Grub/Pub Crawl - Sanford: The Sullivan Public House, Capitol Room and Slam Pizza

I tried these spots at dinner on Saturday. They are all in the center of town on 1st Street.

The Sullivan Public House - I had a terrible Bangers & Mash for $17. Maybe $3 worth of ingredients. Two mushy (most likely Cumberland) sausages and a monkey fist portion of piped (too garlic-y) potatoes. The inappropriately added garilc bread slice may have been the least bad thing. The rest of the tiny menu cost more and was as cliche. Shepards Pie etc. Open for seven years. A testament to how indiscriminate Joe and Joanna Six pack are. I think if there is one din8ng category I could wipe from human existence, it would be Irish Pub fare. Not only is it lacking in taste of finesse, it is always a terrible value. I don't even like the hardwood decor. Always a buzzkill. Open for dinner only. Late lunch on Sunday. Avoid.

Capitol Room - Just a bar. Trying to be higher end. DJ. They said tapas in December.

Slam Pizza - I think this spot has been at least four differently named places over the years doing exactly the same dull nonsense. They said the have been here for five years. Seems overstated. Same terrible pizza cooked in a mini steel oven. Cheesesteaks and other sandwiches. I had a slice for $3. Little sauce and no crust. Underbaked.

Grub Crawl - East Colonial (50): Andina and Fable Craft Coffee

I tried these spots on Tuesday at lunch. The first I saw a few months back when I went to Blue Amphora on Goldenrod (south of 50). Shoud have knocked it out then. The second was suppossed to be some new one in Waterford Lakes by Timber Creek HS called Yumfiity. I couldn't find it. Internet searches come back inconclusive as to if it is open. The last is in back towards Alafaya Trail in the strip mall that has Academy Sports. I went there a few months back for some new Chinese place. I also went to the new So Dough in a strip mall near the stadium and Alafaya Trail. I'm not including it because I reviewed the original. The quality here was worse. I also drove past Yao's near Red Bug Lake. It wasn't open. I knew it wouldn't be. Just wanted to seal it in my brain. I should have headed back towards I-4 from the first place to begin with and hit places there.

Andina Delicatessen - Opened two and a half years ago. It reads Venezuelan and Guatamalan on the window. They dropped the Guat because of lack of interest. I took two items to go because the pricing was higher than I anticipated. A $6.39 Domino Empanada and a $4.64 Andino Pastelito. Both were good. And big. The empanada was double the size or more. Fried. Thin shell. Stuffed with black beans and a white string cheese (they list mozz, yellow and Venezuelea on then menu). The two items separated into opposite corners. I wish they stayed (or ever were) mixed. The pastelito seemed baked. About half the size as the empanada. Thicker coating. Stuffed with a chopped or ground beef and maybe rice (?). Tasty. They added a thin garlic mayo dip. The menu has three signature soups (beef rib, hen and mondongo - tripe) at $17. Breakfast has another soup (Anedean) and three dishes with eggs starting at $13. There are two arepas at $13. Sandwiches (4) start at $11 to $18. Six lunches ($13 to $17). A grill at $46. 4 meats (liver, steak, pork chops) from $13 to $17. Fruit drinks ($6+). Sides. Coffee. Drinks. If I could dial it back (just saw that page of the menu), I might have tried the liver. For a new dish. It's a small space. Eight tables? Empty. Fresh of the boat (or across the border) staff. Cute. Feminine looking. Nice. I'm not sure that a delicatessen is an appropriate description. More of a sit down. Better and different than I expected. The other things on the menu better be damn good at these prices. Let me know.

Fable Craft Coffee and Pastries - Open for two months. I grabbed a Chai Latte for $5 because it was the cheapest thing and I needed something to wash down the handhelds from Andina. It was fine. They sell a limited selection of drinks like that. And only a few pastries. I almost tried a rolled cake that they said is Brazilian. The place looks like a lounge. Light gray feel. Bookish. Ok crowd. That's about it. 

