2025 Favorites List and Travel Notes Index

I can't really recall anything notable to opine on. No new trends come to mind. A bit more coverage of world cusine. What ever happened to: Shaq's Chicken, Snooze AM, Mason's Lobster Roll, Tropix, Oak & Stone, Eastwood, Hot As Rice, Naya and 1120 Mills Mexican? I would like to bitch about no one following on X and whatever is more than shadow banning that Google is doing to this site. As such, I am entreating any and all tech savvy followers to try and end round THE MAN and use different AI platforms to make it so that anyone can ask it to "make me a travel itinerary" or "where can I eat" like Orlandoer. One of these platforms has to be ignoring the culling of search engine results compromise. * = Closed.

$$$$ -

$$ - Talay (February 9), Ches les Copains (May 31)*, A Gourmet Chinese Cuisine (September 19), Papparella (October 8)

$$ - Bark Haven (February 9), Leiah (March 14), Chayhana (March 16), The Rev (March 26), Wildflower (March 30), Southern Fowl (April 19), Aladdin (May 3), Shokupan Bakehouse (May 8), Rawsha (May 18), Grappola Cucina Italiano (May 29), Baffone (June 22), Mirchi (August 8), Moa Kai (August 27), Vesuvio (December 20), Alpine Bar and Grill (December 24)

$ - Violet's Ice Cream Boutique (February 11), Hot Asian Buns (March 30), Somo T (May 3), Juicy Patties (May 8), Tiger Sugar (May 31), Bossa Nova (June 3), Fritter Box (July 24), Cowboy Curry (September 19), Perla's Pizza (November 25), Cairo Express (November 27), Cupid's Hot Dogs (December 1), Masa (December 16), Craft & Common (December 26), Dough Boyz Pizzeria (December 27)

2025 Travel Notes Index

January 4 - Gator Bowl in Jacksonville Florida

January 16 - Utah and Nevada

January 31 - Maldives

February 3 - NFL Pro Bowl in Orlando Florida

February 11 - Delray Beach Open in Delray Beach Florida

March 8 - Colorado

March 30 - Southern California

April 19 - South Carolina and Georgia

May 3 - Montana and Wyoming

May 10 - Fiji*

May 31 - Pennsylvania and New York

June 11 - Massachusetts and New Hampshire and Maine

July 4 - England

July 19 - California and Nevada

August 4 - North Carolina and South Carolina

August 31 - Germany and Poland

September 22 - France and Belgium and Netherlands

October 5 - New York and New Jersey

October 19 - Florida Keys

November 8 - Greece and Egypt

December 3 - Italy

December 18 - Cure Bowl in Orlando Florida

December 22 - Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa Bay Florida and New Port Richey Florida

December 30 - Alamo Bowl in San Antonio Texas

Travel Notes - Alamo Bowl in San Antonio Texas

Travel Notes - Alamo Bowl in San Antonio Texas - I flew to San Antonio on Frontier for $268. I rented a full sized car from Budget for two days at $131. They gave me an unwanted SUV and overcharged by $50.  Parking at the airport was $54. I stayed at the City View Inn Downtown River Center (Expedia 8.6) for two nights at $234 because it was near the Alamodome and was the only hotel not to charge for parking. Incredible train noise all day. More like a 6.8 hotel. 45 minute TSA line. Thirty minutes waiting for a gate and deplaning in SA. I had a great crab and shrimp enchilada plate with black beans and wild rice at Boudro's for $29. Great mole. Beans had lots of flavor. You are supposed to order the $38 quail. I think this has to be better. Walked the riverwalk.

The next day I went northwest in DT (Brooklyn Ave) to Pete's Tako House (I learned of this and most of these non-brewery places) on Worth the Hype? I had a chorizo and egg and bacon and egg soft taco on Taco Tuesday for $1.50 a piece. Huge. Two eggs per. You are supposed to try the guisado. Didn't offer until 11am. I walked south on the Riverwalk to the road that leads to the Tower of the Americas at Hemisfair Park and Box St All Day. Grabbed a $20 all in Moroccan Chicken Shwarma for dinner. You are to try the donuts and chilaquiles. Back the hotel and back to the Pete's area. Beer at Idle Beer Co, Back Unturned Brewing Co and Roadmap Brewing Co. Crispy ground beef taco at Teka Molino in the food court across from Pete's that I wrote of the last time here. Past the Alamo for the third time. Bought a ticket to the game (USC v TCU) at the box office (cheapest) for $60.

The next day I drove to La Gloria. It was closed. Took 90W to Castroville and Castroville BBQ Co and had a brisket late with really good mac and cheese and potato salad for $20. The brisket was cut too thin and not oily or beefy enough. It had a tangy flavor. Back towards SA. I got off on some street with a Z (like Zaragrosa). and took it north to Gualadaloupe and left to 19th to Ray's. The originator of the Puffy Taco. I had a ground beef one for $5. I don't love these quasi-sopes.  They fall apart so easily. I tried to get back on 90, but, there was no on ramp. I had to take Laredo back through DT. I went too far north and it was a pain finding 281N. I got off at St Mary's near the Zoo and had an ok brisket with potatoes and carrots on rice in green curry at Curry Boys BBQ for $17. This area had alot of food trucks, etc. Went to the airport. No issues. Only 30 people on the flight. SA airport is a joy compared to the other Texas ones. The rental cars were on site. There is a La Gloria at the airport. I think their thing is ceviche.

A few famous places have closed. Lulu's cinnamon rolls. Alebrije donuts (at least temporarily), El Machito, Gwendolyn. They were on Zimmern. Mixtli is still open. I couldn't get to Lou's, Bobbie's Southern or Alamo Biscuit. Most of the places were not Worth the Hype.

Grub Crawl - Casselberry and Hourglss District: Cafe de Wan and JJ's Scratch Kitchen

I tried these spots today at lunch. The first is in the strip mall on 436 near Red Bug Lake Rd in the strip mall that has Aladdin. The other is in the strip mall on Curry Ford Rd in a strip mall with a Winn Dixie.

Cafe de Wan - Turkish. Open for a week. Has a full menu. Eggs with sausage breakfast was $9. The other was a full meal for $25. Lunch dinner stuff too. Pide, flatbreads, dips, etc. I had a pogaca cheese pastry for $4 and a ground beef borek for $6. The first was better. The borek was stale and without flavor. Around a dozen tables. Very full with probable Turks. Head scarves, etc. Faux marble tile floors. Gray plush cushioned chairs. Wood tables. I think the colors were light gray, off white and black. Mural of Cappodoccia. The people seemed nice. Will have to go back when I have more time. I think I wrote earlier that it replaced the chicken place. Nope. Another store front. Interesting.

