Josie’s Pizza & Wings

Pepperoni, ricotta, and basil
Interior
Interior

 

***** (5 stars)

I’ve been going to Josie’s on Hiawassee for more than twenty years, but somehow missed the opening of this one, which is much closer to my home. The space is much brighter and more open than the old location. Although there is a sort of bar in the back, this is primarily a table service place, with plenty of tables both inside and outside.

On our visit there were a handful of inside tables occupied, and the sole server was doing a fantastic job of keeping up with everyone. We shared a large Greek salad, an order of ten hot garlic wings, and a pepperoni, ricotta, and basil pizza. Everything was excellent, and the hot food arrived literally steaming from the kitchen.

The Greek salad was a nice mix of fresh veggies on top of crisp lettuce, and the Greek dressing was delicious.

The pizza didn’t have a crisp crust, but the sauce had a great oregano flavor, the cheese was plentiful, and the pepperoni was very flavorful.

The wings are the wet style, and some of the best in town. I love that they use fresh garlic on top of the hot sauce rather than mixing in powdered garlic.

A lot of places have been having staffing issues, and we had the impression there might be just two people working here on a Monday at lunch, but they were certainly doing a great job, and I give them full points for food and service.

Josie’s Pizza & Wings
5855 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786

https://www.yelp.com/biz/josies-pizza-and-wings-windermere

Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe

Bar
Bar
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Breakfast club
Breakfast club
Vietnamese spring roll and shrimp salad
Vietnamese spring roll and shrimp salad

*** (3 stars)

I wanted to like this place more because of its lovely setting on the lake, but everything about it was pretty mediocre, from the so-so cocktails to most of the brunch food. The charcuterie plate was the best thing we had, particularly after we asked for the surprisingly absent mustard. The Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Shrimp Salad would have embarrassed the Vietnamese restaurants in town, with the bland vermicelli-like stuffing in the rolls and the mostly undressed greens. The Breakfast Club sandwich was essentially avocado toast with club sandwich ingredients and an egg inside, but it was surprisingly flavorless, with the ingredients fighting with one another and the "secret" sauce keeping its secrets to itself. We probably won't be in a hurry to return.

Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe
1414 N Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32804

https://www.yelp.com/biz/russells-on-lake-ivanhoe-orlando-2

Reel Bowls

Interior
Interior

***** (5 stars)

This place makes excellent poke bowls with really fresh ingredients, and their online ordering is terrific. Just a few clicks and you can customize your bowl just the way you want. I had:

*Build Your Own Bowl
Choose Your Protein: *1/2 Ahi Tuna, 1/2 Salmon (sushi grade/raw)
Choose Your Base (up to 2): Spring Mix
Choose Your Toppings (up to 4): Pickled Ginger,Edamame,Cucumbers,Crab Salad
Choose Your Dressing (up to 2): Cucumber Wasabi,Garlic Teriyaki
Choose Your Crunch Toppings (up to 2): No Crunch Toppings

It was great!

Reel Bowls
13211 Reams Rd
Windermere, FL 34786

https://www.yelp.com/biz/reel-bowls-windermere

A Brasileira Bar & Grill

Exterior
Exterior

**** (4 stars)

This is in the large space that used to be Crafted, a sports bar with a giant central bar and very spacious patio seating.

The space is largely unchanged, but now the menu is Brazilian. There are a few lunch-priced items on the menu, but I really wanted to try the Moquequinha Capixaba de Camarao, even though it was $25. I must say that it was worth it. The metal bowl was served literally boiling hot, and was filled with shrimp–probably close to a pound, I would guess.

My companions also liked their food: a veggie burger, and a sandwich.

Service was pleasant. The kitchen is not terribly speedy, even though there weren't many lunch customers, so don't go in a hurry.

A Brasileira Bar & Grill
2417 S Hiawassee Rd
Orlando, FL 32835

https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-brasileira-bar-and-grill-orlando