Mi Raza, Winter Park

I grabbed three things to go (dinner) from his Honduran/Mexican place on 436 in between Winter Park and Casselberry today. I went here once when it was a Peruvian place and then bypassed it for years when it was a bar under this name. It has been a restaurant again for one year according to the owners. Their English was almost non-existent, so, I could have mis-interpreted. I had a sopes with chicken and a papusa with pickled cabbage slaw for $2.50 each and a Honduran taco they call something like Carnacho (chicken flauta) for $3. All were good and home made right then and there. The sopes was loaded. It had a pan pizza like shape (a first). The papusa came with that slaw. The taco came with an odd variety of topping (sliced ham, avocado and shredded cabbage in a tomato salsa). They have the full Mexican assortment and around ten Honduran dishes. If I were to guess, I'd guess they are Honduran and added Mexican out of fear/necessity. The prices are great. Nothing over $10. They do B, L and D. It seats around 50. It has two pool tables and a stage. Not much in way of decor, but, it was clean. If I lived near here, I would eat here once a week. This area is turning into a little Central American food nexus.

Jamaican Cuisine Jerk Spot, Winter Park

I grabbed a jerk chicken platter for lunch at this Jamaican restaurant in the old Yae Sushi spot in a strip mall off 436 near Aloma today. It cost $8. It was fine. It came with white rice (a ton), fried plantain slices (2) and a stewed cabbage. The bird was tiny. I really can't figure out where you'd get such a meager bird in today's steroid fueled America. Drumstick, hunk of something and a pubescent breast. The spicing was good. The rice was a little crunchy. Probably days old. The cabbage was buttery. The plantains were good They only serve six tings. They did nothing to the space. There aren't alot of options for this in the area. so, it's fine as representative. All the customers seemed like regulars and took there food to go. It's open seven days a week. You will be subjected to church music.

Cloddagh Cottage, Curry Ford - Closed

I grabbed a chicken and mushroom pie for a late dinner at this pub next to a funeral parlor about a week ago. It has been in business for 25 years. The pie was home made and surprisingly good. It cost $8. The place looks like a cartoon version of an Irish pub. It was pretty packed at ten on a Tuesday. The crowd was all young and I think they were teachers (some seemed gay). Not what I expected at a place like this. It also pleased me that they didn't allow smoking. You could do a lot worse in the pub genre. The bartender was running a one man show and was accommodating.

JJ's Grille, Curry Ford (Rebranded as JJ's Scratch Kitchen)

I had lunch at this Mexican/Middle Eastern fastish food location in the strip mall off Crystal Lake Rd and Curry Ford Rd about two weeks ago. It was ok. Nor sure why the fat lady at the Sentinel felt it was worth the trouble. I had chicken burrito for $7. It was fine. The twist is that you can add Middle Eastern ingredients. I added feta and some tomato "salsa" that had something like tabouli in it. The place is modern. Seats about ten. You order ala Subway. They do bowls, etc too. Not revolutionary, but, adequate for a cheap, fusion meal.

Grub/Pub Crawl - DeLand: Persimmon Hollow, Dally in the Alley (Closed) and Da Vinci's

I stopped here after the beach on Friday. They are all on W. Georgia Ave. in the city center.

Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company - I had one of their selections at another bar on Mills a few weeks ago. I tried a flight ($7) here to round out my knowledge. They were all good save a watery blond ale. The facility is engaging. All the metal tanks are visible behind the bar. They have a huge interior with a pool table, darts, juke box and mismatched dining tables and chairs. The staff was polite and knowledgeable. They have little, artisan snacks and you can order in from neighboring restaurants. They open at 4pm.