JJ's Scratch Kitchen - A rehash of A past JJ's. Now it'a worse Chipotle with arepas. Bowl, quesadilla, burrito or arepa. You fill it. They had chips and a few other things. I think the interior was the same. Nice. Four or five tables and a long one. I tried the grilled chicken burrito. I added mushrooms, beans, lettuce, cheese, pico and sour cream. A bit bland. They didn't grill the tortilla. Had all the meat on one side. Cost $15. They added 25 cents for the sour cream though the menu said it was included. Took too long. You can pass.

*The place on Aloma I wrote of is called Mr Wok. It was closed. I passed a place on 436 near the 408 called Lele's. Johnny's Diner on Curry Ford Rd opened on the 19th. They closed the one on 436 in Casselberry.

Grub Crawl - Lake Mary and Longwood: Craft & Common, Dough Boyz and Juicy Burger & Wings

The first of these is a third location in a strip mall at the intersection of 46A and International Parkway. I tried it on Christmas Eve at lunch. The second and third I tried after Christmas on Friday at lunch. I had gone to try an Indian place called Guntur Kitchen that the Orlando weekly said is new, but, has been open for eighteen months. They were opening late on this day because of the holidays. I will try again when the roti place (Summer Breeze) opens. The second place is in a strip mall on 434 near Ronald Reagan across from Cupid's. The third is behind a day spa in the old Hourglass Brewery building on Ronald Reagan closer to the HS. There was a halal market/butcher called Sahara near Dough Boys. It smelled weird.

Craft & Common - It replaced a fried chicken attempt that was Moe's Caribbean for a long time. It seems I had purchased a tea at their DT location on Robinson December 31, 2022. There is also one in Oviedo. Glad I was blissfully unaware of that because I had a damn good Tres Leches Waffle for $7. Now I usually stop myself at dos leches, but, I didn't want to be naughty this close to pay dirt. BTW, did you know that Claus is Dutch for Nicolas and Santa is Saint. Saint Nicholas was a bearded Turkish (Italians stole his bones and they are in a church in Bari) clergyman and his first Santa-like action was that he dumped gold (his family was rich) through a parishoner's window to give his daughter a dowry so she wouldn't become a prostitute or sold and it landed in her stocking by the fire. He did this sort of thing many times. He was also at the Council of Nicea as a Bishop proclaiming Jesus was divine. The two waffles were also divine. Coaster sized. Perhaps they hardened up a bit because I left them in the car for an hour. Drizzled with icing and topped with an appropriate amount of powdered sugar. The kicker, and what makes this a Fav because of care, was the fruit on top. Beyond fresh blueberries and strawberry slices. I was expecting Dunkin Donuts. This was restaurant quality from a quasi Starbuck's. They also had a few egg sandwiches around $8 and oats and avocado toast and pastries ($4). They said they purchased the pastries. They looked fresh. I recall croissants and maybe a turnover. Five in all. Four lunch sandwiches (BLT, Club, Turkey and maybe a veggie one). $12 and up. The L shaped layout is white. Jungle mural and throw rug in the front with two wicker finch nest seats. Pale wood accents and wicker lamp shades. Exposed concrete floor. Good staff. I just saw an expose in which Florida retailers have been charging coffee drinks tax. They aren't allowed to. EVERY store in the State was not complying. Not sure if this applies to these drinks or just canned ones. But, start causing a stink in every 7-11, etc for me. Open for two weeks. I'm curious to try more. If you are near one of their locations, don't be afeared. They could use a few more menus or a board. There is only one at the register. Slows the process.

Dough Boyz Pizzeria - I had the two slice special with a soda for $8.31. I swear they said $7.50. Two very good NY style slices. But, no soggy bottom. Erect as a school boy in the passenger seat on a bumpy road. Thin crust and bottom. No air bubbles. It seems their original location (open two years ago) slipped by me. This will be a Fav. They had a framed article from Orlando Magazine - "2025 Best Pizza" and their "Grand Opening" banner claimed a good review by the Sentinel. Mario, the owner pictured, was there. I think they said they opened four months ago. The place is small and a little run down. Three tables. Red, black and white. Some NYC themed wall art. Four stainless steel ovens. Six or so employees. Mid-80's pop-y club music playing. Think Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. One tv. The cheapest pie is 12" at $13. A large is probably the go to at $17. $25 is the ceiling. They also sell eleven apps. The most interesting is chicken parm stuffed garlic knots. Seven pastas under $19. Four salads under $13. Wings in 8s or 16s or 24s ($13-$35). Ten sandwiches and two wraps all at $14. All the parms and sausage and chesse steaks. They cut slice the chicken instead of a scallopini. I don't like the modern trend of doing it this way. The crust mushes and falls off. You can't get even mouthfuls of chicken. One calzone and three stromboli. Did I tell you in the Italy Notes that Stromboli is an island north of Sicily? Four desserts. Kids' menu. Closed Tuesday. Their slogan is "It's not the water". They call out that one owner is from Trenton and one from Brooklyn.

Juicy Burger & Wings - Open for eight months. Peruvian. Just smash burgers and chicken sandwiches and wings. I had the double cheese burger for $14. It came with crinkle cut fries. I  didn't comprehend that while reading the menu. Nice surprise. Just wish I had realized before I got them home and they steamed in the bag. Covered with dry oregano. That made them a bit bitter. I appreciate the effort. We all know my feelings on smash burgers. Not a fan. Plus I'm not a fan of grilled onions. So, they started with two strikes. That said, it was a fine burger. Came with a catsup and mayo sauce and pickles. I couldn't really taste the sauce. Why onions should be avoided. The cheese was good. Gooey. The bun wasn't stale. The meat was tough and dry and the ends crusty. Let me get on my soap box once again. "Smashing a burger squeezes out all moisture and flavor!" And it doesn't impart an ancillary flavor like drying a grape into a raisin. Oh BTW, did you know that only the front part of the cow is kosher? Why Jews eat brisket (the breast). And Jewish butchers brought this cut to the attention of Texans. Plus, it being inexpensive and previously unwanted and all. Just some beef 411 for you. They also sell a triple and a grilled and a fried chicken sandwich. Wings are about $1.50 each. Small footprint. Maybe seven tables. Black. Back wall has framed pictures. Order at a counter. This little joint that I hapened upon to fill my dance card isn't half bad. I'm almost glad the others fell through. But at $14, it is just not enough of a value or special enough to Fav out. In front there is a placard that has all these other food logos. I think this spot was trying to be a food truck court at one time. I'm not sure what is going on now.

*You will probably get one last Grub Crawl, one last Travel Notes and the 2025 Favorites List next week. The last two on the night of the 31st.

