Citrus: Eat, Drink and Be Local

Years ago when I was a hipster in my twenties, I lived in an apartment building on Orange Ave, just north of Colonial. The Uptown area was not much to look at then, except for the large bank building that my windows overlooked. It's nice to see the area getting a bit of attention...and I have to admit that I wish Citrus had been open when I lived across the street.

I may have been lying when I told you that I was a hipster, but I'm straight up telling you with truth when I say that I really liked this restaurant.

Citrus, along with HUE and Cityfish, is owned by Urban Life Management Restaurant Group. The Citrus website describes their concept as being "our interpretation of Florida flavors and ideas like fresh, clean, local and independent". Hence the tagline, "Eat, Drink and Be Local". I like their thinking, and even though I don't see too much evidence of local fare on their menu, I guess it's good that they are supporting the cause. The space was really magnificent. Muted tones and eye popping art work adorned the walls. The open space lent that urban downtowny feel. And I'll probably visit again just to sit in the cool bar area and have a drink.

I started off the meal with the Skirt Steak and Cheese Flatbread. The thin and crunchy crust was covered with caramelized onions, Vermont Cheddar, Manchego and a Roquefort cream. Yikes, Urban Flats has a run for it's money with the appetizer. Decadently rich with the cheese and sweet with the onions, this flatbread really worked for me. I also tried a companion's Shrimp and Lobster Fritters. I found the fritters to be average, but they were served with a refreshing mint and pineapple chutney. And, truthfully, I have always enjoyed the odd juxtaposition of a fried item served with a light and fruity item. It really tends to lighten up the heavy fried feel of the other portion of the dish.

Then I did something wild and crazy that I hadn't done in awhile: I ordered pasta. And to tell you the truth, after being pasta free for quite some time, I almost fell out of my chair when I took my first bit of this homemade Chicken Ravioli. The pasta was perfectly cooked and practically melted in my mouth. The menu had described the chicken stuffing as being smoked, but I found it rather bland. Which was really no big deal because the Black Truffle Sauce and hunks of Wild Mushrooms brought the flavor to the table. One warning: this was a huge portion. Be prepared to take some home for lunch the next day!

I finished up my meal with the appropriate Orange Avenue Cake. The not too sweet orange cake was layered and topped with silky smooth cream cheese icing and some mini white chocolate chips. The promised Grand Marnier whipped cream was the big disappointment of the night-I don't think anyone would have served that if they had tasted it in the kitchen. But otherwise I'd highly recommend this dessert....especially to those of us who still have appreciation of the good-ole-fashioned creamsicle. You know, us hipsters.

La Nuova Cucina

The written word almost cannot express how much I enjoyed my meal at La Nuova Cucina. But I'll give it a try anyway.

The Checklist: Not even open for a full year yet, this restaurant really has their act together and meets all of my requirements when looking at restaurants I'd recommend to others. Cool space? Check. Clean? Check. Good service? Check. Decent wine list? Check. Outstanding food? Double Check.

The Space: La Nuova Cucina is located on Sand Lake Road and is pretty much an independently owned and shining gem stuck between a swarm of heavy hitting chain restaurants. My first feeling when I entered the restaurant was that it reminded me of what I envision modern bistros in Italy to look like. The space is small, but it gives more of an intimate feeling rather than a claustrophobic one. Exposed brick and simple art work adorn the walls, and the floor is a rather nice dark wood. Seating is comfortable with detached pillows on each chair. I also caught a glance into the kitchen on my way to the restroom and was impressed by it's organization and what looked to be a clean environment. (And, for the record, I loved the wallpaper in the ladies room!)


The Food: But beyond the ambiance, I immediately felt comfortable and welcomed. Diners are served with complimentary Amuse Bouche between courses, that are described by servers as Gifts from the Chef. So we started our meal not only with the yummy herb biscuits, but also with their version of Caprese Salad: One bite of cherry tomato, goat cheese and a small dollop of pesto.


I enjoyed the Arancini for my appetizer-small fried rice balls that were filled with melted Mozzarella cheese. What really made the dish for me was the sweet yet tangy roasted red pepper sauce. It complimented the Arancini perfectly. After our appetizers we were treated to another Gift from the Chef-thinly sliced cold zucchini rolled around a ricotta, shrimp and dill salad. It was absolutely fantastic.


I went a bit over the top and ordered the Gnocchi al Emmenthal E Filet Mignon aka Filet with Gnocchi in an Emmental cheese sauce for my entree. A huge bowl of tender, melt in your mouth gnocchi with a subtle sauce, it was topped with a few slices of fork tender filet. This dish was amazing, and I loved the fun play on steak and mashed potatoes!

