Grub Crawl - Universal Area: Akasaka and Yama Sushi *MA/NH/ME Travel Notes

I tried these spots around Universal on Tuesday at lunch. The first used to be Amura. It is near the Barnes and Noble in the strip mall on the left side of Sand Lake at Dr Phillips. The second is on Kirkman in the strip mall on the left near Fun Spot. I also was reminded of Madras and Chima Steakhouse around it. The latter is mostly pm, but, does lunch on Sa and Sn. $28 for the salad bar and $42 for the meat. Cheaper than Davina. Didn't see the quality. Space looks as good or better. Semi dress code. And near Sushi Yama near I-Drive they are changing a Brazilian that I'm unsure ever opened to Eskina (also Brazilian). And they opened up that area of the parking lot so that you can merge onto I-Drive.

Akasaka - I was a little disappointed when I learned that it isn't new. Just their yakatori bar (Tapanomi) is. I'm now unsure if I had eaten here before. I did as Amura. I had the fiery garlic chicken bento box for $16 because all the sushi was outrageously priced (two piecers STARTED at $9) and the other hot stuff didn't come with as much. Almost did a katsu curry for $18 just to thumb my nose at Cowboy Curry. Let's start with the drink. Water with many floaties. Second try was ok. Refill filled with sea monkeys again. Then I boxed up and left. The bento started with the iceberg lettuce and orange dressing. Served first in a separate bowl. Larger than usual (this will be a theme). Rubbery cuke. Ok cherry tomatoes. Right behind it, (is pacing even taught anymore) came the box. Around 32 cubes of pretty good chicken. Mostly white meat. The sauce was a bit sweet. Kind of orange and ginger tasting. Garlic of course. No fire. Broccoli (mushy) and carrots an onions. The rice was cooked properly. Great (1pc) broccoli and potato and carrot tempura. Ok spring roll. Filling indefinable per usual. Ponzu dipping sauce. Worth the money. Way better than Miyaji. The menu is a mixture of Japanese, Korean and Latin influences. Kono arepa or antijos. Salmon coquitos. For example. Whatever the hell those are. Some Korean favorites. Ramen. Some "fancy" fish cuts. Sashimi. The cheapest roll is $16! Alcohol. Lots of choices. Hard to tell what to make of the place. It was unkempt. I had crumbs on my seat. Congealed mess on the table. Drips on the floor. The dehumidifier was on mail crates. The place has darker earth tones. Wood. Two different looks mashed together. Golden, spikey chandeliers. Basket chandeliers. Around fourteen booths and four tables in the main room. A long sushi bar across from the entrance. Bar with seats on the left. Photo booth. Two sushi preparers and two wait staff. Open for lunch and dinner. Two tables seated. Ok if you choose wisely.

Sushi Yama - A bit of a shocker. It was big, pretty tidy/new and bumping. Everyone had to wait a few minutes for a table. Since the draw may be the $22 AYCE (and I had already eaten), I just had a yellowtail and scallion roll to go for $6. It took thirty minutes and I had to push them on it. Not a to go place. It was ok. Tiny, cigar width pieces wrapped in nori. Shoestring french fry sized fish cut. The prep was cute. Tossed in an orchid. The place is a long rectangle. Lowish ceiling. Three rows of five booths and/or tables on each side. Huge space between where the entrance and sushi prep area is. Bar on the right. Many servers. You have to go through them. Two hour limit. Last seating at 3pm. You can order ala carte. Most of the usual Japanese stuff. Hibachi, teriyaki, tempura, katsu, udon, soba, the apps, etc. Tons of rolls. Prices in general are in line. Their rolls start at $5. Sushi at $3.75. Quality looked fine. Mostly white and black color scheme. Japanese items like drums and lanterns. Wood. Opened recently. Word seems to be out. Parking is no issue. Opens at noon. Let the gorging begin. Yama means mountain. Not sure what is included/disallowed for the AYCE.

*Travel Notes - Massachusetts/New Hampshire/Maine: I bought a ticket to Boston Logan on Delta/Frontier for $147. AM flights. No issues. TSA was fast. I took the bus (Silver Line) to the Airport T Station. Bought a four ride pass from a machine for $9.60. Got on the Blue Line. Switched to the Orange Line at State to the North St Station. Got off and walked past the Garden to the littler bridge to the right. Walked over it and right to the Charleston Navy Yard NHS. I will interject here that the purpose of this trip was to mark off five of the last seven National Parks/Historical Sites, etc remaining. Some I had kind of seen. All were free except the black one. I walked down to the Visitor Center and out to (and on and in) the USS Constitution. Old Ironsides. Then over to the USS Cassin Young. Then past the dry dock to the museum. Didn't go in. It was like $30. Unaffiliated with the park. Lots of school kids around. I then headed up to the huge obelisk at Bunker Hill. Been around it before. This time I climbed the 300 steps. Killed my legs. Some great photos though. I then walked to the Boston African American NHS on Joy St. Like I said, it was just some collab with what I think was an existing museum to shoe horn in inclusion. Not much there either. To get there (Beacon Hill) I think I walked from the bridge to some street called Standiford and then right. I stopped at a pizza place called Florina near the State House. Had a really good slice. They had some sign saying the best of something for some year(s). I walked down to the Charles and followed it a ways until the first bridge (to MIT). Then on the other side (Memorial Dr) until the Weld Boat House at Harvard (Harvard St). This was much longer than I remembered. It was also above 90. Too tired and calf cramping to seek the football stadium on the other side of the river. Walked up to Mt Auburn. Left. Onto Brattle St. Up a few blocks to the Longfellow House NHS. It was Washington's HQ during the Rev. Back to the T Station nearby and took the Red Line back towards the city center to the Green Line at Park St. Took the B line (there are four Green Lines) towards BC. Goes past BU. Got off at Washington St. A block up to the Hotel Boston (Booking 7.0). I will state here that hotel prices in Boston were mostly well over $200 (pre-tax). There were some hostels with a bed amongst 8 for under $90. This cost $183. Booking made it weird. It was supposed to be a Queen. Then the final web page said it was $10 more. Then the hotel said it was a King. My credit card says it was the first price. I rebooked for the next night direct because I was too tired to deal with another lengthy round of research that night and the guy quoted $168. Then I paid and learned that was before tax. Oh well. The best thing around was a Whole Foods. I bought a 14oz smoked salmon at 50% off, dark chocolate, water crackers and hummus. Had to buy the wine at another place (Babuska Deli). I think this area was once East European and/or Jewish. Sunny day. All these environs were safe to walk.

The next day I had the hotel print out directions and walked down and to the right and then a left (forget the streets - Clinton?) to Warren and past Boyleston. To the Brookline Reservoir. Around a mile and a half. Past that a few hundred yards to Fairsted (Frederick Law Olmstead NHS). The Central Park, Stanford Uni, etc guy. Back to a right on Walnut and right to Harvard St. North to Beals. About midway, I had a Friendly's sundae and a grape soda (first time since I was in grade school I think) at a Stop and Shop. It was only 95 that day. Is the quote - sweating like a whore in church? Speaking of which, past the church that the Kennedy's used to frequent (St Aidan's?) to his birthplace (JFK NHS). Right on Beals. Then further down the street to Naples and Abbotsford a few blocks away to the house they moved to a decade later. It is the yellow house on the corner. Met the son of the owner who was walking his dog. He could have been bsing me. No signs/plaques. Internet pic looks like it. Different color. Then over to Commonwealth and walked all the way back to Washington. Just cheese (Brebicet sheep brie 50% off) that night. Had salmon, etc left over. More wine from Babushka. From Peru! I just watched tennis (Birmingham) both nights because they only had the Roku like tv. Sunny day. All these environs were safe to walk.

The next day I took the Green Line (of course that day they start repair work) to a shuttle bus that ended at the Back Bay Station (not a direct route). Took the Orange Line to the Blue Line to the airport. Bus to rental car center. I used a three day coupon from Budget and a $240 rental was free. They even gave me a 3k Toyota Rav 4. Lots of selection. I took 1A to the 60 through Saugus to the 1N. This was so easy (and no tolls) that I think I'm going to stop going through Albany for the annual NE trip. The airport was cake too. Nice (around forty mile) drive to NH. Really hungry, so, I stopped at the first respectable looking seafood place (Ray's Seafood and Chowder Shack in Portsmouth). There were billboards for a Ray's by the water (Rye?). I think I was tricked. Not a big deal. Everything was MP and I didn't feel like getting into it (and I had a lobster spot queued up), so, I just ordered a fried haddock with fries for $17. I think it was not frozen. Through to Arundel (ME). I stopped at Tradewinds Cafe and just had a taiyaki ice cream sandwich. Odd because this place was on Man vs Food for a Manimal Challenge. I wasn't going to do it and wasn't hungry enough and I think it has new owners and they stopped it. They only take cash. Onto Saco (via detour) and right onto 5E to Old Orchard Beach. Checked into the Old Orchard Beach Inn (Booking 7.6) for $120. Same paperwork issues with Booking as the last rental. It was cute. A bit noisy with bad curtains. At intersection of 5 an 98 above the Main St. Same bs Roku tv. Walked to the beach/pier. Been there before. It's worn. Rested a bit. Drove back to Saco. Chicken, hummus, wine, crackers from Hannaford's. Back on 5. Stopped at The Maine Lobster Claw Pound for some bad (no bellies/emaciated) pound of steamers at $18. Lobster was $20ish. Rainy day.

The next day I took 98N to 1N to 207E to 77N to Two Lights Rd and The Lobster Shack at Two Lights at Cape Elizabeth. This was also on the Man vs Food episode. Their lobster started at $40, so, I had a bad lobster roll for $25. They boil them. It was tough. They lied and said a roll has the same meat as a whole lobster. Maybe one knuckle and claw and a quarter of one side of a tail. They just plopped some mayo on it too. It was very foggy. I think the view is the thing. And the lighthouse. Back to 77 and north to 1A in Portland. Right to a place I espied last year (Clam Bar). Free parking. I had excellent pound and a quarter of steamers with garlic bread for $18. Back onto 1A (detour onto 295S) to 1S. Through to Wells. Stayed at the (nice view) The Garrison (Expedia 9.0) for $125. Back north to IGA for wine and 50% off goat cheese and popcorn. Stopped at a good looking restaurant called Bitter End for an atrocious Chopped Salad with pancetta to go for $16. Side salad size. No dressing. I think it gave me the runs. Rainy day.

The next day I drove to Portsmouth. I learned the night before that this ferry (Isles of Shoals Steamship Company) to this island (Star Island) was going at 1:20pm to 5:30pm for $38 ($5 for parking). I had been trying to do this for years. Saw it on Samantha Brown or Weekends with Yankee or both. The group of islands are about six miles off shore. I walked into town. Saw John Paul Jones' house and the North Church, etc. Settled on the Old Ferry Landing for lunch because they said they were the oldest and were closest to the water and I forgot to write down to places that have been on tv. Had a probably frozen tuna sandwich with fries for $24. Some great view of Portsmouth and forts and (mostly submarine) naval yards and prison and lighthouses. I saw one fort (Constitution) for the first time. Star Island was cute. Small. They gave a walking tour. There is a "hotel" on it. Learned some history like who the Poors from Standard and Poors was. Hightailed it back (zero traffic) to Revere (MA). Stayed at the Comfort Inn on 60/1A (Expedia 9.0) for $147 and $20 parking. I saw it on the trip up. Next to Amazon. Minutes from Logan. Trust the highway signs that point you to Logan. It was good/new. Dinner at Subway. Perfect weather day.

