2023 Favorites List and Travel Notes Index

If you haven't noticed, I have tried to make this list a bit more helpful by adding the dates that I wrote the reviews of the restaurants and added the Travel Notes Index to the site. It should make it easier to look back upon the posts with the most value. Since the search tool is so horrible. Not as horrible as the recent hires at the news channels though. Especially WESH. Are we trying to hire unattractive/overweight people? Is their new sports hostess cupcake constantly high?

$$$$ - Doshi (January 31), Kaya (February 9), Norigata - Winter Garden (May 16)

$$$ - Turci Pasta (April 10), Bruno's Oyster's - Winter Garden (May 16), Otto's High Dive (August 4), Superica (December 16), Bar Italia (December 29)

$$ - Hen & Hog (January 3), Kura Sushi (January 3), Argentinian Bakery (January 6), Kung Fu Dumpling (January 21), Orange Crate Cafe - Winter Garden (January 24), Mangoni - Winter Garden (January 24), Kebab King (February 5), Banana Leaf (March 16), Chilispot (April 20), Oodle (June 3), Bayou (June 11), Summer House - OIA (September 10), Caravan (December 16), Zaru (December 22). Bakery 1908 (December 22), Eet - Disney Springs (December 27)

$ - Sampaguita (March 25), La Patrona Food Truck (April 27), Big Mike's Burgers - New Smyrna Beach (November 24), Talkin Tacos (December 16)

2023 Travel Notes Index

January 24 - UT/NV

February 12 - AL/LA/FL

February 21 - NC/GA

February 28 - Washington DC

March 20 - Mexico

April 2 - UAE

April 16 - AZ/NV

May 1 - CO/NM

May 16 - NC/TN/GA/FL

May 28 - Northern California

June 11 - VT/NH/ME/MA

June 24 - Guyana

July 10 - UK

July 16 - UK (continued)

July 31 - Al/IN/OH/WV/VA/NC

August 25 - Switzerland

September 15 - England

October 8 - Sweden/Norway

October 17 - South Florida/Florida Keys

November 6 - Spain

November 24 - Italy

November 29 - Italy (continued)

December 19 - Hawaii

December 29 - Florida

Grub Crawl - Casselberry and Winter Park: El Toque, Chuan Fu and Bar Italia *FL Travel Notes

I tried these spots on Sunday at lunch. The first is in a strip mall on 436 where Aladdin and Alex's Fresh Kitchen are. Near the Red Bug Lake overpass. The second is in a strip mall on North Orlando Ave (17-92) near Lee Rd. On the corner with Miller's Ale House. I believe The Ravenous Pig's meat offshoot was there last. The third is in the Winter Park Village in the old Brio location. I also passed by Chayote, Crisp & Green (in the old Johnny Rocket's location) and an ice cream place (Nina's?) in that marketplace. Everything else was the same. I'll try them at some point. Chayote was way more fancy than I expected. They wouldn't do take out. I will post the Favorites List on Sunday.

El Toque - A Venezuelan spot. It means "the touch". Open for a month. I had a $14 Platano Mini Bowl. They form three mini bowls (pretty large) out of plantains. Fried. They fill them with shredded pork, beef and chicken and pico de gallo, sour cream, avocado and cheese. They were good. Some of the meat was dry. They also offer two other bowls (chicharron and nacho). And tweleve empanadas at $5. Three pasteles. Four tequenos. Three arepas. Fajitas. Tacos. Two cachapas (sweet corn pancakes). Three pepitos (sandwiches). Six burgers. Three grilled meat plates. A Sancocho (looked like a stew). A Patacon (plantain sandwich). Sides. Prices for most are in the mid-teens. Lunch special at $15. Order at a counter. Some tables. Black paint. Mural. Posters of local sites. Square room. It was better than I was expecting. And more expensive. I would try it out. Favorites possibility.

Chuan Fu - They said it translates loosely to Home of Szechuan. They put the chuan in Szechuan! Get it? Same people as Chuan Lu at Mills and East Colonial. This is a fancier. Nice interior. Classic, traditional look. Some large tables. Booths. Open for a month. I made a huge mistake and ordered Ratten Pepper Tongue for $19. The tongue tasted like thin sheets of plastic. I'm not sure if it is meant to or not. Bad. Caustic, spicy broth. Tasted like lye and black licorice and raw ginger. I think it was the green peppercorns. I had to rinse it with water to make it tepidly eatable. The veg sucked up the broth or were the cause of its terrible taste. Sliced potato. Bean sprouts. Cloud Ear Fungus? Huge portion size. Came in a cool to go bowl. Rice. I was going to cheap out with a $13 lunch special, but, they wouldn't do it on a Sunday. A dish with soup or egg roll and rice. They have a crazy menu with things like frog, tripe, cloud ear fungus, chitterlings, shrewish kidneys, tomato omelette soup, pig snout and overwater fish. Normal stuff too. They break up the menu into these sections: boiled, beef, chicken, pork, fish, hot pots, vegetables, rice, noodles, featured, apps and soup. Most in high teens. a small Wonton Soup was only $3+. Some values like that. Open for lunch and dinner. No Tuesday. I wish I had tried something else. Anything else. I bet I would have put it on the Favorites List. Just can't because this was such a total failure. My worst choice since a bittermelon mistake in Chinatown NYC many years ago.

Bar Italia - I have been avoiding them because I feared they were a chain and how much different from the place they replaced could they be. The answer is - I don't know. Can't remember Brio. They were "Favorites" good though. I had their lasagna for $19. I'm not sure if this is the usual portion size, but, it was a double. Good too. I'm not sure if they mix ground meats. I tasted some fennel seed, so, maybe pork sausage too? Good whipped ricotta. Nice, fresh sauce. Some of the top layer of cheese had a funk. Aged provolone? I was very happy with it. They also serve twelve primi (ie sausage bread, carpaccio) from $5 to $17. And four salads from $11 to $14. Seven pizzas from $16 to $18. Eight pastas (ie garganelli) from $17 to $18. Eight secondi (ie halibut risotto) from $19 to $36. You will find staples and some unique dishes. It looks nice. L shaped bar with reverse L shaped bar room on the front right. Main room behind it. Large, wrap around patio. Huge ceilings. Seats many. White, gray and stained wood. Pottery Barn catalog look. Kitchen on the left. Large amount of dressed staff. Open for eight months. Only location. I was pleasantly surprised. You can go without reservations (the emotional kind). And probably without the other kind. It always seems busy.

*Travel Notes - Florida: I drove to Delray Beach. Stayed at the Atlantic Hideaway (Expedia 9.2) for $114. It was more like a 2.9. Had a lunch of Fusilli Boscaiola at Dolmoros. They have a machine that spits out fresh pasta. They say they started in Venice Italy. They claim they are coming to Orlando. Someone should tell them that the Bumby Arcade will never happen. The pasta was very pasty. The sauce was bland. Saw the Delray Tennis Center. Their tournament is on February 9-18. I went to the Boca Raton Bowl that night. At FAU. $35. They actually printed a ticket. Parking was $20. Nachos at the stadium by Tacos al Carbon. $2 less than the stadium's kiosk. Good. The next day I drove to Lakeland. 95N to 706 to 710 to 70W to 27N to 60W to 98N. That is up through the center of the state. I was going to go to the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa (didn't want to sleep there though), but, I was too tired to deal. Plus two accidents on my route required rerouting/extra time. Stayed in Lakeland at the crappy Lakeview Motel (Booking 6.9) for $88. Had good beer at Dissent Craft Brewing Company and Swan Brewing Co. Ok pulled pork with ff at a food truck at Swan (Bad Dog BBQ). Decided to call it quits after that. Went home. Tip - You don't have to pay for metered parking in either city. Go a few block away from main drag in Delray (they have some free lots as well that are always full though) and find the covered lots in downtown Lakeland.

Grub Crawl - Disney Springs and International Drive: Eet, Salt & Straw and Sickie's Garage

I tried these spots on Saturday at lunch. The first is between Rainforest Cafe and Earl of Sandwich. The second is across from Jaleo. The third is in a strip mall just south of Sea World/Central Florida Parkway on International Drive.

Eet by Maneet Chauhan - Opened two weeks go. She has a show on Food Network. Don't believe I've seen it. Order at a counter. Fast casual. Beeper. They bring it to you. I tried the $17 Tandoori Chicken bowl with basmati rice and Bhunna Curry Sauce and a $5 refillable soda. It was good. Tender to too soft chicken. Alot. Cabbage, cukes, rice "pebbles". Spicy curry. Served in a cardboard bowl. They offer up a selection of apps (like samosas, poutine, etc), salads and bowls (cheese (paneer), shrimp, etc. Rice, cauliflower and one other thing as the base. Sauces like Saag (spinach), Moilee (coconut), Korma (cashew), Tikka. Seats 60+? Basic tables and chairs. Darkish tones. Simple. Attentive servers. Pretty full. It will be on the Favorite's List.

Salt & Straw - Started in Portland. Many locations now. Ice cream. Open for over a year. I had a small Dwanta's Teremana Spiked Egg Nog for $8. Large scoop. Good flavor. In a bowl. They had flavors like Gingerbread Cookie Dough and Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache. It seemed "seasonal". I'll bet it changes alot. You can get a few sizes or pints. Cones too. Shakes. Rectangular floor plan. Small. 

Sickie's Garage - Open for two weeks. One of those mass market looking spaces like Ford's Garage or any number of I Drive locations. Only one prior location in Kissimmee though. Huge. Two rooms. One with a huge central bar. TV's. Wood all over. Empty oil drum decorations. Gift shop. Pretty empty. 50 burgers, sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, meatloaf, mashed potato bowls, mac and cheese bowls, baskets, wings, salads and a variety of apps. Beer. I grabbed a Chicken in a Coupe grilled chicken sandwich for $13 ($12 on the menu) to go. Came with great tots. Alot. Chicken was big and good. Tender. Bun was ok. L&T were bad. All in all it was fine. I just don't get excited about places like this. 

Summer House took over the Bongo's location at the Springs. I went to the one in the airport, so, I doubt I'll try this location. It was pricier too. Didn't see anything else new. Gideon's Bakehouse is still very busy.

Grub Crawl - Mount Dora: Beruit Bites, Munchie's Live BBQ and Dark & Light Cafe

I tried these spots on Wednesday at lunch. They are all in that new "marketplace' on 4th Ave.

Beruit Bites - I tried a $12 Gyro to go. Not shaved meat. Average. Side of hummus. They sell the usual six things (falafel, shwarma, etc). Bare bones cooking tools. No seating. Open for 2 to 3 years. Skipable.

Munchie's Live BBQ - Next to Bites. Open for one year. Original location in Gotha. I'm unsure if they closed that. I had a great bargain with their $6 Lunch Express. One meat and one side and a drink. I chose the curry chicken with yellow rice and a side of beans. I did bbq beans. Probably should have done black. All were good. A bit oily at the bottom of the container. Probably the rice flavoring. Good flavors. Tender chicken. Sweet tea. They also have a few more "Island" type bbq dishes along with all the smoked "American" meats. Lots of sides. Sandwiches were around $9. Platters too. One to two tables. Wood look. Catering.

Dark & Light Cafe - In a different building than the first two. In the rear. Vegan stuff. Argentinian. $13 and over. Bowls, etc. $5 pastries. I tried a $4.25 eggplant empanada. It was good. My first. I think I'm starting to like vegetable stuffed empanadas more than meat. Open for a year.

*I will be posting every other day (some good and/or just opened ones) until the end of the year. Disney Springs in the next one. Plus one more Travel Notes. 

Grub Crawl - Downtown and East Colonial: The Bao Spot, Great Harvest, Zaru and Bakery 1908

I tried these spots on Tuesday at lunch. The first is on Church St. The second is Lake Ave and East Church St near the Publix at Lake Eola. The third is on 50 across from Fluffy Fluffy. The last is aside Fluffy Fluffy. I also saw that they intend on opening Blu Wave Sushi to the left of the first one and Birria 1983 to the right (seems very close). Near the second place, I also saw Draught House, Earthy Picks ($13+ Vegan things) and Bynx (drinks and some food). Mochibae will open next to the last place.

