Voodoo Doughnut, Universal Citywalk *UT Travel Notes

I finally tried this import from Antifaland (Portland) last Friday at night. I'm not paying to park. They stop charging at 6pm. I have been to the real store. I didn't sense a drop in quality. The store looks sharp too. It is by the NBC Grill. This was a Nascar restaurant the last time I was here (probably two or three years ago). Towards the globe and park entrance. It had a small (5 people) line. They were "distancing" I sailed through. I just had a Little Pink because this was just a courtesy call. It was good. Strawberry icing with sprinkles. It was a yeast raised doughnut. It cost less than $2. They also sell cake (dense) doughnuts, fritters, bars and novelty items. In Portland I had a voodoo doll and a bacon maple bar. They have one on a popsicle stick. Come see for yourself. 

*Observations on Citywalk. They take your temperature. They x ray your bag. Metal detector. The usual local riff raff seemed to be absent. I think the following changes have occurred since my last update. The NBA restaurant is now Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. It is the only one that seems to have efforted a theme. It also has a candy store on the side. Basic menu. Doesn't take advantage of the Willy Wonka/Harry Potter like theme. Emeril's is now something Fire or Fire something. Behind it is Antojitos (little cravings or snacks). It seems like that whole area in the back (mostly bars) is now gone. I didn't go right up to it, but, it seemed gone. On your way in on the left (by Bubba Gump) was Cowfish and Pizza something or something Pizza. 

**Travel Notes - Utah: Most ski resorts seemed open. Some are requiring online ticket purchases. You can trim cost by doing a half day (12pm-) or Canyon Sports or AJ Motion are supposed to sell discount tix for non-Park City resorts. Alta was supposed to drop from $125 to $105, Brighton from $99 to $89, Snowbird from $145 to $110 and Solitude from $125 to $103. I bypassed both areas to try the spots near Ogden (30 minutes north). I only did Snow Basin. It was a nice place. $99 for a half day. Prices varied based on the day. There were two smaller resorts. Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley. NV was really cheap. Accommodations in Ogden were mostly under $100 a night. Nice town. Home to Weber State.

In SLC I ate at Curry Up Now (Indian Fast Food). I had a lamb keema bowl. I had ahi poke at Fresh Fin Poke. I had a beef and pork combo bowl at Cup Bop (Korean franchise). I had an interesting porridge at an Australian chain called Campos Coffee. It had caramel and hazelnuts on polenta and oat porridge. I had what they claimed was the best taco in Utah at Maize. It was an al pastor taco. Jury's out. I had a wienerschnitzel sandwich at Siegfried's Deli. I had yellow curry chicken with pepitas and green apple at Ginger Street. I had a Johnny Utah burger and salted caramel porter at Proper Burger (also has a brewery). It was really good. Slaw, pickled zucchini, turkey pastrami and cheese. Pickled zucchini is less watery than cucumber. It should be a thing. They were on 3D. As will the rest of the SLC list. I had mediocre brisket and ribs (dry, little smoke) at Pat's Barbecue. I had fried eggs and Norwegian Waffles (sour cream and ligonberries) at Finn's. I had a better than I expected meatball sub at Moochie's. I ended with a maple pecan kolache and an egg and sausage "ball" at Hruska's Kolaches. I stayed two nights at the Peery. Not so great. Two nights at the Plaza. Very cheap ($60). Was more during the summer. In Ogden I ate at Ogden River Brewery. Some good green chili fries. Huge serving. I ate ice cream (banana nut) at Farr's. That seems to be the state ice cream maker. I had a cheese and bacon potato at a place that only sells those (Brixton's). They must have doused the middle with some fake butter or something. I had to toss it. It was ridiculously fattening with just the toppings. I had some questionable Mexican at Beto's (a chain out West). I think that is is it. They opened the new terminal at the airport. Now it is a pain in the ass like most places. You have to walk forever to get out or to gate. The scanners are in a separate room and the lines took forever. Love that technology. The idiots that designed this make you walk all the way down one side and then over when they could have out the "over" portion first. It has been a low snow year. That made driving easier and enough (slopes) were open to please me. I'll probably go back in a month or so. To Bozeman and Big Sky first. Looks like it's a ski winter because of Covid and our afeared and feeble president. Maybe I'll move there?

Grub Crawl - Dr Phillips Area: Gogi and K Town

  I tried these two Korean places last Friday at lunch. They are side by side in the strip mall on Dr Phillips and Sand Lake. The first was world of Beer. The other was Whichwich. They are owned by the same people.

Gogi Korean Grill - It means meat. It is one of those "grill in the middle of the table" spots. They claimed you can do gas or charcoal. I did neither. I ordered a pre-made tofu stew called Sundubu ($15) because I don't think I've tried that before and I like to try new things. I added (for free) steak. They called it their bulgogi steak (since that has gogi in the word I bet I just made a funny in Korean). Usually the steak you get in bulgogi isn't this thin and tender. A nice surprise. The stew was tasty. A base that was probably peppers, tomato, onions, etc. They asked for a heat level. A raw egg was cracked on top. It came with rice that I didn't really eat because it didn't seem like it was necessary. Was I supposed to dump white rice in the stew? Just eat plain white rice with nothing on it? Drizzle the stew over the rice? It's funny. Some Asian and Latin meals just throw a bowl of rice in where it doesn't belong to fill you up. It came with four bon chon. I got five because they brought one wrong item. I chose: kimchi, broccoli, garlic something - sprouts I think, sprouts and fish cake. All were what you'd expect. At lunch, they serve "box' specials from $13 to $16.  6 apps. 3 salads. 1 soup. And a set lunch for two at $16 - $19. Probably per order. I think the dinner menu had a few more options. The space was big. It seats around one hundred in backless booths/squares. Windows look out on Sand Lake Rd. A bar. I kind of remember gray, black and maybe white tones. Some stone. Service (1) was good. Two other tables were seated after me. They said they have only been open for two months. Seems wrong. I never went in on recon missions. Maybe it's true. 

K Town Cafe - They call this a street food place. Probably smart to have a place like this next door. They can dump their aging supply and to go business off on this spot. A small menu of katsus, bowls, snacks. I had chicken katsu. It cost $10. Two "cutlets" of chicken. Rice (didn't eat this either). Kimchi. Broccoli. Last two were the same as Gogi. They made the chicken fresh in front of me. That can't always be expected in these times. Good crust. Chicken wasn't too dry. Light soy and garlic and sweet flavor. Probably a marinade. I ate one half when I got home (because the Sundubu wasn't that filling) and one half on the road the next day. It came with some black sauce that I didn't use or open. Probably a sweet soy. The place has the kitchen in the back of the small store. A few seats in front. Korean photos as decoration. They said they have been open for six months. Three others ordered while I was there.

*I'll do the SLC review in the next post. It will be short. Better to even these things out. Saw that Norman's plans to move in up the road.

Grub Crawl - Casselberry: Aji and Beyti

 I tried these newcomers on 436 last Friday at lunch. I ate at the first and got dinner to go at the second.

