Vincenzo, I Drive

I had dinner at this Italian restaurant in that strip mall with Charley's and the bowling alley (near the ferris wheel) on Friday. It was what I expected. An overpriced, under performing imitation of an authentic Italian experience. The problems started with parking. There was none. All the restaurants in this area cordon off sections of the lot for their personal use. And there is no way I'm trusting my vehicle with the idiot valets. Then the bitchy hostess pretended like there was only bar seating available when that was not the case and then gave me a quasi-bar area seating after all. Then the kitchen nightmares started. I kind of just wanted small portions of excellent food and they gave large portions of mishandled food. I had chinghalle (they spell in cinghale) bruschetta for $12. They served four "toasts" of the saltiest pulled pork ever created. The pork (doubt it was real wild boar) was dry and the sauce was reduced too far. They topped it with a dollop of what I assume was burrata. It didn't pair well and was sour. I have never experienced spoiled cheese before. I hope they aren't making it themselves and screwing it up. I also hope it's not because they don't throw stuff out.  I had the salmon penne ala vodka for the entree. It was $20. The salmon was very fishy. I will give them a break and blame it on the ham handed fish mongering and not the freshness of their supply (because the salmon was firm). They didn't carve off the grey/brown parts of the salmon and its rankness polluted the dish. The vodka sauce was also bisquey (they have this on the menu and couldn't possible sub it into this dish right?) tasting. A separate sea taste from the fish. The penne was well cooked and plentiful. But, it is a terrible pairing. The first and last time I order that. Salmon is way too funky for this sauce. This dish was also saltier than it needed to be. I doubt anyone is tasting the food before it comes out. Service was ok considering they left it up to the bartender. Class move. The place seats about eighty. The have a separate dining room that doubles that capacity. I suppose it is for private affairs. The look is kind of sterile. I usually hate the pack rat feel of most Italian places, but, this place only has the main components of furniture and no decolletage. It's new and modern. I'd guess the furnishings were from a mass market supplier. The menu tries to be progressive. prices are all over the places. You can pay $38 for fish and $10 for lasagna. Apps border entree pricing. The crowd was very ordinary and some people looked they just came from a theme park. I only went here because I hadn't before and it needed to be got. That and this stupid Cowgirls bar nearby has to be reviewed and they are about three months passed due and still not open so that didn't happen. I don't recommend it. It's a me too and that me too is some jerky second generation Italian family from Jersey or Vegas who thinks they cook like they do in Bologna. I believe they have been around for two years. Oh yeah, they gouge on drinks. $3.50 for a soda. Wine would have made the check insupportable.

Ararat, I Drive - Closedf

This is a Eastern European Deli and Restaurant. It is about three store fronts away from Ana's in that strip mall on Universal Dr. I also saw this place this summer. I grabbed a ground beef pirozhki and some Syrniki (pancakes stuffed with cheese) to go from the restaurant and some cheese from the market. The pirozhki cost a mere $2 and was fresh. The pastry was tastier than the plentiful meat filling. The pancakes (4 coaster sized) cost $7. I don't get how this is an appetizer, but, they were well made and tasty. Just a hint of a sour cream/cream cheese like filling in a sweet, corn (?) batter. They were yellow so you tell me.  They may have been better eaten cold. The menu has alot of cutlets, kebabs, etc. A Cornish hen dish seemed intriguing. Stroke Me Off. The deli may have the best East European selection in town. Things like: quarter smoked chicken, sausages, caviar, tongue, cheese beer, pickled everything, etc. I think the ownership is Russian. The staff seemed to be from a variety of places. There are probably under ten of these places in CF. This may be the best. I'd love to come back for dinner. It seem like it would be a crazy place. The staff is full of hot blonds too if that appeals to you. And you don't have to drive to North Miami for it. It's a peculiar name. Ararat is a mountain in Turkey that borders Iran. I don't quite understand the nexus.

