. This spot has been a few pizzerias. Mostly good as well. Same layout. Seven, wood tables of two with red metal chairs in the front area. Four, white booths in the rear. L shaped. Three tvs on the back (above) of the front, glass wall. Menu on screens across from that. Display case below that. I didn't love that the register is around the bend. You might forget what the menu said and have to go back and that would cause a pile up. White, red and black color scheme. White subway tile. Sacks of flour, sauce boxes, prosciutto slicer in the front as decoration. Framed photos of the original location. Entrees (ie parms) start at $18. Pastas at $12. Around eight varieties of each category offered. An app of meatballs was $10. Probably the amount you get in the panini. Some higher end things like arancini, burrata and prosciutto. But, also snacky things like wings and egg rolls. It will be a Favorite. This came out of nowhere. Just drove past it getting to the next place.

Filo - Also opened a month ago. Original in Port Orange (I believe they said). In a two word synopsis - Greek Chipotle. I haven't had many great Greek fast food experiences. Not bad. Just ok. This does for Greek what Chipotle did for Mexican. And probably better than many sit down Greek restaurants. And better than Chipotle because EVERYTHING is included. You choose one of four starting points (rice bowl, pita, salad or french fries). Then a meat (lamb, chicken (2), brisket, falafel, gyro) Then hot topping and cold toppings (ie roasted veg medley, roasted carrots, roasted cauliflower, hummus, garbonzos/chick peas, kale, feta, black olives, etc). Then a sauce (tzatziki, garlic, Greek, etc). I chose rice with gyro at $13 because it was the cheapest. The rest are a buck or two more. They let me sample the chicken, brisket and lamb. All excellent. The gyro meat was as well. I tried to try as much as possible. Everything was excellent. Tasty and fresh. The carrots were outstanding and I didn't even want them. I forgot the hummus. Dumb shit. Feta was soft and a step above. Tatziki (my sauce) was good. The rice was buttery and soft. Not old and crunchy. Nothing was over seasoned. Nice quantities of everything. Paper bowl for the environment. I was blown away. They will also be a Favorite. Fast food like layout. Order at a counter. Soda machine. A few tables. White and blue colors. Loyalty program. Was getting crowded. I really hope they keep to these standards. Will the fan club be called filophiles?

*Travel Notes - Texas: I flew Frontier (mid day) to Houston for $48. I was trying to get rid of a $100 voucher and their options were limited. They were two hours late going there. The pilot on the plane that we were waiting on forgot his tablet and they had to do "everything" by hand. Plus all the people around me were coughing and I got a cold two days later. Coming back was perfect aside from the fact that their check in counter is in Terminal A and the planes leave from Terminal D. I rented a car from Budget for a week at $308. Used a two day voucher to get this rate. As usual, they f'd up the reservation and only had an old gas guzzling SUV available. Plus the "fix" they made at the counter never made it into the system and I had to wait at the exit kiosk while they reentered the information. Rental Car Terminal has all the companies. The bus takes a while to show up and get there.

This trip was to knock the remaining bbq joints I saw on a episode of The Daytripper with Chet Garner on PBS. I took William Clayton Pkwy out of the airport to 59N to 1960W. 1960 is not well marked and only a few miles north. Since you can stay on the side streets up until there, I would just do that. You are doing this if you are trying to escape the toll roads on the way to Austin. It took forever. You finally see the signs to connect to 290NW. I took this to 36NW to 190N to Belton on 25. I stayed at the Comfort Inn (Expedia 7.8) for $114 because it was just remodeled. It was too late to do anything else. FYI - I'll put the bbq spots' ranking after their name. I had all my brisket "moist". All the hotel ratings were bs. I had McD's $5 meal deal too many times. Also, Taco Bueno and Popeye's once. Gas was only $2.29!

The next day I saw the Cadence Bank Center. Drove one exit north to DT on Central Ave. I grabbed an ok brisket sandwich (rough/burnt) at Miller's Smokehouse (#4) for $13. I then went back down the street and had excellent (oily/clean/beefy/bark) 1/4lb brisket ($9) and bacon wrapped quail ($9) at Schoepf's Bar B Que (#2). I took 25S one exit and got on 14W to 190W to 281S to 29W to Llano. I had 1/2lb (asked for 1/4lb) of bad brisket (burnt/half fat/tough/grilled) at Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar B Que (#7) for $14. I drove west on 71 to Brady. I had 1/2lb of bad (old/bland/mushy/no smoke) brisket at Mac's Bar B Q (#9) for $13.50. They were supposed to be a goat place. They told me they just do that for festivals. I drove north to Abilene on 84. I stayed at the Comfort Inn (Expedia 8.4) near the Medical Center for $88. 

The next day I drove through DT. Missed Abilene Christian University. Took 283N to Wichita Falls. I stayed at the Comfort Inn (Expedia 8.6) west of DT for $86. I had a fried eggs/hb/toast and tumbleweeds at Pioneer of Texas. Tumbleweeds were these fried softballs with ground beef and jalapenos over beans and melted cheese. It was cold and rainy and I was only here to be within striking distance of the next place on the next day. Plus I was starting to feel the flu. I should say here that my agenda was at the mercy of which days and hours the bbq places were open. All of these are in the boondocks. Why they were still on the list. I should also remind you that Texas is ugly. Uglier in the rain and cold. Just nothing to look at.

The next day I drove east on 82 to Nacona. I had an ok "bowl of crap" (hb/links/brisket/beans/etc) at Fenoglio's BBQ (#NR) for $10. Nice people. I continued east to 75S to McKinney. I stayed at the Best Western (Expedia 9.0) for $79. I drove one mile east to DT. These next spots were all from that Food Traveler magazine issue I've been drawing on for years. I had a good wine flight at Lone Star Winery for $15. A terrible (tasted like oaked fruit cocktail) chardonnay at Landon Winery for $9. Only could manage a sip. They wanted $20 for their flight. Good and well priced beer at Tupp's Brewery. They had many good looking restaurants around the central square there too. As well as other tasting rooms (had been to their actual vineyards), an overpriced distillery, meat market, etc. I did sample one cute food place (Deviled Egg Co). I had one with smoked salmon and one with blue cheese for $7. 