The Bao Spot - I had a $6 fried shrimp bao. It was ok. The shrimp (one whole one) was quite large. Fine fry. The let down was the Japanese guac (the cheap kind of avocado) and the bun (mass produced). The grilled onions were ok. They have around six baos. Terrible looking $9 burgers (paper thin) and $4 worse looking fries. Two $13+ bowls. Some other things. Order at a counter. Seats around thirty. Full. Looks like a submarine inside. Open for two weeks. Too expensive. You can pass.

Great Harvest - A chain. Bakery plus dining. Baked goods were very expensive. I think a loaf of bread was $14. I settled on a $3 biscuit. It was very good. Moist. Oniony. Breakfast all day. $7+. Ten $10+ sandwiches and salads. Large footprint. High ceilings. 

Zaru - Sanuki Style Udon from Kagawa Prefecture by Bento Group. Near the Mills corner. I had the Kake Udon to go because there was a wait for a table and it was the cheapest option. It was good. Cost $12 with a $2 Onsen egg added. Thick Udon. Made there. There is a machine. They said they make the broth too. Probable. They had quite a few cooks and they were acting obsessive over their charge(s). The dish came with some scallions and tempura bits and something that looked like nori and maybe umebushi along with it. They offer four cold noodle dishes ($12-$20) and five hot ones ($12-$36). Eighteen add ons like tempuras, roe, waygu and vegetables. Six Zensai (apps) from $5-$11. Things like gyosa and chicken chasu. Two mizumono (desserts). Seats around thirty. L shaped room. Looks out on 50. Earth tones. Chic. Open Kitchen. Open for two months. You can find parking for now at the Dunkin Donuts lot. It may be on the Favorites even though it is a ramen place.

Bakery 1908 - This WILL be on the Favorites List! It may be the BEST upgrade of venue. From that shitty crawfish (King Crab Shack) place to this excellent, no hassle Chinese restaurant. They do have a bakery. But, the hot food is what sets it apart. A total surprise to me. I had $10 wonton soup and $10 har gow. Either was enough on its own. The wonton broth was light and unsalty. Very healthy. Fresh bok choy. Six tasty dumplings. Huge bowl. Has to be one of the best in town. The har gow could have been steamed more properly. The edges were hard and dry. The middle was sticky and fragile. The shrimp, however, were top notch. No paste. Just pieces of real shrimp. Nice flavor. Five in number. Came in a wood box. Red vinegar dipping sauce. They offer about a dozen hot items (dim sum) like Shanghai Dumplings, Shiu Mai, Hong Kong Sticky Rice. Steamed and fried dumplings. The bakery area (on left) had sweet and savory options. Many things that were quasi-sandwiches. The servers were a little undertrained/confused. Efficient order counter. They bring you the dishes. Large room. Two levels. Full. White with accents. Seats 50? Lots of parking. Open for two weeks. Not a chain. I can't get back quick enough. Find this!

Happy Lemon - A chain. Across from Bakery 1908. I had a $6 bubble waffle. It was good. Crepe-y. They sell mostly drinks. Large. Modern. White and yellow. Was a Goncha. Open since May? Pretty empty. 

*I also tried to try Sushi Saint near Brew Theory. It isn't open on Tuesday. Finally sorted out where Eola Lounge is. It looks good. A Thai/Sushi place is on the corner. Named Neveyah. I have to check if I have been there before. Did something real similar if not. Oudom. Didn't come across any other newbies. Oh. I have to laugh at the signs for the Bumby Arcade. I thought The Bao Spot was in there. Nope. Still nowhere near opening.

Mi Casa Kitchen, Longwood *HI Travel Notes

I tried this Puerto Rican spot in a strip mall on North Ronald Reagan Blvd on Friday at lunch. They said that they have evolved from catering to a food truck to this. Open for a short time. Wednesday to Saturday. 11am to 7pm. Tiny foot print. No true seating. Little decor. I had a mofongo pernil (pork) for $13. It was good. The mashed plantains were better. It didn't love the chichurron or fat pieces mixed in. Impossible to chew. The pork didn't have a ton of flavor. A bit dry. Lots of long, stringy pieces too. Probably from the shoulder/butt. Probably cooked during their off days the week before. They also tossed in a basic l&t salad with Italian dressing. Fresh though. Decent portion size. I would have preferred less at a lesser price. You can choose from pernil, chicken, carne frita, palomilla steak and shrimp criollo. Or those options on their platos. All $13 and up. They also sell sandwiches such as tripleta, smoked steak, smoked chicken and Qban. Patacones Locos rice bowl too. Tequenos, sorullus (fritters), empanadas and bacon wrapped maduros round out the apps. $5 and up. Three desserts. If you are in the neighborhood...

*Travel Notes - Hawaii: I paid $546 for airfare to Kona (because cheaper than Hilo). Delta through LAX there and UA through Denver back. Morning flight there. Night flight back. UA provided a horrible cold chicken dinner. No tv from Denver. Slight delay for de-icing in Denver. I rented a car from Hertz for a week at $247. Gas was slightly under $5. I drove the first night up 190N to 200 (Saddle Road) to 11E to Banyan Rd in Hilo. Around 80 miles. It's hilly. You make a left out of the rental car area and then a quick right on to 19S. A left at the (first?) light near the Texaco station and up a hill through residential housing to 190N. Turn left. I stayed at the Hilo Reeds Bay Hotel for $134 (their worst quality room). Missed the 10pm closing time, but, they left key with security guard. Hotels in Kona are expensive as hell. A little better in Hilo. I didn't consider other areas. The plane noise in Hilo is ridiculous and most hotels had at least one window that only had a screen. They are all decrepit too. I had Taco Bell for dinner. It was the only chain that wasn't double the mainland price. All that was open. I ate a breakfast of Kalua Pig and cabbage bowl (with rice) at Verna's Drive In the next day. I went to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory off 11W. Then on to 130S to 137E to Kalapana and beyond. It's on the SE coast. Lava flows and State Parks. I was easing into it. I got some more TB and wine and Pringles and hummus at KTA (a supermarket) and went to the next hotel early to relax. It was a disaster. Wild Ginger Hotel (Expedia 8.2 could be 2.8). It looked good when I was going to go in June. And only $99 (pre-tax). $118 the week before I left. Two days later, it was $131 (pre-tax) and $154 with tax. And that was listed as 50% off! I booked the whole week. I am now fighting the owner over it. They fought me hard intitially and eventually acquiesced after a while (many missing amenities and in terrible condition and not connected to sea, etc) and promised (Expedia) to comp the one sleepless night with a no hot water morning. However, they ended up keeping two nights. Still fighting them. The next day I went to Hawaii Volcanoes NP. Bought an annual pass for $80 because it was $30 for here or $55 for a pass for the four parks on Hawaii (although the final three seemed free when I went). Drove 11E the Kilauea Crater and Chain of Craters Road to the ocean and a sea arch. Craters and lava tube and petroglyphs (path) and lava flows in between. I then drove a bit further on 11E to a road with a view of Mauna Loa. I turned back when it became less paved and one lane. It was cloudy anyway. Drove back to Hilo. Stopped in some village for Saucy Mama Food Truck. I had a Keiki plate of one Kalua Pork Taco with Hapa Rice. Very good. Learned later that Keiki means child. Went to KTA and discovered their poke was only $7.77 a lb. Got that and some wine and used the rice from Mama's for my own poke bowl. Stayed at Aaron's Cottage in Hilo that (and the next) night for $140 (including the $25 resort/cleaning  ;fee). I wasn't about to book a long stay again. It was cute. A little room with windows that closed and shades that blocked light. Tv. Quietest. It had a beautiful cove/beach at the end of the road. Went there for sunset. There again in the morning. I had lunch of Momo Loco (egg and hb and rice) the next day at Cafe Pesto in DT Hilo. On 3D (that's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives). Drove 19N to Hamakua Coast (NE). To Waipo Valley Lookout to Waimea and up 250 to Kohola (NW) and Hawi. Down Kohala Coast to Pu'ukohola Heiau NHP. It was the home/palace of King Kamehameha. The rest of the parks I was to visit closed at 4pm, so, I had to skip them for another day. I bullshitted my way into the Mauna Kea Resort to see if it had changed since I was a kid. Not really. Back to Hilo via Waimea (19E) to 190S to 200E. KTA again for poke and Pringles and wine. Breakfast of Khop Kwiki (scrambled eggs with Portuguese sausage and cheese on a muffin) at Ken's House of Pancakes. Up 11W past the volcanoes to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park. Excellent. Onto Whittington Beach Park. Then had lunch at Ama's Kitchen Food Truck at Paradise Meadows on South Point Rd. Had fried Kamanu (rainbow runner or rainbow yellowtail) with ff. Down the road to Southernmost Point in US. There was also a green (yes!) sand beach near there with turtles. It was too far to walk and too rough to drive. I tried. Back on 11W around the SW part of the island to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau NHP. You need to take a left on some road off 19 to get to the coast. This place translates to Place of Refuge. If you were an outcast you could ask for protection here. Back on 19 (now N), I drove through Kona. Too late (once again) for the final park. Took 190N to 200E to Hilo (again). Stayed at the Hilo Reeds Bay again (the final three nights). Better room. Bay view. $144. KTA had put away their poke, so, I went to Daiichi Ramen neat the Walmart for a special meal of Shio ramen with chicken katsu and gyoza. It rained the next day. Had a bacon and pate banh mi at Le Yellow Sub Food Truck (on 3D). I tried to find Rainbow Falls. Couldn't. Passed by Ola Brew Co and decided to have a rest day. Ate a fried mushroom bao there too. Poke dinner from KTA. The next day I walked Liliuokalani Gardens and had a terrible, hockey puck, blue cheese burger at Hilo Bay Cafe (on 3D). Fries sucked too. And they were full of themselves. Found Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Up Waianuenue Ave (by the schools). Huge Banyan Tree too. Back down to 19N. A left on some numbered road to Akaka Falls SP. They wanted $5 plus $10 for parking. I drove off. Up to Umauma Falls. You can see them from the highway. But, difficult to get close. I found some bridge near a zipline place on a backroad. Back to town. Got lost and found the Hilo Brewing Co. Got two to go. Poke at KTA. Checked out of hotel and had a teriyaki burger at Kozmic Cones (near the schools). Finally found 200W. Stopped in the middle and drove up to Mauna Kea VC. You had to have a four wheeler to continue. I think it was free. On to Waimea. Had a good cheddar burger at Merriman's in Waimea (very famous it seems). Back to Kohala Coast and down to Kaloko Honokohau NHP. It was where locals lived at some point. Through Kona again and back up to the airport. Weather was bizarre. West side is usually sunny. East side usually rainy. Cloudy and cool in between. High elevations. You can stay in the different towns. Some or remote though (like near the volcanoes). I should have stayed a few nights in Waimea. Horse and cattle ranches up there. I was there to see the parks and island. You will probably wish to do more sunbathing/activities. Hotel prices and resort/cleaning fees are the major obstacle. There were alot of hotels in Kona that must not list on travel sites or were booked up because they never appeared on searches. Gas and rental car were way cheaper than I expected. If you are looking at a Hilo map, rotate it so the land/bay looks like a "C" not a "U" or you will get lost. Find the free "101 Things To Do" Magazine asap.

Grub Crawl - Belle Isle and SoDo: Caravan and Talkin Tacos

I tried these spots during the day on Wednesday. The first is Uzbeki. They also claim a little Turkish influence. The second is Mexican. It was already around two pm, so, I had my items at both places wrapped up to go. I liked both.