Dally in the Alley - Another Sentinel recommendation. I just had an app because I was stuffed from lunch and anticipated a night out in Orlando. I had the top neck clams (from Tampa) because I had never had those. The potatoes were a little raw (the chef humbly acknowledged that) and the clams a little overcooked, but, the cream and wine broth could have been a soup. I tried to soak up as much as possible with the slices of toasted baguette they included without making a spectacle of myself. The portion was more than generous. It could have been an entree. It cost $9. The menu was artful and ambitious. Things like parpadelle with a Meyer Lemon cream sauce. The chefs (3) seemed engaged, young and talented. The place is cute without being precious or derivative. It seats about forty. It's part of (Cress, De La Vega, Persimmon) what could be a new and sophisticated DeLand.

Da Vinci's - Across from Dally's. It's a saloon with a huge enclosed patio. I had one from their extensive beer selection and then headed home. I feared the police presence on a holiday weekend and the long drive back. It looks like it could be a party place. The crowd was a little salty at happy hour.

Dolphin View, New Smyrna Beach

I went to this seafood restaurant on Riverside Dr on Friday for lunch. It's on the left side of the bridge before it crosses over the intercoastal/river. It's in a marina. I went because the Sentinel put it on a list of places to try last summer and I already did those places last year. The view was great. The food was alot better than I expected. The vibe was fun and relaxed. There are now three places on this stretch of water. This is the least fussy of the three and maybe the most satisfying. The view is great. Sometimes you see dolphin or manatee and always boats and jumping fish. Most of the tables are right on the water. You order at a counter and they deliver it. I had a Flounder Rueben because it was the best value ($11) and allowed me to try their sides. The sandwich roll was good. The flounder (4 filets!) was perfectly fried. No oily residue. Crisp. Fresh flesh. Not like that ridiculous frozen door stop at the place in Astor. I asked for slaw instead of kraut and it was good. The grits were good. The waffle fries were perfect. They have four or five other sides like garlic mashed potatoes. They have baskets and sandwiches of fried things, Fish topped with other stuff. Your typical seafood shack stuff kicked up a notch. They have booze. If I had friends visiting, I think I'd choose this place over all the others for an authentic beach experience. They even allow dogs. They have a $20 night cruise that leaves from the dock. Perfect start to a day at the beach.

Olea, Maitland

I grabbed a pita to go at this Greek fast casual place on 17-92 (Orange Ave) last Thursday. Although, it has been there (near Francesco's) for eighteen months, I just noticed it last week while waiting for a car repair. I had a meatball for $7. It came with your choice of two spreads and unlimited veg. I chose hummus and tzatziki and cukes, tomato, onion and pickled onions. It was good. They also have falafel, gyro meat and chicken. They are available in a pita, salad or platter. The place is nice and white and blue and clean. It is a Greek Subway. You can get that crap or something good and different here for the same outlay.

Kappo, Audubon Park

After swinging and missing on two more spots on my list Thursday (not open for lunch), I decided it was late enough to try (for the fourth time) this minuscule Japanese booth in the East End Market. I still ended up waiting on hour, but, they squeezed me in at 3pm. It was worth the wait. I ordered a sashimi platter called the Big Something. It was supposed to be fourteen items (I think), but, they gave me more than that. Every item came in pairs or threes. It had two types of salmon, two types of sea bream, peeled octopus, arctic char, salmon roe with crab, two types of uni, raw shrimp, amberjack, clam, suzuki, and some other stuff I can't remember. Everything was fresh, fresh, fresh. The plating was exemplary. They cut and sliced up tiny lemons and key limes and layered them throughout. The wasabi was fresh as can be (grated as needed). They also added as little pile of moist, diced nori and a bowl of properly prepared rice. Then they ended the meal with a mushroom soup with some kind of (belly?) in it and a wonderful ice cream. They have sake and Japanese sodas and beer available. The water they serve doesn't taste like bad tap water. The vibe wasn't elitist at all. All the (7) customers were yaking it up with each other and the engaging staff. Helped by alcohol in some cases. They let us dilly dally because this was the last serving for lunch. I spent two hours there (flew by) and I was the first to eject. My food preparer was schooled at places in NYC like Morimoto and hailed from Miami. He was Filipino. I'm not sure if he was the major domo or owner or what. The meal cost $42 before tax (I think) and was one of the more expensive options. You could go upscale with a omikase option (around $60 I think) or try something ala carte-ish for around the teens. They also had a lot (including a lunch special) for around $20. This place probably secured the number one position in my mind for CF's Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere. The ingredients. The intimacy. The approachable exclusivity. It all works. I've had many omikase type services and they can be a little sterile, uptight and over priced. This is better than all those Zagat super stars in super star cities and half the price. I suggest the "second lunch" time slot (3pm) if you can schedule it in. They don't take reservations and you will probably find it full. It's not a secret to foodies. The couple next to me was from Wisconsin and read about it on Yelp. They are also closed on Mondays.