Alpine Bar and Grill, Ocoee

I tried this latest Daniel Gabor offering in the second strip mall southeast of 50 on Maguire on Friday at dinner. He was responsible for Downtown's short lived Schmankerl Stub'n. I liked that and liked this better. It will be a Favorite. And not just because it is an underserved ethnic curiosity. I had the pork schnitzel for $23 because I had just seen a show where they prepared this in Austria and hadn't had a chance to quiet my yearning. It was very good. As the show informed me, all schnitzels should have an air bubble between the meat and the coating. The two palm sized, pounded cutlets had this. Sometimes fried food can taste of bad oil. This did not. Not oily either. The pork was all white meat. Sometimes you can get untrimmed portions. Now if this was luck of the draw or they trim or schnitzel lovers should prefer the odd bits, I don't know. I just know that it catered to my sensibility. The one issue I did observe was that the crust did fall off pieces once cut. I have always been told that that means the oil isn't hot enough. The dish came with a netted lemon wedge and lightly and properly dressed frisee. A nice tart foil to the rich fried pork. And ligonberry jam. Ditto. And best of all, luxurious mashed potato puree. $8 on the menu. Included here, if that wasn't clear. If I wasn't in public, I would have run my finger through the bowl to enjoy every bit of it. You are able to choose any side. Things like spatzle, cucumber salad, red cabbage, fries, etc. They also do this in chicken ($25) and veal ($29). The menu runs from $20 sausage to an over $40 steak (I think). Pork loin, waygu burger, short rib, fondue, were some other dishes I remember. They had a special menu. $6 a piece oysters were a bit dear and out of place in my opinion. Which reminds me of two oyster facts I recently learned of. There are two types. In bed and above bed. Natural versus farmed (line). Farmed have more of a cup shape shell. They also had alot of hard liquor, wine and beer. A beer ran $9+. The cheapest wine by the glass was the same price. I saw a few intricate cocktails being made. The place is four months old, but, looks a bit disheveled. Especially on a Friday night during holiday season. The entire front section is unused and littered with junk. A bad (and unnecessary) first impression. You walk down a hall from the hostess/host stand to a square dining area. High ceiling. Pretty bare. Some antlers. Black and beige color blocking. A large wrought iron chandelier. Moving in from the rear, four booths in the back and then two long tables and another set of mini booths and then the L shaped bar for a dozen or so. Granite top. Two or three small tables against the window. It was almost full. I sat at the bar. Tvs showing football. I think they had music. Food came out very quickly. Gingham attired staff. Cloth napkins. Nice cutlery. I didn't know it was the Stub'n guy before going. The Orlando Weekly guy's latest review, which echoed many of my sentiments, clued me in. Referring to your cuisine as German isn't often something that gets Insta dorks excited. However, this guy tinkers around enough to make it interesting (and delicious). I suspect he (like every other serious provider) would like the menu to be more esoteric, but, can't afford to lose the meat and potatoes crowd. In retrospect, he had more of those dining than I expected. I was very underdressed and wasn't the only one. And that was a holiday Friday dinner service. I just bring that up because I want you know that it didn't discriminate. They are also open for lunch on the weekends. I'd give it a whirl. Everything is ok-y in Ocoee.

Travel Notes - Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa Bay and New Port Richey

Travel Notes - Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa Bay and New Port Richey: I took 50W to 19S to New Port Richey. I had fairly good baby back ribs and mac and cheese and crinkle cut fries at Deep South Family BBQ in Brookesville for $14. I stayed at the Comfort Inn (Expedia 9.2) on 19 and Main St for $110. I drove 19S to 54E to Odessa and picked up an assorted six pack at the Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory on Success Dr for $14. I crossed 54 into an industrial park to Escape Brewing Company. The literal cunt of a manager would only sell four packs at $20. I had already tried their beer, so, I gave her the middle finger salute with both barrels and moved on. Took Trinity Blvd about a mile east (this route is a circle back to NPR) to BarrieHaus Beer Co. I bought a tall boy there for $6. Farther down to the end of the road and right onto Lake to a strip mall on the right with a Publix and Liquid Garage Brewing Co. The same four pack bs. I refused. Onto Seven Springs Blvd to 54 and 19N. Grabbed to two for $5 at BK. Ate and downed two beers. Walked down Main St to Cotee River Brewing Company. Had two four ozers for $6.50. Across the street to Emerald Coast Brewing for two five ozers for $5.50. One block north and a half a block east to Infusion Brewing Company. Two five ozers for $9.50. Back to Main and two blocks towards to Dented Keg Ale Works for an eight ozer for $4.21. They made me play bingo. Another round of $5 BK. All the breweries were good. 19 is quite busy.

The next day I drove 19S. Google Maps made it seem like it would run into 92E. Nope as usual. It isn't marked as 92. I ended up taking 275N to Dale Mabry to Hillsborough to Raymond James Stadium. McD. Paid $40 to park. $56 for front row in the end zone. Digital ticket. NC State v Memphis. Stadium is showing age. Even the metal on the cup holders was rusted. Maybe two thousand attendants. Left in the middle of second quarter to beat traffic. Took MLK to 301N at the fairgrounds. Nice drive except for the 50 minutes of traffic that it took to get through Zephyrhills. I'd consider 41N next time. 50E home. I didn't take I4 because of rush hour traffic concerns. Stopped for dinner in Ocoee. That will be the next post. The damn guy at the Orlando Weekly beat me to the punch.

Vesuvio, College Park

I tried this revamp of Armando's at Edgewater and Princeton Wednesday night after the Cure Bowl. They re-opened a month ago. I dont recall my sentiments regarding Armando's. It is possible that I never ate there as I only have a review of a Winter Park location under that name. I had the chicken marsala with mashed potatoes for $17. Not bad. The two palm sized pounded circles of white meat had no freezer burn, etc. A possibility of egg wash on the exterior. Tender. A thick brown sauce. Lots of mushrooms. Probably canned. The mashed potatoes were a bit plain. No dairy. You could taste the water they exuded. Not seasoned. Now all those things could be a plus to any health conscious diners and a drag through the gravy was an easy solution. The menu is fairly large. I'm not sure how Neopolitan. I chose my dish because of the side. More than half had spaghetti. Things like: parm, cacciatore, scarpariello, piccata. Veal, chicken, seafood, pasta. $16-$18 range. Apps like meatballs. Pizza. I saw a brick oven. Wine list. L shaped room. Bar and high tops at the entrance. Kitchen behind that. Around thirty tables. Pretty full. A few tables outside in front. Light brick, black and taupe. Battery operated candles. Tvs at the bar. One had football and one had entertainment. Music from speakers. Accessible vibe. Service was quick. I quite enjoyed my meal. 