Caravan - I believe the last occupant was a steakhouse (Steer). It was a German place before that. I told you in the last Travel Notes from England that I had never had Uzbeki before that trip. Interesting that we would get this right after I wrote that. I felt I had been sitting on them for too long. I was right. They will be on the Favorites list. I tried as much (within reason) as I could/should on this visit. I had Samsa with Beef for $5. Cheburak for $5. Lula Qiyma for $10. The Samsa was a baked pastry filled with small cubes of beef. Nice sesame covered, glossy crust on the pastry. Tender enough meat for a pie. Pretty much filled the whole (Afghani/Pakistani) samosa like container. I believe they seasoned with cumin and bitter herbs. It could be a small meal. Such as a pasty or empanada. I enjoyed it. The Cheburek was a pan fried, mezzaluna shaped crepe that looked like an omelet. It wasn't egg though. Dough. Crisp (at the edges) and spongy. Filled with ground beef. The same seasonings as the Samsa plus a sour flavor. Big. Like a three egg omelet size. The Lula was a kebab of ground beef. Slightly different spicing. Not as much cumin. Generous portion. Maybe ten inches long. I should say that all the dishes had good enough quality meat. Superior to most restaurants that serve similar (in geography) dishes. This dish might have used the best cut. Which would make sense because it was double the price. I liked this alot as well. They tossed in some hot sauce and a whole container of sliced red onion. I didn't have the sauce with the first two because I ate them on I-4. It would have been too messy and dangerous. The kebab had enough flavor that it didn't really improve the experience. Just overwhelmed the flavors. The first two are more app like. The last is a main. People probably order a few and a side of rice. They had some dishes like that on the menu in the high teens. Also some soups, noodle dishes, more rice dishes, specialities, other sections of animals, desserts, etc. A bit pricy. Twenties to thirties. Beef, chicken, goat?, lamb. They had some inards too. Out of the liver. I suspect that they are Halal/Moslem by the clientel. Don't remember if they had alcohol. They did have some tap and give machine for a mosque that I have never encountered before. The place is square with a low ceiling. They white washed the red brick. Limited decor. It looks cheery. One big tv showing a video on a loop of people making some kind on bread in a clay oven. I suppose it their version of naan/lavash. Maybe twenty or so tables. Some twos. Some fours. Even at that hour, the place was about a quarter full. They spoke English well. Lots of parking. I believe they opened around three months ago. A nice edition. Not just a curiosity.

Talkin Tacos - They are in the strip mall with a Publix and a Mooyo and PDQ. South of Michigan. They said it is a franchise that started in Miramar. Now a few locations in South Florida and Atlanta and DC and another coming in CF. I saw their sign months ago. When I tried to find it I couldn't. I assumed they had closed or never opened. They had just not opened yet. They opened two weeks ago. I almost walked out when I scrolled through the kiosk and only found only $12 three taco or burrito or salad or nacho options. They showed me how to just get one. Remember that I had alot of that weighty food from Caravan already. But, I was in the neighborhood and also like beating everyone to the punch. I sampled a birria with Taki chips for $5. It was good. The beef was chewable (not always the case with Mexican beef dishes and birria in particular). A goodly amount. The Taki's (spicy Doritos) added a little heat and texture (and fun). Some white onion. Crispy/oily shell. Flavorful beef broth dipping sauce. Came out fast. I liked it. Enough to go back and try the other kinds. Maybe enough to sneak onto the Favorites? They had around twelve kinds of fillings. Chicken, asada, pastor, mahi mahi. I can't remember the rest. Some just had things (like Takis) in them. It is fast casual. A rectangular bueprint. Not big. Some seating. Vibrant look. It was pretty full at 2:30pm. Different enough to entice. No JAMMR. A GMR. I'll be back.   

*If Big Chicken is to be at 250 East Michigan and that is the old Boston Market, it is not close to opening. They haven't started the demo yet. I also saw that near the condos on South Orange (south of the hospital), they opened a fast food chicken place (looks sharp) called Pollo Camaneros or something like that. I have to check if I have tried another location. It sounds familiar. I think I saw a few placards in the ares that seemed new in old locations. I will have to research what has come and gone when there is less traffic. If that is possible in that area anymore. I will have a post in a few days with some Travel Notes.                                                                                                                                                             

La Famiglia Italiana, Sanford

I tried this restaurant on Sanford Ave and 13th on Tuesday at dinner. I had two 14" cheese pizzas for $16. They are doing a two with second half off, but, they told me two for one, so, they honored it. It was average to below average pizza. Sauce was too garlic-y. Dry flour crust. Poor char. Rubbery cheese. They have a large selection. Five parms, two sammies, wings, a salads, apps, seafood, chicken, veal. And a variety of pastas and a separate "maccheroni" section. High water mark is $28. It's in a little old house. Let's call the interior "shabby chic". Parking. Open for two years. Opens at 4pm. Not a destination spot.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park: Superica and Chill N

I tried these two newcomers on South Orlando (17-92) on Tuesday at lunch. The first is across from Rocco's in that new strip mall that has Just Salad. Near to Fairbanks. The second is in that new strip mall closer to downtown where Guy Fieri's chicken place is.

Superica - I have been waiting on them for a while. Didnt diappoint. A chain (12) from Atlanta. In a few major Southern cities. Tex Mex. Will be on Favorites. Open for three weeks. Big, open, high ceilinged room. Seats one hundred? Bar on entrance side. Semi open kitchen across. Balcony seats. Mostly bright white. Two areas or seating. Tables v banquettes. I tried the tacos we pescado for $18 and a fluffy tostada (queso puff) for $4. The tacos (3) were almost perfect. Very large. Crisp coating. Not greasy. Some areas of the catfish were a tad fishy and a bit soft. Fresh cabbage and pickled onion slaw. Double ply, grilled, large corn tortillas. Nice plating. Came with tasty charro beans. The puff was interesting. Smothered in queso. I was stuffed after all this. They also offer soups ($9), enchiladas ($17+), quesadillas ($14), fajitas ($20), salads, deserts, other tacos, apps ($9-$14), kids menu ($8) and even a reasonably priced brunch on the weekends. When I think that Torchy's charges $6 per tacos for quasi-fast food in a fast food environment, I just love this place more. It is a bit pricy, but, at least it isn't child portions or slop. Definitely not a JAMMR. A GMR (Great Mexican Restaurant). Good looking crowd. Great service. Management makes the rounds and engages with the customers. Food came out quick. Hot. Servers were polite and accommodating. Getting doggy bags didn't seem to be a problem. Fast with the bill. Three bathrooms. Two good salsas (green and red). Good chips. Tequila/Mezcal menu. Should please everyone. Try it before word gets out.

Chill N - Another unnecessary intrusion from Miami. Ice cream made with Nitrogen in a bowl in front of you. I had a small Cuban coffee for $6. This type of ice cream making isn't good. You get a wet, easily melting paste. A large is a buck more. A regular is 35 cents more. A small was pretty big. Served in a cup. They had four styles. Yogurt, tangy yogurt and maybe vegan. A variety of flavor choices. You can add things too. Mostly cereal and candy. Very Spartan atmosphere. Bright white. No decor. Two computer terminals hanging from the wall. Unconnected ordering terminals. One employee. Empty.  I believe they opened a month ago. In the rear of that strip mall. You can ignore it as I suspected.

Mares, Winter Park

I passed on this new (one or two months) Peruvian restaurant on Tuesday at lunch. It is on Park Ave near Fairbanks. I had high hopes, but, the pricing is just predatory. I gave you JAMMRs. Now I give you ROPPRs (Ridiculously Over Priced Peruvian Restaurants). It's becoming a trend. I wonder if it is the raw fish element that makes them think that they can charge kaiseki prices? Which, incidentally, is also out of control. Not to mention $7 California Rolls at the supermarket. So, they are only the second enterprise to be shunned (reviewed without trying). Mostly because I don't want to waste my money or energy on something that will be out of business in under six months. I should reiterate that I had high hopes (being among the first to see their opening) and I really like Peruvian cuisine. Low ceilings. Square room. Roll bar in the rear. White and blue tones. Pretty empty. Twenty or so tables. A few outside. The menu has $20+ soups and apps. Their version of patatas bravas was $19. $22 rolls. $25+ chaufas (fried rice). $40+ mains. You get the picture. It is just a bad value proposition. Even if everything is spectacular, it is still two to three times too expensive. The ambience or service certainly doesn't support it. At lunch, at least, they have to offer discounted pricing, specials and off ramps. Don't get ROPPed in.

*This post will be followed up tomorrow by a real one.

Mister 01, Lake Mary *Italy Travel Notes

I tried this new (two or three weeks) pizza place on Lake Mary Blvd and International Parkway (old Peach Valley Cafe spot - they moved next door into the old Panera Bread location) last Wednesday at lunch. They only offer pizza, calzone (2), burrata, salad (6) and dessert (3). I tried a Matteo at $17 for a 13". It was good. Very thin. No crust. Little char. Very full of sausage (fresh). It also came with red onion and mushrooms. The mushrooms were a little dried out. Onions were sweet and crisp. Not a ton of cheese or sauce. I also had the 8" cheese for $7. Same thinness. Sometimes the tiny ones seem not to stay stretched out. The pizza were good. A bit too reminiscent (visually) of a conveyor belt pie. That is one issue. 13" is too small for me as well. Especially at these prices and this thinness. The 8 incher was less than half the cost of the 13. Weird math. Half the price for more than half the size. Usually they give you less of a price break for the tiny option. A large plain cheese is $14. Magherita is $16. 5 at $16. 6 at $17. 12 at $19. Ones listed as "Star" are stuffed in the folded over triangles of the crust. $19. Burrata bar runs $15 to $18. They have one Caprese at $13. Desserts runs $13 to $18. Calzones are no bargain at $19. Salads range from $10 (Caesar) to $15. The place looks modern. White. Windows. Wood. They removed the counter seats. Extended the open kitchen out. The rest of the floor plan is the same. Rectangular. Kept the patio. Open for lunch and dinner. Had some wine. Cooks in white lab coats. You can tell that they take themselves seriously. I didn't hate it. I expected what I received. I was ready to have the reservations (more because of artisinal pizza ennui) that I retain. No surprises. They have locations in Miami, Melbourne and Boca Raton. I'm glad they are here, but, I'm not sure how many times I will be enticed to shell out $17 for the equivalent weight of two or three "regular" pizzeria slices. Maybe the 8 incher now and again? 