The next day I drove back through DT to 390W for 1/4lb of brisket (beefy/smoky/juicy) from Hutchins Barbeque (#3) for $9. Not on the PBS list. I checked online to make sure I wasn't bypassing something I'd have to come back for and this popped up as highly rated. I went west on 390 to Denton. A new road that is a great bypass of Dallas traffic. Lots of interesting restaurants and new development here. Not congested yet. In Denton is North Texas State University and their huge football stadium. I took 35S from there to Ft Worth. Just at 30 is a new reclaimed area (Southside) that has a ton of food and drink options. I learned later that some other top rated bbq, etc places are also here. I came for Panther City BBQ (#1). Also seen on some other travel/food shows. I had the loaded baked potato (huge) with brisket (getting sick of brisket alone) for $11. The brisket was beefy, smoky, juicy and had a crunch from the bark. Even with the "off" pieces they probably gave my dish, I could tell it was the best yet. I went east on 30 to Dallas. North on 75 to Loop 12E. I had two ok barbacoa brisket tacos (bland/half fat) at One 90 Smokehouse (#5) for $6. They wouldn't do less than a 1/2lb order. I saw them on 3D. There was a cute drive in burger place on that road too. But, they made you use a stay in your car and wait for their waitress. I didn't have the time nor patience. I took the loop farther east to 635S to 20E to Tyler. I got off on 69S and headed south of Broadway in DT to Beckham Ave for Stanley's Famous Pit Bar B Q (#6). I had 1/4 lb of bad (mushy/bland/minimal smoke) for $8 and a worse (livery/musty/mushy) hot link for $6. They were supposed to be known for their links. Tyler was bigger than I expected. I took Broadway south and it became 59. Took this (very trafficy at rush hour) to Alto. Then east on 82 to Nagodoches. Stayed at the Best Western (Expedia 8.8) for $89. I learned that that name is American Indian. There is some story they told me that it is one brother and Natchatoches LA is the other. SF Austin University was there. The square was cute. I shouldn't have rushed through it.

The next day I took 59S to Lufkin. I had 1/4lb of bad (tough/bland/roast beefy) brisket for $7 and a fried roll (what they are known for) for $1. I later realized that I had been there in '17. I continued down 59 through Houston to 45S to Galveston. I had lunch at Rudy & Paco in DT. In the magazine article. I had Pollo Managua for $24. It came with broccolini and white rice. A breaded cutlet. The best thing I ate all week. Lemon/caper butter sauce. Nice plating. They started you out with plantain chips. Semi-formal. Great prices. I believe it is an institution. I stayed on the beach at the Baymont (Expedia 8.6) for $74. 

The next day I took 45N to University of Houston. It turned out to be graduation, so, I saw the sports stadiums and centers and left asap. Texas Southern is down there as well. And before you judge, I had already done the NASA stuff before. I got off DT to see the MLS Stadium (across from the baseball stadium) in a shit part of town. Back onto 59N to William Clayton Rd in Humble where I stayed at the Best Western (Expedia 8.6) for $84.

Most of the days were drizzily and gray. That didn't help the experience. Very cold until the end. Houston airport is a shit hole. I lucked out on the traffic. Hadn't expected to fit in Galveston. Only have the southeast down to Brownsville left to complete the list. Tried to do some Vietnamese places this actor Misha went to on his show. Too many toll roads in between to deal with at that point. There was one other (Pho Dien 1960) well reviewed near the airport that I stumbled upon. But, it had too long of a line to put up with and I was burnt out by then. I thought all that beef was going to clog me up. No real issues. I may have missed or mis-assigned a few route numbers. Deal with it. Too tired to proof read.

Grub Crawl - Orlando and SoDo: That Wing Spot, Smith's Homemade Ice Cream, Palm Beach Meats and Jamaican Express

I tried these spots between Gaitlin and Kaley on South Orange today at late lunch. The first is in a strip mall at Gaitlin that has Brazas Chicken. Aside (but not same strip mall as) the Food Hall. The second is next door. The third is more north (towards downtown) where Hangry Pants was. The last is near Pulse other side of the street.

That Wing Spot  I had ten wings for $10. Order at a terminal. Choose number and sauce and dip. Wait. I chose no sauce and no dip. It was extra. Still wound up with blue cheese. Wings were good. Half drums. Half flats. No breading. I guess a buck a wing is a bargain now. Brazas wanted $17 for 10 and $10 for 1/4 chicken. One table outside. Small store. No design. Three workers. Opened recently. Too limited to be a Fav.

Smith's Homemade Ice Cream Fudge Chocolate - I grabbed a $6.50 root beer float. Small. Couldn't really tell if ice cream had quality. They would have included two scoops had I wanted them. Around twelve flavors. A kid scoop was $5. Didn't feel like asking about fudge. Small store. Opened two years ago.

Palm Beach Meats - Just opened this weekend. Soft for two weeks. Specializes in Waygu everything. Prices were too rich for my blood, so, I just had two waygu barbacoa (brisket) tacos for $14. Good. The meat was very shredded. Warm spices (cumin/cinnamon). Soft. Nice flavor. Raw onion. Cilantro. Aged cotija. Seemingly homemade soft blue corn tortillas. Took a bit to long to assemble. They have a fairly large menu. $11 entry snacks like lumpia, emapanadas, wontons. $14 hot dogs (looked small). Cheesesteaks, rice bowl, burrito, pb and j with marrow, sundaes with marrow, burgers, etc. And a few katsu sandwiches. Not sure why you would fry waygu. A 4oz (1/4 lb) of steak was $90! They use the parts of the cow that they don't sell as prime cuts for the items on the menu. The meat comes from Australia and New Zealand (?). They also sell retail cheese, charcuterie, etc. A Vermont goat cheese that you can get anywhere for $5 or less was $10 there. They turned the inside black and brown. Similar layout. Bar at right rear. Meat counter on the left. Order at a counter. Had a waitress or two. Maybe cocktails? It was about what I was hoping for. May be a Fav. Just don't love those prices. I'll have to think on it. They have a store on South Dixie in Palm Beach. Parking may be an issue.

Jamaican Express - Open for a week. I had a Van mini cake (lemon/coconut) for $5. Good value. Like four cupcakes big. Ok. Vanilla icing wasn't great. Not very lemony either. Three tiers of yellow cake with lemon "marmalade" in between. Sweet. Twinkie like. They have seven or eight other flavors of cake. They sell more pastry than I can ever recall associating with a Caribbean restaurant. Macaroons, pastry, brownies, tarts, cookies, etc. They also sell Express Bowls. $15 for curry chicken or stew chicken or curry goat. $16 for oxtail or jerk pork chops or jerk pork ribs. Comes with rice and peas or jasmine white rice or steamed cabbage and pumpkin or shredded cabbage and carrots. In hindsight, I should have buckled down and had one of those. I just wasn't expecting them to be open and had even more food in the car than I have written about. Order at a counter. One employee. Long, narrow, white space. Don't think they had any seats. Parking in back. Open until 2am. Has potential. 

*I tried to see if there was any movement on the Shaq chicken place on Michigan. It went by too fast. I may have seen some other (new) restaurant name on the outside. Chen or something. If it wasn't clear, I didn't get anything from Brazas Chicken. I may be around for the next two weeks. So, you could be in for an avalanche of reviews.

Tico Forest Cafe, Orlando

I tried this Costa Rican coffee bar on S Orange at Gaitlin Saturday at lunch. I had a ham and cheese on a croissant for $7. Average. Small. One slice of each. 700% mark up. And that and a few purchased sweets were all that they had besides coffee. Some tables. Open, white space. Order at the counter. Open a month or so. In the next post I should be sampling two other newbies that opened near them. They werent open that early while I was there this time around.

Grub Crawl - Longwood and Lake Mary: Eddie's Pizza and Zacapa

I tried these spots yesterday at lunch. The first in a strip mall on Ronald Reagan near Lake Mary HS that has Mumbai Flavors. Still not open. The other is in a strip mall at 46A and International Parkway. 