Just before our dessert we had our last Gift from the Chef: a small spoonful of berry sorbet with a spritz of a sweet red wine. And when I say spritz, I mean spritz. The server literally sprayed a bit of the wine onto the sorbet with a spritz bottle. I finished off my meal with Pera al Vino Rosso Gelato al Pistacchio-red wine poached pears with pistachio gelato. While not impressed with the pears, this gelato was delicious. Not too sweet with chunks of crunchy pistachios, this is on the list of my favorite ice cream flavors.

The wine list had a worlly variety and was not overly priced. We had a bottle of Vernaccia di San Gimigano-a well balanced and complex white wine hailing from Tuscany. I would like to see a few more white Italian options on the list as three out of the four offered were Pinot Grigio.

I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. Families, friends and couples all seemed to be having a great time. It's centrally located on Restaurant Row for the locals. And it you're visiting Orlando, it's close to many fine resorts including the gorgeous Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes.

So, I guess I was able to put my enjoyment of this restaurant into words after all!

Moon Fish

Umm. Seafood.

Headed out the other night to the area in Orlando with the most upscale restaurants per square foot: Sandlake Road. Aka Restaurant Row. Located just off Universal property, this strip of road is infamous for some good food. And Moon Fish is definitely included.

Owned by the conglomerate Talk of the Town, Moon Fish doesn't fail to, well, be the talk of the town. Swanky and hip without being snooty, this is exactly the atmosphere that works for a restaurant. The seating is comfortable, the music is trendy in that semi-trancy kinda way, and I literally felt like I was transported to a far away vacation spot while I was dining.

One highlight? The happy hour. Monday through Saturday 4:30pm to 6:30pm you can enjoy half price sushi and yummy drink specials. When a friend invited me out to partake in the jolly hour, I was a bit hesitant, because this deal is only good in the bar and lounge. And when we arrived, the bar was full. But the lounge? With the comfy booths? Near empty. Because the lounge area is Huge and located right by the front window. We enjoyed a half price Volcano Roll and a few glasses of $6 Conundrum. The sushi was fantastic; savory and rich and a great way to get our appetites going for a full meal. The wine is one of my favorites. Made from a five major grape varietals (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat, Viognier and Semillion) each produced with a different vinicultural (wine making) technique, this wine does live up to it's name. If you're looking to waste some time in front of the computer, check out their What's Your Conundrum website where you can look for some advice on major life decisions from some random strangers.

While the full menu included many local seafood options, I went with my favorite: the Chilean Sea bass. And this is where the fun begins. I love restaurants where you get to pick your protein...and then pick your cooking method. I went for the Citrus and Oak Grilled. And it was delicious with the buttery Sea bass. The dish came with Sesame Green Beans and fantastic Scallion Mashed Potatoes. We also got two optional side dishes: Creamed Spinach and Oak Grilled Asparagus. While the Asparagus was tasty and perfectly cooked, the Creamed Spinach really stole the side dish show. Not too creamy and full of mushrooms and Parmesan cheese, this is officially my favorite Creamed Spinach ever. And yes, it's better than mine.

I'd highly recommend Moon Fish for a nice leisurely meal. It's not too far from the downtown metro area, and if you're visiting Orlando, it's only a hop, skip and a jump from the International Drive area and hotels like the Rosen Plaza Hotel.

Orlando's going Big Time

Shipyard Brewing and Big Wheel Provisions to Open New Location in Winter Park, Florida
Get a Taste of What’s to Come on August 16 at the Audubon Park Community Market

WINTER PARK, FLORIDA (August 9, 2010) – Fred Forsley, president of Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland, Maine, and chef Tony Adams, owner of Big Wheel Provisions in Orlando, Florida, announce plans to open a Shipyard Brew Pub and Big Wheel Provisions marketplace this October.

Located at 200 West Fairbanks Avenue (the former site of Strollo’s Cucino Due), this joint venture will pair the award-winning craft beer of Shipyard Brewing Company with the locavore and artisan food created by Tony Adams of Big Wheel Provisions.

The Shipyard Brew Pub will feature a 28 gallon brewing system. Beer will be brewed on the premises under the direction of accomplished Orlando brewer Ron Raike. Raike will brew small batches of seasonal and unique beers based on his own creativity and ingredient availability. The pub, overseen by Adams, will feature a chef-driven menu created with local, seasonal ingredients.

The Big Wheel Provisions marketplace will feature a regularly revolving selection of deli items, local produce and eggs, artisanal cheeses, hard-to-find specialty food products, cookbooks, food-focused periodicals, and kitchen tools. Alfresco dining, cooking classes, catering, and local delivery service will also be offered.

On Monday, August 16, food lovers are invited to experience a taste of what’s to come at the Audubon Park Community Market, where Big Wheel Provisions first began. People will have the chance to meet Raike, sample award-winning Shipyard beer, check out foods from Big Wheel Provisions, and chat with Adams about this new venture. The Community Market is held in the Stardust Video and Coffee parking lot at 1842 E. Winter Park Road in Orlando from 6:00-10:00pm.