Aji - They said they have another location on OBT. That has been open for two and a half years. This branch opened four months ago. It is in a space in a strip mall across from Metro Diner near Howell Branch Rd. It was also a Peruvian place. A good one if I recall. This is a more "modern" take. The place is mostly bright white with plastic components. Some antiquated masks and statues and art keep it from being a room out of Sleeper. That's a Woody Allen film. He's the adoptive father of the metoo heartthrob Ronan Farrow. He used make comedies. Before he was making time with his children. The modern take extends to the menu. It has seventeen ceviches. Needless to say that that requires innovation since we're talking raw fish and a searing agent. I was expecting to try one as part of my meal, but, they copped to using swai. Are you kidding? Vietnamese catfish? I wouldn't eat it if you fried it. At my supermarket, I checked and it retails at $2.50 a pound. I doubt they use swai in Peru. I audibled to fried red snapper (pargo). Ironic that they fry the nice fish and serve raw the shit fish. Lucky for me they lack sense. The pargo was excellent. About a foot long. Fresh. Really well fried. Whole with the slashes in the body. No taste of old oil or mixed (different meats) oil. Tender, moist flesh. Crisp skin. They sell this preparation in alot of Caribbean and Latin countries. It is usually improperly prepared. This is one of the few preparations that was done properly. It came with two sides. I chose tostones and white rice. They tostones were larger and thin. They needed a sprinkling of sea salt. The rice was a bit crunchy. Not raw crunchy. Old crunchy. It had a hint of garlic in it. A bit bland. The meal cost $19. They start you off with a shot of tigre de leche (the liquid from the ceviche) and some corn nuts. The leche wasn't pure citrus or vinegar. Like a gazpacho. Good. They offer up a wide array. Five more "del mar" dishes. Eleven items they call "la previa" which means "the previous" which means I don't get it. I think they are apps. They are things like beef hearts and tequenos and a hodge podge of items. "Algo mas" is mostly tiraditos. "Por la casa" has these things (3) dishes that are scoops of cold mashed yellow colored potatoes topped with stuff. Never saw that before. They have four sushi rolls. All over $16. "Para calentarce" has four soups. "Para compartir" has four sampler platters. "Tacu tacu" has three types of a white bean and rice cake that I haven't seen before. Eight rice dishes in "Arroces". even a risotto and one with quinoa. Three "classicos". Seven "saltados y pastas" like lomo (tenderloin) saltado and fettuccine.They also have twelve pisco cocktails. Desserts (incuding mousse). Beer. Wine. Coffee. Pricing is all over the place and doesn't seem to make sense. The lomo is only $16. A bean cake is $18. Cheapest thing is $12. Highest is $19. Hey, I won! Or lost. Actually they have some ceviches and samplers that are in the $30 and $40s. 52 seats. Mostly tables of four or two. Three booths. Two bar areas that add eight seats a piece. Tv showing soccer. Service was good. Food came out fast. Place was pretty full at 2pm. Mostly all Latin looking customers. Will probably be first "favorite" of the new year. Means chili pepper. Odd choice. Not much of that on the menu. Logo also makes it look more fast food like than it is.

Beyti Mediterranean Grill - In a place around that overpass to Red Bug Lake Rd. Was some Cuban place called Ronaldo's or something. This guy had a place near I-4 and 436 on Douglas called Turkish Bar and Grill. Now he's here. I forget if it is recent or for like a year. I grabbed a "beyti" to go because it seemed like the thing to do and I'm not sure if I've had it before. The owner showed me a video of the traditional prep. They take the saddle of a lamb and make a roulade and grill it. Only nine or so portions per lamb. Is over $50 a serving in Turkey. He does a riff. Chopped lamb off the kabob in a lavas roll with a hot pepper and yogurt sauce on top. Like an enchilada. It was tasty. Moist lamb. Came with a small salad (purple cabbage and some greens and oil and vinegar) and savory rice and some onions. Also two charred jalapenos that I thought were okra or shisitos. Hot as hell. One other pepper as well that I didn't touch. The meal cost $12. They also have the usual suspects like gyros and tabouli and more exceptional things like: pide, ezme, kunefe, etc. He's from the west (Adana). The menu is holistic. They kind of refurbed the interior. The room on the left had some Turkish elements added. The room on the right was a junk room. Two old white ladies were finishing up when I entered at 3pm. Two Middle Eastern men came in after. Seats about fifty. Article from Sentinel on the wall. I assume it was a good review. Not bad. Needs to hit in more cylinders. Had that "dead man walking" vibe to it.

*This ran too long to add my SLC notes. I'll try and add anew post with them soon.

Grub Crawl - East Colonial and Audubon Park: Chicken Fire and Winter Park Biscuit Co

I grabbed items to go after lunch at Osphere a little under two weeks ago. I didn't intend for it to be a competition, but, let's get it on!

Chicken Fire - As I understand it, they were a food truck that was then parked at East End Market and now occupies what I believe was an old Italian (went there but can't find a review) place in between an Asian market and a Chinese restaurant called Lam's across from the strip mall that has Total Wine on 50 and Bumby. I'll start by saying that I guess this is a fad. This hot chicken thing. I thought it WAS a fad about ten years ago (I mean even the fast food restaurants co-opted it years ago). But, I guess what is old is new again or people around here are that far behind because they had people lining up. I'll interject at this point that I just returned from SLC and they also had a hot chicken place (Pretty Bird) that was so pretentious that they wouldn't even take orders. You had to use an app. And it was packed with people picking up. So either the people in SLC are just as out of touch as we are or it is a thing (again). It took me about twenty minutes to get my $10 two piece meal that I think they called "tenders" which were really breasts. It came with crinkle cut fries. The chicken was ok. Alot of breading made them seem larger than they actually were. Meat seemed like it had been thawed out. Crust was crispy. I think they use frosted or corn flakes. I tried the hottest level. It was pretty hot. I've done some ghost pepper challenges like Menchie's 420 in Sarasota and this wasn't that hot. No gastro-intestinal issues afterwards. Served on some white bread with pickles.I used the pickles on a bagel with cream cheese later on and found that that works.  The fries were the best thing. Very crisp. They only have six or so options. They are only open W-SN. 11 or 12 to 6p (I think). They had about three booths. People could eat in there if they wished. Not very fancy. Open a month. It's no Cro-nut. And even that was ridiculous. Not bad, but, not worthy of adulation. So, a perfect fit for the 21st century. I've been to the famous in ones in Tennessee (and beyond) years ago and they weren't worth it. It's just fried chicken with hot sauce on top people! And the sauce often soften the crispiness of the chicken and masks the flavor. I don't get it. Maybe it's a pothead thing. Maybe this is as far as kids are willing to go for a thrill in this baby proofed world?

Winter Park Biscuit Co - They took over the first stall on the left from Florida something and Bird of Paradise just recently. It looked all vegan, but, a review I read mentioned meat options. I grabbed a three piece that I thought was chicken. It was soy. Not bad for soy. Crisp coating. Looked like mozzarella sticks or fish fingers. Biscuit was salty. Fries were bad. Coated. I think they added a carrot and caraway and cabbage slaw that was too sweet. That could have been from Chicken Fire though. My notes melded together. They only had five or so choices. One was a fake burger. I think two salads and a chicken on a bun. My meal cost $13. I saw a Japanese tea/mochi place on the next level. Not sure if that is new. The other stalls seemed to have re-opened. 

So, the winner is - (by default) Chicken Fire. They actually came to play with chicken in a chicken contest. Plus they gave 2x the food at $3 less. And their fries were good.

*I'll give you a SLC report in a few days. I did notice that things appear back to normal (especially around here). The airport was jammed (especially the rental car lines) when I came back. Traffic sucked all over town. I saw that even the strip club (ie Rachel's) parking lots were full (night and at lunch time). I read Canadians are returning for flu shots. My flights (connections) were all full. Airports in Dallas and Charlotte were SRO. 

Osphere, Downtown

 First a little house cleaning. In the last post I realized that I was guilty of lazy journalism. A better journalist would have listed the mayor as Bluddy Dyer-ia and the head nurse as Raul Pino-chet. I promise better self-editing in the future.

