Raga Restaurant

***** (5 stars)

After a good, but not inspired lunch, I returned for dinner and was quite impressed. The lemon grass chicken appetizer had a delightful sear to the outside, but was extremely moist and tender. Probably the best chicken tikka-like dish I’ve had, and the price was very reasonable. The Kachumber salad was also great if you like lime, as I do. Mushroom Jalfreezi were fabulous: many layers of flavor, succulent and piquant. Vegetable korma was also good. The bread sampler was fun, but I think garlic naan is the way to go in the future. The restaurant was very busy on a Saturday night, but service was still very attentive. The long narrow room across the front is my favorite spot, because it’s quite, and you can watch the tourists down on Sand Lake Road. I’d have to say this place has edged out Kohinoor and Memories of India as best Indian food in Orlando, because it has more complexity, and more of that London-ish international flair. However I still think Memories of India is probably a better lunch choice because of the assortment that comes with the thalis.

Raga Restaurant
7559 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 985-2900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/raga-restaurant-orlando

Bar Louie

barlouie**** (4 stars)

I’ve long regarded Bar Louie’s Chop Chop salad as the best salad in Evanston, IL, but it had never occurred to me to try the Bar Louie here in Orlando. Well, it’s a pretty darn good salad here, too. Since I think of the place as a sports/live music bar, this is somehow surprising. Took the crew from work here, and everyone loved it, especially the pretzel appetizer (which is more like pretzel bread than sticks) with three delicious dips. The place is pretty empty at lunch time, so a far different ambiance than when the band comes on at 9:30, I’m sure.

Bar Louie
7335 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 608-5190
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-louie-orlando-3

Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club

**** (4 stars)

This is really a fun place. If you make your reservation by phone they give you a password. I haven’t had any luck getting a password when doing it through opentable, so I guess you have to call.  there is no sign unless the valet is out, in which case there a little one on his stand. Go halfway past the pool, turn left and knock on the wooden door. Give them the password and you’re in. Most of the table are in private little alcoves, and the place is really dark. The food is an eclectic collection of high end bar food. Favorites are the gourmet sliders and crostini, the lobster deviled eggs, and the waffle/maple/bacon sundae. The mixed drinks are all wonderful, and a real step back in time. 4 stars for food, 5 stars for ambience and uniqueness.

Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club
2109 Bayshore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-0022
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ciros-speakeasy-and-supper-club-tampa

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

**** (4 stars)

Being from the West originally, I’d never heard of Red Robin, but there was much excitement at the office when this place opened. Instant success, very crowded. I was impressed by the professionalism of the staff, even shortly after opening day. The bacon cheeseburger is exactly the recipe I like: lettuce, tomato, mayo, so I’m happy. On a second visit I tried the onion rings, which are excellent and incredibly bad for you. Substitue the salad for the fries that come with the burgers and pretend it’s health food.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
3310 Daniels Road
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-0626
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-robin-gourmet-burgers-winter-garden

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

** (2 stars)

I don’t really get the fuss about this place. The burgers are okay, but nothing special, and their acclaimed fries are everything I hate in a french fry: underdone, limp, and fairly flavorless. I’d much rather go down the street to Red Robin for a burger, or up the street to Checkers for fries.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
3107 Daniels Rd, Ste 112
Winter Gardens, FL 34787
(407) 905-9811
http://www.yelp.com/biz/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-winter-gardens

Pei Wei Asian Diner

**** (4 stars)

As a big Asian food fan I really enjoy the ability to choose between Japanese, Chinese, Thai and other cuisines at one place. And I particularly like the fact that even the non-Asian food fans in our group like Pei Wei. Plus they have those really cool programmable Coke machines (that were programmed by a guy who used to work with us). There’s nothing like a vanilla/cherry/lime Diet Coke. Be careful of the calorie counts at Pei Wei, though, because each of those dishes is TWO servings! That’s why I usually have the lettuce wraps.

Pei Wei Asian Diner
8015 Turkey Lake Rd.
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 241-3301
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pei-wei-asian-diner-orlando-6