Orange Leaf, Lake Mary

I had some fro-yo at another one of these superfluous strip mall tenants today. As usual, it was awful frozen water. Sorry. I meant awful, over priced, frozen water. This place is exactly like every other fro-yo franchise. Sherbert squirters and topping station. How did we ever live without them? What angel from Heaven created them? It is 46 cents an ounce here. Located in the Target/Publix strip mall off Lake Mary Blvd.

Q'Sabor, I Drive

I ordered a chicken empanada to go from this Venezuelan restaurant on the north end of I Drive (across the street form the Peter Glenn ski store) on Wednesday. I had a bite in the parking lot and the rest for dinner. It was good. The chicken was a little dry and little too shredded. It felt like eating rope and mush. It was, however, freshly fried. The dough was sweeter than I'm used to experiencing with empanadas. It cost $3. They also serve arepas, cachapas (sweet corncakes), bowls, and parrillas. They are filled with various meats or cheeses. The most expensive thing costs $7. It's a small place. It must seat 20 max. It is two months old and look like a new take out type place. It's clean. it's brightly painted. They have poster sized pictures of the food to help explain it. They also serve juices (could be fresh made) and coffee. It's a limited menu, so, let's hope that results in expert execution. I think it's a good stepping stone for anyone who wants to try north-South American cuisine. And maybe it's a slice of home for any expats or Chavez enablers. I would cover the white ceiling tile areas of the upper wall with something (unless it's a code violation).

Kosher on Wheels Food Truck, I Drive

I had Chichen Schnitzel on a baguette from this Glatt Kosher, blue food truck on the north end of I Drive on Wednesday. It cost $11. I ate a bite while it was hot and the rest for dinner. It was outrageous. It wasn't greasy. They baguette was fresh (maybe a tad soft to be a true French baguette). They dressed it with hummus (always reminds me of what Bruno understands Hamas to be), tahini, red cabbage, hot sauce, tomatoes, pickles and maybe mustard and pesto and Israeli salad if Israeli salad had cucumbers in it. It sounds like a mess. It eats like an orgasm. Which, if you believe the movie Ted, is what a Boston girl sounds like while having the latter. They also serve a turkey shwarma they assemble themselves. You know those big meatloaves they shave to make a gyro? They make their own out of turkey. They gave me a hefty sample and it was excellent. They have baby chicken which I think was just pulled chicken. They have grilled chicken. They have kufta kebab, falafel, salad, and sabich (I forget what that is). They also have nuggets and hot dogs and burgers. They say "for the kids", but, who's to know. The items are a bit steep for a supposedly low overhead business model. However, I would pony up for one of these bad boys every once in a while. They even have canopied areas on both sides of the truck for you to sit. They seem to always be parked in this lot (near Peter Glenn's Ski Shop). It is usually doing a brisk business. I recommend it. Even the resultant burps they engendered were like a sweet memory throughout the night.

Tabla, Universal

I had the lunch buffet at this Indian restaurant (which means a small bongo-like drum) across from the Kirkman entrance (a street called Major Blvd) to Universal on Wednesday. Incidentally there is a large parking lot for a Visitor's Bureau on that street that may allow you to avoid the Universal parking fee (especially galling if you are just going to eat or shop). Check for tow away signs. I only drove past it and couldn't see if it was patrolled. It was mostly empty.

I am not going to critique the buffet too thoroughly because I don't think it represents what the potential of this place may be. I say "potential" because I only experienced a small sample size of what seems to be a very expansive menu. The buffet had two chicken dishes (a tikka masala and a wing and drumstick tandoori). The tikka pieces seemed like they had the red marks made by a tandoori (not usual). I wouldn't be too surprised if the buffet dish was made from leftovers. The tandoori was ok. At least it wasn't undercooked like it habitually is elsewhere. There was a goat stew. Mostly bones. There was a paneer (cheese) dish and three veggie stews. There was some salad (basic and feeble). They had a Chicken Biryani (fried rice) that had many seeds and bone fragments in it (probably also used leftover chicken). They served Medu Veda (fried donut balls) and some sort of ball made of grain and served cold in a yogurt sauce. Rice. The buffet was $8. Not the best Indian buffet bargain in the greater CF area, but, fair. They did jack me for $3 for a soda though. It's funny. They give you $3 worth of Naan that you don't ask for, but, they have to grab that extra buck or buck and a half out of you for 2 cents worth of sugar concentrate.

