Category Archives: Florida

Jean Pierre’s Bistro

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***** (5 stars)

For some time I’d been wanting to try Jean Pierre’s Bistro, a French bistro and bakery in Water Tower Place, the cute shopping village in front of Disney’s Celebration. Orlando doesn’t really have any true French bistros, with the possible exception of  Chefs de France at Epcot, which isn’t exactly convenient–or cheap.

I had some doubts when we arrived at Jean Pierre’s for dinner, because the place was deserted, and quite brightly lit, more like what you’d expect from a bakery or a sandwich shop–both of which it is, during the daytime. So it wasn’t exactly the ambiance I was hoping for from an evening bistro. But the food was everything I’d hoped for.

We started with the house made paté, a cheese plate, smoked salmon, and a salad with traditional French vinaigrette. All were excellent, especially the pate (really a terrine), which was fresh, flavorful, and had a wonderful mixture of spices on the outside. We could have used some soft, stinky cheeses, but I understand why American tastes run to firmer, less fragrant ones, and the half dozen choices were all very flavorful. The salmon was fresh and very smokey, with just the right accompaniments, and the salad was perfect, just like in Paris.

Our main courses were Beef Bourguignon and Chicken in a mushroom and madeira sauce. Both sauces were excellent, and each was accompanied by a rich, creamy dish of scalloped potatoes. A particular highlight was the fresh baked French baguette, which was plentiful and very authentic. As parting gifts the owner bestowed upon us glasses of Muscat and a fresh loaf of this wonderful bread to take with us.

I was impressed that the owner, with little assistance, could turn out such a diverse offering in so little time; and there were at least twenty other dishes we could have chosen. Prices are very reasonable, and the wine list has a couple of nice choices at good prices. It’s too bad his location isn’t higher profile, and that his website is fairly poor, because this is just the sort of French bistro Orlando needs.

Jean Pierre’s Bistro
17 Blake Blvd
Celebration, FL 34747
(321) 939-7588
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jean-pierres-bistro-celebration

Rice Paper

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***** (5 stars)

I go here every few weeks for lunch, and it’s amazingly consistent. My favorites are the noodle bowls, a tasty mixture of noodles and salad topped with your choice of protein. My favorites are the grilled pork and grilled salmon. They come with a fried spring roll, but I prefer to request the steamed on, which is served chilled with a delicious peanut sauce.

Service is reliable, and the place is pleasant for a strip mall, with pretty cool blue halogen lights and airy woodwork.

Rice Paper
7637 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-4700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rice-paper-orlando

Habibi

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***** (5 stars)

Excellent Lebanese food, especially the hummus and tabouleh. The space is nice, but small, with only two booths and a counter, so the emphasis is on to go orders, but it’s a pleasant place to eat in, and the platters look as good as they taste. Because each item is prepared to order, it’s not exactly fast food, so be prepared to sip on a bottled drink while you wait for your meal.

Habibi
2451 S Hiawassee Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 802-4242
http://www.yelp.com/biz/habibi-orlando-2

Taquitos Jalisco

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***** (5 stars)

Ten years ago my office staff and I used to drive to Taquitos Jalisco in Winter Garden because they had the best Mexican food in town. So we were delighted when a second location opened almost across the street from us.

Taquitos Jalisco serves authentic Jaliscan style Mexican food. Everything on the menu is fresh and diverse. The highlight is the Pastor, and authentic spicy pork mixed with cilantro and onions, then stuffed into gorditas.

An excellent way to experience all the flavors is to order the Plato Botanas. It’s listed as an appetizer sampler, but it makes a great meal, too.

I’ve been going to Taquitos Jalisco at least once a week for the past five years, and (contrary to what a couple of other reviews here say)  the food and service are consistently superb.

Taquitos Jalisco
2419 S Hiawassee Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 296-0626
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taquitos-jalisco-orlando

Lee and Ricks Oyster Bar

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**** (4 stars)

Part of the appeal of Lee and Rick’s is that it IS a dive. There’s something experiential about sitting at a concrete trough with a hundred layers of paint on it eating oysters served by girls wearing “I Eat Em Raw” T-Shirts. One of the best deals in town is the basket of shrimp, served hot or chilled (I prefer chilled). Mix up your own cocktail sauce from the provided condiments, add a few saltine crackers, and you’ve got a fresh shellfish feast for under ten bucks.

Lee and Ricks Oyster Bar
5621 Old Winter Garden Rd
Orlando, FL 32811
(407) 293-3587
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lee-and-ricks-oyster-bar-orlando

Ciao Italia Ristorante Italiano

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Seafood pasta special

Interior

***** (5 stars)

Ciao Italia Ristorante offers surprising upscale and romantic decor for its strip mall location. There is little doubt that this is the best — and most authentic — Italian food in Orlando. All of the ingredients are extremely fresh. The sauces, seafood and vegetables are highlights, and are pretty much exactly what you’d get in a nice restaurant in Southern Italy. They also have the best garlic bread in Orlando, partially due to the freshness of the underlying bread, and partially to the generous amount of butter and garlic used to make it. Try the “chef’s salad”, a deliciously creamy lime, romaine and pine nut concoction. Reasonably priced.

Ciao Italia Ristorante Italiano
6149 Westwood Blvd
Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 354-0770
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ciao-italia-ristorante-italiano-orlando

Victoria & Albert’s

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***** (5 stars)

Chef Scott Hunnel has created a dining experience that rivals the best restaurants in the US, possibly the world. The seven course menu provides two or three selections for each course, emphasizing fresh ingredients that work together, yet also allow you to savor each flavor and understand why it was used to create the whole.

The chef’s table in the kitchen provides an even more extensive experience.

The matching wine pairings are an excellent way to enhance the meal. Manager Israel Perez has thoughtfully selected often surprising and always delightful wines to match each course.

The dining room is lush, spacious, and romantic, and the service is both professional and friendly. There is no hint of the Disney ambiance, just the sort of perfection one expects from a five star experience.

Pricing is quite reasonable for the top notch experience you’re guaranteed. I can say “guaranteed” with some confidence, since I’ve never had less than a perfect meal in dozens of visits. Highly recommended.

Victoria & Albert’s
4401 Floridian Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-7707
http://www.yelp.com/biz/victoria-and-alberts-lake-buena-vista

Gator’s Dockside

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***** (5 stars)

This is Orlando’s best sports bar. It has all the TVs and atmosphere you expect in a sports bar, plus excellent food and service. Gators offers “grilled” buffalo chicken wings, which are prepped the normal way (with your choice of about a dozen sauces), but are then grilled, which makes them much less fatty than most wings. They also have great burgers, monte cristo sandwiches, and — surprisingly for a sports bar — excellent salads. It’s also a very good place for large groups. We have our company birthday parties here. Highly recommended.

Gator’s Dockside
5142 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 392-4669
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gators-dockside-orlando-3

Tabla Bar and Grill

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***** (5 stars)

Don’t be put off by the somewhat tired looking Days Inn next door. Tabla offers the most sophisticated Indian dining you’ll find in Orlando, and perhaps anywhere in the US. The complexity of each entree is amazing, with gourmet twists on old favorites, and lots of creative surprises. Ask for the avocado and mint sauce to dip your papadums in! Lunch is a particular bargain, with a multi course meal starting at just $7. Desserts are a specialty. The mango tempura with coconut gelato is amazing.

Tabla Bar and Grill
5827 Caravan Ct
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 248-9400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tabla-bar-and-grill-orlando