I tried this replacement for some short lived Italian joint (and Spice before that ) about a week and a half ago at lunch. I had some ready cash from voting the night before in Georgia. And you thought they paid well to protest. First Greg Pitts gave us the O Face (Office Space). Now these guys have given us the O Sphere. They did zero to the look. Four tables of two ate while I was there. One waitress. One chef. You would think it was a disaster. You'd be wrong. I had a very decent cheeseburger and fries for $14. I was too nervous to order any of the "harder" to prepare meals. Now the burger was well done and I asked for medium rare, but, it was still ok. The meat quality and size was good. It was topped with a thin slice of tomato, shredded lettuce, shredded onion and some kind of mayo based spread. The american cheese they used reminded me of some cheese I love for burgers. Not sure what brand it is. The buttered bun was good too. It came with half a plate of fries. Some were crisp, but, most were not quite there. If I wasn't flying out the next day, I would have bagged them and had snacks for three days. The plating was good. Most things were centered on the bun. The menu was mostly American. Tuna tartare, chicken, steak, crisp pork sandwich, grouper, etc. It's not anything grammy, but, it seems like they still care. If you just want a "normal" meal, you could do alot worse. They opened one year ago. I stayed away because I presumed they would go under. They have survived. They must have some following. Give them a try. Across from Publix.

*I saw that the old Shari space down the road had a sign that said Ootoya coming soon. See review of Altamonte Springs location. Also, there is supposed to be a Filipino place opening down there by the Kadence people. On the NE corner of the lake a Persimmon Hollow replaced a bread place. 

2020 Favorites List and Travel Notes Index

I started this blog in an attempt to provide consumer protection. I never thought I'd have to protect both parties. This year was a reminder of what a society can expect when we choose leaders like we choose teenage pop idols and masked dancers. And they are put in charge of anything thornier than garbage pick up. Let alone pandemic mitigation. 

Nincompoops like (Swim)buddy Dyer-ia and the Revahhrend Huckleberry Lemmings and their crack medical expert Raul Pino. I'm not sure about you, but I like my doctors thin and my chefs fat. Not the other way around. And let's not forget the weak kneed followers in Seminole County. Lee Constantine, Jay Zembower, Bob Dallari, Amy Lockart, Andrea Herr (new) and Brenda Carey (out). And there has been "medical expert" Dr Husty. They made life miserable for all the people on the list and all the ones not. People who pay the salaries of these non-essential, salary protected workers. Who risk much to provide for us. And "the science" proves that only 1.6% of infections were at restaurants. And that doesn't prove that the regulations worked! I swear we need an update of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or any other satirical prose. Aliens would be so bemused by us right now.

Most of you probably sat by and watched all this happen. Maybe even demanded it. I know who foodies are. How they think. I know this is going in one ear and out another. In know you feel no shame. Are incapable of it. Think you are a priori good. You should be banned from their premises for life. You live life beneath your Mommy's apron strings as close to the warm breath of your deliverance as you can nuzzle up to. You love that extra padding you can rest your head against. You "live" your lives in fear. You are adult sized babies. It's time for you to grow up. You must come out from behind the apron strings. And now on to the awards. I may be a little more generous because of the enviroment 2020 created.

$$$$-

$$$- Delaney's Tavern, Susuru, Dexter's New Standard, Mr Wang's Sports BBQ, General Public House (NSB), Sixty Vines, World of Magic, Makani, Barwachi, Antica Pizza

$$- Pepe, Taglish, Grain & Ember Pizza, Git N Messy BBQ, Medellin Burger, What the Chuck Burger, Current Seafood

$- Shaka Donuts, Bagel Bruno, Taco Shack (NSB), Banh Mi Boy, Taqueria Las Cazuelas

*NSB = New Smyrna Beach

Travel Notes Index

February 5 - NV/AZ/NM

February 15 - SF

March 10 - FL GC

May 19 - FL/GA/AL/KY/MO/IA/SD/NE/KS/AR/OK/TX/MS

May 29 - TN/SC/NC/GA

June 20 - SC/PA/VT/NH/NY

July 18 - NV/UT/NM/WY/CO/AZ

July 22 - LV

August 11 - MN/MI

August 30 - CO/KS

September 23 - WA/MT/ID

October 13 - FL GC

November 6 - FL/GA/SC/NC/VA/MD/WV

December 13 - LV

December 26 - FL Keys and GC

Face Tea, Lake Mary

 I'll slip this one in before the Favorites. I grabbed a milk black tea here on Thursday at lunch. It cost $4. Like every other one. Same with shop. It is in the corner of the strip mall that has Grato and Burger Fi on Lake Mary Blvd and Rinehart Rd. They sell smoothies and teas and boba and the usual. They also have one food item - popcorn chicken. Probably nuked. Didn't seem like they have a kitchen. I noticed the English teahouse (Dicken's) was closed. Not sure when that happened. The Universe filled their void with this cheap Chinese replica. Seems like a metaphore/presage. Open for 6 months.

Mr & Mrs Crab, Sanford

I tried this seafood place in the old Smokey Bones location near the mall today at lunch. They opened two months ago. They had a little video playing that said they had around a dozen locations in Florida (one in MS) and a dozen planned. I think this is the sixth type of this restaurant that opened around CF this year alone. Only one so far has been good (the one in Altamonte Springs on 434). This is number two. At least the crabs were fresh. That is the criteria. Low bar, but, four of them couldn't measure up. I had just been spoiled at Peace River Seafood (see last post's travel tips). This place is nowhere near as good. But, they swore they had just driven to Tampa to get a fresh batch of blue crabs and I think they were telling the truth. The meat was firm. It tasted fresh. Now a pound turned out to be two smallish sidlers and a larger one. That cost $15. $20 got me six or seven large ones at Peace River. They didn't sell be the pound, so, I'm not sure if I got shorted. This is your typical boil in a bag place that makes you pick a seasoning . I just asked for mild Cajun, but, it seemed like they added melted butter. Maybe that is implied? It came with a potato and corn. Didn't try the corn. I also had a half pound of crawfish. They copped to them being frozen. Still ok. Came with a potato. They cost $7. The order came out fast. Too fast? They must have some pre-pared. They also sell shrimp, snow crab, clams, manila clams, green mussels, blue mussels, calamari, scallops, lobster tail, dungeness crab, king crab and sausage. Apps. Fried baskets. The usual pricing. They had lunch specials that weren't so special. You basically get fries or mac and cheese. Sodas were a little inflated at $3. They did give a to go cup. They also honored the 10% coupon I got in the mail. Service was good. They decorated it with nets, license plates and plastic fish. The video said they were offering a unique experience. Hardly. There must be a check list they all follow. Down to "replace a chain barbeque restaturant". The bar had a small selection of name brands. That is actually advisable. I always wonder at why they carry all those bottles. I hope they don't pay up front. Waste of capital. The place was too dark. and this was during the day. You needed a flashlight to read the menu. It was also too loud. They had some web based jukebox that curated a bizarre playlist of hip hop, country, rock, etc. This again is something that all these places have in common. The disjointed nature of the program coupled with the volume is not what I'm looking for during my lunch hour. It also left half the place unhappy half of the time. The place seats around ninety. Five tables up front were in use. They had sports and news on the tv. It wasn't the disaster I have grown accustomed to. If they keep things fresh then they will be worth it. If they don't, then it won't. Simple as that. They seem to still be conscientious two months in.

*I will post The 2020 Favorites in a few days.

