Rikka, Lake Mary - Closed

Last Friday I had lunch at this "Asian Bistro" that has taken over the space in which two other similar attempts have been made on this theme. It is on the side of 46a that is fast becoming known as the Friendly Confines parking lot. I had a Bento Box for $9. It came with Miso Soup (not too watery), salad (crisp), one piece of shrimp, potato, yam, and brocolli tempura (good), 4 pieces of California roll (good), Edamame (serviceable), and a big white turd in nasty black sauce listed as Chilean Sea Bass. It was rank. It smelled like bait. Raw bait. I'm not even sure how a fish that is flash frozen the moment is caught can get so rotten. It doesn't speak well for their standards. The sauce it came in was also God awful. It was an incredibly salty beef and black bean sauce which was also some how sweet. It sucked. Which is a shame because it seemed well staffed. It is still a nice space. It is a little expensive (Amura range). The Bento Box was the second cheapest thing on the menu. I guess the are hoping the guests of the hotel nearby don't care or know that places like Samurai are a better value. Their "happy hour" is basically the same shit at the same price. Wrappping up, the service was fine. They offer something from most Asian countries if we count only the Far East. Oddly, almost every table had at least one Asian in the mix. I wonder if they used some kind of Asian Groupon to market the place.

Keke's, Winter Park - Closed for Rebranding

I had lunch at this breakfast cafe (closes at 2:30pm) on Fairbanks today. I had a breakfast combo of one pancake, 2 eggs and 4 sausage links for $8.50. The pancake was pretty big. I don't like pancakes so I won't comment on its quality. The eggs were poached. They came formed like two fake breasts and were a little overdone. I'm not sure what cooking method they employed to get that shape, but, I used to have a contraption that you put in a microwave to similiar effect. The links were well done. I can't say I'd go back. The whole menu is structured to walk you up in price. It's kind of pricy for the food and hipster doofus appeal. Any diner will do just as well or better for half the price. The place is dull (even after the makeover). It's all booths in one open room. It seats about 100. The service was fine. Although, can we all inform the wait staff that when we ask if we can get X - we are not asking if we can get it - we know we can get it if we pay extra - we want to know if we can get it at that price. I also didn't like the $2+ sodas. Are you asking for people to ask for water?

Line Drive Burgers, Lake Mary - Closed

I had lunch at this burger (and not much else) restaurant on Monday. I had a turkey burger for $5.50. It was a ridiculous coaster looking thing from your high school's lunchroom. The concept of this "restaurant" is to grill (might have been nuked) pre-fab, frozen food for you. There are places that do this already. They are called fast food restaurants. They are a fifth of the price. This spot replaces the Peruvian restaurant which replaced the diner. It's two steps back for the community. The place is still being worked on, but, it is not promising. It has a dorky baseball theme. Get this - they had no burgers the day I ate there. They even confirmed my suspicions by writing that their "patties" hadn't been delivered. How do you have a burger restaurant and not make your own patties or ground your own beef? How about you run across to Publix and buy some supplies? I'm sure the owners will be blaming the economy for their failure in six months.

Club Crawl - Bullitt, Lodge

10-11pm: Bullitt - About 1/3rd full. Last night was dead until late at night. The best thing was the bartender in the front room.

11pm-1am - Lodge. Full. Decent mix. Became less "exclusive" after 12. Two hot bartenders downstairs. Don't forget to eschew all beers in favor of Pabst. It's half the price of the others.

A pretty slow night.

King Cajun Crawfish, N. Mills Ave

On Friday I had dinner at this New Orleans Seafood restaurant on Mills. I had a small (more than generous) bowl of Jambalaya for $4 and a pound of Crawfish (alot) for $5. The Jambalaya was tasty. It had chicken and sausage and shrimp in it. It was a bit pastey, but, it must be hard to keep it al dente all day. The crawfish were boiled in a Cajun hot sauce. They were fresh. The place is small. It seats about 40. It was half full at the closing hour. The crowd ran the gamut of hipsters, Asians and Crackers. The decor is pretty basic. The space is a little run down. The AC was overwhelmed by the night heat. The service (5 rotating) was efficient. One of the customers was overheard saying that he was from that area and this place was his favorite in Orlando. I heartily recommend this spot because there is a lack of alternatives and the value is incredible. They also boil Snow Crab, Blue Crab and Shrimp. They have all manner of fried platters and po boys. They have Gumbo. They have salads, desserts, beer, and Cafe du Monde. Sodas are also only a dollar. It's run by Asians, but don't let it be said that they can't cook Cajun. Great addition. It's next to Bananas. *now at the Bananas location.

