***** (5 stars)
Remarkably good sports bar food (albeit expensive) for a tourist location. Excellent burgers, wood grilled wings, wood grilled oysters.
Extensive game room with redemption games, and thankfully completely separate from the dining area. Plenty of screens for every game.
Groovy Goat
7720 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 601-0310
https://www.yelp.com/biz/groovy-goat-orlando
***** (5 stars)
Cracker Country is my favorite part of the Florida State Fair. It's more like visiting a historic area, such as Colonial Williamsburg, where characters in period costumes introduce you to the traditional way of doing things. Very different from the rest of the fair experience!
Cracker Country
4800 Hwy 301 N
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 627-4225
https://www.yelp.com/biz/cracker-country-tampa
***** (5 stars)
I tend to suspect a restaurant in the heart of a tacky tourist district can't be good, but Sakura is the exception. It bills itself as Asian Fusion, but there is really not fusion going on, it's simply a collection of Asian foods from many countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and China.
The sushi selections are extensive and appear fresh, but I concentrated on the Vietnamese items, and they were among the best I've had, including many of the restaurants in Orlando's Vietnamese district.
The summer rolls are delightfully fresh and cold, and sever with a tasty
peanut and chili sauce.
The Bun Saigon is a classic Veitnamese vermicelli bowl with loads of basil, grilled pork, and fresh veggies, and served with a bowl of fish sauce. Ask for Sriracha and Hoisin to elevate it to sublime. My server also gave me the tip to add my leftover peanut sauce from the summer rolls, and that was indeed a great idea!
The interior decor is pleasant, with a variety of Asian decor. Service was very friendly and efficient.
Sakura Asian Fusion
7618 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
Kissimmee, FL 34747
(407) 239-8778
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sakura-asian-fusion-kissimmee-2
***** (5 stars)
This charming little place in an unlikely location does a great job with Puerto Rican food.
Of particular note is the Q'Keenan Paticon. It's essentially a sandwich made with plantains instead of bread. You have your choice of sweet or green plantains, and beef or chicken filling. I chose sweet plantains and shredded beef, and the combination was sublime, especially with the provided garlic and hot sauces.
Also a shoutout to the caramel cappuccino, which was made without sugar by default, so as not to be overly sweet.
Service was very friendly.
Q’Kenan Restaurant
8117 Vineland Ave
Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 238-0014
https://www.yelp.com/biz/qkenan-restaurant-orlando-2
***** (5 stars)
Excellent curries are the highlight here, served in generous portions. If you've had Caribbean curries before then you know to watch for bones, as the meat is cleavered, so if you're new to it, be alert, as this applies to not just the goat but also the chicken.
I prefer a drier jerk style, done over flames, rather than the wetter style done here, so my choice here is one of the curries.
Caribbean Sunshine Bakery & Restaurant
16112 Marsh Rd
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-6625
https://www.yelp.com/biz/caribbean-sunshine-bakery-and-restaurant-winter-garden
***** (5 stars)
We had the most delightful Christmas lunch here. The place was packed, and I can see why–If we lived nearby it would become out Christmas tradition.Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington St
Yountville, CA
94599
(707) 944-0103
https://www.yelp.com/biz/bistro-jeanty-yountville
***** (5 stars)
Phenomenal experience on Christmas Eve. Eleven courses (more like 40 if you count every item) and it’s hard to pick a favorite. But it’s my job, so I’ll make the call: the smoked salmon covered in steelhead roe!SingleThread Farm – Restaurant- Inn
131 North St
Healdsburg, CA
95448
(707) 723-4646
https://www.yelp.com/biz/singlethread-farm-restaurant-inn-healdsburg-7
***** (5 stars)
Great historic roadside eatery from the 1940s, now occupied by a small local burger chain. Terrific chili fries, Impossible Burger, and some of the best onion rings I’ve had anywhere. Also a shout-out for the coffee shake! Sounds like a great 10am breakfast on Christmas Eve to me!Gott’s Roadside
933 Main St
Saint Helena, CA
94574
(707) 963-3486
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gotts-roadside-saint-helena-2
***** (5 stars)
Charming service and ambiance are the highlights of this space right in the center of St. Helena. The brunch menu also offers lunch dishes such as fried chicken, and smaller plates such as tuna two ways. Both were good. But the highlights were the two soups, on creamay and one a curry broth base, both of which were superb.Market
1347 Main St
Saint Helena, CA
94574
(707) 963-3799
https://www.yelp.com/biz/market-saint-helena-3
***** (5 stars)
Very welcoming service and a variety of paid, sit-down tasting to choose from, served in a relaxing atmosphere. The wines are big, tannic, and very high alcohol.Delectus
1091 Saint Helena Hwy
Saint Helena, CA
94574
(707) 244-5080
https://www.yelp.com/biz/delectus-saint-helena