I tried these spots on International Drive yesterday at dinner. The first is at Pointe Orlando. The second is near the cylindrical hotel near Kirkman. I also tried to try Sal's Pizza at Pointe Orlando. Their systems were down.
Palm Tree Club - I grabbed fried rice with shrimp ($16) to go because their menu was mostly sushi/rolls and that doesn't travel. I really can't remember the rest of the menu. Pizza starting at $18. But, I thought I was getting some at Sal's. A chicken yakatori was only two skewers worth. The rice was ok. Not a ton. Tiny pieces of shrimp. Not oily or soy saucy. Some kind of nut pieces. Thirty-ish tables. A few more in a covered front patio. Rounded corners. Palm-y coastal jungle feel. Green and khaki. Some framed posters. Very nice decor. Clean. A bit dark. A bar in front. Owned by Live. Open for a year. Empty. Not one soul eating. They said they might bring brunch back. Now open only for dinner. Added a facility fee. Had I eaten in. And if it was good. And had they not been closed so often when I tried them in the past, I may have had a better opinion of them. But, that wasn't what happened. This was just an exercise in getting them off the list at this point. I didn't really give the a chance to wow me. They validate. Maybe you will validate them.
Corazon Cocina Mexicana - I didn't know about the last two words of their name until now. I thought it was island Latin or South or Central American. It turned out to be cute. Like a shabby chic place you would find in Austin. A rainbow of colors. Aquamarine base. Lots of colorful pom poms on strings and paper flag colorful skeleton heads. Booze as decoration. They still have the ceiling dragons and window treatments from when it was an Asian place. Around thirty wooden booths and more on a side patio. Bar. Hostess stand front and center. HUGE menu. Apps/Dips, Salads, Tacos, Seafood Tacos, Seafood, Vegetarian, Specialties, Favorites, Molcajete, Fajitas, Rice Bowls, Little Amigos, Sides, Desserts, Margaritas, Wine, Beer, Sangria, Cocktails. And most of these categories run TWENTY deep. Many regions represented. Prices are in line. I had three lengua tacos with rice and beans for $18. The yellow rice had flavor. The beans were pureed. The lengua was a little tough. Small cubes. The tortillas were home made and flour. But, raw. Onions and cilantro. Served on an wavy yellow holder on a white rectangular dish. The free chips and salsa were excellent. The salsa in particular was fresh and had a nice kick. If I hadn't run out by the time the tacos arrived, it may have saved that dish. Six or so staff. Food came out quick. It was at about half capacity. By the lack of cars in the lot, I assume they were from the hotel that surround it. It looks a little dark in the recessed area they occupy. I hadn't tried them earlier because it was my understanding that they weren't open early in the week and only then at night. The guy I talked to as I left said they were open all 7 days for lunch and dinner. Check online to see what's what. Very nearly a Favorite. Too simple a dish to fail at though. Otherwise, I encourage anybody wanting a good (uncomplicated) Mexican experience to give them a whirl. Open for just under a year.
*At Pointe Orlando there is a club/bar I don't think I have mentioned. Houndsmen or something. It doesn't matter. They said they are changing it to Gin and Juice. So get your AK ready. Can I get a prop bet on first gun shot? Caliber? Sounds like a great idea. I also saw that that place (Taffer's) I mentioned in the last ID post was open. Not sure if they just opened or have been open just at night. I think an Indian place replaced the place near the Hulk Hogan location. And a new Japanese (Naomi Express) replaced a place in the strip mall in front of the AYCE Brazilian place towards Kirkman.
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