Facebook: Shipyard Brew Pub Winter Park
Twitter: @ShipyardWPark

More about Ron Raike: Raike is a native of Orlando, Florida. He has worked with Shipyard Brewing Company for over 13 years as a brewer and Florida brewery representative. He started brewing over 20 years ago while working on his Masters in Engineering at the University of Central Florida. He is a credentialed beer judge (through the Beer Judge Certification Program) and is a certified Cicerone. He is also a two time Southeast Homebrewer of the Year winner and has been awarded many National Homebrew Competition medals. He is an active member of the Central Florida Home Brewers and has served on the board of the Florida Brewers Guild.

More about Big Wheel Provisions: Big Wheel Provisions is a catering and charcuterie company located in Orlando, Florida and created by Chef Tony Adams. He is a native of Fairfield, Maine and has lived in Orlando for the past seven years. His passion for locally produced food is the driving force behind Big Wheel’s success. All of Big Wheel’s food is made in small amounts by hand. From custom event catering to handmade condiments, pickles, slow simmered stocks, and smoked foods, Big Wheel’s products are all created with fresh, local ingredients and backed by the integrity of Chef Adams. www.bigwheelprovisions.com

More about Shipyard Brewing Company: Shipyard Brewing Company was founded in 1994 by master brewer Alan Pugsley and entrepreneur Fred Forsley on the historic waterfront in Portland, Maine. Shipyard produces 16 varieties of award-winning English style and seasonal beers as well as a full line of hand-crafted Capt’n Eli’s Soda. Florida’s coastal heritage, ties to New England, and growing interest in craft beer makes it a strong market for the Shipyard family of products. www.shipyard.com

CONTACTS:

Tony Adams, Big Wheel Provisions
Orlando, Florida
tony@bigwheelprovisions.com
Tami Kennedy, Shipyard Brewing Company
Portland, Maine
207-838-0816 -- tami@maine.rr.com

Brio Tuscan Grille

Trivia Question:

Where can you get a good Italian meal, a nice glass of wine, partake in some good people watching and do a little window shopping at some of the swankiest stores in Orlando?

I've been to two different Brio locations in the Orlando area-one at the Village in Winter Park and one in the Mall at Millenia. I think I've officially decided on the Millenia location as being my favorite. Pretty much because the ambiance is, well, perfect in many different aspects. The dining room is large and open but segmented into different dining areas with half walls and a variety of seating options. (My preferred seating is the straight-backed chairs with very comfortable back covers on them.) No matter where you're sitting, you pretty much have the ability to see the entire dining room-there are two extremely large mirrors located on the side wall that not only open up the space, but allow you to see what the diners sitting behind you are eating. The colors are bold yet muted at the same time, and the overall feel reminded me of the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun", which I guess is pretty appropriate. The kitchen is also open and takes up one side of the dining room. And we all know this makes for a fun show.

Probably the highlight of this restaurant is their version of al fresco dining. Don't freak, you're not going to be sitting in the sun when it's 95 degrees and 100 percent humidity. Rather, the restaurant features seating just outside the dining room, in the Mall of Millenia itself. Located just by one of the main entrances of the mall, this is a pretty high foot traffic area. Which makes it perfect for people watching. The small patio area is blocked off with a little half fence, and the large fountain in the mall provides some nice background noise.

We were at Brio for a Sunday brunch treat, and were one of the first tables seated. (And, for the record, the place was hopping when we left about an hour later.) We opted to start with the Roasted Garlic, Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Because apparently I'm in denial about being on a diet. But, maybe the Diets Gods were looking over me-after we placed our order the manager came over and informed us that they were still prepping the dip. And it would be at least 20 minutes before it was ready. So we skipped it. Good for my waistline and wallet. Bad for their profit. All in all, no biggie. Because my entree turned out to be more than I bargained for.

I've been to brunch before at this location and had the Crab and Shrimp Crepes. I knew they were fantastic, yet super rich. So I decided to go for a lighter Crepe option (because crepes are sooo Italian) and ordered the Fruit and Ricotta Crepes. I love Ricotta. And I love Crepes. And I'm trying to be all healthy so I figured the fruit was a good option. And while I loved this entree, it was a bit too sweet. Even for me. The Crepes were filled with a rich Ricotta and topped with not just fruit, but also chunks of buttery Granola and a rich Vanilla Cream Cheese. The overall consistency of this dish was a bit gooey, but the Granola did provide some crunch. So if you need a little bit of sweetness in your brunch, I'd highly recommend this option.

The wine list also provides a nice variety of options. Years ago, this was actually the first restaurant where I saw a Gavi offered, and they have some other obscure Italian options as well. They even have a few Italian Chardonnays-which are relatively new to the market and are the result of serious varietal experimentation. I know, I know, it was brunch. So we didn't have wine. But we did have fresh Bellinis with Prosecco (Italian Bubbles) and peach nectar. Refreshing and absolutely delicious.

