Monthly Archives: September 2013

Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar

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***** (5 stars)

A very interesting approach to dining.  Originally I think the plan was an all iPad menu and ordering, and that’s still available, but now there are also paper menus, and very attentive service. Everyone was extremely friendly, and the ambience is great.

We tried an array of appetizers and liked them all, including the chickpea fries (great curry aioli), edamame hummus, short rib and mushroom flatbread (didn’t really need the short ribs) and grilled veggies.

Wines are available in as small as 3oz pours, which makes it fun to try different things. (Check out the Klinker Brick Farah Syrah, which won best of show at the state fair).

I love this new addition to the Winter Park dining scene.

Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar
140 N Orlando Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 513-4912
http://www.yelp.com/biz/carmel-cafe-and-wine-bar-winter-park

Santiago’s Bodega

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***** (5 stars)

The location is a bit off the beaten path, but they’ve done a beautiful job decorating the building, so it has an upscale casual feeling. There’s also a great outside dining space in front. We tried quite a few dishes and liked nearly all of them.

A well thought out tapas menu with many diverse selections is the big draw here. The gazpacho was a little weird, as it is pureed, and seemed really rich. Brussels sprout oven roasted and then sauteed in brown sugar were my favorite. The mushroom stuffed puff pastry was also excellent. The ceviche had huge chunks of nice tender fish, but could have used a bit more seasoning added to the citrus juice. There are so many choices it would take many visits to try them all.

I tried a couple of types of sangria. My favorite was the conventional red variety, reasonably priced at $6.

Service was friendly and attentive. A great addition to the area’s dining scene.

Santiago’s Bodega
802 Virginia Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 286-2903
http://www.yelp.com/biz/santiagos-bodega-orlando-2