Grub Crawl - Audubon Park and Mills: Coro and DBA

I tried this spot in the strip mall across from the East End Market (I think it is the old Bordeaux, Bikes, etc location) and this lounge aside The Strand on Mills (near 50) yesterday at dinner. They are both closed on Monday. Both open at 5pm. I'd find both.

Coro - Open for two months. They said they are after a New-Scan vibe with a concentration on Copenhagen. They are all American. From Luma, Luke's, et al. It is a quasi-tapas menu. More substantial. I had a "raw" and a "warm". $22 aged beef with kohlrabi on rice that turned out be a "poke bowl" of steak tartare. It was excellent. One of the tastiest and amusing dishes I've had in a while. The bottom was a layer of mayonaise. Then some egg (I forget how that was treated). Then short grain sushi grade rice (properly executed). It glistened. Then the soft mix of high quality beef and diced kohlrabi. Topped with some sprigs and leaves that they said were arugula. They gave you four squares of nori to fashion your own vehicles with. I did dolmades, sushi hand rolls, musubis and a few arugula wraps. Fun. There was enough in the bowl left over for a traditional fork to mouth experience. The second course (eggplant agnolotti) wasn't as big of a hit. Five ravioli sized agnolotti filled with blandish eggplant and covered with a blandish tomato sauce. At least compared to pickled, thinly sliced shell of green tomatoes and one other vegetable (I think). They also tossed in some kind crisp in between. And some overpowered, grated, softish parmigiano reggiano cheese in the sauce. The pickled elements gave it a Southern feel that I guess could pass for New Scan (pickling). I appreciate the attempt. It just didn't land for me. It cost $20. They also started and ended with amuse bouches. A tender and delicious hunk of avocado topped with some thinly sliced something or other and a chocolate meringue "drop" topped with something or other. They menu is split into three sections (raw, warm and sweet). About eight in the first two groups and half that in the last. They say they change it up. In the raw I remember: $20 Florida fish (red snapper) that they said was like a tiradito, $11 beets with marigold and horseradish, some noodle dish, etc. The warm had $14 potato naan, $30 coulotte (that's beef Brazilian style) with sweet potato, $24 lobster toast and a few other items. The sweets had peach with caramelized yogurt, koji rice that I suspect is a pudding, something listed as coffee, potato, vanilla as examples. They also had alcohol. I forgot to peruse that menu closely. I think it had wine, sake and beer. $110 pre-fixe. Service was good. Engaged. There were only two of them. Semi-dressed up. They said the chefs (seemed like four) deliver the dishes themselves. It was empty except for one other table, so, my dishes were delivered by the "hosts". The layout is open. Two spaces with a knocked out middle wall. From the entrance, the open kitchen is in the right rear. Most of the right side doesn't have seating. Around three tables at the left rear and some in front and against the wall. Maybe twenty in all. White on white. Pale wood. Scandanavian-ish. A window in the front. I didn't have a reservation. Dressed like a bum. They didn't give me the gas face. seemed happy to have me. One other couple came in as I was leaving. I came at 5pm. Parking was no problem. I liked it alot. They push you for multiple plates, but, two were enough. I've seen more outlandish pricing for way less panache/conscientiousness. I feel it was a very fair exchange. It will be atop my Favorite List for sure. They add a 20% service charge to the bill. If I have any of these particular particulars in error, I am just reporting what I was told and what I can remember. I had been traveling all day.

DBA - I'm leaving out the periods. It looks plush. Opened this summer. Sit down bar and a few low level tables in an L. I didn't order anything. I had enough drinkies this weekend and needed to get home. Prices seemed ok. $10+. They also had around ten bites that ranged from a $6.50 pretzel to $19 pasta nero. Parking is an issue. Three spots on Mills. I may go back sometime if it isn't too much of an ordeal. It was nicer than I expected.

Wave Sushi, Maitland

I tried this sushi stall at the Maitland Social food hall near the intersection of 17-92 and Horatio today at lunch. One block towards 436. It opened three weeks ago. The hall opened a few weeks before that. Their original location is in Mount Dora. I believe It is in the food hall over there. I don't believe I tried it. I had a tuna poke bowl to go for $16. It was one of the only reasonably priced items. It was good. The rice was a bit overworked. They forgot the listed sauce. But, the tuna was fresh (not falsely firm from being chilled) and had a nice red color. Plentiful. Over a fist size portion of thickish cubes. Edamame and wakame and cucumber. Fresh. They also sell rolls ($12-$18), sushi burgers ($18-$26), sushi hot dogs ($25-$28), sushi burritos ($18-$22), sushi tacos ($11-$15), sushi pizzas ($18-$20) and small plates ($7 to $20). They also had other poke bowls types. They were a few bucks more. The $7 item are spring rolls. It's a small dining area. Maybe seven tables. A bit of an outdoor area. Spartan. There were a few people there at lunch. Order at a counter. The food hall is disappointing. Small. Only a work out studio, Foxtail with Shaka Donuts and Bruno's Pizza. Parking was adequate.

Grub Crawl - College Park: Dancing Yeti (Closed) and The Stuffed Puff (Closed)

I tried these stalls on Saturday at lunch. They are in a new food hall (Great Southern Box Co) off Princeton and OBT. Across Princeton from the equally new shopping area with a Publix. They call it The Packing District or something. I believe it opened six weeks ago. It's better than the recently shuttered one at Lake Ivanhoe. It has free, plentiful, covered parking that you don't have to compete with condo residents for. It even has e-chargers. I was there at 11am. It was just opening. But, people were dripping in as I left. These are the other stalls inside: Antica Pizza, Braza (Brazilian), Kayos (Jamaican), Koa (Poke/Sushi), A'Lo Cubano (Cuban), Kabab2Go (Middle Eastern), Rajdhani (Indian), Fui Yo (Mexican), Eighty Twenty (Burgers) and Stackd Brownies. It is a small room with a bar in the center. Very new looking. High ceilings.

Dancing Yeti - I had the Jimbu Chicken Curry Bowl to go for $15. It came with dry basmati rice and a cucumber and tomato side salad. The dish was chunks of chicken in a bland tomato sauce. They were supposed to put hot sauce on the side, but, they forgot. I'm not sure how much difference it would have made. I kind of wish that I had stuck to my guns and ordered a naan sandwich. I could have had the same dish on bread. Most of the six mains are with rice or on naan. They also have some bites (like samosas). Indian drinks too. One location in Tampa. At the left rear of the hall. They added a $1.20 "common fee". I'm getting sick of these tack ons.

The Stuffed Puff Co - Across from Yeti. Also, owned by Stackd Brownies (you can see my Lake Mary review of them). I had a chicken pot pie to go for $14. I was good. I ate it three days later and it held up. They said to reheat/nuke the whole pie (it was cooked) for six minutes. I cut it into thirds and nuked it for under two minutes and that was enough. And they wanted me to bake it a little. That ain't happening. White meat chicken, potatoes, carrots, corn, etc. The pie dough could have used an oven's touch. It was huge. Individual pizza size. They gave me a cup of some kind of cream of chicken looking "sauce" that I used sparingly because of calorie concerns. They also had chicken and dumplings, lasagna, beef stroganoff and a few other puffs. A $7 knish. They added a $1.12 "common fee". You realize I just reduce the tip by these fees or leave none? 

*I'm going to try to try the new food hall in Maitland later this week.

Patisserie Bon Beurre, Casselberry *SC/GA Travel Notes

I tried this bakery on Saturday in the morning. They used to only be open on the third Saturday of every month. I tried and failed a few times when the opened (a year or more ago). I read that they would now be open every Saturday (9am-1pm). They told me that they plan to be open during the week soon. They are in an industrial park on Live Oak Blvd. Look for the street off 17-92 where there is a Chinese buffet. Near 436. I had a cruffin and an almond croissant. Both cost $3.50. The cruffin was dark with open circles filled with cream. The dough was a bit tough. Old? The croissant was very big with tons of almond paste (?). Weighty with paste. The pastry part was light. Slivers of almonds. Powdered sugar. They coated it with some syrup that coagulated on the outside and bottom. They also do cookies, danish, kronuts (small), bread, bread pudding, something called a beuure bombe, etc. New ownership. Not a chain. Give it a go.

*Travel Notes - South Carolina and Georgia: I hadn't done Charleston yet this year and flights and hotels and rental car prices are inflated by all you folks traveling this time of year. I drove my own car this time. I'm sick of dealing with the rental car companies. My initial schedule had been thrown off course by Hurricane Debby. I chose to sleep in Brunswick because I didn't want to pay Saturday night rates in a nicer area and I needed somewhere about half way to Charleston. I was going to pop into St Simons Island, but, it was too hot and the Olympic Basketball Gold Medal game was on. I ate a hockey puck CB with a terrible strawberry milkshake at the horrendous Hwy 55. I slept at the grubby Comfort Suites (Expedia 7.6) at the third Brunswick exit north for $86. 