Coqui, Sanford *FL Keys and FL Gulf Coast Travel Notes

I grabbed some dinner to go at this Puerto Rican restaurant on 17-92 on Tuesday. They close at 8pm. They open at 8am. Their daily specials are unbelievably affordable at $8. I grabbed two to provide you with more data. Each comes with two sides AND a soda. I tried corned beef with french fries and potato salad and chicken stew (guisado) with rice with pigeon peas (arroz con gandules) and tostones. The corned beef was a new adventure. I didn't love it. It was all minced up. I once tried (to see what the hell it was like) that junk next to the tuna and chicken salad at the market. Devil something? This was like that. They folded in potato rectangles into it. I ended up picking those out and adding them to the too mayo-ed potato salad. The french fries were also disappointing. Those startch covered grease tubes I hate. The trip home in a sealed container eradicated any crispness that may have existed. I will say that they helped me fine tune my chicken skin drying process. I bought a $5 chicken at Winn Dixie the next day and I put some of the fries in bowl and covered them with the chicken skin and nuked them for 2 1/2 minutes. The fries sucked up the chicken grease and created convection for better skin desiccation. Back to the meal. The chicken was ok. A little dry. Rough chopped sections of bone in chicken. About eight pieces. The rice was very good. Huge portion. Had it for two leftover meals. The tostones were the best. They didn't loose crispness. Four I think. Lightly salted. Some of the best I've ever had. They have around ten "specials" every day. Most meats. The usual sides. They also do breakfast. I think all day, They have seven sandwiches. But, they cost as much or more than the specials and don't come with anything. They also have platters and mofongo(s). All more than the specials. I remember soup and desserts and a kid's menu. They didn't change the decor. This place has been a Mexican and Italian spot recently. It's on a cross street one block to or from Lake Mary Blvd depending on your ingress. It's Lake something. Minnie? They have been open for a year. a Puerto Rican woman and her Indian husband. Most things are less tha $15. I think it's a great value.

*Travel Notes - Florida Keys and Gulf Coast: Here are some notes on a trip to the Keys through the Gulf Coast. I tried another route than 95 to see if it would actually be quicker and less traffic-y. I think it might be depending on the time of day. (also may be best way to south Gulf). I usually stop in Homestead or before Miami to cut the cost of one night Keys hotel prices and because you usually arrive after dark anyway. I took 1-4W to 27S through Haines City and Lake Wales to 60W to Bartow to 17S to Punta Gorda. I left at 11am and had little to no traffic throughout. It took me around two hours. Here to Palm Beach is usually two and a half hours. And then the traffic can start. On my way back (this way), the south bound traffic to Miami started here at 1pm. I slept here (PG). The plan. I took 75 to Naples the next day. No traffic. 60 minutes. I stayed here for a night. The plan. I took 41E to 997S to Key Largo. This bypassed the US1 part of east coast route. That took me two hours alone on the way back. I think this may be me new route

**Ok. The food. In Punta Gorda, I didn't Google the addresses of the three places I had written down and chose takeout Thai (Mint) near my Springhill Suites in Punta Gorda because I was hangry. A shame because the highly rated Asian (Perfect Caper) was right by me. I also drove by another (Farlow's on the Water) when I explored Gasparilla Island earlier in the day. Check that out btw. It's way cute. Gasparilla Inn was $270 on Expedia. Should have stayed there. At Mint I tried the crispy quail and Panang Chicken Curry. Quail was sour. Not sure if that is how it is supposed to taste. The next day I backtracked a mile or two on 17 and had blue crabs and clams at Peace River Seafood. The clams were chewy and a bit of a rip off. The crabs were the exact opposite. A treasure. So fresh! Only $20. In Naples I started my stone crab hunt. That's the reason I came back here so soon. Last time I was here they said this (and not the Keys) was stone crab catching central. I grabbed a pound of mediums at Captain & Krewe Seafood near 5th. They cost $24 a pound. Good. I next grabbed beer and corn holes (corn meal donuts with bacon jam and honey butter) and brisket potato at Industry Beer and Barbecue. I stayed at a place called Bayfront Inn 5th Ave (across from Tin City). This was in the same development. It turned out to be great. A huge selection of mostly Floridian beers and good food. The potato has all kinds of cheese and goodness in it and the brisket was good. The holes were also good. Both cost under $8. I was going to get more stone crabs on the way out. A place called Oakes Farms Market. They were selling for $20 a pound. I grabbed a turkey sandwich instead. Beer bloating issues. Naples was dead. I stayed at a Hampton Inn in Key Largo that had manatees right in the canal and ocean around them. I went back to Key Largo Fisheries (tradition) and they were selling them at $22 a pound. I also finally tried the lobster BLT at their Backyard Cafe. It was ok. Dry Caribbean lobster tail per usual. It cost around $24. Over rated. I had basted (covered to steam) eggs, hb and sausage at Bob's Bunz in Islamorada the next day. One barbacoa taco at Sinz in Key West. Oysters (really good Appalachicola's at Conch Republic. OK pizza at Duetto Pizza. I had drinks at Joe's Tap Room, Tattoos and Scars and the Tipsy Rooster. The cops were misrepresenting the State's mask (or lack of one) mandate. I stayed at a place called Alexander Palms Court on South St because they had parking. I had lunch at Firefly the next day. An in place. I had shrimp and grits. Grits were good. Shrimp were small. They are known for a scallop dish they don't serve at lunch. I grabbed roast pork, beans, rice, plantains and tostones for $15 at Fernanady's Food Truck. Huge portions. I drove through Big Pine Key the next day and had stone crabs for $15 (!) at Big Pine Key Market. A side of the road stand. The best tasting crabs to boot. And all kinds of fish, seafood and produce. A find. I had lunch at Bitton Bistro and Cafe in Islamorada. I had a Lyon salami and Gruyere sandwich and salad. The owner is Moroccan. I had dinner at a place whose name always cracked me up. Great Wall Taki Outi. Don't have a conniption (would a woke stroke be a stwoke?), they are Asian run. I just had some Moo Goo Gai Pan. The place looks beyond scary, but, I didn't get sick. I stayed at a place called Pines & Palms Inn. I try and try new places each trip. And ones that are at the biggest discount on that day. I had a bad Italian sub on the way out at Tower of Pizza in Key Largo. I've been down here quite a few times. I'm trying to try ALL the restaurants. Not all of these are worth your time. This time of year was perfect. I think it will be my new "go" time. No crowds. Perfect weather. X-mas vibe. Is nice!

Equilibre, Lake Ivanhoe/Antiques District

 I tried this little place last Wednesday at lunch. It's a sandwich, sweets, smoothie, juice place. Maybe coffee. It's the last spot on the block. Across from Washburn Imports. White, one story building. They opened two years ago. Open 11-6. I grabbed a turkey club to go. It cost $10. I tried it on wheat. I wasn't expecting much, but, it was way cute. Not bad tasting either. Kind of a girl's version. Single slice of turkey, sprouts, cherry tomatoes, crisp bacon, avocado and a spicy remoulade-ish spread. Thick. Hard to eat while driving. Slippery sucker. Didn't the whore in Pretty Woman say that? They also serve roast beef, salmon, tuna and three or more sandwiches. Salads too. Juice and smoothies cost almost as much as the sandwiches. Too rich for my blood. The place is run by Brazilian women. I saw three. The sandwich took a little while to appear. I forgave them when I saw that it wasn't slapped together. The to go bag and box must have cost them a buck. It's a small space. Just room for four people to order. They have a small patio. Not bad. 

*The next post will be in a few days and have notes from a Gulf Coast and Keys jaunt.

Grub Crawl - Sanford: Current Seafood, Dharma Fine Vittles and What the Chuck Burgers (Closed) *LV Travel Notes

I tried these three new stalls at Henry's Depot at lunch on Thursday. 

Current Seafood - I tried an order of grouper bites for $10. They were good. Big chunks. Grilled. Fresh. For some reason, they came with cocktail sauce. I made up my own Sriracha and mayo. They were a liitle bland as prepared and needed a sauce. They also sell two sandwiches. Salmon and mahi, I think. They also had fried platters: scallops, shrimp, clams, etc. They sell 1 1/4 lb lobsters on Monday for $30. They boil them. Lobster rolls are sold on Tuesday at $20.