Eddie's Pizza - I had a chicken parm for $11. It was short in length. The bread (home made) was dense. Like a focaccia. But, shaped like a sub. I think they were trying to fancify it. It works as bread. It just doesn't work as sandwich bread. The chicken was too lightly breaded. Baked? Once again potentially fancified to no avail. It wilted/disappeared under the tomato sauces influence. The chicken had no taste. Thin pieces. The cheese was horrible. Like plastic wrap. I feign to refer to it as mozzarella. Even the menu just says "cheese". The sauce was mis-mixed. Parts just tasted unadulterated. Parts tasted garlic-y. Pretty good either way. Fresh. The whole sandwich needed more time in the oven/broiler. All the components didn't meld. I ended up eating each ingredient separately. They also have Italian, sausage, meatball and cheesesteak subs. Seven pastas. Five apps. Five salads. Stromboli and Calzone. All these around the same price as the parm. And pizza. 12'"-16". $12-$24. And $2.50 slices. I saw some in the window, they looked too thin and short. Why I didn't order one. They claim to have been rated Fox 35 Best Pizza in 2023. Why I went. The place is a long, undecorated rectangle. It doesn't seem like many people eat in. This is at least the third ownership group for this location. I forget the other names. I believe these guys have had control for over a year. I respect the fact that they are trying to elevate the dishes. They just need to tinker a bit with how to accomplish that. Closed Sun/M. 11am-8pm.

Zacapa Mexican - Replaced Coyoacan. Looks the same. Basically the same shit. It was Taco Tuesday. They only offer a beef and a chicken. $2.50. I had one of each. Fairly good. The ground beef was stringy in that "non-US" beef sort of way. The chicken was shredded. Not the blanched white floss some places seem to buy by the bag load. This had pieces of drum, etc. Alot of meat in both. Moist. Typical gringo veg and cheese. Semi-fresh. The real weak point was the tortilla. Just a flabby, cold, ungrilled flour tortilla. I'll have to see if they offer hard shells if there is a next time. Most expensive thing is a $36 molcajete. Nothing too intriguing. If we compare this to Taco Tuesday at Tijuana Flats, it is $5 vs $7 (I think). No chips or drink (refill). Maybe more meat. I didn't think a change of ownership would amount to anything. This is why I just did their cheapest offering. I was right.

*I've been meaning to shame the Orlando Weekly's reviewer. He spent (not sure if they comped his meal) something like $375 on himself at some new sushi boondoggle in town. Does he think his readers (free newspaper) can relate? I hope he is getting paid to play. He should be reviewing everyday places like these. Doesn't his editor see the disconnect? 

Mosonori, Winter Park *NY Travel Notes

I tried this hand roll spot today at lunch. It is in that teeny strip mall across from Krispy Kreme on Orlando Ave (south of Fairbanks) called City Place. It may have been in the running for a Fav slot had I not had to run into a Taco Bell (ironic) bathroom ten minutes after and then again when I got home. If those were the only facts, I would have been reluctant to point the finger at them. However, it came out of nowhere and was accompanied by stomach cramps. It was probably one of the mushy fish rolls they served me. I had the six hand rolls for $36. The salmon and toro had little flavor. The yellowtail had a fishy flavor. The bay scallops, lobster and crab were better. The crab was likely king crab (or snow). A salad spread. Same with the lobster (Maine). The lobster did taste a little off. Either frozen or from non-prime regions of the body. The bay scallops seemed like they were cut into smaller pieces. Semi-sweet. Mayo. The rice was short grain and fine. The nori was thin and dry. Didn't choke you or need to be chewed forty seven times. They are all hand rolls. Cigar shaped. Not packed tightly. Stuff fell out. They were instructing the guy making mine. All the staff seemed Latin. At $6 a roll, pricing is in line or low for some of these ingredients. That's a plus. Serving size was ok. Actually generous for the crab and lobster. But, let's hope they weren't responsible for my digestive issues. They also offer a 3,4,5 roll assortment ($19-$30). And individual rolls from $5 (cucumber) to $9 (toro and lobster). 14 in all. A $38 omakase (I didn't want the yam or eel). Three "tastings" ($9-$14). Beer. Sake. Soda. Tea. 2 Cocktails. Service was quick (only two others there with me). They started the next one the moment I was finished. They had around seven people on staff. "Chefs" with white chef jackets. Others in black uniforms. Nice clay plates and bowls. The place is a long rectangle with an elongated oval bar. 28 seats. Black, gray and wood. A clear glass refrigerator in the rear with hanging salmon and tuna. It looks posh. Kabooki guy. With all the ridiculously priced raw fish places that have strained credulity in the past two years, this is actually an affordable experience by comparison. That honors a normal hours and days. And doesn't require reservations. It is open every day for lunch (11:30-3pm) and dinner (5p-10p). They add in a 18% tip. Menu seems seasonal. Open (soft) for two weeks. Parking may be an issue. Although my week in NY probably softened up my wallet's gag reflex, I still had 66 pieces of tuna, salmon and shrimp nigiri at Koy Wan the day before for $12. And no health issues. I ask you - which is the smarter call? That said. Do both. *FYI -- I tried to try Kappy's as well (again). I now know why the went under.

*Travel Notes - New York: I flew (2p & 5p) Frontier to LGA for $106. No lines or delays either way. I used a coupon at Budget and paid nothing (was $202) for a three day full sized rental at Budget. Of course they gave me a car with a nail in the tire that cost me $38 to repair. They have the shuttle pick up areas marked better than last time. I spent the first night in Southampton at the Hamlet Inn (Booking 8.1) for $144. I mistook it for the Hampton Inn. I was surprised things were so pricy this time of the year or week. 

The next day I drove to Montauk. Few restaurants were open for lunch. I had a great bowl of Calamarata Vodka at Alimentari Beach. It is a pasta shaped like calamari rings. Spicy. Everything on the menu looked good. I drove to the lighthouse and Hero State Park next to it. Great views. Saw seals. Over to Gossman's docks. Got some finger foods from IGA for my vino at White's Liquor. Ok chicken parm from Sausages Pizza. Stayed on the beach at the Royal Atlantic Beach Resort (Booking 7.6) for two nights at $129 per. Also mistook this for another hotel. 

The next day it rained. I got a bad egg and cheese (they forgot the cheese) at Quincho's. Saw that my tire had become flat and drove to East Hampton to get it fixed at a tire place that gave me free air the day before. Drove through Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton and back. Had a good chicken salad sandwich with chips at Citta Nuova. Drove around Maidstone, etc. Back to Montauk. Grabbed a shitty veal parm at Pizza Village. 