The next day I drove to Charleston (no traffic) and made it in time to eat at The Marina Variety Store Restaurant. They close at 2pm. I had a nice special of grilled wahoo covered with a cucumber and tomato salad. Potato salad and tots too. They validate. I should tell you that most of the spots I ate at were from this show How She Rolls (the little biscuit lady Callie) or a Travel & Leisure article.  The Marina was from HSR. I stayed two nights across the bridge from here at the ok Holiday Inn (Expedia 8.0) for $208. It looks like a tower. Free parking. I drove through downtown a bit. I had dinner at a French place (HSR) on Broad called Gaulart & Maliclet Cafe. I had a poor Bouillabaisse (2 shrimp, 2 scallops and flounder) that came with a cheap glass of rose and a soup (I chose peach and cream). They also seemed to over charge me. I can't confirm because they wouldn't give out a written receipt. They may have just added on some extra fees. South Carolina seems addicted to them. I parked in alot right near there for the first time. No issues. Watched the sunset from the hotel room with a bottle of vino. 

The next day I had lunch one at Amen Street on East Bay (TL and Andrew Zimmern). I had excellent oysters and a fried shrimp platter with creamed corn and hush puppies. I could have chosen any combo of oysters they offered for my half dozen. I tried three I hadn't. The waiter even gave me some new oyster knowledge. I then went to Oyster House (TL) on Market between Meeting and East Bay. I had an ok fried flounder sandwich with crisp french fries to go. I ate it driving to Folly Beach. I drove down as far as you can on the second to last road (left turn) too the Lighthouse Inlet. You see a lighthouse from there. I parked there for free. I also swam, etc. I drove back to the hotel and stopped for some ok Mexican (Wet Chicken Burrito) at Santi's on 17 in West Ashley. I saw it driving in. I wanted Mexican and didn't want to deal with downtown Charleston. Another sunset with vino. 

The next day I drove over the Ravenal Bridge to Mt Pleasant. Took Coleman Blvd (703) across the river to The Post House (HSR) on Pitt St. I had a very good tempura fried wahoo sandwich with french fries. I grabbed some Superman Ice Cream (made locally by Holy Cow) at Pitt St Pharmacy (HSR). They filmed scenes from The Notebook there. This area was cute. I went back over the river to a place I saw on the way in (Vicious Biscuits). I saw them in Boone NC and their prices were ridiculous, so, I think I left. Here the prices were reasonable (ie $3 biscuit), so, I tried a Hen Solo (chicken) for $7 and it was good. The biscuit was glossy and heavy. Not like an usual biscuit. I liked it better this way. I got back on Coleman and took it north to 517 to 17. The map said it was Coleman all the way. I'm not sure if I missed a turn and didn't go back and solve the riddle. I drove to Myrtle Beach. I stayed near some entertainment area called Broadway or something (aquarium, etc) at a La Quinta Inn (Expedia 8.0)  for $120. It was near the Pelicans Ballpark. That is why I was there. To see a baseball game. It cost $21 for home plate. Parking was free. I ate there. Single A of the Cubs. 

The next day I tried to try some place at the beach called Moe Moon's (Food Paradise). It looked so AVG that I left. I think fish bowl drinks may be the draw. FYI they charge for parking all around that cheese ball area. Tackier than Daytona. I drove up 501N to Coastal Carolina University in Conway. I passed some golf courses. They play the Myrtle Beach Bowl up there. I ate ok beef taquitos and a chicken taco at Tu Taco across from the school. Back on 501N to 95. Google said this was the fastest route. I think they are wrong. The usual semi dickheads in the fast lane. Off at 17 before Savannah and through town on Oglethorpe to the Island Expressway to Tybee Island. I stayed at the average Atlantis Inn (Expedia 7.2) for $96 plus a $15 resort fee. Internet didn't work. It was all the way near the pier. I ate (and the reason I stayed here) at the Sundae Cafe (3D). I had mediocre hot honey jerk shrimp (shrimp quality issue) and excellent buttermilk biscuit bleu cheese bread pudding and twice baked skillet potatoes. Got some Georgia beers (available by single cans) at the well supplied Dizzy Dean's Liquor Store. Drank them as I walked the beach and pier at sunset. 

The next day I drove out through the Truman Expressway to 95. The poor suckers in the northbound side were in bumper to bumper all the way south to exit 82 (a Fed Ex depot now). Back home by noon. Fine eating adventure. A few more off the list. Prices were a bit lower and crowds a bit thinner because of the hurricane. Amen and Post House were the best meals.

Tutorial and PSA Index

Tutorials:

6/24/2024 - Spectrum Wifi and Mobile Phone Installation

5/27/2024 - Donating Your Vehicle

4/30/2024 - Air Conditioning Repair

4/3/2024 - Purchasing a New Vehicle

9/7/2023 - PB&G

12/18/2022 - Dental Check Up

4/4/2022 - Root Canal

3/31/2022 - Upgrading a Cellular Phone

12/13/2018 - Pizza Pie

11/29/2018 - How to Get a Good Table in a Restaurant

11/29/2018 - White Truffle

1/1/2016  - Removing a Negative Item from Your Credit Report

5/19/2026 - Overdraft

4/12/2016 - Replacing a Water Heater

12/24/2015 - Car Insurance

11/11/2015 - Replacing an Air Conditioning and Heating Unit

5/5/2013 - Renting a Car in Europe

5/5/2013 - Air Conditioning Tune Up

5/1/2013 - Currency Conversion

5/26/2012 - Opt Out Options

5/1/2012 - Addendum to the Central Florida Hospital

4/30/2012 - Re-Roofing Your Home

4/30/2012 - Central Florida Hospital

PSA's

5/4/2017 - Bloating Triggers

2/5/2016 - Amex Rental Car Damage Protection Warning

1/29/2016 - Phone Scam 646-569-6913

10/4/2015 - UCF Football Coaching Recommendations

9/28/2015 - Complaints Tip

5/15/2014 - Instant Stain Removers

5/27/2013 - Bite Free Dining Guide

1/12/2013 - Mail Forwarding

11/5/2012 - Phytoceramides

9/16/2012 - Papaya Seeds

Pizza Twist, Sanford

I tried this spot on Saturday at lunch. I grabbed a small hand tossed pizza to go for $10. Their differentiation is Indo-Paki. I was about as excited about that as I am about their take over of motels/hotels. And I was right. Indian thrift throughout. You won't win this value proposition. They up charge for everything. Of course they charge a credit card fee. My pizza was alright in a Papa John's sort of way. After the thirty minute wait (with no other customers present), I received a puffy (almost pan) pizza with ok red sauce and cheese that tasted more of wood (makes sense since it is alluded to that they add saw dust/cellulose to shaved cheese) the cooler the slices got. I still think they gave me one of the online orders in lieu of my small. If so, I am even more disappointed. They are from the cess pool Of California. A chain. They also do some pasta, breadsticks, apps (like samosas) and wings. Wings make some sense with these flavor possibilities. All things in double digits. They took over a location in a strip mall across from the Wal-Mart. I think it was called Capone's or something equally generic. It looks like a chain. Around seven tables. You know I love fusion, but, I'm just not sold on this. And not at these price points. Let me ask you. Pizza with butter sauce? Tikka masala? How stoned do you have to be? I'll probably end up loving it in five years from now. Not that I toke. Oh, and they bombard you with Bollywood videos. The only thing worse than K pop. Open for a month. 

Grub Crawl - Winter Park, Casselberry and Altamonte Springs: Shen Tea, Bella's and Lechonera Altamonte (Closed)

I tried these spots on Monday at lunch. I grabbed all items to go. The first is in a strip mall near the bowling alley of Crealde Art School on Aloma east of the street that goes to Winter Park HS. I was going there to try Simply Cheese. It was closed and the selection inside didn't seem worth the effort. The second replaces a Middle Eastern place on 436 in a strip mall near Taino's. The last replaces a Mexican place on 436 past 17-92 (closer to I4). Past the Wawa and McDonald's. I think I have been to all of these at other locations.

Shen Tea - Open for two years. They have another on West Colonial in Winter Garden. I thought I was going to have to waste $5 on a drink to report back. They had food! I tried a chicken floss banh mi for $7. I have never seen chicken floss offered up before. It was dried, shredded chicken with the usual veg. I didn't care for it. Kind of knew I wouldn't. Too tough and chewy. They put pate on all the mains. It didn't work well with this flavored chicken. And they cut it thick. Not schmeared. The veg were fresh. The baguette was crunchy. All in all, it wasn't half bad. Pork sausage, jambon or egg (the other options) are probably damn good. They all cost $7. They also sell $6 Korean corn dogs and $7 steamed or pan fried dumplings, soup dumplings and egg rolls. They sell tea, smoothies, slushies and coffee. Something called crystal boba and popping boba (don't recall seeing that). And some kind of flan looking thing they call "jelly". It is modern and white. A few tables. Better than I expected. Not a chain. 