Ana's Kitchen, I Drive - Moved

I had lunch at this Brazilian restaurant in that strip mall near the Treasure Tavern (?) dinner theater. They say on Universal Blvd. I saw it this summer when I went to that sushi place. It's only open for lunch, so, I haven't had the chance. I showed up at 11:30 and it was a good thing I did. It pretty much filled up within five minutes of opening. It was packed when I first saw it too. It must be a hidden secret in the Brazilian community. The menu is smallish. Around ten dishes. I'm fairly certain it is changed often. It seemed way different than what I saw this summer. I had a Bifstek Acebolado (steak and onions) for $11.50. I didn't even want that, but, it had a fried egg on it so it was the closest thing to brunch. The steak (skirt?) was huge and cooked perfectly (with barely any gristle). Not rare because we all know that Cook's Country Kitchen told us that this cut need to be cooked ten to fifteen degrees warmer than a choicer cut. So the connective tissue can relax/release. The egg was a little overcooked if the yolk was meant to be a sauce. The caramelized onions were good. The white rice was plentiful. The beans were outrageous. I don't get what the Latin fascination is with white rice and beans, but, if these smoky beans (that caused no flatulence) were what everyone served then I would get it. The rest of the menu was meat oriented. It has been open for two years. It seats about thirty. The crowd was mainly Brazilian. A few gringos came and left when they saw the wait. They have cute, feminine art on the walls. A doll theme. It has a pastel color scheme. Clean. I thought this might be a diamond in the rough when I first saw it. I'm glad I went back to confirm. A step above the Brazilian buffet places on I Drive. Way more character. I believe there is an Ana and she came to ask me how my meal was.

Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana, Winter Springs - Closed

I had dinner at this Italian restaurant on Tuskawilla (near Red Bug Lake Rd) on Friday. I was at surprised at the experience I encountered. I thought it was going to be some bohunk type pizzeria with a name that evokes indomitable Tight Ends more than quality dining. It turns out that this is a rather snazzy offshoot of a Tampa restaurant. It espouses quality sourcing and time worn techniques. The space is vibrant. The far wall of the open kitchen (you feel like you are in a teaching kitchen) is all copper. Then there is a bar acting as a dividing line. And finally a black toned dining area that is the the least impressive part of the room. It must seat around forty in all. That kitchen dominates the room. I will say that they do a poor job of hiding the eye sores in the kitchen. I would put the spices in non-surplus plastic containers. I would hide the plastic glass containers. That sort of thing. I sat at the bar (because it was full) and had a prosciutto pizza for $15. For all the bluster about their "process", I found it just ok. It was close on the cook time, but, lacked a crunch. The "prosciutto" would probably not qualify as such under Italian law. It was not aged long enough. Some kind of pre-sliced, slightly aged American impostor if I had to guess. I could live with the thrift if it didn't water down my pizza and turn the dough to paste. Too much water content! They topped it with flor di latte. I'm not sure if I've seen that appellation on cheese before. It was good. They make most of their pizzas with this fresh mozzarella like cheese. The sauce was just San Marzanos. The pizza oven was legit. They serve some pasta, but, it is mostly pizza. Parking is difficult as they share it with a Graffiti Junction. Service was good. I applaud the dedication to getting it right (zero flour, etc). I just wish it applied to all the components. I probably stumbled upon their one "accommodation" pizza. I'll presume they do the rest without abandoning their mantra. I'd encourage you to go. This level of pizza-ing isn't as rare as it used to be, but, it still needs to be acknowledged when it happens.

PSA - Complaints Tip

The web site www.elliott.org is great. I've used it twice (got the idea from an article in The Sentinel) to get the email addresses for rental car executives (I'm talking the CEOs) and they have fixed issues that I have had with their companies in one email exchange. Issues that I was getting the run around with from their minions on. I assume they have the emails for alot of companies. You can probably type the address and then backslash the company you have an issue with and get a result. I've always had that name so I haven't looked to see if they have a directory or search feature.

NSB Yu-Mi Sushi Cafe, New Smyrna Beach

I grabbed some sushi to go on my way out of town on Friday. This place is in the Publix shopping center near the Spanish River Grill (off the main road in). I had some crispy but not sweet conch for $4. An order of ugly looking salmon (pale, no fat) for $4. And an order of baby octopus that hadn't thawed yet. They did give you two octopi per order though. The rice was properly prepared. They serve a big portion of rice on each piece. The place looks nice and modern and clean. I think they are just open for dinner at 5pm. I was there right at opening so it wasn't very full. They also do teryaki, etc.