Grub Crawl - Disney Area: V Pizza, Run & Run, Moge Tee and Le Caramel

I tried these spots in a strip mall near Disney on Palm Parkway (Disney Springs exit) Saturday at lunch. In addition to these and the ones I have already reviewed, there is an Irish bar, a Mexican place, a Cuban place (Havana) and a Korean (K Bop) in that mall. And a Latin place in a small strip mall across the street. You just read (last post) why I needed a plan c. I chose this because I knew there were some places in this strip mall I hadn't tried and I figured the traffic would be the least onerous in this direction. Plus I wanted to see how close the new Susuru offshoot was. Couldn't tell. The Cuban place didn't open until 2pm. The Mexican (my first choice) wasn't ready at past noon, so, I was steered towards these places and figured I had too much food to add one more dish to it. 

V Pizza - Open for a year. It seems to be a chain. They said they have locations in Jax and the Carolinas. Large space. Already looks worn. Two brick ovens. I think they were gas powered. They seem to do all the cooking in there. I tried a sausage sandwich for $14. It was good. Came with broth. Roll was ok. Buttered. They put giardiniera on it. I passed. I didn't see how the pizzas looked. They started at $18. They have apps and Italian Beef and meatball subs and other sandwiches. Pasta. You could do worse.

Run & Run Chinese - Your typical take out spot. There for 10 year. I grabbed the $9 lunch special for dinner. Moo Goo Gai Pan with fried rice and an egg roll. Not bad. Fresh carrot, bamboo shoots, onion, lettuce, snow peas, baby corn and mushrooms. The fried rice just had egg in it. The egg roll was not cooked through as always. I'm still not thrilled that these lunch specials have almost doubled in price. But, we know who to blame for that. It makes it hurt a little less when you eat it for dinner. I also remember when the fried rice would have pork and onions in it.

Moge Tee Vista - I needed a drink because I chose egg roll over soda and thought you would want to know about it. I had a medium bubble milk tea for $6. Cheapest thing. Same old. Boba makes less sense to me every day. It can't be chewed. Like gummy bears. I think I'd rather have chick peas or beans (anything not rubber) it their place. And I don't want that. Typical menu, prices, look. Not sure how long they have been there (forgot to ask) or if they are a chain. Probably. Just saw that I went to one DT.

Le Caramel - I had an avalanche (chocolate filled, "raked" looking "pop tart") for $3.50 and a mille feuille for $5. Mille was crusty. Old? Too sweet. Avalanche was great. Nice chocolate too. They also had around six brunchy things around $12. Croissants, macarons, pastries, etc. Small space. I know they have been there for at least a few years. I may have tried something at some point.

Tawa, Dr Phillips Area *VA/NC/SC/GA/FL Travel Notes

I didn't try this Modern Indo-Pak spot at the Dr Phillips Marketplace today at lunch because they didn't deserve the consideration. This is the second time I've hauled my ass down to this traffic choked cess pool and they didn't seem to be open. Were not the first time. I had to knock. Empty. They said they open at 12pm. It was 12:30pm. The door had to be opened with a pen. There seemed to be only be the owner on call. She was more concerned with her daughters (eating Chick Fila) than taking orders. I finally just got fed up when they brought over a bottle of (not free) water when I asked for that. I could see where this was going. The only thing worse than a pity fuck, is one in which the fuckee is not only not fuckable, but, not grateful. The owner said she took over (no changes to the drab space) a year ago. It replaced a Middle Eastern place (that I believe I reviewed) two years before that. The menu seemed like Northern Indian cuisine with less flavor. Not a huge menu. Maybe three dishes that weren't Indian staples. The dish I was going to order didn't come with a side. I don't think anything does. Everything over $18. I will add that the day began with another fail. At Sand Lake and John Young, another pity fuck (Nando's) was out of business. I believe Google has them listed as in business. Avoid them. I will tell you of plan c in the next post. Soon.

*Travel Notes - Virginia/North Carolina/South Carolina/Georgia/Florida: Let's call this the Hurricane Helene trip. I rented a car from Hertz for $244 for the week. I drove the first day to Roanoke Rapids NC and stayed at the Red Roof Inn for $80 (rack rate). 