Dharma Fine Vittles - A vegan spot. They list three locations. Needless to say, I tried to extricate myself in the cheapest way possible. That ended up being with a side of terrible cheesy homies for $5. A little cup of raw potatoes (needed five minutes in microwave to make them soft) in cashew cheese. A total waste of money. They also sell some fake hot dogs, burritos and sandwiches ( blt, chicken, green tomato, jack fruit etc). Everything is twice as expensive as it should be. Because you aren't suffering enough. Thirteen plus is a median. 

What the Chuck Burgers - A burger place by the Tennessee Truffle guy. I had the headline burger (smash something). It was good. Twice as big as my favorite fast food burger (Freddy's). I though it came with mustard. Mine only had mayo, pickles and cheddar cheese. The pickles were too muchy and sweet. The cheese was too salty. Still good. Beef had good flavor. Glossy bun. They sell around seven other concoctions. with things like, pimento cheese, feta, apple and celery salad, etc. You have to order at the bar for some reason.

Travel Notes - Las Vegas: Here are my Las Vegas trip notes - If I don't expound on a place it probably wasn't good. The first batch were places shown on Marcus Samuelsson's show No Passport Required on PBS. I did all but one deli and two were defunct. Fat Choy at Eureka Casino on Sahara Blvd. They have also been on 3D. A Pork Belly BLT. Chubby Cattle. This was a Mongolian Hot Pot place. Also scored high on Yelp. Andrew Zimmern was on here too. Very good quality meats and broths. I had the lamb and beef. It usually has the meats circling on a belt. Not presently. On Jones off of Spring Valley. They had some weird things like throat and duck flippers. Kung Fu. I had their Teochew Duck. Ok. I also had a cheap but bad moo goo gai pan lunch special. On Valley View and Spring Mountain. Chengdu Taste. They (by the articles on the walls) seem to be a popular LA spot (more towards San Gabriel Mts). I had toothpick lamb. More of an Arabic dish. Little bits of lamb on toothpicks. Shang Artisan Noodles. On West Flamingo and Decataur. I didn't feel like waiting. Their governor is also being a prick about capacity. Got some dumplings to go. Beef and pork. Not great. 

The next batch is via Yelp, happenstance or recommendation. Egg Slut at the Cosmopolitan. Only open until like noon or two. I had their namesake - Slut. it is a egg coddled in a glass jar with potato puree. some toasted baguette slices on the side. pretty good. Lee's Sandwiches on Spring Mountain. Another California place. I had a pate and pork roll banh mi. Very good. Cheap. They are open 24 hrs and sell alot of things. Sushi Takashi. Not that great quality for the rep. My squid and some of the fish tasted fishy. I had octopus head karaage. Squid tentacles karaage. Chazuke (broth over rice) salmon. Peter Pan's Hat (inari around rice with spicy tuna and an avocado slice as a feather. I also had mackerel, yt and shrimp nigiri. Bad rice. I had Big Eye Tuna sahimi. Good. They also had Blue fin on special. I didn't have it, but, they had something called chawan mushi. It was steamed egg custard topped with things. At La Pasticceria at Eataly in the Park MGM I had a almond frangipane in puffed pastry crust called Greca. I also tried some of the Bastianich wine. It wasn't great. I had fish taco and an octopus tostada at Baja Mar on Las Vegas Blvd. They were good. Some guy in Colorado told me about them this summer. They have a high rating. Out of San Diego. 

I went back to Taco el Gordo on Las Vegas Blvd. I tried to get the eye and head tacos I told you about before. Either they just look like mushed up beef or they just gave me something else. I also tried an al pastor at the place next door (Taco el Pastor) just to compare. Not as good. I had Michoacan Chicken at Bonito Michoacan on Decataur. Not great. I thought I was going there for some spicy dish. They didn't know what I was talking about when i brought it up. The salsa was pretty spicy. This area is south of Guadaljara. Part is on the sea, They had a huge menu with seafood. Sapporo Revolving Sushi on Spring Mountain. Pretty good sushi for $2.50 a plate (2 pc). I had ocean trout, New Zealand King Salmon, yt, salmon, kamapchi (they called it young yt) and tuna. I had an ok Cobb Salad in white French dressing (that's a new one) at Grand Cafe at Red Rock Casino. Check out that area. Summerlin. 

The last one is Samurai BBQ on Decataur. This is a place where you grill. Yakiniku. I tried thick cut tongue, smoked tongue, hanging tenderloin, pork jowls and a scallop in a shell. All great. Smoked tongue was new and better. Scallops was fun to cook in the shell. Wish I was hungrier when I went. I also had some fresh oysters on the half shell. They had some weird stuff: pickled squid, shark cartilage, intestines, first stomach (called it mountain chain), liver, toro tongue (base of tongue), short rib tartare, short rib sushi (explain that one), sea urchin wrapped with short ribs, tongue sashimi. That's it. Things still pretty cheap. Kind of dead. Gay governor was shutting them down this weekend I think. I also went to a park (Red Rock Canyon NCA) past Summerlin. Nice loop drive. Bishop Gorman High School is located there (Summerlin) if you know your sports. Plus the A's AAA stadium and a hockey arena and malls. Circa opened on Fremont street. looks nice. Many bars and art installations down there. An area made up of shipping containers. Neon and Mob museums. Round trip was $126 on Frontier.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park: Financier (Closed) and George's Deli

 I tried these spots on Park Ave about a week ago at lunch. The first is next to Tabla and Le Macaron near the center point of the avenue.. The next is past the Tiffany museum towards the golf course. 

Financier - They opened a year ago. They said the last tenant was a bbq place. I remember it as a bakery. Funny thing. They started with a place near Wall St or Water St (choose one) that I used to go to when I lived in NYC. There is an Impractical Jokers where Murr has to take cigarettes from people that was filmed nearby. I remember more pastry at that place. I had the poulet roti for $15. It seemed like the best value. Sandwiches cost the same and the other entrees (steak frites and entrecote ribeye) were $5 and $15 more. The chicken was ok. Small. Drum and thigh. The skin was dry and a bit burnt. No sheen. It seemed like it may have been reheated. It came with shoe string french fries (a bit on the dry side) and a wilting field green salad in a light dressing. A little more care seems to be in order. The soda was one of those Euro style bottles. I wonder what the unit price difference is for them? I hope they don't think it is charming. Old thinking if it is the answer. The lunch menu has egg dishes ($15+), burgers ($15), salads ($14+), tartines ($12+), quiche (10+) and small plates. They have a full breakfast menu. I'm unsure if they do dinner. They also have booze and coffee. And cakes. Inside is small and rectangular. Four tables of four and two twos in front and a long banquette in the rear. The right side of the room is a bar countertop. Behind it is a poor man's frosted mirror. They tried to recreate the look with a piece of sheet metal. First time I've seen that. Service (1) was good. They had a hostess. Kind of unnecessary. An extra server would have been more useful. There were four other people dining with (around me) me. Most French places have disappeared over the years. I guess it is good to have any choice. Hopefully, Covid is the issue at present. They need to tighten execution up a tad. Still happy I chose it over the following.

