Kiko's, Sanford - Closed

I had a meatball sub to go on Friday at this Italian place on 17-92 on some cross street called Minnie something (near Lake Mary Blvd). It has been open for three months. Things seem to be going well enough that they said they are expanding into the space next to it. It's a pretty basic Italian menu with some outliers like escargot. The owner is Croatian (Kiko is Chris) and they said something about the family owning some place called Sergio's. The sub ($7) was smallish ans served on weird hot dog-ish bun. It consisted of two meatballs sliced in half. They were a little stringy and meatloafy. The sauce was an au natural tomato sauce. Not much mozz. The place seats about sixty. It was about half full. They have a patio. Look for a mostly untenanted strip mall. Nothing to write home about, but, the unadventurous seem to love these places. They don't serve slices which is why I went to the sub. They do have one unique approach. They will cover any of the subs and dough and make it a stromboli.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park: Sushi Cafe and Besuto (Closed)

I'll review these two side by side because the are across the street from each, serve similar food and have opened quasi-simultaneously. They are on University (I forget the cross street, but, it's one street closer to UCF than Forsyth),

Sushi Cafe - The name is fairly eponymous since it is just your average sushi play. It's in a strip mall at the location of a defunct Italian place (Barducci's). It has been open for four months. I had a special (not sure if it was every night or just Mondays) priced roll (3) dinner for $10. Salmon, tuna and yellow tail in a cigar shape. The salmon looked fresh, but, tasted salted. The tuna looked like another portion of yellow tail and was tasteless/vinegary. The yellow tail was iffy. The rice was pasty and sometimes tasted like vinegar and sometimes did not (not mixed well). Their soy sauce was Chinese (thicker) and that may be the canary in the coal mine. The owners may be Chinese doing Japanese. The miso soup was also terrible. It tasted like Won Ton broth with some of the oldest/driest tofu ever experienced. The interior is pretty ugly. Mismatched blue and black booths with a black primary motif. It seats about ninety. There were two tables seated. The real (and only) draw here is an all you can eat option. If you want to gorge yourself on mediocre sushi then this is the place for you. They also have some hot items.

Besuto - This place replaces the horrible Thaitanic sushi. The new owners are from Venezuela and you get to experience their definition of sushi. I was just going to get one roll and mark it off the list, but, they had an intriguing (cheap) happy hour still available at 6pm. I sat down to try the duck hearts and got carried away. The first (salmon) hand roll I had for $2.55 started things off with a bang. Nice warm rice stuffed with fresh salmon (all the way to the bottom). Then I had a huge bowl of duck hearts with shitaki mushrooms ($4). A steal. I was full by then. Things went a little down hill after that. They served me rolls on a few items that were supposed to be nigiri. I had two yellow tail rolls (Red Bull sized circles) which were to be nigiri. They cost $3.45 a piece. The percentage of fish was laudable, but, it wasn't very flavorful although they say the buy small quantities frequently. The rice quality also seemed to deteriorate. I'm not sure if the stuff below the original scoop was older or they just played with it (corrupted/overworked it) too much. The grains showed signs of distress (the outer sheath becomes flaky). I also had a tuna roll (supposed to be nigiri) that was tasteless ($3.45) and some roll called something Colors for $4. It was tuna, yt and salmon mixed together. Kind of mushy. It would have been nice if they comped some of the cost of their mistakes, but, I felt as if they needed the income so I didn't complain. They have been open for eight months. They fixed up the place a little. It still isn't attractive, but, they say they will continue to improve it as finances allow. It seats about thirty. There was one other table eating with me. They have some interesting items like pizza (fried rice "dough" with fish on top, ramen, Japanese style hot dogs and fried mozzarella sushi rolls. The pricing is very competitive/cheap. They are nice and seem to care about their craft. If you like inventive culinary experiences then this is choice you have to make. It's unusual to have such a late (for CF) happy hour. It really bleeds into dinner time around here. Take advantage those prices. The name means "best sushi" or something like that.