The place is drab, old and worn. It's is situated next to a Day's Inn and must have been some kind of banquet hall before hand. They have tried to Indianize it with decorations, but, it still looks like it is more conducive to an Elk's meeting than an Indian dinner. It doesn't help that there is a place selling tchokes right across the hall. They have some booths underneath the windowed side of the room. The opposite side of the room has a TV and a bar and the entryway to the kitchen. There is a private room in the rear. It seats about 60. There were maybe six others (mostly Indian) buffeting while I was there. The service (1) was ok. I didn't get a refill on my $3 Coke until I was almost finished my meal. If I went back, I would go for an ala carte meal. The prices were reasonable ($11-$18 for entrees) and the selection vast. This place is (potentially) all about the food. The things I had were probably a bad representation and still were tasty. I've read where they get the "best of" Indian cooking labels in some publications. That and my conditional approval may make you give it a try when the winds steer you towards Universal.

B & B Junction, Winter Park - Closed

I ordered takeout for dinner (I tried some before it got cold) at this burger joint in the old 4 Rivers location on Wednesday. I had a burger with ghost chili cheese, roasted poblano-bacon jam, siracha aioli and arugula for $9 and portobello fries with a herb-cucumber yogurt dressing for $3. The fries were great. Maybe one of the best new, original things I've had all year. They (10) had a perfect, crisp batter. The mushrooms retained all their flavor. Great. The dip did become a little tedious. The burger was probably a mistake. That is too much heat not to ruin any meal. I did peal away some beef to see if it had any flavor and it didn't. The slight overcooking didn't help, but, I think the mix may be too lean. There was no juice or flavor. I'm not sure if freezing or spatula pressure drained this bad boy of life, but, it could have been tofu. On the plus side it came on a brioche bun that didn't fall apart and was large enough to encase the burger. They have eight variations of burgers, wings, snacks, soup, sides, salad and grilled cheeses. They have done next to nothing to the old place (added some corrugated metal to the ceiling). That is perfectly alright with me. I was depressed when they closed this spot down. I always liked its re-purposed charm. Now it's a higher priced Burger Fi. They have similar offerings. This place is a little more gutsy and the burgers are bigger. Who knows they may price out the same if you do a weight by weight comparison. They are the sum of all contemporary gastronomic trends. It's a gourmet, fusion, kitsch burger place that sources organic, gimmick ingredients from small farmers (locally if possible) and crafts people and serves it (self serve) in faux-historical setting. It's just missing a douche bag, celebrity chef. All that said, I'm so glad they took over this spot. I am waiting to see if the burger quality is as disappointing on my second visit, but if it isn't, I will be here alot. I also like the fact that they have beer and wine.

Galopin, Winter Park - Closed

I had lunch at this European restaurant on Park Ave that means "wild child" on Wednesday. It is more correct to say I had lunch in the pub annex. The main restaurant is not open for lunch anymore. I looked inside the main restaurant and it seemed mostly the same as it was when it was Circa (same with the pub). I had chicken croquettes (6) for $5 and a faux-pizza (flat bread) with steak and blue cheese for $7. The croquettes had a nice crust. Possibly a little under cooked inside. The harissa sauce was the most assertive element on the plate. The flatbread itself wasn't too thin and hence burnt or dry. There was alot of blue cheese and steak. The steak may have been from a decent part of the cow like the head of the tenderloin. I just saw a butchering episode with Martha Stewart and the guest said the front end (above the Chateaubriand) of the penis shaped tenderloin can be used for such purposes. The meat on the flatbread seemed tender enough to be from that cut. The plate wasn't balanced enough. They needed more of a bitter element to cut the richness of the meat and cheese. I think the drops of aged balsamic or arugula were meant to be a contrast, but, the vinegar added a cloying, sweetness and the arugula had lost any bitterness it had  had (still wouldn't have been enough). The arugula in question was thrown in the center of the quartered flatbread and was undressed and wilting.

