Nutwood

Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Interior
Panzanella salad
Panzanella salad
Chicken sandwich
Chicken sandwich
Housemade sorbet trio
Housemade sorbet trio
Affogato
Affogato

***** (5 stars)

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.

Nutwood
132 Ave B SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

https://www.yelp.com/biz/nutwood-winter-haven

Restaurant R’evolution

Interior
Interior
Foie gras mousse
Foie gras mousse
Crudite
Crudite
Turtle soup
Turtle soup
Quail three ways
Quail three ways
After dinner treats
After dinner treats
Bread service
Bread service
Caviar: Sevruga, trout, hackleback, salmon
Caviar: Sevruga, trout, hackleback, salmon
Oyster salad (1/2)
Oyster salad (1/2)
Mignardise
Mignardise
Lobster pasta (1/2)
Lobster pasta (1/2)
Bananas foster afogato
Bananas foster afogato
Country pate and crab beignets
Country 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

https://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-revolution-new-orleans-3

Quarré

Interior
Interior
White asparagus and shrimp
White asparagus and shrimp

***** (5 stars)

Fabulous five star dining in what is far more than a typical bistro. A wonderful selection of caviar with traditional preparations.

The wine list emphasizes local wines but there are also some great French offerings.

If you are lucky enough to go during white asparagus season, be sure to order that.

Quarré
Unter den Linden 77
10117 Berlin
Germany

https://www.yelp.com/biz/quarr%C3%A9-berlin

Foreigner Restaurant

Interior
Interior
Dessert table
Dessert table
Chef Bruno carving the ham
Chef Bruno carving the ham
Service
Service
SommelierRami
SommelierRami
Oyster
Oyster
Chef Bruno preparing Tomato Salad
Chef Bruno preparing Tomato Salad
Tomato Salad
Tomato Salad
Foie Gras
Foie Gras
Charcuterie
Charcuterie
Spring Pasta
Spring Pasta
Hay Duck
Hay Duck
Dry-aged Lamb
Dry-aged Lamb
Dessert
Dessert
Meringue
Meringue

***** (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

https://www.yelp.com/biz/foreigner-restaurant-orlando

Old Sugar Mill Pancake House

Exterior
Exterior
Griddle
Griddle
Mill gears
Mill gears
Bacon, eggs, and batter
Bacon, eggs, and batter
Bacon, eggs, two kinds of pancakes
Bacon, eggs, two kinds of pancakes
Exterior
Exterior
Grillin'
Grillin'
Interior
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

https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-sugar-mill-pancake-house-de-leon-springs-2

Old Sugar Mill Grill & Griddle House

Interior
Interior
Griddle
Griddle
Bacon, eggs, and batter
Bacon, eggs, and batter
Grillin'
Grillin’
Bacon, eggs, two kinds of pancakes
Bacon, eggs, two kinds of pancakes
Mill gears
Gears
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior

***** (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

https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-sugar-mill-grill-and-griddle-house-de-leon-springs

Dim Dim Sum

Sesame ball
Sesame ball
BBQ Pork
BBQ Pork
Beef Chow Fun
Beef Chow Fun
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior

**** (4 stars)

They've done a great job of transforming this former counter-serve pasta assemblage place into a nice sit-down dim sum restaurant.

The menu offers a full range of traditional dim sum, with photos to help those not familiar with the cuisine.

We particularly enjoyed the honey glazed roast pork, cucumber with minced garlic, and shrimp pork siu mai.

Service was attentive, and prices are reasonable.

Dim Dim Sum
4700 S Apopka Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786

https://www.yelp.com/biz/dim-dim-sum-windermere

Sajoma Latin Fusion

Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Bar
Bar
Ceviche
Ceviche
Hummus
Hummus
Caesar salad
Caesar salad
Grilled shrimp
Grilled shrimp
Yuca Nests
Yuca Nests

***** (5 stars)

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

https://www.yelp.com/biz/sajoma-latin-fusion-kissimmee

Victoria & Albert’s

Kitchen view from the Chef's Table
Kitchen view from the Chef's Table
Starters at The Chef's Table: Seared Pink Pineapple  Langoustine Tartelette Cinco Jotas Iberico, Miso Caramel, "Éclair"
Starters at The Chef's Table: Seared Pink Pineapple Langoustine Tartelette Cinco Jotas Iberico, Miso Caramel, "Éclair"
Mini baguette
Mini baguette
Danish Hiramasa, Carrot, Okinawan Potatoes
Danish Hiramasa, Carrot, Okinawan Potatoes
Royal Belgian Caviar, Cauliflower Panna Cotta
Royal Belgian Caviar, Cauliflower Panna Cotta
Chef's Table platinum plated cutlery
Chef's Table platinum plated cutlery
Glacier 51 Toothfish, Charred Mushroom, Sambal
Glacier 51 Toothfish, Charred Mushroom, Sambal
Wild Turbot, Fennel, Baby Leeks
Wild Turbot, Fennel, Baby Leeks
Green Circle Chicken, Australian Black Truffle, Corn
Green Circle Chicken, Australian Black Truffle, Corn
Lamb, Pickled Blueberries, Violet Mustard
Lamb, Pickled Blueberries, Violet Mustard
Miyazaki A-5, Potato Rösti, Romesco
Miyazaki A-5, Potato Rösti, Romesco
Preparation of Cheese
Preparation of Cheese
Chef's Table Menu
Chef's Table Menu
Honey Elderflower Ice Cream
Honey Elderflower Ice Cream
Spectrum of Chocolate
Spectrum of Chocolate
Warm Chocolate Cookie
Warm 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:

Pink Pineapple, Thai Basil, Spiced Mango
Langoustine Tartelette, Watermelon, Finger Limes
Cinco Jotas Iberico, Miso Caramel, "Éclair"

Royal Belgian Caviar, Cauliflower Panna Cotta

Danish Hiramasa, Carrot, Okinawan Potatoes

Wild Turbot, Fennel, Baby Leeks

Glacier 51 Toothfish, Charred Mushroom, Sambal

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

https://www.yelp.com/biz/victoria-and-alberts-orlando-4