*I went to the Great Southern Box Co Food Court before dining. The new bar (Walter's Tavern) looks nice. It wasn't open. The two places I ate at have closed. A waffle stand and I think it was a drink stand have replaced them. That Eighty Twenty Food Truck from DT has a stall here.

staffdna Cure Bowl, Orlando

I attended this bowl game with Old Dominion topping USF on Wednesday night at Camping World Stadium. I arrived about two hours before kick off. I found free parking aside the stadium on Church St. Otherwise, it would have been between $20 and $40. The ticket office on that side is closed. I walked to the other end zone and bought an end zone seat in row Q for $36 all in. That was the cheapest. They send a link to your phone. Like all bowl games now, the game was a glorified scrimmage. I left before the half. Maybe two thousand people there. I still don't know what Grogan does with all the tax revenue allocated to the stadium. It's still garbage. The don't even have a bar to rest your elbows between the seats. The endless commercial breaks also make these games unwatchable. I saw online that they offer a $35 package with food, etc. I should have chosen that. They played up the cancer angle of course. I can't help thinking when I hear the money that is being and has been donated purportedly looking for a cure, if they really are. Or is this another long con by academics looking for perpetual employment and big pharma and hospital looking for a perpetual treatment revenue stream. That said, if you are looking for the least demanding bowl game to attend, this may be the one.

* I have two restos and a Travel Notes to squeeze in in the coming week. Be on the look out for a barrage.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park and Longwood: Corner Chophouse, Hong Kong Kitchen, Seby's Pizza, Cupid's and Masa

I tried these spots Sunday and Tuesday at lunch. The first is in the old Dexters, Park Ave space in Hannibal Square. The second is at the corner of Aloma and 436 in what I refer to as the the Denny's space. The third is in a strip mall north of that on 436. Before Howell Branch Rd on the left. The last two are in the same space near the tracks on 434.

Corner Chophouse - From people from Charleston who run a place I haven't been to called Oak. Open about a month. I didn't see much difference in the interior. The wall paper reminded me of Christmas wrapping. The standard dinner menu is pricy. The bar/brunch menu had a few more reasonable choices. I'm not sure if it is available during the week. They are just open for dinner then. I tried the cheeseburger with fries for $21 over $19 steak tartare app or $24 lobster roll app (looked good) or $35 short ribs. It was ok. I believe they tried to do their own grind. Topped with Mahone cheese and a peppery Gribiche sauce. But, it had an overall flavor of steak sauce. Which I was taught never to resort to. Just savory on savory on savory. Nice, large bun. The waffle fries were overcooked in too low temp oil. Oily. Crusty. Some fries had no open parts and were raw inside. They also had the ac on so high that the meal became cold half way through. That didn't help. The brunch had a $19 benny and a steak and eggs for $22. A few more items. Pastries under $8 such as kolaches. The dinner menu has alot of steak. Some well over $100. I remember pork and chicken and maybe a starch or two from the online menu. I kind of zone out when I see forties and fifties in front of me. I mean if it wasn't for this bar menu, I wouldn't have bothered. The layout seems the same. Seven booths against one wall and two group tables against the other. Bar in between. Scattered tables around that. Two tvs showing football. One large table, one booth and one counter seat occupied. Lots of uniformed staff. Good service. Food came out quick. Not a lot of difference from what it replaced.

Hong Kong Kitchen - As the swishy critics say in Hollywood Shuffle, "I give this place - the finger". Possibly the worst Kung Pao Chicken ever served. It currently resides in my bushes. I didn't trust it not to fuck up my garbage. Rat meat chicken. Tasteless, oil slick sauce. Beyond mushy rice. And my stomach already ain't feeling so great. Cost $15. I kind of sensed this would happen. Why I haven't beaten their doors down for the four months that they have been in business. I really don't feel like giving them alot of pub. Typical dishes. Dim Sum. Hot pot. Chino Latino section. Maybe that should have been the give away? Lunch specials on week days at $11. Not much done to the interior. Maybe resurfaced the table tops and added two kung fu murals. And signage. Only saw whom I assume is the owner in service. Lunch and dinner. Monday is customer appreciation day. They are closed that day. This place must be built over an Indian burial ground. The only two diners who were there at the time said the Sentinel gave it good review. I refer them to my bushes.

Seby's Pizza - Thankfully, the trip to Hong Kong Kitchen wasn't a total waste of time and money. The two people I spoke with there turned me on to this year old pizza place that I wasn't quite sure was new (or open). It has been 1905 Pizza and Digino's and maybe one other pizza place previously. I had the 12" Brooklyn Classic to go for $13. It was good. Thin crust. Otherwise, typical appropriate NY Style pie. No bubbles. Couldn't really taste the sauce. The pecorino on top was a bonus. Came out quick. I think they just use regular steel ovens. The menu is mostly pizza. Said they were eliminating salads after a trial run. Some apps like meatballs. Desserts like cannoli. A small room on the street side. About six tables. It was full. The decor is all NY posters and celeb photos and stickers and pennants. Seat from Shea and Giants Stadium. Owner seemed nice. From Suffolk County.

Cupid's Hot Dogs - Moved fron Lee Rd. Open about a month or two. I had a regular dog for $3.75. Good snap. The have dogd topped with other things and fries, etc. Tiny, 50's style space with Calfornia curios. Around four tables. Full. They give out free water.

Masa - The search was for them. Just opened. I didn't know they were piggy backing off Cupid's. Venezuelan. Eight arepas (chicken, beef, scrambled eggs). Beef and chicken empanadas. I had the Arepa Reina (shredded chicken salad with avocado used as mayo and white shredded cheese) for $8. Came with a savory, mayo based dip. Stuffed with chicken and cheese. I had it fried. Also baked. Not oily. Very pleasant. The empanada ($4) looked a bit too uniform. Probably not home made. Tough shredded chicken. Two dips. I'll still probably put both in the Favorites lowest price category. Both companies' items are rung up on the same POS machine. I just saw where they charged 50 cents for frying the arepa. Give me a break.

*I noticed on Aloma a new place in the tiny strip mall before the bowling alley. On 436 a place called Wan or Won or Ban Cafe or something opened in where I think a short lived Arab Chicken place was near Red Bug Lake Rd overpass. At the 17-92 interchange, there is now a BJ's. Across from Cupid's a pizza place had a grand opening banner and a roti place was being built out next door.

