Category Archives: Florida

The Ocoee Taco Company

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**** (4 stars)

This family run place can get quite busy, but they are always friendly and helpful, and glad you are there. They offer their version of most authentic Mexican dishes, along with a few inventions of their own.

The quesotaco is a grilled tortilla with cheese melted on it, then filled with your choice of meat.

There is also a version of a burrito that is enroll to being a quesadilla.

The torta is a huge sandwich, enough lunch all by itself.

Meat choices include several different preparations of pork, chicken and beef. The pastor is usually my favorite, but I didn’t find it as rich and tasty here as some places.

There are mild and hot versions of both green and red sauces, which are all tasty.

Pricing is very reasonable. But the best reason to come is the sincere thank you you’ll receive form the owner.

The Ocoee Taco Company
40 Taylor St
Ocoee, FL 34761
(407) 614-2990
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ocoee-taco-company-ocoee

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

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***** (5 stars)

They’ve really upped their game at Orlando’s Oceanaire. Years ago this was the sort of place with a tray of condiments including boxes of Old Bay seasoning and oyster crackers sitting in the middle of each table, which made it feel like a New England seafood house on the pier. No more. Now crisp white table cloths and elegant blue candles set the tone for more of a supper club experience.

While there is always a collection of fresh fish, my favorite things about Oceanaire are the starters and the steaks. Lump crabmeat, tuna tartare, and clam chowder are all standouts, and there are also some really nice salads. The steaks are actually better than at the Capital Grille next door.

Service is extremely professional, and wine service is knowledgable, with an extensive list to draw upon. This is my favorite restaurant at Pointe Orlando.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
9101 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 363-4801
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-oceanaire-seafood-room-orlando

Slate Restaurant

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***** (5 stars)

After reading some mixed reviews I wasn’t expecting that much, but my first visit, at lunch, was exceptional.

As others have stated, the space is gorgeous, with an appealing mix of stone, wood and metal, and divided into a number of dramatic spaces.

The menu is oddly arranged, but so are the menus (and especially wine lists) at sister restaurants Luma and Prato. The affectation doesn’t impact the food quality, which was creative and top-notch.

We started with the deviled eggs and the watermelon salad. The eggs were dyed pink with beet juice, but were otherwise normal and delicious. The watermelon salad contained watermelon chunks, pickled rind, olives and feta. We ordered it because it sounded bizarre. It turned out to be bizarrely delicious, one of the most creative dishes I’ve had in a long time.

For entrees we had the shredded pork sandwich and the Mahi Mahi sandwich. Both were excellent, although I let the Mahi sit a bit too long and the papaya chunks soaked into the bread and made it a bit soggy. Best to eat this dish when it arrives.

The accompanying salad of mixed greens was plentiful and nicely dressed with an interesting vinaigrette.

Service was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. I have nothing negative to say about this new restaurant, especially considering this was their first week of lunch service. I will be back soon.

Slate Restaurant
8323 W Sandlake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 500-7528
http://www.yelp.com/biz/slate-restaurant-orlando

Fresco Cucina Italiana

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**** (4 stars)

A long time favorite, Fresco has moved across the parking lot from their former location, and their new digs suite them well. Completely new, and yet with a comfortable rustic air, the space is pleasant and inviting.

The menu seems largely unchanged. Most important, my favorite salad is still on offer. The Chicken Salad name does this dish a disservice, as it is a complete meal on a plate, with grilled chicken atop mixed greens, and then succulent sautéed mushrooms on top of that, then the whole thing drizzled with balsamic. Along with a fairly vinegary ramekin of dressing, the combination is one of my favorite salads in town.

The meal is preceded by tasty Italian bread and traditional dipping oil with herbs.

Lunchtime service is quick and efficient, and the kitchen does a good job of keeping up, even though the new location seemed to have increased their business. Definitely a move up for them.

Fresco Cucina Italiana
Bay Hill Plz
7721 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 363-5775
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresco-cucina-italiana-orlando

Tempo Bistro To Go

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**** (4 stars)

This small shop offers delicious sandwiches and salads made to order from very fresh ingredients. I had the BLT (a surprising offer from a mostly vegetarian place) and it was quite good. I found the inclusion of cheddar cheese odd, and would omit it on a future visit. The green salad was mostly spinach, very fresh, and came with a delicious miso dressing option.

There are only a few tables in side, and a few more out back, so a lot of orders are to go.

Temp Bistro is definitely a great choice when looking for a healthy alternative.

Tempo Bistro To Go
1516 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 336-5834
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tempo-bistro-to-go-gainesville

Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen

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**** (4 stars)

This vibrant space off the Marriott lobby offers appetizers, small plates and beer. The concept is local sourcing from the property’s farm, although that’s not apparent in a lot of the items, since they aren’t raising pigs or cows or fish.

Many of the beers are microbrewed. I liked the porter I had, although the menu changes so often you can’t count on the selections listed on the sample menus outside the door actually matching the menu inside. Since they’re both just pieces of printer paper, I’m not sure why.

The background music is lively, so it’s a better after convention spot to have a drink than a place for a relaxing meal.

Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen
4040 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(866) 435-7627
http://www.yelp.com/biz/whisper-creek-farm-the-kitchen-orlando

Norman’s

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**** (4 stars)

A recent visit here showed much improvement. Clearly ownership has taken a renewed interest. The food is consistently good if not stunning, and service is a lot more professional.

General Manager and wine director Yusuf Yildiz clearly knows his stuff, and has great plans for a new wine room, storage and emphasis on depth of the wine list, coming in August 2015. I look forward to seeing if Orlando can finally add a truly world class wine list to its restaurant portfolio after several decades without one.

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

Fresh Made Kitchen

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**** (4 stars)

What a makeover this place has had since its origins as a Perkins and then short stints as two sports bars. This latest remodeling has opened the place up and lightened it so that it’s hard to believe it’s the same spot. Now it’s light, airy and energetic.

The food has improved, too. You order a broad selection of salads, sandwiches, or entrees at the counter and they bring it to your table. There is a focus on fresh ingredients, and everything is prepared to order.

There is also a large beverage bar in the center of the room, with homemade infused teas and waters. Beer and wine is also available.

Our group had three salads and a chicken noodle bowl, and everyone liked their selections.

Service was very friendly, and management seems to really be on top of things.

This is definitely the best concept for this place so far, and should be quite successful.

Fresh Made Kitchen
8965 Conroy Windermere Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 720-8329
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-made-kitchen-orlando

Capa

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**** (4 stars)

The Four Seasons Hotel at Disney World is oddly the most austere Four Seasons I’ve been to, all hard surfaces and glaring lights. It’s the sort of place where the artwork is mostly square canvasses of one solid color.

Unfortunately, this austerity continues into the restaurants, including the flagship Capa on the 17th floor. What could be a real gem of a restaurant is defeated by an environment that sacrifices warmth for trendiness.

Certainly Capa has a lot to offer in the way of food. During a marathon evening of wine tasting we tried more than half the menu, and liked most of what we had.

The Hamachi Crudo, served with Clementines and a crunchy Horseradish topping was everyone’s favorite, and we had two orders and wanted more.

The Charcuterie Board was the best I’ve had. It includes Jamon Serrano, Cantimpalo, Lomo and we added some Iberico. The Lomo was particularly good.

The olive asortment included Arbequina, Gordal and Empeltre on the night we were there. Some were pitted, some not, and being served slightly warmed really increased their flavor profile.

The Shrimp coated with Chili were very pungent, a bit overwhelming with ours wines.

Patatas Bravas Potatoes looked like tater tots, but were amazingly fluffy, with a delicious Paprika and Black Garlic coating–some of the best potatoes I’ve ever had, and small enough to not feel guilty.

I’m not a big Pork Belly fan, but this version had been seared extra crispy, and I ate all of the generous portion.

The Octopus was chewy and lacked the crisp char needed to make it interesting.

Veal Cheeks had a gamey aroma that was quite unappealing.

The roasted Cauliflower was delicious, and served with a sunny side up egg for dipping.

For entrees we tried the 8 ounce Filet and the 12 ounce New York Strip. Both were prime. The filet, having been marinated, had an exotic succulence. The strip boasted a great smokey flavor from the grill and dry aging. Both were pretty pricey, but worth it.

The Bernaise Sauce was unusually thin (and a scanty portion) but proved to be a delicious dipping sauce for the strip, and its thinness actually made it a better accompaniment. It had lots of traditional Bernaise flavor.

The best side dish was the diced Carrot and Celery Root served with Pesto. The Swiss Chard and the Wild Mushrooms were both unremarkable. Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with Brown Butter were good, but not as good as they sound.

We also had an assorted dessert platter with ice creams, cakes, and some really good churros.

Service was up to the Four Seasons standard, with everyone extremely helpful and friendly.

Capa is lucky to have Jill Davis as Sommelier. She is perhaps Central Florida’s most knowledgable sommelier, and provided wonderful wine service and interesting comments on the wines we had. The wine list is superb, and excellently priced.

It’s worth the hunt for an unlocked door so you can view the Disney fireworks from the terrace outside, which is a welcome escape from the boxy dining room and open kitchen.

I wouldn’t hesitate to return to Capa for the great food and wine service, but it’s not a place I’d pick for a cozy or romantic evening. With different seating, surfaces and lighting I’d be there every week.

Capa
Four Seasons Resort
10100 Dream Tree Blvd
Orlando, FL 32836
(407) 313-7777
http://www.yelp.com/biz/capa-orlando

Azteca Two Mexican Restaurant & Lounge

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* (1 stars)

In nearly 1000 reviews I’m not sure I’ve ever given any place one star, but this place earned it. This is the worst Mexican food I have ever had. And it’s not just one thing.We tried an appetizer sampler and two combos, so about twelve items all together. Of those twelve, perhaps two were edible. And I’m counting the tortilla chips to get that high. The worst was a seafood chile relleno that honestly looked like something a dog coughed up, but didn’t taste that good. Absolutely horrible.

Azteca Two Mexican Restaurant & Lounge
6395 N Atlantic Ave
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
(321) 784-1188
http://www.yelp.com/biz/azteca-two-mexican-restaurant-and-lounge-cape-canaveral