Barracuda's Bar and Grille, New Smyrna Beach

I grabbed a few beers at this spot just off Flagler Dr (the main street) on Friday. They have your typical sports bar menu. It was nicer inside than I expected. The people were nice. It's across the parking lot from the ocean. It has an e at the end of Grill, so  you know they are serious.

Gnarly Surf Bar, New Smyrna Beach

I grabbed lunch at this place near the draw bridge on Flagler Dr on Friday. I originally saw it when I went to The Grille at Riverview. It's a little house with a surfing vibe. I had a Mahi BLT for $12. It was surprisingly good. Big portion. I had to split the sandwich into two open face ones. Fresh, thick Mahi. Crisp Bacon. Two nicely fried slices of green tomato. Cress. A nice bun. A mayo based dressing. The sole problem was that it (fish) was a bit over spiced with blackening seasoning. It came with "skin on" fries. I hate these because they never cook evenly. The small ones get eviscerated and the big ones are limp. That happened here. The "skin" taste also doesn't pair well with fish. The soda was served in a small glass. However, they gave me a to go cup without prodding. The menu is sandwich/burger centric. They toss in some seafood. They have been open for four years. It seats around twenty inside and thirty outside. There were three other tables dining. They decorate the place with surfboards and cute art. It's cleaner than most places like this. Service was good.

Fred's Market, Lake Mary - Closed

I went to this buffet restaurant on Wednesday for lunch. It is on the northeast side of the I4 exit in Lake Mary. It used to be a Macaroni Grill. I have been waiting all summer for it to open. I thought it was going to be a yuppified Southern place with a gourmet market from what I had read about it. It's really just a Cracker Barrel that isn't a la carte. It looks ok inside. They did some thrifty redecorating. Quotes on the walls, the splashes of wood that seem to be a decorating requirement for urban bbq/southern restaurants and some blown up photos in frames. It seats about 90. Wood tables and booths. There was a Cracker Barrel like crowd waiting outside to be seated at one pm. They have been open for two weeks. I think Robert's last name is Johnson (in all the photos) and he has around five of these places in Florida and the first was in Plant City. It's that type of place. Lots of fattening, old southern food for people about to have their feet amputated. I tried a little of a lot for you people and here is the run down: Pot Roast - ok but everyone scooped out the meat, fried chicken - ok, fried catfish - ok, mashed potatoes - good, grits - ok, fried green tomatoes - good, corn bread - bad - really salty skillet style, cheese biscuit - good, potato salad - ok, Waldorf salad - ok, mushroom salad - ok, pulled pork - first batch was dry and terrible - second batch they brought out was good/fresh, lasagna - terrible - tasteless and overcooked, mac and cheese - bad - they just melted oily processed cheese on overcooked macaroni, pecan pie - poor. They let you have unlimited trip for $11.49. One trip to all bars is around $10. It is cheaper for one trip to the salad bar, etc. The specials change every day. There is overlap. Monday is rib day. That has to be a zoo. The things I passed on were stewed veggies, broiled talapia, pies, soups and most of the salad bar.  I think a soda was over $2. They use small glasses, but, refills are free. They have free (used) newspapers up front. Service was good. If I went back, I would just do the salad bar. I must have gained five pounds on this visit. I'd have preferred a Coop type place. The last thing I (and all of us) need is the pairing of unhealthy and unlimited. They will probably do well. It was still packed when I left and the parking lot was jammed when I went by the day before. There are enough undiscerning volume eaters in the area. The big losers in the area will be Jason's "Deli", Wilted Clit and Slob Heaveans.

Spice Thai, OIA

I had lunch at this Thai restaurant in the second strip mall (distance wise) away from OIA around two weeks ago. It has been there for a while and I ate here once when it was a sushi place. It was pretty much the last (non-chain) place I hadn't eaten at on all the airport routes. It was ok if it wasn't the cause of my anal confetti cannon hours later. I had the yellow curry chicken with vegetables and white rice for $8 (I think - total was $10 but I think I had a Coke). The portion was smallish. The rice was overcooked (mushy). The usual plating. The room seats around fifty. It is tastefully decorated in a modern style. Your typical Thai place. They also served some non-Thai stuff like udon. Specials consisted of talapia and soft shell crab. It's closed Sunday. Average.