The next day I had to uturn to get gas. Should have used the station north (you have to go north an uturn onto 60S) because the the two stations (prices below $3) between there and the airport are on the other side and then you have to go back and uturn again. Traffic was bad here. Found out there is a station RIGHT next to rental car return. Didn't see the prices. Bus to Terminal E. No issues. 

Spent $15 on Gas. It was cheaper than here everywhere. $758 on Hotels. $102 on Airport Parking. $294 on everything else. $1316 in Total. Know Boston much better now. The girls there were in heat. Man I should have gone to college there. Man there were a lot of people fresh off the boat who didn't speak any English. Kind of did my annual NE trip. Knocked some other items off the list. Saw both kinds of weather. Could have done with a bit more lobster. Saw some selling for $10 a pound (uncooked). Steamers were $14 in the supermarket. I'd call it a successful sojourn. Felt really quick. Maine felt really spruced up.

Fritanga La Nueva, Orlando

I tried this Nicaraguan spot on 436 near 408 today at lunch. Next to an arepa place (Arepa Nueva?). I had a fried empanada looking thing they called an enchilada for $5. It was ok. Big. Very fried. Filled with (mostly) rice and peppers and strips of beef. The beef wasn't overdone. They tossed in some salsa and crema (cool attached lid containers). I think I paid an extra 40 cents for some vinegared cabbage sack. They said they have been there for seven years. They had items behind a glass. But, their English was so bad I just went with the first thing I pointed to. Not alot of choices. The usual pork and chicken and veg. They had some pastries. Basic. A few tables.

Grub Crawl - Apopka and Altamonte Springs: Empanada & Co and Bossa Nova

I tried these spots on Tuesday at lunch. The first is in a new food Hall (Halls on Fifth). You take 436 down and a left in the center of town at Park Ave and a right one block later. The second is back towards I4 in a strip mall a bit before 434. The back right corner. I also almost stopped at a lecheron place and a did stop (and left) across the street at an El Pollo clone called El Gallo?

Empanada & Co. - Branch of the one in Winter Garden. Had a ropa vieja for $5.50. It was ok. Had a Carib spice profile. Would have rather had a beef pie from the place near UCF for $3. The hall was dull. These things are becoming as cookie cutter as a food truck park. They had: Butchery Nook, Parlor Waffle, Soulicious, Sweet & Salty Island Grindz and Thrive (also DT). All were taking forever for few customers. Only one (stoned?) person in many stalls. The waffle one was without any. Most things start in the mid-teens. Ok little dining area around a cocktail bar. The two most interesting things were across the street and closed. Three Odd Guys Brewing and Just Like Mama's Soul Food. There was also some gingerbread store on Park that I hadn't recognized before. Hall has been open for a few weeks. Lots of parking. Not open on Monday. Opens at 11am. To 10pm? Sunday until 6pm?.

Bossa Nova Brazil Market & Cafe - Opened the day before. It looked more interesting than the food hall when I drove by. I had two empadas (chicken and hearts of palm) for $4 a piece. Both were good in their own way. The chicken was heartier. Had a condensed cream of chicken soup feel. The palm was lighter. The bottom of a cupcake looking pastry was very flaky. I also bought a rolled guava desert calleda bolo rolo for $5. A few seats. Four or five rows of goods. Some drinks. The menu had different types of small options like the one I had. Order at a counter. Looks new. From Sao Paolo. Plenty of parking. Not much competition on this side of town. If you want the experience, I guess you have to come here. Already had a crowd. Could sneak in as a Fav? Just dumb luck finding it.

Grub Crawl - Ivanhoe Village and Winter Park: Chez les Copains (Closed) and Tiger Sugar *PA/NY Travel Notes

I tried these spots today at lunch. The first is on the second floor of the newly reimagined City Food Hall. the second is near 50 in that new development on the east side.

Chez les Copains - Open for a few months. They do brunch on Sa/Sn. Happy hour menu too. I think I heard half off oysters ($4 to $2). The menu was right up my alley. Tartare, lobster benedict, steak frites, raw bar. I chose the cheapest thing (listed as $16 - $17 on the bill) because I didn't want to be disappointed. I needn't (sp?) have worried. It was excellent. I don't order them a ton, but, maybe best ever. The brioche toast was thick and of perfect earthly properties. The gruyere and (they said) serrano ham were excellent if penuriously applied (one thin slice). The mornay sauce was maybe the best component. It came with home made chips that (they admitted) they screwed up. Fried in tallow. Nevertheless, I'll give them a Favorite ranking. I'll trust the rest of the bistro fare is up to snuff. It from the Collantes guy (Taglish, etc). I guess he did his time learning French techniques. He's not in the kitchen. The place is cute. Around ten tables of 4 to 6 inside and the same on the patio. Four seat bar at the end. A few shades of blue and white color scheme. Framed posters. Golden chandelier lights on the table. Edgy silver ware. Cloth napkins. Uni'd staff (2). They have a glass wall on the left into the kitchen. The seat backs are a plastic lattice weave. Two other couples of women there. There was a scent of desperation in how often they pimped the drinks, etc. The music was a bit too loud. They add 20% to the bill. Not stuffy. I'd tell you to go if only because we have lost almost every alternative. It must suck to be a Gallic-ly trained chef in this city/country at this point in time. The stuff at the stalls on the first floor is the stuff has become passe to my mind. Everything old is new again. If you really want to be avant garde, stop trying to be. 

Tiger Sugar - Seems to be a world wide chain. Taiwanese. A few sweets like eclairs ($6). A few savories like mini pies ($4). A few kaleidoscopic drinks. Maybe tea and coffee? And some damn great fried chicken. They had them ($9 or $10) in patties in a sleeve or popcorned in a cup. I had those for $7. Black pepper flavor. Came out in seconds. Not oily. Perfect crunch. Tender, juicy chicken. Around ten nuggets. I think Chick Fila charges that for eight. McDonald's charges $6+ for six ever thinning sawdust nuggets. Small store. Spartan. White. Counter. No parking. Opens at noon. Open for a few weeks. Maybe a Fav? Surprised me. The baked goods seemed meh. The chicken was a complete shocker. 

*Travel Notes - Pennsylvania and New York: I flew to Philadelphia on afternoon flights on Frontier for $124. I locked in some Bizfare rate that gave me choice of seats, carry one and group one seating. Return was one hour late because we had to circle around Charlotte due to MCO caterwauling. God help us this summer. They can't operate in a drizzle anymore. Some real jerk offs running the show. No TSA lines. I rented a car from Hertz for the week at $368. Saved again by rebooking day before. I'll interject here that this trip was a make up for Fiji and that rain scuttled most of the original agenda (minor league baseball games). First stop was Dalessandro's in Germantown. It was on that PBS special I saw ages ago about famous food items across the country. Before I left, I learned that anything with a 76 in PA was a toll road. Those were the quickest ways there. Some guy at Dalessandro's told me that they were free that close to the city. I didn't double check. I took 95S to what was listed as 252N (but really 352) at the Widener University exit to 1E past St Joesph's University to Henry Ave. You had to merge right towards the end and go over a river/gorge. There didn't seem to be an exit for Henry Ave. I had to double back to find it. I had a great (big) cheesesteak for $15 (cash). I drove back the way I came to 30W (Lincoln Highway). Past Haverford University and Villanova. Through Lancaster. Onto 283NW to Harrisburg. I stayed at a Sleep Inn off 83 for $84 (rack rate). I drove through downtown to find the stadium on City Island and back to the hotel. Once again, assume any missing meal was $5 meal at McD or Wendy's or BK. 

The day game was rained out. I moved on down 83S to 30W to Pittsburgh. Through York, Gettysburg, Latrobe (thought there would be a sign to Rolling Rock Brewery). Because of tolls, I took a complicated way into Church Brew Works. I saw that on Bizarre Foods, I think. I went through some town I think is called Wilksboro to Penn Ave. I passed a Frick Museum. Around Denny St I went a block left to CBW. It opens at 4pm. I had the cheese pierogis (didn't have the snake anymore) and their average beer. It's in a big church. Down a few streets and over a bridge to 20. I took this to where the stadiums are because I had done that before and knew they had some hotels there. It was pouring too. Stayed at the Hyatt Place again for $159 (rack rate) plus $26 parking. Ate a chicken and shrimp po boy and had beer at Voodoo Brewing Co. 

In the morning I took 19N to West View. It looked different on the map. I was really on 19 Business. Had to move a few streets left. I was there for Islay's. Also on the PBS show. They are chipped ham people. It's just thinly sliced ham. No big whoop. Had that as a sandwich for $7 and eggs with sausage, etc for $10. Back onto 279N to 79N to Erie. I moved past because it looked like that game was to be rained out (it wasn't) and it was only noon. I took an old road (not toll road 90) 20 to Buffalo. It was slow in the beginning and then opened up to 55mph through many vineyards on the Lake Erie Wine Trail. Through a town (Portland NY) that claimed to be where the home of Marmaduke. Around Orchard Park NY (the Bills stadium is half up). I got a bit lost. Took 219N to 400E and maybe got off on the wrong exit. I had to double back to find Schwabl's. This was on the PBS show and Anthony Bourdain, etc. Beef on Weck for $21. Good. Back on 400 (Schawabl's street was an entry point) to 219S to Salamanca NY. Onto 86E. I should have bailed earlier, but, I ended up in Corning. I tried a few towns before and their options were shit or overpriced. The cheapest place was Quality Inn at $144 (rack rate) because of some glass festival. 

The next day I went to the Corning Glass Museum. Didn't pay the $20+. The streets were blocked off, so, I just headed up to Watkins Glen and the wineries around Seneca Lake. Ate a "lobster and shrimp" roll that was really surimi (they claimed it was a product that they buy that is part lobster) and baby shrimp from a can and good home made chips at Seneca Harbor Station. Drove up the west side of the lake. Stopped at Lakewood Vineyards (no rhyme or reason for which ones I chose). A flight of six was only $5. Up to Fox Run Vineyards in Penn Yan. $10 for flight of 6. I had had their Arctic Fox before. Around the top and over to the other side. A flight of six or eight at Idol Ridge Winery in Lodi for $10. They were doing some kooky things. Like pet/nat and their own yeast blend. Back to Corning and past Binghampton (I forfeited that game) to Hallstead PA on 81S. Stayed at the Colonial Brick Inn (Booking 7.1) for $68. Had a meatball schmutz sub at Tedeschi's. 

The next day I drove 81S to 80W to Lewisburg PA on 15. I was here to try the wineries of Susquehanna River Valley per that stupid Food Traveler magazine. I first tried Fero Vineyards. $16 for four two ouncers. I then drove up north a few miles to Four Friends Vineyard in Montgomery (mostly terrible NVs) and had eight or so for $4. Nice views. Back to Lewisburg and stopped at Bucknell University and on to the Relax Inn (Expedia 7.2) for $78. South to Sudbury (other side of the river) to Spyglass Ridge Winery. $10 for large servings of four. I also had a great pepperoni pizza to go for $16. This place has hosted some big (older) bands in the summer. Surprising. Onto Whispering Oaks Vineyard. $10 for four or six. They were hosting a wedding. Back to the hotel. 