Ari, OIA

I had lunch at this Japanese restaurant near the airport on 436 over a week ago. It opened a few weeks ago. I had the sushi lunch special for $ 11. It was only five pieces of nigiri and a California Roll. The salmon and red snapper tasted ammoniated (going bad or chemically treated). The snapper was very dry. The yellow tail tasted "tataki-ized" (flame seared). The tuna was tasteless. The escolar was ok. The cuts were thin, long and narrow. The appearance of generosity not the certitude. The roll was forgettable. While the lunch price is probably about 50% too much, the regular prices are about two times too much. Most nigiri which costs around $4-5 were at $7-8. Neither the quality, quantity nor q-atmosphere explain the pricing. They have another location in celebration. Hopefully, this is just a case of the gas station close to the airport gouging desperate travelers and not an indictment of a corporate policy of greed or delusion. That's the first thing they need to address. Here are some more. They were preparing and storing trays of sushi (huge) in the main dining room while people ate. Hide this. It is unsightly and I don't want to know that my meal preparation is taking a back seat to some douche bag conference cocktail party. They have a hostess station yet the POS machine is in the main room. It is unsightly. Move it out of the main room. Would you put a toilet in your dining room? If the wait staff can go to the kitchen to get food then they can go there to do whatever needs to be done on that terminal. They don't hide the sight line into the kitchen. Same argument as the toilet in the dining room. There is a reason you hide certain things. They didn't go the extra mile on decorating and construction. It looks like a knock off of a luxury home by a cut rate contractor. You can see the haste or inexperience in the contracting work and the decor is all knock offs. They also need a dash of humility. Now I hope it's just the usual puffery, but, the print that they are the best Japanese Cuisine in town. Hah! It's not even all Japanese. Half the hot menu is Korean. I would bet the owners are Korean. Not exactly the pedigree you would expect to get the best Japanese food from. I'm sure all the best Japanese place have a Godzilla Roll and fried gator. Get over yourselves. You are worse than Amura who are B grade restaurant that also thinks too much of themselves. I'd pass on the 70+ seat sushi/bar room and 12 hibachi table back room (empty) unless you still think Benihanna is good eats thirty years and a million experiences later. And if that doesn't dissuade you then remember this price to value ratio. It's below the line.

Anna's, Winter Park

I had lunch at this Polish restaurant on Aloma (east of 436) yesterday. I had a mixed mini platter for $10. It consisted of 2 pirogis, half a kielbasa and half a stuffed cabbage. I was musing on Polish jokes (the one about how they lost the recipe for ice) and how I was going to rip the place for it's plastic table cloth, unbused tables, high prices and Americanized lunch menu and then I tasted the food. It was good. The pirogis were filled with flavorful pork (also available two other ways). The kielbasa was grilled nicely. The cabbage was thin and the pork filling was tasty and moist. It came with a mushroom sauce (others available). The kielbasa had a sweet jelly on it. They also serve bread , but, you have to ask. Service was ok. Polite. Informative. It seemed like there was only one cook (Asian) and one waiter. No bus boy. The place seats about thirty in room one and twenty in room two. They have a deli in room two. The menu is smallish and typical. Pickle soup was the one outlier. The place has been there for four years. They seem to have won the Trip Adviser award for 2014. Not sure if it was for all restaurants or just that segment. It would be a stretch if it was for all restaurants. The place was previously a French place and before that Polonia. The main problem it has is that it is closed M, Tu and half Wed. You could do worse. Prices average in the mid to high teens.

Atlantic Beer and Oyster Bar, Winter Park

This place is the latest iteration of that adjoining space from whatever the restaurant of the week is on the corner of Park Ave (now Boca). The serve a small raw bar. I had 6 Blue Point Oysters as a snack. They cost $1 each because it was before 6pm. It's usually $8 for a half dozen. They open at 3pm. The oysters were fresh. They also serve a burger, shrimp cocktail, clams and craft beer. They sometimes have a special like lobster. It's a small room. Maybe eight at the bar and twenty at the tables. Ten more outside. They are owned by the Boca people. They have a narrow niche, but, it's great for that niche. A casual place (though lovingly decorated) to watch some sports and have a beer and eat some non-fattening food.

Firebirds, Mills

I had lunch at this grill in that new complex (Mills Park) on Mills at Virginia on Tuesday. I was surprised. I expected chain banality. It was a little better than that. They are out of North Carolina. This is the first in Florida. It's like Fleming's. I had the 1/2 rack of ribs with french fries and cole slaw for $13. The ribs fell of the bone. There were six of them. The sauce was a little sweet and they left the silver skin on the back. The fries were crisp (too salty) and the slaw was good. There wasn't much artistry to the plating. Prices were fairly reasonable. They have a dinner menu too that is more expensive. Ribs were at the top of the price range for lunch. The place looks great. Very high ceilings. I didn't see any bad carpentry. It's mostly glossy wood and modern decor. They have a huge main room with open kitchen. There is a large bar with a spectacularly colorful bottle display as you enter and an enclosed patio outside. It seats well over 100 in total. Service was good. They all wear black unis. The food came out quick. It was getting close to full while we ate. Mostly a middle aged crowd. They stress steak at dinner. Wine also seems to be emphasized. I hate mock high end chain restaurants, but, I didn't hate this place. Better than Stonewoods. Perfect for the timid diner. Parking could be a problem.

