Category Archives: Winter Park

Scratch

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***** (5 stars)

Amazing food and service in an intimate environment. The menu changes constantly, so it’s a fun surprise to see what they have. We were there for a private party, and they knocked it out of the park with one dish after another. The rib eye with bone marrow was the best beef dish I ever tasted. It’s nice that they’re open until 2am most nights, because with only 40 seats going early or late is the only way to get in.

Scratch
223 W Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 325-5165
http://www.yelp.com/biz/scratch-winter-park

Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen

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**** (4 stars)

I like the decor and service here very much. You can sense the Tijuana Flats influence, but it’s definitely a sit-down restaurant. I’ve tried quite a few of the items here, and haven’t yet found the thing that transports me back to New Orleans. That said, the food is good, especially the dirty rice. There aren’t many cajun choices in town, and Tibby does a good job of filling the gap.

Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen
2203 Aloma Ave
Winter Park, FL 32792
(407) 672-5753
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tibbys-new-orleans-kitchen-winter-park

Chez Vincent

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IMG_4891

***** (5 stars)

For us, Chez Vincent is like a little trip back to the neighborhood restaurant we always ate at in France.

The service is amazing, professional, anticipating every need, offering tastes of the wines by the glass, just perfect. The fact that our waiter handled the nearby table of French patrons (an endorsement in itself) fluently in French, then switched to us with no detectable accent was impressive.

The food is completely authentic. The house made pate is served just as it should be, with mustard and cornichons. My escargot was perfect–tender and just the right amount of garlic butter (which is to say, a lot!) I had the corvina in caper butter, a lunch special, and it was perfectly pan seared and then finished in the oven.

Food prices at lunch are reasonable for the quality, and there are many decent wine prices as well. My only complaint was that several of the wines I tried to order were unavailable; it’s time to update the very extensive list to reflect reality.

We loved this place, and will be back soon.

Chez Vincent
533 New England Ave W
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 599-2929
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chez-vincent-winter-park

Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar

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***** (5 stars)

A very interesting approach to dining.  Originally I think the plan was an all iPad menu and ordering, and that’s still available, but now there are also paper menus, and very attentive service. Everyone was extremely friendly, and the ambience is great.

We tried an array of appetizers and liked them all, including the chickpea fries (great curry aioli), edamame hummus, short rib and mushroom flatbread (didn’t really need the short ribs) and grilled veggies.

Wines are available in as small as 3oz pours, which makes it fun to try different things. (Check out the Klinker Brick Farah Syrah, which won best of show at the state fair).

I love this new addition to the Winter Park dining scene.

Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar
140 N Orlando Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 513-4912
http://www.yelp.com/biz/carmel-cafe-and-wine-bar-winter-park

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

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*** (3 stars)

Flemings is an adequate steak house with little to differentiate it from all the others in town. The decor is a bit lighter than some, I guess. The happy hour small plates in the bar seem to be the big draw. Wine pours, served in portion enhancer carafes and glassware, are some of the stingiest in town; I wonder if they’re getting seven glasses from a bottle. I think you’re better off paying corkage to bring your own.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
933 N Orlando Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 699-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/flemings-prime-steakhouse-and-wine-bar-winter-park

Hillstone Restaurant

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***** (5 stars)

I’m not a big fan of chain restaurants, but this Hillstone really doesn’t feel like one. It’s in a beautiful location on a lake, and the food and service are better than other Houston’s (its nearly identical sister chain) that I’ve been to. The smokes salmon and smoked trout (which are completely different) are two of my favorites. The kale salad that comes with the trout is particularly tasty. The spinach dip is also good, as are the beef entrees. The dock is a wonderful venue for private events, and can be mostly sealed from the wind if needed. Hillstone is a particularly excellent choice for Saturday lunch.

Hillstone Restaurant
215 S Orlando Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 740-4005
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hillstone-restaurant-winter-park-2

Paris Bistro

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***** (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

Café de France

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***** (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

4 Rivers Smokehouse

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***** (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