*Travel Notes (Continued) - Italy (Florence, Venice, Trieste and Padua): I should say that I've been to the first two places a few times. So, I was finding things I hadn't seen or seeing things again. I took the train from Rome to Florence for 50E. There are two choices - Italo or Tren Italia. I found Italo cheaper and newer and faster (150 mph+) every time. They have helpers by the kiosks (offices too). You have to go to an office (and lines were usually longer) with Tren Italia. Their kiosks were always buffering or wouldn't work properly. I made changes with both companies with no issues or fees. I stayed at the Hotel Palazzola (Expedia 7.4) near the station (because of poor weather forecasts) for three nights at $222. I ate a prosciutto (really ham) and mozzarella calzone (fried dough) at Antica Friggitoria. It was raining, so, I did nothing that day. The next day, I walked up past the US Embassy and crossed the Arno at the last bridge. I found the location (one bridge down) of a restaurant (will describe later) on Rick Steves. Too early for lunch, so, I walked down the Arno to Trinta Bridge (this and a few other sites were called out in Aaron's Rod by DH Lawrence). Over to Pitti Palace. Bought a pass to Boboli Gardens for 7E (it said 10E on sign). Short line. Walked that. Good views. In the last Professor Langdon book. Over the Ponte Vecchio and past the Uffizi (been). To the Museo Nazionale del Bargello (11E). Saw many famous sculptures (including Donatello's David which was the first nude since the Dark Ages). Walked by the Museo Casa di Dante. Ate a porchetta and a salsiccia cruda (raw pork) e melanzane schiacciate (type of bread for sandwich) at I Fratellini di Firenze. Very popular. Since 1875. One sandwich would have been enough. 6E per. They sell 30. Through the streets around there. Past the Duomo. I passed the arch/market stalls/wild boar statue at Piazza della Repubblica (where Hannibal Lecter sliced up the pickpocket). And more than once over the weekend. Past Basilica di San Lorenzo. Up to Museo di Basilica di Sant Marco. Closed. I'll get back to that. Over to (and past because huge lines) Galleria dell'Academia. Popped into a free exhibition (Viaggio di Luce) at Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Back to other side of Basilica di San Lorenzo to Cappelle Medicee. Paid 10E to see the Medici Tombs including Michaelangelo's Day Night Dusk Dawn, etc for Lorenzo Medici. Over to Palazzo Vecchio. The David there is a replica. The real one is at the Galleria dell'Academia. Pam Market for dinner. The next day I went past the Mercado Centrale. It was closed. Though the sign said it shouldn't be. Back to Basilico di San Marco. The museum there is open every second Sunday (in addition to the other days). Lucky for me it was one of those. Paid 9E to see Fra Angelico's murals, etc (in the monks' cells). Savonarola was the head here. They have his cell. Up Via Gallo to see the hotel Rick stayed at (I tried to stay here later on, but, they only offered shared bathrooms) and the restaurant (Trattoria Tito) he went to (too early for lunch). Back to center. Had an "Adulatrice" Tuscan Rigatino (bacon) and Gorgonzola Cream Cheese with Argula and Zucchini Schiacciate at a place across from I Fratellini. It had long lines the day before too, so, I guessed it was good. It was better. 6E at I' Girone de' Ghiotti. They had 18 options. I tried to get into the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (will get back to that later), but, I left when they demanded credit card payment. It was cold and rainy, so, I went back to hotel to eat my sandwich in peace and warmth. Sacked up and did an evening stroll back to Loggia at Palazzo Vecchio and re-saw Cellini's Perseus with Medusa's Head. Over to Basilica di Santa Croce by accident. Forgot Machiavelli and Michaelangelo were buried there. Reminded later on. Over river (past Biblioteca). Contemplated Piazza Michaelangelo. Didn't. Bought dinner and wine at Conad  here because Carrefour around me was pitiful. Up river to hotel. 

Went to Venice (53E). Stayed at Carnival Palace Hotel (Expedia 9.2) for two nights $220. Walked to Saint Mark's Square. Re-saw Rialto, Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, Biblioteca, Winged Lion and St Teador Statues, Campanile, Clock Tower, Square, etc. You follow the arrows there. Go in reverse on the way back. The next day I went to the waterfront in the north (below Murano). I was going to take a ferry to Murano or Lido, but, the weather was gross. 25E for all day ticket or 9.50E for a 75 minute one. Mostly sold via machines. Walked back to St Mark's. Saw the Arsenal. Found a path along the south waterfront towards Lido. Great walk. May be my favorite thing to do now. There are parks that way. Back to St Mark's. Paid 10E to go atop the Campanile. Great call. Always inaccessible (lines) in summer. No line at all now. Greatest photos/videos from up there. Back to hotel. Got a little lost. Had a chocolate cannoli and salame al chocolato (looked like a slice of salami) at Pastacceria Bar Targa. Fried tuna ball, and a fried pop over like dough filled with anchovy and one with ham and cheese at Acqua & Mais. 

Onto Trieste the next day. 31E RT on Tren Italia. Italo said it doesn't go there. Maybe just this station (Santa Lucia). I saw trains from Trieste on boards later. Maybe from (or through) the other station in Venice? Trieste wasn't as posh as I expected. More Arab refugees everywhere. On Slovenia border. I stayed at Hotel Roma near the station (Expedia 7.6) for two nights at $113. Went to the waterfont/marina. Canal Gran. Piazza della Unita Italia. Eataly. Walked back through center. Not much to see. The next day I took the # 2 bus (there is also a #4 bus and they said a #2 tram that wasn't in service) for 2.80E RT (bought in a small shop) to an obelisk up the hill to the Strada Napoleonica. I saw on Joseph Rosendo's show. I don't think he started here. I think he drove to where I turned around (Santurio di Monte Grisa). It is a cliff side walk that Napoleon used. Goes to Prosecco, etc. I did about five miles because the weather was threatening. Back to city. Walked up Scala de Giganti to Castello di San Giusto, Cattedrale di San Giusto, JJ Winckelmann Antiques Museum (free). Back down hill to Foro Romano, Canal Gran and Chiesa di Sant Antonio Nuovo. 

Onto Padua (because they overstated a train strike) the next day. 4E. Stayed at Hotel al Cason (Expedia 8.2) near station for $63. Had Spinach and Mozzarella Carlocciata (kind of a calzone) and a Bolognese (flaky prosciutto, mozzarella, egg and tomato sauce pastry) at Sicilian Goodness. Over to Prato delle Valle, Basilica and Abbazia di San Giustina, Basilica di Antoni and a park by the walls. It's a walled city. Taming of the Shrew. 

Back to Florence for a day. 48E. Stayed at horrific Aurum Hotel (Expedia 7.6) for $72 (60% off). Had 20E lunch of beef tenderloin and arugula salad at Antico Ristoro di Cambi on other side of river. On Rick Steves. Great steak. They did charge for the bread and water though. Down Arno to Piazza di Michaelangelo on top of a hill. Was easy to find. Had signs. Up the hill a bit to Chiesa di San Salvatore al Monte and Basilica di San Miniato. Even better views. Back to Duomo. Sucked it up and bought a 15E ticket (cheapest one) to Duomo, Santa Reparata (basement), and Museo dell Opera del Duomo. At Museo I saw original doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello's Mary Magdelene, Michaelangelo's final Pieta, et al. FYI there is a bathroom on the third floor and a roof deck above that. Had a lampradotto (tripe that looks like lamprey eels) sandwich for 5E at a stand near the station called Panino Mondiale. It is the city's speciality. Not bad. Saw Basilica Maria Novella on the way out. 44E to Rome. 

Some other things I sampled: Pre-mixed Campari (bitter) and soda and Aperol Spritz (a bit less bitter). Cheese: Tomino de Boscaiolo, Latteria Nostrano, Toma Piemontese, Puzzone di Moena, Pecorino Cacio Nero, Dobbiaco Starga, Asiago, Stracchino. Meat: Carpaccio de Bresoala, Affettati Speck Stagionato, Spinata Romana, Lonza Stagionata and anchovy paste (worst thing I've ever bought). Didn't drink that much wine because I had no corkscrew and they offered up few screw tops. If anything is mis-spelled or described it is because they did so on their signs or maps. I'm just transcribing. Aperol was 9E there vs say 18L at Gatwick airport. Santa Margherita wine (6 kinds too) was 8.50E. 7.25E on sale at one place. +$20 here! And treat yourself to a look at a singer named Elodie. Weather was hit and miss. Only needed the jacket on one day. Poncho a bit more. Walked around in shorts most of the time. Leaves hadn't truly changed color yet. Vines were all bare. Hotels way less than Spain. Market food/wine a bit more. Varied even inter-city. Aldi was way cheap with the best selection. Most markets were smallish (city) versions.

Big Mike's Burgers, New Smyrna Beach *Italy Travel Notes

I tried this fast food play on West Canal St (land side of Intercoastaland US1) that was lastly a donut spot on Wednesday at lunch. It opened this summer. I think I've now provided you with reports on all the restaurants, etc in town. I had the Classic CB for $9. It came with two patties (they all do), cheese, pickles, yellow onions, lettuce, ketchup, mayo and mustard on a pretzel bun. It was the anti-Papi Smash Burger. The patties were large (over 1/4 lb) and thick and juicy. The veg fresh. The pretzel bun was moist and glossy (the best one I've had). It came out quickly. It is a smash burger. They have around eight kinds. Ones with chili, bacon, etc. A few bucks more. Waffle fries too. You can them covered with similar toppings. They start at $4 for a small (plain). Several hot dogs too. Around $6 or $7. Drinks. That's it. It's a drive thru looking place. White paint and red lettering. Some umbrella'd tables in front. Some parking. Open every day (except Sunday) from 11 to 7 (or so). Dogs welcome. It got pretty packed. May make the Favorites.

*Travel Notes - Italy (Rome): I'm going to split this trip in two posts. I flew to Rome on Delta for $525. Through JFK and back through Atlanta. Afternoon flights. I spent the first two and last two days in Rome. The first day was sunny. The rest were cloudy. I stayed the first two nights at iffy Hotel Nizza (6.8 on Expedia) near the Termini Station for $180 in total. Italy forces you to pay an extra local tax to the hotel directly (usually in cash). I took the train in for 14E. You go up a level and across a bridge. Validate the ticket at a machine on other side of scanner. I've done most of the A level and B level sites already. I was cleaning up the lesser known things. Things I've learned of through Rick Steves, etc or were highlighted on the free map or I'd see on a street sign. It was hard to find legitimate ATM machines. Don't use the ones in the airport either. I started with the Teatro dell'Opera, Basilica di S. Prassede (mosaics), Giardini Nicola Calipari, Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli (Pope Julias II tomb with Moses by Michaelangelo), Trajan's Baths, Domus Aurea, Chiesa di S. Andreae al Cielo, Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Cielo, park above them, Circo Massimo, Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth), some park across from there, Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, margherita and soppressata pizza slices at Alice's Pizza al Taglio (turned out to be a franchise), Sta. Caecilia (early martyr), Synagogue, Portico di Octavia, Theater of Marcellus and back to hotel. Started with Basilica Santa Maria Sopre Minerva near Pantheon (Michaelangelo and Lippi art work). It was closed. Panzerotti (bad) at McD's. On to Ara Pacis (a new museum that I peeped in the window at the main attraction for free), Mausoleo Augusto, Chiesa Santa Maria del Popolo (Davinci Museum - didn't go in), Borghese Garden, Borghese Gallery (learned that they have 13 spots at 5pm if you wait in a line - it was too early to wait), Palazzo Margherita/US Embassy, San Carlo Quattro Fontane, Museo Palazzo Massimo (9E). Ate local goods from Carrefour both nights. Hard to find any screw top wines. No corkscrew. Came back from the north ten days later. Stayed at terrible B&B Hotel Roma Italia Viminale (8.4 on Expedia) on Via Nazionale for $127 for two nights. Past Mercati Traianei (now free part of Forum) and Monumento a Vittorio Emmanuele II. Back to Trastevere district and Jewish ghetto area. Thought it was on other side of the river. It is not. On synagogue side. Ate a terrible 9E pastrami sandwich at Fonzie (four cold, paper thin slices). Was going to eat at either Baghetto Milky Kosher or Il Boccione Bakery (both on Rick Steves), but, it was Sunday and both had huge lines. Back across the river. Went back to both churches. Caecilia was open this time. Up the river to Castel Sant Angelo. I was going to walk up the river to the Olympic Stadium. They had it closed off, so, I tried a detour past the Vatican. Thought I got lost. Ended up at the stadium (and Italian Open) Stadium. Also saw the observatory. Took the bike path along the Tiber back to Piazza dei Popolo and did the passagata down the Corso and through Quirinale and back to the hotel. The next day I took the Blue Line Metro from Termini to EUR Palasport Station (1.40E for 100 minute ticket at kiosk - some took cash). Mussolini built a model city here. It's funny. Fendi is one of the buildings now. Facist to fashion. Find the Marconi obelisk. Basilica Santi Pietro e Paolo a Via Otiense here too. Metro was safe. Area is nice. Back to Circo Massimo stop. To see where bus (119 to Appian Way, etc) leaves from. Next time. Weather seemed too iffy. Past Forum. Line too long. Peeped in. Arco di Tito, etc. You can see alot for free. Up the hill to Chiesa di San Bonaventura. Back down. Back to Domus Aurea. Found entrance. Closed. Back to S. Pietro in Vincoli (chains) to see the statute. It was closed (opens again in the afternoon at 3pm) last time. Had 1.69E container of lemon sorbet from Elite market (vs 5E for a scoop of gelato). Back to hotel. The next day I took train to airport for 14E. They are working on it on some days. Double check if it is running. Breakfast of scrambled eggs with bacon and muffin at McD's at Termini. Half the price as US. I'll mention any other new foods, etc at the end of the next set of notes. I'll end by saying that Rome air quality is poor. Makes you feel ill. Kills your sinuses and throat. Cigarettes and carbon monoxide. I swear they would make it their air freshener if they could. It was still pretty packed with tourists. Chinese are back. Prepare for next pandemic. Isn't there already a new pneumonia there? Appian Way, Catacombs, Baths of Caracolla, Ostia Antica (day trip) left to see. Maybe Vatican and Borghese museums? Maybe Italian Open?