Patacon Con Todo, Universal

I grabbed something to go at this Colombian restaurant on Conroy Windermere Rd and Turkey Lake Rd after being thwarted on my first three desires on Thursday. I noticed this place a few months ago when I went to a Chinese spot nearby. I put this and a Japanese place next door (closed) on my list at that time. I chose the Patacon (plaintain) Original at $6 although I told myself this place would just act as a go between to my "real" lunch and was just going to get a $1 taco or $3 hot dog. I'm glad I "splurged". They covered a fried plaintain the size of a burrito tortilla with fantastic chicharron, shredded chick and shredded steak and cheese. Excellent and hearty. They also make quesadillas, ceviche, arepas, grilled meats, sandwiches, salads and daily specials. The place is rectangular. It's spartan in the decor, but, clean. It seats about fifty. It was about a quarter full. Closed on Sundays. Nice experience. Everything is under $10.

Grub Crawl - Astor: William's Landing and Castaways

I ate at these two restaurants on opposites sides of the St John (on 40) River today for lunch. I was trying to experience the area written about in The Yearling. I turned right on 19 after lunch and hit the Yearling Trail. I then went up to Palatka and came back down via 17. It's a pretty boring drive to be honest. I also forgot to search for the town she writes about in the book (I think it's Salt Springs) before I set out and I think I drove passed the place when it was right in reach (soon after the turn onto 19. I did see a big canal that they call the Cross Florida canal. Who knew?

William's Landing - This is atop The Blackwater Inn (my original destination - opens at 4pm). It's a snack bar above it. I had the daily special of a Cod Rueben for $7. It wasn't special. A frozen slab straight out of a box. Not much else. The macaroni salad was the highlight. Love it when soda, tax and tip costs me $12 for a Filet-o-Fish. The place is ratty. The selection is sad. I checked the menu at Blackwater. It wasn't much better. Fried crap. Probably frozen. Hard pass. Maybe bikers and people on Medicare medication don't know where to find the dine that is fine?

Castaways Bar and Grill - This was the unfancy place in town. They didn't take AMEX, so, I had to order something within the $8 in my wallet. Just as well because I didn't really want anything they had. I had a BLT for $6 because it was basically that or some fried crap that didn't sound local. Didn't see many guys in waders raking for clams. This place was even dirtier than William's. Menu was sad here too. You can bypass this place as well. The BLT was sloppy, but, not so bad. It came with fries (limp/undercooked).

The best place I saw in Astor was some road side Mexican food truck. You don't need to go here.

Tony's NY Pizza, Deland

I grabbed a slice on the way back from my meanderings today at this Italian restaurant on W. New York Ave. It was thin and good. It cost $2. They also tossed in some garlic knots that were tender in the middle, but, a little overcooked on top. They have the usual menu with the exception of a Calabrian pizza slice. Prices were good. The place looks like a saloon. It was a little messy. Spiderwebs on the lights, etc. The people were very nice. It seats around eighty. There were about a dozen people there at 3pm. They have been open for thirteen years.