In my view, Brio can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Located just down the road from Universal Studios property, this restaurant is only a 7 minute drive from the resorts such as Universal's Royal Pacific. So, whether you're a local fighting the crowds over at Ikea on a Saturday, or vacationing and doing some shopping at the Millenia, stop by Brio for a bite. Or maybe just a drink and some people watching.

Cantina Laredo

Cliff Notes version of this review: Average.

Located just off the infamous Restaurant Row, Cantina Laredo is actually an international chain with locations in the US, UAE and UK. And with this most recent opening, we can add ORL to that list. The space itself is actually quite nice-spacious, calming and clean. (Plus the ladies room has a super cool sink.)

But pretty much everything else was...just kinda average.

Our server? Well, he was very nice and timely but didn't wow me. As we were seated in our booth, I noticed a bowl containing a lime and avocado. I had read that this restaurant offered tableside guac and was looking forward to it. So I was psyched when I saw the avocado decor on the table. But the server didn't mention it or explain why the bowl was there. And then he took the bowl away. At that point, quite frankly, I just kinda forgot about it. Also he did not offer a second round of drinks (for the record, the Mojitos are yummy) or dessert. I know this isn't really something for ME to gripe about. Because the server was actually saving me money. But from a business stand point, this behavior does not make for a successful business.

My food? Again, average. I ordered what I thought was the most interesting item on the menu: the Enchiladas de Avocado. (Heyyyy, maybe I ordered this subconsciously because I never got the guac! That's right! Who used to be a therapist??) My biggest problem with this dish? The lack of avocados. Seriously. The enchiladas were basically stuffed with artichokes. From a can. You know exactly what I'm talking about-that tinny flavor of canned artichokes. The tomatillo sauce on topped was quite nice, but the side of Mango Jicama salad was seriously lacking in the mango department. I think not following through on what they advertised for this dish plus the tinniness of the canned artichokes really ruined it for me.

Here's where it gets sticky. Will I ever return to Cantino Laredo? Probably. Because the cuisine that we lack the most in Orlando is (unfortunately) Mexican. I'm telling you investors: go to Houston, grab a chef from one of the two hundred high quality Mexican restaurants in the area and bring her or him to Orlando. So hopefully one day I'll find a Mexican restaurant in Orlando that is....above average.

Magical Dining Month

Ladies and Gents, don't panic (like I am).
We'll get through this together.
We have a month to plan the restaurants we want to dine at during September.
The Magical Dining Month is almost upon us.

Here's the list. Prepare yourself.

Orlando Magical Dining Month

Luma, revisted (again).

Hi. My name is Kate and I ate at Luma twice last weekend. Yep. Saturday night and Sunday night. I think I may have a problem.

To keep it short and to the point, Luma rocks. I've officially claimed it to be my favorite restaurant in Orlando, and this third blog entry makes it the most reviewed restaurant on this site. Yes, the atmosphere is hip in a non-pretentious South Beach kinda way. Yes, the service is always outstanding. Yes, the menu is creative and innovative. And yes, they have what I consider to be the most fun wine list in Orlando.

Here's what I had:
Saturday night:

• Short Ribs with a Pickled Rhubarb Barbeque Sauce. This was an appetizer special not listed on the menu. The sauce was a perfect balance of tangy sweetness and the meat literally fell off the bone.
• 1 glass Pieropan Soave. Light and crisp, a perfect glass of white wine to start the meal. Soave hails from the Veneto region in Italy and is a nice alternative for those of us tired of Pinot Grigio. Confused on the pronunciation? Think Rico....Suave.
  
  
• Ashley Farms Chicken Breast with Sweet Corn Risotto, Onion Confit and a Sherry Jus. I'll be honest and admit I primarily ordered this to try their Corn Risotto and see if it compared to mine that I've listed on this site. Both are fantastic, but theirs is quite sweeter than mine. The entree was superb; the chicken was cooked perfectly and well seasoned.
• 1 glass Paso a Paso Verdejo. One of my favorite Verdejos, this wine is perfect for summer. From the Spanish region of Rueda, the wine is a great example of the sweet and acidic balance in a white wine.
  
  
  
• Chocolate Cremosa with housemade Peanut Butter and a Crostini. Also a drizzle of Olive Oil and topped with Sea Salt. Holy crap this is a good dessert. "Cremosa" being a custard like dessert, I loved the flavor combinations, especially the touch of salt.
• 1 glass Rare Wine Co. Bual Madeira. I read an article a few months ago proclaiming that 2010 is supposedly the "Year of Madeira". I don't think we've gotten to that point yet, but I almost cannot put into words how much I enjoy this fortified wine. This particular product was great with dessert: rich, nutty, and smokey. I enjoyed this wine so much with the Cremosa that I actually proclaimed it to be my BEST BITE EVER. Check out this awesome review of the Madiera for more info.