Jalisco Town, Lake Mary

I tried this Mexican spot in the Publix strip mall on Weldon (it runs through SSC) at 17-92 two Mondays ago at dinner. It was ok. I tried the three item assortment with rice and beans for $12.50 to go. I tried the chicken tamales, ground beef burrito and chicken chalupa. All were large. Two items would have done the job. The chicken was that stringy white stuff these places must all get from the same source. Ground beef was just that. Cheese was horrible. Bad salsa. Yucky white sauce. Ranch? They have a predictable menu. Nine tables on the left side. A bar and six tables on the right. Modern look. Open for two years. JAMMR.

Grub Crawl - Downtown: Ding Tea (Closed) and Papi Smash Burger

I tried these spots on Monday at lunch. The first is near the rear of the court house. The second is on Pine Street attached to the bar called Basement. I also looked to see if Leiah or Drake had opened. They were working on Drake. I doubt Leiah will ever open. Hilton folks didn't seem to think so. 

Ding Tea - A Taiwanese chain. I only tried it because of what I wrote above. I was only going to get a beverage so I wouldn't have to at Papi.  A banh mi was only a dollar or two more, so, I did that instead. Pate and pork roll one for $7.50. Good. Took forever though. Only two people. And they had their kid splayed out in a bed behind the counter. They also sell all those stupid juices and teas. Many flavors. Probably all syrups. Perfect for grown baby's baba. They also had shrimp at $17 and cheese fries and takoyaki and popcorn chicken and a few other snacks from $8. I saw the chicken and fries. They looked ok. Portion size was ok. They probably inherited a sloppy build. Lots of poor workmanship. Like cracked floors. They tried to make it look hip. They put books on shelves, etc. It already looks dirty though. And they can't have been open for more than a few months. They might be Vietnamese. Some of the books were. It's an odd hodge podge.

Papi Smash Burger - I knew this would be overpriced mediocrity and it was. $12 for a Shake Shack/Freddy's burger. It was their cheapest too. Two, very salty paper thin patties with some cum sauce and cheese. They call it the OG. As in Ohmy God that is a rip off? And it took forever! The one drugged out, frosted hair smasher only put two patties on at a time. And he kept going for a stroll. And two people were already in the queue. The worst part was that I had to suffer through cranked up Cuban club music for the whole time. They have a few more burgers and two chickens and fries. Small footprint. Opened in March. I think from Miami. Another dud from there. They need to slash their prices in half and hire more employees. 

*I should add that I first tried (for the third time) this Pho Ga Hien Vuong that I swear The Orlando Weekly has twice said was open (as long ago as the summer). It isn't. And I thought it was banh mi place. Google says it is open every day but Tuesday from 10 am. A place to the right of it that I wrote about on July 31 2018 is. That place is called Huong Viet. Am I missing something? 

Grub Crawl - Altamonte Springs and Apopka: Stonington's Fried Shrimp and Nauti Lobstah *Spain Travel Notes

I tried these spots on Wednesday night and Thurday afternnon. The first is in a strip mall south of 436 on 434. It runs perpendicular to 434, so, you can't see it from the street. An Outback Steakhouse was across the street. Near a Metro Diner. The second is in a place that was the Catfish House or something like that. You make a right after the bbq place (Porkie's?) on 436 onto Forest Ave. After a McDonald's. 

Stonington's Fried Shrimp - I ordered the three piece shrimp with three piece fried chicken strips and two sides for $11.55. I think they gave me five pieces. I was eating blindly on the way home after a long series of plane trips and lost track. I recall both being ok. They butterflied the shrimp. The chicken tenderloins were a bit dry and chewy. A selection of honey mustard and a sweet garlic (?) dipping sauces. I had french fries and the six cheese mac and cheese as the sides. Plenty of fries. They coated them in that icky starch, but, I guess I was so hungry that I didn't mind. Mostly fried to completion. The mac was in a metal tin. Good. Pasta was to temp. It came out pretty quick. It was near closing, so, they could have half assed it just to get rid of me. It didn't seem like the did. They also fry cod, oysters and crab cakes. Corn bread, chop salad, onion rings, spicy red beans and rice and cole slaw as other sides. Shrimp only orders come in 5, 10, 15, 25 qnd 50 pieces. Shrimp platters in 5, 8 and 11 pieces. Mixed platter in 3 and 5. Cod in 4 pieces. Prices run from about $8 to $25. Lunch Special (includes drink) at $10.50. The place is basic. Both walls have five booths. In between are two rows of five tables. TV. Open for seven years. Open seven days a week. Until 9pm. They have a bigger place on South Kirkman. I may have gone there. Seems familiar. They added a 50 cent cc fee. Pretty good meal.

Nauti Lobstah - I almost drove here the night before. It closes at 8pm. I wouldn't have made it and been pissed. I grabbed a fried shrimp po boy with a side for $12 because it was a value compared to the $12 lobster bisque bowl (one of the cheaper items). It was ok. I can't really opine one way or the other because I didn't eat the shrimp until that night and they were soggy by then. They looked good (and likely were) when I got it. Plus I ate the bread and l and t at lunch the day after. The bread (roll) was buttered. L and T could have been fresher. Tartar or cocktail sauce on the side. Didn't try them. Ate the shrimp with the leftover Stonington sauces. The shrimp were small. Uncut. No idea if they are bought breaded or not. I had mashed potatoes as the side. Good. Real ones. Skin on. Garlic-y. Chunky. They said this portion of the menu (ie fried stuff) was left over from the old place. I think I had catfish there. This is where the cheaper items are. I just couldn't get the other items to go as I had already had 62 pieces of sushi at Koy Wan for lunch and it wouldn't have been eaten until dinner (if at all that day). Plus the prices required trust. And it is a catch 22. I need them to prove they are worth the upcharge and I can't get that unless I gamble. That's not going to happen on my side. They need to give out samples or make low priced small portions to grease the wheels. I'm not dropping $60+ on lobster thermidor in a wood shack in the middle of Apopka. Nor $28 for a lobster roll or $35 for a one pound lobster that I saw selling (at a seafood market) in Maine this Spring for $7 a pound. A grouper sandwich with two sides I just ate in the Keys for $11 was over $30 here. They also put Ritz Crackers on things. As if that is a sign of refinement. The guy is from Rhode Island. He was there. They opened two years ago. Three rooms. Wood. Didn't seem to change much inside. Service was pleasant. About one eighth full. No Sunday or Monday. I guess the Nauti is word play. Nautical. It probably could have stayed the Catfish House as far as I'm concerned. 

*Travel Notes - Spain: I flew to Barcelona through JFK for $525 on Delta. I'll list the airfares here. I bought a RT to Madrid on Vueling for $80. Didn't end up using the return. Madrid to Sevilla on Iberia for $57. Sevilla to Barcelona on Vueling for $54. Most purchased close to departures. Had to buy one ways because three city ones were $400+. Stayed night one at the Hotel Brick on Gran Via Cortes Catalanes near Placa d'Espana for $167. Prices were insane! Plus they charge city tax separately. This was the cheapest. Took the Metro from airport for 5.15E. You had to transfer at Torrassa Station. Walked down to the port because room wasn't ready. I can't list all the spots I saw because this report would never end. Get a map and get on it. Once again I ate mostly from the supermarkets. I'll list oddities at the end. Woke up and took Metro (from Espana) to Montserrat. 25E-ish for the RT and gondola ride. It's a famous Cloister. Aeri station stop. Funicular may be faster. Takes about one hour. You can connect from other stations in Barcelona. Don't take the tours they offer at 40E+. I slept there at Hostal Abat Cisneros because of the prices in Barcelona. It cost $78 and was fun to be up there. I walked many miles of the trails up there as well. Ate a good lunch of 1/4 pollo with french fries at La Cafeteria. They had services up there. Back to Barcelona. Found a "deal" on Expedia for the Caledonian Hotel (same street) near Universitat Station. $237 for two nights. I thought this was at the final stop from the airport called Zona Universitaria that didn't require a transfer. It was not. Ok area though. Near Placa Catalunya. Went to the top of this mall called Arenas. Looks like one. Good photo ops up there. Walked north on Balmes to Tibidabo. It's an amusement park on the highest hill. Great vistas. Park is more charming than cheesy. Has a Temple up there. You take a 12E funicular there. Around 30E for park pass. Not worth it. You can walk it for free. The next day I walked to La Sagrada Familia and Placa de Toros and over to Torre Agbar area. Then down towards water on Rambla de Poblenou. Ate a slice of pizza at Madre Levito. Down to the beaches. Back to center along the beaches. Had McD's. Through Port Olimpic. Goldfish statue. To W Hotel. Through old town. Ate pollo almendra and xiao long bao at Pai Mei. Woke. Metro to airport. Idiots made us an hour late because they didn't move the loading ramp. 203 Bus from Madrid airport to Cibeles stop for 5E. Prices were high here too. Found Hostal Palacios on Fuencarral. $254 for three nights. A bit spartan. Good location. Right off Gran Via. I needed this central area because the bus pick up location for the tours I was taking was near the Palace (down Gran Via). Went to the office. Bought tickets for the Segovia/Avila tour (55E) and Escorial and Valley of the Fallen (62E). These tours are why I came back to Madrid. Ate curry chicken taco with peanuts and cochinita pibon (their spelling) with pickled onions taco at Trek Taco on Gran Via. 1.50E. Woke up and went to Segovia. Roman aqueduct and Alcazar (I didn't take their option and bought entry myself there and saved about 13E) are the highlights. Ate a Hojaldre (puff pastry) con jamon and queso at Limon y Menta. Onto Avila. Idiots on the tour took too long at lunch and there was a car accident and it started to rain, so, the tour was short. Only 45 minutes. I split off. Avila is a totally walled city. Known for St Teresa and yemas (egg yolk sweets). I bought yemas. Wished we had more time and/or stopped outside the city for a photo op. Took other tour. Not as good. Escorial is a monastery/summer palace/burial place. They still have a real king. Walked the grounds (basilica, tombs, etc). Onto Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos). Their Arlington/Gettysburg. Franco was buried there. They moved him out three years ago. A trippy masoleum. Big cross. Back to Madrid. Ate at Trek Taco again. Curry chicken again, pollo a la mostaza with potato sticks taco and chili carne taco. The tour was only a half day, so, I walked some areas I didn't go to last year and areas in the park I missed as well. Found a mercado (Latin/South American stuff) near Trek Tacos called Mercado los Mostenses. Had some time before flight out the next day, so, I walked to train station. Had Tostada Tortilla and McPops at McD's. 5E bus back to airport. Weather was colder and gloomier in Madrid. Onto Sevilla. These idiots made us two hours late because of a microphone failure. In at dark and rain. Took 4E bus from airport to Plaza de Armas (last stop). Stayed near there off San Eloy at cute Hotel Un Patio Al Sur for $287 for two nights. Prices high here too. Found a tour operator and booked tours to Jerez/Cadiz (99E) and Zahara/Ronda (79E) starting a day and a half later. Did this because buses to these places weren't running on the weekends (or at all) and I was a bit scared there would be issues with them. Train station seemed too far away. Almost chose to go to Faro Portugal. It was 40E RT. Walked the city. Mercado de la Encarnacion (awesome structure above it), Cathedral, Alcazar, etc. Moved hotels to NH Sevilla (even nearer the bus station) to be nearer the tour pick up spot. Room was "discounted". Three nights for $430. Let me in at noon. Went along river to Plaza de Toros, Torre del Oro, Plaza de Espana, etc. Ate an empanada Africane at Empanaderia at Mercado Lonja del Barranco. Walked across the river through an area called Triana. Went to Mercado de Triana on the spot where the HQ for the Inquistion once was. At days end, I read a book on NH roof garden. Watched the sunset. I had been to Sevilla once before, so, I was just refreshing. Gardens were mostly closed because of storm damage. That was a shame. It was hot here. Started tour. We went to a sherry bodega (Bodegas Ligures) in Jerez a la Frontera. 4 kinds of sherry (fino, olarosa, almontilado, cream) and a vermouth. All made from Fino Palamino grape. Then into the city proper. Cathedral, plazas, church, Tio Pepe Sherry HQ, Alcazar. Only 15 minute tour in rain. Onto Cadiz. Same sort of things plus ocean. Walked to the end. Ate a chicken and turkey empanada at Piggy. The next day I went to Zahara de la Sierra. White houses. Beautiful area in the mountains. Molina El Vinculo live oil bodega. Same sites. Resevoir. To another pueblo called La Sierra de Grazalema. They ate lunch. I walked the town. Bought some cubilete de chocolate (kind of a shortbread with a chocolate center) at Ibericos Grazalema. Saw trees they use for cork. They shave the bark off the lower half of the tree. Onto Ronda. This is considered the birthplace of bullfighting. Hemingway loved it. Great little city. Started at Plaza de Toros. Walked to Main Gate and back under the wall by Arab baths to the three bridges around this huge ravine/stream. Great photo ops. Up the main drag. Etc. Cookies from this bakery in a church. Back to Sevilla. Bus to airport in the am. Plane to Barcelona. Stayed along the Metro route at a stop closer to airport called Parc Nou. Stayed at Centre Espial Albergue for $85. Metro to airport in the am. No discount for being closer. Full trip. Still many tourists everywhere. Drank much wine. Some for 2E. Some 7E. Most around 5E. Food: Xorico Culatalls, Verduras Asadas (turned out to be vegetable fake meat), Ibericos Pate, Navajas (razor clams), Boquerones (sardines), Poton del Pacifico (Humboldt Squid), Agujas (Gar fish), Almejones (clams), Lomo Horno Pimiento, Bacalo Ahumado, Mortadella with green olives, Lonchas, Gublins (corn chips), Formatge Barreja and Queso Cabrales. Plus the usual cured meats. The jet stream was screaming, so, the flight there was way shorter and the way back much longer. Customs at Barcelona (out) took an hour. Two minutes at JFK. Delta can never leave on time. They blamed the tower in NY this time. I'm not sure if they ever explained the other delays. 