And that is the rub. They can't get by serving less than perfect meals. The lady aside me complained about overcooked chicken. They were out of three of the ten lunch dishes. The place has no identity (or no new/different identity). It is in a location that everyone associates with failure and has a wait and see policy on. It is all the way on the wrong end of the street. Parking is difficult. The menu is all over the place. I was expecting a Bosphorous clone (from the PR I had read about), but, either they've shifted course or the reporters didn't understand the difference between Middle Eastern influenced European dishes and the real thing or they thought Spain was in the Middle East or who the hell knows what. The reality is that I can't tell you what the stand for (unless now the zeitgeist is contending that all cultural cooking has been influenced by all other cultures and everything is now something). I can just say "hodge podge". It doesn't necessarily help you get a handle on what they are trying to establish here when you find out that the "European" kitchen is headed by a Brazilian. On the surface, the menu seems like a shot gun approach. Which wouldn't be disastrous in itself if the execution was there. And maybe it is - at other times. I just hope the person at the pass is a little more particular in the future. I get the sense that there may be too much "understanding" in the kitchen and that that will result in uneven experiences at the restaurant (especially if business is slow and finances enter into the decision making process over supplies). And (based on their advertising choices) they seem to be covetous of a fine dining clientele. I rate them as closer to "pub" than fine dining based on their ambitions (dishes and difficulty of preparation) and the execution. A pub that charges close to $30 for dinner entrees.

The service (2) was good. There were five other people there at lunch. They still have that "Love Boat" feeling "club" on the second floor. I won't go back (on purpose), but, that is mainly because I've got other fish to fry and if history is any indication then this will be another spot waiting to be re-re-re-re-reviewed by summer.

PSA - Mail Forwarding

I learned a scary lesson this holiday season. USPS is a joke. That is not the lesson. The lesson is you can't count on them to even forward your mail (even though it's done by machine). I returned home in the middle of the forwarding period and had a full mail box. When I asked my mailman why it wasn't being forwarded (to a friend), he said the main sorting center must not have been alerted. I thought that is why they have a web form connected to a database for? How can it get lost? It's computer to computer. It's automatic. And the mail wasn't all from one day (like a day before the requested start date). It was from everyday since I had been gone.

When I saw my friend (the forward address), he also had a stack of mail (mostly bills) with nice little forwarding stickers on them. Also from varying dates. So, half my mail was forwarded and half was not. So what's the big deal? If I hadn't checked my mailbox at home that mail would have been taken to the post office (when mail box gets full) and thrown out after a period of time (a month I think). I had gift cards and Christmas cards (among other important things) in that pile of mail! And this means that every time I've been gone for for more than a month, I may have lost untold quantities of correspondence. This is because I would have no reason to inquire about any unforwarded parcels and they would be eventually thrown out. They don't even alert you that you have mail at the post office.

The supervisor blamed the mail carrier. She said he was alerted and either ignored it or disregarded it. He is supposed to put a card in the mail box so that any temps or replacement mail carriers know I'm away and the mail shouldn't be delivered there. That is possibly how I received the half and half treatment. A temp delivered and saw no card. I'm still not clear on it. I don't get how my mailman is involved if it is flagged at the sorter level. I think they said some mail slips through and need to be collected/stopped by the mail carrier and relabeled at the post office for forwarding.

And to top it off, they didn't stop the forwarding on the date requested (as usual). I had to call again (every time) and alert them. Good thing we live in such an advanced age. I swear a multitude of things were less screwed up when we had imbeciles running the show instead of machines and computers. Or are the imbeciles so imbecilic today that they circumvent the reliability of the machines and computers? In any case, think twice about forwarding your mail. You may have been a Publisher's Clearing House winner and you would never know.

Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly, UCF

I purchased a dozen assorted cupcakes from this bakery a little south of 50 on N. Alalfaya before Christmas. Everyone, who subsequently tasted them, concluded that they were outrageous. Every type. People who didn't think they liked certain flavors liked them like this. I don't really understand cupcakes (or more accurately the cupcake craze) and I loved them. Moist. Flavorful. Fresh. I think the owner was on one of those cupcake/cake contests on cable (the only food shows I don't watch) and came in second. I'd like to know who came in first! I recommend that everyone come see about this. Hopefully, the parking crunch has subsided by now. Ah, Christmas. Gotta love you.

Casa Linda, UCF

I had lunch at this Cuban/Mexican (they said they are dropping the Mexican) restaurant on N. Alafaya and 50 before Christmas. I had two eggs with ham and pressed Cuban bread for around $4 and a shredded beef taco for around $2. The eggs were sunny side up instead of over easy. They had a large layer of clear mucous from under cooking. The ham was that disgusting Hispanic ham that is way too salty. The bread was the best thing on the plate. The taco was just as bad. They just threw some, what I deduced must have been, Ropa Vieja on a raw tortilla. The good points about the spot were the service and the condition of the place. It seems new. I'd bet it was a Mexican place before this that some Cubans released. I think they care about the food quality and I just ordered the two things you shouldn't if you don't like certain ingredients or cooking methods or items that require translation. If that is what Cuban ham is going to taste like then I should avoid it. If the place has Cuban owners, I should avoid the Mexican food (especially if they tell you they are discontinuing it). If I am worried about a language barrier I shouldn't order something in slang. However, if they do keep it on the menu then they should do it right. Don't use Ropa for Mexican flavored beef and steam or grill the tortilla. And I think I set them right on what the difference is between over easy and sunny side up so hopefully that is sorted (as the English say). Lastly, the prices are ridiculously reasonable. I'm talking fast food comparable. I wouldn't make a trip to find them, but, it offers good value for people who live in the area. It seats about forty.

Aroma, Lake Mary - Closed

I had lunch at this Indian restaurant today. I had the buffet for $8. It was a little disappointing that around a third of the options were consumed and not replaced at any point in the sitting. I had two, new (to me) interesting selections (a fried spinach and fried mushroom dish that was reminiscent of tempura). I also has the obligatory chicken tikka masala (very buttery), chicken curry (a tad watery) and some rice. They also had some tandoori chicken (just don't love the pieces they use for this) and a first for me - soup served in the same metal containers they serve the food. The food was mostly adequate. Management seemed to be the weak link. I already mentioned the reluctance to replenish, but, the tables weren't bused and there didn't seem to be any wait staff. I hate waste as much as anyone, but, you can't charge full buffet prices and not deliver a full buffet. Make smaller batches if you abhor left overs or remove the trays so we don't know there was more available at one time. The place is drab. It's a little, rectangular nook with no decor. There are five of six booth and one side and tables of four on the other. They have a private room that can be and was used for private parties. It looks like a store room and had no heat. I would be embarrassed to have a party there. Now, I'm not sure how much of this is bad management and how much is a concerted effort to keep costs down, but, it comes off as bush league. Oddly, it was pretty well attended by customers so maybe I caught them on a down day. With two other competitors nearby, they must be doing something right some of the time to get what I assume was repeat business. Or maybe some people can just put up with the value proposition offered here. I really wouldn't recommend it for anything short of a gluttonous, blind feed.

Grub Crawl - Hunter's Creek: Padrino's (Closed), El Inka, Rice and Beans, Dolce

I had lunch and to go meals from these spots in and around Hunter's Creek on Wednesday. The first two are in side by side shopping commons on John Young (they say North JY, but, it is in the southern most part, odd) after 417. Rice and Beans is in a large shopping area right before the Osceola Parkway. Dolce is on that parkway near the the Turnpike (east).