The next day I drove to downtown and had an excellent sesame bagel with cc at All Star Bagels. Then over the river to May's Drive In. Pretty good grilled cheese and a cb. Back to 15S to Harrisburg. It was early and they said I could reuse the parking ticket for the baseball game, so, I parked at the FNB Field (was there to get a ticket) and crossed the bridge to the festival. Did that. Up to the Capitol. Walked around that. Over to the State Museum (too $) and Archives and back. Stayed at the Sleep Inn (Expedia 8.2) again for $84. Back to the stadium. Saw Senators (AA) play Chesapeake Baysox for $24 (row 3 almost home plate).

The next day I took 83S to York to 30W to Exton to 202/100S to 1E to Chadd's Ford PA. Got there way too fast. Had lunch at Chadds Ford Tavern. Fried chicken thighs with tons of Yukon Gold mp and spinach for $11. The menu said $22. Guess the waitress liked me. Stayed at the Brandywine River Hotel (Expedia 9.0) for $104. Near some battle that Washington lost. Also a garden and museum (too $). It was Memorial Day, so, alot was closed. Just sacked out. Had a hot dog and chicken cheesesteak at Jimmy John's Pipin Hot Sandwiches on 202/100 in West Chester. That whole area was quaint. A little east was the town of Wawa where the gas station started on a dairy farm.

The last day I drove 1E to 352S to 95N across a bridge to the street Wells Fargo Center (Broad St?) is on St to Christian to 9th to George's. Also on that PBS special and Andrew Zimmern. Had a pork and broccoli rabe with sharp provolone. Excellent. To the airport. 

I have only two restaurants on that PBS list to go now. Spent $748 on hotels. $116 on gas. $381 on the rest. $17 (should have been $136 but I used a free week coupon) on airport parking. $1386 total. I guess it was an ok outing. Found out there is a SEPTA train that stops in six or so places in Philadelphia from the airport. Watched alot of The Last of Us.

Grub Crawl - Audubon Park and Winter Park: OBon Chocolatier (Closed) and Grappolo

I tried these spots today at lunch. The first is in the East End Market. The second on S Park Ave near Rollins. Winter Park opened some more free spots two streets up on the right. And every other dip shit municipality is taking them away or making you pay for them! Whoda thunk.

OBon Chocolatier  Opened two weeks ago. I had the original chocolate latte for $6 because each of these stupid half a thumb sized bon bons is also $6! You read that right. The drink was (meant to be) cold. They can't do hot yet. It was ok. I noticed after I audibled from the bon bon$ that they had little chocolate bars in animal shapes for $6. And some other kind of tiered bar for $10. There are around twelve flavors of bon bons and lattes. The place is modern and white with cool fonts. Glass display case. I guess the name is a play on words. O for Au. Like Au Bon Pain. I have explained that au means with and idiots ask for their french dips with au jus. I had seen it listed without the O. From some bakery people that I think have sugar in the name (light as sugar?). 

Grappolo Cucina Italiano - Open for three weeks. Will be a Favorite. The part owner on site said he was from Catania and had been running a top rated place in London/Surrey (La Meridiana). Has a four star on Yelp and was Southeast Restaurant of the Year in '22. He came here for his daughter. We have her to thank for this pleasant surprise. The place is unassuming. Thirteen tables of differing sizes. Odd shades of dark green and white are the primary colors. Some tan areas. The seats are brown. The furniture is mid-century industrial. Interesting light fixtures on the walls. Adult tableware. Nicely doubled folded, cloth napkins. Bar at the rear left. Enough spacing between tables. High ceilings. Painted duct work and sound proofing. On the ceiling is the "roof" of an arbor with fake grapes. Fakes grapes are strewn about the room. They haven't gathered enough dust yet to be an embarrassment. I had the Pavarotti for $15. It was in the panini section. However, it came out as a stromboli. But not a pizzeria stromboli. A glistening, long, thin crusted beaut. I don't order them because I can roll over a slice of pizza onto itself. It's like tacos, tostadas and burritos. It the same thing. This version is technically the same difference, but, it had class. I don't know what to tell you. It demanded respect. The main reason I ordered it was that it had prosciutto (and capicola, pepperoni and sausage) in it. And a garlic-y aoili that may or may not have had a soft cheese in it (I wasn't excited enough at the time of ordering to recall). And garlic and tomato sauce. Served on a rectangular, stained wood cutting board. Vents cut into the dough. Perfect brown color. The meats weren't top notch, but, pizza topping acceptable. Something in there made it a bit to salty. A side sald of arugula, onion and tomato with two olives and aged balsamic. Even some sea salt. That was really good too. The stromboli could have fed two. They offered bread. Not sure if it was on the house. It probably was worth a try. The lunch menu was very reasonable. Five paninis (ie mortadella with pistachios). I think they had a dozen pizzas under $20. Around six pastas for $22 (ie shrimp or carbonara). I saw both. They looked excellent. Head on shrimp! Nice plating too. People were gushing about them. Semi-exotic types of pasta too. I believe they had apps to. Must have. I saw some cannolis come out. One lady said her beef carpaccio was the best she ever had. And she asserted that she had had her share. The couple next to me were Italian Italian. It was nice to hear them speaking it. Added to the ambiance. Soft, pleasant music was barely audible. Three wait staff in uniforms of white shirts with black pants and a long green apron. The place was about half full. Things came out at a pace that indicated things were being made fresh (but not too slow). It boggles the mind that people were out there on that day paying nearly the same price for a sickly Subway sub. My only disappointment is that God did not bless my with two stomachs so that I could report back on a pasta dish. Unlike the quarterback with a similar sounding name, this place is a real winner. I'd make it a priority. Dinner must be an even grander experience. Or they may fuck it up. Who knows? I just had a good experience on this particular date and time. What can I tell you?

*I drove around a bit before and after to see the state of affairs. The food hall at Lake Ivanhoe is more of the same. One stall was charging $20 for tacos! The Jamaican place didn't even show items or prices. The only new place of interest may be Chez les Copains (but for brunch). There is still no parking. I don't see ehy they bothered. How can you you repeat a blueprint for failure? Tiger Sugar can't be bothered to open until noon and it is a bakery. Cowboy Curry is still MIA. The Mongolorian Hawiian replacement isn't there yet. Imperial wasn't open. I thought they were doing lunch. Glass Knife not open. This stupid brownie place (Melt?) in Maitland looks not closed, but, no one is ever in it as far as I can tell. The one positive development was that that stupid Ceviche (next to Grappolo) rebrand may have received the memo. They had some some not uninteresting lunch special with drink for $20. I guess I'll do the Travel Notes on Saturday or something. It will be on PA and NY. 

**I also applied for that new visa like requirement for UK. It was easy. Online via app or website. Upload pic of passport and face. Answer a few questions. CC info. Immediate approval. $22. Lasts two years. My friend says that you don't show anything. It is just in their system when you scan your passport. I booked BA for $650 to Gatwick. Norse had some for $520. But, they were such dicks last year that I stayed away. Hours long check in. Won't let you do it online. Nazis about bag size. Zero frills.

Miyaji, Lake Mary

I tried this Japanese restaurant in the strip mall of Lake Mary Blvd that has the Target today at lunch. It literally left a bad taste in my mouth. Stomach not loving it either. I had a shrimp teriyaki bento box to go for $18 (lunch price). The worst thing was the clear soup. I ate it last and it is still assaulting my tongue. The salad was also bad. Wet greens and a thin, salty excuse for that grated orange dressing. The two shumai were store bought. The fried rice was dry and tough. Seemed like brown rice texture. Little oil and egg. Unseasoned. You HAD to cover it with sweet sauce from the teriyaki to get it down. That dish was sauteed onions and three bulbs of broccoli and six shrimp. They were ok. No chemical/iodine taste. Maybe not bought frozen in a sack from a supermarket. Tough. Over cooked. Medium sized. The four pieces of California roll had the sauce spilled all over them and were topped with some bb looking, hard something or others. I didn't try the other sauces. The menu is too expensive. I didn't choose sushi because of that. The least expensive sushi is $6 for fake crab stick. Salmon, etc is $8. Cheapest roll is $7. They have 14 apps like takoyaki and gyoza. A $50 omakase. Soups, salads and desserts. The place looks great (at first glance). Several gray tones. Black, gold and darkly stained wood. Faux marble and granite. A huge castle mural in gold. Three rows of three groups of tables. A half wall between two of the rows. Most 4s. Three 6s. Four seats at the sushi bar. Small footprint. Cool graphics. Metal screens. Gold wire hanging dolphins. While waiting, I started to notice the shoddy workmanship. Dripped paint and caulk. Untight seams. Beneath the tables it wasn't exactly spotless. There was a balloon nestled in the ceiling. I believe they are open 7D from 11am on. One other couple there. 2 servers in black unis. The guy (seemed Chinese) said he just came from Sacramento where he worked at a place called Miyagi. He said he just fiddled with the name. Didn't the announcer in Karate Kid mis-pronounce the dojo as Miyaji-do? To me, this is the my least favorite Japanese iteration. Give me non-toxic AYCE or a top level, inventive gastronomy. This middle ground is just a poor value prop. And that's when it is done correctly. Opened two weeks ago. I wasn't aware of it ahead of time. I just passed it and stopped. No serendipity in that. 

Cracked Windshield Replacement Tutorial

Incident

I am still at a loss as to when the damage occurred. I pulled out of a parking space and thought I had a pine needle on the windshield. It was a crack. A crack that began at an almost indiscernable pebble mark at the lower edge of the windshield. I learned later that the edges are the worst spots to have this happen. I first went to the dealer (Toyota). They outsource this repair to a third party (on site). The guy seemed a bit too wary/critical of the competition and started inundating me with the complexity of the endeavour. I spoke to some friends and we wrote him off as a line item stuffer. One that my insurance company wouldn't reimburse me for in totality.

Claim

I then called my insurance company. They sent a link. I ignored this and filed a claim online. It was simple. Asked when it happened. Bigger than a dollar bill? They promised to cover everything. No photos. I must chose my own guy and pay and hope to get reimbursed or leave it up to their guy - Safelight. I chose the surer thing. The next page was a scheduling page with a map of places in my vicinity. I made a reservation at the closest one two days later. Then the second thoughts started in. I tried to get their phone number. Searched online. Only an endless corporate labyrnth (866-904-9472 or 844-250--6606 or 888-507-1910) that never resulted in a direct number to the repair shop. Then I checked their rating on Yelp (low 3s). Not good. Many installation errors and missed appointments. Other locations also bad or worse. 

Scheduling

So, I called the first guy (Rick at Auto Glass Medics at 407-388-1969 or 407-270-0665) and said I would give him a chance to make good on his promises. I drove to the dealer and he called his back office company and they got through right away (almost impossible on your own) to an agent at my insurance company and got them to guarantee a no cost repair to the windshield billed directly to insurance company. The insurance company canceled my appointment with Safelite. They sent a link to an app to send them (4) pictures (Safelite would have required this on the day of too). Rick did this for me. I then received the ok via text. There is something about a work order number that is important that they give the installer. I said goodbye until the install. He put in a PO to the glass distributor. He kept me up to date on progress/delivery. Two days later it was done.