George's Cafe - They may impress. Some of the things I saw on plates were voluminous. And they were full. But, I found the menu way overpriced. And It took too long to order. That's why I left originally. I went back for a snack. I settled on a chocolate chip cookie. It was more like a puffy granola bar. It was very good. Tons of chips. Airy. Like a rice crispy treat. It cost $3.50. The menu offers only eleven specialty sandwiches, seven regular sandwiches, one burger, seven salads and a soup or chili. The special sandwiches start at $15. The regs at $14. They also do breakfast. But, only from Th-Sn. Dishes run from $7 for two eggs and hb to $18 for filet and eggs. They have a dish (Eggs Sardou) that I had at Arnaud's in New Orleans. Weird. If I went back, I would probably go for breakfast. They moved here in April from their place (since 1989) across from Bubbalou's on Lee Rd. I'm pretty sure I reviewed that place. I forgot to go back and see what I thought of them. The place is small inside. Grand ma looking. A countertop and a few tables. They have a patio with more seats. Main issue is price. Asking about twice what they should.

Grub Crawl - Altamonte Springs: Antica Pizzeria and Monte Gelato

 I tried these two neighbors tonight. They are in the srtip mall right off I-4 at 436 (behind Twin Peaks). The first is an Italian restaurant. The second is a gelato shop.

Antica Pizzeria - I thought they were new. They said either five or seven years old. They open at 5pm (even pre-Covid). Just doing take out now. A mom and son operation. Roots in Calabria. I tried the spaghetti and meatballs (polpette) and a Calabrese pizza. $17 and $14 respectively. The spagehetti was ok. Either it started out a little overdone and pasty or it became that way on the trip home. I think they make or buy fresh pasta. The sauce was pretty bland. Some slivers of garlic. Some cheese. The meatballs were good. Golf ball sized. Not dense. The guy at The Weekly made a big deal about them. Maybe a little overblown. They said they make them fresh ever other day. I think the mom (not that old) does the non-pizza cooking. They also do a few more pasta dishes. Three rigatoni. Lasagna. I forget the rest. The pizza was good. The dough was very good. I think they use a zero flour. It had a grayish hue. Whole wheat? Good char. Good chew. A bit pudgy. Ten inches. This style has Calabrese sausage. Thin slivers. Pizza mozzarella and fresh mozzarella dollops. Italian portioning of cheese. Alot of crust. Some bubbling. Bland sauce. Like the one on the spaghetti. Neopolitan style. A contender. I didn't ask how hot they get the brick oven. They had around ten pies. They also have other things. Fresh mozzarella and buratta. The place has a brick circumference. Booths on the walls. Tables in the middle. Window up front. Rustic looking. Seats about fifty. 

Monte Gelato - They opened a month ago. About sixteen flavors. I had a cone for $3.75. A kiddie cup was $5. I tried Amaretto. It tasted like marzipan. I don't remember Ameretto tasting like that. Good though. Small store. Gelato fridge up front.

*Some more from the last post: I forgot that they gave me smoked corn on the cob at that place in Natchez. Good. I also tried a pastry stout at that brewery and they also made a stawberry pancake stout. I also have to warn you about buying Uncle Ben's boil in the bag rice. It sucks. Smaller bag than Success (for example). The rice still wasn't soft after fifteen (supposed to be ten) minutes. I think they are doing away with name. It's a start.

Cook's Buffet, Deland *GA/AL/MS/LA Travel Notes

 I finally experienced lunch at this buffet place across from Stetson around ten days ago. It cost $14. The regular is around two bucks less. This level gets you a free drink and dessert. It was ok. Very old school. I can't get behind it for two reasons. They force a mostly unnecessary (and often times counter productive) waitress on you and they only allow one serving of one of their "meats" per visit. That and the food wasn't that great or the selection that extensive. First course options were basically salad or cold salads like pasta. I just had some carrots. There were around eight sides. I had mashed potatoes and one slice of roasted potatoes. I had some sliced beef (might have been labeled prime rib) as the entree. It was ok. They also had pork, turkey or chicken, that cheapest river fish called basa and a few other things. Dessert was bad. I had maybe the worst pecan pie I've ever had. Very jelly. Few pecans. I don't think they refilled my soda once and it was mostly a glass of ice. Waitress also got lost at check time. The place looked like someone's (old) home. Every veteran was there celebrating their day. You can box up a meal. I think they open at 11am. I believe they are open for an early dinner too. I pass it every time on my way to 75. I was just curious. It was about what I expected.

*Travel Notes - Georgia/Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana: I'll stick to Natchez MS and New Orleans LA info because the rest wasn't worth retelling. In Natchez (which is at the southern end of a historical Parkway (Natchez Trace) from TN to MS, I had brisket and ribs at Pig Out Inn Barbeque. Ribs better than the brisket. They said they use green oak. I haven't heard of that. They said it burns slower. It didn't give the meats much flavor. I also had some beer at the Natchez Brewing Co. Pretty good. In New Orleans, I had a half and half po boy (one side shrimp/one side oysters) at Domilise's. It was good. The place is like 100 years old and famous. I had the best french fries ever (and a pretty good tuna steak burger) at Bryant Park in the Warehouse district. Imagine slices of potato that look like snow peas in the pod. Perfect thickness. Not a fry. Not a chip. Fried perfectly. Soft AND crunchy. I had brunch at Arnaud's. They state that there is a strict dress code. but, I begged my shorts and T shirt ass in (supplied sport coat). It's a three course prix fixe. I started with their "signature" dish of cold shrimp. A fair portion of medium sized shrimp in a sauce that was basically cocktail sauce and cajun spices. I tried poached eggs in artichoke hearts in a bed of spinach for the main dish. Just curious. The artichokes were a bit bland and watery. I hope the bitterness I tasted was to keep them from coloring and didn't mean they came from a can. The spinach was great and soaked up the yolk. I don't even like creamed spinach. The dessert was crepes Suzette for $4 more. Terrible. Old crepes. Cheap liquor. My meal was around $34. You could order things like veal or eggs benedict with pompano for a few bucks more. I don't think anything was over $40. I checked the dinner menu and it wasn't that different. This Antoine's and Galatoire's are three of the more famous places. Full service. Old school. They were closed on the subsequent days I was in town (Covid schedule). All on or off Bourbon St. I had a mufaletta at Central Grocery (where it is said to have been invented). A half cost $13 or $14. Fine. Only one layer of meat and cheese. The worst (and second most expensive) meal I had was at Seaworthy in the Ace Hotel. It was supposed to be an oyster haven. They were out of all but two. I tried one Humboldt Bay (for $4!). It was dry. Pieces of sand or shell. Boo. I also had the worst pot of mussels ever (looked like chewed chewing gum) and a sloppily prepared tiradito of cobia. I had a meat lover pizza at Slice in the Garden District on St Charles. It was on Pizza Cuz. Bad dough. Good meats. I bought a dinner to go at Le Petit Bleu on Washington and Coliseum in the same district. That is the address for Commander's Palace. The most famous restaurant in town. Open 5-9pm. So, techinically I've knocked that off my list because this is their to go market. I tried the Cafe Pierre (from NY?) Lacquered Texas Quail for $29. It was great. They stuff it with a ricey boudin and lay it on a bed of braised cabbage and "roots". Grand Marnier and Cognac jus. I would by a "tv dinner" from them every week if I lived there. They also sell menu items like: turtle soup, dirty duck confit, gumbo, white shrimp curry, etc. All under $30. Great way to get a feel for such a difficult place to get a table at. I grabbed a good donut from District Donuts on the walk back. Four locations in NO. Not famous to my knowledge. I guess that's it. If you go, I'd recommend staying near the convention center. It's in between the French Quarter and Garden District in the Warehouse District (under the bridge by the river). There is a new WW II museum and two art museums just north. It's cheaper and less noisy and easier to drive to and from. There is a famous restaurant just north (that I tried with Mother's last trip) called Cochon. Not terribly dangerous. Saturday night did seem like a Freak-nik, but, it (the city) calmed down after that. If you like weed, this is the out house for you now that I assume it has been made legal. If you want real quiet stay in the Garden District. I still have a long list of places to try. Covid and the recent hurricane is playing havoc with the schedules at present.