Al Bacio, Winter Park

I picked up dinner on Tuesday at this new Italian place (four months) on Park Ave. It replaced Tiffany's which replaced the Brandywine. I had a Azzurro panini for $11. Not much of a savings from Barney's, I know. It was unmayo'd tuna with avocado and mozzarella. The tuna kind of overwhelmed the other two items. It was good. It came with a big pile of fries (justifying the price). They were those mashed potato mix textured ones. I'd swap those out. They had some value lunch platters. They have desserts. It has a Latin accent. This is not a chain. Service was good. The boss was there. I'm not sure the neighborhood needed another Italian option, but, it has one.

Barnie's Coffee Kitchen, Winter Park

I had a soup to go at this re-missioned coffee bar on park Ave on Tuesday. It cost $6. I wasn't going to pay their blood money for sandwiches. It was butternut squash. It was good for being microwaved twice (once in the store and once at home). They senselessly added some microgreens. It came with two slices of bread. It seats around twenty. I just don't trust a place that relies on a microwave. It's just a smaller Panera Bread. the menu has around six choices. Sunday brunch prices aren't any better. Surprisingly iced tea and coffee didn't cost an arm and a leg. Anyhow, this is finally off the list.

Upper Crust Pizza, Celebration

I had a slice to go on Monday so I could report back on one other place down here. It cost $3. It was large and good. It's next to Market Street Cafe. Mostly a pizza joint.

Market Street Cafe, Celebration

I had breakfast here on Monday. It's on Market St and Front St. You get off I-4 at the Disney/Celebration exit and make a left at the light. You go down and in about a half a mile turn right. It's right in front of a lake on a cute little street that has a Thai Thani, a Ari sushi, a pizza place and a hip lunch space. I ordered a choose three plate. I had two eggs over easy, a pancake and french toast and toast. The eggs looked good, but, were a little runny inside. The french toast was good. The pancake was huge. It tasted of corn meal. They said Bisquick. Maybe that has that in it. The table next to me had huge plates too. The serving of bacon must have had nine pieces. I read about this place in My City Eats. It is so remote that I've avoided it. I would eat here alot if I lived nearby. They also serve lunch food. It's a diner. It seats over one hundred. They have a patio. It was full. Service was prompt and friendly. I would spend the day here and try the place out. It's a nice drive and I heard that you can rent bikes or hike trails. And of course, golf is an option.

New Go Hyang Gip, Orlando

I had dinner at this Korean restaurant on Oak Ridge Rd on Sunday on my back from the airport. It doesn't have a sign in English that says the name (just Korean restaurant). It was pretty damn good/authentic. I had Bibimbap for $11. It was a bowl of vegetable covered with a fried egg and beef. You mix in rice and Go Chu Jang (hot/sweet sauce). It was a big bowl. Enough on it's own. However, they served around nine platters of bon chon with it. Kim Chi, burdock root, bean sprouts, macaroni salad, broccoli rabe, etc. All good. They also have two types of fire grills. I have always been told that the "real deal" places have wood fire grills. The menu has more seafood than I usually see. They have all the classics. Soups, short ribs, sliced beef (I'm blanking on the name - still jet lagged). The place looks like an old McDonald's, but, the inside is decorated in wallpaper and shutters that have Korean characters (letters) on them. It seats around ninety. They have a patio. It was pretty full for eight on a Sunday. Lots of Koreans and Chinese and even round eyes. They serve alcohol. Service was lightning quick. They have been there since 1982. Maybe the best Korean in town.

Napoli's, Winter Springs

I grabbed a mini Chicken Parm sandwich at this Italian place next to Corfu on 434 two weeks ago. I ate it before boarding my plane the next day. It was big enough. On it's own mini roll. It cost $4.50. A typical parm. Somebody told me their pizza was great (but they could have been a lunatic). They don't sell slices though. They have been there for twenty years. It's wood paneled. They have a big menu. Old school American Italian.

Corfu, Winter Springs

I had dinner at this Greek restaurant in a strip mall on 434 two weeks ago. I had the Corfu platter so I could report on three items for you. It cost $17. I chose spanakopita, roasted lamb and gyro meat. It was a big plate. It came with really good pita bread. The spanakopita had no taste. The lamb was rancid and salty. The gyro was crusty and oily. It also came with lemon roasted potatoes. They were so hot that I suspect microwaving. The tap water I ordered was so chlorinated that I could barely drink it. It seats about fifty in a diner inspired room. I'd guess it has an owner/cook. It took a while to get the food. The place had only two tables occupied. I think they said it has been open for ten months. They should cut the portions and prices by half. Another poor attempt at serving what is already one of the worst cuisines on the planet.