Grub Crawl - Altamonte Springs and Sanford: Paris Banh Mi and Pa'lla Voy

I tried the first last Tuesday night. It is in the strip mall on 436 just off I-4. North side. The second is on Rinehart Rd over by the Wal-Mart and Hertz location. I went there for lunch on Wednesday.

Paris Banh Mi- I was unaware that this a chain. I reviewed the Mills location in 2019. I'm only re-reviewing it because I liked the Pate Chaud at $3.36. It was a pastry filled with pork. I also liked the shredded chicken banh mi.  They put pate on that. $8.21. Not sure why they added those weird cents to the listed prices. Opened a year ago. Lots of desserts too. They put all of their meats on baguettes, croissants or burgers (burger buns). 

Pa'lla Voy - It means "I'm going there". Not sure if it's based on a Marc Anthony song. I had two chicken empanadas to go for $3.50 a pop. Pretty good. They made them fresh. Potato, carrot and peppers also. Nice menu. Things like: chicharron de cerdo, mofongos, soups, eight sandwiches, juices, desserts, picadillo de res, cuajito con guineo (chicken gizzards), roasted chicken, fried chicken, roasted pork, beef hash, hamburgers, fried cod, sides, etc. A special each day (ie albondigas or carne re res guisada (beef stew). You can also go down the "buffet line" route.. They also sell merch New look. White. Rectangular. Mural of Puerto Rico on right wall. Food on the left. I'll go back for a real meal. Nice find. Might be closed on Sunday.

*It looks like whatever bot/ai craziness there was is over. Views back to usual levels.

Grub Crawl - Milk District and 50: Primrose Lanes, Adelitas and Fluffy Fluffy *FL Keys Travel Notes

I tried these places at lunch on Wednesday. The first is off 50 on Primrose. The second is in a strip mall slightly east of Primrose. The last is back west on 50 near the Publix. They weren't plan A. That was a banh mi place on W50 that the Orlando Weekly has twice said is open. It is not.

Primrose Lanes - I had the second cheapest thing on the menu. A chicken blt for $ 15. It was good. Buttered toast. Mostly ok chicken. The last bite was a bit mushy. Good bacon. Fresh veg. A remoulade sauce and extra in a cup on the side. Sweet and spicy pickle spear. A bit rubbery. If you wanted french fries it was an extra $3. $6 regularly. They said the menu was changing. They had two salads. Two entrees ($27 beef). Four sandwiches (smashburger, hot dog, sliced beef). Eight apps. Two sides. There seems to be two dining area. I was probably in the "b" room. It was like a sports book. The bar is in front of it. There is another dining area to the right of the entrance. A swag shop past that. In the rear right portion are the seven bowling lanes. Kind of retro looking. The whole place looks sharp. Nice atmosphere. They had parking. Open for three months. You should check it out.

Adelitas Mexican Cocina - I have invented an acronym for these. JAMMR. Just Another Mediocre Mexican Restaurant. I had the Milanesa de Pollo for $17 to go. Came with beans and rice. The chicken looked like fish filets. Not much flavor. Not much rice. Had canned carrots and green beans in it. The beans were a bit bland too. A big menu. Lunch specials at $12. Twelve booths. Tables too. Bar in the rear. Blue, white and black color scheme. Tries to look modern. Red brick wall on the left side. Open for six months.

Fluffy Fluffy - They said they were a Canadian chain. Open two weeks. Pricey. A tiny quarter of a Big Mac sized cheesecake was $6. Chocolate, chai and one other flavor. They also sold souffles (took twenty minutes), craffles (croissant pressed in a waffle iron with ice cream) and other things. Japanese style. I had the $6 chocolate roll cake because it was already made. Bland cake (almost seemed steamed) rolled around whipped cream. It's well known that I'm not high on Asian desserts. They are like vegan desserts. Tastes off. Watery. I wonder if they don't use dairy (and eggs)?  My receipt says Fuwa Fuwa. Maybe that is Japanese for Fluffy Fluffy? JAMAD?

Travel Notes - South Florida and the Keys: I rented a car from Budget for $255 for the week. Drove to Boynton Beach to see the Ralfonso Kenetic Sculptures near City Hall. Not impressive. Continued down AIA through Del Rey and Boca. Finally found some hotels in Deerfield Beach. Stayed at the Carriage House for $139 (rack rate). They said the only had ones with a kitchen left. A normal was $99. I checked the bad looking Comfort Inn next door. It was $150 before tax. I did some swimming and sun bathing. Ate 1/2lb of ok textured (but bland) brisket and a Dirty South sandwich (pulled pork, sausage and slaw) at Fat Boyz BBQ. The next day I drove to Hallandale (exit 18 on 95) to Gulfsteam Park Race Track and Casino (east off 95 to 1). Then onto Florida City. Had a Mediteranean Salad with yellow tail snapper at Golden Rule Seafood in Palmetto Bay on 1. Stayed at Fairway on Friday and Saturday for $164 in total. Drove to Key Largo for dinner at Salty's. Just bacon wrapped peppers. Had beers at Cactus Jack's and Sundowner's because they were all next to each other. Saw the sunset. Lunch of fried chicken, mp and fries the next day at Keys Bite in Key Largo. Laid out at Harris Beach. $8 on weekends. Key Lime Ice Cream with cheesecake and graham crackers at Sparky's. Chicken soup at The Juice House. Drove to Marathon on Sunday and had three $6 apps (ahi sashimi, conch ceviche and 1/4lb of shrimp) at Shannon's Shucker's & Shakers at Keys Fisheries. Had more lunch (grouper with baked potato and tots) at Boardwalk Bar and Grill on Big Pine Key. Drove to Sugarloaf Key. Stayed at Sugarloaf Lodge for $106. It was cloudy and their beach/water wasn't that nice, so, I drove to Key West and back. Wine and cheese at hotel. Drove to Cudjoe Key and got a pound of floaters (deformed stone crabs) for $14 at Low Key Fisheries. It was the first day of the season. Ate them on a bridge on Summerland Key. Ate a shrimp blt with avocado and ff at Tonio's Seafood Shack. Sunbathed at Annie's Beach. Had dinner of ahi tacos and a rum runner at the Famous Tiki Bar at the Post Card Inn in Islamorada. They invented it here. Stayed at the La Jolla Resort for $110. Grabbed one more pound of stone crabs (mediums) for breakfast at Key Largo Fisheries for $25 (lowest in years).

Downtown Diner, Titusville

I tried this spot on South Hopkins Ave on Wednesday. I grabbed $6.50 breakfast sandwich to go. I chose sausage, fried egg, English muffin and American. It was good. They had a decent sounding menu. Not just dull diner fare. It's attached to a dingy motel. Inside was drab. Brown. Wood. Quick service. It was full. 

Peruanisima Bakery, Altamonte Springs *SWE/NOR Travel Notes

I tried this Peruvian bakery on Wednesday at lunch. It is in a strip mall near Lake Brantley HS on 434. I just grabbed a chicken empanada for $5 because I just had all you can eat sushi and the prices were a bit high. The empanada was ok to below average. Small. Not too filled. Poor flavors. They also sell eight sandwiches. $9 egg salad to $13 pork lomo saltado. Six breakfast items. $6.70 tamal to $19 plate with fried pork. Two sides. Both $9. Nine empanadas. Eleven cakes and pies. $28 to $60. Fourteen dessert. $4 arroz con leche to $8 picarones. Eight pastries. 75c yuma bread to $12.50 Choco Alfajores. Small space. Maybe one table. They charge for credit cards. Open for six months. I was around here to also knock out Torchy's. Still not open. I did see a hidden (from view) place around the corner called Stonington's Fried Shrimp. I can't recall if I've been there. Couldn't find it on the blog. They also have one on Kirkman. 