Black Bear Smokehouse, Mount Dora - Closed

I separated this place out from the grub crawl because it isn't in the main town. It's on 40 (Donnelly St) and 441. It's the real reason I went to Mount Dora. I had Big Sexy (Brisket and Pulled Pork) with two sides for $10. My bill says the sides cost $1, so, I'm not sure if I could have just ordered the meat. The brisket was really smoky and peppery. It was also dry and very lean. I could swear I tasted a coffee rub. The pork was a little bit better. Still a little dry. They both needed bbq sauce which was not provided, but, may have been available on the tables. I chose potato salad and spoon bread for the sides. The potato salad was good. Wet. It has eggs, celery and onion in it. The spoon bread was a first for me. It is basically corn bread scooped into a mound. It was very sweet and had whole kernels in it. They have been open for three years. The original is in Ocala. The owners are from Kansas City and the barbeque is in that style. They have around eight things (bologna, chicken, etc). The inside is nice. Brick. It looks professional. It seats around eighty. It was pretty empty at 2pm. It's in a strip mall. It wasn't earth shattering, but, I think they are worth a look. Hopefully, you get a better example of their work than I did.

Grub Crawl - Mount Dora: Lakeside Inn, Vitality Bistro and Village Coffee Pot

I ate at these spots within the main town today for lunch.

Lakeside Inn - They have the same menu for a main dining room and a bar. I ate at the bar. I had a tomato pie for $12. It was ok. A quiche like thing with a side salad. Small portion. The menu at this place is pretty dull and overpriced. The dining rooms are decrepit. I think you can skip it. Tourist trap.

Vitality Bistro - This place is on the second floor of a building on N. Baker St. I had an orange juice for $5. It was ok. I hate health food places. the people in them always look sickly and they seem to prey on their fear with high prices. The staff always seems zoned out. The person before me was told she had to wait on a simple order even though it was the only one up. Pass.

Village Coffee Pot - I had an ice coffee because I found the simple fare overpriced. It cost $2 and was good. The owner says he has been there for 25 years. It's on Donnelly St. Another pass.

You can pass on the whole town for a while since they are ripping up the streets.

Taco Norteno, Winter Garden

I grabbed two tacos to go on my way out of town on Sunday. I had a barbacoa and a carnitas. Both cost $2. They came on two smallish, but, incredibly fresh tortillas with nothing on them but lots of meat. The carnitas was perfect. The barbacoa was good just different. The meat was very tender and moist and rich. Almost pastey. They have a nice menu (the usuals and things like sopes and tortas). North Mexican although the have a Mexico city taco category. The place was packed at two. Alot of Mexicans, but, a fair amount of gringos. The place is in between the scary quasi-market that authentic, cheap Mexican can come in and the trendy modern Mexican places. A respectable space. The salsa bar was well stocked, Watch out for the green puree. It's right after one of those main arteries (417?) if you are coming from Orlando on 50. I have bypassed this place on my way into WG for the last couple of years and always been mad at myself. I had reason to be. Good authentic Mexican cooking. They serve breakfast.

Grub Crawl - Winter Garden: Moon Cricket Grill, Axum Coffee, Crooked Can Brewing, David Ramirez Chocolates and The Wandering Wonton (Closed)

I went to these places on Plant St central and the new market down the road a bit on Sunday

Moon Cricket Cafe - I had a cheeseburger with fries for $9. It was better than I expected. They got the cheese right (gooey) which is the main thing. It was well done not medium (boo). The veg was fresh. The bun was good, The fries were excellent. Crisp, shoestrings with a nutty flavor (oil?) and a garlic dust. Lots of them. The building is one hundred years old. The restaurant has been there for thirteen. It looks like a saloon. They use reclaimed bowling lane wood for the bar counter and booth tables. There is a huge blimp propeller on the ceiling. They have 99 beers. They are smart enough to sticker the numbers on the glass on the refrigerator window. It has a stage (in the corner) for music. It is probably a better bar than restaurant. The menu is a little basic. It seats about forty in the ten booths and ten at the bar and ten at the high tops in the middle and thirty in the outside patio. Service was quick and polite and attentive.

