Category Archives: Orlando

Hanson’s Shoe Repair

Posted on by

* (1 stars)

This place is taking itself way too seriously. Someone needs to explain the difference between theming and snootiness. If you want to play their game, call (407) 476-9446 and leave a message and maybe you’ll be graced with a call back to get their password. Otherwise you’re out of luck, because they won’t let you in. They’ll tell you how to get the password but not what it is. Rather puerile, isn’t it? But if that’s your thing (and bearing in mind they won’t serve drinks to anyone still in third grade) then go for it. Otherwise, there are a LOT of other bars that DO want your money nearby.

Hanson’s Shoe Repair
27 E Pine St
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 476-9446
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hansons-shoe-repair-orlando

Tijuana Flats

Posted on by

**** (4 stars)

This local chain provides good Tex Mex food in a friendly atmosphere. For a counter service restaurant there is surprisingly good service at every location I’ve been to. Taco Tuesdays offers a particularly good deal, although I prefer the salads or fish tacos, which aren’t part of that deal. The highlight is the ever-changing hot sauce bar which arranges  about ten sauces from mild to killer.

Tijuana Flats
2320 S. Kirkman Rd.
Orlando, FL 32811
(407) 822-4257
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tijuana-flats-orlando-5

Chuys

Posted on by

***** (5 stars)

This is an excellent addition to Orlando’s Tex-Me dining scene, easily outshining nearby offerings.

Service, even during opening week, was efficient and almost overwhelmingly friendly.

The margarita had a perfect balance between lime, orange and a healthy pour of tequila.

Tortilla chips are paper thin and not at all greasy. There are eight sauces on tap ranging from mild to medium.

I had the appetizer plate as my lunch entree, and everything on it was quite good. I particularly liked the queso, which had a nice kick to it.

In case you’re wondering, the name is pronounced “chewies”!

Chuys
8123 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 730-3602
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chuys-orlando

Lolailo “The Original”

Posted on by

*** (3 stars)

Southwest Orange County really needs a good tapas restaurant. And Lolailo has the potential to be one, but it’s not there yet. The restaurant occupies the former space of the much-missed Rice Paper, but has undergone a full remodel, and is quite stylish.

To me, tapas is all about ordering a table full of small sharing plates. In Spain it’s not uncommon for two of us to share a dozen little items. But that doesn’t work at Lolailo. Much of the menu is devoted to entrees, and the tapas items are extremely expensive. An assorted cheese plate for $30? You’ve got to be kidding. Assorted meats $20.

The problem is worse at lunch. There are almost no tapas items on the lunch menu. Pricing is more reasonable, with the entrees under $15, and a croquette appetizer was a bargain at $4. But most items weren’t particularly flavorful. The grilled lamb chops were the best, but were accompanied by flavorless mashed potatoes. My guests were unenthusiastic about the veal, the fish soup and the chick pea stew.

We were almost alone at lunch, and certainly outnumbered by employees, yet it took an hour and a half, so I’m curious to see if they continue to offer lunch.

I might try Lolailo again, but I think I’ll wait a few months to see what changes they make.

Lolailo “The Original”
7637 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 730-8948
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lolailo-the-original-orlando

Cala Bella

Posted on by

**** (4 stars)

Although our first visit to Cala Bella wasn’t a stand out, we decided to return a year later when, on a busy convention night, we were only able to get into Calla Bella. We sat at the “Presentation Bar” which faces directly into the kitchen, and it was, ironically, the quietest spot in the house.

Service was attentive and knowledgeable, and the food was excellent. Unlike the bland cioppino of our first visit, the flatbread was bursting with fresh flavors and tasted just like the sidewalk pizzas in Italy. Chilean sea bass was perfectly cooked, and the mushroom side dish with our entrees was another standout. A completely different experience from our first visit, and I’ll happily return.

Cala Bella
9939 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 996-3663
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cala-bella-orlando

The Pub Orlando

Posted on by

**** (4 stars)

Great atmosphere in this version of a traditional pub on steroids. Excellent assortment of beers, wines and whiskeys. I particularly like that there are reasonably priced tasting flights of each, and in many cases you can choose the tasting line up yourself.

The menu is great, although the food wasn’t quite as wonderful as the descriptions sounded. Nevertheless there are some offerings beyond the usual sports bar and pub food, and also novel blendings of the two. Our favorite of everything we tried was the crispy shrimp, which was flash fried in a wasabi batter and server on a thai sweet chili sauce.

Note that valet parking is free, but the parking garage isn’t validated.

The Pub Orlando
9101 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-2305
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pub-orlando-orlando