The next day I drove through Sag Harbor again. Rain again. Stopped in at Clarissa's Bakery for a really good smoked salmon on whole wheat with some soft white cheese spread. Returned the car. Took the M60 bus to Manhattan. The MTA cards expire quickly, so, you will probably have to buy a new one from a machine inside the terminal and then stick it into the one by the pick up area and get a paper receipt that shows you did. Good news is that the bus just costs the same as any regular one. I think I was the only idiot that paid the fare (there or back). It's $2.90 now. Because I know this route and things were pricier than I expected and the hotel looked miles better in comparison and was new and had a view and was on sale, I stayed at the Renaissance NY Harlem on 125th (Expedia 8.8) for $616 ($75 in RFs) for three nights. Next to the Apollo. I had a 19th floor, brand new room with a view to Times Square. It was my first time staying in Harlem. I was a bit apprehensive with how they have been saying NYC is like it was in the 70s. No problems at all. The bus stopped one block away. Some of the usual drug addicts and old time racists. But mostly like any other neighborhood now. It was still raining (and cold now). Fortunately, I found a first class French wine store (BTL) for wine a block up and over after whiffing at Target and Trader Joe's (only beer). I found out there is a Whole Foods near them too. I just had Chick Fila though and stayed in.

The next day it was sunny. I walked (you read that right) up to 141st and St Nicholas Park to see what I came to see. Alexander Hamilton's House. It was free. I never saw it when I lived here. Turns out, it opened six years after I left (2011). In front of it is CCNY. Nice campus on a hill that I don't know if I had seen before. I stupidly walked down Amsterdam to Columbia instead of Broadway (I forget how it doesn't run straight) and missed the first of a few buildings that were involved in the Manhattan Project. They won't let non-students (and probably Jews) onto the campus anymore. Two idiots cops told me the building I was in front of was Pupin Hall. I still have to double check that. That and Schermerhorn were where some shit (cycletron) went down. Down further to Wu & Nussman for Pork and Crab Xiao Long Bao. I should have ordered more. It was good. A Jewish/Chinese mash up. I turned right after I remembered Grant's Tomb was around here. Also free. I walked through Riverside Park (uptown) to it and the Riverside Church. It was farther up than I remembered, so, I decided to retrace my steps back to the A-Bomb building I missed. I ran across a Sakura Garden on the way. At 125th, they have opened up some arts centers and a science center. Inside was a food court called The Manhattanville Market. I had chicken and corn soup from Butterfunk Biscuit Co and a Detroit style slice from Benny Casanova's Square Pies. I started walking to the building. But, it was too far. I went back to the hotel and watched college football. Chicken sandwich and ff from Harlem Shake. Wine from BTL. 

The next day I took the A train (also C) down to Penn Station. I walked over to see what was new at Hudson Yards. Not much. They added a bit to the Hi-Line. It goes across town a few block in the beginning now. Back to the station. Moynihan (Amtrak) station is so nice. I grabbed a turkey sandwich at Oliyo 34 because every place had a long line and the options aren't numerous around there. Paid $12 for the round trip to the Meadowlands. Used one of my tickets to watch the Bucs trounce the G Men. Left at halftime (too cold). Walked from Penn Station to Columbus Circle. Through Times Square. Subway back to 125th. Found a great market two blocks south (Lincoln Market). Had a great rb (so rare), mozz and bacon panini, Greek Salad and Goat Cheese. No wine.

The next day I had a good sausage and egg burrito with tea at 'Chele's for 0nly $15. Just opened. Came with roast potatoes and a field green salad. I wasted so much time chatting with them that I just had time to grab the bus back to the airport.

I can't believe I actually came BACK from NY more relaxed than when I left. Hadn't been to the city since before Covid. Never felt safer. No political/racial tension. I wish it hadn't cooled down or got dark so early. I tried not to break the bank on meals. Being able to go (let alone walk) freely to 141st St! And probably beyond. A game changer. FYI - I had already been to Sylvia's, Red Rooster and Amy Ruth's if you wondered why I ignored them. I almost went to the Notre Dame-Army game at Yankee Stadium. I almost went out to see the Islanders. Maybe I'll go back for New Year's Eve?

Grub Crawl - UCF Area: Cooper's Hawk and Maroush *Istanbul Travel Notes

I tried these spots in the Waterford Lakes shopping area off Alafaya Trail today at lunch. I was trying to try Gen Korean. It is nowhere near opening. I settled on the first one because it was on the corner and I had always meant to try the one on I Drive. The second is in the way back. I also saw a golf bar named Pop Shack and a chain dumpling place (Yum?) near it that is being built out. Everything else is the same. Oh. Portillos finally opened. Or has hung their shingle.

Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant - I was going to possibly Fav it until I found out their wine tasting area just offers up their own house brands. That cut its appeal in half. It's a chain from Illinois. 50 locations. Trying to be a Fleming's or such. I had the Lunch Sized (they ain't making it bigger) portion of the Cooper's Hawk Chicken Giardeniera for $19. They charged $20. Fav status now out the window. It was good. Small. Parmesan breaded. Scallopini thin. Breast size. Came with that terrible pickled veg concoction. Mashed potatoes. The savior was the free pretzel bread. All their apps are at main price levels. Things like ahi, meatballs, calamari, egg rolls. Categories are: pasta and risotto, surf and turf, steak and chops, seafood, chicken, soup and app salads, burgers and sandwiches, combos, chopped salads, life balance, vegetarian and desserts. High water mark is $41. Place seats over two hundred just in the main room. Alot of booths. Muted tones. Some rock and wood. Separate wine tasting and bar area and patio. Attired staff. Service was good. Food came out quick. It's pretty good overall. Not white tablecloth, 5 star good. Chain trying to replicate that good. It's no challenge/adventure going to a place like this. But, I'll bet you know plenty of people who would feel real comfortable here.

Maroush Shwarma and Grill - Syrian. Still in a soft opening (when did this bs become a thing?) two months in. Say their Grand Opening will be November 24. Still a little discombobulated for two months in. Six guys in the cooking area and one lady by a brick oven. I think three of the kitchen staff were just management. Also a guy making drinks in a blender and one at the counter. Order at a counter. Around forty tables inside and ten outside. A bit ratty for just being open. Yellow, gray, orange tones. Looks fast food-ish. Not much decoration. I had the chicken kufta for $19. The meat on the spits didn't look that reliable and I can't just keep ordering wraps to try. This is two skewers of ground chicken with rice or fries and two salads. The chicken kebabs are a little thin. Tasted fine though. Both salads were fresh and tasty. Baba Ghanoush and Hummus. Rice had a saffron color. Not dry. Fair portions of those. Pita seemed fresh. Coated with something red. Red Pepper? I wonder if it was baked in that clay oven? All in all, not bad. I have basically just sampled all of it so far. They do breakfasts too. Most of what you'd expect. Some things are called something different in Syrian. Like pide. I didn't take notes, so, I can't give examples. Two Syrians in month after none ever. What a city! I think you should try it if you are in the area. Hopefully, they tidy up and get things humming. Prices are in line. Like $10 and under for shwarmas.

*Travel Notes - Istanbul: I flew here (the new IST airport) on Aegean (late both ways) from Athens for $192. Turkey just waived the Visa requirement on January 1. I had only been to the old airport on my way to Bulgaria before. It was good. Let me start with a geography lesson because I was a bit disoriented it turned out. There are three main areas. Two on the European side. I call them north and south. They are separated by the Golden Horn. It is a river looking carve in from the Bosphorous. The Asian side is across from the Bosphorous. Imagine a right arm. The Sea of Marmara (to Greece) is the part below the elbow. The Black Sea is above the finger tips. The Golden Horn is the thumb. Above the thumb (north) is where I stayed. It has Taksim Square and Galata Port/Tower/Bridge. Below the thumb is a bit older. It has Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque. The distances between aren't that great. Between north and south you can walk the bridges. You don't need the ferries. You need the ferry to go to Asia (Uskadur and Kadikoy). Most of the stuff you want to see is on the European side. It's hilly. The airport is very far away on the Black Sea (1 hr+). They have underpasses on most streets. *Most of the stuff you can read online was wrong/dated or contradictory. Rely on me. Exchange rate was 35TL to a USD. Every tourist site was ridiculously priced. All the Chinese, Iranians and Russians are here.