*Travel Notes - Sweden and Norway: Exchange rates were about 11 Swedish krone and 10 Norwegian krone to the dollar. I flew Delta through JFK to Stockholm for $635. Mid to late morning flights. The weather was only overcast with drizzle on the first and last day (and most early mornings). I also took two flights while there and I might as well list the prices now. I bought a ticket to Trondheim Norway from Stockholm when I booked the first flight. A one way on SAS in the afternoon cost $59. I also scrapped the train idea in Norway and bought a one way from Trondheim to Oslo for $78 on Norwegian (out of bankruptcy and flying domestic) the day before. In Arlanda airport I eschewed the Arlanda Express train that was like 360SK for the 148SK Vy Flygbussarna from Terminal 4. You come in the new terminal 5. It takes slightly longer. Like 45 minutes. Pay at a kiosk or driver. It makes a few stops (6). Final stop at Central Bus (and train) Station in city center. I forgot the layout and booked the first two nights on the South island. The Stockholm Classic Hotel for $71 a night for two nights. It was a bit of a walk. There is a subway stop right there though. It was interesting to see a new area. They let me in at 10am, so, I just took a nap and then walked the area when the sun came out. The next day I went to Lindigo via the subway. 39SK for a 90 minute pass. You have to take a bus over a bridge as well. In Lidingo (one of the fourteen islands), there is the Carl Milles Garden. He is their number one sculpter. It cost 170SK. It was cool. Back via another 39SK subway trip. I walked to an island called Langholmen and back towards the old town on Gamlastan. Saw the Royal Palace and Cathedral and Parliament (Riksdagshuset) and Nobel Prize Museum and some churches (kyrka). And then back through Riddar Holmen to the hotel. You can't buy wine in the supermarket. The best wine shop was called System Bolaget. Good selection and prices. I will interject here that you shouldn't expect many non-supermarket or fast food meals eaten by me. It was either full sit down (too tired) or kebab/pizza dives where everything started at 130SK and over or overpriced Asian (Thai, Viet and especially sushi). And coffee and pastries. I'll list the stuff from the market at the end as usual. Walked to the station through Kungsholmen (island) on day three. Saw the City Hall (Stadshuset). Bus to the airport. Every twenty minutes. Unibuss Express bus from front of Trondheim airport (nice) to city center (seemed to be the way everyone took) was 220NK. About an hour. Some stops. Credit card only. These idiots want cash to be done away with. Oh, that's another reason for fewer real food purchases. They wouldn't take cash. Even BK! I should add here that I prefer cash because of foreign transaction fees and I prefer (even though I seem to be freely telling the whole world my business) not to participate in unfettered surveillance. Stayed three nights at the P Hotels Brattora for $85 a night. I should add here that none of the hotels had heat. Few had more than a couple tv channels. None had bar soap. Bed pads on box springs. I got in near nightfall, so, I just found the Rema 1000 market (had Rokt Orret Smoked Salmon and beer) and a McDonald's. Wine shop was closed. The next day I walked the town. Marina, Radhuset, Nidros Cathedral, river, old town bridge, fort, etc. Got answers I didn't want from the train people. Had skole brod and kanel bolle at Rosenberg Bakerias. Had more McD's. I will say that I had the 25NK (and SK) McVegan burger and Truffle CB quite a few times. Just because every other fast food cost much more in relation and these were by far the best values Ronald had. Tasted good too. Dinner of Rokt Laks and salami from Rema 1000. Asked the bimbo there if things would be open on Sunday. She said yes. Answer was no! That skewed and screwed my Sunday meals up. Walked this pleasant path around the city. Saw the uni, sports complex, art museum and another marina area with more restaurants. The next day, I took the bus back to airport. To Oslo. Slower Vy train (not by much) to Central Terminal for $118NK (vs 220NK for the fast one). Machine took cash. The buses were more than the trains. Stayed at the P Hotels Oslo (up the road from the terminal) for $83. Peppar Makrell (good), roast beef, camembert, Krydder Laks and cider from Kiwi. Wine from Vin Monopalet at the station. Train to Goteborg for 615NK. Should have taken the bus. Didn't remember if the station was close. I will add here that I learned that trains in Norway are known as the most expensive in the world. Stayed at the Sure Stay Hotel near the station for $85. Almost stayed on a ship. Should have. It was easy enough to find. Next to it was a ferry they turned into a floating parking lot. Somebody tell Scarlett Johanssen that her husband should do this with the Staten Island Ferry. Walked the city. Down to Johanneberg and Landala neighborhoods+. Stadium, arena, uni, park, water front, opera house, etc. Grabbed a Thuringer Bratwurst and a Kosaken Wurst at Sausage Haus in the terminal. One of the better meals. Tried to get a train ticket. Some jerkoff in power has made it so you can only buy local tickets from the ticket office and other ones through a machine that only sell four hours in advance (and never seemed to have any train ones only buses). I found a Flixbus machine and bought a ticket to this town just south called Helsingborg in hopes that they had people you could interact with (they did). 109SK. By far the cheapest. I later found a VY bus ticket office with people. Oh, well. The next day I roamed around a bit more. Arts (3) museum complex, some churches, fort on a hill (Skansen Kronan), Haga shopping district below it, Briggen food hall, Salu food hall, Garden Society Park (Tradgards Foreningen) with Palm House and Rose Garden, etc. I will add that so may places were only taking credit cards that I bought a tuna sandwich at Subway. It was the best ever and one of the best meals I had. No kidding. They put (my choice) curry sauce on it and the bread and veg were so superior to here that it isn't funny. Sesame bread too! Had other types. Bus to Helsingborg the next day. Stayed at the Comfort Hotel for $73. Cute city. Walked to the city hall, fort on a hill, marina, churches, stadium, etc. These cities are on the southwest coast. You can see Denmark from there. Tried pork pastrami and Swedish beer from Hemkop. More McD's because of the credit card bs. Bought a train ticket to Kalmar the next day (they told me no advanced purchases) from a person for 331SK. It went through Lund. There was a fire at some relay on the track. It looked like I may be stranded there. They fixed it. I spent two hours in Lund. Uni, Cathedral, food hall, cute streets, Radhus, Stadshall, etc. I bought a Kardemumma bolle at Mormors (Grandmother's) Bageri. Some Gallerpokt Peppars Skinka (pepper ham) at ICA. Kalmar is on the southeast coast. It was smaller than I thought. Stayed at the Profil Hotel next to the Cathedral for $158. It was a Friday and they had some festival on the neighboring island (Oland). That was the real reason I was here. Didn't end up doing it because of the lack of hotels. Got in late because of the delays. Bought a Flix Bus ticket to Stockholm (which was good because these idiots don't work on Saturday or Sunday and there were no machines either) for $309SK. Trains were double. Walked the city walls, etc. Some feta and roast chicken from Coop. Wine from System Bolaget. The next day had breakfast buffet at hotel and walked to the castle and that area. Long bus ride. Stayed at the Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron (across train tracks from where bus drops off) for $111. Breakfast buffet. Walked to marina to buy a boat tour to Vaxholm for 365SK for the next day. Walked to Djurgarden and the Nordiska Museum, Vasa Museum, Viking Museum. Did them before. Not this time. Went into Skansen (like Williamsburg with a zoo, etc) for 185SK. Back through the National City Park to the Opera House, shopping district, etc. Next day took the boat tour. It rained. Stayed on the boat. No Vaxholm. A bit more walking around. I stayed the last two nights at the same hotel. $73 a night now. Bus to airport in the am. 

Other foods: hvete bolle (sweet rolls), kokos bolle (coffee coconut chocolate balls), priokig korv (salami), cognac medwurst, Marabou chocolate (bad), Vasterbotten (cheese from north Sweden) and Norsk Granddost (cheese from Norway). Drinks: Ramlosa water, Grevens cider with pear (Norway), Aass Pilsner (Norway), Norrland's Ljus Lager and Guld Lager and Melleruds Utmarkta Pilsner.

Good trip. Probably the last week you should go. I wish I did northern Norway as planned. However, it was supposed to rain and the trains and buses there were more expensive and more of a pain than I expected. Flights were reasonable. Less so if you factored in the transport to and from the airport on both sides. Everyone spoke English. They were a little over the top with the eco-madness/smugness and the automation. I may have done other things if I had a local human to consult with. Maybe a wasted day or two. I tried to find good seafood places. I swear. It was next to impossible. Few sites were free (inside). Also, few banks. Mostly ATMs. I used Bankomat in Sweden and Nokos Minibank in Norway. Reminder - never take their conversion inducement. It is always a worse rate than "risking" it. They aired Rules of Attraction (the Brett Easton Ellis one) in Sweden. There is a scene where this guy tells of his trip to Europe in rapid fire. I seem to have become that guy. And why do I get so many views from Singapore? It must be bots. I had nearly 90k views last month!? And you don't have to drill down to other pages.

Grub Crawl - Azalea Park and Casselberry: Old Cuban Cafe and V's Diner (Closed)

I tried these spots on Tuesday night. The first is on Goldenrod near Underhill. The second is in the strip mall on 436 that has Buffalo Wild Wings and Wa Sushi. It has no sign, so, it is easy to drive by it. 

Old Cuban Cafe - In an abandoned gas station. Hard to relate facts because they spoke no English. Some pre-prepared baked goods, sandwiches and a by the container assortment of cooked things. Mostly chicken, veg and pork. I think a plate with sides started at over $13. I just gave up and ordered a Cuban sandwich. It cost $9. They don't list any prices anywhere. It was like pulling teeth. Sandwich was ok. Alot of ham and what was either thinly sliced pork or turkey. They didn't really fawn over it. Maybe they were just trying to make it fast to get the gringo out of their hair? No oil or butter on the outside of the bread. So, dry. Not much decor. Big space. Open from 6am to 8pm. No reason to search them out.

V's Diner - A vegetarian place. Open for a month or so. We all know I'm not one of these herbavores, but, I may become one. While I was overseas (notes to follow in the next post) I had the McVegan burger four times. Because it was only around $2.50 and Ronald's burgers are getting so bad that it was superior in comparison. Here I just tried the large fries for $6 because their normal dishes were around $13 and I already had the Cuban. They were great fries though. Soooo many. Thick, carrot stick like ones. But, fried long enough that many edges were crisp and insides were toasty. They also sprinkled them with a nice, powdered (bbq?) seasoning. I ditched the second half of the Cuban and ate these the rest of the drive home. I still have a third left. They can cover these fries with cheese and chili or both. They also do all the fake stuff. Chicken, beef, etc. Around eight main items. Some more sides. Manageable. Those platters seemed very large as well. The place looks like a 50's diner. All white. A little odd juxtaposition of themes. I saw Asteroid City on the plane. This diner would have been perfect for that slightly askew fantasy world. They have a small staff. They were nice. And honest. They were going to send me off with a small box of fries (I wouldn't have been the wiser) and the cook called them back when he realized the ticket said large. It has about ten tables. There may have been another room with more. Half full at 7pm. I am intrigued enough with what I saw that I think I will go back. And I really was just trying to cross it off the list. I think they said they open at 11am and close at 8pm. They are the closest establishment in the strip mall to 436.

Grub Crawl - Ocoee and West Colonial (50): Mi Querida Colombia, Sun Pearl Bakery, Pho Saigon (Closed)

I went to these spots last Monday at late breakfast/lunch. The first is in a strip mall before that toll road that you pass before Winter Garden. The next two are in Chinatown.

Mi Querida Colombia - It means my lovely Colombia. Open for ten years. Expensive for rustic food. Therefore, I settled on the arepa con huevos y jamon y queso  for $8. The menu says it comes with coffee. They said it does not. White corn arepa. A bit thin, raw and burnt. Ok eggs and ham. Nowhere near as good as my own. I fork whip them and add some liquid and then continually fork them in the pan. Most people just let them sit and become an omelet. The menu has the usual Colombian stuff. Steak platters rise to $28. That's a mar y tierra. They have rump cap, lengua, sobrebarriga (brisket), mondongo (tripe stew), etc. Four booths. Two rows of four tables. Mural on the wall. Glass pastry case across from that. A bit disappointing.

Sun Pearl Bakery - They said they have been there for twenty years. I have to have been there before. Taiwan bakery. Cash only. Tax included in the price. I grabbed a coffee flavored chiffon cake with vanilla icing for $3. It was ok. A pretty big selection. However, I think of Asian desserts like I think of their rice noodles versus pasta. It just tastes less good. It's towards the rear on the more built up side of the complex. Closes at 5pm.

Pho Saigon - Even more towards the left rear than Sun. Ten years old. They hide the prices on the outside menus. I had the small brisket and meatball pho for $11. It was pretty good. Brisket was a bit tough. Meatball was one half of a big one sliced into thirds. Ok.  Veg and noodles were fresh. Broth was ok. Big enough serving. A bit more than the usual items. Pho and rice dishes run from $12 - $15. $18 summer rolls. The place is pretty drab. Never very many people. 

*I was in Chinatown to try a new Vietnamese place across the parking lot. It doesn't seem to have opened yet.

The Nine Thai, Lake Mary

I tried this new Thai place on Saturday at lunch. It is in the strip mall on the opposite side of 46A from the Publix at International Parkway. It was ok. I had the $14 Tom Zaab Pork Feet soup and the $17 chicken in yellow curry. It was a first on the soup. Seemed like the same sour broth with one quartered mushroom and some scallions with mostly the bones, fat and skin of pigs feet. It's funny how there seems to be a point when you stew things when they become tender. This did not reach that point. What meat there was was tough. Didn't help the broth either. The rice with the curry was mushy. The flavor was ok. The chicken was ok. The potatoes were undercooked. I will give them some rope because I was the first one there and it was a to go order. The rest of the menu was familiar. A few rare ones. Everything was pricey. $12+ apps and $25+ mains. Things like satay (just learned that means speared), larb fried rice. Shrimp, beef, pork, chicken, tofu. I think there was a fish. Maybe gyoza? $14 lunch special on weekdays. Big room. Modern. Bar on right. Metallic. White. Open 11:30 - 3:30 and then 4:30 to close on weekdays. No break on weekends. They just opened a week ago after a year and a half build. They have another in Ellicott City, MD. Not a destination spot.

