Category Archives: Bars

Michael’s

Posted on by
Interior
Interior
Hamachi crudo
Hamachi crudo
Steak frites
Steak frites
White asparagus
White asparagus

*** (3 stars)

Back in 1979 we regarded Michael's as the best restaurant on the west side, but now it just seems a bit like it's on autopilot, without any real standouts. The hamachi crudo, the white asparagus side dish, and the pizza were all fine, but there was nothing noteworthy about any of them. The steak frites was good, but again a pretty pedestrian dish. Honestly, the nuts were probably the most stellar thing we ordered.

The wine list is extremely eclectic, yet oddly narrow in focus despite its size: lots of obscure French appellations with a narrow range of varietals and almost nothing above an every day table wine level.

The standout here is the ambiance; the rear dining space is a romantic garden of intimacy, albeit one that definitely looks like 1979.

Service was attentive and professional.

Michael’s
1147 3rd St
Santa Monica, CA 90403

https://www.yelp.com/biz/michaels-santa-monica-2

Friendly Confines Metro West

Posted on by
Exterior
Exterior
BYO Burger
BYO Burger
Cobb salad
Cobb salad
Claw basket
Claw basket
Interior
Interior

**** (4 stars)

This is an excellent sports bar, with lots of screens, and a very extensive menu. There's pretty much and sports bar food you can think of. My burger was exactly the way I like it, and my companions Cobb salad and chicken ginger baskets both looked good. Service was prompt and friendly, as the name suggests.

Friendly Confines Metro West
2461 S Hiawassee Rd
Orlando, FL 32835

https://www.yelp.com/biz/friendly-confines-metro-west-orlando

An’Nam

Posted on by
Interior
Interior
Jalapeño Yellowtail Jalapeno Plate
Jalapeño Yellowtail Jalapeno Plate
Philadelphia Roll and spicy salmon
Philadelphia Roll and spicy salmon
Grilled pork over vermicelli
Grilled pork over vermicelli

**** (4 stars)

Can't decide between Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food? You don't need to, here! Four pages of densely printed menu pretty much cover everything. It's not actually "fusion" since the cuisines aren't being combined in new ways, but they are all represented, and are done well, and with fresh ingredients. The dining area is bright and cheery, and the service is friendly.

An’Nam
234 W 48th St
New York, NY 10036

https://www.yelp.com/biz/annam-new-york-2

Playwright Celtic Pub

Posted on by
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
The Medley
The Medley
Pepperoni Flatbread Margarita Pizza
Pepperoni Flatbread Margarita Pizza
Messy Burger
Messy Burger

*** (3 stars)

Solid food and service in a shotgun pub with a traditional design. The messy burger is a popular choice, and would indeed have been messy–or perhaps impossible–to eat if I hadn't taken a knife and fork to it. Great service from the solitary server handling the whole place.

Playwright Celtic Pub
732 8th Ave
New York, NY 10036

https://www.yelp.com/biz/playwright-celtic-pub-new-york-4

Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge

Posted on by
Trio of bao with Peking duck, pickled veggies, spider roll
Trio of bao with Peking duck, pickled veggies, spider roll
Interior
Interior

**** (4 stars)

We went here as part of the Epicurioius progressive dinners, and really enjoyed the three offerings: pickled vegetables, spider roll, and steamed bar bun with Peking duck. The latter was the group's favorite.

The only problem is that the room is extremely austere, all hard steel and stone surfaces, so it's not necessarily the coziest Asian dining experience.

The service was wonderful.

Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge
14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln
Orlando, FL 32821

https://www.yelp.com/biz/zeta-bar-and-sushi-lounge-orlando

Umi

Posted on by
Ceviche
Ceviche
Interior
Interior
70% Hamachi and Tuna by Tuna
70% Hamachi and Tuna by Tuna
Sashimi combo lunch
Sashimi combo lunch

***** (5 stars)

This is my favorite rendition of the sushi places that have been in this spot. The decor has been refreshed, and the menu is quite extensive. The ceviche was one of the best dishes I've had. It's an interesting fusion of Japanese ingredients and traditional ceviche preparation. Service is very attentive.

Umi
525 S Park Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789

https://www.yelp.com/biz/umi-winter-park-4

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

Posted on by
Bar
Bar
Dining room
Dining room
Charcuterie
Charcuterie
Pinxtos
Pinxtos
Rib eye, roasted cauliflower, shishito peppers
Rib eye, roasted cauliflower, shishito peppers

**** (4 stars)

This is a refreshing new take on Disney dining after quite a few years of nothing very exciting opening up. Like most Disney restaurants, the dining room can only be described as "clamorous," however we were lucky and were seated in a smaller room back to the right of the kitchen, with a lovely view to the southeast. (Note that if you're going here to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks, you won't be able to from this side.)

The menu is fairly traditional Spanish tapas. Of particular note is the Chef's Signature dinner for two, which offers an assortment of tapas, a very large charcuterie plate, an enormous and very tender rib-eye steak, and a fairly modest dessert, all for sharing. The sharing of some of the items is a bit awkward, and some of it has that cruise ship feeling of having been prepared en masse and in advance, but overall it was quite good, and very reasonably priced.

The wine program is exceptional, with lots of Spanish offerings, most available by the glass, and reasonably priced by the bottle. Oddly missing were any dry sherries, but probably no one but me drinks them.

Service was enthusiastic and professional.

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood
1000 W Buena Vista Dr
Kissimmee, FL 34747

https://www.yelp.com/biz/toledo-tapas-steak-and-seafood-kissimmee