Bananas, N. Mills Ave - Closed

N. I had lunch at this "Modern American Diner" on Mills on Wednesday. I had the Funky Monkey Burger for $9.95. It came with a almond and panko crusted patty of goat cheese (too bulbous), tomato jam, bibb lettuce, tomatos, onions and a side of crinkle cut fries. The burger was the proper temperature, but, I think they self grind the meat. As watching my brother unsuccessfully try to do this all summer informed me, leave it to the professionals. The self ground meat is always tough, stringy and un-uniform. The toppings were fresh. The jam was a bit boring. The bun was very good. The fries were spot on - very crisp. The service was uneven. Good when there, but, often not there. The place is an old Vietnamese place. They have added some metallic tiles to the ceiling and some funky art and some booths. It seats about 80. It was half full. Parking is limited. Most things were a little pricey for lunch, but, excellent for dinner (if they keep them consistent). I found the chicken and waffles, ribs, and chicken pot pie interesting at $13. Wine and beer is available. They serve breakfast fare until 11. It averaged $6. The crowd is a bit artsy and there is a rainbow hue coming from the building. It is an offshoot of Funky Monkey (two doors down). Big thumbs down for the $3 sodas.

Asian Express, Altamonte Springs

I had lunch at this suhi/chinese restaurant on 434 just off 436 two Tuesday's ago. I had a salmon roll combo plate for $5.95. The roll was pretty bad. Pale salmon. The spring roll was better. The wonton soup was ok. The salad was ok. It's in an old fast food place of some sort. It seats about 40. There were 5 others there. I would stick with the chinese items. They have a drive thru. *Note - Crazy Buffet in the area is now closed.

Super Orient Buffet, Orlando

I had lunch at this Chinese buffet on 436 near the airport two months ago. It was $7.95. I remember some good items and some average ones. I think I liked the spring rolls and the Moo Goo Gai Pan. All in all it was a notch better than most. It seats about 120. It is very diner/buffet like in appearance.

Athenian Garden, Lake Mary

I had lunch on Monday at this new Greek restaurant in the cursed location near Fish Bones on 46a. They didn't do anything to the lay out (neither did the the costly Italian experiment before it). It is like it was when it was the Wine Room. It's still nice though. I had a Souvlaki Gyro with lamb pieces for $8. They didn't look skewered. Which doesn't matter to me, but, I thought that was what it is. The meat was ok. Some pieces cooked alot more than others. The tatziki was very strong with raw garlic. You've got to let it age a little more or wash it it in water (same with the onions). It came with a field green salad that is a little wimpy after Greek flavors. The service was fine (2). The place seats about 80 (2 room and a bar). About 8 people were there at lunch. Their wine list is almost all Greek (rare). Most things are $10 and up. Ownership seemed like they hadn't given up yet.

Club Crawl - Plaza Cinema, Blank Space Gallery, Bullitt

8:30pm-9pm: Plaza Cinema - Grabbed a beer here. No action. Didn't expect any.

10pm-10:30pm: Blank Space Gallery - Watched some people play ping pong. Had some Sake. Left with the people to the next club.

10:30pm-1am: Bullitt - a great new club. They half a Scooby Doo van as a cooler. Cool vibe. Great mish mosh of music. They have booths in the back. Brick walls. Pop art. Pretty full. Cool Crowd

310 Lakeside, Downtown

Last Friday I had dinner at this American restaurant on Lake Eola where Sam Snead's used to be. It looks about the same. I had their loaded burger for $10. It was overcooked. I like the concept of the cheese inside, but, it really just robs you of meat. The fries were crispy (krinkle kut). The toppings were fresh. The service was good. It has a circular bar in the middle. It seats about 70 inside. They have a patio. The decor is plush. It was about 1/3rd full at 9pm. Decent looking crowd.

Fish N Loaves, W. 50

I got a fried chicken breast with hush puppies and fries to go at this Soul Food restaurant on W. 50 on Wednesday. It cost $5. The chicken was good. Not greasy or dry. The fries were a mushy, uncooked mess. The hush puppies were soft. The place is mostly white walls. I believe they have some charitable (religulous) purpose. It seats about 60. You have to find the hidden strip mall next to the police station on John Young or you will miss it. The serve turkey wings. I don't recall alot of places offering them. I love them. The don't take AMEX.