La Casa de los Chimis, Orlando

I grabbed a chicken chimi to go from this spot on 436 in between 50 and the 408 around two weeks ago. I tried googling "chimi", but, the results said it was some kind of Dominican burger. These gals didn't look Dominican. Rather some kind of Central or South American nationality. In any case, they sell these "chimi" sandwiches and stuff like grilled steak, fried junk and mofongos. The chimi was $6. It was a dry, burnt chicken breast with a mass/mess of shredded cabbage on top. The roll was ok. It may have been responsible for the explosion in my plumbing a few hours later. Then again it could have been the meal at the next post or the airline food. The place is tiny. The counter girl was a bit surly. Not sure if it was on my account or she'd rather be out running around with her friends and getting pregnant than working for her mom. She really made you work your Spanish even though I think she understood English. I was too scared to give them my credit card , so, I paid in cash. They are open seven days a week and until 3am on Th-Sn. Pass.

Europe Bakery, Lake Mary - Closed

I had lunch at this new European/South American restaurant on 17-92. It is near SSC in a decaying strip mall next to some weirdo church/school. I was really surprised. I was surprised that it was open. They have that Latin/Roman way of making the outside look unimpressive - for the tax man and pillagers. It looked closed from the street. This could be a problem for them. I was surprised at the menu. I expected Eastern European for some reason. They should know that most western "European" places in America call out their nationalities (French, Italian, etc) and only the "newer" EU countries use "European" to describe their places because most Americans have never heard of their country and don't know it is in Europe. And most Americans are dubious about any place but Europe (ie other white people). Lastly, I was surprised that the place was good and had a huge menu. You can go two ways. You can get some "traditional" western European style food from the Italian blooded chef/owner or some of his and his Argentinian wife's South American dishes or their (SA) reinterpretations of European dishes. Too many to list. I had a chicken empanada that I asked for baked instead of fried. It takes twenty minutes that way, so, I had it to go. It was good. Good crust. The stuffing had olives in it. It cost $2.50. I also had a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with some pithy nick name (that I forgot) for $5. It was very thin. Two sandwiches. Some kind of Monterrey Jack/Provolone cheese that I'm sure is common in SA. The ham was that salty type. I also had a cheeseburger for $6. The burger meat was that weird non-American stuff you get overseas. I don't know how they fuck it up, but, it always tastes like bad Salisbury steak. I used to blame their sickly looking cows, but, I think it may be additives. The patty was also too dense. It seemed form molded (not hand). That can squeeze the meat. You don't want to squeeze the meat. It's very delicate. They used the same cheese here. The bun was glossy. A little tough in spots. Large. The fries (steak fries) were very crisp and plentiful. The best part of the meal. There may have been some vegetables on top. Prices are all over the place. Some things are way out of line (both ways). They have an attached bakery that has an (I'm not saying plethora or copious) impressive selection of pastries, etc. The place is large. Probably two commercial spaces joined together. Some kind of egg shale color on the walls with a few blow up posters of Buenos Aires and some flat screens. The furniture is weird. It's new and clean, but, I think it is all Home Depot patio wear. And there are two types of it. I guess it will ensure you get a cleanly wiped dining experience. As I said, I was pleasantly surprised. More people than I expected were coming in for the baked good (and maybe to go meals). They are open 7 days a week and for all three meals. They have music and dancing on the weekends. If you aren't aware, Argentina (and may SA countries) has had many Europeans immigrate over the last two hundred years. The cuisine reflects that. Especially when you have a self-identifying one at the helm. You should give it a shot. They have been open for just a few weeks. The food was good and the service was warm and efficient.

