Large menu and large portions. I particularly enjoyed the pastor. Lovely setting on the driving range.
El Puerto De Jalisco
Hokkaido Ramen & Sushi
Quite good sushi and sashimi and Ramen and cooked dishes, in a pleasantly decorated setting. Tables are nicely spaced, and the environment is good.
Fish quality was good. Service was lacking.
Roaring Fork
A bustling space with good food and service, excellent cocktails, a a nice selection of wines by the glass or bottle. Interestingly, the tables tucked behind the bar are among the quietest in the restaurant!
La Piccolina
Although the name sounds very Italian, the menu (which is extensive) is divided evenly between Italian and Peruvian foods. (They also serve American breakfast.)
I wasn’t sure the Peruvian food would measure up to other places in town, with all that Italian food competing for attention, but it was top-notch. We started with the fish ceviche, a generous portion of fresh fish with all the classical accompaniments. Next was a terrific shrimp causa, obviously assembled fresh to order. And we finished with the chicken chaufa. I suppose you could count this as a fourth cuisine, since it’s essentially Chinese fried rice!
Special shout-out to the house-made herbal crisps served with oil and balsamic at the start of the meal. They were great.
The food and service were both great, and the space is quite pleasant. Maybe we’ll go back tomorrow for Italian!
Sorekara
Orlando has recently been blessed with many great omakase restaurants, but none of them are like Sorekara. It is unlike any restaurant I’ve been to around the world. It’s much more than simply a meal, it is a true experience.
With only ten guests per night (perhaps eventually 12) it is a highly personal experience where each party is handled separately. Your journey begins in a room that is literally a zen garden. Introductory remarks introduce the concept of “Sorekara” or “And then…” The goal is to create a peaceful, all-encompassing experience where you are fully in the moment. You are encouraged to put away your phone or camera, and just enjoy.
You will travel through four spaces, spending most of your time at a spacious natural wood bar as you enjoy 25 or so courses ranging from a single bite to more substantial bowls and plates. The focus is on Japanese-sourced seafood, but it is nothing like sushi. Ten accompanying wine pairings accentuate an amazing array of flavors. Final dessert courses are served in the most serene dining room I’ve ever encountered.
Through every step, each server made it clear that this restaurant is their passion, and it’s easy to see why.
Sorekara is destined to become a destination restaurant, one that foodies from all around the world will come to Orlando to experience.
Reel Bowls
This poke bowl assemblage concept offers an array of bases, fish, and toppings in a bright, spacious setting. You can choose between two types of rice or mixed greens as your base. Then pick a protein and up to four toppings.
My companion and I both went with greens and tuna and wasabi dressing. My favorite toppings were the edamame, cucumber, and seaweed salad. I highly recommend the fried onion bits as a garnish.
Service was fast and friendly.
Fresh Kitchen
This is a bowl assembly concept similar to Chipotle, but focused on healthy selections.
My choice was coconut rice and kale slaw topped with chickpeas and salmon. The ingredients worked well together. The sriracha-based sauce I selected was fairly bland, but my wife’s ginger sauce was excellent.
The counter setup at lunchtime is extremely efficient, so it took no time at all to order and pay.
There’s a nice outside seating area in addition to the indoor space.
X Sushi
High end sushi dining in Ocoee! Who would have thought?
The first thing you notice walking into X is the stunning decor, including a custom build-out, fanciful hanging lights, and bold artwork covering most of one wall.
There are an assortment of tables sizes, all elegantly set. Surprisingly, although sushi is prepared at an open counter, there is no sushi bar seating.
The quality of the fish here is what it’s all about. The menu claims it is all from the Tokyo Seafood Market, and that’s easy to believe. The Sashimi Moriawase selections were as good as any I’ve had in Orlando’s high-end expensive sushi restaurants.
Speaking of expensive, that fish comes at a cost, of course. Whether there is a market for food at this level in Ocoee is a question, but I hope so. You won’t find better.
Victoria & Albert’s
Victoria & Alberts continues to be one of the best restaurants in Central Florida, despite all of the new competition we have been blessed with. Part of the reason is that new chefs have brought new ideas from all over the world, including Copenhagen and South America.
The chef’s table continues to be the most exclusive experience in Florida fine dining, with great views of the kitchen, and personal interaction with the chefs and servers.
So why doesn’t Victoria and Alberts have Michelin stars? Orlando paid for Michelin to rate its restaurants, and Walt Disney World is not in the city of Orlando.
Corfu Greek Restaurant
This family-run restaurant offers a full range of Greek foods along with some Italian options. I love the interior, which has really cool booths that look like they are from a classic diner.
Both the Gyro Platter and Chicken Kabobs were generous servings and delicious.
Friendly service.