Category Archives: Florida

First Watch

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**** (4 stars)

This location has the best decor and ambience of the various First Watches I’ve been to. Our server was amazingly friendly (to the point of being perky). We went for lunch and I had the 2 For You, a sort of variant on Panera’s Pick 2. I chose a half Reuben sandwich and half pecan salad. Both were delicious (be sure to get the dressing on the side, it’s quite sweet so you don’t need much). I would definitely have both again. My best First Watch experience to date.

First Watch
7500 W Sand Lake Rd
Ste A101
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 363-5622
http://www.yelp.com/biz/first-watch-orlando-3

Beewon Korean Cuisine

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***** (5 stars)

I’ve been going to this place for years and always enjoyed it. It recently changed hands and I’m happy to report that any changes have been positive.

Perhaps they are advertising or have found a way to connect better with the local market, because it is much busier than it used to be. And since much of the clientele is Korean, that’s a good sign.

I always have the same thing, Dolsot Bi Bim Bop, which is served in a stone bowl heated to very high temperature. The rice in the bottom cooks, and you control how crispy it gets by whether you mix it. The rice is topped with veggies, meat, and an egg. This version is just as good as the best I’ve had in Korea.

Meals are accompanied by an assortment of kimchee, which is fun and delicious. Service is fast and friendly. Highly recommended.

Beewon Korean Cuisine
5100 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 720-8223
http://www.yelp.com/biz/beewon-korean-cuisine-orlando

Sushi Tomi

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***** (5 stars)

This is one of the better sushi restaurants in town. It’s at the extreme southern end of a particularly crazy parking lot.

The lunch specials are a good deal, and you can get sushi, tempura or noodles. They are equally adept at all three.

It’s designed like a classic sushi restaurant, with tables in the front and a sushi bar on one side at the rear. Service is fast and friendly.

Sushi Tomi
8463 S John Young Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-8635
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-tomi-orlando

Krusty Burger

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*** (3 stars)

Our tour guide at Universal told us this was the best hamburger you can get in a theme park, and I have to agree. It’s not the best hamburger in Orlando, but it’s definitely a cut above typical theme park food.

I had the Klogger Burger, which included two patties and bacon. It was the kind of burger I like, with lettuce and tomato, and plenty of condiments, and the bun held together well. If I had it again I would skip the cheese sauce, which I’ve never really cared for. I can’t achieve that umami goodness of a slice of melted cheese right on the patty. If this place used real cheese it would be four stars.

My wife had the hot chicken wings, which I liked by she thought were too spicy. The accompanying tater tots were just so-so, not as good as the curly fires that came with my burger.

Service was pretty fast. If it’s a nice day sit outside to avoid the cartoon video, which repeats every few minutes.

Krusty Burger
Exposition Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

http://www.yelp.com/biz/krusty-burger-orlando

Tin Roof

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**** (4 stars)

I was expecting this place to be more like a sports bar, given the decor, but I was pleased to find many tasty and healthful items on the menu in addition to the heavier food.

I tried the Shrimp Coctel (which is really ceviche) and the Tuna Tataki. Both were excellent. The shrimp were tender, and the lime marinade contained just enough tomato that the dish earned its unusual name. The tuna was definitely sushi grade, and could be eaten with a fork or folded into the lettuce to make three nice wraps. The bed of slaw was appropriately tangy and fresh tasting.

Others in my party had a salad with chicken, which was good, quesadillas, which got mixed reviews, and a chicken sandwich that turned into a bit of a slippery mess but tasted good.

Service was friendly and attentive, and out party of eight was served quickly at lunch (although we were one of the the few tables seated; presumably after the grand opening things will pick up.)

Tin Roof
8371 International Dr
Ste 100
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 270-7926
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tin-roof-orlando

Ulele

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**** (4 stars)

Ulele is quite a magical setting, notable more for its atmosphere than any particular style of food. Regardless of the characterization as Native American Char Cooking, whatever that is, there are few items on the menu that wouldn’t be at home on the menu of any plain old American bar and grill.

We liked everything we tried. My favorite was probably the closest to the theme, the grilled shishito peppers. They were perfectly charred and served on a bed of diced garlic.

The cheddar popcorn wasn’t apparent on the mashed potatoes, a huge mound of which propped up my excellent steak. It was described as a strip, but seemed more like a Delmonico.

The wine list offers some excellent values, particularly on the higher end wines such as the Caymus Cab we shared.

Service was extremely friendly, knowledgable and helpful. And the setting, overlooking the Riverwalk, can’t be beat.

Ulele
1810 N Highland Ave
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 999-4952
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ulele-tampa

Huong Viet

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***** (5 stars)

I’ve been looking for great Vietnamese food on the west side of Orlando and at last I’ve found it!

Ignore the decrepit shopping center locale of this place; inside it’s nicely decorated, and the servers are friendly and helpful.

There is an extensive selection of vermicelli bowls, pho, and banh mi sandwiches.

My grilled pork vermicelli bowl was delicious, and it was no problem to substitute the summer roll instead of the included egg roll. The fish sauce served with the vermicelli bowl was particularly tasty, and the summer roll included very flavorful basil leaves.

Pricing is very reasonable, with sandwiches starting at under $4, and all the bowls well under $10.  I’ll definitely be back soon to check out their other offerings.

Huong Viet
5286 W Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 730-9835
http://www.yelp.com/biz/huong-viet-orlando

Florida State Fairgrounds

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**** (4 stars)

I’ve been judging wines at the fair for 24 years, and I always enjoy those few days of crowds, entertainment and incredibly unhealthful foods. The wine competition is one of the larger in the country, and attracts entries from almost every state. I also enjoy Cracker Country, which is a step back in time, and a great contrast to the garish neon lights of the midway. I also get a kick out of the tacky displays put up by Florida counties I’ve never heard of. And perhaps my favorite is visiting the chicken, rabbits and cows that are completely puzzled by all the fuss.

Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 N US Hwy 301
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 621-0774
http://www.yelp.com/biz/florida-state-fairgrounds-tampa

Clarion Inn

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**** (4 stars)

The staff here is very nice, and the place has been so completely refurbished that it’s hard to find a surface that hasn’t been covered with some new material or coating.

It’s the old style of motel, with window shaker AC units and exterior hallways, but I have to say the AC units here are the quietest I’ve encountered.

That’s in contrast to the incredibly noisy pool area, which features deafening music all day. Fortunately, they have very good taste in music. But if you want a quiet room then you should (counterintuitively) ask for one facing the parking lots, not the enclosed courtyard.

On the other hand, the east side of the building faces a noisy commercial street. So that leaves the west side of the building, which is basically an alley next to a flooring store. So there you have it.

I will say the room interiors have been redone fairly well, not to the level of a Hilton Garden in or other modern hotel (I mean, come on, this used to be a Best Western) but there is a microwave and nice sized refrigerator, and in-room coffee.

Clarion Inn
9331 E Adamo Dr.
Tampa, FL 33619
(813) 621-5555
http://www.yelp.com/biz/clarion-inn-tampa

Beef O Bradys

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*** (3 stars)

I only had breakfast here, which is included in at least some of the rates at the adjoining Clarion motel. The breakfast buffet included scrambled eggs, biscuits, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and waffles, and the food quality was pretty good. In particular, the biscuits were better than I was expecting.

The interior is fairly typical sports bar. In the evening, the outside bar area becomes quite lively, and gas heaters keep it toasty in the winter.

Beef O Bradys
9331 E Adamo Dr
Tampa, FL 33619
(813) 621-7675
http://www.yelp.com/biz/beef-o-bradys-tampa-8