Bella's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria - I tried the lunch special of a pasta (I did lasagna) with two garlic rolls for $11 because two slices and a soda were north of $8 and sandwiches were all $13+. It was ok. Both items lacked flavor. The meat in the lasagna was gray and tastless. The sauce was too. Little ricotta. They layered the pasta sheets on top of each other. No pasta then meat then cheese, etc. It also made the pasta sheets cook unevenly. It also had a metallic taste that I can't explain. It needed some herbs and maybe some salt. I don't think they just reheated a finished lasagna. The guy was back there doing something. What, I have no idea. How do you make a lasagna over the oven? Maybe he was reheating it? Taking pre-cooked sheets and assembling it? The rolls seemed like they would have flavor. The oil darkened the bag. Nope. Not garlic-y. Bland. Seemed freshly baked though. They sell 5 apps, 8 salads, 4 soups, 10 subs, calzones, 3 burgers, 10 pastas, 3 chickens, 5 seafoods, 2 eggplants, 6 stromboli and pizza ($14 for a personal). I didn't see the pizza oven. The kitchen is open. Behind the counter. It looked disheveled. As did the dining area. Around twenty tables. They just moved here (one month) from a location near Lee Rd. They said they (couple) cut their teeth in the Bronx. The language they spoke to each other wasn't Italian though. They were nice and the food was ok. Go if you want something you are probably comfortable with.

Lechonera Altamonte - I just finally tried their original location on E50 if you recall. I only tried some empanadas, so, I tried one piece of pollo asado ($3.50) and a .62 pounds of pernil ($6.67) this time. Ok chicken. Not a ton of flavor. Dry pork hunks. Not a ton of flavor. Same assortment (mofongo, etc) as the other location. Nicer interior. Less crowded. Open for a week.

Grub Crawl - SoDo and Downtown: Da Da, Kolombia Cafe, Sugar Divas and I Love Orlando Cafe *MO/IL Travel Notes

I tried these spots on Friday at lunch. The first is off Michigan on South Orange. The next two are across the street at the condo complex with a Target. The last is on E Washington across from the band shell at Lake Eola.

Da Da Indian Cuisine - They replaced a Korean place and I think a Thai place before that. Open for two months. Parking in the back. I had the Methi Malai Chicken for $16 (to go). It was very good. I had it hot. I believe the base was crushed cashew nuts with fenugreek. Creamy. They said it was a Northern dish. Lots of hunks of mostly white meat chicken. The basmati was fine. Large portion. Could feed two. They were serving an AYCE buffet that looked good. Around $12 I think. I bypassed it to expand my Indian dish knowledge. Typical menu and prices. The place has ten booths of six. They kept the Korean tables with the hot plates on top. It's all black. Looks clean and new. Two waiters. A bit busy. Added a credit card fee.

Kolombia Cafe - They were closed for a while. Some kind of partnership disagreement. I just tried a chicken empanada for $4.50 (to go) because the menu was just sandwiches, vegan and a bit pricy ($15+). The dough of the empanada was a bit under cooked. I believe because they were trying to not have me wait. At least they fry them up fresh. Stuffed with undry white meat. Carrot pieces. Bell pepper flavor. They have breakfast options too. Even beer and drinks (ie cold press, tea). Arepas. Croissants. One side had a steel backsplash. The other was tile. A flower board. Seats about twenty with tables and counters. Colombian with a touch of Argentina they say. A bit busy. Re-opened for a few weeks.

Sugar Divas Cakery - I grabbed a brownie for $4. It was small. Good. Rich. They also sell tiny cupcakes. And cakes. All white and spotless. Looks modern. Open for ten years.

I Love Orlando Cafe - Open for a month. Was a bar. Now food. New owners. I had a Chicken Caesar Salad for $13 (to go). Fine. Lots of fresh white white chicken cubes. Ok dressing. Shaved Parm. Croutons. The menu is all over the place. Latin+. Some breakfast. They had one waitress. I saw an order kiosk machine later on. Small. Seats about twenty. Nice view of lake. Outside only. Full. Food came out quick. Charged a credit card fee.

*Travel Notes - Missouri and Illinois: I flew Frontier (7AM/7PM) to St Louis for $124. No issue going there. Two hour delay because of broken AC back. I rented a car for a week with Hertz that would have cost $527 but I used points. The dicks only had SUVs (in the Presidential section!). Other levels were worse. I did this (Route 66) after watching Samantha Brown and Darley Newman's episodes. 

I drove up 170E to 270E to 157N because I wasn't sure where to pick up Route 66 and avoid traffic (there was none) and I knew I was coming back if I messed up. I stopped where I saw Route 66 "statues" because I deleted (by mistake) that southern portion map fumbling with my phone just before 157. Edwardsville, Hamel Benld and Gillespie. Then near Staunton, you had to choose to follow 55N or 4N (the old route). I chose the old one. I drove through Carlinville, Girard, Thayer and Auburn. In Chatham, I tried to have lunch at the Sangamo Brewing Co. I left when they told me they have others brew their beer. I tried a 4oz Hazy IPA brewed by Springfield Beer Co. It was average. I continued on to Springfield. I went to the Lincoln House NHS. Where he lived as an adult. I had been there before, but, I didn't walk around for some reason that I forget. It was free. FYI - I had done all the other touristy things there before. On to Lincoln. World's largest stagecoach. I stayed at the Hampton Inn for $127 (rack rate). They matched Comfort Inn or it would have been more. Should have gone into dt. Too tired from 3:30M wake up call. Too eager to move on in the morning.

The next day I drove to Atlanta. Paul Bunyan Giant Statue. They also had a museum/vc (I picked up a booklet with info and maps here) for these statues. They were used by Texaco and muffler shops. I went through McLean and the Dixie Truck Stop. Lost the route, so, I just popped onto 55N and took it through Bloomington. I should say at this point that lots of the "new" route is right beside 55. 66 is also called 55 Business for large stretches. Onto Pontiac. Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Bob Waldmire road yacht. Free. Found the route here. Onto Standard Oil Station in Odell. Ambler's Texaco Gas Station and Frank Lloyd Wright's First Nations Bank in Dwight. Lost the route here. Drove through Gardner. Finally found food (bad cb) at Polk-A-Dot Drive In in Braidwood. Onto Wilmington (53N). Gemini Giant was being repaired and Launching Pad Drive In closed two years ago. Saw the Mar Theater and Sinclair dinosaur. Past (and in) Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Past Chicagoland Motor Speedway. Into Joliet. They said the first DQ opened here (no longer exists). Saw the baseball stadium. Slept west of dt at a bad Super 8 (Expedia 8.0) for $114. 

The next day I had donuts and a cinnamon stick at Milano Bakery (Darley). I drove past Rialto Square Theater and onto Joliet Prison (Blues Brothers). Back across the I&M canal bridge to Dick's Towing and Rich & Creamy (it was too early so I left). Through dt to 70E to 57N to 94E (all seemed toll free) to 111th St to Pullman NHS. Free. They made train cars here. I had read that it was in a sketchy part of town. No issues. Back the same way to Joliet to 53S. I stopped at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery this time. I should say that I am mad at myself that I didn't go farther north. At least to Cicero. I didn't want to deal with Chicago traffic. I am glad that I didn't do Pullman the day before (late Friday afternoon). I had no traffic on Saturday. Back through to Gardner. Met the Mayor. Stopped at Two Cell Jail, Street Car Diner (thought it still served) and Coca Cola House. I saw them the day before. Stopped in Dwight and had an ok egg breakfast for lunch at the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant. Through most of the same towns as the day before. Found the route this way. Old Log Cabin (food) in Pontiac was closed. Couldn't find Auto Museum. Again! Chenoa, Lexington and Towanda. Dead Man's Curve in Towanda. Through Normal and Sprague's Super Service Station to Bloomington. Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan. Stayed at noisy (other rooms) Chateau Hotel (Expedia 8.2) for $97. FYI - the Original Steak N' Shake opened here (no longer there). I drove through dt. 

Back onto 55S Business the next day. Found the route. Past Funks Grove Maple Syrup Farm, McLean, Atlanta, Lincoln, Elkhart, etc. Through Springfield. Stopped at State Fair Grounds and Shea's Station. Cozy Dog Drive In (first hd on a stick) was closed on Sunday, so, I continued on a mile or so to Motorhead's Bar and Grill on 55 at Toronto. Had a horseshoe with fried chicken (fries, melted cheese on a piece of bread). An Illinois specialty I had never heard of. Usually with a burger. They had a sign that said Route 66 a few exits south. It didn't link up. At least going south. Back on 55. I exited for Auburn to see this red brick stretch that I missed going up. There and back to 55. Got off in Livingston (I think) to try and find "new" 66. Just got back to "old" 66. Took it back a bit further than Edwardsville. Was going to try at find this Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. It didn't appear soon enough, so, back on 270W right before river. I did see that Luna Cafe though. I had to get back onto 270W because I was taking it to 367S to 70W to Jennings Station Rd to C&K Barbeque. I saw this on a PBS show where they went around to specialties all over the country. Had the pig ear sandwich. It was gross. Boiled. Rubber. Scary area. Onto 270W and over the river/bridge to St Charles. Stayed at the Best Western (Expedia 7.8). 

