*** (3 stars)
This is a charming place, with excellent service. I loved the house made ginger ale. I was a bit disappointed in the food, because it seemed under-seasoned and under-flavored, despite having quite a few ingredients. The hummus appetizer was fine, but the falafel seemed like almost the same dish, just seared hummus in a pita without much sign of tahini or other ingredients.
Candle 79
154 E 79th St
New York, NY 10075
(212) 537-7179
http://www.yelp.com/biz/candle-79-new-york
***** (5 stars)
This is the original, and I think still the best Seasons 52. It’s hard to believe this is a chain owned by Darden, the same people who bring you Olive Garden. The food here is delicious, nutritious, and low in calories; in fact, the original concept was that everything was less than 475 calories, which given its flavorful nature was amazing. Now there are some exceptions, but it’s still pretty healthful.
I like the quarterly updating of the menu. Favorites are all of the flatbreads, the cedar plank salmon, the vegetarian plate and the hummus. Less successful are the burgers.
While many people like the little dessert shot glasses, they’re not what I want in a dessert; they remind me of supermarket pudding cups. But that’s okay, it makes it easy to skip a course that could double the meal’s calorie count.
Although the wine list has been dumbed down since the early days, there are still some interesting offerings, even by the glass.
My favorite thing about Seasons is the architecture, both inside and outside. Drawing upon elements of Frank Lloyd Wright ad the 1950s, it is elegant, interesting and restful. A great place for business lunches, family dinners, single (there’s an active bar scene here) and dates–quite an accomplishment to work for so many different interests.
Seasons 52
7700 Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 354-5212
http://www.yelp.com/biz/seasons-52-orlando
**** (4 stars)
I like Ethiopian food. It’s healthful, varied, and just different enough that it’s a fun break from other ethnic cuisines. If you haven’t had it before, be forewarned that no utensils are involved. Instead is is served with thin “bread” that is really a pancake or crepe. You tear off pieces and use it to scoop up the various food.
Although I’ve had Ethiopian food a few times before, it was better at Nile than previous places I’ve been. The flavors and textures and levels of spiciness are nicely varied if you select one of the combos for two. We had the chef’s special, which included both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. We also had an appetizer assortment, and I like those three items even better: triangular stuffed pastry, chopped tomato salad, and a lentil puree.
Service was friendly, and the owner, who was relaxing on the fron porch, thanked us for our business when we left. A nice, exotic member of Orlando’s ethnic dining scene.
Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
7048 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32885
(407) 354-0026
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nile-ethiopian-restaurant-orlando-2
**** (4 stars)
I like the bright, open, bustling feel of this place, lined with plate glass windows facing onto Mills Ave. The servers and many of the customers are Vietnamese, and I take that as a sign of the authenticity of the food. My favorites are the spring rolls, banh mi sandwiches, and the noodle dishes with mixed vegetables. The crispy noodles are good. They form a nest around the dish, and slowly soften as they sop up the gravy.
Pho 88 Noodle
730 N Mills Ave
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 897-3488
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-88-noodle-orlando
***** (5 stars)
Certainly the best Thai restaurant on the east side. I like the cozy environment, and the condiments on the tables. An extensive lunch menu, but also lots of good ala carte selections. The kitchen can be a little slow, but worth the wait.
Sea Thai
3812 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 895-0985
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sea-thai-orlando