I surveyed these places on Ronald Reagan Blvd on Thursday afternoon.
Upper Crust Desserts - I had a chocolate chip cookie and an oatmeal raisin cookie ($1.50 a piece) at this little shop on the road that goes past Lake Mary High School on the way to or from RR Blvd. It's next to the 7-11. The CC was full of Ghiradelli chocolate chunks. It was shaped like a muffin top or tiny scone. It was good. It may have sat for a few days (a little dry), so, the fresh ones must be really good. The OR was good as well. I believe the shop has been there for a little while, but, has just started selling to the public (no pre-orders required). They sell a variety of baked goods.
Kosher Kitchen - This place is off 434 near the tropical fish store. I believe it has opend fairly recently. They were out of almost everything. The owner said it was because of Passover (cleaned them out), but, that was a month ago. The things they were to have had seemed mostly like pre-cooked items that you take home and reheat. They also sell some packaged items from Israel. The decrepit look of the place and lack of inventory made me wonder if it is a front. A front for what, I can not imagine.
Island Sizzle - This Jamaican place is in a little strip mall next to Kosher Kitchen. I had a Jerk Pork meal for $8. It came with some sort of cabbage salad, rice and beans, sweet plantain and a little hush puppy. The hush puppy was sweet and seemed fresh. The cabbage salad was slightly vinegary. The rice and beans were savoury. The plaintain was soft. The pork was plentiful and just shy of uncomfortably spicy. There was a lot of pork. It was a little dry (overcooked), but, at least it wasn't fatty. There were about two little bits that were not eatable. The place is more of a takeout joint than a sit down establishment. I can't remember if they had any seats. One of the better Jamaican places I've tried around CF. They serve breakfast items too. They have a lot of authentic options. The menu is reasonably priced. They said they have been there a year.
Bianco's Mona Lisa - They are near that little nook of reconditioned buildings near where the train tracks cross RR Blvd. The restaurant has been there forever. I last went there when it was just Mona Lisa's. I'm not sure if adding the Bianco's several years ago indicates a change in ownership or some trademark altercation. In any event, it's what I remembered looking like and tasting like from before. I had a meatball parmigiana sandwich for $8. It was ok. The meatball was a little hamburger helper-y. They sliced two baseball sized meatballs into rings so it would flatten out in the roll. The tomato sauce and cheese was a little scarce. It also came with a side of cold pasta salad. It was ok. The tomatoes in it were rubbery (old) and the past was a little soggy. They also served some really good, home made garlic bread with the meal. It was probably the best thing. The rest of the menu was predictable. Pizza, pasta, chicken parm, etc. It is priced in that annoying zone of mid-quality Italian that I always rant about. The place seats about 80 in four separate rooms. It's an old house and each room was repurposed as a dining area. There were around 7 people (3 tables) eating there for lunch - all women. It's odd, but, they looked like they belonged there. I've often found that customers sometimes resemble the place they eat at. In this case, that means - a little frumpy. The service (1) was good and polite. The food came out quickly. It's cute little joint with a safe menu.
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