Axum Coffee - I had a coffee at this place on Plant. It's a big coffee joint. Been here before, but, I forget if I wrote about it.

The rest of these places were in the new (two months). market. A great place. packed. Much better than the East End Market in Audubon.

Crooked Can Brewing Company - I had a flight for $8. Everyone was top notch. They have around sixteen brews and two ciders. Packed.

David Ramirez Chocolates - I bought a box of six for $10. Really good. Cinnamon Habanero, Jack Daniels ganache, hazelnut crunch, brownie, and assorted ganache. All in a fancy box. They also have macaroons and other treats. Articles posted near the register mentioned awards and something about a new show of Emeril's. As good as Jacque Torres in NYC. I thought the French owned chocolate.

The Wandering Wonton - I grabbed an assorted six pack (Rangoon and Egg and Bacon) for $5. The tops were a little crunchy.tough and the Rangoon had chive instead of faux crab, but, they were ok. I would guess that the owner is a event caterer that is repurposing her inventory.

There were two other food stalls and a host of others selling trinkets. There was a butcher and Axum coffee stall. Good looking crowd. Great ambiance.

Bowigens Beer Company, Casselberry

I've been waiting for these guys to open ever since I did that review of Vinzo's and saw the sign the had in the window. It's a brewery that serves their and other beer. Beer made on the premises. I had a flight (4) for $7 last night. Every one was great. The place is clean (smallish) and was pretty full. It's next to Colorado Fondue on Red Bug and 436. I think they have been open for a month or so. The name is a combo of the two owners/brewers.

Colorado Fondue Company, Casselberry

I went back (finally) to the scene of my first meal in CF last night. I've been meaning to, but, who goes to this area (Red Bug and 436) at night when they open? Not me, evidently. I only went back because a new brewery opened up next to them. I had an Alpine Swiss cheese fondue for two (only way they do it) for $12 and then ala carted shrimp, scallops and filet mignon for my entree. The cheese fondue was enormous. The cheese was ok. Needed Kirsch. I've been eating the real stuff in Switzerland since I was eleven, so, I'm kind of a snob. The bread was pretty bad. It also came with nacho chips (unflavored), apples, grapes, broccoli and carrot. I could live without all that. Maybe keep the apples. The shrimp (9) cost $6 and were pretty decent. The scallops (6) cost $8 and were also decent and large. The filet (5 pieces) wasn't a-one. It cost $8. I'd stick to the shrimp. A bargain. They don't give you hot oil or bouillon. Litigation? They give you a hot stone. Also fun. Service was good. The place was packed. It has a fun chalet feel. Two rooms (main and bar). Their alcohol selection was ok (craft brews). When I compare the $40 I dropped here versus the $50 I dropped at Two Chefs last week I want to puke. This place is great value. I could have gotten out at under twenty if I tried. They also had some fresh (3) dinner rolls ready for me. Still good after all these years.