Ginza, 50

I got some rolls to go at this location for this Japanese restaurant on Wednesday. I had an avocado roll and an asparagus roll at $3 a piece. They were average. The rice was bad. They have redone the old Vietnam Town. The have a big statue in a pond in the front. A sushi bar to the left. A bar to the right. Quite a few hibachi tables in the center. It must seat about 120.

China Town, N. Mills Ave - Closed

On Wednesday I had lunch at this Chinese restaurant on N. Mills. I had Szechuan Shrimp with white rice for $7. It came with Wonton Soup. It was fine. The shrimp were not fresh. Are they ever? It came with sliced zucchini, celery and squash. Service was fast. They checked on my experience a few times. There were two other couples there at noon. The place seats about 60. I was told that by natives that they do Hong Kong Style cooking very well. Or at least they used to. I was told that a while ago. The walls are white. It's pretty sterile.

Pub Crawl - Pour House, 903 Mills Market

9pm-10pm: Pour House on S. Hiawassee. Mostly empty. Not a happening crowd.

10:30-11pm: 903 Mills Market on South Mills. Mostly empty. Closing down.

Habibi, Metro West

I got a Falafel wrap to go from this Lebanese deli on S.Hiawassee (same as Taquitos) on Friday. It cost $4. The Falafel was fried fresh in front of my eyes. It came with my choice of hummus, hot sauce, tomatos, parsley, and onions. It was tasty even after spending the night in the fridge. The people were nice. It sits about 20. You order at the counter. They have Shawarmas, Kebabs, platters and sandwichs. It was filled with a young, arab crowd. They don't take AMEX.

Taquitos Jaliscos, Metro West - Closed

I had dinner at this Mexican restaurant on S.Hiawassee in the strip mall in Metro West that has Tavern on the Lake and Pour House on Friday. I had a lengua (tongue) soft taco for $2 and a mixed appetizer that had a mini pork soft taco, a mini chopped beef soft taco, 2 chicken taquitos, and a chicken tostada for $6. It was big enough for a main course and everything was excellent. The lengua was good too. All of this was good because I was warming up the big guns before the food came. I was going to tell you about the cheezy frescos, the dirty floors, the watery salsa, the fat rolls pouring out of the waitresses pants. However, I'll let all that slide and remember the food. Not the best in Orlando, but, up there. The place seats about 100 in two rooms (one is more of a bar). It was pretty full. Gringos and whatever the opposite of that insult is. The service was fast. It was dirty. Napkins and straw wrappers (etc) on the floor. Stains on the silverware and tables. Just pretend it's a taco truck and you won't be disappointed. Most things were around $10.

Art's BBQ, Altamonte Springs - Closed

I had dinner at this Southern Style (No Frills) BBQ in Uptown Altamonte where Shane's BBQ used to be for about five minutes. I had a hot links (sausage) sandwich with potato salad for $6.50. What do you want from me? It was two butterflied links of spicy sausage served on a plain roll. Whoopee. The links were probably bought at Costco. The potato salad also. It was very similiar to the mass produced, sweet spugen they sell at super markets. The place is big. It must seat 100+. It has a barn house facade. I'm not sure if that is a remenant of the previous owner. Three others were there (it was semi-early). It's no frills, over priced bbq that this town is awash in. I guess I should be happy it didn't come on white bread.


I think it's now a World of Beer.

Green Lemon Cafe, Winter Park

I had a dessert at this creperie/deli in the Whole Foods strip mall east of town. I had a rasberry jam crepe for $4. They put too much jam on it, but, I bet the fatties who go there expect it. They serve smoothies, sandwiches, crepes and other things. It looks like a yougart/smoothie shop. Bright colors and glass. The service was fine. They didn't take Amex. It's badly marked. Just a sign that says cafe. I don't think they stay open at night. Another over rate by the Sentinel.

Il Pescatore, E. 50

I had lunch at this Italian restaurant off 50 on Primrose on Wednesday. I had the meat filled cannelloni for $8.25. I wasn't aware the Chef Boyardee made canelloni. It tasted exactly like their ravioli. There were also only two of them and they were thin. Just as well. It came with a predictably bad salad and garlic bread. The service was fast. The decor was rustic (hand painted murals). It seats about 30 in the side room and 50 in the main room. It looks shuttered from the outside. Too bad it isn't. Why it's called Il Pescatore is a mystery as they had no seafood on the menu. It's everything I hate about Italian restaurants -high prices, bad food, and an ugly setting. I'd liked to say I was shocked that it was half full, but, most people are devoid of sense so it fits.