Padrino's - I had an Orly burger at this Cuban restaurant. It cost $8. The lunch menu had a wide selection from the real menu, but, this seemed unique. It is, purportedly, from a recipe by Primo. I think he is the chef at one of Hiltons or it is a restaurant in one of the Hiltons (or both). It was a cheeseburger deluxe with sweet plantains. They pressed it like a Cuban sandwich. The concept was ok (Cubanize a burger). The execution was bad. Like most places, they couldn't keep from squeezing all the juice out of the patty. Still can't grasp the laws of thermodynamics. It doesn't cook any faster if you press it. Would you press down on an egg to make it fry faster? Would you crush a grapefruit before you served a half? It was also well done (no surprise) when it was requested to be medium. The combination itself is odd. The cheese and LTO compete or are subsumed by the plantains. It doesn't all work together. Drop everything but the plantain and burger. It came with shoestring fries. It was a large portion and most were cooked enough. The best alimentary offering was the complimentary plantain chips. They came in one of those wire coils baskets with a cone of white paper. I believe they were baked. That application left them with a nice toasty flavor and saved calories. The service (3) was good. Everything came out promptly and politely. I received multiple refills on the soda ($2.50). The place is a bit mismatched. I was expecting it to be a little more modern/luxurious. It looks like they put make up (bright paint and impactful art) on a old IHOP. I'm not sure what it was before it was this, but, I would lay odds that they didn't approve the demure fabrics and layout. The place seats about 90 in the main room and they have a more private, large table next to the small bar. Booths line the main room. It could be cleaned up a little. I saw brooms and spray bottles from my vantage point. There were about twenty people there for lunch. I wouldn't make special plans to eat here, but if you are in the neighborhood and like Cuban, then try it. I was expecting a little more sizzle. It's a fine as a mom and pop endeavor, but, I think they are trying to position it as a top rated brand. More Calle Ocho than South Beach.

El Inka Grill - I ordered one of their lunch specials to go. You can choose from three appetizers and eight entrees. I chose a soup (Aguadito de Pollo) and fish (Pescado Frito). It came with a soda and cost $9. The soup was good. I could live without the bones, but, maybe that assurance of real poultry makes it worth while. The fish (not sure what kind) was good. It even held up to a microwave spa treatment after sitting in a box all afternoon. The frying wasn't oily and the batter stuck to the filet. The fish had a mild taste. The entree also came with white rice. It must have been given a butter bath. They put some kind of salsa on top. The vinegary juices ran into the rice. I would probably prefer them to remain separated. I would bet that they are arranged so if you eat in. The whole lot came out in five minutes. The place serves most of the popular Peruvian dishes. They had some sort of fried calamari plus platter that looked outrageous. The place is fairly small. It must seat around forty. It has a pretty Spartan decor. There were about 18 people there while I waited. It was a mostly Peruvian crowd. I think they want to have a more buttoned up crowd, but, I guess it's a good sign that your core audience appreciates you. If we still had a dearth of Peruvian restaurants around town I would say find this place. But, we have a lot of participants. Still, your belly wouldn't be disappointed if you did make the effort. It's mostly a gastronomic play. I still think the pricing at all Peruvian restaurants is higher than it should be or would support. But, that is my issue.

Rice and Beans - They call this place a "latin" cocina, but, I say it's Puerto Rican. I had another lunch special (choice of meat, choice of starch, choice of rice and choice of beans) to go for $7. I had roast pork, yucca, vegetable rice and black beans. All were very good and the portion was sizable. The place looks like a Quizno's or any other assembly line, take out place. The food lifts it above that. Now, this was another place that markets itself as a higher end place than it really is, but, it serves good food. It also seemed extremely popular based on the attendance. You order at the counter and then sit down. They have a large menu of platters, mofongos, coffee and shakes. They even have wine and beer. I wouldn't seek it out, but, go if you are in the neighborhood. They have a Waterford Lakes area sister establishment.