The first night I arrived after dark. The airport had long walks. Customs line was a bit long. No bank atms in the airport. Just exchange ones. They had bus kiosks in baggage claim. I think a trip was around 250TL. Taxis were expensive. I had researched the new M11 train, so, I walked out of the exit and in the middle of the lower level was a route (a bit far) to that. No one was there to help. Just two types of machines. You had to figure it out on your own. I took the bigger machine (cheaper). That was a mistake. That card (40TL) only worked on the M11. You have to top it up. I did 30TL (Mastercard). That may have been (internet said 17TL) the price of one ride (I couldn't see the read out when I swiped it) and when I tried to use it on the return it said it didn't have enough. The M11 ends at a stop called Gayrettepe. You get off and walk a long way (underground tunnel) to the M2. There there was a person to ask. She said I had to use the machine for the Istanbulunkart. It cost 130TL and I topped it with 50TL. You understand that the first charge is just for the card? Right? Mastercard again. Both machines had English option. Trip cost 20TL. I thought M2 ended in Taksim Square. When I saw it went further, I showed a local (most spoke some English) a pic I snapped of the map that showed my hotel. He said I should get off one stop farther. Sishane. This was partially right. I could have gone one more to Halic in the middle of the bridge (Golden Horn) in front of my hotel. I just walked down a hill to the waterfront. I stayed at the Golden City Hotel (Booking 8.1) for five nights at $75 a night. Mistake. I got two things wrong. The area around Galata Port/Bridge is nicer and this hotel looked like it was nicer than the one rejected. This area still has alot of machine shops and the like. It is one street off the water. It is still in the gentrification process. Plus you hear all the subway noise as it crosses the bridge. I walked around to find a bank. Some a few blocks north at Galata Bridge. Most were outside ATMs. I grabbed two (I was starving) chicken durum (their wraps) for 140TL a piece at Pilavci. One of the few (carry out) options. FYI - there are barely any mid range or supermarkets anywhere. Just some silly bodegas with no price tags. Then I went to bed.

The next day was mosque day. I crossed over the Golden Horn Bridge and hung a left to the Eminonu Ferry area. I was told I had to take ferries everywhere and you couldn't walk the bridges (wrong). Up to Galata Bridge. I thought that named bridge was that super huge bridge you see in pictures. That bridge is way north and you never have to deal with it. There are many things around this bridge that I will get back to. I went under it and saw some signs to the Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet/Blue Mosques. I crossed the street and asked in a tourist office (also got a map) on the left (where it turned out Sirkechi Train Terminal is) where to go. He said follow the tram tracks. So, I ignored him and took the road to the right of it with a sign pointing to the Blue Mosque. It is more direct, but, leaves you a little right of the sites. So, I took a left at the top and it left me between the two mosques. I walked down what was a Roman Hippodrome and around the Blue Mosque (I think this was free, but, I had on shorts and I really only care about the outsides anyway). You see two Roman columns, a Serpent column, the Hagia Sophia Museum (these made me think I was walking around that to begin with) and the German Fountain. I then walked over to Hagia Sophia. Past a harem and a fountain. Around the right side to the Fountain of Ahmet III. Then into Topkapi Palace. I believe it cost 1200TL to go past this area. I just took pics of the Hagia Eirene and Imperial Mint. Out the same way. Then right and left and back past Yerebatan Sarnici Basilica Cisterns (900 TL - as in Inferno by Dan Brown) to the middle ground between the two mosques. Right past Firuz Aga Mosque to McD's. Good wings and add an item deal. Then past that to some other mosques (there are so many) and a right to Nurusomaniye Mosque and Constantine Column and down and to the left for the Grand Bazaar (James Bond Skyfall motorcycle roof chase). Then out the same way and back to the road I walked up and down to the river. Across Galata Bridge to the ferry area and back to hotel. I then walked up to the Galata Tower where I found a Migros and bought some wine and food.

The next day was Taksim day. I walked up to Galata Tower again and on up (this area is called Beyoglu) to Istiklal Avenue. It is the main shopping/eating street. Ends up at Taksim Square. Lots of side streets. Embassies, St Antonio Church, Turkish Bath, Museum, etc. In Taksim (at the street behind the BK) I had my first Islak (wet) burger (50TL) and a great 150TL doner et durum (shaved steak with ff wrap) at Bambi's Cafe. They don't add any dips or sauces. Real beef. Allowed to crisp. So much better than any expat shit you find here or in Europe. Great wrap too. The wet burger turned out to have been dipped in some tomato sauce. Then I walked around the Mosque at Taksim to Tarlabasi St (closer to Beyoglu) and down towards the river. Eventually back towards Istiklal and down to Galata Port. Past the Peninsula Hotel there is some shopping area where you pass through a metal detector to get back on the esplanade. There I saw some cool statues, Modern Art Museum, etc. It is posh and brand spanking new. Obviously good views. You take this route to get to the Besiktas area (seemed business-y). There I saw the Dolmabhce Mosque and Palace (1000TL), Tupras Stadium, pier, etc. If I wasn't so tired, I would have tried to walk to the big bridge (15 July Martyrs). Got some shots of it from the pier/ferry terminal. Then back the same way. Up to the Galata Tower (via Comondo Stairs) and wine and walnuts (90TL for 150g), etc.

The next day was ferry day. I went to the Karakoy station and topped up my Istanbulunkart for 100TL in cash. You press top up. It says place your card on the reader. There it tells you how much you have left. You put the money in or tap. Then I took the ferry to Uskudar via Eminonu for around 30TL. They are all around this much. The reader tells you how much and how much is left. The ferry ride alone is like a day tour. You see all there is to see. I must have taken 10 videos. Not much to Uskudar. Asian side. Down the esplanade past a mosque to the Maiden's Tower. You should turn back here. I followed it (a few km) all the way to the next area (Kadakoy). Past a working port, some kind of military building, near this big (Comica) Tower, hospitals, a uni, an old customs house, mosque, some ruins, etc. To their port. I was so bushed that I just got on the ferry back to Eminonu. Saved a ferry charge though. Then I walked back to Galata Port and had a durum balik (mackerel wrap) for 150TL at Boneless Kilciksiz Balik. Then up to Istiklal for wine and food at Macro Center and a not as good doner et durum at Keskin Kebap and Doner. 

