I tried these spots on Tuesday at lunch. The first is in the Whole Foods strip mall at Lee Rd and N Orlando. The second is in the old Juice Co spot almost at the intersection of N Orlando and Fairbanks. The last is in an Asian market at the intersection of East Colonial and Bumby.
Joe & The Juice: I believe it is a British chain. I have ignored every trip there. Open a week. I enjoyed a Joe's Club Sandwich (chicken, avocado, tomato) for $13. The chicken was bag quality. The avocado probably not Haas. However, I loved the "bread". Almost like a thick cracker. They panini'd it. Tomato was very fresh. Some kind of spread. If it cost half as much then this place would be a Fav. The place was full of EWWs (Entitled White Women). I guess it is in their orbit (Whole Foods). It took a bit of time to get out of there. More casual than fast. They sell $11 juices amd $14 smoothies. Coffee starts that category at $4 for a small. They had "shots". Shakes starting around $10. Two sandwiches at $15 and four more at $13. Beachy decor. Gray. Seating. Order at a counter. Young demo. Plenty of parking.
Pop Up Bagels - Lack of parking and the traffic make it an ordeal. They START with a three bagel minimum. That comes with one shmear for $14. When I rolled me eyes, the kind hostess offered to comp a single bagel. I accepted. The outside was very good. Crisp with a ton of sesame seeds. Fresh out of the oven. Now I can't remember my 7th Grade Home Ec bagel experience, but, I don't think the inside should pull away from the outside so easily. I suspect that is a faux pas. Regardless, I submit that it is a good bagel. Better than H&H at a minimum. They said that they thought this is a NY enterprise. I don't think they had anything but bagels and cc. Some people there. Open for two weeks. I can't Fav a place that has a minimum buy in AND inconvenient location.
Meng's Kitchen - One sign denoted Thai. Another East Asian. I had a dish that I associate with Singapore (via China) - Hainese Chicken with rice and a broth. It cost $14. I'm not sure why (in general) it is so popular. It is basically boiled chicken. This was blander and tougher than others I've had. The rice and broth were good. They only had one curry and some soups that felt Thai. And maybe larb. They had a fried and druken Hainese. Katsu. Roasted pork and belly. A biryani. Around twenty dishes. Soups were $6. No seating. A stall to the left of the entrance. Open for four years. I never knew it was there. A few more visits may push over the line to a Fav.
*Driving around the last few days, I have seen that the following are still not open nor close (though Google may disagree): Olea, Krispy Rice, Little Sister Dumpling, Creo, Hayashi, Milkshake Factory, Naya, Nazca, N'gano, Gallo. I am also going to have to start beating the drum for mobile phone restrictions. The Big Brothering makes me uncomfortable, but, the amount of imbecility I see on the road because of them makes me think we have to do SOMTHING.
No comments:
Post a Comment