Installation

A seemingly reliable (said 30 years) tech (Jeff) came to MY home at 10am and we spoke about the business in general for a bit. Said he teaches other techs. Said the test they take is a bitch. He answered every question and gave my a short tutorial on the subject. I signed a form. I then left him to his devices. I checked in a few times. It took about an hour. He calibrated everything and fixed fault codes. It looks new. A bit of epoxy smell. No issues as of yet. No requests for payment by anyone yet.

Lessons

I'll add at this time some things I learned through this process. Because of (mainly Miami) fraud, the on site picture taking requirement is necessary. Repair facilities just file false work orders with fake photos. Safelite is a total joke. They don't come to you. They can't recalibrate your cameras (ie auto stop or lane change warning). I'm not exactly sure why, but I was told they don't or can't have the equipment to do it that they show on tv. They use poor materials. Their CS isn't acceptable. The labor, etc costs they accept must also be accepted by other companies that the insurance companies agree to sponsor. You aren't more likey to get overcharged by another option. The internet said a repair should cost $200-$400. Rick laughed at that. I never got costs if you are on the hook for it. These damn "features" like cameras complicate the repair. Windshield glass is part plastic. It shouldn't shatter in on you if you drive with a crack. But if airbags deploy while there is a crack, it could be worrisome. It is illegal to drive with a crack bigger than a dollar bill. I had this happen once before in Maryland and got a fix it ticket/warning in NY. It was a rental car, so, they had to deal with it. I'm unsure what the penalty is in Florida. I think it could be a ticket in the triple digits. The glass integrity deteriorates at about ten percent a year on its own. We all will probably be dealing with this at some point. A bad seal can lead to rust. Improper calibration can lead to all kinds of fault errors and equipment failure. I'll bet it invalidates some part of your insurance agreement if I know these companies at all. Make sure they know what model car you have. The window may be different. My hybrid had a different number. Most dealers don't want the hassle of window repair. Tesla owners are screwed. No one will work on them. They have parts issues in general and I think the tech in the window is complicated.

Conclusion

My friends who told me to just use Safelite were probably wrong. A crack isn't the end of the world. In Florida, your insurance company may actually cover you (without deductible) as promised. I'll be even more impressed if it happens again and they don't try a wriggle out of it. You can/should work around their professed parameters. You can believe what the higher end installer tells you. Now let's see if my auto insurance goes up.

Grub Crawl - International Drive and Universal Area: Kavas, Rawsha, Nola's and Melt n Dip

I tried these spots yesterday at lunch. The first is at Pointe Orlando. The second is in the first strip mall on the right on Turkey Lake Rd south of Sand Lake Rd. The third is at Via Dellagio on Sand Lake Rd. The last is in a strip mall on Sand Lake heading back to I4. Across from the Mc Donald's.

Kavas - Probably a national Mexican chain. Even the waiter kind of apologized for it NOT being Mexican food. Seats over 100. Multi-colored. Mask and Frida Kahlo murals. Steel and straw chandeliers. Cloth hangings. Black colored "canvas". Not so high ceilings. Exposed duct work. Bar on the left. Two aisles of seats merging into a main room. I think there was a patio. Mariachi band and dj booth. Too dark. I had a taco salad with chicken for $17. I had decided on this the last time I was here checking in on their new neighbors. It is the only real "value". It was ok. Bowl wasn't warmed. Chicken was probably the top half of a breast sliced lengthwise. Better quailty than I expected. Romaine. Some black beans/awful shredded cheese/diced tomato and sour cream and ok guac. Mini balls. The salad needed dressing. Chips and salsa weren't complimentary. I think the main menu has fajitas at $25. The cheapest kind. For an example of pricing. The usual Mexican fare. They also have a brunch menu on the weekend. But, the prices weren't any cheaper and I wasn't in the mood for eggs. It was much more full than during the week. All kinds. It wasn't bad, but, I've been brought up to reject chain experiences. And I'm not sure that that is a handicap/fault. However, if you like mariachi bands (unlike Ben Stiller in that movie where he is a newlywed in Mexico - Heartbreak Kid?) blaring "happy birthday" or alternately getting on the table to pour tequila shots down a bachelorette's throat while playing "Tequila", then have I got a place for you. They said they validate parking. It may be a bit complicated though (signs had some bs list of demands through your phone to satisfy them/pay). I don't think you can just swipe a cc. And I think their lot has removed any human interaction altogether. What if you are a tourist without a sim card? How do you get out? 86 69-ing! I park in a free, tow threatening lot next door. Yet to be towed.

Rawsha - Iraqi owner serving Med fare. I believe it JUST opened. I believe it is in the sad Med space I went to during the Boiled Fish post. It has had a total refurb if that is the case. Narrow floor plan. Ten tables. Seven fours and three twos. On the right side. Prep area on the left. Off white with gray. Unused serving platters and small mirrors as wall decoration. Tasteful. There was some kind of "bathroom" odor. 1 server. 6 cooks (including the owner). They said he was the only one allowed to shave the meat for shwarmas. I like that. Quality control. Means it is an important dish to them not fast food part of menu. I missed if he did or if it had been preshaved and heated up. The beef looked like THEY prepared the block of meat on the gyrator. I wonder if that has a name? It was very good. Fresh, paper thin lavosh. Browned. Tender, warm and sweet spiced beef. Tomato, onion and pickles and bitter herbs. Nice hummus or tahini or a mix. It was very white. Not enough to dissect. The one criticism is that it was not exactly busting at the seams (that denotes class right?). Probably a Fav though. Had it (unheated) for dinner. Held up. They did not have a chicken one that day. Had chicken kebabs/kofte though. Dips and salads are their apps. 6 wraps ($10-$15). 4 sides ($6-$8). 8 shwarmas if you count combos, etc ($12-$22). 7 grills ($20-$35). They have lamb chops, falafel, cheese rolls, tikka as some of the less traditional options. I think I have only had Iraqi food from Kurds before. I'm not sure if (even) they or other Iraqi would say that counts. They said this was a motley crew. I wonder from which parts. Maybe I've had some now? It had more customers than I expected. And a mixed crowd. I'm satisfied that the rest of the menu will be done with care/finesse too. Have to come back again. That last bite was magic.

Nola's Ice Cream - They said it was the other partner from Sampaguita. Open for a few months. Opens at 2p on week days. Noon on weekends. White store. Business side on the right. Around ten flavors. I had the Vietnamese Che for $5. It was bad. I thought I put Sampaguita as a Fav. This was green and white colored with coconut and cinnamon flavor. It was really fluffy. In a bad way. The worst kind of mass produced, frozen ice cream mouth feel. I can't believe this was the expected result. I don't recall reading about this "style". Nevertheless, the most important thing about the place is that there is a false wall behind where you order and it leads to Nabe. I took a peek. It is small, but, looks excellent. Very posh.

Melt n Dip - Opened six months ago. They sell fancified (expensive) versions of waffles, crepes, cookies, cakes and dip sticks. An interesting one was the fettucine (cut) crepe. Drinks and gelato and shakes and fruit plates too. After Nola, I had to cleanse myself. I had their Mandarin gelato for $5. Better. Larger. But, it must have been old. Lots of frozen areas. A milkshake (didn't see the size) was only $7. Black. Around 20 tables. L shaped. Windows. High ceilings. Prices in mid to high teens. I liked the inventiveness (ie pouch crepe). Not sure who we have to thank for that. Sweets are not my baliwick. The owner was asked (not by me) where he was from. He said Palestine. Didn't say if if it was closer to the river or the sea. Not sure if this stuff is ordinary fare there. Or from a way station he passed through. Parking is limited. The generic sounding name belies what is offered. Those with an insufferable curiosity or just a sweet tooth may be surprised at what is hiding here in this non-descript location. Proper execution assumed.

*I also did a pass through the Rosen Plaza across from Pointe Orlando. They have a poor looking buffet at Cafe Matisse. A coffee bar called Smooth Java. An event and pool bar (closed for private affair) boite called 39 Poolside. And Jack's Place. That is the old timer. Always meant to try it. Valet, dinner only, grandpa/steakhouse menu and high (most around $40-50 with a low bar of $34?) buy in means it ain't gonna happen. Unless you're paying. And can I say that we can have some fun here in the City of Light. Mexican, Iraqi, Vietnamese and Undetermined in one square mile in one part of one day. And mostly afterthoughts. That is the real Epic Universe.

Steve's Family Diner, Titusville

I tried this diner on US1 just south of DT (around Hobby Lobby) yesterdy at lunch. It is old and worn. Brown on brown. I had a schnitzel special for $11. It was shockingly good. I'm not sure if the cook was just trying to get it done quickly or he knows how to time a fry like most do not, but, the pork was not even close to tough or dry. I thought it may have been pan fried. They said not. No gristle. Not oily. They covered it with (probably) canned beef gravy. That was too salty and thick. Mushrooms (probably canned as well) too. Thin slices. Alot. You get two sides. I had mashed potatoes and gravy and french fries. The mp may have been "fresh". There were chunks. They (and not the gravy) should have been seasoned. Bland. If they were home made, they should have boiled them longer. They had a bitter, vegetal flavor. The fries were frozen carrot cube thick and fried crisp. Alot. That's alot of food (done well for a dive) for that price. And they would have also given me bread had I not declined it. Even their tap water didn't taste off. I had first stopped at a place called Orleans up the road and left when they said their crawfish were frozen (I'll get back to that later) and every banal dish (like pulled pork sandwich) was over $14. Steve's had most dishes under $10. Typical diner fare with many special specials like whole catfish. If you want an above average, value meal (or two), with pleasant service in the area, you could do a lot worse.

*I sunbathed at Cape Canaveral. I didn't have to use my annual pass. The guard gate was empty because of a faulty register. The beach was almost empty. Not too much seaweed. A few bugs. Glassy ocean. The water was way colder than I expected. I don't think I had been in T'ville since the hurricanes. There is some road work to expand the sidewalks going to the NP. It may have been planned anyway. The VC was closed and a trailer in its' place. I also stopped by Wild Ocean again. They do sell crawfish for $8 a pound. $3 to cook. They were out until today. The season is pretty much over in a month. I haven't gone to one restaurant in the state this winter that had fresh crawfish on the menu. So sad.

