Category Archives: Orlando

Satini Sushi & Tioca Bar

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**** (4 stars)

This place mixes a variety of Asian cuisines, although sushi dominates. There’s a bit of Vietnamese, and some Chinese, too. I actually wish they’d go farther with the fusion concept. Also it would be helpful if dishes has their traditional names. For example, they have their own version of Bahn Mi sandwiches, but they are simply called Vietnamese style sandwiches. I think they underestimate their customers.

Anyway, the Vietnamese vermicelli bowl I had was excellent, with a nice crispy spring roll and very tasty fish sauce.

The did a pretty good job of redecorating this place from a sports bar, although it will be better when the smell of paint subsides.

Service is friendly and helpful.

Satini Sushi & Tioca Bar
6700 Conroy Windermere Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 253-7008
http://www.yelp.com/biz/satini-sushi-and-tioca-bar-orlando

Santiago’s Bodega

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***** (5 stars)

The location is a bit off the beaten path, but they’ve done a beautiful job decorating the building, so it has an upscale casual feeling. There’s also a great outside dining space in front. We tried quite a few dishes and liked nearly all of them.

A well thought out tapas menu with many diverse selections is the big draw here. The gazpacho was a little weird, as it is pureed, and seemed really rich. Brussels sprout oven roasted and then sauteed in brown sugar were my favorite. The mushroom stuffed puff pastry was also excellent. The ceviche had huge chunks of nice tender fish, but could have used a bit more seasoning added to the citrus juice. There are so many choices it would take many visits to try them all.

I tried a couple of types of sangria. My favorite was the conventional red variety, reasonably priced at $6.

Service was friendly and attentive. A great addition to the area’s dining scene.

Santiago’s Bodega
802 Virginia Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 286-2903
http://www.yelp.com/biz/santiagos-bodega-orlando-2

Kabooki Sushi

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***** (5 stars)

I’ve had sushi all over the world, from Tokyo to Los Angeles, New York and Nobu in London. But I’ve never had better than here at Kabooki. We had the omakase, where you put yourself in the chef’s hands. He came to the table to assess our tastes, and then repeatedly to check on each dish. Everything was stellar, but the real stunner was the sashimi platter, where the perfection and simplicity of the fish left us in awe. Each was served with a different tiny dot of sauce and sprig of micro green. The accompanying wine pairing was generous and high quality. This will become our weekly pilgrimage. It’s unbelievable to find this quality of sushi in Orlando.

Kabooki Sushi
3122 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 228-3839
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kabooki-sushi-orlando

Norman’s

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*** (3 stars)

I have to admit I don’t really get Norman’s food. I’ve been to a couple of special events here that I liked quite well, including a Paul Bocuse dinner that was superb. But it was Paul Bocuse’s food, for the most part, that made it so. The restaurant’s normal menu doesn’t do it for me. It always seems to me as if there is one too many spices in each dish, that somehow muddle the flavors. It leaves me yearning for something a bit simpler, where the quality of the natural ingredients is allowed to shine through.

Service is pleasant, although I’ve run into more than one server who was clueless about wine. One server had never heard of the expression “corkage charge,” which is a bit amazing for a restaurant of this caliber.

The room is pretty, although it can be noisy. If you’re staying at the resort, it’s probably worth trying. It’s certainly better than the dozens of steakhouse alternatives that surround it in the tourist area. But when I visit the Ritz I eat at The Vineyard, which has a better wine list and a subtler touch with the food.

Norman’s
4012 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 393-4333
http://www.yelp.com/biz/normans-orlando

The Vineyard Grill

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**** (4 stars)

This is the main restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, since Normans (which I’m not fond of) is independently operated. So this is the main place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some people list it as a steak house, but when you first walk in it looks a bit more like an upscale coffee shop dining room. I’m sure it has a very different atmosphere at various times of day, but I’ve always gone for dinner, when it transforms into a fairly upscale experience.

I’ve found all of the entrees to be reliable, but for me the highlight is the wine list (not surprising, given the restaurant’s name). The trick is to look beyond the least expensive selections, because the pricier wines are listed at a fairly reasonable markup for a restaurant in such a fancy environment.

The wine manager here is very friendly and knowledgeable, and can give you some guidance as to food pairings. We live in Orlando, yet make it a regular stop on the way back from the airport if we’re picking someone up, so that says a lot for a hotel restaurant.

The Vineyard Grill
4012 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 393-4648
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-vineyard-grill-orlando

McCoy’s Bar & Grill

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Interior

**** (4 stars)

This is our go-to place whenever we’re flying in and out of MCO. My favorite is the salmon salad.

My wife loves the sampler, which allows you to select three small plates such as hummus, chicken wings or quesadilla. They’re served on a tower that is kind of fun. It would also make a good shareable appetizer for a party of three or four.

The recently remodeled and added a sushi bar, but I’ve never been to the restaurant when it was actually open, which is a shame. I wish they would extend the hours beyond dinner time.

Service is fast and efficient, so it’s possible to have a pleasant meal and still make it to your gate without a rush.

McCoy’s Bar & Grill
9300 Airport Blvd
Orlando, FL 32827
(407) 825-1340
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mccoys-bar-and-grill-orlando

Fuddruckers

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**** (4 stars)

This Fudrucker’s is much cozier than the one next to the abandoned shopping mall on I-Drive. The burgers and condiment bar are essentially the same.

For the record, my perfect burger is: A bun with some substance, grilled or toasted so it doesn’t get soggy; a char-grilled patty with a slight crust, and not red in the center; melted cheddar cheese; bacon; a flavorful slice of tomato and onion; a leaf of lettuce; pickles or relish; mayo, mustard and ketchup.

I can accomplish all of that here.

Fries are just OK. Shakes are really good, and generous (as they should be, since prices for everything are pretty high).

Fuddruckers
12535 Apopka-Vineland Rd
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 778-1934
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fuddruckers-orlando-2

Fuddruckers

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artegon fudruckersentrance**** (4 stars)

For the record, my perfect burger is: A bun with some substance, grilled or toasted so it doesn’t get soggy; a char-grilled patty with a slight crust, and not red in the center; melted cheddar cheese; bacon; a flavorful slice of tomato and onion; a leaf of lettuce; pickles or relish; mayo, mustard and ketchup.

By selecting the right condiments from the bar, you can accomplish nearly all of this here.

Fries are just OK, but the onion rings are pretty good. They also have some surprisingly good salads, and the salmon burger is good, too. The elk burger was nothing special. Note that burgers are expensive here, and you will be eating next to an abandoned shopping mall.

Fuddruckers
5250 International Dr., Ste E1
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-6464
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fuddruckers-orlando

Junior Colombian Burger

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** (2 stars)

A fairly pedestrian burger, but good fries.

For the record, my perfect burger is: A bun with some substance, grilled or toasted so it doesn’t get soggy; a char-grilled patty with a slight crust, and not red in the center; melted cheddar cheese; bacon; a flavorful slice of tomato and onion; a leaf of lettuce; pickles or relish; mayo, mustard and ketchup. The burger here had essentially none of these attributes.

It’s easy to see why there is often a long line, because service is painfully slow even when there is no one in front of you.

The fries have a nice crust, and are served hot and perfectly salted.

Junior Colombian Burger
5389 S Kirkman Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 745-9216
http://www.yelp.com/biz/junior-colombian-burger-orlando-3