Le Triomphe, Winter Park - Closed

I had a Jardinier sandwich to go two weeks ago at the old Dylan's Deli. It cost $7. It could only have been good (tomato, romaine, carrots, celery and cuke) if the vegetables were well sourced. They weren't and the carrots were cubed not shredded. The celery was in strips (was this a crudite in another life?). This place is just an assembly line not a kitchen. They just take prepared items and assemble them. They also buttered the bread. On a vegetable sandwich! They also tossed in strawberries for no reason. A salad on bread. Which is how I ate it. Salad with bread. They didn't do much to the place. They painted the walls (orange) and put up art by a really unskilled artist. On the menu they sometimes put the meat first in the description and other places at other times. They are closed on Sunday. The owner is from Bordeaux. She should know that a place like this is only as good as the ingredients. It's now just an overpriced deli with one employee (long wait). It was as close to authentically French as the blue grass music they were playing on the sound system. As triumphant as Napoleon at Waterloo.

Adriatico, College Park

Two weeks ago, I had lunch at this Italian restaurant on Edgewater Dr. I had been there once before (pre-blog). I think I had some sort of penne dish with chicken (I'm spacing and didn't write it down). The portion was huge. It cost around $10. It was good. It came with a soup. They also served fresh bread. The place seats around fifty. It was about half full. We had to wait a while to get menus, but, the rest of the service was fine.  A decent enough experience. Prices are more reasonable at lunch. A notch above mediocre.

Mikki V's, Winter Springs

I tried to go here for lunch last Thursday, but, it was closed until 3pm. I tried again on my way home, but, just wasn't hungry. I had an artisan root beer that they sell. It cost $2. At least that is kind of rare. The place serves barbeque, burgers, salads, fried stuff, and even lobster rolls. It's kind of an eclectic comfort food place. Lobster Mac and Cheese, Clams Frute De Mare, Thai Green Chili Seared Salmon, Pork Chop rib Ete, Cheese Board, Edamame, Nachos - Are you getting the picture? It looks and sounds like some predictable sports bar, but, I'm crossing my fingers that it will be something better. I'm also hoping that it will still be there by the time I get around to it again. It's next to York and Main off 434 and Tuskawilla Rd. It seats about 90 in two rooms. It was clean. lots of TVs. It was once a Beef O'Brady's or O'Charley's (I think) and Senor Tequila's. They just opened.

Grub Crawl - Oviedo: Saigon Flavors, Miyako and Torino's

I had lunch at these places in two strip malls on both sides of Aloma near 417 last Thursday. Happy New Year.

Saigon Flavors - I think they said they have been there for five years. Who knew that anything has been back there for that long. I had Rice with Grilled Lemon Chicken and Broccoli for $10. The chicken (2 paillards) was slightly rubbery. I think it gets that kind of glossy coat when it starts to age. Maybe it was just a marinade. The rice and broccoli were just (over) steamed and plain and served on the side. It also came with a garlic sauce that I thought would clash with the lemon, but, was sorely needed to fight the blandness of the dish. It's healthy if nothing else. The place serves the usual Vietnamese menu. It looks a little more upscale (Japanese) than most of it's brethren. That may explain the slightly higher prices they charge. Phos and Vermicelli range from $9-$10. Chef Specials rise to $21. Rice dishes can get to $12. Service was good. The kitchen staff looked Vietnamese. It seats about 60. It was pretty full. It's near that BBQ chain I told you about - Dickey's.

Miyako - A seemingly passable Japanese restaurant in the strip mall across the street. They said they have been there for five (?) years. I just had an order of salmon sushi to knock them of the list. Didn't expect them to be back there. It was good. It cost $4.50. The place looks ok.  Seats around 70. They also serve Chinese food and do hibachi and udon. Prices were in line with a place like this. The lunch specials seemed to exclude sushi.

Torino's - I had a surprisingly good slice of pizza at this place on the side of Miyako. Thin everything. Not too much cheese or sauce. It cost $2. They have a fairly large menu. Subs, Stromboli, rolls, pasta, chicken, veal, seafood. They have lunch specials. Pricing is in line. They having something called an upside down pizza. They call their food - NY style. You could do worse. Much better than that Boston pizza place down the street.

