I really love the esprit de corps among the staff at this Denny’s. It makes all the difference when receptionists, hostesses, and servers are happy to be there and take pride in what they do. This location is spotlessly clean, bright, modern, and inviting. The menu is the standard Denny’s lineup, which I personally enjoy. When I’m looking for breakfast, this is exactly what I want.
I hadn’t ever tried the one-crepe breakfast before, which is a nice combination of two eggs (mine were over easy), bacon, and nicely browned hash browns, plus a lovely crepe with vanilla filling and strawberries on top, a delightful change from the usual pancake accompaniment.
In recent years, Orlando has been blessed with so many omakase restaurants that I’d be surprised if it isn’t among the top locations nationally or even internationally for this refined form of dining. There are stellar, Michelin-deserving entries on the list that I’ve already enjoyed, but I think this latest one may be the greatest of them all.
Kappo Tsan’s space is relatively small, and it isn’t exclusively omakase. There is a sushi bar where you can indulge in their nine-course kaiseki-style dining, but there are also tables where you can order a la carte. Everything from the ingredients to the recipes to the skillful work of the chefs behind the counter is as great as I have seen anywhere.
We had the nine-course kaiseki-style omakase, and we’re quite awed by every single course, so much so that it is hard to pick a favorite. The menu changes seasonally and, in fact, every two weeks, according to Chef David, because that’s how the season changes are calculated in Japan. So I’ll just share the phenomenal menu we had and let you enjoy the pictures, as I’m sure your experience will be different but equally stellar.
Service was definitely Michelin quality from all the servers and the sommelier. There’s a thoughtful wine list with a delightful Rosé Grand Cru Champagne if you’re looking for the perfect match for this nine-course feast.
I do need to call out one dessert, because although neither my wife nor I are particularly dessert people, this was one of the most delightful, fun, and refreshing that I’ve ever had. Based on fluffy, light Taiwanese-style shaved ice, it was as delightful to eat as it was to watch Chef David making it.
I’d heard about Banh Mi Boy for a while, but since it’s only a couple blocks from what was always my favorite banh mi sandwich place, I’d never tried it before. I didn’t realize that it is in the Mills Market, which has a collection of other shops selling Asian curries, pastries, sweets, and other delectables.
The space is just some high-top tables and counters, so not really someplace you want to dine, but to get food to go, it’s a great choice. Because it’s so popular, I can’t say that the service was particularly quick. I didn’t have to wait to order, but it did take 10 or 15 minutes to get my sandwich. It was worth the wait, though. Probably the best banh mi I’ve had. The traditional ingredients were all there, but the meat was particularly succulent. The bread was the traditional crusty French bread. I’ve had somewhat better on a banh mi, but this one definitely was right up there.
They also serve coffees, teas, and other drinks. I had a Vietnamese coffee, which was quite good.
This is a nicely appointed restaurant in the old Keke’s space next to the newly redone Publix in Metrowest. This area has needed a sit-down Mexican restaurant since Taquitos Jalisco closed in the same shopping center more than a decade ago.
The menu is fairly extensive, and offers some authentic preparations such as Pastor, Mole, and even a Molcajete. We tried the queso, the chicken quesadilla, and the pastor tacos. Everything was fine, but seemed rather under seasoned and certainly underspiced. The meal includes complimentary tortilla chips and a very mild salsa.
The standout was the house margarita. I don’t think I’ve ever had a better margarita, even at twice the price.
Lunch pricing seems reasonable.
Our server was probably on her first day, but the kitchen was having no trouble, so I’m sure they’ll do well.
I’ve wanted to try this place for years, but it’s not very close to where I live, so I’m glad I finally got there today. Wow, I’m really impressed. I was misled by the name because I sort of thought it was going to be a tea parlor, but it’s actually a complete cafe with table service, serving delicious sandwiches and desserts in addition to a wide selection of teas and coffees.
I had the Thai dark black coffee, which is sweetened but does not have condensed milk in it. It was served on a crushed ice. Although it was with very strong coffee there was no hint of bitterness – just delicious.
The Gra-Prow chicken sandwich has gotten a lot of praise online, and justifiably so. I think it was the best sandwich I’ve ever tasted. It was done on sourdough bread and pressed in a panini-type press with lots of ridges in it, so that the crust was really crispy – almost like a ruffle potato chip. The filling was a delicious chicken salad with fresh basil, onion, red pepper, mozzarella and spicy basil mayo. Just a fantastic sandwich.
