I had lunch at this Grill/Cafe (depending on the receipt or card) in the Winter Park Village next to Chamberlain's on Orlando Ave (17-92) yesterday. It is a division of Applebee's. I had the Chicken Pot Pie for $12. The pie came in a clean, white bowl with a pie crust top hat. I, originally, was disappointed by its modern look (I cut my teeth on messy, unruly crock pots of imprisoned components) and gave the waitress an "anhh" when she asked if I thought it the most delicious CPP I had ever had. I think I may have said (in fact I know I did) that it was like cream of chicken soup with pie crust crackers. No sooner did I open my big mouth (I should disclose that I vowed to myself as a teen to give honest, thoughtful answers to even the most pointless small talk as a reaction to the pointlessness of small talk) than I started to rethink and regret my reply. As I tasted the still firm carrots (man that sounds gay) and broccoli, I understood the benefit of reconstructing Grand Ma's Chicken Pot Pie. It's not a mushy mess. And while you still miss the bottom and side crust, it is a reasonable price to pay for toothsomeness. And besides they usually undercooked that part of the dish anyway. So I admitted my mistake and asked for Absolution from my waitress and received more than that. They comped the dish. I didn't ask for it. I tried to dissuade them. But, they wouldn't let me hear of it. And that is why this review switched from - a rather generic, overpriced, ordinary American McRich-staurant - to what I have to say about it in the next, few lines. It is true that it is part of a chain (all be it a small chain aiming at the higher end of American casual). But, some people are comforted by that. It is true that the menu is a "Greatest Hits" album. But, some people are comforted by that. It is true that the prices are a little high considering the first two concessions. But...well everbody hates that (except maybe the baby in the Jimmy Fallon credit card commercial). However, this is what most unadventurous Americans want and what most adventurous Americans can put up with.
The place is clean with a forced elegance. It looks like everything was bought at Pottery Barn or wherever they sell faux French advertisement posters and mass produced works of art. You just sense the conformity. Aside from that, we already established that the service is beyond reproach and multitudinous. There must have been eight, corporately dressed attendants on call for lunch (plus a host and a bartender or two). This is the benefit of having big, corporate dollars paying the bills. The place seats about: 20 in booths of two on either side of the bar/dining room divider, 10 at the bar, 40 in two rows of tables for four in between four person booths for 20 in the dining room. They also have a patio that seats around 50. I was there late so the inside was almost empty. It was "waiting room only" two Saturday night's ago. All in all, it's ok. I still don't get why they call it Truffles. I didn't see any on the menu. I didn't see any French or Italian food. It's perplexing. I am more familiar with the jokes about Applebee's than the food, but, I know I've been there at least once and I think I think of them as I do of Truffles. It's a little basic. It's a little safe. It's a little overpriced for what you get. I can't say I will fight to get back here, but, I wouldn't whine if I was forced to. And let every other restaurant manager take note. What could have been a very sour and uncomplimentary report on a lunch service turned into a semi-laudatory review. In addition, I feel a certain debt to and affinity for the place. A debt that I tried to repay by giving the waitress most of the cost of meal (I didn't have all the cash required) as a tip and an affinity for the place so that I am more likely to return (even though I prefer to try uncharted waters) or tell others to. Finally, I didn't mention the "tip" to garner sympathy. I did it so you wouldn't think I'm the type of person that goes around complaining about my meal to get a discount. I just complain about it out the sheer love of the complaint.
BTW - a McRich-staurant is a cookie cutter chain of "luxury" dining (ie Houston's, Flemings, Seasons 52). Slightly different from a Mc-restaurant (ie Chilis, Applebee's, TGIF)
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