Category Archives: Florida

Naru Sushi Bar

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*** (3 stars)

“Hi, I’m your sever today. May I bring you a beverage?”

“Green tea, please.”

“I’m sorry, we don’t have green tea. Only Lipton iced tea.”

Uh oh. A Japanese restaurant without green tea. Seriously?

That’s not the only thing in somewhat short supply at Naru. A quick look at the sushi and sashimi list will reveal that almost everything is based upon tuna or salmon. Because that’s basically what they have.

And someone sure likes cream cheese–nearly every roll includes it. In fact one entire section of rolls has not a single offering without cream cheese.

Despite all of this, we had some fairly good food during our visit. The best item was the salmon carpaccio, which included, citrus, oil and scallions.

The sushi rolls were unimpressive, but the hand roll, although pricey at $8, was good, and I liked the way you can easily add optional ingredients such as salmon skin for a very reasonable price.

Still, lunch for two came to $100 without alcohol, and with no real home runs.

The decor of the place is great, the sound track is upbeat and trendy, and the service is friendly.

But I can’t help wondering about a Japanese restaurant with no green tea.

Naru Sushi Bar
8441 International Dr
Ste 290
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 801-0005
http://www.yelp.com/biz/naru-sushi-bar-orlando

Philly’s Best Cheesesteaks

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**** (4 stars)

This place surprised me in a number of ways. I’m not a huge cheesesteak fan, but I went with a group, and was pleasantly surprised to see a fair variety on the menu. I ended up ordering a cheesesteak that included bacon, and quite liked the flavor. A half sandwich came as a lunch special with fries and a drink for a very reasonable price.

I also liked the outside seating area, which is spacious and well-sheltered from the elements.

But the biggest surprise was the friendly enthusiasm of the staff, who delivered the sandwiches, refilled drinks and made us feel appreciated. I’ll definitely return to sample some of their other offerings.

Philly’s Best Cheesesteaks
2295 S Hiawassee Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 488-3960
http://www.yelp.com/biz/phillys-best-cheesesteaks-orlando

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

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**** (4 stars)

I was here with a group for a special menu.

We began by sampling the escargot, crab cake and thick cut bacon au poivre. The crab cake was the best, with very little filler. Escargot was tender; it was hard to tell what the normal presentation would be like, as we had it on a crouton. The bacon was a fairly tough an fatty hunk of pork belly that didn’t appeal to me at all.

Lobster and shrimp dumpling was very nicely sautéed, and the heirloom tomatoes served with burrito cheese were excellent.

The filet mignon we had was very tender, but it lacked the sort of char that would make an otherwise fairly bland cut interesting. At least they hadn’t tried to cover it up with sauce to disguise its flavor. The accompanying lobster tail was fairly durable and didn’t have much flavor, and my wife’s was even tougher. So I don’t think I’d order a surf and turf, and would be inclined to order a more flavorful steak such as a strip or porterhouse.

The brussels sprout side dish incorporated bacon, which tasted nice, but because the sprouts had been separated into individual leaves it was fairly dry compared to, say, the succulent ones at Eddie V’s.

The lobster mac and cheese used fontina cheese which resulted in a somewhat pasty consistency without a lot of crust, but the lobster was good, however the dish was nowhere near as good as the lobster mac at Capital Grille.

The Wild mushrooms were quite good, with a nice variety of mushrooms, succulent and tasty.

Both the chocolate souffle cake and the buttercake were excellent, with my vote going to the buttercake.

A variety of good wines were paired with the meal, and the Del Frisco Cabernet Sauvignon, made by Robert Foley, was a particularly nice choice, a fairly light bodied cab with good fruit.

Service was superb, very attentive and professional.

We were in a private room, which was great, because the main restaurant, which was packed, was absolutely deafening, and there’s no way we could have carried on a conversation there with our tablemates.

On the whole, I’d say it’s a good conventioneer steakhouse, but I think locals can find better choices.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
9150 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819

http://www.yelp.com/biz/del-friscos-double-eagle-steakhouse-orlando

Chutney’s Indian Restaurant

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**** (4 stars)

Chutney’s is in the space formerly occupied by the excellent Rice Paper and the terrible Lolailo. It’s also almost next door to Graffiti Junction, which used to be Orlando’s finest Indian restaurant, Memories of India, so it has some big shoes to fill.

So far things look promising. We visited at lunch, and, unfortunately like most Indian restaurants in the area, only the buffet is available at lunch time. While there are plenty of choices available on the buffet, it’s impossible for the food quality to match what could be served up fresh and in even more variety from the kitchen.

We were impressed with the variety of chutney available (not too surprising, I guess, given the restaurant’s name) and the endless supply of naan bread that was delivered to our table.

They were still working out some issues with getting checks promptly to tables, but the service was friendly.

Still, to assess whether this is really the next go-to Indian restaurant in Southwest Orlando (something we could really use, given the weaknesses of the others in the area) will require a visit in the evening.

Chutney’s Indian Restaurant
7637 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 730-9624
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chutneys-indian-restaurant-orlando

Chipotle Mexican Grill

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*** (3 stars)

I happened to visit both Qdoba and Chipotle during the same week, and was struck by how nearly identical they are.

