This is a wonderful little fine dining venue in the heart of an unlikely residential area in Winter Haven. We know the chef’s former restaurant in California, as it was one of our favorites when we lived there, so it was fun to try this place that he owns.
We had lunch, where they serve a limited menu of salads and sandwiches. Everything we tried was delicious. We were particularly impressed with the number of house-made ingredients, including the sauces, sorbets, and ice creams.
Service was extremely friendly, and we enjoyed chatting with the chef. We will definitely come back here to try their dinner menu.
InteriorFoie gras mousseCruditeTurtle soupQuail three waysAfter dinner treatsBread serviceCaviar: Sevruga, trout, hackleback, salmonOyster salad (1/2)MignardiseLobster pasta (1/2)Bananas foster afogatoCountry pate and crab beignets
***** (5 stars)
It's been a few years since our last visit to New Orleans and since I've long regarded this as the top restaurant in New Orleans, this was on our must visit list. It did not disappoint.
Service is that perfect combination of professionalism and Southern hospitality.
Highlights included the creative caviar service which includes three caviars you didn't order along with your selection.
The lobster pasta was also great.
10,00 bottle wine list does not disappoint.
Restaurant R’evolution 777 Bienville St New Orleans, LA 70130
InteriorDessert tableChef Bruno carving the hamServiceSommelierRamiOysterChef Bruno preparing Tomato SaladTomato SaladFoie GrasCharcuterieSpring PastaHay DuckDry-aged LambDessertMeringue
***** (5 stars)
Wow! That’s my review.
Seriously, it’s amazing that Orlando has another new world-class restaurant. It’s been an amazing couple of years for Michelin-quality places opening up, and Foreigner is right at the top of that class.
If it doesn’t seem like this restaurant has only been open a few weeks, that’s because Chef Bruno and his team have been honing their presentation for four years in pop-ups. Now they are taking full advantage of this beautiful new space, presenting ten courses, beginning at the ten-seat counter, and ending at the communal dessert table.
Each course is assembled in front of you. Chef Bruno’s interaction with the diners makes the presentation a delight. And his friendliness encourages interaction among everyone, making Foreigner a really fun and relaxed environment.
With so many standouts, it’s hard to pick a favorite, and with half the menu changing every two weeks, you won’t see many repeats.
My favorites were:
The seemingly simple tomato salad with it its amazing salt-topped tomato sorbet.
The perfectly seared foie gras atop a stunning little banana pie.
The black butter and equally black, crusty sourdough bread.
And it’s hard to choose between the hay-smoked duck or the perfectly dry-aged lamb course, each served with perfect accompaniments.
Regular or reserve wine pairings thoughtfully accompany every course.
My only wish is that the souvenir menu included more description of the ingredients, as with so many complex courses, it’s hard to remember all the twists and turns!
If you’re looking for a sublime dining experience, Foreigner is the real deal.
Foreigner Restaurant 2816 Corrine Dr Orlando, FL 32803
We use Aggressive to service our appliances. Their pricing is fair and their diagnosticians are accurate. Alex and Looven did a great job on our Miele oven repair.
Aggressive Appliances 617 Mercy Dr Orlando, FL 32805
ExteriorGriddleMill gearsBacon, eggs, and batterBacon, eggs, two kinds of pancakesExteriorGrillin'Interior
***** (5 stars)
NOTE: Do not follow your GPS's directions as it will likely lead you to the gated service road in back. You need to enter Ponce DeLeon State Park ($6 fee per car), drive through the parking lot, and then it's a short walk to the restaurant building.
I've always wanted to go to this place, but I was afraid of the wait, which I understand can be very long on weekends. The trick is to go at an unlikely time. We chose a bit after noon on a Thursday, and there was no wait.
Some of the reviews mention poor service, but our server was great.
Obviously you go here for the novelty of cooking your own breakfast on your table, and it is quite fun. It would be a great family activity–let the kids cook breakfast for the adults! But I have to say, the food was EXCELLENT! The eggs were really fresh, and the bacon was meaty.
Of course, the highlight is the pancakes and they didn't disappoint. You can choose between buttermilk batter or a five grain specialty blend. Our server suggested I try both, and indeed, although the buttermilk was nice and fluffy, the five grain blend was also fluffy, plus it had a nice texture and even more flavor.
It's along way for us to go for breakfast (about a 90 minute drive) but I'd definitely like to bo back.