I took the route to Hatteras (158) to 17N. At Chesapeake it become a toll, so, I went east a few miles on 465? (last exit before toll) to 464N and followed the signs to Norfolk. The signs said that was also a toll. But, I think it is just if you use the tunnel. I drove around downtown (Scope arena, restaurants, museums, Tides minor league ballpark) Norfolk and found the road to Ghent. In that district, I ate a great fried grouper sandwich and ff at The Green Onion. I went to this area based an article I read years ago. I followed the signs a few miles north to Old Dominion University. From there, I went right down 38th Street until I hit Granby and took that north until I hit Ocean View Ave in Ocean View. I stayed at the BW Holiday Sands (Expedia 7.8) for $129. Most places downtown charged for parking and were more expensive. I think it was a good call. It was on the beach. I swam in the Chesapeake Bay (a first), took a walk and drank some vino at sunset on the beach. I had a beer flight at Bold Mariner Brewing Company down the street and some brisket and pulled pork at Bar-q (inside the brewery). I had wanted seafood, but, there weren't alot of options around the hotel. 

The next day I took 64 north through Hampton and Newport News and Richmond to Charlottesville VA. I stayed at the Sleep Inn on 5th St (Expedia 8.0) for $101. South on 20. I had a good chicken salad with chips and a glass of Viognier at Eastwood Farm and Winery. I drove farther south to Michael Shaps Winery and had a great mixed flight there. He makes wine for alot of other places. Has a place in Burgundy. Some of the flight was from there. I couldn't find the other wineries I hadn't been to south of there (or the ones on the way back near Trump's) and some roads were already washed out, so, I went back to 64 and a bit west to 29. I had a glass of Royal Pippin at Albemarle Cider Works. Another winery near there wasn't open. Pippin Hill Farm Vineyards were a bit too precious by half (they wanted you to sit at a table and be served) to put up with. Great looking place though. I drove back towards 64 and tried a Petite Cider at Potter's Craft Cider. I grabbed a tuna poke and spam musubi from Mochiko Hawaiin BBQ across the street from the hotel. I wanted to stay an extra day, but, prices almost doubled. Good thing. The next morning a neighbor sent me a pic of half a tree laying on my roof. I had already booked two more hotel stays (the jinx) and it didn't seem to have broken through, so, I kept the party going. 

I drove 64 back to 95. I was going to stop at some of the wineries on the way, but, the signs said each was eight or miles from the exit. After driving through some crazy rain (I swear it was a tornado) and making much better time than I expected, I decided to finally quench my curiosity at Smithfield NC and see the Ava Gardner Museum. It was closed. You could see through the window though. Go past the first big intersection. I think they charged $14. I ate a bad turkey club and worse ff at The Diner across the street. I drove on to Fayetteville NC. I stayed at the grubby Days Inn (a laughable Expedia 8.2) Exit 49 for $89. I went into downtown (cute) and most everything was closed for the hurricane. Saw an US Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Segra Stadium (Single A), etc. Watched The Penguin. Colin Farrell is amazing. 

The next day, I drove 95 to 278 to Hilton Head SC. I discovered that 278 is far shorter than 278 Business. I bought a bottle of wine at Roller's Wine and Spirits. Cheaper than the supermarkets. I tried to eat a chicken sandwich at Reilly's Irish Pub. But, it was so tiny (McDonald's would be embarrassed) that I just got up and left. I wonder if it is still there? I did have a great Willie's Cluckin' Good Chicken Sandwich (4x the size) with ff at Sea Grass Grille on 278 Business. I checked into my hotel (had to fight about a room being ready at 3pm) at Spark by Hilton (Expedia 7.8) slightly off the Coligny Beach for $114 and $10 to park in an unpaved lot. I had stayed there recently. It was a BW then. The name change tricked me. I swam a bit and then dressed and went to try $1 oysters at Brother Schucker's next to Reilly's. Don't do that! They sucked. Must have been opened ahead of time. Some were paste. I reluctantly tried four and sent the rest back. Plus they were Virginia oysters. Plus they didn't charge half off (as listed) for the beer. I drove back to the hotel to try this new brewery and food hall that I passed on the way to BS. Side Hustle Brewery and The Bank. They were doing an Octoberfest. The prices were ridiculous and I saw my team was losing on tv, so, I left. Plus I planned to see the sunset and it was getting late. I pulled into the Coligny Plaza and passed a hot sauce place (Hot Daddy's). I have been watching Hot One's and wanted to see if they had Da Bomb. They had a sample bottle. Said I could try it for free. They also sold beer, so, having seen what it does to people I thought I might need a chaser. It wasn't that bad. I then grabbed a good cb and tots at Skillet's Cafe & Grill. It was the cheapest place in the Plaza and looks much nicer inside than out. Good value. I went back to the hotel. Ate dinner and started on the wine and watched my team come back against those pesky Badgers. Saw the sunset. Stayed past dark. Little light pollution. Watched people with flashlights looking for crabs. Came back and passed out. 