Sushi Rock & Grill, Altamonte Springs

I tried this Japanese restaurant just south of the exit/mall on 436 yesterday at lunch. They just opened the day before. In a soft opening. Soft... They weren't doing to go orders. As a result, I decided to do the AYCE for $22. Let me start by saying that if you are ordering these things a la carte then maybe the quality isn't high enough in most categories. But in terms of AYCE's at this price point, it is acceptable. I spread my net wide for you people. These are things that I usually don't order a la carte because they are too dear and don't eat at AYCE because they take up nigiri room. It was fun to reminisce. I tried gyoza, takoyaki, shumai, fried calamari and harumaki from the apps. Like most of the fried items, the inside of the takoyaki was under done. It always is. One tiny piece of octopus. Calamari (6) was a bit ugly and tough. Shumai were bigger than the frozen crap you usually get served. 2. Shrimp. The harumaki is a spring roll. Inside under done. Just veg. I had the gyoza fried. 3. Ok. I didn't try anything from salads or skewers. I had spicy salmon Gunkan. Like a piece of cut roll topped with spicy salmon. From Sushi Bar Apps I had three thin slices of black pepper tuna tataki. Not great. Like they seared frozen tuna. The spicy tuna dumplings (3) were fried satchels. As good as cooked tuna can be. The yuzu salmon was good. Little puffed balls of rice on top. I didn't have anything from hibachi or teriyaki. From tempura/katsu I had stringy pork katsu (4) and very good shrimp tempura (2). I had a pork bun that had a thin slice of pork and a weird bun and iceberg lettuce. Not great. From nigiri I had two pieces of tuna, salmon, smoked salmon, escolar and octopus. The octopus was cut too thin and too tough. I chewed one piece fifty times and spit it out like the gum it was. The other fish were of a good enough quality. The rice was a bit mushy. Small rice to fish ratio. Skin still on the salmon. The wasabi was not stale. I must say that the plating was exemplary for a AYCE place. Things came out (and were taken away) fast. They didn't discourage you from ordering. If I hadn't done an AYCE on Monday, I may have tried to break the bank. But, I was satisfied with what $28 in the end afforded me. I believe they had desserts too. I assume these portions were smaller. They have booze. The place is large. L shaped. Four areas and a patio. About 50 booths. Four occupied on this occasion.  Black, brown, gray with some gold, khaki, white accents. Japanese decoration like a samurai warrior, bonsai tree, fan, containers, etc. Plastic plants between booths. Hanging lamps. Sushi prep area on the back wall. The wait staff sounded Chinese. I heard Japanese from the sushi prep area. Lots of staff in black. They said they have three other places. South Florida. It is about what I expected. They have maki, sushi, hibachi, donburi and bento lunch specials starting at $12. Parking is not an issue. They'll never surpass the Bombay Bicycle Club for space supremacy, but, they should make the locals happy.  

Grub Crawl - Downtown: Debonair, Red Panda, Eighty Twenty, Phat Ash Bakes and Buffalo Boss

I tried these spots Downtown on Friday at lunch. The first in on Orange and Church. The next three are in the Art2 open air space on Orange. A few blocks north. The last is a block north of that on the other side of Orange. 

Debonair Supper Club - Let's get this out of the way up front. I would never go here for dinner. The prices are ridiculous. They have a $999 porterhouse. Not $99. $999! And I get that it is a joke. In gold leaf. To promote dialogue. But, the whole menu is out of line for the region and the space. I think the cheapest thing was $28 for pasta. Most things above $40. $60 snapper. However, they have an "executive" lunch menu that is maybe even a bit underpriced. I had the tuna poke wrap with side (fries) for $14. The tuna was pale. What you would get from a franchised poke place. Not a ton. Two types of "lettuce". Tomato. And way too much soy dressing. It leeched out. I advise that they bathe the tuna in it rather than soak the wrap. The wrap was whole wheat. Raw. The fries were very good. Very long and thin. Alot. They also offer four sandwiches and a "waygu" (look up that con job some time) burger in addition to three other wraps. $14 and $16. The whole place is a bit bit unprofessional. One bartender/waiter. The kitchen staff was noisy and played their own music over the house music. The suspected owner was affable, but, a bit disheveled. Like he had had a late night. My velveteen booth cushion had been burned and not repaired/replaced. The place is large. Three areas. The bar as you enter. The main room with white piano and white giraffe holding a chandelier in the middle. A small, glassed in private room at the back. And the patio. Tvs on the ceiling. Broken egg shells on the walls. Tons of curios. Very fever dream-ish. Dark wood slats. Monochrome canvas. Pink flower tree around the kitchen. Maybe sixteen tables of two or four in the main room. More deboner (as we used to joke) than debonair.

Red Panda Noodle Food Truck - I had the fried beef dumplings with zesty sauce to go for $8. Five. Ok. Beef was sour. They also sell six bowls $16-$17 and chunks for $8. And they were selling vegan dumplings and a stew this day. I believe they have been around for a while. This area just opened though. I think they will be here for a while. I think they have a following.

Eighty Twenty Food Truck - They had a computerized menu that I zoomed through to get to my empanada. That was $5. They gave my two. Big. Ground beef. Not bad. I wonder if they make them. No dip. Used Red Panda's. I believe they also sell burgers and more.

Phat Ash Bakes - I had a snickerdoodle cookie for $3.50. A bit pricy. I paid that for a slice lemon ricotta cake in Naples. Not huge. Like the top of a muffin. I believe they use Bischoff cookie as the base. Drizzle of icing. Bischoff cookie in the middle. They sell five other cookies. This is a retail location. Their primary is on Bumby. Those hours suck. Th-Sn after 2pm, I think. Glad I could try them here. They are in the shack at the back of the space that also sells beer. The space outside had picnic tables.

Buffalo Boss - The say "Brooklyn's Finest Wings". I wasn't willing to pay $1.50 a wing to find out. I paid $7 to find out that their chicken sandwich sucks. One dry, stringy tender cut in half. Panko breaded. Glossy brioche bun. The "famous" blue cheese dressing had no flavor. The bbq sauce had no zing. I thought they just opened. Claim Tik Tok voted them best wings in Orlando. Also sell fries and yams and fried pop tarts and oreos. Order from a kiosk that doesn't give a receipt. Mural. Not much of a reno. Looks as old as the old place that I think was a Chinese dive. But...of course it was packed. Six tables. 

