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 Bakery - 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.
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