Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory

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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

The Vineyard Wine Bar and Healthy Bistro

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Interior
Interior

***** (5 stars)

We love this place not just for its interesting collection of wines, but for the great food. You really can't go wrong with any of the shared plates. We love the Brussels sprouts, bruschetta, charcuterie, and the pita plate. Caesar salad is excellent.. And you won't find a better pizza crust anywhere–it's imported from Napoli. Service is very gracious and welcoming, and the wine advice is, of course, great.

The Vineyard Wine Bar and Healthy Bistro
4848 South Apopka Vineland Rd
Orlando, FL 32819

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-vineyard-wine-bar-and-healthy-bistro-orlando

Naan Stopp

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Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Papads
Papads
Vegetable samosas
Vegetable samosas

***** (5 stars)

This place is much nicer than I was expecting! The previous tenant was a counter service concept, but this is a full restaurant with table service. And the service provided by our server, Anna, was, indeed, great.

Even greater was the food! I've had Lamb Korma in Indian restaurants all over the world, and I've never had a better, more complex version than this. The Chicken Saag was also good.

We started with Papads, which were delightfully crisp. The Vegetable Samosas were nicely stuffed, and just the right amount of spicy.

Lunch pricing is very reasonable, and the portions are generous.

I'm delighted to have found this great Indian restaurant right in our neighborhood.

Naan Stopp
5845 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786

https://www.yelp.com/biz/naan-stopp-windermere

YH Seafood Clubhouse

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Interior
Interior
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Hong Kong roasted duck
Hong Kong roasted duck
Pan seared potstickers
Pan seared potstickers
Pan fried chive dumpling
Pan fried chive dumpling
Seafood pan fried noodles
Seafood pan fried noodles
Pork and shrimp dumpling (siu mai)
Pork and shrimp dumpling (siu mai)

***** (5 stars)

First, this restaurant is gorgeous. What a transformation they’ve done on this space! Some of Orlando’s best interior restaurant design.

I admit that Cantonese is not necessarily my favorite Asian cuisine, but I can certainly appreciate how well it is done here, and there are some real standouts.

The dim sum menu is extensive. Our favorite item, as is usually the case, was the chive dumpling. The pan-seared potsticker appetizer was also good.

A fellow at a table next to us ordered Clay Pot salted chicken and fish, and it looked incredible, reminding me of Korean bibimbop, but I couldn’t find it on the menu. I definitely need to check that out next time.

Service was terrific, with constant refills of our drinks, and friendly and efficient throughout.

We definitely want to return and further explore the menu.

YH Seafood Clubhouse
8081 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819

https://www.yelp.com/biz/yh-seafood-clubhouse-orlando

Garibaldi Mexican Cusine

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Interior
Interior
Fiesta Sampler
Fiesta Sampler

**** (4 stars)

I've been to Garibaldi before, but this is the first time I've been to this location. I actually like it better than the original.

The menu is very extensive, with all the standard American Tex-Mex offerings. The fiesta sampler offers a pretty good selection of most of the menu, it is a very generous serving, more than enough lunch for two people.

This is one of the most extensive margarita lists in town. The house margarita is by far the best deal, and is an ample serving of a well mixed margarita.

Garibaldi Mexican Cusine
848 Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32809

https://www.yelp.com/biz/garibaldi-mexican-cusine-orlando

Blended Bistro & Boba

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Interior
Interior
Spring rolls
Spring rolls
Small poke bowl
Small poke bowl
Grilled Pork Banh Mi
Grilled Pork Banh Mi

***** (5 stars)

I love me a good bánh mì sandwich, and you won't find a better one than served here. That's high praise, considering how many good examples of bánh mì there are in Orlando.

This one was perfectly fresh bread with a crisp crust filled with super fresh vegetables, spicy sauce, and succulent roast pork. There was no room for improvement.

The spring rolls, a Yelp check-in bonus, were also delicious with crisp vegetables and fresh shrimp.

I also enjoyed the Vietnamese coffee, in case you want to drink your dessert.