Pisco, Lake Nona *England Travel Notes

I tried this Peruvian restaurant in a strip mall off Narcoossee (I took Hoffner off 436 from the airport) on Tuesday at dinner. It's a bit pricey. I had the cheapest main of lomo saltado at $26. Some of their apps are near this price point. I think I remember one or two $25 soups. The lomo consisted of chunks of what was suppossed to be beef tenderloin. It wasn't the most tender of loins. Either an offcut or poor breed of cow. But, I wasn't really expecting it to actually be tenderloin. I just wish I didn't trust their assurance and ordered it a bit more cooked. They surrounded the slightly salty beef with potato wedges, halved cherry tomatoes, rawish red onions, micro greens in a brown sauce. Side of mildly flovored white rice with kernels of Peruvian corn. Both served in bowls. Not bad. Healthy portion size. Came out very quickly. I also almost chose a fried seafood platter at the same price point. But, you can never predict the assortment or portion size. Plus I was going for AYCE sushi the next day. The menu is large. The usuals like chaufa and ceviche. A few more ambitious options like a $150 tomahawk steak. They want to be high end. The layout revolves around the central bar. It has a gray stone countertop. Bottles of booze all around. Open kitchen in the rear. A half wall separates tables/booths in between. Same at the front. Booths on the sides. They have garage doors up front. Maybe these get opened in the cooler months? They have a few hanging objects of dried vegetation. Interesting. Muted tones with splashes of color. They pump up the Pit Bull type music. One tv tuned to Big 10 network. It was almost full at 8pm. People (with little kids) were still arriving past 9pm. Mostly Hispanic looking/sounding. Staff were dressed up (vests and ties). Four bartenders. More table staff. I love Peruvian cuisine. So, I was bound to like it. I'm not sure it (the cuisine) benefits much by being upscaled. Seems like being irresponsible with money to expect it to. But, I guess you can say that about most cuisines. They add (they informed me of it) 18% to the bill. I don't drink (at restaurants), so, it doesn't affect me that much. But, I suppose they apply that to the tip too. That breaks the old "you don't tip on alcohol or tax" rule. Probably why they do it. All in all, it was what I expected. A bit more lounge-y. Give it a try. You might even get them to sing Happy Birdday to you (happened three times). I believe they opened this spring.

*Travel Notes - England: I flew NS to Gatwick on Norse for $395 at 9pm on the Saturday night (return on a 2pm) of Labor Day weekend. Not crowded. No road traffic. No food or headphones or drinks or anything. But, a brand new 787 (three rows of three seats). No issues. No stupid digital boarding pass. You couldn't even check in online. Fine by me! Bought a ticket from airport to Eastbourne (they only have machines now - no one to make inquiries to) for 20L. Stayed at the modern View Hotel on the ocean for $76. Bought a 10L (24hr) pass for the Hop On Hop Off bus for 10L. It goes through the town to East Dean and back (mostly along the coast). Through the South Downs National Park to Beachy Head and Birling Gap. Famous for being the place they first sighted the Spanish Armada (learned that the weather was really the hero of the day and the English sent their own Armada the next year and got their asses handed to them as well) and where the WWII pilots last saw England on their missions. You can see the chalk cliffs and take amazing hikes through here. East Dean is the town Rick Steves stops at after his. I didn't bother. I also walked through EB and the path along the ocean to the pier and beyond. I saw an old Triumph car show and listened to some free jazz at the bandshell. I was pretty tired, so, I just bought some wine and snacks and watched the sunset from my balcony. The next day I got back on the bus and re-saw some of the stuff from the day before. Did a little hike from the start of Beachy Head. I then went to the train station to get a ticket for Hastings (10L). I found a bus station on the way and that (98 or 99) was only 2L. Took longer though. I had time before that bus and I saw a sign (finally) for the tennis facility. They do a pre-Wimbledon tournament. Went there. This is kind of why I went here. Scouting the area for next years tournament. Grabbed a great and huge chicken salad and bacon sandwich at the Poppyseed Bakery near the bus stop. At Hastings (train and bus station are at same location), I grabbed the (I think) 1066 bus (2L each way) to Battle. To see the field where William the Conqueror fought the famous Battle of 1066. It cost 14.50L to get in. They let you on the field! Back to Hastings. Stayed at the Landsdowne Hotel on the ocean near the pier for $72. Remember that I use travel sites to book and sometimes they charge in US dollars. Walked the beach route to Hastings Castle and St Mary in the Castle (seated into the mountain the castle rests on). It was getting dark, so, I walked into DT and got food at M&S and called it a day. FYI - they had the best thin sliced smoked pastrami for 3L! I hope it is new and I haven't been missing out on it for years. Hastings was grubbier than Eastbourne. Both had stone beaches. Back to the train station and onto Portsmouth for 19L. Stayed at the George Hotel at the harbor for $102. You can stay one stop earlier in the city center or here. I think here is better. Either way, it's not that long of walk to the other. I was going to go to the Historic Dockyard to see Nelson's HMS Victory and Henry VIII's Mary Rose. But, they wanted 44L! Maybe some other time. FYI - you can't get a view any other way. Maybe by boat? I tried. I did get a pic of the HMS Warrior though. Started a walk through the shops at the Gunwharf Quay all the way down the esplanade to Henry the XIII's Southsea Castle. It's a long walk (goes beyond here) that passes by the Emirates Tower, Ferry Terminal (to Isle of Wight 34L), Spice Island, the Hot Walls (castle walls with a beach on the outside), arcades, Hovercraft ferry, aquarium, D-Day museum, etc. I then backtracked to the arcade area and took a right into the city center. Passed the university and shopping streets to the Guildhall. Dickens was born somewhere in the city. Through Victoria Park to Queen St and back to my hotel. Tried to get some fish and chips, but, they tried a bait and switch so I just got some fresh strawberries, etc at Coop. FYI - I will admit that that I had a bottle of vino every night as well. Next day, 28L train (22L after noon) to Bournemouth (bus was 9L but left already at 10:30am). I stayed at the Burley Court Hotel for $90. This was in between the station and the (sandy) beach. It's a university town with a beach. Not so much history. One art museum. I walked the beach to a few miles went to Poole and back (the pier/arcade). Then maybe a half mile east. A little stroll through the park. Dinner at Baghdad Arabic and Kurdish Kitchen. My first Iraqi food. Don't fret, I think they were Kurds. Ground lamb kebabs with rice and freshly baked pita (maybe lavosh). Tasty. They also tried a bait and switch/upcharge at bill time. I had to haggle with them. On food! With prices written on a menu! Why do these people love to do this so much? There is nothing I hate more. The hotel had a nice pool, but, I was too tired to try it out. Bournemouth was very diverse. Lots of young people. The beach was packed. Oh, it was around 90 and sunny this whole trip. Plus I think school started the next day. You can take a Coaster bus trip from here to my next stop. I, stupidly, took another train (19L). Destination Weymouth. I almost skipped this. Would have been a mistake. Cute town. Older crowd. Sand beach. I stayed at the Hotel Rex for $91 (sea view room). I extended through them for a lower quality room (but on a Friday) for 67L. I had fried cod at Shooter's Fish and Chips. I took the 2L 55 bus to Durdle Door. It is a WHS site where they film alot of things. Especially Bollywood stuff. So, it is a huge tourist attraction for them. Learned that they love Switzerland for similar reasons. That was why I saw so many there. This is also a beautiful beach spot (two sides) with a natural stone arch. I then walked along the coast from there to Lulworth Cove. Saw that and had a clotted cream fudge ice cream at Jake's Homemade Ice Cream. Another 2L bus back. It passes a hill side chalk horse man. Some din din at M&S. The next day I took a 8L RT train a few stops back east to Moreton. This is why I extended. A two mile walk to St Nicholas Church to see some stained glass by Whistler and where TE Lawrence was memorialized and buried. His grave is a few hundred yards down the road. That's Lawrence of Arabia btw. He's an English guy. He came to fight the Turkish. And if you can name the movie that is from, you have my respect. Back to Weymouth and I took another 2L bus to this spit of land just south called Portland. The bus was a million degrees, so, I just stayed on because I was so tired. Seemed like all they had were beach walks anyway. Dipped my feet into the water at the beach in Weymouth. A bit chilly. Like all the others. Dinner at M&S again. This time because all the food shops were closing/closed. On a Friday night?! Yelled at them for being lazy. The next day I bought a chicken and a ground beef empanada at an Argentinian bakery called Finna's. Train to London Waterloo for 34L. Stayed at the Cheshire Hotel up Charing Cross near the Tottenham tube station for $222 for two nights. I did this because it was nearest to the Waterloo Station and I had never stayed around there before. It's basically Soho. I decided to see shows. I think I f'd up by buying ticket one at a resale location, but, I hadn't looked up what was playing or where the theaters were and it was getting late and I saw this sales office. 53L (with the 5L fee) for second level the next day for Back to the Future. I asked others later if this was a fair price and no one seemed too shocked. Before I left, I saw an interview with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets where they said he was making them see shows and this was the best. They should not be trusted No good new material. Only good moments were after they get to the prom (saved both Huey Lewis songs until after that). I then walked past a theater doing Noel Coward's Private Lives. A fourth row center was 25L. I saw that that night. Ok. Dated. FYI - they let you bring in drinks and food. No dress code. Dinner from Sainsbury. I walked around the area. Soooo many food and drink places. Soooo many hot girls. The next day I went to the Seven Dials Market and had my first Uzbeki food at the Oshpaz Noodles stall. Plov. Chicken on rice. Good. Also had Lag-Man Noodles and samsy (pastry). Many other stalls. Even one that used that conveyor belt sushi places use. But for cheese! Walked through Covent Garden area to Somerset House. First time no scaffolding! Saw the 3Hr BTTF that started at 3pm. Dinner of fried chicken strips at Wing Wing. Ended up here because so many place wouldn't take cash. The next day I walked through this large digital art installation near the tube stop. Back to Somerset House via the British Museum (too long of a line) to go to the art museum. But, they charge 10L (I knew that) and would only take credit (I didn't know that). Told them they were so tech forward and Orwellian and where they could stick it. I went to the FREE National Gallery instead. Then down The Mall (between Buckingham Palace and the Arch near Trafalgar Square and above St James Park to Victoria St. Down Vauxhall Bridge Rd to the Carlton Hotel ($111) because I had to leave from Victoria Station to Gatwick the next morning. Lunch of xaio long bao and har gow dumplings and duck spring roll at Choi. Saw that guy who played the old rock star in Love Actually there. Walked down Vauxhall to the Thames. To the Tate. Also FREE! Along the river towards Big Ben and over back to Victoria Station to buy a ticket for Hamilton. I had never seen it and it was 9/11. Seemed patriotic. 39L for second level. Great musical. It really lived up to the hype. Shitty potato and mozz corn dog (with no dog) at Wok and Fire near the theater. Gatwick Express for 22L. You could tap on a normal train (a bit slower) for 9L. But, I want a receipt on everything! Judge Judy tells me so. Didn't trust it not to screw something up that I would later have to waste time unscrewing. A regular train ticket (no tap on) was 19L. Great trip. Great prices. Great time to go. Heard from locals it was the best week of weather all summer. Happy Happy. Joy Joy! No delays. Easy through customs on both sides. Should I start a site called Orlandora the Explorer? Or Carmine Santiago? Where am I off to next? BTW - getting like 4k viewers a day now. WTF! Has to be a computer glitch.