F&D Kitchen and Bar, Lake Mary - Now F&D Steakhouse

F&D? More like F'n A. As in F'ing A (right) it's good. I went to this new gastropub (and buddy it isn't the first in Lake Mary by a long shot but we'll let that slide) last night. I was surprised by the experience. This place has been a thousand places over the years. They're usually of a good quality, yet, they fail. This place may end the trend. It was packed. Even at eight/nine pm which is late-ish for LM. I went expecting the same treatment I got when it was Chavo. I just went in shorts and a T-shirt like last time to see if I would get "big timed" again. Nope. This time they offered a table without a stink. It was on the patio, but, that was ok because I saw that the place was jammed and they had a waiting list resting on the hostess table. I sat at the bar instead. No problem. I wanted to watch TV anyway. I sat next to a couple that new something about the owner. They came TO Lake Mary FROM Winter Park for this! The owner is a veteran of the the industry, but, this is his first restaurant. You can hardly tell. He spent alot decorating the place in a flea market, industrial motif that is pretty common among modern gastropubs. Think chalk boards, exposed wood and brick, old chandeliers, old light bulbs, etc. They have a bar area. The menu draws from alot of common gastropub fare, but, has some riffs. I had the daily fish (grouper) on top of faro on top of a sweet corn puree adorned with tiny flower blossoms. It cost $24. It was great. Sizable portion. The fish was perfectly cooked. This may be the first time in forever that grouper looked liked grouper when it came on my plate. It was a thick, flaky serving with a nice crust. The faro was perfect. The puree was good. It was an odd pairing and I'm not sure they worked as a whole composition, but, I liked them separately. The folks next to me had an outrageous short rib (on a Flintstone bone), some flavorless (their words) lamb meatballs, good brussel sprouts and a great salad. The couple on my right had what looked like a decent burger. Service was polite and expeditious. The crowd was hip. Prices were reasonable. I will definitely go back. I really hope they do lunch soon. F'n A!

Lombardi's, Winter Park

I grabbed something to go at their new store on Fairbank's (near 4 Rivers). I had the special fish of the day sandwich. I had never heard the name of the fish and can't remember it. I'm sure it was something ordinary that they renamed. It was good in any case. It came on a nice glazed roll with ok lettuce and tomato. FF, cole slaw and a thousand island like tartar sauce on the side. The FF were that gooey, coated kind that just reek of oil absorption, calories and Arby's. It cost a reasonable $8. The place obviously looks new. I think they have been open under a month. The seafood selection is sick. The quality looked impeccable. Their "soft opening" menu is even impressive. Oysters, pink shrimp, poke, lobster mac and cheese egg rolls, steamers, grouper, lobster roll, poke - on and on. Prices are reasonable. They have a clean area to eat in. They even have wine and beer. Top notch.

Brazialian Paletas, I Drive

I stopped by this place because the waiter at Boi said it was a Boi Express. It WAS. It isn't now. You'd think he'd know. It's in the corner of that strip mall that is on the left side of Kirkman. I stopped here to see if the rumors of the malls' tear down were true (they say it isn't) and to get some pizza at the place that replaced Big Italy. It turns out that place is only open at night (and owned by the Boi people). Back to Paletas -  It's a Brazilian popsicle and hamburger/hot dog joint. They have some religious/Chicago connection. The place seats around sixty. It seems way to big for what they serve. They have been open for a month. The owner says she makes her own popsicles. They looked artisanal. They were $3. I had a Dog Bacon for $4. It was a beef hot dog smothered with mashed potatoes, bacon, mayo, potato sticks and corn. It was very good. Nothing tasted nuked. The mashed potatoes were real. The bacon was chunky. They have a variety of dogs and burgers and one chicken sandwich. It looks decrepit, but, maybe they will fix it up. At least the have the caring part down.

Oshio, I Drive

I had lunch at this Korean/Japanese spot next to the sky diving simulator around Universal Blvd on Wednesday. It replaces a Chinese place. I had salmon sushi for $4.50 and I tried a rice pasta soup for $13. The salmon was ice cold. I don't think they expected someone to order it. The soup was a "specialty". I guess the specialty is that they forget to include the beef that comes with it and justifies the price. I'm still not sure what the deal is (language issues). The regular menu said beef. The take out menu does not. The take out menu says it comes with carrots and hot paste sauce. It didn't. I had eaten alot of beef during the week so I didn't complain. I was just knocking this place off the list. In any event, it was like a $13 egg drop soup with tons of pasty slivers of rice pasta in it. The best part of the meal was some mediocre bon chon (four dishes). Although, they can't even make kimchi well (not aged at all). The place is old. They did nothing to it. They still have Chinese statues out front. The table bbq is electric (not charcoal). Prices are slightly higher than most Korean places. It seats about eighty. There were five other there at lunch. The one and probably only thing it has going for it is that I can't think of another Korean play near by (outside of that one on Dr Phillips). They f that up too by giving it a Japanese name. I think it's a derivation of the word oshii which means "delicious". Oshio must mean - "palatable". They have a cheaper lunch menu, but, you have to ask for it. I'm ambivalent about this place.