The next day was leftovers and seconds day. It rained all morning. Iffy the rest of the day. I crossed the bridge and went to the Egyptian Spice Market. I should mention this and the day before were the weekend and there were a hell of lot more people out. Then back up (this time the tram tracks) to the mosques and down the other side to the Little Hagia Sophia and that area. Back to the mosques and down to the Gulhane Park. If the weather wasn't threatening, I would have spent the rest of the day here. Instead it was back to Galata Port and a Kiymali (meat,cheese,mushroom,spinach,potato) Gozleme at some place that I'm unsure the name of. 180TL. They had a coffee guy in front that said Kolde. Great. Like a crepe. Then I bought (closer to the hotel) another durum balik at Murat the Fisherman for 160TL for dinner. They had been begging me as I passed all week. It had all these photos of people that made it seem famous. Probably bs.

The final day was Taksim day again. I was going to try the Galata Tower at last. But, the 30TL entry fee was actually 30E. And they wanted it in TL! So, I told them where they could stick it. I should mention here that they charge foreigners like 10x more at all the sites. Up to Istiklal. Grabbed a simit (bagel) from a cart called Beyoglu Belediyesir Simitli for 15TL. I'll add that they also have all these roasted corn on the cob (30TL) and chestnut carts everywhere. I tried to waste time and try another regional restaurant. But they tend to eat later than us, so, I ended up at the BK at Taksim Square. It actually had a great roof deck. 175TL for the old school chicken sandwich. I went down the Taksim station. Shit hole. Homeless. And took the M2 to Gayrettepe (they pronounce it guy) and M11 back to the airport. Had to stand the whole way again. They have two xray areas there. Aegean had no kiosk. You had to wait in line for a boarding pass. They don't take TL at the airport. Only euros. Spend that leftover cash before you get there.

Istanbul was great. I spent 3000TL. The women were very pretty. It appears I love those fat faces. And I know who to blame for that. No freaks with tats and ox rings. Lots of cultures. Many Batmen. Probably foreigners. They all have their faces in their phones. Polite. Everyone smokes. Less loud than Greeks. They all walk on the wrong side of the street. The women assume you will give way. I didn't get to try the coffee, pomegranate juice, tripe, ice cream (they wanted 150-200TL for a small) or Turkish Delight. Accomplished most everything else. I assume I missed some delights. I was surprised how European side heavy it was. How walkable (and hilly) it is. Safe. They have these huge jelly fish in the Bosphorous. I wanted to see the other regions, but, it seemed like their public transport isn't that great. You really have to take planes. And that airport is just too far away. I may try ferries from Greek islands for some of them. You should put this on your to do list. I got some of these ideas from a BBC show called Travel Man (tripe) and Travels with Darley. Maybe Ricky Steves and Joey Rosendo. But I think their notes were for other cities in Turkey.

Grub Crawl - Maitland: Lim Ros, Athena and Mandola's *Greece Travel Notes

I tried these places on Thursday at lunch. The first replaced Brick & Spoon on the south corner of that condo on S Orlando across from Copper Rocket. The second is a bit north in the south corner of a strip mall that has a Lazy Days in front. The last is on the way to I-4 on Maitland Blvd (414). On the west corner of a new strip mall in a new development called Trelago.

Lim Ros - An upscale Thai offering. Open for a month or less? Unclear on the meaning. The semi-fluent waitress said it had something to do with eating. Like flavor or taste. Unsure on what region the draw from. I had the $15 lunch special. You can choose from about seven things. They include a soup and spring roll and white rice with all seven. I chose the Panang Curry with chicken and Chinese Eggplant. It was good. Not great. The soup was the best. They call it a seaweed soup. Clear broth like you used to (maybe still do) get as the "other" soup at a hibachi place. Tofu. Really clean and tasty. Cool metal spoon. The spring roll was a bit bland. Veg filling. Seemed pre-fried. Needed a dipping sauce or something. Maybe I should have dipped it into the curry. The curry was good. I had it hot. Not too hot. Jalapeno hot. There with slivers of green and red chilis. Panang is usually too sweet for me. This was more refined. The chicken was the usual. A decent amount for a lunch special. Maybe ten pieces. The tiny eggplant was cut into quarters. Basil. The rice was dry. No way around that. I wish I had this dish to go so I could repurpose all the left over curry. Served in three different color ceramic bowls/plate. Some garnish. It came out quick. The menu is a bit pricier than the "bistro/trattoria" level Thai places. They do offer some competitive offramps though (under $20). Some differentiated dishes. 3 noodle soups, 3 fried rices, Pad Ga Prow, 2 noodles and 2 curries from $18-$22. 6 apps from $8-$18. Shrimp donut, chive cake, pork skewer, satay for examples. Tom Yum and Tom Kha Gai Soup that they call Hot Pots. Larb and shredded papaya. Those are $15-$23. 7 Mains from $21-$40. Snapper, duck, NY Strip, char sui pork, pork rib and one called Goong Ob Woonsen and Kanom Jeen Nam Ya Pu that you can look up. Desserts and booze. The place is large with a high ceiling. Beige, black (ceiling) and charcoal colors. Fabric seats. Wood tables. Green leaf mural behind the bar. Windows. The layout isn't the best. Many tables (all the ones facing away from the street like mine) have a straight view to the doors into the kitchen. They have 28 tables. Different heights and occupancies. Large entry area. You enter on the side. Two servers at that time. Black unis. Good. I liked it. Only four others there. All women. Closed on Tuesday. It might squeak in as a Favorite. 

Athena Roasted Chicken - I was still hungry, so, I decided to pop in here. I had been many times when I lived in WP. Not in years though. Unreviewed. My father used to love the rotisserie chicken. I ordered a quarter dark of that ($4) because a whole was $11 or so and you can get a quite good whole one at any supermarket nowadays for $7. But, I had to remind myself if it was as good as I remembered. It was. Tiny though. Not any or much better than the supermarket ones. Two triangles of pita as well. What I really wanted was the Cypriana Chicken in a pita with melted provolone. The vegetable sauce turned out to be tomato forward. The cheese added a little texture, binding and flavor. Great (off the bone) chicken. I started with just a taste test (while it was fresh). I ended up Cookie Monstering it. The pita was fresh and fluffy/spongy. Superb. It cost $7.49. I can't muster up the energy to give you the whole menu and prices. Here are their categories as they list them: non-Greek sandwiches, taboule, hummus, tahini, halloumi, dolmades, side dishes, soup and chili, chicken platters and salads and sandwiches, special salads, desserts, beverages, pita wraps and Greek specialties (15). Highest priced thing is the whole chicken. Open since 1988. I doubt it has had a make over. Basic layout. Some Greek posters of sites. Maybe twenty tables. Packed. Order at a counter. Open for L & D every day. Catering. No animal fat usage. Hormone free. Never frozen. May be a Favorite as well.