Grub Crawl - New Smyrna Beach: Peanut's, New Smyrna Dessert Company and Baci *FL/GA/SC/NC/VA/MD/WV Travel Notes

The first two are across the intercoastal on Flagler. The last is on US1 (Dixie) a bit north on the left (where all the others have been). They are opening up another spot (beer themed I think) next door. That spot looks like a gas station. I tried these at lunch last Thursday. I found two newcomers (on Flagler) in one of those alley coves - Mimi's and a Cuban place. I still have two to do near the ocean and I have tried Treat on the Beach (snack bar) before the blog. Plus Atlantic something and another one in another alley cove.

Peanuts Sport Pub & Grub - The definition of a dive bar. Open for 40 years. Looks it. Even has a beer can wall. I grabbed a hot dog with chips for $5 after they were out of BLT's. It was a hot dog. Actually not terrible. They have a thin menu. There was one semi-interesting thing on the menu. Something like a taco in a bag of Doritos. It is near the ocean. Next to that scruffy motel.

New Smyrna Dessert Company - Something about this place seemed familiar. It turns out they (Mango Tango) moved and rebranded. Now it is in the center of the street. Some froyo. I grabbed a bit of it. May even have been mango come to think of it.

Baci Pizzeria Ristorante - I grabbed a 16" for $15. When they rolled it out, they added too much flour to the dough. Dry. Dusty. One side had bad cheese coverage. Bubbles. Didn't pound out the air before rolling. Otherwise, pretty good. Thin. Nice natural sauce. Wood burning brick oven. They have been open for six years. Very good wine list (had Barolo's and Chateau Montelena for example). Beer. Apps, salads, ciabattas, heroes, pasta and many pizzas. Fair pricing. Lots of things just over $10. Most expensive dish is Veal parm or Lobster ravioli at $24. Nice patio. Sit down bar on the right afront the pizza oven and prep area. A few tables on the left. Exposed wine cabinet on left wall. 

*I popped into Henry's Depot in Sanford last Friday. Things had changed. The place I reviewed (Mex) and the Poke place were gone. Replaced by Current Seafood and What the Chuck Burgers. A new one was Dixie Dharma (plant based). There is also a coffee bar - Mahogony and an ice cream place -Greenery Creamery. I may have cited them before.

**Travel Notes - FL/GA/SC/NC/VA/MD/WV: Latest trip finds - I started by seeing what was up at Atlantic and Neptune Beach (off 295 before J'ville). I tried some Penguin Tracks ice cream at a place called Whit's. I believe they are from Ohio. A new place (The Boathouse) opened a few days before in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. They had a cool menu. I had sea bass with etoufee dumplings (made from the rice etouffe usual is served with) and peach bread pudding. They also offered: fried chicken in a pickle and sunday sauce (forgot what that was), fish with chow (I believe this is Southern kim chi) and Meyer lemon mayo, banana toffee pudding (banana brulee and nilla wafer base), carrot cake churros, bbq salmon with red mule grits, a brined and barbecued chicken, a hangar steak with barrel aged worcestershire sauce (never even seen that), ribeye with black garlic steak sauce (also new), chicken and waffle mac tacos, etc. On Jekyll Island at Zachry's Riverhouse, I had crabstew (like a chowder). I ate at a new bbq place at South of the Border in Dillon SC (Q & J's). I had wings covered in Old Bay at Woody's Killer Wings on Chincoteague Island VA. In Annapolis, I tried fried shrimp heads (per Duff the cake guy on Best Thing I Ever Had or Ate) at Joss Cafe and Sushi Bar. I also had rockfish (seemed to be a local thing), anikomo (monkfish liver), Maryland crab and scallop sushi. Plus a thing I hadn't seen before called a Stoplight. They colored and flavored tobiko with red habenero and green jalapeno and dropped a yellow quail egg in the middle (served nigiri style). Inventive! At lunch I tried a Man v Food place called Chick and Ruth's Delly. Didn't do the challenge. Just a corned beef on rye. I won't expand, but, I had two meals near the University of Richmond (The Grill and Mission BBQ). Nothing worth writing about in WV, NC or SC (just ate fast food). On Tybee Island in GA, I had a humdrum meal of oyster po boy and steamed shrimp at Fannie's on the Beach. A very good dinner at Salt Island Fish & Beer. The whole menu is interesting. A chef/owner recently arrived from CO. I had a fried smelt app and sheepshead fish (local) with rice and veg in a Asian pepper (black) sauce. You have to see what this fish looks like from the front. So gross. Check out the teeth. That's all. I saw a billboard ad for canned Yam smoothie in SC. Still one step ahead of the plandemic!

The Meatball Stoppe, Orlando (Closed)

Since we probably won't know the winner of The Orange Prush (aka Prussian) and his sidelick - Pretty Fly for a White Guy vs Slappy Joe and Kamel Toe (or Nose) for a few days (who are we kidding), I will freestyle another restaurant review for you. I tried this Italian spot in a strip mall at Lake Underhill and Goldenrod last Wednesday night after the King Crab disaster. I grabbed a five meatball sampler to go for $13 ($4 extra for one). The plus $4 was for a gator one that tasted like a bready crab cake minus the crab. Avoid that. And I don't get why you pay an extra $4 and it is still included in your five. They have around a dozen types. All raquetball size. I tried: traditional, sausage, chicken parm and spicy. They were best in that order. The traditional was your basic meatball. Not dense. The sausage had fennel and was covered in white cheese. The parm was ground chicken. It needed more cheese. The spicy was probably pork. Very spicy. Mushy. Fell apart too easily. They smothered them in a good, plain tomato sauce. A small sqaure of underbaked foccaccia on the side. They also serve up some pasta and apps and entrees. I forget the pasta company they source from. They made a big deal about it. A chocolate place too. The meatballs can be had on foccaccia. The space is divided into a counter (to go) in the front and an enclosed room just beyond. Maybe eight tables. Their covid hours (they Karen you with a temperature check and hand sanitizer requirement) are 3pm to 9pm M-W and 11am to 9pm Th-Sa. They were on 3D. A friend said he wasn't impressed. I thought it was good. I'd have to try a little more to be sure. It seemed like they cooked the meatballs to order. That's a plus. They have been around for a while. 

*Also in the complex were two Latin plays. Estrella something and Rincon something. Next post will have travel info addendum!

The King Crab Shack, East Colonial - Closed

I hate to paper over those hilarious observations in the last post, but, I must trudge on. I went to this seafood place at dinner on Wednesday. I tried a pound of blue crab for $14. I had been trying to find some all week in Maryland, Virginia, etc. They kept saying the season was over. The interweb says it lasts until December. Maybe they mean frozen. Like the crap they serve here. The meat was desicated, flavorless and not fresh. If they were, they so utterly miscooked them that they would lead you to believe the aforementioned. They kept pushing the gross sauces or boil seasoning. I can see why. They can't let you see them without their makeup. They also sell crawfish, king crab, snow crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, lobster, dungeness etc. I can't believe any of them would be fresh if these aren't. You can get blue crab from the St John's River. Unlike most boil places, they don't add corn or potato or anything else to the non-combo bag. I think their prices are slightly less. That is actually to my liking if true. I can't go back and compare my notes. Who wants that damn soggy corn anyway. They also sell fried stuff, po boys, combo bags, wings and a few other things in line with one of these joints. Five or six of these opened up in sequence last year. I think I've visited all but one on West Colonial. This was the worst of the lot (although I had a fried meal at the one on 436). Thye had a full bar. One other person was there at dinner. They open at 3pm. Service was good. The place used to be one of the better looking Vietnamese places just east of Mills. Lac something I think. The inside here looks good. Alot of wood. Pewter chairs. Black (low) ceiling. Fish nets. I can't imagine ever recommending a place like this. The stuff is never fresh or cooked (steamed) properly. Here's another weight on the scale of that sentiment. 