Dolce Bakery and Cafe - This may have been the hippest, cleanest and best find of the day. It is in the middle of nowhere (kind of near Tupperware so maybe people live around there). It is in a crappy strip mall. It is really interesting (maybe because everything around it is tedious). The color scheme is white walls with black, graffiti like murals on the left side of the shop. The long and beautiful glass counter is right in front. It has all manner of goodies inside it. They have "sandwiches", cakes, tarts, cookies, etc. I had a turkey and ham "sandwich" in some sort of croissant like (in taste) glazed shell. I had it yesterday for lunch and it held up. I also had a peach tart they called a crostate. It must have been made with a thick jelly. It tasted like a fruit roll up. It was open faced with that lattice type top. I'm not a huge fan of un-French pastry, but, there is some real baking going on here. It's so far from civilization that I am reluctant to tell you to find it because your expectations couldn't be satisfied. However, if you are in the neighborhood or going south on the Turnpike, give it a go. And bring back something for your more rational friends.

Grub Crawl - Hunter's Creek: Flat Rocks, Venezia, Bistro Europa, All Italian

I had dinner and snacks at these places in Hunter's Creek last night. They are in a strip mall on John Young past 417.

Flat Rocks - I had a antipasto salad that was described as a antipasto plate for $6 and a 8" pizza for $6. The salad was surprisingly fresh. The field greens were good. The mozzarella was fresh. It did lack the artichoke hearts and pita squares described on the menu. But, then again it was a salad and not a plate, so you can't expect them to get that right. It was also drenched in red wine vinaigrette. The pizza was also better than I expected. I expected the worst when I heard it was conveyor belt pizza. It turned out ok. The people behind the counter said the place was an old American Pie. I never thought their pies were good, so they must be doing something different. They said it might be a higher quality of cheese or the corn meal, but, I thought the dough was better. The place looks old. They had a TV set in my booth and the controls were pealing off the base board. It has around nine booths that seat six or seven. There are tables of different sizes in between. The decor is wood and tannish upholstery. They have a mediocre selection of wine and beer. The menu is mostly pizza, salads and flat breads. They have some pasta and pub like appetizers. The service (2) was fine. They did take forever to bus the empty tables (no busboys). I wouldn't recommend a sojourn here unless you live nearby. They say it's "Casual Fresh Perfect". I would argue the last platitude. It's a fine improvement on American Pie, but, I sense that it is on life support.

Venezia Bakery - I had a strawberry something or other (a custard like tart) for $3.50. It was good. The place serves Venezuelan baked goods. I was told Venezuela means little Venice and that Venice makes a large impression on their cooking. Who knew? I thought all those fascists disappeared into Argentina after WWII. They have seating.

Bistro Europa - I had a Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich for $7.25. I ate it today. It was fine. I mean it's rotisserie chicken so how bad could it be. I do wish I just went for the whole rotisserie chicken for $8. The sandwich was one breast with a sad tomato slice and a sad lettuce leaf, It also had a side of that abomination - honey mustard. It came on a crumbly whole grain bun. The name says "European", but get real, it's Greek food with American, comfort food sides (odd pairing). They also do chopped salads. Greeks have to learn that they are not European. They are Middle Eastern. Plus, I'm not sure if they understand what a bistro is. This is not a bistro. They have seating (inside and out). It's new, so, it's sort of appealing. It's like a beefed up Subway or a low rent Lime. I wouldn't struggle to find it. It's fine if you live close by.

All Italian Market and Deli - I resisted buying anything here because everything was about 3X retail. They sell supermarket pasta for $3.25 that can be had at the aforementioned for $1. They do have a decent selection of Italian foods. They also seemed to be serving dinner. The place was full. They have three tables in room one and I'm not sure how many in room two because a private party was going on that night. They have gelato. I'm not into speciality stores. I think they are a relic thanks to Whole Foods and Costco.