Sunday night:

• Rabbit Run Farms Beet Salad. Picture this (because I forgot my camera and hell if I've bought an iphone yet): Butter Lettuce, Goat Feta, Pistachios, Cucumber and a Creamy Avocado dressing. Oh, and Beets. Seriously the most flavorful salad I've ever had. Between the slight tang of the dressing, sweetness of the Beets and saltiness of the Pistachios, this wins my award for Top Salad.
• Filet with Buttermilk Grits, Roasted Rapini and Mustard Jus. Perfectly cooked steak and a-mazing Grits. I'm sure they were low fat. I did leave the Rapini (aka Broccoli Rabe) on the plate-they were a bit too bitter for me.
• Dessert? You guessed it. The Cremosa from the night before (I know, I have issues) and the Hazelnut Panna Cotta. With Nutella and Salty roasted Hazelnuts. Both desserts similar with chocolate and saltiness, I reckon the Panna Cotta even surpassed the Cremosa.
• 2 bottles Marcassin Pinot Noir. Fanastic wine from Sonoma. Hints of fruits with a bit of peppery spiciness.

So, there you go. My version of eating in the same place two nights in a row. The only other time I've done this was in Belfast....mostly because we were too nervous to stray away from our B&B at night. Next time I go to Luma....I'm having dessert first!

PS Head over to the Luma website and join their mailing list. They'll email you a $25 coupon that you can use in July AND August!

Sweet Potato Pie

I'm not the biggest fan of pie.

As far as desserts go, I could probably list an array of others I'd choose before pie, with ice cream definitely taking the lead.

I don't really like Sweet Potatoes either.

But I've always wanted to try Sweet Potato Pie since it opened near my house. I just needed an excuse, a reason to buy a pie. So when I was nominated (at the last minute) to bring a dessert to a pool party over the weekend, I figured the time had come. To buy pie.

And now I can't stop thinking about it. Located on Michigan near Orange, Sweet Potato Pie is crammed in an old school shopping center and if you blink while driving by, you'll probably miss it. The shop itself is small, clean and inviting.

The pie itself is a show stopper. Flaky crust? Check. Creamy Sweet Potato filling? Check. Hints of Orange and Nutmeg? Um, Check.

Yep, what really stood out for me was the unusual citrus flavorings that melded perfectly with the Sweet Potato. It made the pie unique and exotic in a Southern way all at the same time. I should probably add that there were a few Pastry Chefs at the party....and all agreed with me that this is the Best Sweet Potato Pie in Orlando.

Great. Now I can't wait for the holidays. Just another excuse to eat pie...from Sweet Potato Pie, of course.

PS Don't forget to use your Buy Local Orlando card and get 10% off your purchase.

The Social Chameleon and Milk Bar

Yikes. I had wayyy too much fun last night. Seriously.

We ended up heading over to Lake Eola for the Wine Barn event. And I can fully admit this was one of the most fun vino events I've attended. There wasn't too much of a crowd, and while it was crazy hot, some of the tents did have misters. I was a good girl, picked one color and stuck with it. (For the record, it was white. Like I said, it was crazy hot, so cold white wine seemed like the logical choice.) Anyhoo, it turned out to be the Day of Viognier (Ha! Get it? It rhymes...) with selections from all over the globe. My favorite was the Curtis from the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara. The vineyard specializes in and only grows Rhone grapes, so it's no surprise that this Viognier rocked.

Also ran into some friends who scored us some extra VIP passes to get into the exclusive tent with it's couches and multiple misters. The tent also had the Fermin Jamon Serrano (translation: Spanish ham) that was a-mazing. Not quite sure how much wine I had, but straight up I wasn't even counting. I also ran into more old friends, old students, and even a Master Sommelier who I (gulp) even had the courage to go up and talk to. Or stammer to. Put me in front of 50 people and I have no problem lecturing. But one on one with a Master? Yikes.

After the event we headed over to The Social Chameleon for a bite to eat and to switch over to beer.

That's right. Honey Basil Ale from Bison Brewing outta Berkley, CA. It was quite tasty, rich and well spiced.

If you've never been to The Social Chameleon before, get off your you-know-what and head over. The food is excellent and not overly priced. They actually focus on Flavors and not mass produced food. (Interesting concept, huh?) I've always loved the restaurant itself-cozy, comfortable and hip. (And now very cool! Hooray for additional a/c units!) They also have a super cool outdoor seating area with a funky garden.

Here's what we ate:

Stuffed Grape Leaves. Don't be turned off by this picture, the leaves (and I, for the record) were not having a good photogenic day. The Curry Cucumber Yogurt dipping sauce is perfectly flavored, delicious and goes well with the minty rice stuffing.