70W to Kansas City the next day. 200 miles. Stayed at the La Quinta Beacon Hill (Expedia 8.6) for $222 for two nights. Went to Joe's Kansas City Bar B Que. Had dry, thin cut brisket and average pulled pork sandwich ($11). Disappointing. Better Triple Threat (pulled pork, sausage, pork belly and slaw) sandwich ($18) at Q39 BBQ on 39th. Drove around a bit. 

The next day I had great pork ribs (thick) and tender burnt ends ($24) with crisp ff at Fiorella Jack Stack Barbecue. I did Plaza location (near a creek) because they charge for parking at Union Station. Then north a bit to Char Bar Westport. I had thin, dry pork ribs, ok pulled pork and ok sausage ($30) plus liquidy ps and cs that was supposed to be broccoli bacon slaw. I found all these spots on Trip Advisor, Kansas City Magazine and some other website that came up when I searched for best bbq. All were top ten. Stacks was #2-5. Q39 was #1. On TA. I also found Slap's, Chef J, Shawnee Bates and Scott's. They were closed or farther away. Most of these were south of dt. I also drove around dt and saw the things to see again. It was 95, so, I didn't roam too much. Watched Olympics and House of Dragons.

Back to St Louis. I ate a St Paul (fried egg foo yong) sandwich at Kim Van on Gravois/30 (south of Busch Stadium). It was also on that old PBS special. Back to airport. 

Gas in Illinois (especially north) was near $4.50! As low as $3.13 near KC. Weather for the first half was cool. Hot after. No rain. No traffic jams or accidents. It was a fun trip. Nostalgia. I didn't see all the things in the booklet. Almost drove the route through Missouri because I was so far ahead of schedule. But, I'm fairly certain I have done most of it on other visits. Wanted to try some more KC bbq (had done AB's, Gates, LC's). It was underwhelming on the whole.

Grub Crawl - UCF Area and Winter Park: Ji Bei Chuan (Closed), Shah's and City Barbeque

I tried these spots at lunch on Wednesday. The first is behind Jollibee in a strip mall at Alafaya and 50. The second is on 50. Slightly east in a strip mall with Mei's Market and Hong Kong Alley Kitchen. The last is in the new area with the Dutch Bros at University and 436.

Ji Bei Chuan - Online it looks like a chain. I can't get an accurate translation. What did I say Chuan means in that post this Winter?  I think it was Szechuan? Or was it home? They (2) didn't speak much English. I grabbed the cheapest main to go. Dry Tossed Noodles Minced Pork Sauce for $11. It was very good. Nice flavors. Good texture and cook time on the noodles. Alot of juicy pork. And I ate it hours later after nuking it. Came with some sliced cuke and a soy dyed hard boiled egg. Huge menu. Pan Asian. 5 more dry noodles. 2 Fish Maw Soups. 4 Original Chicken Stock Soups. 4 Tomato Soups. 5 Mala Spicy Soups. 5 Sauerkraut Soups. 5 Ramens. 4 Thai Style Spicy Soups. 3 Tom Yum Kung. 4 Udon Stir Fry. 4 Fried Rice. Mains were $11 to $16. 17 Apps. $5 to $10. Some funky things like intestine, tripe and black fungus. The place looks sparkling. White faux marble floor tiles and tables. Mural of rice from inception to food. Box lamp shades. Some wood and black accents. About nine tables. Empty. Open for a month. It's worth a look. *this shuttered. I believe I saw another near the Portillo's b/n Universal and Disney. The road that parallels I4.

Shah's Halal Food - I had a mixed chicken and lamb gyro for $10. It was excellent. They hide the rotisserie if they have one. The spicy chicken was in pieces and the lamb was in cubes. I've never been served processed lamb that way. I liked it. The portion of each was a full meal unto itself. When they added the very fresh tomato, cucumber and onions, it wouldn't fold. I added some white sauce. You chose the toppings. Pita was good. Also, fish, falafel and kofta. Platters (rice) are $12 Also, cb, cheese steak, chicken sandwich, ff, wings, etc. I ate in. Wrap around counter with a few seats. Most who came in (busy) did take away. Open for a week or two. Will be a Favorite. It looks like it is a chain online. The girl who served me no speeka da Inglesh good. 

City Barbecue - A chain from Columbus Ohio. Open for a week. I grabbed a half pound of brisket to go for $13 because I had enough food already and it seemed like the same old. They said they mix the flat and point pieces automatically. I received five or six different textures and doneness. Some were ok. Some were shoe leather. Average to no flavor, smoke and bark. Their bbq sauce in a pre-packaged cup was worse. Hard to review. The place was packed though. Look like most bbq knockoffs. Wood. Seats about 60. Open kitchen. Same old meats and sides and prices. Pulled pork, turkey, sausage, St Louis ribs, 4x chicken, pulled chicken, mac, slaw, ps, cb, ff, corn pudding and beans. 4 special sandwiches. 5 classics. $8+. Two meats (many with upcharge) with two sides was $14. Not in league with our two new bbq places.

Grub Crawl - International Drive Area: Babbi Babbi and Curry Mantra *England Travel Notes

I tried these spots near I Drive Friday at lunch. Neither are new or destination spots. Just some extraneous locations that were the last in there areas to be sampled. The first is next to that Jewish breakfast place I tried a few months ago at Sand Lake and Turkey Lake. I think they said it was last a Pei Wei. The other is in that strip mall on I Drive and Westwood where I recently went for Thai. I was going to try a place called Tawa at Dr Phillips. No one was there. Couldn't tell if they had gone under.

Babbi Babbi Korean Kitchen - I'm rarely in the mood for Korean and they looked like every other. So, they have been on the short end. I finally gave in. I had a tofu stew called Soondubu for $16. It was the cheapest main. I tried it with seafood. You could also have beef. Mussels, squid, octopus and one shrimp. I felt a little queasy later on in the day. I suspect the crumbly mussels had something to do with it. Not full on food poisoning though. The broth was ruined by the seafood. It tasted of the sea. In a unfresh way. Red based. Not to spicy. I think they let me choose the level. It had plenty of tofu. And a small egg. Quail? You couldn't see it. They cracked a raw one in the broth. I'm only going by how big the yolk was when cooked. The white mixed in with the tofu. A side of properly steamed white rice and five bon chon (sprouts, kim chi, sweet pickles, spicy root cubes and pickled root slices). I believe the "roots" were burdock. I never can remember which veg this is. Hard, white, tasteless. The stew came in an earthern bowl. Metal chop sticks and spoon. Fine if not for the funky fish. They also had some snacky things like $7 corn dogs and more expensive K-Bap (sushi roll like) Rolls. The mains were all near twenty. Higher than most Korean places. Maybe they all have "prospered" under Bidenomics and charge that much now? I remember $18 kim chi fried rice, $23 tonkatsu and $24 bulgogi. The rest of the menu was predictable. No grilling. They gave me a free bottle of water instead of tap water. Service (3) was good. Food came out fast. They checked in on you. It seats about seventy. Lots of space between tables. Maybe four other parties there. Tvs playing K Pop. Sort of open kitchen area on right wall. Open for six years. 

Curry Mantra - I had Chicken Madras to go for $21. Side of basmati. Way too expensive. Why I passed on my Thai visit. Perhaps more Biden legacy. So consequential. This time I really wanted Indian though. I bent over. Chicken thighs. It was ok. Onion tomato sauce with curry leaves, mustard seeds, coconut milk and spices. Took too long for an empty restaurant. I think one guy and his wife were all that were running the show. They have a big menu. Chicken, goat, lamb, fish and shrimp can be had in 8 sauces (curry, masala, saagwala, madras, kadhai, biryani, korma and vindaloo). 10 rice dishes. 9 tandoori dishes. 14 breads. 15 vegetarian dishes. 31 apps (some are smaller versions of mains). Mostly North Indian dishes. The place looks kind of worn and dirty. Dark. Open for seven years.

*Travel Notes - England: Exchange rate was 1L to $1.28. As usual, all non-listed meals were supermarketed (at one third of our prices with higher quality). The weather was mostly rainy and cloudy. One reason for periods below in which I did nothing. That and the fact that I had probably already done everything of note on a prior visit. 