The next day (after being awakened by non-beat offable, non-mattress squeaking, oral sex noises from the adjacent room) I packed up and drove to Exit 102 in Savannah GA. Home of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Also closed. But, another stupid sign on 95 for something I've always said I'd stop and see did its job. I drove to Fernandina Beach FL and had a sample at First Love Brewing and a bad Florentine Benedict with potato cubes at The Patio. Took the back way out to 295. Got home and went to work on the tree.

Gas cost the same in VA. Cheaper in between. They are "closing" 95 at 7pm through alot of NC. The best fast food deal was a $6 Arby's two-fer. And BK's 8 Nuggets for $2.69. I had mostly sunny weather. Would you believe that my best memory will be finally trying Da Bomb?! I saw that the hottest sauce (Apollo) they make costs $30. Didn't try that. Not sad that I got home a day early. This was suppossed to be a trip to Boston or NYC anyway.

Grub Crawl - West Colonial (50) and Ocoee: So Gong Dong and Inspirazione

I tried these two spots on Monday at lunch. The first one is at the Lotte market on 50 and John Young. It replaced Kang's Kitchen. The second is down West 50 and a left on Maguire and the first right (after Turnpike) onto Tomyn and right on Hellers. There is a Rusteak back there too. Both should be on the Favorites List.

So Gong Dong Tofu and BBQ - I swear they were only doing dinner when they opened. I think a year ago. Why I hadn't been. I figured I could eat here and get the stuff at the next place to go and knock two out in one go. Korean. Looks the same. They opened a cafe (K Cafe) next door. Parking is limited. I had chicken bibimbop on a hot stone (a few bucks extra) because I have been seeing shows that gush over the crispy rice at the bottom. It cost $17. Good. Huge. I still don't get the selection of vegetables Koreans like to eat heated. Cucumbers? Lettuce? They also had carrot, thin bean sprouts and that white root vegetable I can never remember. I pealed most of them off and added them to the bon chon. One fried egg. Tiny. The chicken was mostly dark meat that could have been cut up more. And rice of course. And Gochujang. They also started you with six (fish cake, kim chi, salad kim chi, broccoli, cucumbers and mashed potatoes). Good. Not sure what leaf made up the salad kim chi. Dark green. A nice metal carafe for the nice tasting water. Typical large menu of stews, soups, rice, meats, seafood, apps, etc. One server. One bus girl. Half full. 26 tables of four. Most with hot plates. They said they aren't a chain. They had these articles on the wall that I didn't read that made it seem like a national concern. Not world class, but, damn good enough. And a value. 

Ispirazione Italian Sandwiches - I had to go to Ocoee to get the tigelle I missed out on in Bologna. My first. These are bigger than those. It's a circular baked good that looks like whatchamacallit...hoe cake? Ho's gotta eat too.  The internet says it is a cross between a pancake and a English Muffin. Neutral taste. The kicker is the (in my case) freshly, thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma. Right off the leg in front of you. Take that Danny Devito. A sub above. Alot too. I picked off 2/3rds and ate it straight. Nice burrata, arugula and tomato. Fresh. Some dressing with an olive oil base and pesto. Called a Deliziosa. $8. If I lived near there, I would have one a day. The have sixteen others. From bresaola to mortadella to pistachio cream. Three salads. Four baskets (3 tigelle). No vino. Small floor plan. Square. Modern. Order at the counter. A bar. Some seats behind. The owner was from Emilia Romagna. Bologna is the capitol of the region, but, I believe the other parts value these more. This is why I eat from the grocery store on vacation. I come home and have all these wonderful spots in which to waste my money on the same experiences they offer elsewhere. And I don't have to bullshit in a foreign language. In Bologna, I saw some in bags. They called them tigellini. I also saw menus with "sandwiches". They started at 3E. But, probably had a tenth of the toppings. These are fun and good and you can get them right here. I'd make room on my calendar for them. Open for a few months.. And I like that the summer temp at The Orlando Weekly hipped me to them. He is a much better reviewer than the regular guy. Harder to please.