Mandola's - The 75 year old uncle of the Carrabba's guy (he was involved in that as well). Out of Texas (Austin). A few elsewhere (ie Jacksonville). Sicilian American. A chain. Inauthentic vibe. Order at a counter. They bring it to you. I had a lasagna to go for $17 plus a $1 packaging fee. Large. 4x4x2. Meat sauce, ricotta, mozz, Romano. Traditional. Good. They also sell six other pastas ($15-$17). The most interesting was Lunette Modo Mio. The rest were usuals. Four salads ($11-$15). Six apps (7-$12). One Minestrone soup. Four Mains ($18-$22). Salmon and Parms. I saw some sliced chicken that looked like cafeteria food. Five pizzas ($15-$18). A personal was $12. It looked like shit. Thin. Plate size. A Daily Feature. All around $20. Desserts. Wine and beer. Half portions of pasta. Kids menu ($9-$10). They also have a corner area for $6 small gelatos(i) and coffees. The place is a large square. Open kitchen in the far corner. The staff looked a little suspect. Pizza oven (flames) on the right. Ordering area to the right of that. WCs and soda fountain at the rear. Maybe 28 tables? Large patio are on the left. Another dozen tables? Soccer flags hanging from the ceiling. Coffee bar posters. A Godfather poster (the kiss of death). When I see one, I know the food is going to suck. Yellow, red and white. Really faux marble table tops. About a sixteenth full. They also sell wine. Theirs and others. Open for under a month. I can't recall the one time I patronized Carrabba's (on 434 near Lake Brantley). I suspect it didn't capture my heart. This may be a bit better? 

*Travel Notes - Greece: I flew UA there (Athens) and Air Canada back (Newark and Montreal) for $613. A few days before I left, I risked a jinx and bought an Aegean (via Olympic) to Chios (Homer's birthplace) for $150 that left a few hours after I landed. I stayed at the Chios Chandros Hotel (Expedia VIP 9.0) for two nights at $92. Must be the best option available in the area. Only $20 more. I had a view of the port and a balcony. I took a cab there for 9E. Stupid. I walked it on the return and it took me 25 minutes. I tried to haggle, but, the driver said the airport charges them 4E. Could be bs. I didn't do much other than walk the town/port. Too tired. They have a castle, square and Byzantium museum. I also walked up the hills for some pics. I ate from Market On both nights. A hard feta, sheep yogurt (great), dry hummus, cod roe (don't buy this), salami, pork, etc. I just went here because the other islands cost more in airfare. 

While there, I bought a ticket on Aegean to Thessaloniki (through Athens) for $190. Stayed three nights at the Amalia Hotel (Booking 7.9) for $60 a night. It was between Palatia Dikastirian and Platia Aristotelous and three blocks from the sea on Emou. Where you want to be. I took the bus from the airport for 1.80E. It took a long time. Full! They didn't call out the stops. It was dark. They barely turn on the street lights, etc. Thank God a local showed me where and when to get off. I bought taramasalta, feta, etc at a market called Masoutis. Drank some wine (did this most every night of the trip) and walked down around the esplanade. So many girls out. Too tired though. 

The next day it was a bit cloudy. I walked back up to a Roman Agora and Agios Dimitros and Commander's Mansion and over to the west wall to get my bearings. Then down to the port (film festival going on) and a ship called HS Velos. To the White Tower and all the way down the shore (a few km). Marathon going on. Back to the Museum of Byzantine Culture and Archeological Museum (both free that day). At Palatia Aristotelous, I had strawberry gelato with chocolate at Bufala Gelato and a chicken sandwich at Crats. Wine and the leftover food from the day before. It started to rain. So no nocturnal activity.

The next day, I found some restaurants I saw this summer on some BBC travel show. Cin Cin (bar) and Vanilla Gelato. Had good vanilla, marzipan and pumpkin gelato for free because it was their last day for the season and they were dumping the inventory. On the corner was a Levantine place called Feyrouz. I had a great wine braised rooster pide with some cheese and kraut and walnuts on top. Great! Easily the best pide I've ever had. I also had a bad Salisbury steak like cheeseburger at Goody's. I then walked to Agia Sophia and over to the Convention Center. The modern art museum there was closed. I saw some huge fort/castle on the hill and tried to walk up to it. Through the University. I went one block too far to the right and ended up at some soccer stadium and then up the hill to a church and the zoo and some ampitheater. I should have probably followed a road up there that may have led to the fort. Instead, I went back the same way and over to the cemetery. There I found the proper route (along more old walls) to the Trigonion Tower and the Northern Walls. Then across to the Church of St Paul. Back down and Rotunda and the Arch of Galerius. Pre-sunset on the esplanade. KFC wings and ff (so many) and leftovers and a crazy sunset (clouds) of birds going nuts over the city. 

The next day I bought a ticket at a kiosk for the bus. The stop was right on the same street we came in on (Egnatia Odos). Half full bus. In Athens, I took the X95 bus for 5.50E to Syntagma Square. I stayed at the Abov Athens (Expedia 8.8) for $75. Mozz, prosciutto, chips from Bazaar. Wings and ff from KFC again. The next day I took the bus back to airport for Istanbul (Described in the next post).

I had two nights after Istanbul. I took the bus back to Syntagma. Stayed two nights at the Omiros Hotel (Booking 7.7) for $59 a night. The first night was a disaster. The second night they gave me a room on the roof. It was great. The first night I just bought the same things at Bazaar that I bought a few days before. Got in late. Walked the area again a bit. Ate in the room. 

The next day I walked to the hill that houses the Chapel of St George on Lykavittos Hill. Past the Facade of Hadrian's Resevoir. Just kept climbing up until I found these stairs to it. Great views! Maybe better than the Acopolis. Do this! Does burn the hammies though. There may be a funicular. Down and over to this statue called The Runner. Across to the National Gallery (closed - Tuesday). Over to the War Museum (6E). Just looked at the stuff on the outside for free. Down the street to the Byzantine Museum (closed). Back past Parliament. Had a good, cheap pepperoni pizza at Oi Meraklhdes Tyropites. Over to the National Historic Museum, Library and University and Academy of Arts. I haven't sorted out yet (all closed). Over to Palaka. This time I went right instead of left. Past Hadrian's Library and to the Agora. Reduced price from 10E to 5E after 11/1. Worth the money. You can walk around it and peek in for free (same with Hadrain's Library). The drizzle started getting stronger and I was a bit spent from the St George trek, so, over to Bazaar for the same goodies and back to the hotel. View of sunset of the Acropolis from the roof deck. Bus to airport the next day.

The exchange rate was 1.08 USD to a Euro. The weather was great (only used a thin sweater twice). Especially in the beginning. Sun didn't burn. I had never been there this late. Still ok. Seemed like less flights nationally and at a higher cost. So, you may save money flying to Athens and lose it if you travel in country. No real issues getting there. Customs was fast every time but one. Flight home was the land of the living dead. Most coughing up a lung. I have decided that if Greek women had to be depicted in a cartoon about animals, it would be a rhinoceros. Wish I could have squeezed in another island. Spent 170E aside from hotels. Check out the thin honey sesame bars. Totally worthwhile two weeks.

Grub Crawl - Maitland: Kos, Maitland Chocolate Factory and City Pho and Grill

I tried these spots a week ago on Tuesday at lunch. All things to go. The first one I had a coffee when they were across from Rollins (May 20, 2022). Now it's next to Athena Chicken. The second is aside it. The third is closer to Lee Rd where Copper Rocket is. I went there when it was I-Pho 2 (April 21, 2016). Now its renamed. I tried these spots because plan A went south.