I flew Norse to Gatwick (8:25pm and 2pm) for $606. They were real pricks about the bag size this time. The check in at return took hours. I was going to do London first, but, the hotel situation was unreasonable. I took the train (14L) to Brighton instead and stayed at the seaside Amsterdam Hotel (Expedia 7.6) for $67. The next day, I took the train to Southampton (20L) I stayed at the Star Hotel (Expedia 7.8) on High St for $65. I toured the walls and parks and the soccer stadium. I only went here (this far) because I wasn't sure of my new itinerary yet and the hotels were the cheapest and I had skipped it last year. The next day I took the train to Exeter (47L). I stayed at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont (Expedia 7.8) next to the Central Station. It rained. Quick walk through town for food. In the morning, I walked through the Northern Hay Garden to High St and back. I bought a "Ranger" ticket for 16L (unlimited stops) and went south a half an hour to Exmouth. Back and on to Plymouth. I was doing all the remaining "mouths". Stayed at the Leonardo Hotel (Expedia 8.4) for $96. Walked the quay. Saw the Mayflower Steps (where it departed), barbican (fortress), Tinside Pool, Smeaton Tower and the hill where Sir Francis Drake waited on the Armada. Then through dt. The next day I went to a museum called the Box on the way to the station. I bought another "Ranger" ticket (for Cornwall) for 16L. I stopped in St Austell (brewery and church). The port was too far a walk. On to Truro. Cathedral. On south to Falmouth. I stayed at the Anacapri (Expedia 9.2) for $123 with breakfast. It was right on the beach. I walked it to Pendennis Point and Pendennis Castle. Missed dt because of rain. The next day it rained alot. I took the train (another Ranger ticket) back to Truro and on to St Ives via St Erth. I saw the port, Chapel of St Nicholas on a hill, Tate and had a beer at St Ives Brewery. Would have liked to have spent more time on a clear day here. Will go back. Back to St Erth and on to Penzance. Stayed at the ridiculously priced (but cheapest in town by far) Union Hotel (Booking 6.7) again. This time for $134 with a breakfast. I had planned on staying in the area for a while. Too expensive. Especially for this weather report. The next day I walked (3 miles) to St Michael's Mount. The tide was still in, so, I took the 3L boat over. You could buy the boat ticket and entry (15L) on the beach. They had cc machines. 3L return ticket could be bought at gift shop. Tide hadn't receded enough. This place was a sister abbey (now a castle) with Mount St Michael in France. Same island/mudflat tidal experience. This was my number one objective to get done finally. It rained so much on my walk back that I sought shelter near a bus stop. And guess what? There is a 2L bus (#440?) there and back to the train station. It came within minutes. My stupid ass could have done this short/cheap ride (there and back) at any time/trip before this. I'm kind of glad I did the walk though. At the Penzance Station, I had a sausage roll at the Cornish Rail Coffe Co. 29L train back to Exeter. I stayed at the cute Turks Head (Booking 8.8) on High St for $112. End of first week. 

The next morning I walked past the Cathedral to the bus station to find out that the bus that used to go through Dartmoor NP had gone out of business. Canceled those plans. Went to the RAMM museum. It suggests we keep it "free" by donating to it. I grabbed a train northwest to Barnstaple for 8L. 2L bus (a few options) north from station to Ilfracombe. I stayed at the cigarette stinking Dilkhusa Grand Hotel (Expedia 7.2) for $89. Walked to the harbor, Damien Hirst Verity Statue, St Nicholas Chapel on Lantern Hill, Capstone Hill, Landmark Theatre, Beach and Tunnels. Had 6 Port Hilly Rock Oysters at S&P Fish Shop. Had fried cod roe at Maddy's Chippy. They told me Capt. Jack Russell (dog guy) lived here. In the morning, I took the two hour Coaster bus (2L) through Exmoor NP to Minehead. The part from the middle to Ilfracombe was what was closed off last year. Another 2L bus to Taunton. Train to Weston Super Mare for 12L because some guy I met in Taunton last year told me about it and Bristol (hotels) was twice the price. I stayed at The Old Colonial Marston's Inn (Expedia 8.2) near the pier for $98. Walked the coast (pier, ferris wheel, etc) and dt. In the morning, I took the 2L 126 bus to Cheddar. "Station" is in city center near Tesco. Walked Cheddar Gorge (through and atop). Smaller than I had imagined. Had cheese at The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co. Learned that Cheddar is not some artisan cheese mecca. Only the big, industrial companies make it now. Town (one street) is tiny and touristy. Paid another 2L to carry on by bus to Wells. Another 2L to Bath. Stayed at Z Hotels (Booking 8.3) again for $90. Everything from Bristol on was still usurious. This was a steal. Walked some areas I hadn't before. Up the hills past the Crescent and park. 15L train to Swindon the next day. Stayed here because of weekend hotel prices again. It was a nothingsville town on the rail route towards London. I stayed at the Leonardo Hotel (Expedia 8.6) for $88. Walked their one street with shops. Saw Trump get shot on tv. The next day I walked to their soccer stadium. Train through Reading to Dorking for 23L. This is in Surrey towards Gatwick. I was going to climb Leith Hill a bit south, but, there was an oil spill or something and the buses weren't running. I climbed their Box Hill and Stepping Stones and went to Denbies Wine Estate. I stayed in town (a mile or so from the two stations) at the "new" White Horse Inn (Expedia 9.4) for $128. I didn't come here on day one because the rate (and elsewhere) was much higher. This was a Sunday rate. In the morning I took the train (11L) to London Waterloo. I stayed north of Charing Cross again. This time a few blocks north at the Charlotte Street Rooms by News Hotel (Booking 6.4) for $260 for two nights. The cheapest by far. Cute area. Under the BT Tower. I tried (for the last time because they want proper attire and a res) to eat at the oldest restaurant in London called Rules. It was closed on Monday. I had a tongue on rye at Tongue & Brisket near my hotel. Some BK too. Walked around. Carnaby St, etc. Bought a ticket (37L) to Book of Mormon. Went. It was pouring when it let out. Back to the hotel. Leak in ceiling. The next day I bought a ticket to matinee of Mousetrap (22L). Hadn't planned to, but, the weather looked iffy. Walked through north side of river to Black Friar's Bridge (Mission Impossible). Over to south side. Past Tate Modern and Globe to Burrough Market. Had six West Mersea oysters at the Richard Haward's Oyster stall. Had wild boar chorizo sausage roll and Dorset scallop with bacon in wine and basil dressing at Shellseekers Fish & Game Market Kitchen Stall. Would have gone on further if I hadn't bought the theater ticket. Went to the "free" Tate Modern where almost every exhibition required a ticket. Not sure if those were free. Timed my walk back to see when I had to leave in the morning. Bought a ticket (39L) for Matilda. Saw Mousetrap. Guessed every "secret". Shook my head at the cretins who were amazed at the conclusion. Back to the hotel for a short rest. Saw Matilda. The next day, I walked over Waterloo Bridge to the south side (half hour). Walked a bit around Bankside (Black Friar's Station). Lots of new builds. Bought a 22L Train ticket to Brighton (cheaper hotels). Stayed at the Amsterdam again for $63. I had fried haddock at Harry Ramsden's. It was sunny, so, I walked to Hove along the beach to the lagoon. They were teaching kids to row a giant paddle board boat that looked like a river rafting boat. On the way back, I had two Jersey oysters at the Brighton Shell Fish & Oyster Bar on the sand. Would have had more, but, was running low on pounds. 11L train to Gatwick the next morning.

That's it. Missed Wimbledon again. Weather was too risky. Cool temps. I tried these weird items: Cumberland Sausage, roast beef and horse radish potato chips, Ossau Iraty and Cinco Lanzas cheeses (Spain) and pringles like chips made out of corn. Had a few new ciders and beers. Some real good teas (Novus and Taylor's of Harrowgate). Fun as always. Mostly stress free. Their main occupations were the Labor Party taking over, the Euros soccer tournament and the tennis results.

Grub Crawl - Mills Ave: Death in the Afternoon and Lamp & Shade

I tried these spots at dinner last night. The first is near Tako Cheeka. The second is near Pig Floyd and Virginia. 

Death in the Afternoon - A small, dark space focusing on cocktails and a limited menu. I had the chorizo burger with manchego, etc for $16. It was very good. Thin patty. Crispy exterior. Not dry. Nice flavors. Nice, large glazed bun. Arugula and a dressing. Crisp finger sized french fries. Aoili dip. Now why can't everyone do something simple, properly, like this? Came out fast. Nice cutlery. Cloth napkin. All I remember of the menu was a steak in the twenties and pork belly at $12. Some apps. Two bartenders, a floater and a hostess. Around four booths and bar seating (10ish). Black. copper ceiling. Absinthe call outs. Open only at night. It was full. Open for a couple of months. I suspect it will be a Favorite.

Lamp and Shade - Craft Kitchen and Cocktails. I was just going to have a drink. I was too tired from the flight and full from Death. I grabbed a shrimp lettuce wrap to go for $17 instead. The shrimp were cut into tiny cubes. Way too salty. They tossed some ground peanuts, cabbage atop them. Three thin, flimsy bibb lettuce leaves. Peanut sauce. It may be better in house. Came out quick, as I was hoping. A bigger menu than Death. Around a two dozen things. Ten hots. Ten colds. Four "tables". Three desserts. Things like: tuna sushi, calamari. hamachi crudo, burrata, beet salad, fried rice, corn ribs, dumplings, short ribs and curry mussels. $96 tomahawk. Prices in teens to mid thirties. Open plan. High ceilings. Much room between tables. Black granite bar on the left. Two white walls. One mural. One black wall. Lots of booze. Full. But, because of the ratio of space to tables, not many there. Was a lamp store. Valet. Open for a few weeks. Only open for dinner. Added 18% gratuity. Probably deserves a second look. 

*Check back in a couple of days if you wish to learn about two spots near I Drive and this year's merry old England adventure.