Both offer counter assembly of burritos or bowls with rice, beans, sauce, protein, guacamole, lettuce and a couple of other ingredients. And both result in fairly homogenous, bland tasting imitations of a mediocre Tex-Mex burrito. There are minor differences in the other offerings and drinks, but not really anything of note.

The major appeal seems to be the weight of the food you can get for well under ten dollars. This aspect probably explains why most are located near college campuses.

It’s not the worst Tex-Mex food you’l ever have, but unless you’re looking for a good deal by the pound, the appeal is really lost on me.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
7800 Dr. Phillips Blvd
Ste 100
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-0198
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chipotle-mexican-grill-orlando-11

Silva’s Market

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**** (4 stars)

This is an interesting buffet and market combination. The buffet works in an ingenious fashion. You take what you like, they weigh it, and give you a number. You can go back, and they will add that weight to your original order. When you finally check out, they simply tally you up by number.

Everything on the buffet seemed fresh and authentic. There is a hand carving station for a variety of meat. My favorite items, though, were the roasted pineapple and the fish.

The surrounding market has a lots of interesting Brazilian products that you can add to your order when you check out.

Silva’s Market
5920 Metropolis Way
Orlando, FL 32811
(407) 615-3000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/silvas-market-orlando

Panera Bread

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**** (4 stars)

Every Panera I’ve been to has essentially identical food, so reviewing it seems superfluous; you either like it or not.

Panera always seems a bit like a bait and switch to me, as they bill themselves as healthy, yet most of what they serve is not particularly good for you. Just look at that bakery display! But you can eat healthy if you try, and assuming their calorie counts are honest they must have the lowest calorie tuna sandwich on the planet. Also, did you know you can get an apple instead of chips?

What sets Paneras apart is the location, and this one is well-sited. It’s easy to get in and out, has lots of parking, and even a drive through. Also, there is a porch, so you can eat outside, yet be in the shade.

Service is friendly, but I sure wish they wouldn’t page you before your food is up, a reliable occurrence. What’s the point of the pager if you’re just going to stand at the counter anyway?

You can also order online and pick your food up in a bag on the shelf; very convenient.

Panera Bread
4200 Conroy Road
Orlando, FL 32839
(407) 248-0811
http://www.yelp.com/biz/panera-bread-orlando-7

Taverna Opa

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**** (4 stars)

Taverna Opa offers one of the most fun venues at Pointe Orlando. Serving both lunch and dinner, the restaurant has very different atmospheres at day and night.

Lunch is a quiet affair where you can eat outside, inside, and large parties can be accommodated in the spacious back room. At night it transforms into a lively party atmosphere, with much twirling of napkins and shouts of “Opa!”

The menu offers all the Greek standards. The cold appetizer platter is a nice sampling of three dips, and the hot appetizer platter offers delicious wings, lamb ribs, and so-so calamari.

Complimentary hummus that you crush yourself is served with very fresh pitas.

The best appetizer is probably the flaming cheese.

The souvlaki is actually a gyro served with fries, and your choice of filling.

Service is friendly and the wine list is extensive.

Taverna Opa
9101 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-8660
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taverna-opa-orlando-3

That One Spot

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onspotbbq**** (4 stars)

This is one of the best quick serve burgers in town. I’m a particular fan of the BBQ burger, which is a bacon cheese burger with all the toppings, BBQ sauce, and three onion rings on it.

The fries are much better here than at just about any of the competitors, with a crispy exterior and soft inside.

Service is friendly. Arrive early, as the line gets long at lunch.

That One Spot
10968 W Colonial Dr
Ocoee, FL 34761
(407) 877-7575
http://www.yelp.com/biz/that-one-spot-ocoee

Caprino’s Italian

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**** (4 stars)

Caprino’s is a much better restaurant than anything that has previously occupied this space. Run by Chef Stefano, who previously had the restaurant at the entrance to Summerport, and also has Stefano’s Grill in Dr Phillip’s Marketplace, Caprino’s strikes a balance between neighborhood Italian restaurant and sports bar.

The space is still the amalgam of Rialto’s ornate fine dining restaurant wrapped around a somewhat incongruous bar dotted with big screen TVs, but this serves the menu well, with its emphasis on combining traditional Italian dishes with sports bar food.

Whether your party wants wings, hoagies, pasta or pizza, there is likely something for everyone. And at the higher end, the beef is reportedly all prime; it and the seafood are butchered on site.

Our server was friendly and well-informed, and the service in general seemed quite polished for a restaurant open less than two months. On a moderately busy Friday night the kitchen was having trouble keeping up, which caused some service issues, but presumably these will be corrected.

The pizza is thin crust and has an authentic Naples taste to it. We tried two specials: the osso buco was heavily over-salted, but the lobster ravioli was well-prepared. Caesar salad is conventional and includes house made croutons.

Desserts are the same offerings as at Stefano’s Grill. The tira misu was generous.

Wine by the glass selections are somewhat limited, but there is a nice list of 29 bottles for $29 each, and also extensive cocktail offerings.

Chef Stefano was circulating throughout the dining room on the night we were there, and his hands on approach has certainly improved the experience at this neighborhood restaurant. So far it’s paying off with increased patronage.

Caprino’s Italian
7782 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Ste 140
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 500-3663
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caprinos-italian-windermere