*I also walked and drove around. Still no sign of Tropix or Mason's Lobster Roll on Orange. Nic & Luc's is in the PNC building next to the Marriott Suites on Pine. Not close. Milkshake Factory is across from Kia Center. Not close. Did you know that that church by the soccer stadium finally sold is is gone? A noisy mosque opened nearby. Osteria Ester in TP looks open and nice. The spot on the corner aside the ramen place. Eola was closed off, so, couldn't find the Alien place. The Phat Ash girl told me to try them. The new stall (Okomi?) at Mills Market wasn't open. I think the tea place across they street has a new name. Little Saigon was still serving. Still no sign of Hot as Rice, Eastwood, Somos or Little Sister on Mills. A McLaren showroom opened on South Orange in WP. Marlowe's and Chicken Guy haven't found replacements. Pop Up Bagels is not close. A wine store opened next to the meat store (Wild Fork or something). The new Pig Floyd reminded me that $11 for a pulled pork sandwich is too much. The brownie place in Maitland is becoming a New Zealand ice cream place called Frago-something. 

Travel Notes - Italy

Travel Notes - Italy: I flew the horrible (Spirit Airlines of Europe) Iceland Air through Reykjavik to Rome for $452. No headphones or food, etc. Bad media. No soda on the European legs. No jetways. Buses to open cabin doors in the winter! In the rain! Dicks about bag size. I took them from Sanford a while ago. Don't remember this tomfoolery. Went through customs here. They don't use Euros. I'll also add here that I flew the equally bad Easy Jet one way from Naples to Palermo for $87 (cheaper at 7am) at 2pm. This was the only flight on the board delayed. A forty minute flight was four hours late. Italy is having some Jubilee and the Winter Olympics, as such, many things had their scaffolding off and were looking refreshed. They have reworked the front (buses/taxis) of the Roma Termini Station for instance. Though the area in front of the VE Monument was closed off.

I took the 14E train into Rome. Stayed at the Hotel Stromboli (Booking 7.2) near the station for $70. Bought capicola, half roasted chicken, mozz, capricciosa artichoke pizza and wine for late lunch and dinner from Conad at the station. Bought a train ticket on Italo to Naples for $46 on Italo. Made plans. Slept. 

The next day I went to Naples. I stayed at the Hotel Eden (Expedia 7.0) again for two nights at $85. Big mistake. Put me on a low floor in the back this time. Hella noisy all night. Window didn't shut = draft. Stunk of sewer water. TV and fridge and safe didn't work. Ignored complaints. I left after the first night. I walked down Umberto I to the port. Stopped halfway at some tiny pizza stand that claimed to have the most online followers (for whatever that is worth). Ok square of pizza margherita for 2E. Called Porzio...Ni Di Pizza. Walked through the Galleria Umberto I to the Palazzo Reale and Real Teatro di Sant Carlo and Sant Francesco di Paoloa across from them. Didn't find the funicular, so, I started climbing the hill. Found what I think is the first stop on the funicular (there isn't only one). Took it up to near the castle for 1E. Walked to Castel Sant Elmo. Paid 5E to get in. The best value in Europe. Experienced unbelievable views of Naples and the Bay and Islands from there. Best thing in Naples. Walked the ramparts. Walked down a path to town with some kiddos from Chicago who had downloaded the directions. Went past the Castel Nuovo to this great esplanade (road now being repaired) on Via Sauro Nazario to Via Caracciolo with all the ritzy hotels and Castel dell Ovo. You can take a route beneath the walls of the palace or past it. I took the beneath. People gather here for the sunset. I should state here that sundown was around 4:40pm. It limited what could be accomplished quite a bit. Grabbed a fried Completo (pork cracklings, ricotto and cherry tomatoes) pizza at 1947 Pizza Frita for 6E. It is near Da Michele Pizza. Across from one I heard of last year (Trianon) that wasn't open yet. Grabbed some bufala mozz (bad) and prosciutto from Conad at the station. Argued with the dim wit at the hotel who had done nothing to fix the items I alerted them to. Made hotel res for Palermo. Went to sleep early because no tv.

The next day I gave the hotel dim wit one last chance then went online for a hotel change. I stayed at the harbor at the Hotel Bella Capri (Expedia 7.4) for $68. It was a nice room with an interior balcony. But, it was in an old, weird/unmarked apartment building on the eighth floor that you needed to pay to use the elevator. And they had no one there until 3pm. A Cuban who didn't speak English. A maid let me dump off my bag. I had the 5E combo at McDs because I was hangry and wanted soda. Walked the same area-ish as the day before. I had a late start and lost time finding the hotel and bus stop. Found some street with shrines to Diego Maradona. Back to the esplanade via the upper route and right onto Via Santa Lucia. Past the Basilica Santuario Santa Lucia a Mare to the Castel dell Ovo. Went into the Porto di Santa Lucia. Then back the lower route. Looked in on the ferry terminal. They go to Ischia, etc from here. Came back and checked in and went to Sole 365 for salami and octopus and fennel salata and Falanghina Brut. I went here for lunch, but, the lines were too long. Back behind the Galleria and bought a pizza magherita portafoglia (folded) from Passione di Sofi for 3E. Funicolare Centrale was across from it. A Rossini residence was there (Palazzo di Domenico Barbaja). I took the food back to the hotel. Ate on the balcony.

The next day I took the Alibus from in front of the harbor to the airport (it stops at the other harbor and train station on the way) for 5E (paid the driver). Flew to Palermo. Had a cb and hb at McDs. Ran to the train station (there is also a bus) below arrivals and fought through idiots clogging up the ticket machines to get the hourly train to the Palermo train station just as it was leaving. 7E on Tren Italia. Because of the delay, it didn't seem wise to walk to the hotel by the sea at night. I had to hire a cab for 15E for a mile journey. I did this walk later on and it took 21 minutes and was safe. At night? I bought some prosecco at a mini market outside the station and had to buy two chicken sandwiches and a hb at McDs because of knowledge of the area. I stayed at the probably once proud San Paolo Palace Hotel (Expedia 7.4) for three nights at $248. I should state here that all these cunts demanded hotel tax in cash once you arrived. Cash drain. This room was ok except that the window didn't seal properly and therefore there was always noise and a draft. I didn't notice the gap until the last night. They also had a free buffet that I had every morning. 

The next day I walked down to the esplanade and stopped at the marina. Crossed into the city at Vittorio Emmanuele. Up to Mercato Storica Vucciria. Onto Chiesa di Sant Cataldo and Fontana Pretoria and Quatro Canti (4 Corners) and Chiesa di Sant Giuseppe dei Teatini. Back towards the station and Palazzo Comitini. Bought wine and bufala mozz (bad) and prosciutto and peach cakes and mortadella at Lidl for the remainder of my meals. Bought a ticket to Messina on Tren Italia at the station. Walked towards the hotel and passed the Instito Orto Botanico and a park.