Kohinoor, Altamote Springs

I went back to this Indian restaurant (on 436 in the strip mall next to I-4 that has the Houlihans) a few weeks ago for lunch. I had been there many times pre-blog. It is one of the older Indian restaurants in town. I had the lunch buffet for $11 ($17 with drink, tax and tip). While $11 isn't breaking the bank, there are better values (Moghul on 436 for instance) available. They also have a more generous selection. Kohinnor really only had three entrees (butter chicken, tandoori chicken and chiken tikka masala). They had a basic salad, the usual side dishes and the starches. The space is far worse than I remembered. It looked like somebody took a two story townhouse (twenty years ago) and put tables inside it. It is broken up into two, tiny areas by a staircase. The front area has the register and about six tables of four. The back area has the bar, two tables for two and a group table. The buffet is on the side wall between the two areas. The service (I still don't know why I need someone to bring me a drink if they assume I can serve myself the food) was fine. Although, they couldn't answer questions about the cuisine because they were Mexican. The place was packed (only one two seater was empty). The big table I sat next to seemed to be conversant about food. The place has been around forever and evidently is still packing them in, but, as I said already, there are better options. I wouldn't make a special trip here now that almost every town has a similar contestant and some of those offer more at a reduced price.

Grub Crawl - Orlando: Teolinda, NY Chinese, Broadway

I stopped by these restaurants in the Century Plaza (436 and Curry Ford Rd) a few weeks ago. I bypassed a Mexican place that may be safe for lunch, but, turns into a sketchy bar at night. I had everything to go. It's not the most inviting area of the city.


Teolinda's Bakery and Cafe- I had some sort of pastry for around $2. I can't remember what now. It was fine. The place is a little, oldish deli whose greatest attraction may be that it serves Ecuadorian dishes. Didn't try any. Nor do I have much experience with this cuisine. You can eat in too.

NY Chinese Restaurant - I'm not sure what makes it NY? It seemed to cater to Hispanics (menu also in Spanish and Latin dishes). I had an egg roll. It was fine. I think it had pork in it. Typical drab take out spot. It had some tables.

Broadway Ristorante and Pizzeria - It looked like a place you would find in small town America. Earth tones and wear. The Chicken Parm was good.

PSA - Phytoceramides

Dr. Oz says 350mg of these a day promotes collagen loss (wrinkles, bags). You can get a 30 day supply for $30. They are made from rice, yeast or wheat. You are supposed to avoid wheat if you have gluten sensitivity. I haven't tried them.

Westgate Smokehouse Grill, Turkey Lake

I had dinner at this barbeque restaurant at the Westgate Resort on Turkey Lake Rd (paralleling 1-4 South after you turn onto it from Sand Lake) on Saturday. I had a beef brisket sandwich for $11. I chose this to compare the brisket I had for lunch and because the skunk haired, trailer possum hostess tried to seat me in every worst seat in the place. It wasn't full. FYI - everything else on the menu is more expensive. The brisket and the baguette it came on was surprisingly good. They did slather on too much (any) mayo. It was a huge portion. It was a little fatty. It was cooked properly. It came with good mashed potatoes. I think they pre-mixed them with sour cream. Unfortunately, something didn't agree with me later on that night. I didn't get a full case of food poisoning or unending Hershey-squirts, but, it would have been a problem if it had been a late night out on the town. I can't say emphatically that this meal had anything to do with it (it could have been the sale priced Swanson TV dinner from Friday night), but, the timing was incriminating. Maybe the skank hostess had words with the kitchen and I got the secret sauce. The place itself is tacky. It looks like it was constructed for a Mexican restaurant and then they tried to shoehorn in some Western motifs. They have arcade games in the back for Christ's sake. It's, solely, a spot for hotel guests. I wouldn't seek it out. They advertise in a popular, free culinary-themed magazine. It should not get legitimacy through association. They guy next to me complained about his meal, but, the guy behind him was effusive.