*A few things I saw driving from the Princeton exit to here. Mesa 26 on Lake Ivanhoe is now Russell's on the Lake. The place across is still unrented. A bar on Mills that had a videogame theme is now Conrad something's (or similar). Closer to 50 in what was a hot pot place that I think was called Noodles Something (maybe it even changed to a noodle place before) is now called Matcha 88 (I think). And like I mentioned a little while back, a Chinese place replaced what I think was a Vietnamese place next to Mamak. It is called Tasty Wok. 

Bawarchi, International Drive

 I tried this Indian franchise across from the Tasty Freeze in the middle area of the drive on Wednesday at lunch. The new (Endless Summer) hotels are near by. Surprisingly, they said they have been there for three years. So much for my observational skills. The (manhandled) menu said they have 50 locations across the US and Canada. The lady who was there said 60. They have three in Florida. One in Jacksonville and two in South Florida. I was aprehensive when I ordered. The place was empty. I Drive is empty. Covid. Indian thrift. Unbussed tables. Franchise. It all added up to disaster. So, I tried something simple-ish. I had a dosa. I gambled with the filling. I tried minced goat kheema. It was prepared in a Hyderbad (south) style. I figured any meat would be of suspicious quality, so, why try and out think the Universe. I was pleasantly surprised. The dosa was huge and well made. I'll make up a word and say "well creped". The goat had great flavor. Generous portioning. They cut it into four sections. It came with a chick pea and lentil sambal (which I thought was what they called Indonesian hot sauce). This had a drumstick chicken bone hanging out of it for some reason. They also served it with three big cups of chutneys. A peanut. A hot one. A sweet one (probably tamarind). The lady said peanut is a southern Indian thing. There were some in the goat too. I was happy with my choice. No after effects. The menu was really good. Especially for a franchise. I think it is the most extensive Indian one in CF. They specialize in biryani. Not really my favorite Indian dish. They had tandoor stuff, veggie stuff, tikka masala, etc. Plus alot of stuff I hadn't seen before. They serve most meats (no cow and no pork I think) and seafood. I'd give it a try here or in one of the other cities. My only crictisms were: they put a bottle of water on the table and then charged $2 for it (no notification), there was garbage on other tables (plenty of time to clear it), the dick heads that came in for take out orders had the volume on their smart phones on ten and of course were either on speakerphone or listening to annoying shit while they waited, the meal was served on a paper plate and a can of Coke was $2.50. If they could control the greed gene and hire a busboy and keep the Uber eats drivers out doors, the experience could be refered to as being pleasureable. 

*I had intended to pick up something to go at the sushi or Turkish place I mentioned in the Makani post. They don't open until dinner it seems. I also saw some stuff on that (the mall) side of I drive. The mall on the right (Bass Pro Shop) is now called something like Dezerland. An attraction of some sort. Not sure if it is open. The strip mall that holds the Peter Glenn ski store has some turnover. There is a sushi place (Hidden Sushi) in the corner that I think was once a Portuguese place. Two places you have to pass to get to it aren't open or under remodel (Camel something and Thunder Burger).

**I am reminded every time I drive through downtown about some mindless cheerleading I heard from a little twerp (who refers to himself as Trooper Steve because there is no way you would presume that that was his profession if he didn't) on the news. He thinks this stretch of highway is perfectly fine. Not a serpentined, rolling error in urban planning. One that should have been "straightened out" (literally) during the I-4 boondoggle. Anbody that has an issue with it is obviously an unfit driver. Not to mention there is another poorly designed stretch of freeway near Winter Park. I am reminded of twerpy's opinion every time I almost get rear ended as me and my fellow drivers enter the undualating S turns that drop us from 70 to 35 in a tenth of a mile. Could they at least put up one of those swervy icy road signs ahead of this sand trap?

***I saw this opinion piece in between car dealer ads from the guy who is always trying to karate chop a fly buzzing in front of him, the one with a a frontal view of Spuds McKenzie's lipstick doggy ding dong, the one with the Flinstone proportioned giant with two foot legs, a belt and then five feet of torso and the chubby little Arab (maybe Puerto Rican) girl with a hairdo styled by Frank Gehry.

Grub/Pub Crawl - Deland and Orange City: Hyderhead Brewery, Forno Bello and Blue Springs Brewing

 I tried these places two Saturdays ago around dinner time. The first is at the end of the alley off the main street through town that holds Persimmon Hollow (one street south of the courthouse). I mentioned them briefly in a past post as being under construction. The second is on the main street. Half a block north. The last place is on 17-92 (they seem to call it S. Volusia) on the way back from Deland (if you don't take I-4).

Hyderhead Brewery - A Scottish owned brewery. Just opened. Nicely constructed, small room. I think they brew off site. I had a pale ale. I think it was called Caber Toss. It was good. I think it cost $5 (no printed receipts).The selection was limited. They were already out of things. It was full. Nice vibe. Parking across street. 

Forno Bello - I had their lasagna for $17. It was ok. A bit salty with bland beef. Basil helped. It was a huge portion. They said they do things to order. I did have to wait a while, so, I guess that may be true. It came with a iceberg and crouton Caesar salad. They don't sell sandwiches on the weekends. They had a wood burning (by the look) pizza oven. A 12 inch costs $13. Typical American Italian menu. Open three years. Terrible faux fresco work. Bad art. Tin ceiling from a non-Italian period of ownership. That clashed. Dark feel. Two rooms. One had a bar area. No hostess. I wasn't expecting much. Didn't exceed expectations.

Blue Springs Brewing - This was the real point of the trip. I spotted it a few weeks ago. Opened in 2018. A brewery. Big open space. Video game room. TVs. View of brewing area. Food. Good beer. I had a flight (5) for $8. They have (I think they invented) a petit IPA that was great. The other three IPA's (fruited, unfiltered and American) I tried were good, yet, I liked the weaker petit better. They made a oat lager (they said it was a Bohemian German style). It was very good. On the menu that day were seven lagers, four IPAs, two sours and six dark and heavys. If you are a beer lover, put this and Hyderhead on the your list. 

*7/8/2021 - I think Riverwalk Pizzeria is doing the food at Blue Springs now

Grub Crawl - New Smyrna Beach: Mom's Home Cooking and Stavro's

 I tried these places on US 1 (Dixie) two Saturdays ago. Both are north (left) of 44. The first is on the right side after the Dairy Queen. The second is on the left. I believe I only have two places in this vacinity to go.

Mom's Home Cooking - A breakfast and lunch place that closes at 2pm. Cash only. Open since 1981. No frills, sqaure, white room with Grandma artwork. Good value. I had two eggs over easy, links sausage, home fries and toast for $6.75. I had something else for $1.55 (or that was for the sausage and it wasn't that great a value) on the receipt. I forget what that could have been. Eggs were cooked properly. Came out fast. They have a full breakfast and lunch menu. They were pushing the hand molded hamburgers. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Stavro's - I grabbed a slice for $4. It wasn't bad, but, that is too expensive. It was a thick, short slice with lots of pepperoni. spicy tomato sauce. Ok cheese. They also sell apps, grinders, wings, salads, pasta, wraps, ciabatta-wiches, gyros, stomboli and calzones. Better pricing there. The room is a bland square.

*This and the next will be short because I think I'm trying a bunch of places this week and you probably are sick of hearing about NSB.