Luma on Park

***** (5 stars)

Offering one of the more hip fine dining environments in town, Luma manages to create a techno vibe without being deafening. A creative, evolving menu offers a nice variety of foods for both vegetarians and carnivores.

Pizzas–more like flatbreads, really–are a great starter. They also make a great burger. These simple foods are not reflective of the overall menu, though, which is fairly sophisticated. Most of the food is more oriented toward small plates, although there are some great entrees as well.

There are plenty of interesting wines to match with a multi course grazing menu, although the wine list is perhaps the most annoying I’ve ever encountered. I’ve seen wines lists sorted by varietal, by country, by color, even by “weight”, but this is the only list I’ve every encountered that is sorted by bottle price and otherwise completely jumbled. Know that you want a chardonnay? Good luck comparing them, as they’ll be scattered randomly around the list.

That said, the wine prices are very reasonable, albeit reflective of fairly obscure selections. There is a reserve list that is less jumbled, and has more recognizable names.

Service is always professional and friendly. There is a small private room beyond the kitchen suitable for parties of eight or so, and also some “chef’s bar” seating that faces the kitchen. For an even more memorable visit, the downstairs wine room offers sofas, a TV, and a single table suitable for about ten. The room can also be rearranged for larger parties.

One of our favorite things to request downstairs is the truffle popcorn, which is amazing.

Luma on Park
290 S Park Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 599-4111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/luma-on-park-winter-park

Winter Park Playhouse

***** (5 stars)

There aren’t many small professional theaters left, so it’s great to see this one thriving. The shows are very professional, with live music and talented performers, and since there are only a few rows, there are no bad seats.

It’s particularly nice that there is a comfortable lounge and bar with piano music for hanging out before the show, and the founders are always there to greet guests and make sure everyone has a nice time.

Definitely one of the best theatrical experiences in Central Florida.

Winter Park Playhouse
711 Orange Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 645-0145
http://www.yelp.com/biz/winter-park-playhouse-winter-park

Scratch

***** (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

**** (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

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

***** (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

*** (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

***** (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

***** (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

***** (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