Category Archives: Florida

Roy’s Restaurant

Posted on by

Dining Room

Butterfish and snapper

Kitchen

**** (4 stars)

Roys serves Hawaiian influenced cuisine that reminds me of the Polynesian restaurants that used to be popular across the US. This location is particularly noisy, and is frequented by tourists, so it’s not the best location for an intimate dinner. The food is good, but perhaps not good enough to warrant the price compared to other nearby choices such as Bonefish. Ask to sit in the smaller front room to avoid some of the din.

Roy’s Restaurant
7760 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-4844
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roys-restaurant-orlando

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Posted on by

***** (5 stars)

Essentially a clone of the original 4 Rivers. In a city of BBQ joints, this is the best. At most BBQ places I lik sliced pork, but the ticket here is either the “burnt ends”, a mixture of beef and pork from the edges that is seared to perfection and mixed with BBQ sauce, or the brisket, which is best just as a lump on your tray rather than a sandwich. Most of the sides are less exciting than these two entrees. The outside seating here is spacious and not too noisy.

4 Rivers Smokehouse
1047 S Dillard St
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 474-8377
http://www.yelp.com/biz/4-rivers-smokehouse-winter-garden

Soong Thai

Posted on by

***** (5 stars)

This is an excellent Thai restaurant. It’s always busy at lunch, and yet the servers are always super efficient and kind, and the food is served promptly. They offer a long list of lunch specials, including many Chinese items for those who don’t like it spicy. And their extensive ala carte menu is filled with great stuff. Everything I’ve ever had here has been excellent, but my favorite is the shrimp in red curry. Lunch comes with a cup of soup that is a bit like wonton sup, but with super fresh ingredients added at the last minute, and it is slightly different every time. Subtle but delicious. Easily the best Thai on the west side.

Soong Thai
9448 W Colonial Dr
Ocoee, FL 34761
(407) 822-8200
http://www.yelp.com/biz/soong-thai-ocoee

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Posted on by

*** (3 stars)

Yet another restaurant row steakhouse. Prices are high, and steaks are good, but nothing extraordinary. Happy hour in the bar is a good deal. But Flemings has the stingiest wine pours in town. Despite the high prices per glass, they must be stretching a bottle at least to six pours, maybe more. There are better choices within two blocks.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
8030 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-5706
http://www.yelp.com/biz/flemings-prime-steakhouse-and-wine-bar-orlando

Paris Bistro

Posted on by

***** (5 stars)

Wow, what great ambiance this place has. It reminds me of a little cafe of the Champs Elysee in Paris. Food is authentically French, and the service is attentive and professional. I love sitting under the giant (fake but very realistic) tree in the enclosed courtyard and having lunch or brunch, both of which are very attractively priced. I’ve followed this place since its origin, with a different name and different owners, through  three locations, and it still never disappoints. My favorite little Orlando bistro.

Paris Bistro
216 N Park Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 671-4424
http://www.yelp.com/biz/paris-bistro-winter-park

Big Fin Seafood Kitchen

Posted on by

**** (4 stars)

This is a big old cavernous place that does a lot of good stuff with fresh seafood. It can get really loud, so if you don’t want that ask to sit in the back room. Sushi isn’t their strong point, but they do offer some, along with oysters and other shellfish. I really like the salads and fish dishes. Good bread, too. Reasonably priced wines, unlike most of the other restaurants in the area.

Big Fin Seafood Kitchen
8046 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 615-8888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/big-fin-seafood-kitchen-orlando

Café de France

Posted on by

***** (5 stars)

Interior

Escargot and pate

Rack of lamb

In a town that used to be filled with French restaurants, Cafe de France is one of the only survivors, and deservedly so. The ambiance is friendly and the food is consistently good. There are a lot of authentic things going on here, but also an American spin on a lot of the items. Ask about their wine pairing dinners, which are an excellent deal.

Café de France
526 S Park Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 647-1869
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caf%C3%A9-de-france-winter-park-2

Cantina Laredo

Posted on by

*** (3 stars)

I’m not sure what to say about this place. I like the ambiance and the food, but every time my wife and I eat here we don’t feel well, so we’ve stopped going. It must be some spice they use. Good chips and salsa, and good margaritas. There are some interesting twists on typical TexMex, so if it agrees with you, it could be a good choice.

Cantina Laredo
8000 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 345-0186
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cantina-laredo-orlando-2

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Posted on by

***** (5 stars)

Indeed, in a city of BBQ joints, this is the best. At most BBQ places I lik sliced pork, but the ticket here is either the “burnt ends”, a mixture of beef and pork from the edges that is seared to perfection and mixed with BBQ sauce, or the brisket, which is best just as a lump on your tray rather than a sandwich. Most of the sides are less exciting than these two entrees, although the do have some tasty (and caloric) desserts.

4 Rivers Smokehouse
1600 W Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 474-8377
http://www.yelp.com/biz/4-rivers-smokehouse-winter-park-2

Ocean Prime

Posted on by
IMG_6464

Interior

Redfish

**** (4 stars)

A good choice if you can’t decide between steak and seafood. The place can (will) get quite loud, so ask for a quiet table (one of the booths is best; booth 58 is ideal). The tuna tartare appetizer and the house salad are standouts. Jalapeño au gratins are a great choice for a side, and are not particularly spicy. There is an extensive selection of wines by the glass at reasonable prices. Service is exceptional, perhaps the best on all of restaurant row. Live music on Thursday through Saturday is loud in the bar, but perfectly piped into the dining room. Valet parking is available for those who can’t be bothered to walk fifty feet.

Ocean Prime

7339 W Sand Lake Rd Orlando, FL 32819

(407) 781-4880

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ocean-prime-orlando