Kos Coffee - I tried a seriously overpriced waffle for $9. It was good. Made into 6 ajoined hearts. Maple syrup. It is Norwegian. $12 sandwiches too. And overnight oats and other breakfast iteams. Some seats. Neither fish nor fowl. I don't think they take the food side seriously enough. Its like a Starbucks. Therefore, I can't recommend.

Maitland Chocolate Factory - Next to Kos. Chocolate was ok. I had a $3.25 dark chocolate bar. Thin. They have dipped stuff and gelato. No gelato there though. Open for a few years.

City Pho and Grill - I had a sad Supreme banh mi for $9. Rubbery pork sausage, dull pate, tough pork roll. Short, non-baguette roll. No fish sauce/vinegar. They have 25 starters ($4-$16). Calamari, shumai, fried pancakes. Rice platters ($14-$22). Clay pots. 17 specialties ($16-$21). Fried rice. 5 veg ($15-$16). Pork, beef, chicken, pork chop, pork and egg meatball, shrimp, shredded pork. Sake, beer, wine. Shakes. Dessert.  Happy hour. Gray/white color scheme. Large mural of Bui Viet walking street in Saigon. Around 12 tables. Open for 8 years. I'm not sure if it is the same ownership. It was acceptable.

* I told you what I passed up in the last post.

Grub Crawl - Longwood and Chinatown: Toshka, Chili Star (Closed) and WaLaLa

I tried the first spot on Sunday at lunch. The next to on Monday at lunch. I am combining them because I need to get these out while there is time. The first is on 17-92 across from an Aamco (behind a smoke shop) near where the dog track used to be. Near Enzo's. The next two are in Chinatown on W50. East side of the shopping area. Next to each other. Same owner.

Toshka Syrian Street Food Truck - I had the namesake for $14. It was hard to see what they were doing. It looked like they took shaved lamb from the gyro and sandwiched between a crepe like wrapper and grilled that. But, I believe it is supposed to be ground meat. Maybe I saw the people's in front of me shwarmas, et al being made. They ordered alot. In any case, it was one piece of lamb (looked shaved) and they claim some cheese. I couldn't really see it or taste it. Still it was good. And not just because it was virgin territory. The flavors were subtle. They gave me a garlic yogurt dipping sauce that it needed. And some sweet supermarket looking slaw that it didn't. It also came to life when you place a piece of the ripe tomato or sour pickle on top. Sliced into eight triangles. It was a tad overpriced. Food truck overhead argument again. They also said (no non-QR code menu) they do a shwarma ($13) that a review said was chicken (I didn't see chicken on a gyro), falafel ($10) and a sojuk sausage ($14). The things I think are shwarma looked thin. You can make it a platter with fries (I think those caused the delay) and a soda can for an extra $3. It did take too long. Two guys. One guy left for a while (went to take a dump?). Only one group of three in front of me. FIFO. They had a couple of umbrella'd tables. A lake view. Open for five months. Open everyday from 10am-10pm. If it was 50% cheaper it would definitely be a Favorite. Now I have to give to greater thought. I also can't help wondering if these guys are innocents or Bashar al- Assad supporters or ISIS and if I should care. And if the guy who left for a while washed his hands.

Chili Star - I had the cheapest non-white person dish for $15. No side. Sliced Beef and Ox Tongue in Chili Sauce/Oil. It also had peanuts and transparent slices (ultra thin) of some hard substance. The ox tail? I don't think so. The meats I see in the dish have two textures and shapes/cuts. One had to be the ox tail. Anyway. I enjoyed this oxtail much more than the one at Chuan Fu on Lee Rd that I had earlier this year. still nothing compared to Mexican ox tongue. The beef was pleasant as well. I know they don't put spicy sauce on anything prime, but, this wasn't offal. Get it? Nice sauce. Peanuts added texture and flavor. Good spur of the moment choice. One of their "Signature" offerings. Served cold. I don't think I would have liked it hot. Big menu. 16 Signature dishes ($15-$49). Things like kidney, pickled cabbage fish, salted egg yolk prawns. 16 Sichaun and Hunan Specials ($15-$45). Things like dry pot beer duck, pork liver, clay pot beef trotters. 7 Apps ($8-$15). Things like saliva chicken and garlic smashed cucumber. 9 Beefs ($22-$28). 9 Seafoods ($20-$45). 5 Chickens ($16-$20). 4 Porks ($16-$20). 10 Vegs ($14-$22). 7 Rice/Noodle/Dumplings ($9-$16). 5 Desserts ($6-$13). Two Soups ($18). The place has a narrow north south floor plan. White and black. Some art in the rear. Seats about forty. Quick service. Not too full. I learned from the menu at the next place that the owner has worked in food prep for twenty years in China. Open for five months. Might be a Fav. I'm starting to prefer this dish to the Hor Fun (below).

WaLaLa Asian Noodle House - The definite Favorite on this list is this place. They do everything right. The place is a Swedes wet dream decked out in blue and yellow (and white). Hexagon tile marble floors. Subway tile accents. Glassed in working kitchen in the rear. Three columns of tables. Sixteen in all. Yellow drapes hanging from the ceiling. Attentive/costumed servers. Quick service. Spoke English. Almost at capacity. Open for three months? How did this slip through? I had hand shredded chicken Hor Fun (flat) Rice Noodles for $17. Very good. Plentiful. Zucchini and scallions. Not overpowering flavors. A bit bland. Decent broth. Simple and fun. I'm not sure if these qualify (as I had it to go), but, the menu said unlimited noodle refills. The menu (perfectly crafted with pictures and descriptions in large fonts in plastic) has these sections: drinks (the usual teas, et al), Lanzhou hand pulled noodles, Hunan hand pulled noodles, apps (sliced pigs ear, etc), skewers, rice, hor fun, dumplings (pan fried and steamed), buns (pan fried), ramen, tempura, wings, tea egg, veg. There is a really cool dumping dish where ten are joined together by some kind of batter. And some dishes with what the term "honey comb". It looks like it is actually that. Some of the dishes are "dry" (no broth). Pork Belly, ribs, etc), chicken, beef. I like this place because it looks fresh while being intriguing and accessible. Just no bs. I would love if it came at a cheaper cost. But, isn't that always my tired refrain. Who can argue with guys making fresh noodles while you wait and watch. And toss in some fun dishes and fruity drinks. I would eat here every week if I lived close by. I will certainly be back soon. Probably for the dumplings. A great compliment to Chili Star. I'm sure they wanted the other way around, but, I liked the lower maintenance option as usual. Seek this out. It should be a chain.

*I espied a new Indian on what I think is Ronald Reagan in Lake Mary/Longwood. Where Maya Rosa was. Near the turn to Lake Mary HS. Called Mumbai Flavors. It must have been their friends and family pre-launch. They said they open on Thursday. They gave me two tasty fried aloo (potato) on a roll. Spicy! I also drove 414 (Maitland) to I-4 today and saw that Mandola's is open. Crazy Greek too (been to the one near the court house downtown). Mondola's seems to be associated with Carraba's. Sorry probably I won't be able to be the first to bring it to you. Opened a week ago. Tried to go to the new Thai (old Brick & Spoon location) on S. Orlando. It is closed on Tuesday.