Divina Carne, International Drive

I tried this Brazilian Steakhouse on Carrier yesterday at lunch. That is near-ish to the Endless Summer Hotel. Across from where some dinner theater (about Pirates I think) used to be. The non-meat, AYCE price is $39. I think the meat is over $69. There was quite a bit of selection. I tried at least a morsel of these items: potato salad, beef carpaccio, fish ceviche, smoked salmon, chicken salad, hummus (2 types), hearts of palm, tomato and mozzarella, asparagus, Greek Salad, Caesar Salad, pork belly, pesto penne, mashed potatoes, goat cheese, parmagiano reggiano, brie, manchego, salmon sushi, salmon with cc sushi, shrimp with cc sushi, tempura shrimp sushi, shrimp tempura covered with salami sushi, cuscuz paulista with shrimp and bread balls (they brought those). Everything was refilled. There were also: ribs, prosciutto leg (no one was cutting it), salami, gouda, pasta bar, edamame, somonomo, beans, fricasse, brocollini, rice, soup and more salads and stews and vegetables. Decent quality in general. A few things were dry. No forced service charge. Wait staff in white dress shirts and black pants. Black and gold and stained wood interior. Large room with high ceilings broken into sections. Maybe sixteen tables in each area. Varied number of seats. Also a bar area in the front with six tables of two. Large Christmas type ball hangings. Art deco look. The buffet is in the center (below a nice Koons like statue). Sushi and pasta bar in the rear. Window on the right. Cloth napkins and nice tableware. Lots of parking. Only four tables seated. I had been there once before on recon. It was more crowded then. Also at lunch. I suspect what I suspected all along that the price point may be too high and the location a bit off the grid. If you can force feed yourself (with the expensive stuff) like I can then perhaps it isn't a poor proposition. I went hard on the smoked salmon, carpaccio and sushi. I think they have been open for two months. Opens at noon.

*I saw that the sushi place on Kirkman had finally opened. It may have been called Sushi Yama?

**A few updates on Aldi's corruption of their Winn Dixie take over - A baguette has shrunk to 18". Thinner too. The bag is 26". Says it is $3.18 an pound. Didn't list actual weight. Can't remember what it had been. Just know that it didn't used to fit in my cupboard. Now it will. Roast chicken and water are up. They play the mark up/mark down game big time on wine. Their "pringles" also are shrinking in diameter. They aren't close to can sized anymore. Probably 70% of that girth.

Grub Crawl - SoDo, OIA Area and Azalea Park: Cornerstone Pizza, Koon Thai, Star Gyros and ChimiKing *Fiji Travel Notes

I tried this spots on Thursday and Friday. The first is on E Michigan away from I4. East towards 436. The next is on 436 at the airport entrance. Right side. The last two are next to each other on 436 between 408 and 50. I also was going to a pizza place across from Koon. It has passed. There is a Cuban food truck in the parking lot now though.

Cornerstone Pizza - They have been there since te 80s. This owner for 26 years. Total dump. I had two slices at $2.50 a pop. Typical NY. Garlic-y. Cheese had slipped all over. Underdone. They also have a few salads, sandwiches, apps, calzone, wings and two dinners. Prices are low (ie $10 subs). Places is tiny and slovenly. A few seats. Parking. I just went because it was the last place on the street I hadn't tried. For exactly the reasons I described.

Koon Thai - Don't boycott them. Corrupted minds. I thought it might just be a drinks place since it calls out boba on their signage. It was so much more. A full service Thai concern. Probably pan-Thai. I forgot to ask. Some seafood and Isan dishes. So, probably south and north. I tried the three curry dish with chicken for $17. It was a mix of yellow, green and red curries. I had never seen that approach before. Probably not an authentic Thai dish. I liked it. They also mixed in all the ingredients (ie potatoes and peppers) that come with those dishes. Lots of veg. Fresh. Rice was good. I only ate half and the rest today. I did an experiment that worked. Dipping a baguette in the "soup" is as good as sopping up a bisque or mussel juice. I wonder what would have happened if the French colonized Thailand instead of Vietnam. The food mash up would have been outrageous. The menu is large. Their digitally displayed version does a good job explaining them. It moves through it and highlights a dish every few seconds and shows a pic and describes it. Some interesting items are: Isan sausage, duck larb and stews. They have another place in Jersey. Mostly white look. Some plants and orchids on levels. Wood tables. Some unframed posters and displays on the walls. Maybe eight tables. It was full. Probably people from the adjacent hotels. Nice find.

Star Gyros and Grill - It was last Cappadocia. Kept everything the same. Feels creepy/dirty. The ceiling tiles are stained. They were (ineptly) fixing a sagging ceiling light by thrusting a section of pipe under it. But, I guess if Cornerstone can pass a health inspection anyone can. Adding to the lack of appeal was the lack of any customers. I settled on a chicken gyro because it was the cheapest/quickest thing. It took a while. I starting envisioning a scene from Waiting with them getting jizzy with it. A large circle jerk in the kitchen. The chicken was in chunks. I saved the meal for the next day. Nuked it to kill any germs that might have come with possible spooge or from the actual ingredients. It was bad. Poor thigh bits with sumac or some bitter herb blend. Onions and tomatoes. Like bad Chinese take out. Came with those gross formed french fries. The menu is more pan-Med now. They had the donation box for madrasas. Soups, cold apps, hot apps, specialties, sandwiches, burgers and pasta. Beyti, iskender, orman kebabs are some of their specialties. Nearly everything about the place gives me pause. I hate Med places that try and do Western dishes. I hate squalor. I hate an empty restaurant. I hate being served by people who conceivably could hate your guts by the look of you. It took all of my being not to toss this in the trash. Hopefully, this was all in my head. But, I won't be returning. They just opened recently. It is easy to miss the alley to the parking in the rear. Looks for an equally skecthy rub out joint aside them. Maybe you can pull a twofer.

ChimiKing - I stopped here for them. They JUST opened. Latin. Island latin. Huge menu. Daily lunch specials. I was exhausted, so, I just settled on a tripleta for $12. Very good. Pork tasted Asian-y sweet. Beef (usually strips of unchewable gristle) was cut into to tiny pieces. Tender. Chicken was fine. Ok roll and sauce and potato sticks. Saw some Dominican dishes. Not sure if that is who they are. English was a second language here. Pretty fulll. Around ten tables. Counter in front. Order there. Hidden kitchen. Parking in the rear. One color scheme (dark brown/black). New looking for this area. Worth a try.

*I was exhausted because I was supposed to be in Fiji. However, our rainy season decided to start the minute I was trying to get to Dallas to get there. Even with finagling a spot on a flight two hours earlier, our pussy air traffic controllers and/or federal safety dickheads (FYI - they have been fucking multitudes of travelers since then) kept us grounded for hours because of a little (approaching) rain. And then when they finally released us, they switched us to a runway on the opposite side of the airport just as we were to take off and let others jump our slot. This is the tropics right? Lightning capital of the world? The Swedes and Norse can fly planes in blizzards, but, we quail at a drizzle. I also have to give a giant middle finger to the Dallas airport for taking thirty minutes to get us to a gate. And AA for not trying to fly faster or apparently informing Dallas that we were arriving. Don't even get me started on how many terminals AA uses in Dallas and the crappy sky train. And the biggest, dirtiest finger to Fiji Airlines for not letting me on the plane even after I still somehow got to them ONE MINUTE before BOARDING closed. Plane was still there. Attached to gate. Gate door still open. People still boarding. After they changed their own boarding time to be 90 minutes earlier than the ticket they sold me. For a flight that can have no issue being late because they have one a day. Departure time twenty minutes past that. Why have a departure time? Obviously boarding closing time is the only thing that matters! And after that AA couldn't get me home because they said Fiji had control of the ticket. I had to buy another ticket (they were the only ones going before the pm of course) from AA at an inflated price to get home. I had to wait all night at the airport. The plane going back was grounded because of a door issue. We had to change planes. Just a lovely day of travel to nowhere. And that ticket to Fiji wasn't cheap either. And of course I chose this time to book the hotel in advance for the whole time. Non-refundable. There will be blood! How was your day?

Update - Fiji isn't doing dick. They aren't nice/generous people as sometimes reported. Said travel agent had to apply for refund of unused portions. I enlisted Expedia. They haven't heard back from hotel or airlines. AA finally got back to me. Have to call them back. I remembered that you can demand taxes back. That is often more than flight portion.

Final Update - Expedia got Fiji to capitulate to their share. American said only Fiji could return their portion as well. Still pending. American did return the subsequent ticket price that had to be purchased. It took alot of pressing. Expedia got the hotel to refund all but the first night. They refunded that from their own coffers. They also returned the American portion (or similar amount) of the ticket (kind of) as a "sign of good will". All sums were credits to my credit card. No coupons.

Grub Crawl - Oviedo and UCF Area: Tikka Shack, Shokupan Bakehouse, Juici Patties, Rainbow Cone, Smashville and Big Dave's Cheesesteaks

I tried these spots on Sunday at lunch. I had too many items and ate some Monday. The first is in a strip mall on the west side of Alafaya Trail near Mitchell Hammock and after the bigger malls there. The second is at the old Hangry Dobo space in that strip mall on Alafya Trail and University across from UCF. The older one. Now there is an ingress and egress spot on Alafaya, so, you don't have to go down University and wait forever to make a left. The third is down Colonial (50) about a mile. In a strip mall (Reedy Plaza?) on the south side that doesn't really have a remarkable tenant to point out. The fourth is at the Waterford Lakes "mall" back on Alafaya Trail. Behind the Portillo's and in front of the Target. Next to Cruncheese. The fifth is back on Alafaya Trail going back north. On the east side in a strip mall with no remarkable tenants. About half way back to Mitchell Hammock. The last is east on Mitchell Hammock on the north side in the first strip mall on the left. In the front by Ford's Garage.

Tikka Shack - This franchise "Indian Grub" spot that they said is in PA and TX opened a month ago. Nice build. Modern. Large. High ceilings. Black, white, gray with some green accents. Huge, generic mural on the entire left wall. Semi-open, stainless steel kitchen. Order at a counter. Maybe sixteen tables for four and two high tops for six. Window wall in front. Only two working. Seemed like mother and daughter. Maybe ten there at lunch. Mostly Indian. I had the Methi Malai Curry Bowl for $13.75. Good. I had it hot. Chunks of thigh meat chicken that I think they kabob under a broiler. Basmati rice wasn't dry. They had five other curries. I chose this one because it had the sexiest name and ingredients (methi/fenugreek). They also have: four vegetarian bowls, bowl/wrap/salad tikka grill, three naan tacos, four biryani rice bowls, three naan pizzas, three wings and five starters. High water mark is $15. Low of $6. Sides and Kid's Options. Veggies, paneer, chicken, shrimp and lamb. Much better than I was expecting. No problem with parking.

Shokupan Bakehouse - It is milk bread from Hokkaido. Opened two weeks ago. Chiffon Bakery people. Sweets and shokupan and bao and another type of omlette sandwich. I had the regular with beef bulgogi. It's thick, semi-sweet toast (top and bottom) with scrambled eggs, cheese, lettuce and beef. The beef and sauce were delightful. Some of the best bulgogi in town. Thin, delicate, moist. Some fried onions in there. The sauce stayed within the parameters that should be set on saltiness/sweetness/richness, etc. The bread was probably topped with melted butter. Something that made it shine. Not oily though. Nobody except the French know how to make scrambled eggs, but, these were ok. Not over done. Still too "connected". Too omlette-y. You need to fluff! Get some air into them. Break up the protein bonds. Still better than most. Maybe three or four eggs worth. The cheese and lettuce were superfluous. Also some kind of mayo based dressing. Big portion. It cost $12.50. I also tossed in some kind of croissant that had cinnamon roll look. I forget if they riff on the cronut. This had pistachios inside. The croissant was a bit dry. The pistachios were a bit stale/soft. Probably a day or two old. It cost $5.25. Many other expensive looking pastries. The place is small and narrow. Four low "tables". Very white on white. Black lettering. A display counter on the left with the kitchen behind it. Things made to order. Two cooking. Two taking orders. This will be a Favorite.

