I tried these spots today at lunch. The first is behind PF Chang's in the Winter Park Village on Orlando Ave. The second is on 436 in the southeast shopping plaza at Fairbanks/Aloma. The last is north of that on 436 across from the shopping plaza near Howell Branch Rd. Across from a Metro Diner.
Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar - Open for two months. I'm told they are turning their properties into these bar/retail stores. The menu is small. Maybe seven apps and seven mains. Some salads and desserts. I had the mahi tacos (2) for $15. They greatly exceeded expectations. A ton (candy bar dimensions) of fresh (though probably frozen) fish. In a seemingly (though not probably) hand made corn tortilla. Fresh enough diced tomato, cabbage with slices of raw red onion and tortilla sticks. Some kind of tasty lime white sauce. They also had sliders, quesadilla, crab dip, corn dip, flatbread, etc. You order at a counter. They do bring you the meal and bus. A few cold water containers. The place is mostly patio. Around twenty tables of four and six or so high tops and some rail seating. The inside bar area seats about twenty. White. Some moderately dark wood accents with light stone. Wicker baskets around the lights. Lots of white speakers and misters. Black seats. There were around eight people there at lunch. The happy hour drink prices didn't seem so generous. $9 wine and $6 beer and $11 mixed. Not sure what the regular prices are. My meal was near the low end. I was really just marking this off the list. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed it. Hopefully, they deliver this level of quality to everyone everytime. It's not substantial enough to deserve a lot of effort to seek it out. However, if you are in the neighborhood and just need something simple that also allows you a relaxing boozy environment...
The Fry Shoppe - It is in an old drive thru ice cream hut or something. They sell skin on and battered fries in a paper cone. I had skin on with my free sauce (Kansas City BBQ Mayo) and free topping (shredded cheddar) for $6. It was fine. I guess McDonald's and Wendy's charge almost as much for their cheesy fries. They also sell $12 versions. They have a lunch special that awards you a free can of soda with those. It looks a bit dirty. No seating. A walk up window. Took too long. But, I suppose that means no microwave. Open for a few weeks.
Ave Maria - It was a Colombian (Capachos) place before. Now Ecuadorian. Coastal cuisine. They have a small menu. Maybe seven apps. Mostly empanadas. A filled plantain. Some soups. Chicken and fries. A few stews. A few seafood dishes. Similar things to their neighbors. A few riffs. I had one of those. A marinated tuna fish and cassava soup (encebollado de pescado) for $18. It was good. A bit bland. A bit bright. The tuna was excellent. Enough. Some raw, white, sliced root. A side of fried plantain chips. They had another with tuna and shrimp for a few dollars extra. The place was cleaned up a bit. It looks less cluttered. More professional. Bar area. It still is dark with low ceilings though. The people were very nice. Spoke English. Seats around ninety. Maybe twenty people there at 2pm. I didn't register their make up. I have to recommend it if only for the lack of Ecuadorian competitors. If we are to learn of this cuisine, we probably need to learn it here. Happily, they seem up to the job. Open for two months?
*I started the day on Lee Rd. This new spot (Oh Hey Cafe at Open House) was basically a day care with a coffee and tea area that sells bought muffins, etc. It is such a shame because it looks substantial. I had been waiting to see what it was going to be. It is next to nothing. You can/should avoid it. Also, Bricks and Bowls is nowhere near ready. They seem to have another location at Conroy.
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