Category Archives: Florida

Voodoo Bayou

Posted on by

Voodoo Bayou is a great addition to restaurant row. The cool vibe and extensive drink menu is sure to be a hit with the evening crowd, but we went for lunch.

It was opening day (we were customer number two!) and the place was already running like clockwork.

The dinner prices are reasonable for dinner, but it’s nice that they have a lunch time “pick two” special for $15. I chose the gumbo appetizer and blackened shrimp po’boy sandwich. Both were authentic and tasty. I appreciated that they plunked down the Louisiana hot sauce right at the start of the meal!

I miss all the Cajun places we used to have back in the 90’s, so it’s great to have a really nice one to go to now.

I’m even more excited by the Asian small plate speak easy (reservation only) hidden off the foyer. That’s right up my alley, and I’ll be checking it out soon.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/voodoo-bayou-orlando

Torchy’s Tacos

Posted on by

This is a great addition to the local taco scene. Like competitor Velvet Taco, Torchy’s is a chain out of Texas that specializes in high-end taco assembly. Their menu offers a wide variety of semi-traditional and eclectic taco. We liked all three that we tried:

Trailer Park Taco – fried chicken and a bunch of stuff on a flour tortilla. This wasn’t my favorite, but my wife liked it a lot. It’s pretty far from any Mexican origins!

Green Gile Pork on a corn tortilla. The most traditional, this contained very succulent carnitas.

Mr. Orange – This was my favorite. A delicious piece of grilled salmon with a somewhat spicy sauce and lots of cilantro.

I really liked that all the tacos had completely different ingredients, which is very different from most assemblage places.

I usually prefer sit down restaurants to quick serves, but it’s worth noting that they do have margaritas, and you can come in, sit at the bar, and order food and drinks.

Be sure to join their club and get a free half order of queso and chips— it was large and delicious.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/torchys-tacos-winter-garden

Kungfu Kitchen

Posted on by

Even though it’s in a tourist area, this is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Central Florida. 

I don’t think I’ve ever had better dim sum, and the extensive, illustrated menu makes it really easy to order from. The seared soup dumplings (Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings) in particular were the best I’ve had.

The scallion pancakes are a bit unusual – more like a toasted flour tortilla than the traditional omelette-like preparation.

The large, airy space is inviting, and not too loud even when it’s busy. 

Service is really good.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/kungfu-kitchen-no-title

Charm Thai and Sushi

Posted on by

It’s about time we got a decent sushi restaurant in this area, and Thai to boot! Excellent service and nice seating make this place a win,

The yellowtail carpaccio was really fresh and tasty, with just the right crunch to the jalapeños. Spicy salmon roll and Philadelphia roll were both good. And while my companion had sushi I had a delicious Yum Nua salad.

Now we don’t have to drive halfway across the county for good Asian food!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/charm-thai-and-sushi-windermere

Ali Ceviche Bar

Posted on by

This place makes an excellent semi-frozen Pisco Sour.

The food is just okay. The fish in our Tiradita was so stringy and tough we had to cut it with a knife. The yellow potatoes in the Causa were rather gritty. And the Arroz con Mariscos was so heavily sauced and overcooked that it was risotto-like.

There are lots of better places for Peruvian cuisine in Orlando.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/aji-ceviche-bar-orlando

La Piccolina

Posted on by

Although the name sounds very Italian, the menu (which is extensive) is divided evenly between Italian and Peruvian foods. (They also serve American breakfast.)

I wasn’t sure the Peruvian food would measure up to other places in town, with all that Italian food competing for attention, but it was top-notch. We started with the fish ceviche, a generous portion of fresh fish with all the classical accompaniments. Next was a terrific shrimp causa, obviously assembled fresh to order. And we finished with the chicken chaufa. I suppose you could count this as a fourth cuisine, since it’s essentially Chinese fried rice! 

Special shout-out to the house-made herbal crisps served with oil and balsamic at the start of the meal. They were great.

The food and service were both great, and the space is quite pleasant. Maybe we’ll go back tomorrow for Italian!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-piccolina-winter-garden-2

Sorekara

Posted on by

Orlando has recently been blessed with many great omakase restaurants, but none of them are like Sorekara. It is unlike any restaurant I’ve been to around the world. It’s much more than simply a meal, it is a true experience.

With only ten guests per night (perhaps eventually 12) it is a highly personal experience where each party is handled separately. Your journey begins in a room that is literally a zen garden. Introductory remarks introduce the concept of “Sorekara” or “And then…” The goal is to create a peaceful, all-encompassing experience where you are fully in the moment. You are encouraged to put away your phone or camera, and just enjoy. 

You will travel through four spaces, spending most of your time at a spacious natural wood bar as you enjoy 25 or so courses ranging from a single bite to more substantial bowls and plates. The focus is on Japanese-sourced seafood, but it is nothing like sushi. Ten accompanying wine pairings accentuate an amazing array of flavors. Final dessert courses are served in the most serene dining room I’ve ever encountered.

Through every step, each server made it clear that this restaurant is their passion, and it’s easy to see why.

Sorekara is destined to become a destination restaurant, one that foodies from all around the world will come to Orlando to experience.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/sorekara-orlando

Reel Bowls

Posted on by

This poke bowl assemblage concept offers an array of bases, fish, and toppings in a bright, spacious setting. You can choose between two types of rice or mixed greens as your base. Then pick a protein and up to four toppings. 

My companion and I both went with greens and tuna and wasabi dressing. My favorite toppings were the edamame, cucumber, and seaweed salad. I highly recommend the fried onion bits as a garnish.

Service was fast and friendly.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/reel-bowls-orlando-2

Fresh Kitchen

Posted on by

This is a bowl assembly concept similar to Chipotle, but focused on healthy selections.

My choice was coconut rice and kale slaw topped with chickpeas and salmon. The ingredients worked well together. The sriracha-based sauce I selected was fairly bland, but my wife’s ginger sauce was excellent.

The counter setup at lunchtime is extremely efficient, so it took no time at all to order and pay.

There’s a nice outside seating area in addition to the indoor space.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-kitchen-winter-garden-3

X Sushi

Posted on by

High end sushi dining in Ocoee! Who would have thought?

The first thing you notice walking into X is the stunning decor, including a custom build-out, fanciful hanging lights, and bold artwork covering most of one wall.

There are an assortment of tables sizes, all elegantly set. Surprisingly, although sushi is prepared at an open counter, there is no sushi bar seating.

The quality of the fish here is what it’s all about. The menu claims it is all from the Tokyo Seafood Market, and that’s easy to believe. The Sashimi Moriawase selections were as good as any I’ve had in Orlando’s high-end expensive sushi restaurants.

Speaking of expensive, that fish comes at a cost, of course. Whether there is a market for food at this level in Ocoee is a question, but I hope so. You won’t find better.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/x-sushi-winter-garden-2