The London Fish & Chippy, Winter Garden

I tried a $1 Peppered Papadam (Indian wafer) on Saturday at this food truck at the farmer's market. It was fine. It could have been bought at an Indian restaurant for all I know. They said it was home made. They had five or six English items. They seemed fine.

Harry & Larry's, Winter Garden - Closed

I had lunch at this barbeque restaurant in downtown on Saturday. I had a beef brisket on texas toast for $5. It was tremendous. Possibly, the second best barbeque in CF (4 Rivers is first). Great smoke. Lean. A decent amount. I still don't see why these places ruin good meat by serving it on white bread, but, I'm funny that way. This bread was better than Wonder and cut thick. The menu is small. They do sandwiches or platters with brisket, pork, sausage and St. Louis ribs. They have 10 sides. I didn't try any. The place is small. It has about six booths. There is a takeout window in front. The place looks like an old meat shop that they cleaned up. They have fifties metal advertising signs hanging as decoration. I would definitely make a day trip here. I would start eating my way around town at this spot.

Lonnies, Lake Mary

I had lunch at this eclectic restaurant near City Hall on Friday. It was recently Nico Globos. I had a Pot Roast sandwich for $9. It was ok. The pot roast was tender. It was cut (they say shredded) into 1/4" strips and piled two strips deep. It had havarti cheese, horseradish sauce, lettuce, onion and tomato. The bread seemed artisinal. It was pressed. The menu is peculiar. It has Asian, Mexican, French, Italian, Southern, Traditional, and Eastern European (deli) components. Lunch (sandwiches and salads) ranges from $8-$13. Brunch from $7-$10. Dinner from $15-$20. The place looks exactly as before. It's a quaint setting. It seats about 20 in booths. They have a counter. They sell booze. It's basically the same place it always was. Unfortunately, there is a rising tide of non-fast food or chain options in the area now. It may be a struggle to find enough refined palettes.

Dickens Coffee & Tea Room, Lake Mary - Closed

I had lunch at this Tea Room in the corner of the strip mall on Lake Mary Blvd and Rinehart Rd today. I had a Chicken Pesto sandwich and a pot of Dickens Black tea. It cost $7 ($3 for the tea). It was fine. Some cold chicken on bread. Not exactly a demanding request. The place looks like a working class tea room. There are dainty affectations (commemorative plates, china, British food containers, tea caddies). The furniture seemed more Danish country than English. I think they wouldn't have a problem with it being described as working class. Dickens (champion of the working class) is the namesake. Americans might not even recognize the distinction. I think the owner is Black Irish (maybe Welsh). The place seats about thirty. I was the only male. It was half full! With only two hands on deck, I would expect to spend a little more time here than you anticipate. They served me fast because I think they thought I stumbled into the wrong place and wasn't into the fantasy. They were probably right. Or maybe I was ruining the fantasy. The table next to me was given a pot of tea and then abandoned until I was about to leave. Same with two tables that came right after me. It's never a good sign when they tell you straight away that this is a slow paced place so you should adjust your internal clock. The waitress wouldn't (actually said couldn't - though that is not factually accurate) take my meal order with my tea order. Oddly, she came back a minute later and then could. I think the two women do it all - hence the leisurely pace (marketed as purposeful). Like vegan food, this is (and I wasn't expecting it to be) isn't my bailiwick (I'm sure they feel similarly). It's more for book club women dreaming of meeting Mr. Darcy or Rochester. Or maybe a little girl's birthday party (that was going on today). They serve sandwiches, desserts, soups, salads and platters of finger sandwiches and petit-fours. My sandwich was at the low range. It was listed at $10, but, that was with a side salad. There was some confusion in ordering and it was presumed that I didn't want one. I didn't care either way. I just note it because maybe $10 isn't the low mark. Maybe it is the $7 they charged me. The full tea service (probably for 2-4) was around $20. I say check it out if you are in the mood for a change of scenery. I went to another tea place on 434 a few years ago (not sure if it still exists) and I think there may be another near Oviedo, but, this is the only one I've seen in this area.