I tried this revolving sushi bar in a new strip mall behind the outlets near Disney on Thursday at lunch. It is a good one. Made me feel like Decker in Blade Runner. You cross over I-4 at Disney Springs exit to Vineland (first left). Suffer through the traffic snarl caused by one lane infrastructure. Geniuses! It eases up after the outlets. Turn left at the first light (Regency Village Dr). Look for the strip mall on the right. It's in the back at the road where there should be an exit off I-4 so you wouldn't have to do this.
Kura Sushi - You check in on a machine. You choose a table (45) or counter (30). There is a screen that you interact with after that. Order ala carte items ($6-$15) from the kitchen. Order or pay the bill. It even counts your plates. You send them through a slit in front of you. All items are $3.50. This is good and bad. Most places assign a color to the value of the item. This can force you to take the cheap crap. Here you don't have to worry, but, as a result almost everything is reduced in volume or of questionable quality. I might prefer the hierarchical approach. I tried tuna twice (the second cuts were larger), sockeye salmon, conch and scallop. Only the scallop was fresh. Tough, dry salmon. Bland, pale tuna. Tiny and chewy conch. The rice was acceptable. The seafood wasn't knifed well. Nor were they formed well. A music playing robot brought me my drink. There is also a conveyor belt above you that zips plates from the kitchen past your head. And plastic containers with prizes. I believe you had to down fifteen plates to get one. They promoted alot of items on the conveyor belt that never made an appearance. Otherwise, expect the usual items (plus desserts and salads). Rolls were limited to three or four pieces. They had things like takoyaki and ramen. The soy sauce was in some kind of press and squirt bottle. The wasabi had be asked for. Ginger was there. Chop sticks. Everything was arcade like. It was pretty crowded. The kids (especially) seemed to be amazed. It's still a novelty. They do a good job on the aesthetic/entertainment side. Plus the value. It would be wonderful if they could improve on the quality and execution. Even so, I'll put it on the Favorites list. It's a rare place that can still bring out the child (or Blade Runner) in this old Lesbian (I think I might randomly insert Impractical Joker lines from now on). Open for six month. I believe.
The first two are near Rollins on Fairbanks near Park Ave. The last is aside the parking lot behind Ava (New England Ave).
Hen & Hog - Basically a new Mason Jar. Larger menu. In the old Manzano's Deli location. Rectangular room. Fairly large. Very open. Order at the counter. I tried a PB&J Burger for $14. That's pimento, bacon and jalapenos. On a brioche roll. With shoestring ff. Good burger. Wider than thick. Good temp and grind on the patty. Bacon was more like smoked ham. Soft. Not fatty. Generous. Spicy pimento. I took off the jalapeno's. My tum tum is just recovering. Couldn't chance it. Probably would have been overkill anyway. The box steamed the ff before I unpacked them at home. Were probably crisp at one time. They also offer things like sandwiches, ribs, fried chicken, steak (?), etc. From snacks to full meals. I think they continued their weekly pasta night. Open for lunch and dinner. No Monday. Owner still heavily involved. Will squeeze into the Favorites.
Bagel Shop - I grabbed a plain bagel with cc for $4. A little undercooked. If they toasted (as requested), it didn't help. CC was generously (and properly) piled on. Not sure what type. Might have been whipped. This is a Boston area chain. They also also sold breakfast bagels (ie egg) and sandwich bagels. $6-$12. No prices are listed. I think they said something about making the bagel with spread yourself costing $2. Looks similar to the place (Kava?) they replaced. Order at counter. A few seats. They said they have been open for five months. Closes at 3p.
New General Cafe - I thought it was just pricy drinks for brats. They have those too, but, the food options were more extensive and looked appealing/professional. For breakfast they have pancakes, crepes, burritos, frittatas, sandwiches, warm cereals from $12 to $16. Lunch of bowls, salads, crepes, panini, wraps from $14-$16. Counter or sit down. Inside or out. It's usually packed. Open for a long time. I grabbed a $4 blueberry muffin because it was the best value and an excuse to write them up finally. It was very good. Fresh. Probably not made there. Closes at 2 or 3p.
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