Cappadocia, Orlando - Closed

I went to this Turkish restaurant on Christmas Eve day for lunch. I was on my way to the airport. It's in the location that was some Italian place for 50 years (436 - after 50 - near that strip club). They didn't change much. The pictures inside are now Turkish and feature the eponymous city. It has more wear on it. I have to warn you that the place stinks of smoke and that alone will be the reason I never return. It's a shame because the food was good and the service was good and the cuisine was authentic. You get blasted at the entrance and the aroma follows you (though less) to your table like a squirt of Black Panther (was that the one in Anchorman?). I had Beyti Kebab. It is ground lamb formed into long cigars (3). It's the spicier lamb option. It costs $8. It came with a great "pita". It was more bread like than your Arabic pitas. Better than the "pita" at Nar. The whole thing was good. The toppings were fresh (L,T,O). They gave me a free tea with the meal. Sodas were $1.50. The menu was fairly large. The pricing was reasonable for lunch specials (until 3pm). A little steep for entrees. It seats about 40 in one room, 30 in another and a private room. Two other tables were occupied that afternoon.

Rock & Brews, Winter Springs

I'm sure every review of this chain starts out - Kiss proves to be to gastronomy what Kiss is to rock 'n roll. This place started out in a licensing meeting where Gene Simmons said "Is there another shekel we can squeeze out of this brand" ? "I want something we can franchise. How about a bar? That's rock 'n roll and the margins are huge. I've got this jerk off who has been hounding me on this for years". "I know about the Hard Rock. Let's see, how can we make that concept relevant"? "Craft beer"? "That's what this little pussies call rock 'n roll nowadays"? "Ok. Let's redo the Hard Rock and sell these idiots beer at twice the price. Can we sell the same shitty food?' Shittier? That's even better".

I had a cheeseburger before Christmas for $10 (because everything is at least $10) at this McRock warehouse. It was bad. It was supposed to be (and little plastic toothpick said) medium rare. It was well done. The toppings (especially the lettuce) was horrible. The fries were uninspired. The brioche bun was ok. The menu is so basic. The most boring snack food. The place looks cool and seats alot (100+ inside and outside). Alot of communal benches/picnic tables. They have fire pits outside. It may be an ok bar at night. Skip the food. It's the music equivalent of ESPN Zone (if that still exists). The beer selection may be impressive unless this is your passion and then you know that it is kind of filled with mass market suppliers. The best part is seeing Kiss immortalized in paint (murals) with the legends of rock. The only thing that would be more absurd would be for them to put themselves in a mural with culinary celebrities. It's in between the Oviedo Mall and Winter Springs Blvd. A hard pass.

Grub Crawl - UCF Area: Vespr, Guavate and De Azucar

I went to these places on Alafaya Road one afternoon before Christmas. The last two are compliments of the Fat Lady at the Sentinel. Once again she proves a generous grader.

Vespr - This is a coffee aficionado location. It's across from the Waterford Lakes shopping center. A coffee "snob" told me about it. I'm not bored enough with life yet to obsess over coffee. But, for those who do take it seriously, they appear to too. They have a variety of brewing devices/options. I had one of their three "specials" for $4. It was a Colombian bean that was supposed to taste like chocolate (they list tasting info). It tasted like sour water. Like all coffee. I know coffee is supposed to have more flavors than wine and beer and chocolate (by a large margin). I just don't find them. The coffee had grounds at the bottom the the cup. I'm not sure if this denotes quality in the new economy, but, there you have it. The spot is hallway like with a gray motif.

Guavate - They used to be at 436 and 50. They have been here (south of the Waterford Lakes shopping center by a half mile) for nine years. The place seats about 40 inside and 20 outside. It shows signs of age (ie ripped booth cushions). They serve Puerto Rican food. I had an app of Chicharrones de Pollo (chicken cracklings) for $7.29 because most everything else was more expensive and I love to see what actually comes out when you order this. I've had them in various Latin and South American places and it is never consistent. Here they were chicken chunks. More meat than skin. They were salty and rancid tasting. They must use the same oil for many disparate dishes and not change it often enough. The chicken reminded me of the stuff you get in a TV dinner when you can find one that still offers bone in and not chicken spam. The majority of the menu was $12 to $26. Apps start at $5 and rise quickly. The other food I saw looked unremarkable. The lunch specials at $8 (mostly sandwiches and one daily special) were the only things properly priced. The place is painted brown and beige and black. I'd skip it.

De Azucar - This little bakery is off Alafaya Trail near Red Bug Lake Rd (Alafaya Woods Blvd). Look for a strip mall on the right behind the gas station you can see from the street. It was unremarkable. Not worth a trip. I had a decent gingerbread cake for $3. They serve some breakfast stuff, coffee, cakes and pastries. I guess it has Latin ownership. I didn't get that vibe from the selection. Maybe it differs around Christmas. Some cute girls work there.