The Four Play for Some. My favorite was the Black Bean Salsa with hints of Cilantro. (Yep, you should be proud. I'm slowly but surely starting to appreciate cilantro.) It rocked. The Black Bean Hummus was also quite tasty with the perfect hints of Garlic. The Baba Ghanouj was overly acidic, and the traditional Hummus was on the dry side.

We also split the Crab Flatbread and a small Athenian pizza. All I have to say is: Holy Crab that Flatbread is fantastic. Crab, Goat Cheese, Shitake Mushrooms and Red Onions topped with Sesame Ginger Sauce and a side of a sweet Chili Sauce. Perfectly seasoned with great flavor profiles of all the ingredients, this is one delicious flatbread. I LOVE the combo of the Crab and Goat Cheese. If I gave out stars or forks or whatever, this would be five out of five. Or two thumbs up. Your choice. The Athenian was also nice with Roasted Chicken, Spinach, Feta, Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts. But it didn't have the bold flavors of the Flatbread.


Here's Captain America himself, Chef Bret. Kudos, yo. Your food is creative and tasty.

After dinner we headed 67 steps to the east and hit up The Milk Bar for more beer. In case you've been living under a rock, The Milk Bar is essentially solidifying this area as being The Milk District. It's located just across the street from the TG Lee milk plant or processing center or whatever you call it.

This bar is super cool, not too large and has a great selection of craft beers and microw brews. And, in contrast to the other craft beer bar located near by, the people here are NICE and interested in discussing beers with their customers. So I think I have the 'green light' to go ahead and name this one of my favorite bars in Orlando. The have cool music, games and a great beer selection.


Here's a picture of Brian, the cool bartender. He sucks at Scrabble.

Just kidding. He kicked my Scrabble ass.

And just in case you were wondering, I roasted a gigantic chicken while I was writing this.

Brunch at HUE

Bloody Marys and Tater Tots. With a side of Whoopie Pie Cake.

I celebrated my actual birthday this year with the fam at HUE for brunch. I'd had a party the night before at my house, and even contemplated being an ass and reviewing my own party. But I realized that in doing so I would quickly start writing about decor and paint colors, and who really wants to read that anyway.

When it comes to HUE, I rarely have any complaints. For all of my experiences at this restaurant, I've always had consistently good food and service. While having that "Urban" environment feel, I've never felt uncomfortable at all while dining there.

And then there's the infamous Bloody Mary bar. I'm not gonna lie. I had two of the make your own cocktails before 12:30pm on my 34th birthday. That's right. Two. Each with Horseradish, Olives and extra Lime Juice.

I also seriously enjoyed the Steak and Eggs. Two perfectly cooked Filet Medallions, Scrambled Eggs and Tater Tots. (Urgh. After typing that sentence I just realized I've had red meat THREE times in the past week. Filet Sunday, Flank last night and Filet again today for lunch at work. Guess next week is going to be Seafood Week.)

After brunch we headed over to my place after for some left over Whoopie Pie Cake and to discuss my new paint colors.

And thus ends the birthday celebration of 2010. And the illustrious Whoopie Pie Cake.

Ceviche and The Dessert Lady Revisted.

I'm still detoxing from my birthday-party-weekend.

Friday night was an old school tribute in many ways. We started off the night at Ceviche. Because I wanted to. (And yes, it feels good to say that.) I've been a happy camper with Ceviche. The restaurant is super cool, and although I've never been to Spain, this is pretty much how I imagine it to be. Here's my big issue. I had a realization that I could probably go for dinner, order only the Patatas Bravas and be good. I love this side dish way too much. I'm not the biggest potato lover, but these little potato wedges coated in a spicy Aioli make me go all gooey inside.

We also shared a variety of other tapas: The Filetito (Tenderloin with Onions and Peppers), Tabla de Quesos (Cheese Plate that included an amazing Blue Cheese and Quince paste), Gambas Romesco (large Shrimp in a spicy Romesco Sauce which, for the record, is not nearly as good as mine), and the Fritura de Mariscos (basically a giant plate of fried Fish, Shrimp and Calamari. The only let down of the evening.). This sounds like a crazy amount of food, but remember-this is a Tapas restaurant! Small plates galore!

We also enjoyed a bottle of 2008 Muga Rosado-a fantastic dry Rose blend of Garnacha, Viura and Tempranillo. If you are a fan of Roses, I have good news. I think we're really on the cusp of a huge influx of Roses from Spain and even Southern France. I encourage you to explore-my personal favorite is the Garnacha grape, otherwise known as the Grenache in France. Dry and fruity, these are always a hit during our freaklishly hot Florida summers.

Skipping out on the Spanish dessert options, we headed across the street to the indulgent Dessert Lady. Again, because I wanted to. We split a bottle of Prosecco (which, for the life of me I cannot remember the producer. I'm lame. But this kinda stuff happens when I drink Sparkling Wine.) and a slice of my favorite Peanut Butter Pie. Seriously, the ultimate, over the top indulgence. But whatever, you only turn 34 once.