Swine & Sons Provisions, Winter Park

I was intrigued at first when I heard the Cask & Larder people were teaming with a pal on this new sandwich shop next to C&L. Then I was slightly disappointed when I saw their menu (small and dull) through the window because they were closed on the Monday of my first attempt. Now I'm disappointed. I went here (Fairbanks) on Friday for lunch. I had their burnt ends sandwich for $10. I was a little curious as to how there could be enough "ends" for a lunch staple. When I have had them at a place like Arthur Byrant's, they always to seem to imply that these are scarce. I don't know where the rest of the brisket is going and after I had the sandwich, I think that they may be stretching the definition of "ends". I really didn't see anything resembling what I've tried before. It was more like the tough stewing meat you get at a Latin place or Chinese take-out. They were also overcooked. They gave me a slight sense of nausea right away and stayed in my system like a pernicious and queasy rock until they were thankfully expelled this morning. And I ain't that regular. They came on an ok bun with home made pickle slices. The pickles reminded me of the closet full of pickles we had to suffer through the Winter my mother decided to give up drinking (not sure that actually happened) and get herself a hobby. I've rarely seen a layman produce good pickles. They always get the spices or vinegar flavor wrong. As they do here. The place is cute in an old maid sort of way. It's small and they don't have enough seats by half. It was packed. You order at a counter. They only have seven sandwiches (one is a hot dog). They eight sides/apps. They serve C&L beer. No regular sodas. Just hippie sodas. Everyone was choosing the free water. They also seem to prep the sandwiches before hand for easy warming (not made to order). It reminded me of one of those "express" refrigerators for some name chef that you see at the airport. The butcher shop seemed to be the best part. However, do you really want a hipster making something that any Italian or German butcher can make in his sleep? If we are comparing it - to say Coop or Pig Floyd or that Meat Market around the corner - then I say that this wasn't really needed and doesn't stack up. I expected more because I like C&L. You can demote this on your list of places to try.

Crazy Eddie's, Longwood

I paid a pity call to this little Pizza and Grill today and ended up surprised. It's on N. Ronald Reagan in a mostly deserted old strip mall near that road that goes by Lake Mary High school. It was another pizza joint before, but, the new owners have been there for two years. Eddie is an Albanian via NYC. He seems to be a one man band and handles all the cooking. I had a slice of pizza and Chicken Marsala. The slice was $2, but, he gave it to me for free. It was thin. A little salty. It had a garlic flavor. The Marsala was $7 (lunch price) and came with noodles and a decent salad with plum tomatoes and cucumber in a balsamic vinaigrette. The chicken (two breasts) was smothered in mushrooms. I believe the fettuccine was actually noodles (Albanian spin) because they were too delicate to be made of semolina. Maybe I'm wrong. The dish was too salty, but, that was about all that was wrong with it. The chicken was moist. He also seemed to be giving out fresh baked bread like his life depended on it. One customer said he ate eleven pieces. They'll also smear some garlic butter on it. I had four pieces left and they packed that up for me. I'm not sure if he bakes the bread, but, it wouldn't surprise me. The guy next to me seemed to have a gorgeous calzone. That sounds gay. They also have stromboli, subs, salads, all the pasta combos and chicken made four ways. The lunch options are large and the great values. Most around $7. The place is clean inside. Eddie has the kitchen under control. He also seems like the kind of guy you want running a place like this. Gregarious. Serious. Generous. You aren't going to find a better value than this unassuming spot.

Turkish Bar & Grill, Altamonte Springs - Closed

I grabbed something for dinner at this new (1 week) Turkish spot on Douglas Ave (1st street that runs parallel with I-4) off 436. I tried the calf liver app because it was only $7 and I hadn't tried a Turkish version of that, ever. It was good and I'm not a huge liver fan. Nineteen pieces! Tender. Not too gamey. No stringy things. Slight Middle Eastern flavoring. It also came with some under done (probably because I was a to go order) fries, sliced tomato, and pickled onions. They also have the dips, lahmacun and pide (flatbreads), sigara boregi (feta taquitos), soup, stuffed peppers, gyro, kebab, breads, and desserts. The wine selection is ok and they have two Turkish wines. The exterior is exactly the same as the old Thai place that was here before. They should change that. The parking is also cramped. The inside has been cleaned up. It seats around eighty. They have posters of Istanbul landmarks on the wall and they have trimmed the room in green (A nationalistic color?). The tables and chairs are stained wood and looked new. The cooking seems Istanbul-ic in influence. Most main dishes are over $10. Smaller at $6. Turkish options aren't as rare as they used to be. That said, this place competes with them. Try and distinguish between regions now that that is a possibility.