Juici Patties - I can't help myself but I loved them. It's such basic slop. But I loved them. They seem to be the top patty people in Jamaica (and NY). A franchise of over 50. The Jamaican Jolibee. Only five kinds (ground beef, chicken and vegan) and two are just spicy versions. I had the spicy beef and a chicken for $3.79 a piece. Great value. I think a Taco Bell burrito is more than that. These have three to four times the filling. Both fillings had good flavor and heat. Both had odd mushy parts with actual meat amongst the paste. The usual, weird, flaky shell. Not oily. All these patties (from frozen to fresh made) share characteristics. They aren't haute cuisine. But, as the kids say, these just hit differently. I wanted to "yawn emoji" them, but, I just kept getting more excited about them. Maybe it was just the right time and day. Speaking of which, they open early (9am?). Small, unimpressive storefront. No seats. Seemed pretty popular already. Open for about a month. I would get one every time I drove by if I lived here. Cheaper than most empanada places. Could be a cheap Favorite.

Rainbow Cone - Out of Chicago. Insist that the are the original (1926). Ok. I had a scoop of Palmer House (New York Vanilla, cherries and walnuts) for $5.49. Good. Small. Nice quality ingredients. Made for the hotel. They also do a thing called "sliced" ice cream. And sundaes and mini donuts and shakes and cakes and ic sandwiches. Sherbert too. Small space. Unsure of seating. Hospital white. Order at a counter. Pleasant staff. Open for a month. If I valued ice cream more it might have been a Fav. Open 11am on. Like normal places should be. 2pm ice cream dilettantes!

Smashville - I was just driving along (unplanned) and wondered if that was new. It was. First week. One location in Jersey. Smash burgers, fries and fried chicken sandwiches. I had a single for $7.50. It came with cheese, sauteed onions, pickles and a comeback sauce. Ok bun. It tasted ok as an ensemble. The beef alone tasted like meatloaf. I hate the smashburger concept. Trying to make it look bigger than it is so you can charge double. Forces out all the moisture. An unfortunate, destructive chapter in food history. Get two Jamaican patties instead. The chicken I saw was way larger. However, it cost alot more. Order at a counter. Open grill behind that. Long, rectangular space. Black, white and red. Huge graffiti tag of their name on wall. A few tables. One outside. A "counter" area. Three others dining there.

Big Dave's Cheesesteaks - Never seen a black owned cheesesteak joint before. Not saying anything is wrong about it, but, I just can't recall seeing one. Can you? I mention it because Big Dave's face is plastered all over the place and this is at a franchise level. You would have thought that if his place was so famous that he could take it national that I would have seen it on tv. They usually make a bee line for diversity stories. *Ahh, it seems it isn't a Philly thing. It is an Atlanta thing. And a West Philly (think Fresh Prince) not South Philly association. My suspicion is proven right again. Alas, I won't ever know if his chessesteaks are any good. I just got some Whiz fries to go for $5. Why? The $12 CS was the size of my hand and that pissed me off. Alternatively, the fry portion was huge. However, the whiz took the whiz out of it. Such an odd concoction. It congealed immediately. Tasted like American cheese. Odd herbal aftertaste. The fries also were weird. Crinkle cut and fried well. That was promising. But, they had an odd texture inside and an odd taste. I think their oil is wrong/cheap. AND I think they fry the salmon egg rolls in it too. Tasted like those a bit. They have three types of CS (beef, chicken and salmon). Egg rolls of the same. Almost went there, but, I had the smashburger in the chamber. Went with a complimentary dish. White, red, Johnny Rockets look. Open for a week. A few people eating there. Parking is congested.

*I also tried to try Haraz Coffee at the corner of 50 and Alafaya. It wasn't open yet. Looked very close.

**I updated these tutorials: Spectrum Wifi and Mobile Phone Installation Tutorial (6/2/2024), Tree Removal Tutorial (3/5/2025) and Plumbing Tutorial (3/11/2025).

Grub Crawl - Casselberry and Winter Park: Diamond Chicken, Aladdin and Somo T *MT/WY Travel Notes

I tried these spots today at lunch. The first two are in a strip mall at the Red Bug Lake intersection on 42 next to a WaWa. The first had been Alex's Fresh Kitchen. The last is on Aloma near 436 in the strip mall with Boston's Fish House and one of those ice cream shaped ice cream places.

Diamond Chicken - A Halal snack shop. I had a chicken burger for $6. It was a pathetic McChicken patty on an ok roll with a ton of mayo and a semi-fresh slice of tomato and wilting lettuce crudely chopped. I was going to order a gyro, but, I didn't trust the look of the place. I think the guy said it was a pre-sliced, on the griddle exercise in laziness. They also had 5 burgers, grilled chicken, wings, cheesesteak, gyro, platters ($11-$14), sides, etc. No change to the place. A few tables. Dirty look. Open for a few months. A step down from Alex.

Aladdin - I've been meaning to throw this long standing (36 years) Lebanese joint a bone for ages. Been there pre-blog. I was a bit scared when I walked in. Seems to be down to the husband and wife now. Getting old. Lights off. So, I just grabbed a chicken shwarma to go for $10. Tasty. Chicken cubes. Tomato seemed fresh. Pickles. No sauce. Although dark, it still seemed clean. I doubt there is anything new as to the decor. Black booths. Gray paint. Some Arabic framed scenes and decorations. Maybe twenty tables. Manageable menu. I saw some more life when another patron came in to sit down and eat and was asking questions. Let me know if they can still deliver. As of 2020, it seems they still were getting Best Of awards. The shwarma grew on me. Maybe a Fav?

Somo T - A two month old Vietnamese drinks and small menu spot. Better than Black Phin. A coffee was only $5 to begin with. I don't waste money on these, so, I tried a $9 Banh Mi. Short. Much better than Pho 2 To. Ok roll (the weak link). Had all the veg. Thin pork roll. Peppery head cheese. Roasted pork was good. Sweet. Hard to locate the pate. But there. Something akin to mayo. They had three other types (incl veg). And sticky rice. Maybe one other thing. Also some sweets. A Thai Tea Burnt Cheesecake was a first sighting. Also smoothies, etc. The place is modern. Spartan. Bright white. Four tables of four, a nook and a communal table. At least two up front and one in the back. Had a few customers. Maybe a blogger taking snaps. Better than I expected. Looks good. It translates to Number 1. The banh mi grew on me. Maybe a Fav?

*Travel Notes - Montana and Wyoming: I flew to Bozeman on UA for $312. It was to be through Denver both ways. The plane back broke. I had to scamper to get an agent at the gate (they were pimping the stupid app) and got back through Chicago three hours late. They were late getting there too. They will not let you board unless you give them your credit card and agree to let them charge it if they have issues with your bag size. At MCO, they made us wait to disembark while they unloaded the cargo area. That's a new one. Always something with these dicks. I rented a Malibu from Hertz for $210. So cheap that I didn't even try and rebook at a later date. I think they don't apply sales tax. I stayed at a Super 8 (Expedia 7.8) near the airport in Belgrade because the plane was to arrive near midnight. It cost $80. One mile west on 90. I was there to ski Big Sky. I had had a reasonably priced room near the mountain queued up waiting for when I landed to book. It disappeared. So, I bought a ticket over the phone (it was well reduced during this final week - $69 advanced) for $107 ($98 plus $4 tax and card fee of $5) and booked two nights at the Sapphire Motel (Booking 9.3) on 7th for $170. I then drove to 7th near 90 and tried to find some breweries that were out of business and didn't realize that that was where some of the others were too. I came down Main St and over to 11th and MSU for a bison pepperoni pizza and beer at Bridger Brewing. Up 19th and west to 27th to Outlaw Brewing and back 7th towards the hotel to Last Best Place Brewing (this was not planned). I had carnitas and asada tacos and pastor and shredded beef sopes from a big white school bus across from the hotel called El Rodeo. There were quite a few food trucks around.

The next day I drove 191 to Big Sky. I rented skis at Christies at the village before the resort for $58. They gave me a performance package at a basic price. At Big Sky they wanted $82 for basic. Skiing was a bit cloudy and slushy. Not all of the mountain was open. Still it was great. Just a sweater. Pretty empty. Lightning fast lifts. Free parking. Shuttle cart. I drove back and bought some goat cheese and wine, etc at Albertson's. Watched Round 1 of the draft. 

The next day I drove 90 east to Livingston. They had it down to one lane. I saw it on a Anthony Bourdain rerun the night before I left. It is a town about twenty miles east at 89. Since this was a road I was told previously that I should drive, I made a reservation at the Yellowstone River Inn (Booking 8.2) for $86. I drove 89 south to Yellowstone NP. Great views (mountains and cattle) along the Yellowstone River. I ponied up for an annual pass ($80) and decided that this was how I was going to spend my weekend. I had been there two or three times before. Through the west and southern entrances. This is the northern. I saw their fort/village and arch and Mammoth Hot Springs. Drove to the northeast entrance through Lamar River Basin. Many animals (bison, bear, marmot, pronghorn, elk, snow hare, etc). Many new borns. It climbs above the snow line as you go on. Looks like Switzerland. I drove it back the other way and back to Livingston. I almost stayed in a small town called Gardiner near the entrance. The hour drive back to Livingston was a pleasure though. The drive back may be more scenic. I drove into town and drank beer at Katabatic Brewing Company on West Park near Main St and original Neptune's Brewery on North L. Albertson's and the draft again. I should add here that I wondered where they filmed Yellowstone (aside from the ranch at Darby) and other things. That turned out to be mostly in Utah. And the only real on location film not in Missoula or Glacier NP was A River Runs Through It. Here along 89. The town is cute though. Bigger than I expected. I didn't pay enough attention to the Bourdain episode. I just resaw it this morning and I missed a few things that I drove by and could have stopped at.

The next day it was back to the park. I drove southwest this time. Mostly above the snow line. Some great geysers in the middle at Norris Geyser Basin. I drove east at one point to Canyon Village. Thankfully, I ignored the road closed (only about half of them were open) sign and saw these two great waterfalls (Upper and Lower) on a rim drive around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Then back and out the western entrance. I stayed there at the Gray Wolf Inn (Booking 8.1) for $100. Wine and goat cheese, etc from Market Place. More draft and The Last of Us. I intended on trying a bbq place on 3D. It wasn't yet open though their web site made it seem like it is open all year.

The next day I drove back into the park (it is $35 a day btw) and south to Old Faithful. This was also the last part of the park that was accessible. I must have just missed the last eruption. Waited 75 minutes. Still cool. Back out the park (and the geysers along the way) and up 191 past Big Sky to Bozeman. Another nice drive. Decided I would rather be near the hot springs and airport than downtown, so, redid the Super 8 for $149 for two nights. Albertson's (no wine or cheese) again.

The next day I drove the five miles back to the Bozeman Hot Springs. It was only $21 during the week. Four outdoor and one indoor pool. Also had a steam room and sauna. Not bad. Gym was extra. I'm unsure if all of them were "natural" baths. Smelled a little too good (chlorine) for that. Free towels and lockers. 

The next day I dropped off the car and flew out in the morning. Airport had no lines. A joy. 

