Summer House on the Lake

We enjoyed our lunch at this bustling restaurant at Disney Springs. The main room is very large and can be quite noisy, but we asked to be seated in the front room near the bar, which was much quieter.

The menu has a lot of appealing options, so it was hard to decide.

We ultimately chose to begin with the ahi tuna tostadas, which were absolutely delicious. The serving size was small for the price, but worth it.

We also had the highly touted cheesy dream puffs, but were disappointed in them. Ours didn’t look much like the pictures I saw online, and there wasn’t much evidence of any cheese. They were certainly not puffy; they were more like somewhat stale Yorkshire pudding. Definitely not dreamy.

For one entree we had the pepperoni pizza, to which we added fresh basil. If you like thin crust pizza, this is a great one, with a slightly charred edge and a very thin crust that stands up well to the delicate sauce and cheese and very flavorful pepperoni.

I also agree with raves about the picnic fried chicken basket. The chicken tenders were beautifully breaded and fried to a crispy crunch with a tender inside, and the piquant barbecue sauce was a great accompaniment. The shoestring fries that came along with it were plentiful and nice and crisp.

Service was attentive, particularly considering how busy the restaurant was. I would definitely go back here.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/summer-house-on-the-lake-lake-buena-vista-2

The Wilson

This is a very pleasant all-day eatery overlooking the pool of the Melia hotel. 

We started with the baked potato skins, which were nicely crisped and amply topped with bacon, cheese, and green onions, and served with a cup of sour cream. Classic pub food.

For our mains we had two specials, the crispy fish sandwich and the quesadilla. Both were good. I particularly liked the salad that came with the sandwich (fries were another option).

There is also an extensive pizza menu (served until late) and a selection of pastas and burgers.

Nicole was a great server. In addition, everyone we encountered from the hotel front desk to the restaurant hostess, to the food runners was very friendly. A nice experience.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-wilson-orlando-celebration-2

Marco’s Pizza

This counter-service place serves acceptable pizza. There’s nothing really exceptional about it, but it’s fine.

The best was the cauliflower crust garden pizza, which didn’t have much in the way of sauce, but had a nice collection of vegetables. The thin crust pepperoni pizza was cut into squares Tavern style, which I like. There’s really no atmosphere, but they did bring the pizza to the table when it was ready.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/marcos-pizza-winter-springs

Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory

Exterior
Exterior

***** (5 stars)

This is one of those places where they freeze your ice cream to order using liquid nitrogen, and mixing it in a stainless steel bowl. You have your choice of base–regular, sugar free, lactose free, etc– and added flavors and mix-ins.

I've been to some of these where the result is a smoother consistency, but here is turns out rather chunky, sort of like frozen curds, which wasn't my favorite, but if that's your thing then you'll enjoy it. I also thought my lactose free coffee with chocolate chips was very, very sweet. I'm not sure why. But again, if you're getting ice cream with mix-ins, perhaps that's just what you're looking for.

There are bounce houses out back for the kids to further mix their ice cream after consumption,

Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory
520 N Main St
Kissimmee, FL 34744

https://www.yelp.com/biz/abracadabra-ice-cream-factory-kissimmee

Pizzeria Rustica

Interior
Interior
Exterior and patio
Exterior and patio
Antipasto
Antipasto
Caesar salad
Caesar salad
Rustica
Rustica

*** (3 stars)

Friendly service and a nice patio dining area are the highlights of this place in the midst of the Colorado Springs tourist area.

The food was just okay, with a very pedestrian Antipasto Misto and somewhat odd Caesar Salad that involved diced meat and toasted bits of flatbread.

The namesake Pizza Rustica was also just okay. The thin, authentic crust was good, but the ricotta was only in one small section, and the pizza overall had very little flavor. We overhead a nearby table chatting with the owner, and they gave exactly the same assessment.

Wine prices are reasonable.

Pizzeria Rustica
2527 W Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80904

https://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-rustica-colorado-springs

Honey Pie Pizza

Here it is, in the alley!
Here it is, in the alley!
Pepperoni
Pepperoni
It's actually not here, it's around the back!
It's actually not here, it's around the back!
The Fungus Amongus
The Fungus Amongus

**** (4 stars)

Very good pizza, New York style, with a thin crust and just the right amount of chew and char. Spicy pepperoni.

Note: It's located in a garage off the alley!

Honey Pie Pizza
112 1/2 S College St
Newberg, OR 97132

https://www.yelp.com/biz/honey-pie-pizza-newberg

Josie’s Pizza & Wings

Pepperoni, ricotta, and basil
Interior
Interior

 

***** (5 stars)

I’ve been going to Josie’s on Hiawassee for more than twenty years, but somehow missed the opening of this one, which is much closer to my home. The space is much brighter and more open than the old location. Although there is a sort of bar in the back, this is primarily a table service place, with plenty of tables both inside and outside.

On our visit there were a handful of inside tables occupied, and the sole server was doing a fantastic job of keeping up with everyone. We shared a large Greek salad, an order of ten hot garlic wings, and a pepperoni, ricotta, and basil pizza. Everything was excellent, and the hot food arrived literally steaming from the kitchen.

The Greek salad was a nice mix of fresh veggies on top of crisp lettuce, and the Greek dressing was delicious.

The pizza didn’t have a crisp crust, but the sauce had a great oregano flavor, the cheese was plentiful, and the pepperoni was very flavorful.

The wings are the wet style, and some of the best in town. I love that they use fresh garlic on top of the hot sauce rather than mixing in powdered garlic.

A lot of places have been having staffing issues, and we had the impression there might be just two people working here on a Monday at lunch, but they were certainly doing a great job, and I give them full points for food and service.

Josie’s Pizza & Wings
5855 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786

https://www.yelp.com/biz/josies-pizza-and-wings-windermere

Argosy

Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Photo of Argosy - Atlanta, GA, United States
Photo of Argosy – Atlanta, GA, United States
Boss Hogg Pizza
Boss Hogg Pizza
Lil Little Debbie Harry
Lil Little Debbie Harry

***** (5 stars)

Excellent spot with a large open air eating area under cover.

The pizza was terrific, with a thin crust and just the right amount of chew.

The Little Debbie Harry desert was fantastic, a great combination of hot and cold, crisp and chewy, bitter and sweet.

Very extensive selection of Amaros.

Argosy
470 Flat Shoals Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30316

https://www.yelp.com/biz/argosy-atlanta

Brio Tuscan Grille

Exterior
Interior
Patio

**** (4 stars)

This Brio location offers a nice “outside” patio that overlooks the mall’s indoor fountain. Service is attentive, and the menu is standard Brio.

The lunch combo of shrimp pasta and Caesar salad for $12 is a good deal. The pasta was perfectly al dente, and the shrimp tails had been removed.

It’s a good place to linger away from the bustle of the mall and enjoy an espresso.

Brio Tuscan Grille
4200 Conroy Rd
Orlando, FL
32839
(407) 351-8909
https://www.yelp.com/biz/brio-tuscan-grille-orlando

Trio American Bistro

Elk
Copper River salmon
Focaccia bread
BLT Soup
Mussels
Exterior
Open kitchen
Interior

***** (5 stars)

Delightful gourmet food in the center of Jackson Hole. Really nice wine list.

The place is popular and can get noisey, so I suggest sitting at the counter that looks into the open kitchen and the wood fired oven.

Excellent mussels were a great appetizer. Salmon and elk were both good entrees. Friendly and professional service.

Trio American Bistro
45 S Glenwood Dr
Jackson, WY
83001
(307) 734-8038
https://www.yelp.com/biz/trio-american-bistro-jackson