Old Sugar Mill Pancake House 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd De Leon Springs, FL 32130
InteriorGriddleBacon, eggs, and batterGrillin’Bacon, eggs, two kinds of pancakesGearsExteriorExterior
***** (5 stars)
NOTE: Do not follow your GPS’s directions as it will likely lead you to the gated service road in back. You need to enter Ponce DeLeon State Park ($6 fee per car), drive through the parking lot, and then it’s a short walk to the restaurant building.
I’ve always wanted to go to this place, but I was afraid of the wait, which I understand can be very long on weekends. The trick is to go at an unlikely time. We chose a bit after noon on a Thursday, and there was no wait.
Some of the reviews mention poor service, but our server was great.
Obviously you go here for the novelty of cooking your own breakfast on your table, and it is quite fun. It would be a great family activity–let the kids cook breakfast for the adults! But I have to say, the food was EXCELLENT! The eggs were really fresh, and the bacon was meaty.
Of course, the highlight is the pancakes and they didn’t disappoint. You can choose between buttermilk batter or a five-grain specialty blend. Our server suggested I try both, and indeed, although the buttermilk was nice and fluffy, the five-grain blend was also fluffy, plus it had a nice texture and even more flavor.
It’s a long way for us to go for breakfast (about a 90-minute drive) but I’d definitely like to bo back.
Old Sugar Mill Grill & Griddle House 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd De Leon Springs, FL 32130
This is a beautiful restaurant with great food and service. We shared an assortment of appetizers, and they were all very good.
Highlights were the ceviche and the very creative green pea hummus with fried pitas. The grilled shrimp and the Caesar salads were also both very nice preparations. I liked the goat filling in the Yuca nests, but the yuca was a bit heavy.
We went for a late Sunday lunch and it looked like they were setting up for evening live entertainment.
They also have outside dining.
Sajoma Latin Fusion 1600 W Osceola Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34741
Kitchen view from the Chef's TableStarters at The Chef's Table: Seared Pink Pineapple Langoustine Tartelette Cinco Jotas Iberico, Miso Caramel, "Éclair"Mini baguetteDanish Hiramasa, Carrot, Okinawan PotatoesRoyal Belgian Caviar, Cauliflower Panna CottaChef's Table platinum plated cutleryGlacier 51 Toothfish, Charred Mushroom, SambalWild Turbot, Fennel, Baby LeeksGreen Circle Chicken, Australian Black Truffle, CornLamb, Pickled Blueberries, Violet MustardMiyazaki A-5, Potato Rösti, RomescoPreparation of CheeseChef's Table MenuHoney Elderflower Ice CreamSpectrum of ChocolateWarm Chocolate Cookie
***** (5 stars)
V&A is back and better than ever! After a more than two-year pandemic closure, Central Florida's greatest restaurant has reopened at the top of its game.
Manager Israel Perez has used the time to update the decor, service pieces, furnishings, and pairings. Matthew Sowers, always a creative spark in the kitchen, is now the Chef de Cuisine, and the new menu already shows off his skills.
We've dined at V&A dozens of times over the years, and this meal was simply the best we've ever had. We were privileged to be the first to experience the new Chef's Table, which gives you a great view into the kitchen, now easier to see into, and busier than ever.
The menu and serving pieces at the Chef's Table are the same as in the intimate Victoria Room, which offers a more romantic experience. Both offer courses not a part of the main dining room menu, including the caviar and the turbot, so they are well worth the additional cost.
Of course the menu is evolving, but our meal included:
Green Circle Chicken, Australian Black Truffle, Corn
Lamb, Pickled Blueberries, Violet Mustard
Lamb, Pickled Blueberries, Violet Mustard
Miyazaki A-5, Potato Rösti, Romesco
Preparation of Cheese
Honey Elderflower Ice Cream
Warm Chocolate Cookie
Spectrum of Chocolate: Pistachio Petit Four Praline Truffle Pavlova Tropical Caramel
Each course was a home run, and it is hard to pick favorites, but the chicken was a standout, sitting atop an incredibly complex Perigord sauce. The A5 Wagyu was also the best I've had anywhere.
New offerings are a completely vegan alternate menu, and a full set of non-alcoholic pairings. The one we sampled was delicious.
The wine list remains one of the best in the state, although most guests opt for the very reasonably priced wine pairings.
A measure of how wonderful this meal was is that before it had ended we were already planning our next visit.
Victoria & Albert’s 4401 Floridian Way Orlando, FL 32830