Once again I found things to fill the time. Only rained Sunday night. 50's-60's. Wore shorts most of the time. Didn't really feel like driving to Billings or Missoula, etc. Gas was around $3. Spent $58 on it. $581 on hotels (none gross). $443 on everything else (incl ski and park). Parking at MCO was $128. $1732 in all. Ate alot of $5 meals at McD's and Wendy's. I had been to many "hot spots" last time. Wasn't really in the mood to deal with that again. Could have done a few more breweries or distilleries. Glad I finally was able to ski (and feel my toes). Last time I got blizzarded out the whole week. It seems like some of the coastal snobs have left. Still a ton of sprawl since last time. I used Booking mostly because the god damn website for Expedia wasn't working on my tablet.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park and East Colonial: Black Phin and Pho 2 To

I tried these spots on Tuesday at lunch. The first is in some flower shop that was previously Lombardi's on 17-92 where they start calling it Mills. The second is at the intersection of Mills and 50. 

Black Phin Coffee - Only Vietnamese coffee. I had one for $6! Too costly. Millenial waste of space. Of course it was packed. Just opened. Not enough parking.

Pho 2 To - The girl said it was southern Viet food, but, all the signage said or was of Hanoi. I wasn't sure if it was just a new sign for one of those existing places on that corner. It wasn't. It occupies two rooms. Fully decorated. Fake outside eaves. Cute. Earth tones and yellow. Lots of dark wood.  One of the bigger selections of options. I had a banh mi for $8. It sucked. Bad bread. No pate. Spongy pork roll. Small. Took too long to make. The one good element was the roast pork that I wouldn't be surprised if it came from Mills Market. The second room had these bins that may some day have pepared items in them. They sold a few dry goods. Parking is terrible. A few people there. Maybe a dozen tables. It deserves a look. Just avoid what I had. Open for two months.

*I was there to try Cowboy Curry. It wasn't open although internet had reviews.

Los Hermanos Taqueria, Curry Ford Rd

I tried this Mexican restaurant/bodega/butcher near 15 in the Hourglass District on Tuesday at lunch. It has been there a while. I never went in because I wasn't sure that it really had food. Poor signage. It has a full menu and arounf fifteen tables. I had a carnitas and a cabeza and a borrego (lamb) taco to go. Double corn flour wrapped. Raw. Mostly good quality meats. The menu isn't correct on costs. Lower than reality. The carnitas was $3. The others $4. Too expensive for what they are. Are Mexicans the worst shoppers? Seems like their own people aren't above ripping them off. Whenever I see manual laborers buying lunch at the supermarket, I wonder how how long they have to work to make up for not brown bagging. The room has scenic art on all the booths and tables. No region in particular. It was more than I expected, but, reductive. You can save your powder.

Grub Crawl - Longwood: Southern Fowl (Moved to Avalon Park) and Euro-Balkan Grocery *SC/GA Travel Notes

I tried these places today at lunch. They are in some perpetually underleased strip mall near 17-92 (I4 side) on 434. They are aside each other. The first just replaced a similar place called Nic & Luc Scratch Kitchen. The second moved across the mall. When? I'm not sure. It has been there for ages.

Southern Fowl - The Se7en Bites couple broke up and one of them has started this. In the kitchen. Opened a week ago. Mostly breakfast, lunch and brunch stuff. I had the "Simple" (two eggs, meat, starch and biscuit) for $10. I was going $14 Benny, but, the eggs aren't poached. It was simple, but, very good. Fresh eggs. Sunny side up not over easy and a bit mucus-y. But, no worries. It seemed like the sausage (or bacon) patty was hand made. Ground? Nice flavor. Not overcooked. The potato discs (or cheddar grits) were excellent. Crisp, yet, still had some fluff inside. The biscuit was large and seemed homemade. A bit salty. But, all in all, enough to warrant my return. The Breakfast menu has: biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, burrito, egg sandwich, frittata, hotcakes, loaded potataoes and a bruleed apple concoction called a Ditch Baby. $9-$15. Lunch has: Mac, 2 salads, PBLT, burgers, chicken, wraap and a soup broth dip sucker called Frenchie O'. $10-$15. Sides. Kid's options. Refills on the $3 sodas. I think the menu will adapt. They said they were inquiring into what people want. The place looks similar as before. Uncluttered. High ceilings. Light gray and and brown/red and black paint scheme. Semi-open kitchen. Maybe six tables. Order at a couter. Three on call. Around four other tables had already found them out. Lighter hours on the weekend. I think the are closed one day of the week. Parking is abundant. I thought it was going to be a soul food fried chicken place. It seems to be way beyond that. Lucky us. I just did a bunch of rated Southern boites (see below). So, I wasn't exactly jonesing for or forgetful of this type of cooking. 99% sure it will be a Fav. And a place that I won't only try once. Pricing is fair. Fowl is a hit. Man, that is barely pun-y. But better than Fowl is fair.

Euro-Balkan Grocery & Deli - I grabbed some liver pate and beer (Serb/Bosnian/Macedonian) and baked peanuts at this little market. Almost did Hungarian wine. Good prices. They have all the frozen meats and snacks and sweets and dry goods you expect. I will try something new every time I go to Southern Fowl for a meal.

*Travel Notes - South Carolina and Georgia: I drove my own car to Brunswick. I stopped on 105 (off 295 to Amelia Island) at Palms Fish Camp in Jacksonville. I had a good whole fried yellow tail with slaw and fries and hushpuppies. 105 through AI back to 95. I stayed at the Baymont (Expedia 7.6) for $89. Drove around a bit. Saw College of Coastal Georgia and DT. 

The next day I had a Willie Dog at Willie's Wee-Nee Wagon and a carnitas taco with homemade tortilla at Barrio Tacos next door. Then I crossed over to St Simon's Island and had a Cobb Salad with chicken at Brogen's North. Drove as far NE and NW up the island as you can. Back to 17. Took that a bit north to the crossover to 95. They are building a new exit there (and a Bucee's). Up to Hardeeville (entrance to Hilton Head). I stayed at the noisy and dirty Sleep Inn (Expedia 6.8) for $89. I should say at this point that I chose cities and hotels because of sky high rates at most of the nicer places and these first few days weren't part of the reason for the trip. I just needed to get out of the house. I had ok fried chicken at Chickin Lickin'. 

The next day I drove 95 to 26 to Columbia. Got off on 1 to Bull St and a left around twelve blocks to Segra Park. Bought a ticket ($18 behind home plate) for the Fireflies - River Dogs game that night. Back onto 126 to 26 to Whyte Hardee Blvd to a nice Sleep Inn (Expedia 8.2) on 20 for $86. Gave me a suite. I had a economical feast at Cook Out. A taco in a Dorito's bag, double cb, chili fries, quesadilla, corn dog, soda, etc for the price of a combo at most other places. Back to the ball park. Some historical houses (Woodrow Wilson et al) and gardens and art museum DT. The downtown is very nice except for the parking meters. So their establishments got no love. Nice game. Parking at a lot next door was $8. The ballpark is new and in some new development. 

The next day I took 26S to 77E to Exit 5 (Bluff Rd and Old Bluff Rd) about fifteen miles to Congaree NP. It's free. I went during Covid (btw check out (www.covid.gov) and it was all locked up. This time I just did a short hike and saw the Firefly Trail. Some time of year they have some big firefly celebration. Back on Old Bluff south to St Matthew and Orangeburg and 95. SE to Charleston. I had the Brunch BLT at Virginia's on King (and Hutton). It was from an old Travel & Leisure article. Fried green tomatoes, fried eggs, country bacon, pimento cheese with steak fries. Had to park in a lot. $1 for 20 min. Walked around Marion Square and Wragg Square. Drove to hotel past/around Colonial Lake. Stayed at the La Quinta on Ashley Point (Booking 6.0) again for two nights at $105 per. The parking was supposed to be $15/nt, but, was free. This time they gave me a room in the main unit and that made a huge difference. I drove to Whole Foods on 17. You hipsters will buy anything. Hopped water? On the way back I stopped at Charles Towne Fermentory. The distillery next door is no longer one. A cheese place. Ate and drank to the sunset at the hotel. 

The next day I drove back to downtown. Bypassed a place called Chez Nous because of parking. Ended up at Wentworth (lot) and Meeting for plan b (really a). The Watch at The Restoration Hotel (Travel & Leisure article) off King. It is a roof deck (must be best views) restaurant. Had a good shrimp roll with a side (salad). On the way to the next stop, I saw a sign for Vivian Howard's Handy & Hot at The Lindy Renaissance Hotel. Grabbed a biscuit with jam. Moved on to Hyman's Seafood. I have been slowly learning that this is famous. Signs said top 150 historic restaurants in the nation. I had a really thick (like a dip) bowl of she-crab soup to go. There was a line. But, the place inside was half seated. The food I saw didn't look that great. Like a guy named Hyman would make it. First name Buster? I drove back to 17 and 171 to 700 to Wadmalaw Island to the end and PM King's/Hum Grocery (How She Rolls on PBS) for a terrible turkey and provolone sandwich. Back a mile to the Charleston Tea Garden (America's only tea plantation). Factory tour was free, but, trolley tour was $20. A magnet was $14! Back towards Charleston. There was a winery here that I was talked out of visiting. Stopped at Low Tide Brewing on Johns Island. I liked this area. Had only been to the Kiawah Island cut off. Had a drink at California Dreaming near the hotel. Looks like a fort. Great views across the water to Charleston. Ate and drank to the sunset at the hotel again.

The next day I drove to Hilton Head Island. Saw the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links. $25 for Wednesday Pro-Am. Free parking and shuttle. Drove 95 home. Accident at Crescent Beach cost an hour. 

Spent $83 on gas. $473 on hotels. $300 on the rest. $856 total. Weather was great. Lots of traffic going the opposite way. Crashes, etc. 95 in SC on a weekend is hell. Two lanes do not cut it. Cops let trucks do whatever the hell they want. It turned out that things were so expensive because of high school holidays. I thought they would be this week. Didn't do Folly Beach at Charleston because I figured it would be jam packed. No Bill Murray sightings.

Grub Crawl - International Drive: Sports & Social, Kings Point, World Cafe and Mr Burdog

I tried these spots on Wednesday at lunch. The first is on the second level in the middle of Pointe Orlando. The second is on the other side of Sand Lake Rd on the east side in a strip mall near Carrier. The third is a little north of that in a strip mall with the defunct Roboland. The third is farther north yet across Kirkman in a strip mall on the west side near Fun Spot/Hash House A Go Go.

Sports & Social - A huge (two story high ceilings) sports bar with some food. Huge tvs in the center. Maybe thirty assorted sized tables in that room with a DJ booth and bar. You pass another bar area (with beer pong, tvs and bubble hockey) and a second floor balcony like area on the way. There is also a small darts, beer pong and Golden Tee area past that. And an outdoor area farther down a hall. I grabbed a cheese steak with fries for $16 to go. I hadn't intended on eating here. Didn't know it existed. Just checking the look of two newbies around them. The cs was pretty good. With whiz and onions. Beef was tender. Not quite a full hoagie. Roll was good. Fries were pretty good too. Took a bit too long for an empty restaurant. I ended up eating it all in the car after the place I was going to sit down at (something like the Garden Plaza at the Rosen) turned out to be a lame AYCE buffet and the other place with a sign you can see from the road there (Zebra's) was just a bar open at night. At least that long time mystery is solved. The menu had things like burgers, salads and the usuals. Nice look. Mostly black. Could offer a good time. I think it's a year old. Didn't love the facility fee they added.