Mrs. Potato, Universal Area

I grabbed some snack from this Brazilian potato-centric restaurant in the strip mall that houses Bloodhound Brew (Kirkman and Conroy). It's way in the back corner. She does baked potatoes, rosti, burgers, hot dogs, snacks and alot of Brazilian entrees. They have five TV's above the counter and one had a loop of her on Fox 35 with that fake Ryan Seacrest guy. The potatoes looked like ostrich eggs. You can top them with a multitude of things (all under $10). Same with the rosti (A huge hash brown). Lots of the toppings are Brazilian. The burgers are on a potato roll. Around $5. They entrees are in the teens. I had a chicken catupiry (Brazilian cream cheese) empanada for around $2. Very good. Cooked to order. Not greasy. I would mix the chicken and cc so you don't get separate bites of each. Brazilian cream cheese tastes alot like Whipped Cream Cheese. I also had a shrimp pot pie that was the loser. Ridiculously salty. The filling may have had shrimp in it. It was a curry like mess with a slice of pimentoed green olive. The pastry was very mealy and dry. It was like eating a fist full of crackers without water. A shame because it looked cute. The last thing I tried was a chicken and corn risoli (crescent shaped croquette). Does this mean Risoli and Iles mean Crescent Shape and Iles? It was good. The same shredded chicken as the empanada. The inside dough was a little under done. I liked the place. They have a small main room and an adjacent enclosed patio (no view). It looks like some kind of breakfast or cupcake place from the outside.  It seemed to be doing brisk business. Locals and tourists. The value is there. When I go back, I am trying a chicken stroganoff potato or maybe one with the Brazilian sausage. The snacks I mentioned were just a small sample and they do those with many different fillings. They are all around $2. They have been in this location for six months. It may have been called Netto's before this because that is what printed out on my receipt. They had been open near the ice cream place shaped like a cone on I Drive last year. I'm glad I went out of my way to knock it off the list.

Adega Grille, I Drive

I had dinner at this Portuguese restaurant on the Fun Spot side of I Drive tonight. It's near Giraffa's. I went there recently when it was Emporio Brazil. The name means wine cabinet. They should have called it bacaloa. Half the menu is comprised of this dried salt cod and nine tenth of the seafood entrees (one shrimp dish). The rest of the entrees are three beef and one chicken and one pork dish. I had the pork with clams for $17. It was good. I had cooked myself pork two of the last three nights, so, I wasn't eager for more pork. However, I wanted bacaloa even less and I just don't trust most places with shrimp any more. The clams (4) were an afterthought. A decoration. It was really a pork dish in a wine, drippings and cream sauce with roasted potatoes and pickled cauliflower and carrots. There was a lot of pork. It tasted gamey. Hopefully, that meant it wasn't American roided up pork and not that it was spoiled. It could have been because there were only two other diners eating with me (often a sign that the food may be stretched beyond its use by date). I hope the empty room is because their usual customer is a vampire. They also offered up a basket of rolls. The insides were cold. Does that mean they nuked them? The place seats about eighty. Half the tables/seats are in one style and the other half in another. They are new-ish though. The paint is white with orange accent walls. They have a faux brick wall wainscoting. The prep area is in tile. They have some blown up photographs of Portuguese landmarks on the wall. It's all appropriate. They sell Portuguese wine and beer. I still don't know if Orlando is ready for Portuguese cuisine. I'm less sure now. A Portuguese menu can be limited to begin with and such a bacaloa-centric menu is a gamble. I guess it is a smart move from the expense side since dry cod doesn't spoil, but, I'm not sure that is why you sell it. We aren't on a six month voyage to the America's. We can get whatever we want whenever we want. I don't think we ever want bacaloa. All that said, I think you should try it even if only to stamp your culinary passport. You can avoid the bacaloa. They have been open for four months.