The evening was capped off with a few games at the History Museum and their quarterly Retro Game Night. I won our single game of Clue during my third turn. But I seriously lost at Operation. Again, I'll blame the Prosecco.

Johnny's Fillin' Station

When I moved into my new place last year, (actually, a year ago this weekend!) I moved to a whole new side of town. I've lived in many hoods in Orlando: Winter Park, College Park, MetroWest, Downtown, Colonial Town, and now SODO. Each location has their benefits (well, maybe except MetroWest), but by far I LOVE living in SODO. The neighborhood is quaint and there are some great restaurants in the area.

Such as Johnny's Fillin' Station. Holy Hamburgers, Batman.

Known for their burgers, Johnny's is a true Orlando favorite. These are colossal burgers made with 1/2 pound of beef. My usual is The Mini...a 1/4 pound burger. Because, really, I don't need to eat a 1/2 pound of beef. But, because I knew that this entry was long overdue, I strayed from the norm and got the Texas Toast Melt. (The things I do for this blog.) I literally forgot to take a picture because I couldn't wait to eat. So picture this: Texas Toast, a 1/2 pound of beef and Thousand Island Dressing. Yum. I even had to eat it with a knife and fork. And I ate the WHOLE thing. Which is why I usually order the Mini.

We also split a side of the freaky huge Onions Rings. One other suggestion: if you're a fan of corn, get the Corn Nuggets appetizer. Basically fried Creamed Corn dusted with powdered sugar. I've only let myself have these little nuggets once. Because they are soooo bad, yet soooo good.

Johnny's also has a fun rockin biker bar atmosphere going for it. If you're into that kinda thing. It can be on the loud side, and if you're a sports fan, there are TVs everywhere. Whatever. It's a great neighborhood joint that will certainly fill your burger quota.

Mucho Tequila and Tacos

Before you read on, I have to admit something. I do not drink Tequila. Tequila makes me crazy. And not in a "Woo Hoo! Kate is sooo wild and crazy!!!" kinda way.

That being said, I recently met up with some friends for a pre-birthday celebration at Mucho Tequila and Tacos. I had a blast (even without partaking in the aforementioned spirit). This place is really just about the ambiance and atmosphere. Located downtown, Mucho must've put down some serious money for decor. It was hip, rough and urban all at the same time.

I wish I could be just as positive about the food. It was.....average. If even. I tried two tacos: the Mexican (queso fresco, onion and salsa verde with chicken) and the Drunken Shrimp (tequila and chile glazed shrimp, serrano pico de gallo, onion and lime sour cream). Both sound fantastic in theory but were rather bland and boring. And considering that clothing/apparel are listed before their menu on their website, I have a feeling that they might not put all their effort into the cuisine.

I'm sure I'll be back, really just to have a couple of drinks and hang with some friends. I should probably mention at this point that the restaurant was very loud. As in "What did you say?!?" loud. So don't head over if you are looking for a quiet dinner. Or if you're the designated driver for the evening.

PS They also have a food challenge on their menu. Eat all of the Mucho Caliente appetizer (three deep fried haberno peppers) by yourself and you get a free t-shirt. One warning: even though it's not listed on the menu, the peppers have hot sauce in the middle (!!). And NO I did not try this challenge! I think eating three habernos would possibly make me more crazy than tequila does.

Here's a picture of AG's Mr. Woolheater just before he took the challenge. He won. But he didn't talk for about ten minutes after:

Habana Grill

"Don't judge me."

That's what I said to my brother Saturday during lunch at Habana Grill. After my second Mojito and just before I ordered the third.

Hands down, the best Mojito in town. (I've been told by one of the bartenders that their secret is Bacardi Limon.)

And, in huge news, I've also decided that Habana Grill is also home to my favorite sandwich: the Media Noche. It's your typical Cuban sandwich....but served on Media Noche (sweet Cuban) bread. Pressed and served with plantain chips, you really cannot go wrong. We also ordered a side of the fantastic Garlic Yucca Mash with lunch-mainly as a dip for the plantains (yep, I dip my starch in starch).

Great food + Great service + Great Mojitos = Great Restaurant

White Wolf Cafe

Stopped by White Wolf the other night for a quick mid-week bite before heading over to OMA for First Thursdays. I hadn't been in quite some time-I think I got a bit White Wolfed-out.

If you've never been, WW is one of my favorite spots for outdoor dining, but they also have a cool interior atmosphere as well. We sat inside because the freaky hot afternoon soon was beating down on the patio, but it turns out it was just as bright inside. A few minutes after sitting at our table I was literally blinded by the light that was pouring in the windows. No biggie. Our server was super nice and moved us to a new table quickly.

My dinner buddy and myself decided to be wild and crazy and split two chicken sandwiches for dinner. The Grilled Double Breasted Chicken Sandwich was ok....but not great. Served with avocado, lettuce, bacon, tomato and your choice of swiss of bleu, it was a bit dry with not enough of our chosen swiss.