The next day I walked back to the station and past Porta Sagata. In a block to a flea market and Chiesa Sant Francesco Saverio. I was looking for a short cut to the Cathedrale. Got a bit lost. Back to Maria SS del Carmelo and Chiesa del Gesu and Mercato Ballaro. Found a Palazzo Conte Frederico that led to a park where the Cathedrale is. Walked further west through some more streets with food vendors (they call these markets) to the Presidio. Two items sold that stood out were some kind of kebab wrapped in bacon and an eggplant stuffed with spaghetti. Everything seemed days old, so, I didn't risk it. They had a marathon this day. The way to the Teatro Politeama Garibaldi was blocked. Went back east towards the station and the Teatro Massimo. Left towards the sea on Vittorio Emmanuele. Tried to find a Rick Steves' restaurant. Think I found his hotel. Passed by Chiesa Santa Maria della Pieta and Chiesa Santa Teresa alla Kalsa and a Gate. Back to the hotel. Oh, I found all the lesbians not in Lesvos and tons of Bangladeshis.

The next day I took the three hour train to Messina on the northeast coast. Past Cefalu. I should add that there was a train to the northwest coast to Trapani. I stayed at the ok (except for the absentee landlord and entry code bullshit) Emme B&B (Booking 8.6) for $57. I was going to try and take the forty minute train to Taoromina, but, I wasted time getting my room and it looked like rain and the train station had no ticket office (total reconstruction under way). It was already late for lunch so I grabbed a 5E combo at McD. Dropped my bags off. I walked to the port and bought a 2E ferry ticket (anytime) to Villa San Giovanni. You can also go to the bigger Reggio Calabria. But, it was south and the trains pick up a VSG as well. Didn't see the point. Walked back to the piazza with the McD and right to a couple of churches (Chiesa di Santa Catherine Vergine Martire and Santuario Parrochia di Santa Maria del Carmine) and the Palazzo del Giustizia and back to the piazza. Not the big sites to see. Bought prosciutto, crudo, nut mix, plum cakes and wine at Conad. It started to rain. Ate at hotel.

The next day I took the ferry to VSG. The distance to Italy is only a few hundred yards. So crazy. They ok'd a bridge, but like here, an activist judge shut it down. Now in limbo. Oh, and would you believe you can take the train from Palermo to Rome. They put the train on the ferry. No bs. I bought a ticket to Salerno from a human for 67E on Tren Italia. Three hours through Calabria (never been). Mostly coastal views until the end. Stayed at the Hotel Montestella (Expedia 8.6) for $109. It was on and off drizzle here. I bought bagel chips, salmon cc, prosciutto cotto (ham), taleggio, chicken roll, nuts mix and wine for lunch and dinner at Ete. Walked the beautiful esplanade. A very cute little town at the end of the Amalfi Coast road. I went here because my middle school French teacher was named Mrs Salerno. Seriously. That's the reason. I don't think I even liked her. Ate the food on my balcony. Made a reservation for Mt Vesuvius for 35E.

The next day I ate the free buffet that their employee was coughing all over. Bought a 5.50E ticket on Tren Italia to Naples. Talked with a couple from Ontario for a while. Checked into the hard to find in an apartment complex H22 Hotel (Expedia 9.2). Found the Circumvesuviana ticket office one level down at the right side of the station facing it. It is a local train to Vesuvius, Pompei and Herculaneum (and Sorrento). I bought a RT from a person for 5.50E. Took track 3 to Ercolano Scavi station. Walked to the sea. I stupidly paid 16E to see this Pompei lite. You can see it for free from the rim. It goes all the way around. Back to Naples. Bought ventricina piccante, asiago, prosciutto crudo, crostini and wine at Conad. Ate it on my tiny balcony. This was the last warm day.

The next day I found the Antico Forno delle Sfogliatelle Calde RM Attanasio across the piazza and bought what I think was a slice of good ricotta lemon cake for 3E. It and the next place came up as highly rated when looking at the hotel maps. I also grabbed scrambled eggs and bacon and muffin from McD for 3.50E. I ate that at the hotel and then ventured out again to find Il Piastrato a block in and to the right of the hotel. I grabbed an ok chicken breast and zucchini sandwich for 12E. There wasn't time to eat it. Had to be at Vesuvius at 1pm. I bought a RT ticket (also Circumvesuviana ticket office) to Pompei Scavi for 5.60E. It was the stop for the Vesuvius tour. Track 1. Don't get on the wrong one. Different stops. I got a bit lost finding the tour office because of Google Maps. Went in town. Wrong. Office was right in the tiny train station (corner). They printed out the park entry ticket (necessary because they have a bar code reader) and gave me two bus tickets and a book on Vesuvius. The ticket said 11E. The bus tickets said 3.30E each. I guess the difference in price is profit. You can't buy them on your own. You have to do it online. They say. Others were buying the package for 24E right there and then. But, the internet was pretty adamant. Who knows? Forty minutes up a windy road to get to the crater. And wouldn't you know it, the rain that was meant for the day before came in just we approached. And it was cold. I probably got within a couple of hundred yards. People coming down said ten minutes and that you couldn't see anything anyway. Old people always overestimate. But, lucky because the moment I got back on the bus (it waits a half hour and then if you weren't on it, you had to wait another hour with no protection for the next one) it started to pour. I'll have to go back I guess. I also was cheated of the great views of Naples on the ride up and down. I took the train back to Naples. Bought wine and (bad) cacetti bianchi and ate it with the sandwich for dinner. Pulled the table to the balcony window because of the cold and rain. Saw on Foodish that pata with potatoes and provolone is a Naples tradition.

The next day I bought a ticket to Rome on Italo for 56E. Should have done it the day before. But...rain. Checked into the Hotel Robinson (Booking 7.5) for three nights at $249. Mostly good except for really late arriving guests. In an apartment complex next to the station. Most similarly rated hotels were $50-100 (in total) more. Walked via Nazionale past finally unfettered Terme (Baths) di Dioclezziano to Quirinale and down the steps and right to Trevi Fountain. Down Via dei Tritine and left past the Modern Art Museum to Trinita dei Monti. Down the Spanish Steps to Via Condotti to the river. Past Museo Napoleonico and Palazzo di Giustizia. Finally showed up to Castel Sant Angelo on the right day and waited only a few minutes to buy a 16E ticket. Totally worth it. Great views. Haddrian's mausoleum. The statue of Michael atop was used in Angels and Demons to denote the Illuminati HQ. Walked back to the hotel on Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle. Bought wine and hummus and Tigre. Half roasted chicken and capicola at Conad.