Blended Bistro & Boba
2306 Edgewater Dr
Orlando, FL 32804

https://www.yelp.com/biz/blended-bistro-and-boba-orlando

Bocas Grill – Orlando

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Interior
Interior
Pabellon
Pabellon
Interior
Interior
Sparkling sangria
Sparkling sangria
Appetizer
Appetizer
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior

*** (3 stars)

This place has improved since my first visit four years ago. There is still better Venezuelan food to be had in Orlando, but this is perhaps the nicest sit down restaurant to eat it in.

I enjoyed the sparking sangria, which was chock full of scrumptious fruit.

Our appetizer of assorted fried seafood and potatoes was also quite good.

The specialty here is arepas, and they are just okay; I think you're better off with something else.

Prices are still high, especially at lunch, but service is significantly improved.

Bocas Grill – Orlando
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bocas-grill-orlando-orlando-2

Camille

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The counter
The counter
sommelier and cocktail service
sommelier and cocktail service
Duck salad
Duck salad
Shrimp
Shrimp
Tea Egg
Tea Egg
menu
menu
Pho
Pho
Pork Belly
Pork Belly
Mixology and food prep
Mixology and food prep
Palate cleanser
Palate cleanser
Lamb
Lamb
French bread and shrimp butter
French bread and shrimp butter
"Vietnamese Coffee"
"Vietnamese Coffee"
Chef and the staff
Chef and the staff

***** (5 stars)

Wow, world-class dining in Orlando! Who'd have thunk it?!

Camille is as good as any chef's bar I've been to around the world, including such icons as Joel Robuchon's l'Ateliers in New York, London, and Hong Kong.

Every course of this meal was just about as perfect as it gets, from the really unique Tea Egg that started us off, to the masterpiece "Vietnamese Coffee" dessert that finished it. It's hard to pick a favorite. Was it the smoked duck salad we assembled ourselves, and which my duck-hating wife loved? Or perhaps the incredibly complex and mouth-filling short rib pho? Impossible to pick.

The counter afforded a wonderful view as each dish was assembled by the very personable chef and his talented assistants, and all was hosted by our wonderfully personable sommelier.

Note that Camille will be moving from its temporary residence upstairs at East End Market to a permanent location in Bladwin Park, hopefully around the start of 2023. I can't wait to go back and experience it again!

Camille
3201 Corrine Dr
Orlando, FL 32803

https://www.yelp.com/biz/camille-orlando

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant – Temp. CLOSED

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Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Bar
Bar
Salad, breadsticks, Alfredo sauce
Salad, breadsticks, Alfredo sauce

**** (4 stars)

This is one of the very first Olive Gardens because Orlando is Darden's test market for new restaurant concepts. They definitely kept it fresh, with lovely remodeling. The bar is well-separated from the restaurant, and the dining room is open, spacious, and airy, with lots of windows.

The food is Olive Garden standard, so not much more needs to be said.

Service is good. The Darden restaurants have recently gone to table top devices for ordering and paying, no doubt to deal with staffing challenges. I'm not sold on the efficiency, but time will tell.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant – Temp. CLOSED
12361 State Road 535
Orlando, FL 32836

https://www.yelp.com/biz/olive-garden-italian-restaurant-orlando-24

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

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Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Bar
Bar
Salad, breadsticks, Alfredo sauce
Salad, breadsticks, Alfredo sauce

**** (4 stars)

This is one of the very first Olive Gardens because Orlando is Darden's test market for new restaurant concepts. They definitely kept it fresh, with lovely remodeling. The bar is well-separated from the restaurant, and the dining room is open, spacious, and airy, with lots of windows.

The food is Olive Garden standard, so not much more needs to be said.

Service is good. The Darden restaurants have recently gone to table top devices for ordering and paying, no doubt to deal with staffing challenges. I'm not sold on the efficiency, but time will tell.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
12361 State Road 535
Orlando, FL 32836

https://www.yelp.com/biz/olive-garden-italian-restaurant-orlando-24