Kings Point - I think it has been there a while. Kind of like a diner that added some Brazilian items. I just grabbed a chicken and catupiry cheese empanada (they sell nine kinds) to go for $6. It was ok. Shredded chicken. Bland. Large. Half moon shaped. Better warmed. Couldn't get them to admit if they buy them. I was going to have ice cream, but, they had a weird (not bad) way of selling it. By the pound. And they didn't list the cost. Didn't feel like asking. You scoop it (hard kind) and could add some syrups and toppings (like milk powder). Not really conducive for take out. They said it was a Brazilian way. Some menu stand outs are: beef stroganoff, beef parmigiana, mussarela sticks (their spelling), Calabrese sausage, fettucine Alfredo and acai. White, gray and...red. Hah. Not black. Two rooms. Maybe a dozen tables in each. Not fancy. Antiseptic. They thought Kings Point was what that area of town was once called. Better than I assumed it would be.

World Cafe - Open since 2002. Diner like offerings. Small. Maybe eight tables. I finally got my ice cream here (I had already rejected one scoopers of Hershey's brand at the new Candy Cream Cafe for $6 and rolled ones at Mr Cool for $8) after bypassing a couple others on this side of I Drive. Blue Bell ice cream. I had the pistachio and walnuts for $4 in a cup. Good. The place is drab. 

Mr Burdog - They took over from Thunder Burger around nine months ago. Looks the same. Basic. Now Brazilian. 9 Dogs, 5 sandwiches, 3 veg stuff, specialties, 5 kid's menu and 23 burgers (Brazilian, Gourmet and American styles). I grabbed a $8 cheeseburger because it was the same cost as three tenders and they were the cheapest thing. Combos can get to $27! The cheapest dog was $9. It was ok. Flatish patty. Salty. Meatloafy. No toppings at all. Brioche bun. The most interesting part of the menu was written in Portuguese. I asked and some were skewers of meat. All in all a bit to over priced for me. Used to be a food truck. Now I get it. Bur(ger) Dog.

*I may knock out two other Pointe Orlando spots later this month. Maybe some long timers at the other Rosen Hotel too. Sal's at Pointe Orlando is only open at night, so, it will probably be a while (if ever). It's funny. I eschewed Divana Carne because it starts at $40 for AYCE (things like smoked salmon, carpaccio and sushi). I ended up spending $40 on this junk. International Drive is mostly all accounted for now. Also, drove past Epic Universe. It does exist. Still working on all the roads to it. And Sand Lake exit.

The Chapman, Winter Park

I tried this classic American spot on Park Ave (near to Fairbanks) on Sunday at dinner. I had the angus beef brisket cheeseburger for $23. It's among the cheapest things you can get. It was good. The meat had a funk. But, no after-effects, so, I guess it is a feature. Normal American cheese. Possibly hand crafted pickle slices. Some sauteed onion. Four cherry tomatoes that may have been marinated. A possibly whole wheat bun that was a bit crumbly. I'm not sure if that is a characteristic or if it was getting old. A wilted piece of lettuce and some thousand islandy sauce on the bottom bun. Very salted. Ok crust. A tad above medium. I asked for medium rare. It came with four potato spears (aka steak fries). They were very good. Almost a whole baked potato's worth. The outside was just crusty enough. I was pretty full after all of this. Basic plating. Steak knife. Cloth napkin. The rest of the menu is a bit boring. They add some sandwiches to the lunch menu. Some apps like: crab cake, ahi two ways, a lion's mane mushroom that I believe was fried and maybe a soup or two. Some high teen salads. The mains were things in the high twenties+ like: roast chicken, fettucine, rigatoni and steaks that started at $69 and went up to triple digits. Some mid to high teen desserts (5) and sides. Cocktails, etc as well. Pretty big wine list. Up to $500 for champers. Sixteen or so tables on the left side. Three or four on the right not counting the large bar or lounge chairs by the fireplace. Many tables out front. I think I saw a private room in the rear. Excellent interior design. The de rigeur white, black, gray tones with flourishes of gold, steel, glass and mirror. I believe it is a bit more deco than nouveau, but, there is alot of metal. Metal mesh screens separate the bar from the left room and parts of the left room. Glass chandeliers. Velvet drapes. Paintings. Wood tables. Fabric-ed chairs. Mixed earth tone tiled floor. Recessed lighting. Columns. Tons of staff. Mostly female. Brooks Brothers unis. Always smiling. Attentive. The dish didn't come out lickety split, but, maybe they were pacing or had a skeleton crew on Sunday. I liked the ambiance. Nice ambient music. A place for adults. But, there were babies in tow. The inner rooms were about 3/4 full. I didn't have a res or a wait. Dress code is casual. I did kind of feel like it was a bit like a nicer Houston's. But, I haven't been to one in a while and I think the local one is a bit better than the average. I would get a bit more adventurous with the menu. But, I would probably be out of business in a month. I just couldn't give anyone a two word synopsis of what they do. I would probably describe the look. Still, it could be a Fav. Open for a month or so. I think they do a brunch now too. Pretty sure they are open all week. You could make the effort. From the group that does Boca down the street.

*I tried to try Luca Turci. However, they could only bring themselves to operate until 7pm. I wasn't really going to suffer through this anyway. It seems like the exact same Italian menu as their College Park location. And I've already brought those thoughts to you. This spot is small, but, looks nicer. On Morse which is about halfway down Park.

Grub Crawl - Downtown: Evergreen Juice Bar and Nuri's Tavern

I tried these spots on Friday at lunch. The first is across from Publix on Central at Lake Eola. They said it was previously an insurance office. The second is in the old Robinson's location on Pine near Orange. Across from the Thai place and Papi Burgers. It is owned by the Primrose Lanes people and they also has three other concerns (something Mather's Pharmacy that I went to ages ago, a jazz club and something I think they called Aloha) above them. All open at night. I suspect that I won't be back here until it is walking around weather again. Every other announced newbie still doesn't seem to be anywhere near to being open. No one knew of the prospective food hall or where it will be. I thought it was across from the library.

Evergreen Juice Bar - Opened three days ago. Juices and toasts. I had a small fruity tooty something smoothie for $8. It was ok. Seven in total. Half with peanut butter. The toasts looked ok. $11 and up. Seven also. Some with salmon and tuna and avocado, etc. I don't recall juices. They said coffee was coming. Modern look. Mostly white with black accents. Order at a counter. Right side. Tiny room. A couple of tables on the right. I wasn't keen on this going in. If it wasn't hot, I would have just bought one of their (probably outsourced) cookies to escape with the least harm.

Nuri's Tavern - Opened around a month ago. Finally doing lunch every day. Dinner too. Pretty late. Closed on Monday. Disappointing. I had wings (6) in buf-a-que sauce. Ok. The sauce was too berry tasting to mix with blue cheese. The blue cheese seemed to have a ranch base. Only three, thin, limp pieces of celery too. The cost $16! Almost $3 a wing. I chose those because the pizzas looked pathetic. Cracker thin squares of twelve inches at $16 to $19. Five with sauce. Four "whites". I hope they didn't decide on this style because of cooking time. I may have seen circular ones coming out of the kitchen. The menu didn't read that way. Only six apps such as meatballs, salad (2) and beef 'roni cups. $9-$14. An odd melange. They also have a few beers, wines, cocktails and soft serve ice cream. The place look nice. Robinson's was pretty nice. Two sides. Bar in back. Lots of elbow room. White and light wood. A few ornaments. Phone booth. Tvs with sports. It's the best thing about it. Then I'll say the execution (not including the type of pizza they have chosen to make). The prices are the third worst thing about it and finally the menu. Weird selection and too tiny for a full blown restaurant. Maybe for a food truck. Two servers. Food isn't as good as Primrose Lanes and no bowling gimmick. Needs a rethink if they aren't trying to be the "Waffle House" to their connected booze bars. Robinson's was better.

*I have some emails if you wish to lobby NSB to return some free parking. mayor@nsb.com, yperrine@nsb.com, lmartin@nsb.com, jmcguirk@nsb.com and bashley@nsb.com. 

**I noticed that Publix is now cheaper in many items than Winn Dixie. A WD chicken is now $10 at WD. Still $8 at P. Eggs were just above $5 at P. Sodas and water are cheaper there. Even those $1.69 toasts in packaging were less. WD also plays games with alcohol. Overcharges and then discounts. Luv ya Aldi!

Grub Crawl - Universal Area and Winter Park: Surah and Taco's Lab

I tried these spots yesterday at lunch. The first is in a strip mall down Dr Phillips as far away from Sand Lake as possible. I think that is Conroy. The second is on Fairbanks towards Rollins in the old King Bao location on the left. I was just checking if they indeed were open and just decided to get it out of the way.

Surah - Korean. Means dishes made for royalty (Joseon Dynasty). A little uneven. They took over for some other Korean place recently. I had the lunch special ($2 lower) beef bulgogi with rice for $18. It was the mirror image of how it usually is. The beef had a nice subtle (not cloyingly sweet) flavor and was tender. The rice was a mushy mess. Some onions on top. Took way to long to come out. Only a table of four there at the time and they were already in the process of dining. The bon chon (6) were: fish cake, kim chi (too salty), spicy burdock cubes, diced pickled burdock, a simple salad and sweet peanuts. The last two were firsts. One server. Twelve tables and an offset room. A few with burners. Wait for it...white, gray, black decor with dark stained wood accents. Brown tile floors. Sticky. The pen to sign the check was also sticky. Metal water glass. Weird, plastic panda water bottle that I hope they didn't take from the table next to mine and refilled. AC was too low. Small menu. Some bbq meats that I think started at $26 (to +$40). Fried chicken and pork cutlets. Bibimbap and a couple others. That's it. The place is like one of those old hotels that they try and funkify. It just doesn't feel right/new. Cleanliness is also appears to be suspect. No reason to exert yourself to get here. I think they close up between 3:30pm and 4:30pm.  

Taco's Lab - They think they can differentiate by being a "lab". The only "experiments" are in name only. I can't see one thing on the menu that is original. Maybe the sauces? But, they aren't described. Two $6 tacos. Three at $5. Three at $4.50. Things like breaded fish, shrimp, mushrooms, birria and chicken. I had a Camal Tradition with chicharron (that is also labeled as pork belly) and one with carnitas. $5 a piece. Both with onions and cilantro on a corn tortilla. Ok. Bigish. That type also comes in chorizo or suadero. They also do $13 to $16 fusion bowls (some of the same stuff with rice and beans) and $9 to $14 quesadillas. Elote, guac and cheese dip are the apps at $9 to $10. Three desserts from $8 to $9. Only four tables. Order at a counter. One cook and the owner. White. Parking for eight behind. Sadly (for them), the other two taco places near them (one on the other side of I4) are better. They do seem to want to please though. Second week.

*I also went to New Smyrna Beach today for the last time. They have put up pay meters at every beach. Can't reward that small time thinking. How come progress seems to result in making something worse? And here's a shocker - almost every parking lot was empty. Good business acumen town council.