M'ama Napoli, Winter Park

I tried this Italian Bakery & Deli across from Agave Azul at South Orlando and Minnesota last Tuesday during the day. They were the plan a from that week on that Monday. Closed on Monday. No loss. They only sell baked sweets, personal pizzas and a few sandwiches. The $5 cheese pizza was sold out. The ones with toppings were $10+. The sandwiches were $13. Most of the baked things were the ever Italian croissants. I settled on a $4 latte conchiglia. It was ok. I hope the bake and don't buy. It's a small place with four tables. They sell some packaged goods. They have parking in back. They need a bigger sign. Easy to miss. Don't beat yourself up if you do. Not much to them. Open for a few weeks.

*I updated the Sunshine Diner by Art Smith review I posted a while February 21, 2023.

Grub Crawl - East Colonial: Lechonera Orlando, Tacos N Grill and Pa Los Chinos

I tried these spots at lunch today. They are all on East Colonial (50). East of 436. The first is at Dean. The second is further east. The last is back west at Goldenrod. These weren't plan a or b.

Lechonera Orlando - A sign said established in 2006. I did know that I had ignored it for a while. Now I know why. I remember when it was a gas station. I guess it's Puerto Rican. They do the conveyor belt counter thing. Mostly mofongos with meat or meat with sides. Some soups, snacks, desserts. It was jammed. I don't know why. Everything looked stale, dry and unappetizing.  The prices weren't even that great. Mix of people. I decided I didn't want rice and beans, etc, so, I grabbed a chicken and a ground beef empanada for $2.50 a piece. Hard, greasy shell. Chicken was less bad than the beef. Less salty. They have some seats. Basic look. Like the inside of a gas station. You can fuel up elsewhere.

Tacos N Grill - A little, one story shack that they share with an insurance broker. You could easily drive right by. Usual menu. Seemed Mexican run. Pricing wasn't that great. I tried to limit the wallet damage once again (didn't want the added rice and beans on a platter) for a hard shell ground beef taco with l and t and a street style al pastor. Both were $3.50. Same old same old. The place is only five months old and already looks worn. Twenty-ish tables. Some cut out pattern paper "flag" chain decorations. Two murals (skeletons). Empty. Took a little while. They charged a fee as well as taxes. Pass.

Pa Los Chinos - Another on a long (and pretty consistent) list of Chinese food that Latinos have butchered. All their Chinese tastes Latin. I had a pretty awful broccoli chicken with pork fried rice and french fries for $12. Now you see why I was eschewing the sides at the other places. Wrong (brown) sauce on the chicken. Broccoli had to be frozen. Tasted off. Chicken was mushy. Rice was lifeless. Too much of it. Haven't tried the fries yet. Chinese take out items menu. I think this place was Chinese and/or Thai before. The sad thing is I think their people (Puerto Ricans) like it. Some seats. It has the look of a fast food restaurant. Some Chinese arches inside. Grubby. Prices were too high. Pass.

Grub Crawl - SoDo and Downtown: Cloudhop, Schmankerl Stub'n (Closed/Moving), Blu Wave and Rolled *St Lucia Travel Notes

I tried these spots today at lunch. The first is on South Orlando near the hospital. Next to Crave Hot Dogs. The second is in the old South Beach space on North Orange. The third is at the parking lot entry way on Church St near Cucina. It was another Japanese place before this. The last is back towards Stub'n on North Orange. Next to Mercato's and Morgan and Morgan.

Cloudhop Bakeshop - The opened two weeks ago. A one off. They sell muffins and thick cookies. I had a fruit loop and fruity pebble one with a marshmallow center for $5. It was good. Filling. The cereals were a bit stale. They had a few cupcakes and eight cookies. All kind of funky. No seats. Just a counter. You enter from the rear. They have parking. worth a look.

Schmankerl Stub'n - They opened six weeks ago. I think Neon Beach was here before. I liked it alot. Probably the best German in town now. A small menu. Nine mains. A few more for dinner. Four apps? Six or so sides. Full wine list ($22-$80). German beer ($6). Flights of both. Cocktails ($14). Sodas were an acceptable $3. The water tasted funny. I had Fleischpflanzerl for $18. It was two veal and pork patties grilled on a flat top with a huge side of a vinegar based potato salad and a side of whole grain mustard. Some arugula on top. It was good. My first taste. A bit over salted. The potatoes were a bit undercooked. They also had wurst and kasespatzle and a wild boar burger and schnitzels, etc. The veal schnitzel was the most expensive at $25. The pork schnitzel was $14. The apps were near double digits. Not too intriguing. Things like a garden salad or a pretzel. I think the pretzel was only $3? It has a dark bearing. Stained wood, black paint and furniture. Red brick. Gray tile floor. Up front, they raise the roof for a modern chandelier. Leatherbound menus and receipt books. Real flower centerpieces. Twenty tables and four big booths on the left wall. Bar with eight seats at the right rear. Decent silver and tableware. Cloth napkins. Uniformed staff (6). Good service. There were around seven tables occupied while I was there. It is nice enough, but, not pretentious. No dress code. German music. 18% gratuity automatically added. If you like German food, there aren't alot of options. This place has a good, manageable selection of traditional dishes with a modern touch. It will be on the Favorite's List. It means a "delicacy/tidbit".

Blu Wave Sushi and Handroll Bar -  Opened a month ago. I tried a hamachi handroll to go for $6. It was small. The yellowtail was hamhandedly cut and tasteless and tough. I only remember seeing rolls that were overpriced. I saw a few plates delivered while I waited and the cut roll pieces all looked thinner than supermarket rolls. I suppose they have nigiri. Teriyaki beef and chicken. Yakisoba. There are around ten tables and a L shaped sushi bar. It was full. A "piece of art" occupies a spot near the bathroom. This is a one off. I found it disappointing.

Rolled Pita Bar - A one off. Looks like a chain. They sell pita wraps, salad bowls and smoothies. Around a dozen "main ingredients". Chicken, deli meats, barbacoa, falafel, bacon, etc. The usually "toppings" and dressings. I had a small chicken souvlaki pita for $10. I'm not sure what a large looks like because that was a normal size. Order at a counter. They grilled the chicken and then put in the cold toppings as I instructed. It was ok. The chicken was a bit mushy. The pita and veg were fresh. Spartan look. Soda machine. Few, if any seats. Blue and white. Open for a month. It's a dime a dozen. A bit cleaner now because it is new.

*Travel Notes - Saint Lucia: I traveled to Vieux Fort through Miami (6AM/8PM) on American for $440. Usually it is $600+ and they wanted you to fly north first. No issues until last night. A delay of an hour because of late arriving staff. No delays at customs. FYI - you need to fill out a form online before you arrive. The departure tax is built into the ticket. No shot requirements. They are an English island. EC Dollars were 2.7 to $1 USD. The driver said the English and French fought over it 14 times! I stayed at the Hotel Downtown (Booking 6.7) in Soufriere for $108 with tax a night. Three nights. It had a nice view. Every other hotel was inconvenient or very expensive or not listed because booked. You should probably think twice unless you are willing to pay for a Sandal's or rent a car. There was also a cricket world cup going on. I discovered that while leaving. Maybe that raised the prices and limited availability? There were really only cabs at the airport. I looked at shuttles the night before and Viator didn't have any for less than $80-$110. And you needed to pre-book them. The internet said it was $65-$80. They may charge per person. I wouldn't count on the public bus either. The head poobah at the taxi stand quoted me $100. I walked away and couldn't find an alternative. I came back and offered $80. He accepted. I might have had it for $60! The driver was cool. It was a far ride. It is a mountain/jungle island. I didn't do much. Saved my money. Just swimming. They had a market (Allain's) and a supermarket (Massy). I ate there. Prices about equal with US. Atms. You could take all kinds of trips. They had many waiting boats and cars. Small town though. Diving. Fishing. That area has their big attraction. Gros Piton. That's why I chose it. That's all. Got a cab back for $60. There was food in the airport. I spent my last 9EC on a fried chicken breast at Ritual's. You could pay in dollars most places and they would give change in their currency. The people were nicer than most Caribbean islands. A bit pushy. They speak English. Some homeless, beggars and crazies. Same weather as here. All these honeymooners were there. It was intriguing. 

Grub Crawl - East Colonial and UCF Area: Blue Amphora, Kyuramen and Pho So 1

I tried these spots on Thursday at lunch. The first is a block or so south of 50 on the left on Goldenrod. The next two are in a strip mall off University where there is a World of Beer.

Blue Amphora - Started as a Turkish baklava maker. Now (a year) has a few sandwiches, etc. I had the Turkish sausage (I forget the name) with mozzarella panini for $6 and a four piece, mixed (walnuts and pistachios) baklava for $5+. They didn't give me a receipt. The sandwich was fine. Not a ton of sausage. They hand sliced it. Some kind of non-white bread. It could have been pressed a little longer. The sausage was spicy. Probably beef. A bit mushy. I couldn't really discern between the nuts. I "Cookie Monstered" them in the car without water they were so good. Moist. The sugar/honey water wasn't too sweet. Flaky. They sell some savory pastries as well. Breakfast. Some drinks. It's small. Maybe four tables. Pleasant owners. If you like baklava, you should seek it out. They are doing construction on that part of Goldenrod. It makes the place harder to find.