The next day I walked a few streets to the left of Nazionale to the Colosseo and luckily stopped at the bus stop just after Constantine's Arch. Tapped on the 118 bus. I thought you had to get on at Circus Maximus. That is a stop, but, it is at the END of the circular route and goes into the city before it comes around again. This bus goes to the Catacombs, Appian Way and Aqueduct and ends at the Hippodrome. I did the Aqueduct first. Got off at some Appia stop that started with an S. I could have taken it around and departed on the other side of the road at the end of the circuit. You walk back toward the city two lights and make a right on Viale Aprio Claudio to Parco Appia Antica. Under two train bridges to a golf club. There is a 4km circuit. I didn't do it because possibility of rain. Back on the bus. Went to the Catacombs of San Sebastian and San Calisto. Calisto was closed until 2pm, so, I walked Appian Way to Sebastian. Paid 10E for 1pm tour. Pretty cool. They said Peter and Paul were buried here at some point. He was a Roman Royal Guard. Depicted shot with arrows. Was an old quarry. Said there are six in Rome. All bones removed. Just crypts. Some Roman. Mostly Christian. Last work of Bernini here too. Got the bus going in the wrong direction. Took it around and past Porta Sebastian and Baths (Therme) of Caracalla. Got off at Forum. Back to hotel. Wine and salmon cc from Carrefour. Whole chicken from Conad.

The next day I took Via Merulana past San Giovanni in Laterno and Via Magna Grecia and then beared left to some area I think was called Zara in the mistaken belief that this would be a short cut to the Baths of Caracalla. Went a km or two too far. Took Via Latina back and found it. Didn't go in. Wasn't free. Back past Circus Maximus to the river. Left and past Parco San Alessio and Piazza Cavalleri di Malta on the cliffs to Ponte Sublicio to Trastevere. Saw Porta Portese and a weekend market. Up to Viale Trastevere and left. Right on Viale Glorioso and left onto Viale Casini to Villa Sciarra (this entrance is closed so I didn't really see it). Up Dandolo to Fabrizi past the stairs on Glorioso and up a bend to Garibaldi. There there is Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio, Il Mausoleo Ossario Gianicolense and Fonte Acqua Paola and VIEWS. I should state here that I had not seen or heard of any of these things or the great park(s) here. Just saw things on a map that they put little icons on that I hadn't been to yet. Shame on me. It is an amazing (upper class) part of the city. I continued up to Museo della Repubblica Romana and Porta San Pancrazio. Through this entrance to the Parco Gianicolense. It leads to the Monumento a Garibaldi and another overlook. BTW I wasn't the only one up here! Tours and locals were up here. Just a secret from me. Through the Passeggiata del Giancolo to a lighthouse/faro and more overlooks. Down stairs. Past a hospital. More overlooks to Via di S Onofrio and down steps to the river. Across the Ponte Principe to San Giovani dei Fiorentini to Corso Vittorio Emmanuele again. I popped into the Basilica S Andrea dela Valle because I was almost sure I had never gone in. Went into the courtyard at Palazzo Venezia. Back up Nazionale. Bought wine at Carrefour. Bought my 14E ticket to the airport because I had been having issues with Tren Italia's machine reading the strips on credit cards. I found a newer machine. It worked like the old ones used to. 

The next day I uneventfully flew home. Took too long at MCO (as usual) for the idiots to attach the gateway so we could deplane. Plus we had a (no shit) fifteen minute plus taxi from whatever runway we landed on to Terminal C. They finished the area near the rental cars there. You don't have to walk through the parking lot any longer to get to the trams/train.

Spent $1022 on hotels. $539 on air. $205 on rental cars. 193E on food and wine. 275E on transportation. 82E on museums and parks. $550E using $1.15 exchange rate = $632. Total = $2398. Good trip. I saw More of Sicily than just Catania. Calabria. I was told to stop in Tropea or Amantea. Didn't seem worth it by train. Finally saw Castel Sant Elmo, Vesuvius, Appian Way and Castel Sant Angelo. Found some surprises. Saved Orvieto and Ostia Antica for next time. Learned that Gavi is from the Cortese grape and Orvieto from Grechetto and Trebbiano. Sicilian girls look like Tootsie.

*Expedia believed Hotel Eden's lie that they offered to move me. Wouldn't refund. Gave me a $20 credit on them though.

Tamara, Lake Mary

I went to this Indian+ restaurant that just replaced a Thai place in the strip mall at International Parkway and 46A Saturday at dinner. I had the Manchurian Chicken to go for $18 because a curry dish started at that BEFORE you even added vegetables. Those cost $2. $6 for chicken. It was pretty bad. Cloyingly sweet sauce with fried pieces of chicken whose coating turned to mush in the container on the way home. A fair bit of thigh meat cubes. Why do you always get more when you want less? I wonder if Indian places that have a Sino section do so because they want to reserve the white meat for the Indian dishes Just green peppers and onion along for the ride. Medium hot was not hot at all. A side of equally mushy white rice. Took too long to prepare. While the mushiness may not be a feature of the dish should it be consumed in house, it is still not a dish (often called orange chicken or the like) I enjoy. I should have read the description more closely. I was too busy decoding the add on costs and unexpected dishes on the menu. I recall lamb tacos and laksa as a couple. The main menu has kebab meals and curries as well as the Indo-Chinese section (General Tso, Garlic, Hot, etc). Around seven dishes in each. All over $20 when you added to the sauce. They had staples like butter chicken and tikka masala. Samosas, soups, naan, etc. I think there was a really expensive section. Apps all ran over $13. They seemed to make craft cocktails. I saw one with a smoke bubble. The sign says Thai. I don't recall a dish. Around twenty two different sized tables. Four outside. One in a recess. Black, metal, gray colors. A few garish touches. Mural on the back wall. Bar on the right with tv. Some odd walled off square near the entrance. It looks nice. They want to be high end. I think the Thai place did as well. I think they lasted six months. I think this business model will last as long unless they lower the prices. I think that tanked the Thai place. Three tables seated on a holiday weekend. Their only specials were happy hour bar snacks and drinks. Seemed like two or three employees on call. Open for a few weeks. Open seven days a week from 12pm. Save your powder. No word on if they have a sister restaurant called Tia.

*I noticed that the fast food chicken place on the corner failed. It looks like a coffee place will replace it. Something Generic and Something Generic. Like Crate and Barrel. A sushi place is also going to replace what I believe was Curio burritos down the road. I checked out the menu at F&D Steakhouse. The cheapest thing was a $35 chicken. Typical yawn menu. How many SNAP benefit swindlers can there be to pay $100+ for a cut of cow. Is there anything simpler to cook? Who are the dickheads that keep these steakhouses in business? I know. People spending other people's money like government officials and salesmen courting clients. I also noticed that Subway lowered their prices. Credit where credit is due. Travel Notes Italy in two days.