The Golden Knife, Downtown - Closed

I had dinner at this sophisticated Continental restaurant on Pine St last Friday. It is in the space that was home to the Breakfast Club and Zilly Bee Cafe. The space is certainly the worst part of the experience. I don't love the location (the Versus sports bar has been sitting idle for years and this is kind of the edge of downtown even though it is only two blocks away from Orange Ave) or the room itself. They have tried to dandify it, but, the ceilings are low and the flow is bad. The ceiling tiles are also terrible. I'll just finish up on the decor as long as I'm at it. The room is semi-divided into a bar/entrance area and a dining room. It must seat 100+. They have put some straw mats on the walls and pinned orchids on them. Interesting. The rest of the vertical space is decorated with mirrors and flat art. The tables and seats seem new. Ok on to the exciting bits. I liked the menu and the food. The appetizers (3) are weak in number. Some things cost as much as entrees. Pricing is all over the place. I don't know if I should applaud some cheap entree prices or hope for lower app prices. The fact that they do a $9 lunch also makes you curse yourself for coming for dinner. However, that isn't a real problem. I had a salmon tartare app and a steak tartare entree. Both were $13. I was maybe going to go for a $20 duck and probably would have if they had something interesting under $10 to start with and I wasn't also drinking wine. I had been been craving tuna tartare for days. I was imagining raw flesh coated in oil. Their version was old fashioned. It was a creamy version. The yellow tail was fresh enough to discern under all the dressing and the portion was large. They cut in green peppers (a first). It was surrounded by avocado slices, tangerine sections and circular toast. You were to it them in a sequence. Savory, fat, sweet. The steak tartare was good too. Same preparation except the meat was mixed with capers and maybe onions and I noticed at least one almond sliver. Chunky texture. It came with a grain/seed bread and had an overcooked fried egg on it. I would do a raw (or cooked) quail. This one was to big. It ruined the appearance. I also thought the bread looked too thick and was of the wrong kind, but, it worked. The chef/owner said he was from Rio and has other partnerships in town. He didn't want to just open a steak house. I don't remember every dish on the menu, but, I think they were all American or French inspired. This is just what used to be called dining out. A high end Continental spot. With all the fusion and ethnic eats, I hope that this "against type" kind of place still has a place. I would guess there are some old timers who still revere this type of experience and some who are so hip that they find it ironic. Maybe even a few will try it just because it's good and they use some contemporary techniques. I was originally scared because the place was empty (one other table of two). I worried that the food would be stale. The owner swore he buys modestly and turns whatever is leftover through catering. I have no reason not to believe him after sampling his food. He also seems to care. He said they bake their own desserts and if the huge chocolate cake that my neighbor had was any good or indication, then that says something too. The menu seems small enough to control. They do fun things like cook sous vide. The wine list is chosen wisely for value. The single glass wine pours were enormous. It's probably the second best restaurant downtown now. They say they are in it for the long haul. I'd try and find it for dinner and if you are lucky enough to work downtown you have no excuse for ignoring it at lunch. They have been open for four months.

Pub Crawl - Downtown: Relax Grill, Grafitti Junction (Closed) and Crow Bar

I went to these bars last Friday.

8-8:15pm: Relax Grill at Lake Eola - This place is an outdoor bar and restaurant next to the Swan paddle boat dock. They have been there for six years. I forget the name of the last place I tried here. Could have been this. It was pretty full.

8:30-9pm: Grafitti Junction - Finally tried this location (on the tracks on Church St). The usual.

10:30pm-12am: The Crow - This place is next to The Abbey and across from where I had dinner (Pine St). I forget what it was just a few weeks ago. It just opened as a whiskey bar. More vodka than whiskey so far. Hot staff. Made me miss my train home. Not sure how trendy a whiskey bar is. Might have caught the tail end of a trend (even for Orlando). Can probably re-theme. Semi-crowded for word of mouth.