**** (4 stars)
Solid winemaking, with the Pinot Noir being the standout. It’s a nice facility and the tasting room staff is informative. Not the most complex wines you’ll find in the area, but a good starting point.
Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery
6121 E Hwy 246
Lompoc, CA
93436
(805) 819-3815
https://www.yelp.com/biz/foley-estates-vineyard-and-winery-lompoc
***** (5 stars)
Some of the very best winemaking in the area, and great hospitality. Standouts include their Cab and Syrah. They also make four Pinot Noirs that express different terroir and winemaker, which makes for a fascinating horizontal.
Dierberg Star Lane Vineyards
1280 Drum Canyon Rd
Lompoc, CA
93436
(805) 736-0757
https://www.yelp.com/biz/dierberg-star-lane-vineyards-lompoc
*** (3 stars)
A flashback to the 50s in every way from decor to menu to the cracker basket on the table. Even the placements are unchanged! Anderson’s has never been my favorite soup, but the other food on the menu is quite good. My tuna sandwich was just like Mom used to make, and the quesadilla (which I’m pretty sure wasn’t on the menu in the 50s) was huge.
Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant
376 Avenue Of
Buellton, CA
93427
(805) 688-5581
https://www.yelp.com/biz/pea-soup-andersens-restaurant-buellton-3
*** (3 stars)
Definitely the best gift shop of all the area’s wineries! Lots of fun merchandise in a warren of funky little spaces. Plus a great collection of artifacts such as old typewriters ! Serviceable wines, although you’ll find infinitely better product right next for at Melville Vineyards. A fascinating example of the difference in winemaking techniques.
Babcock Winery & Vineyards
5175 E Hwy 246
Lompoc, CA
93436
(805) 736-1455
https://www.yelp.com/biz/babcock-winery-and-vineyards-lompoc
**** (4 stars)
This location seems a little tired, but it’s undergoing a remodel that should improve it. Service was good, and the food was well-prepared and served hot.
The Appetizer sampler offers petals from a bloomin’ onion, cheese and bacon fries, and deep-fried mac and cheese. Stick with the bloomin’ onion petals. The fries in particular don’t really work, as the cheese has a mind of its own, and doesn’t want to have anything to do with them.
The half portion of ribs is a winner. These are the meatiest ribs I’ve ever been served, and the sauce, while sweet, has a nice tang to it.
Drink prices deserve a shout out. The house margarita is a deal at $6, and the sampling of four different margaritas (served on a boomerang!) for $7 is an even better deal.
Outback Steakhouse
8195 Vineland Ave
Orlando, FL
32821
(407) 477-0098
https://www.yelp.com/biz/outback-steakhouse-orlando-3
**** (4 stars)
The outlaw rib eye is the go to steak here, arguably better than any steak you can get as sister restaurant Capital Grille. Lunch items are a good deal, but not up to the quality of the dinner menu. Excellent decor, bar ambiance, and service.
LongHorn Steakhouse
8398 Vineland Ave
Orlando, FL
32821
(407) 828-8976
https://www.yelp.com/biz/longhorn-steakhouse-orlando-8
*** (3 stars)
This is mainly a review of the Cheetos chicken sandwich.
I’ve always been a fan of KFC original recipe chicken; I find the crispy version flavorless. I usually don’t order sandwiches, because I associate them with the awful ones served at Chick-fil-A. But I do like to put potato chips into any sandwich, and I like Cheetos. So…
Of course I had to try this new item at KFC, and I really liked it. The chicken is moist and flavorful with a nice crunchy coating, and the Cheetos add even more crunch. Mayo gives it a creamy consistency, and there is an orange sauce that might be intended to be hot sauce, but I would have liked to be spicier.
Overall I enjoyed the sandwich and would have it again.
As for the location, it was difficult for the person taking orders from the drive-through to get the order correct, even after they repeated it correctly, and then I ended up with the wrong soda, so I would rate the service as below average.
KFC
5173 Kirkman Road
Orlando, FL
32819
(407) 351-8669
https://www.yelp.com/biz/kfc-orlando-10
**** (4 stars)
This cafe is operating far above the level of most airport restaurants. The menu is indeed a french bistro menu with a few American concessions.
Salmon tartine was en excellent appetizer, with a nice stack of smoked salmon, cucumber and pickled onions on cream cheese coated toast.
Croque Monsieur was the traditional grilled ham and cheese sandwich, and the ham itself had been nicely seared.
The Provence Salad was a nice combination of mixed greens, olives, feta, and onions. I had it topped with salmon, which was perfectly cooked and wonderfully flavorful.
There is an interesting selection of beers, and of course wines.
Service was friendly and attentive.
Pour La France!
8900 Peña BlvdDenver International Airport, Terminal B
Denver, CO
80249
(303) 317-9472
https://www.yelp.com/biz/pour-la-france-denver-4
**** (4 stars)
Only tried the breakfast burrito, which is all they serve until about 10:30. Chorizo or veggie options. Nicely stuffed, and nice crispy potatoes in it.
Centro Mexican Kitchen
950 Pearl St
Boulder, CO
80302
(303) 442-7771
https://www.yelp.com/biz/centro-mexican-kitchen-boulder
***** (5 stars)
This is a great local cafe on the main historic street of Leadville. The interior is very historic, with heavy beam lintels and a beautiful metal ceiling. There is also a side room and an outdoor patio.
The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, and a few entrees. Everything we had was excellent. I particularly liked by Colorado Western bison buffalo burger, which came with BBQ sauce, sauteed onions, raw onion, tomato, lettuce, and pepper jack cheese. Home Run!
My companion’s smoked trout salad was also delicious.
Even though they were very busy, service was friendly and the kitchen did a great job of keeping up with the rush.
Tennessee Pass Cafe
222 Harrison Ave
Leadville, CO
80461
(719) 486-8101
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tennessee-pass-cafe-leadville