I also had to try the dessert, which is made with toast that reminded me of Japanese milk bread that had been toasted and cut into crouton-sized squares. The version I had was the Queen Bee, which was drizzled with honey, and topped with cookies ‘n cream ice cream and whipped cream. A great way to end the meal.
The service was really friendly, and I absolutely loved the food. I’ll definitely return soon.
What a great addition this is to the downtown Orlando dining scene. Whether you’re going for an à la carte meal or the excellent tasting menus available at both lunch and dinner, this is a refined and complex alternative to a lot of the more pedestrian food available downtown.
The chef here has obviously put a lot of thought into the recipes, and quite a few things were standouts for their sophistication.
– The shrimps ceviche starter was wonderfully balanced with great acidity and just the right amount of seasoning.
– The beets + bees salad is a real standout with generous helpings of multicolored beets, feta cheese, and a delightful vinaigrette dressing.
– The Parmesan pasta could have used a little more seasoning or complexity but was very good if you’re a pasta lover.
– My preference was the extraordinary Wagyu pastrami, which was just as good as it sounds. A spicy rhyme of peppery coating made it perhaps the best pastrami I’ve ever tasted, and since it was Wagyu, the meat itself was extraordinarily tender and flavorful without being fatty or overly rich.
There’s an extensive list of wines with quite a few of them available by the glass.
Service was friendly, and I enjoyed talking with the chef after the meal to discover that it takes a week to make the pastrami and that their bread is delivered fresh every morning. A great experience that I’m sure will return.
Note that Google has this location marked incorrectly on their map. It’s not on the side street, it’s right on Magnolia.
This is definitely an aptly named restaurant since they serve only brunch. But they offer some interesting items, such as ahi tuna nachos or chicken and waffles where the chicken is served in a waffle cone in the shape of a taco. In fact, those are the two items that we had and we loved both of them. The tuna was really high quality, and the chicken and waffles was a great twist on an old favorite.
The interior is a bit divey which can be fun. Although on a nice day, it might be more pleasant to sit outside on the sidewalk where it would be a bit quieter. The first cup of coffee could have been hotter and the service a little more attentive, but all in all, we had a nice time.
I wasn’t expecting table service at this place, so it was a pleasant surprise to experience it and have it be so wonderful. Our server, Helen, was extremely friendly and everything came out lightning fast.
The chili has a strong cinnamon flavor which I like, but not everyone might. I tried the regular coney and also a large Greek salad. I also tried their seasonal special ice cream which has a lot of cinnamon and nutmeg in it. Very intriguing.
We enjoyed our lunch at this bustling restaurant at Disney Springs. The main room is very large and can be quite noisy, but we asked to be seated in the front room near the bar, which was much quieter.
The menu has a lot of appealing options, so it was hard to decide.
We ultimately chose to begin with the ahi tuna tostadas, which were absolutely delicious. The serving size was small for the price, but worth it.
We also had the highly touted cheesy dream puffs, but were disappointed in them. Ours didn’t look much like the pictures I saw online, and there wasn’t much evidence of any cheese. They were certainly not puffy; they were more like somewhat stale Yorkshire pudding. Definitely not dreamy.
For one entree we had the pepperoni pizza, to which we added fresh basil. If you like thin crust pizza, this is a great one, with a slightly charred edge and a very thin crust that stands up well to the delicate sauce and cheese and very flavorful pepperoni.
I also agree with raves about the picnic fried chicken basket. The chicken tenders were beautifully breaded and fried to a crispy crunch with a tender inside, and the piquant barbecue sauce was a great accompaniment. The shoestring fries that came along with it were plentiful and nice and crisp.
Service was attentive, particularly considering how busy the restaurant was. I would definitely go back here.
This is a very pleasant all-day eatery overlooking the pool of the Melia hotel.
We started with the baked potato skins, which were nicely crisped and amply topped with bacon, cheese, and green onions, and served with a cup of sour cream. Classic pub food.
For our mains we had two specials, the crispy fish sandwich and the quesadilla. Both were good. I particularly liked the salad that came with the sandwich (fries were another option).
There is also an extensive pizza menu (served until late) and a selection of pastas and burgers.
Nicole was a great server. In addition, everyone we encountered from the hotel front desk to the restaurant hostess, to the food runners was very friendly. A nice experience.
