** (2 stars)
I don’t really get the fuss about this place. The burgers are okay, but nothing special, and their acclaimed fries are everything I hate in a french fry: underdone, limp, and fairly flavorless. I’d much rather go down the street to Red Robin for a burger, or up the street to Checkers for fries.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
3107 Daniels Rd, Ste 112
Winter Gardens, FL 34787
(407) 905-9811
http://www.yelp.com/biz/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-winter-gardens
**** (4 stars)
Being from the West originally, I’d never heard of Red Robin, but there was much excitement at the office when this place opened. Instant success, very crowded. I was impressed by the professionalism of the staff, even shortly after opening day. The bacon cheeseburger is exactly the recipe I like: lettuce, tomato, mayo, so I’m happy. On a second visit I tried the onion rings, which are excellent and incredibly bad for you. Substitue the salad for the fries that come with the burgers and pretend it’s health food.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
3310 Daniels Road
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-0626
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-robin-gourmet-burgers-winter-garden
**** (4 stars)
This is really a fun place. If you make your reservation by phone they give you a password. I haven’t had any luck getting a password when doing it through opentable, so I guess you have to call. there is no sign unless the valet is out, in which case there a little one on his stand. Go halfway past the pool, turn left and knock on the wooden door. Give them the password and you’re in. Most of the table are in private little alcoves, and the place is really dark. The food is an eclectic collection of high end bar food. Favorites are the gourmet sliders and crostini, the lobster deviled eggs, and the waffle/maple/bacon sundae. The mixed drinks are all wonderful, and a real step back in time. 4 stars for food, 5 stars for ambience and uniqueness.
Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club
2109 Bayshore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-0022
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ciros-speakeasy-and-supper-club-tampa
**** (4 stars)
I’ve long regarded Bar Louie’s Chop Chop salad as the best salad in Evanston, IL, but it had never occurred to me to try the Bar Louie here in Orlando. Well, it’s a pretty darn good salad here, too. Since I think of the place as a sports/live music bar, this is somehow surprising. Took the crew from work here, and everyone loved it, especially the pretzel appetizer (which is more like pretzel bread than sticks) with three delicious dips. The place is pretty empty at lunch time, so a far different ambiance than when the band comes on at 9:30, I’m sure.
Bar Louie
7335 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 608-5190
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-louie-orlando-3
***** (5 stars)
We’ve been hosting Christmas parties for more than twenty years, and have had many great events, but this year’s catering by Arthur’s outdid them all. The staff was friendly, energetic, and just plain nice, and the food was simply awesome. We were looking for some healthful alternatives to the usual party buffet fare, and Arthur’s provided lots of interesting stations with imaginative and extremely tasty offerings that were enjoyed by the adults and kids alike. My favorites were fish tacos, Thai spring rolls, cocktail glass salads and the s’mores bar. What a wonderful evening!
Arthur’s Catering
860 Sunshine Ln
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
(407) 331-1993
http://www.yelp.com/biz/arthurs-catering-altamonte-springs
**** (4 stars)
There’s an extensive menu here, with both hot food and sushi. The bento boxes offer a nice assortment, and it’s great to see a sashimi bento as one of the options. Fish quality is pretty good, and the other items in the box were all well-prepared.
It’s noisy inside, but there are a couple of nice tables outside.
Urban Hibachi
3120 S Kirkman Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 295-7777
http://www.yelp.com/biz/urban-hibachi-orlando-2
*** (3 stars)
Typical Disney restaurant on the mezzanine of the Polynesian. Kid friendly (and packed with them). The most flavorful thing we had was the teriyaki sauce that accompanied the beef satay. A lot of the selections are fairly bland, so if you have picky eaters it’s a safe bet. Extensive selection of island-themed mixed drinks.
Kona Cafe
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-3463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kona-cafe-lake-buena-vista
**** (4 stars)
A very good restaurant that, with a little work, could be great. The best way to experience it is with the Chef’s Table Menu (a confusing name, since you don’t have to be at the chef’s table to order it). The seven course meal is assembled to your preferences, and at $75 is a bargain. The night we were there, the standouts were the spinach starter, the squash ravioli (which would have been better as a dessert because of its sweetness) and the fish and beef main courses. Seven matching wines for $50 was also a good deal, although the wines weren’t perfect matches to the food, and were all rather pedestrian.
Service was a bit uneven, with water refills hard to come by and some wines showing up after the course was finished.
Chef Ken was extremely personable, and his visits to present each course were the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately the room is so loud it was hard for everyone at our table to hear him. I would return, but only if I didn’t want to have an intimate conversation with my fellow diners.
Firenze Osteria
4212 Lankershim Blvd
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
(818) 760-7081
http://www.yelp.com/biz/firenze-osteria-toluca-lake-2
**** (4 stars)
This is the best of the three restaurants that have occupied the same spot. Layered eggplant parmesan was delicious, as was the smoked salmon appetizer. The flatbreads are better than the pizza, and aren’t really flatbreads, just a thinner crusted pizza. Interesting wines by the glass. Service is well intentioned. I still hate the lighting in this otherwise beautiful space, as it glares. All the fixtures should be lowered or the globes painted black.
Bella Tuscany Ristorante Italiano
13424 Summerport Village Pkwy
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 656-2355
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bella-tuscany-ristorante-italiano-windermere
**** (4 stars)
Back in the 80s we somehow accidentally stumbled upon this place in the dark one night. Once you visit, you’ll realize how unlikely an event this was, given how it’s tucked away in a little canyon. That night, even though the restaurant had only been open a couple of weeks, we had a delightful meal, with fresh game and attentive service in an exotic hunting lodge setting. We’ve been going here ever since.
Saddle Peak Lodge is perhaps LA’s most unique restaurant, given its colorful history and unique decor. If you’re put off by mounted hunting trophies, this isn’t the place for you. But if great elk, quail or other game is your thing, this is the place.
It’s a particularly good ambiance for holiday dinners, and has become our Thanksgiving standard. Brunch is also popular, with outside seating that can be zipped up when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 222-3888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/saddle-peak-lodge-calabasas