Kyuramen - I am shocked that it appealed to me as much as it did. It's a chain. From NY, I believe. And it is ramen based. However, they also have some fun items like: bao, takoyaki, fried oysters, calamari, chasu, salt and pepper corn, potato shrimp, etc. And they screw around with the ramen. Quite a few regional varieties. I tried a two ramen combo plus called Yin Yang. One side (they have a bowl with a divider in it) was chicken broth (I think) and the other was a spicy pork broth (I think). Both had a ton of good noodles. The chicken side had two tempura shrimp and some round slices of fish cake, marinated bamboo shoots and an egg. The other side had a boiled oyster and chashu pork. The tempura was a little wet inside. The oyster was a little tough. Otherwise, everything was good. Very tender pork. It cost $20. Most ramen was around $16. Apps were $8 to $10. They also had yakitori skewers and one with a few skewers sticking out of a bowl of rice called something with a k. They also have desserts and drinks. Tbaar had a spot up front. The place looks good. A rectangular look. Kitchen on the left. White curtained booths on the right. A splendid looking two level honeycomb seating design in the rear. The colors were black, gray and some kind of blue gray. Youthful interior design. Pale wood. Wishing tree. Sake barrels. Seats about sixty. They may have had a patio. Not too full around 2pm. Three servers. They had some buttons you could press to summon them. I think it may deserve your attention. Kyu means 9. The nine styles of ramen they offer. I am reminded that I saw a type of ramen restaurant (region) on NHK where they serve you AYCE mini (one bite) bowls. I believe it is called Wanko soba from Iwate Prefecture. That looked fun. I haven't seen it in the States yet. A lady hovers over you and replaces the bowls until you cry uncle. Somehow the record was 200 something bowls. I think I could do thirty. Someone get Man versus Food on this.

Pho So 1 - The usual Viet stuff at the same price points. I grabbed an avocado summer roll for $6. I'm not sure if I have been here previously. I know I did all the spots in this strip mall at one point. The roll was good. Came with a sort of peanut dressing. The real revelation from this place is about the summer roll itself. I think this was my first with avocado. That works. But, I think we need to revolutionize the summer roll. Many vegetables should be incorporated. Radish. Beets. Sweet Potato. Etc. The meat or seafood they usually use is tasteless and usually of a bad quality anyway. This solves both of those problems. I expect summer roll themed restaurants to be the next trend. You are welcome. This place is bland. Shower curtains hide boxes in the front corner. Six tables. No customers. Two person crew. Open for four years.

*Next door was a place called Build A Burger.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park: The Cafe at The Alfond Inn and Bricks & Bowls

I tried these spots yesterday at lunch. The first is at the Alfond Inn on New England Ave. The second is in a little alley way on Park Avenue near Lyman. I forget what was there before.

The Cafe - Just a basic supplement to Hamilton's Kitchen. They risibly market it as an "artisanal" cafe. It's worse than Dunkin Donuts. I had a $6 egg and cheese on a muffin. You can get two way better versions with sausage at the dollar menu busting McDonald's. Limited offerings. The sandwich toppings display is Subway-esque. Caffeinated drinks. All pricy. It's just there to rip off guests too lazy to venture into town to get ripped off. It looks nice. Some interesting light fixtures. But, that is really a hotel feature. Not theirs. Open for a month or so. Skip. I just noticed that they add on a 20%+ gratuity that they don't inform you of..

Bricks & Bowls - Their first location was at The Mall at Millenia. They are part of an entity calling themselves Ghost Kitchen Orlando. I was a bit surprised that their starting sandwich price points were for a half of a sandwich. That seemed rich. But, I think you can get away with just half as a meal. I tried the Spanish Eggplant option at $7.50 because it was two dollars less than the others and I couldn't see the quality of the meats that they would have delivered. Plus I didn't trust them yet and I was also trying the pizza. I didn't read the menu carefully enough and my anticipated fried eggplant cutlet morphed into a ratatouille like marinated salad. Not much eggplant. More red pepper, onion and tomato. And I'm not a fan of non-spicy peppers. However, the focaccia it came on was fresh and good. They have to make it in house. It is also pretty high/thick. The brick part. So, I basically paid for bread. I'm not that bothered by that. There was also a slice of an aged provolone or something. And some fresh arugula. That's the take away. Everything was fresh. This was artisanal. I just realized that anal is part of artisanal. They could lose they sweet spread soaked into the top piece of the focaccia. I believe it was a poor quality balsamic. My second purchase was the Classica pizza. I think they referred to it as that. Maybe a flatbread. In any case, it was focaccia again. Covered with mozz (I believe) and some Parmesan or other hard cheese. Natural tomato sauce. Very good. This had a harder bottom crust. They must take the sandwich focaccia and add the toppings and bake it so the bottom gets that crust. Fresh Basil on top. Cut diagonally. This also could be it's own meal. A tad salty. So, there you go. The star is really the focaccia here. Light. Non-oily. Well timed. They also sell lackluster looking bowls, six or so sandwiches and some other variations on the theme. Maybe soups? Order at a counter. Eat on the patio. Not a chain. I was impressed. So many fast casual places are posing as artisanal "curators". I'm talking to you Culver's. They actually are. If the quality of their other items and other things they put on their focaccia (how many time can I write focaccia?) compare with the things I sampled, they will occupy rarified air. An outlier. I would actually make it a micro objective to try them out at some point. Open for a month.

*Sort of next to B & B was a little wine shop that wrote (on a sidewalk blackboard) that they sold lunch items like $10 chicken salad. It is called Vin-tage Vault. Open for two years. They are owned by the Blu and 310 Grill at South Park people. They call in the order to them and it is delivered. The Chinese place next to the new Jeff's Bagel Run up where Wnnie's used to be is no closer to being open. A Sodough opened on Fairbanks near Rollins. I also saw that at the spot near where the bikini car wash girls used to be on 435 near Aloma, a City BBQ is almost open. And a Raising Cane's.

Thai Spoon, Curry Ford Rd - Closed *VT/NH/ME Travel Notes

I tried this Thai restaurant on Friday at dinner. It is near a Lechonera place between Pizza Bruno and South Crystal Lake Dr. I had the crispy spring rolls ($5), chicken satay ($8) and Tom Yum Shrimp ($6) to go. All were apps. All were nothing special. Egg rolls sized spring rolls with scant, cabbage filling. Most likely store bought. The usual vinegar based dip. Rubbery, stringy chicken (4) with no flavor. Freezer burn. Ok peanut sauce. Served on shredded white cabbage. Two tiny shrimp in the usual sour broth. Some peppers and onion. The menu has nothing uncommon on it. The place is a square shape. low ceilings. They seemed to have repainted. I believe it was a light gray. Seats about fifty. Empty near closing time. I think it was a pho place before this. Open for a month. You can skip it.

*Travel Notes - Vermont/New Hampshire/Maine: I flew (mid-afternoons/non stop) Jet Blue into Albany for $186. No issues. I rented a Honda Civic from Budget for $440/wk. No issues. They moved the Belmont to Saratoga this year, so, hotels rates and rental car prices were ridiculous. I drove 7E to Bennington VT and stayed at the lousy Starlight Inn (Expedia 6.6) for $97. I had fish and chips and mushy peas at Lil Britain. Most things were closed. Beer at Harvest Brewing. I drove a bit east on 9E to 8S to 100E to Brigham Young's Birthplace in Whitingham VT. You must go up a little hill near the post office. It is on the right side. Look for a small stone marker. Then back north on 100 past Jacksonville to 9E. I tried some whiskey and bought some moonshine at Metcalfe's Vermont Distillers in Marlboro VT. Further on 9E to Brattleboro and Keene and Concord. Then 4E to 125N to Rochester to 9E to Berwick to Wells ME. I stayed at the Ne'r Beach Motel (Expedia 7.6) for $93 plus $10 RF. Drove around. 

Up 1N the next day. Lunch at McLaughlin's Lobster Shack Beachfront in Lincolnville. I had two types of oysters (Pemaquid Damariscotta River and Birchpoint Isleboro) and haddock chowder. In Orland (had to stop because of the name), I had mint chocolate chip ice cream at Carrier's Mainely Lobster. This was the first joint that had reasonable lobster pricing. I was already full though. On to Bucksport and 3E to Ellsworth. It turns south there for Mount Desert Island. That is Bar Harbor and Acadia NP territory. I stayed at the half off Main Street Motel (Expedia 9.2) for $68. It was good. I should tell you it had rained the whole time up until now. I had some ok white and terrible red wine at Bar Harbor Cellars. I had a $16 a pound (the best price I found the whole trip) STEAMED lobster and a pound of STEAMED mussels for $9 at the nearby C-Ray's Lobster. There were twenty mussels to the pound if they did it right. Still, three quarters of them were shriveled. Some one call the mussel police. What is going on? Why aren't they eating? Is this a farm raising development? It's a global mussel mystery. I drove back to downtown and saw the sunset at the park/ferry dock. Had beer at Fogtown Brewing Company. Walked around. 