The better sammy was the Our New Riviera Grilled Sandwich. Even though the name is ridiculous, the sandwich is not. Chicken, goat cheese, tomato and pesto served on rye bread. This one was tasty sandwich.

We also split a nice bottle of Verdelho. The wine list is kinda odd, but I was pleased to see this option. They also have a great happy hour...but keep in mind you have to sit at the bar to partake in the savings.

Frozen Gold

Sometimes I get some freaky primal urge for sand and salt water. And with the recent turn of the weather last weekend, I just HAD to go to the beach. Which means I just HAD to stop at Frozen Gold on my way home.

Straight up, their homemade Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt is freaky delicious. Peanut Buttery and creamy goodness. The only problem I've ever had at Frozen Gold is having to wait in line. But considering I got a big bowl frozen yumminess (plus my preferred topping: M&Ms) for under $3, it's the perfect treat after a perfect morning at the beach.

Uptown Park Wine Bar

So here's the thing about being a Certified Sommelier.

Sometimes I get tired of the pretentiousness that surrounds wine and beverages. But I REALLY get tired of the pretentiousness that surrounds a person when they talk about wine and beverages. Especially if they don't know what they're talking about.

So it's nice to find a bar where you can actually relax, enjoy a drink, and not feel intimidated or annoyed.

This pretty much sums how I feel about the Uptown Wine Bar. Well, besides the great selection of beer and the comfortable but not too hip atmosphere. And the good music. And the fact that it's smoke free. And that it's close to my house. And that the bartenders are SUPER nice and would not sell you an inferior product.

I guess that really all I have to say! I like this place, and I hope to return again soon. Like maybe this weekend. Anyone interested?

Green Lemon Cafe

Stopped by Green Lemon Cafe last night for a quick bite.....and I have to admit that I'm already thinking about my next trip!

My family has a long history of being in love with crepes. (Although we think of them as Sweedish Pancakes. My grandmother reports that her recipe came over with her mother on the boat from Sweeden. By the way, my great great aunt was on a ship that hit an iceberg during one of these trips from Sweeden. But that's a story for another time!) Because of this I've always had a special place in my heart for these thin pancakes.

So I was thrilled to (finally) hear about the Green Lemon Cafe. I had the Prosciutto and Fig. Delicious but quite rich! I was pleasantly surprised by the large amount of Prosciutto (Boar's Head at that!) and found the Fig preserves to be not overly sweet. Add in a filling of Blue Cheese and I was a happy camper.

We split a Smores Crepe for dessert. It contained the usual suspects: Chocolate, Marshmellow and Graham Crackers crumbles. This crepe was VERY sweet so do not attempt it alone! Also, ask them to skip the powered sugar on top....I think it added too much sweetness plus I inhaled some on accident and started choking.

Make sure to check out the massive crepe griddles they have for production. They dwarf my William Sonoma crepe pan and I'm seriously jealous.

Restaurant August

Oh, how I really wanted to like Restaurant August. Really, who doesn't like Chef John Besh? Handsome and a native to Louisiana, I was looking forward to visiting one of his restaurants ever since we made ressies months ago. But....I realized that Restaurant August is kinda like a fancy Disney of the NOLA restaurant scene.

We started with a complimentary Amuse Bouche of a Truffle Sabayon. It was quite tasty with a rich creaminess and a subtle truffle flavor.


I ordered the Organic Green Salad with Pumpkin Brittle, Bleu Cheese and Pumpkin Seed Oil Vinaigrette for my starter. And it was the best part of the meal. A bit over-dressed, it was a great combination of sweetness in the Vin and savory in the Greens. The Pumpkin Brittle itself was amazing, but it was quite a large hunk to start off the meal.


I ordered off one of the tasting menus for my entree and had the Sablefish in Puff Pastry. It was average. The fish was unusually, well, fishy, and the Puff Pastry really added nothing to the dish. I was disappointed and did not finish my meal.


So here's the thing. This place was ultra fancy. But a few things were just....off. We were seated around the corner from the kitchen, which was not a bad thing. Until we kept hearing cheering and clapping every few minutes. We discussed it at the table and figured maybe they were watching a basketball game in the kitchen. No biggie. And we were excited when one of our servers offered us a tour of the kitchen after dinner....we kinda felt like rock stars! Until we realized that all the cheering and clapping coming from the kitchen was all of the other tables getting a tour of the kitchen before us. Great in concept, but it really took the special-ness out of the evening. Also, our front server pretty much disappeared....after I ordered one of the lesser expensive wines. I would say that the service was ruined except for the back server who was personable and really took time with our table.

I'm glad I tried Restaurant August, but I'll never go back. There's way too much great food in NOLA to waste a night at this overly priced restaurant.