The Grove

Top-notch service and wonderfully creative food are the highlights here, surely one of the best restaurants New Zealand has to offer.

I’ve had many wine-pairing dinners, but the matches here were absolutely stellar, perhaps the best I’ve ever encountered. Great hospitality by the owner and the entire staff.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grove-auckland-2

De La Vega

This is an interesting tapas concept because instead of Spanish food, the emphasis is on Latin food. We started with a delicious red sangria, and then proceeded to try a number of the different tapas appetizers, never making our way to the entrée section of the menu.

The Asparinas were a great way to start, and were offered free for checking in on Yelp! We tried the empanadas, and had half chicken/half cheese; both were good.

The Chicken Molé Rice Balls were also very good, with a complex Molé sauce that wasn’t too sweet. 

The Ajito de Pescado was my favorite, with flavors of freshly cooked fish and veggies.

Excellent and friendly service. During temperate weather, it would be great to sit out on the sidewalk.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/de-la-vega-deland-de-land

Surah

**** (4 stars)

This Korean restaurant offers all of the most popular Korean dishes in a pleasant environment with friendly service. The space was formally occupied by Bee Wan, but it has been significantly remodeled. The menu is now streamlined and more pictorial, which is good for newbies. There are somewhat fewer side dishes of kimchi now, but they are just as good or better. My favorite entrée, Dolsot bibimbap, is available in traditional and a kimchi version. The Chicken Katsu is a good choice for kids or those who are not yet ready to try the full Korean experience.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/surah-no-title

Bombay Street Kitchen

Wow, this place far exceeded my expectations. For starters, it’s much nicer inside than the online photos make it look. It’s actually a sit-down restaurant with excellent table service.

Orlando is blessed with many great Indian restaurants, but I was drawn to Bombay Street Kitchen because the menu offered many dishes beyond the usual offerings, so I purposely ordered items that you can’t get most places. The menu is divided into several sections including one labeled “Asian” which seemed to offer a fusion of other Asian foods such as Chinese, but with an Indian touch. 

I honestly can’t pick a favorite of the dishes we had! I would (and no doubt will) order all of them again. I’ll let the descriptions and names speak for themselves:

PANI PURI
Fried bread, spiced potatoes mix, tangy water.

GUN POWDER GARLIC SHRIMP
Grilled shrimp, garlic, homemade spice mix.

MASALA PAPAD BHEL
Papad, onions, tomato, spices.

CHINESE BHEL
Crispy noodles, onions, cabbage, pepper, chutneys.

BOMBAY STREET DOSA

The only downside to Bombay Street Kitchen is getting there, because of the heavy traffic past the Florida Mall to the South. But if you can find another approach, it’s definitely worth repeat visits

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bombay-street-kitchen-orlando-3

Pho 813

This Pho 813 location has a really lovely interior design. If it wasn’t in the nightmarish parking lot across from the Millenia Mall I would be a frequent visitor.

The lemon grass bun bowl has a broth different from other places I’ve tried. And the Bahn Mi, while not the best or cheapest in town, is a very credible rendition.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-813-orlando