The next day I had a Sampler at Mainely Meat BBQ. Sausage/Pulled Pork/Ribs/Chicken/Potato Salad/Slaw/Corn Bread/Beans. I drove to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center at Acadia and through the middle of the park. Every parking spot at every stop was full. To Northeast Harbor and up and over to Southwest Harbor and the Lighthouse at Bass Harbor. I was just exploring. I hadn't been in this area for quite a while. I drove by some food truck called Charlotte's that had lots of reviews. Prices were too high for me. The road there was washed out. Had to take a different route to the lighthouse. Up the west side of the island and back to Bar Harbor. I stayed at the Bar Harbor Manor (Expedia 8.4) for $103. It was a bit closer in. I had beer at the Atlantic Brewing Company. Walked around. 

The next day I had breakfast next to the first motel. A good sausage and cheese omlette at Everyday Joe's. I drove 3S to another park entrance (Sieur du Monts). FYI -  the fee is $35 if you don't have an annual pass. Saw much more of the park. Overlook, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Point, etc. Back up to the Visitor Center and then back south the same way as the day before. Very busy. I had lunch at The Colonel's in Northeast Harbor. This is considered the ritzy area. I had reasonably priced clam chowder (most wanted $10-$14), and an Autumn Turkey Club with FF. The club became dinner. I stayed at the Kimball Terrace Inn (Booking 8.2) for $117. I walked about. Gilpatrick Cove, etc. I then did the same drive as the day before, but, took Sargeant Drive out and in. You have to do this! It goes aside Somes Sound Fjord. I finished the Moonshine on the balcony that night. 

The next day I stopped for breakfast at Seaside Deli and Sweets. Much to my surprise, they were selling stone crabs. $24 for twelve medium sized claws (no arms). Shells removed. I didn't know that they lived up there too. They must not have limits or the harvesting seasons are different. They said they get caught up in the lobster traps. Tasted the same. I ate them at a picnic table at Suminsby Park on Sargeant Drive. Just where the road loses the fjord view. Beautiful (free) experience. You have to do it! I got back in the car and tried another lobster pound on the way off the island. They weren't open yet. They had stone crabs too! Forget the name. Hotel guy told me about them. Back down 3W and 1S. Failed at finding another lobster place as cheap as C-Ray's that I hadn't been to before. Plus it started to rain again. Some other hoped for places were closed that day of all days. At Bath, I drove towards the water on some smaller roads (209, 24, 123) to places like Fort Popham SHS at Sebasco Estates and Bailey Island (Mackerel Cove). Three peninsulas in all. Back through Brunswick and Bowdoin College. There is a Harriet Beecher Stowe House there. Back onto 1S. Stopped in Freeport. Stayed at the crappy Casco Bay Inn (Expedia 9.2 - had to be manipulated) for $93. I chose Freeport for the breweries I always drive by. I had beer and terrible pizza at the Maine Brewing Company. Beer at the Good Fire Brewing Co. It was next to the motel. I drove down a road next to it a few miles and back. 

The next day I stopped in Portland. Saw the Portland Expo and Sea Dogs Stadium (Hadlock Field). Ate a bad omlette on the wharf at Becky's Diner because they had free parking. Finally found this sushi place I ate at years ago called Mami. Back onto 1S to Saco. Onto 111 and 11 to Rochester. 202W to 9W. Stopped in Northwood NH for beer at Northwoods Brewing Company. Through Concord and up 3N to 127 to Daniel Webster's Birthplace in Franklin NH. East to 93N to Plymouth. Stayed at the crappy Pilgrim Inn (Expedia 7.2) for $107. It was almost impossible (again) to find anything reasonable in NH or VT not in Killington or Lincoln. I ate meatballs, potato skins and wedge salad at Lucky Dog Tavern. 

The next day 25W to 118W to 4W to Lebanon VT. Up 14N (along the White River) past Sharon to the Joseph Smith Birthplace. Back to 4W through Woodstock to 100A to the Calvin Coolidge Birthplace Homestead in Plymouth Notch VT. $12. Then to Londonderry on 100S and 30W (above Stratton) to 7S and 7E (NY) to the airport. 

I almost passed on this trip when my parking lot was full and had to go to the airport south lot. All of their other lots were also full. That and I swore Budget was going to screw me again on the rental because of the Triple Crown bs. Glad I pushed through. Glad the weather and hotel rates pushed me farther north in Maine. Gas was $3.20 to $3.60. As usual. missing meals were fast food or supermarkets.

Grub Crawl - Universal Area: Voodoo Bayou and Krembo Cafe

I tried these spots on Sand Lake Rd last Thursday at lunch. The first replaces Moonfish in the strip mall northeast of I4. The second is in the southeast strip mall at I4.

Voodoo Bayou - I'm conflicted by them. Some good qualities. Some bad. I had the four piece fried chicken with biscuit for $19. The chicken had a lot of crust. Too much. Like it had been fried before. It also came out way too fast to be fresh. The crust also fell off far too easily. It had no taste. You needed hot sauce or something. The bottle they provided should have embarrassed them. It was nearly empty. I didn't use it because of that. There was a wing a drum and two large breast pieces. The meat was moist enough. The biscuit was great. Square. Fluffy. Hard crust. Like a croissant. They gave you some good earthy honey with it. The app biscuit costs $14! Maybe more than one? The menu is pricy. $49 steak. $29 red fish.  All apps at main prices. They have a $15 pick two option that doesn't come with a side. Typical Nola wanna be menu. The place is limited by low ceilings. It's black with stained wood and garish gold railing. Fake vintage tchotchkes. Plus sign looking cross inserts. Black tables. Red leopard cushions. Open kitchen on the right. Bar on the left. Both span the front area. There is a further rear area. Not walled off. Plenty of dressed staff. Including in the kitchen. But not professionally adept. They have three other locations. Mostly in Jacksonville. Open for one month. Parking isn't a problem. Owners looked mobbed up. So, like I said - conflicted. Some of the chicken was good. But it could have been better. Portion size was generous. Justified the price. But I would rather have less food and a cheaper buy in. Or quality. Biscuit was amazing. One of the better ones I've ever encountered. They spent a lot on the build out. But it is a bit tacky, dark and low ceilinged. I also think their mood music wasn't good. I can't remember. I didn't trust them enough to try some of the more adventurous dishes. Maybe that was a mistake? Go on and try them for me and report back. It's a definite maybe for me.

Krembo Cafe - I'm so disappointed by them. They replaced some sandwich place a year ago. I drove by them when I sampled that Boiled Fish place months ago and tried to try them on the last Florida road trip. It seems that it was Passover then. They took three weeks off. I thought it was a week? Anyhoo. I just grabbed a bagel with cream cheese to go after the large meal I just had. There were some nice sesame ones in the case and all the dull things they offered up were bad values. So, I grabbed my ankles and forked over $8. Then they didn't even deliver the bagels in the case! A Lender's looking piece of shit with a non-deli serving of garden variety cream cheese. A total rip off. They had two semi-interesting options. Shashuka and some eggplant dish I had never heard of. Its a kosher place. Smallish, square layout. Modernish. I think it had a soft gray color scheme with a fake grass backdrop. You can skip it.   

Tsaocaa, Winter Springs

I tried this pan-Asian spot on the northeast strip mall at the intersection of Red Bug Lake Rd and Tuskawilla on Wednesday at dinner. I had a fried chicken sandwich for $5.75. I chose the spicy sauce. It was fine. I didn't love that it was two tenders. They also sell wings, Korean style hot dogs (9-), boneless chicken, drumsticks, egg waffles, fried dumplings, shiu mai, takoyaki, shrimp, ramen (6), etc. Plus fruit teas (slush and classic), brewed teas, mojitos with soda water, milk strikes, yogurt slushes, coconut drinks, milk boba fruit yakults, fruit milk, etc. Toppings. The place looks modern. White and light gray. 4 booths with white cloth mosquito netting. 4 two seaters. Sharp packaging. Three locations. Mostly in Jacksonville. They said the name means Fresh Tea. They said they were Mandarin. I'm not sure if the name is as well. Open for two months. Open 7D from 11:30 to 9pm. Better than I expected with more options.

City Market Bistro, New Smyrna Beach

I tried this spot on Canal St on Wednesday at lunch. It was Pearl Oyster Shoppe before this. This since 2021. I had the saffron and leek cream sauce mussels for $18. They were good. But there is an epidemic of shrinkflation in the bivalve community too. I haven't received a fully formed mussel in any country at any time of the year for three years. These were mostly half sized too. Though the chef said they were delivered that day. I believe him. I just ate some growers in Maine tonight. The portion size was large. The broth was good. Three slices of toast. Side of fries. They are my second least favorite type. Skin on hand cut. I think it is the water content. They never crisp. These were like that. Limp. The place is tiny. It seats around thirty. Same decor. Soft gray. Feminine looking. They now only carry IROC oysters. Small menu. Prix fixe at $25. Steak at $25. Three burgers - regular, falafel, chicken. No Su/Mo. Tu at 4pm. W-Sa normal hours. I liked it. One of the better options in NSB.

*Have you noticed that McDonald's is redesigning locations to remove the self service soda area?