Blended Bistro & Boba

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

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

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

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

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

Yeoman’s

Interior
Interior
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Fish spread
Fish spread
The London Eye Sandwich
The London Eye Sandwich
Fish and Chips
Fish and Chips

**** (4 stars)

Yeoman's is a good pub serving traditional English pub food. Note that there are two spaces, both offering the same menus and drinks: the smaller, pub space entry is at the corner, while the double glass doors around the side lead to the larger, airy dining room. There are bars in both parts.

The menu is extensive, with traditional and creative appetizers, traditional pub dishes, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They are well known for their fish and chips, which have a delicate crispy brown batter.

We particularly liked the fish spread, which came with delicious crispy pitas.

Service was friendly and efficient.

Yeoman’s
3220 Margaritaville Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34747

https://www.yelp.com/biz/yeomans-kissimmee

Salt & The Cellar By Akira Back

Where Clouds End Non-alcoholic espresso and citrus drink
Where Clouds End Non-alcoholic espresso and citrus drink
Tuna Tartare
Tuna Tartare
Wagyu Tacos
Wagyu Tacos
Togarashi Fries
Togarashi Fries
Lobster tail
Lobster tail
Chef presents a course
Chef presents a course
Interior
Interior
Tuna Pizza
Tuna Pizza
Salt presentation
Salt presentation
"Cigar"
"Cigar"
Kimchi Brussels sprouts
Kimchi Brussels sprouts
Yuzu
Yuzu
Chocolate
Chocolate
New York Strip
New York Strip
Seafood assortment
Seafood assortment

***** (5 stars)

It's about time that Orlando had another true fine dining restaurant! Amid a sea of steakhouses, Salt & The Cellar stands out as one of the few truly great restaurants in Central Florida.

With just the right touch of Japanese and Asian flair, and a lot of creativity in presentation, Salt & The Cellar surprises with almost every dish. The menu is designed to be shared, which invites one to try almost everything, and our party of three took up the challenge.

We started with an off-menu seafood assortment that surpassed any seafood tower I've encountered, with generous portions of lobster and crab, and the most delightfully flavored little clams.

Then we progressed through an assortment of starters: an impressive tableside preparation of tuna tartare mixed tableside like some elaborate guacamole; wagyu tacos with just the right amount of spicy kick; a delicately plated tuna pizza (this was the only item of the meal we didn't care for, it having been overwhelmed with truffle oil).

Then it was on to a generous portion of delicious New York strip, already sliced for easy eating with chopsticks, and served with our choice of three salts (the smoky and coffee-flavored salts are standouts).

Sides accompanying the steak included kimchi Brussels sprouts (which were delicious, but more about toasted garlic than kimchi, I thought) and Togarashi fries (wonderfully seasoned, although the paper cone they were served in couldn't keep them hot).

Three desserts were on offer, and all three were delightful. The most unique was the "Cigar" which was passion fruit ice cream in a dark chocolate wrapper with coffee-flavored "ashes". Even the cigar band was edible!

One surprising aspect of the restaurant (and the whole hotel, for that matter) is that it offers no alcohol. Of course, you are welcome to bring your own wines, and we were delighted to find that the glassware and wine service were top-notch.

There are also a half dozen "mocktails" on offer. The espresso and citrus "Where Clouds End" was a particular stunner, served in a bell jar full of hickory smoke.

Service was Michelin level. Our main server, Randi, was an enthusiastic delight.

Best of all, I no longer need to be embarrassed when people ask me where to go for fine dining in Orlando. This is the place.

Salt & The Cellar By Akira Back
3001 Sherberth Rd
Kissimmee, FL 34747

https://www.yelp.com/biz/salt-and-the-cellar-by-akira-back-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

Yeoman’s Cask and Lion

Interior
Interior
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Fish spread
Fish spread
The London Eye Sandwich
The London Eye Sandwich
Fish and Chips
Fish and Chips

**** (4 stars)

Yeoman's is a good pub serving traditional English pub food. Note that there are two spaces, both offering the same menus and drinks: the smaller, pub space entry is at the corner, while the double glass doors around the side lead to the larger, airy dining room. There are bars in both parts.

The menu is extensive, with traditional and creative appetizers, traditional pub dishes, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They are well known for their fish and chips, which have a delicate crispy brown batter.

We particularly liked the fish spread, which came with delicious crispy pitas.

Service was friendly and efficient.

Yeoman’s Cask and Lion
3220 Margaritaville Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34747

https://www.yelp.com/biz/yeomans-cask-and-lion-kissimmee

Yeoman’s – Temp. CLOSED

Interior
Interior
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Fish spread
Fish spread
The London Eye Sandwich
The London Eye Sandwich
Fish and Chips
Fish and Chips

**** (4 stars)

Yeoman's is a good pub serving traditional English pub food. Note that there are two spaces, both offering the same menus and drinks: the smaller, pub space entry is at the corner, while the double glass doors around the side lead to the larger, airy dining room. There are bars in both parts.

The menu is extensive, with traditional and creative appetizers, traditional pub dishes, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They are well known for their fish and chips, which have a delicate crispy brown batter.

We particularly liked the fish spread, which came with delicious crispy pitas.

Service was friendly and efficient.

Yeoman’s – Temp. CLOSED
3220 Margaritaville Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34747

https://www.yelp.com/biz/yeomans-kissimmee