Category Archives: Orlando

Pei Wei Asian Diner

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**** (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

Bar Louie

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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

Burger 21

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**** (4 stars)

Had the 4.5 oz BBQ Bacon burger. Perfectly cooked burger with plenty of accompaniments. I also liked the condiment bar. Fries are thin, served very hot, and have a good flavor. A large was enough for six of us. Lots of interesting choices.

Service here was very friendly, from the greeter at the front door to the person who delivered the food. One of our party claimed the wrong burger when they were delivered (his error) and they wasted no time in making another one for the person who ordered it. Definitely a candidate for top burger in Orlando.

Burger 21
4192 Conroy Rd
Orlando, FL 32839
(407) 203-2848
http://www.yelp.com/biz/burger-21-orlando

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

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**** (4 stars)

The interior of this place is gorgeous, with a trendy bar and bustling dining area. And–what a concept–a Sand Lake Road restaurant that takes advantage of the lake view! The food is good, not necessarily inventive or inspired. There are the usual Americanized taco and enchilada offerings, but some of the stuffings are quite tasty. I particularly liked the seasoned pork. They also have several kinds of Molcajete, which you don’t see in that many Mexican restaurants in Orlando. Molcajete actually means mortar and pestle, but on menus it’s a sort of stew served in a pot that usually looks nothing like a mortar. It is quite succulent. Table-side guacamole is a very generous serving, and contains a tremendous amount of lime juice, the predominant flavor. The tortilla chips are very heavily seasoned, which makes it a bit hard to tell what the guacamole tastes like. A couple of tacos at $4 each make a reasonable lunch, so it’s not as expensive as that neat decor might suggest. Add on that table-side guacamole and some drinks, though, and it’s not the cheapest Mexican restaurant in town.

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
7468 W Sandlake Rd
Orlando, FL 32836
(407) 226-0550
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roccos-tacos-and-tequila-bar-orlando

Cedar’s Restaurant

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***** (5 stars)

I’ve traveled the world and have yet to find better middle eastern food than at Cedar’s. Service is friendly, and the hummus and tabbouleh can’t be beat. The felafel is never greasy, and the pitas are baked fresh and replenished multiple times during your meal. Perfection.

Cedar’s Restaurant
7732 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-6000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cedars-restaurant-orlando

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza

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***** (5 stars)

Okay, I admit it. I’m now addicted to the cauliflower pizza, and had to upgrade my star rating to five. “That’s not pizza!” says my cauliflower-hating wife, but whatever it is, it’s scrumptious. Charred crust, and perfectly rich garlicky olive-oil roasted cauliflower. Yum.

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
8031 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 363-9466
http://www.yelp.com/biz/anthonys-coal-fired-pizza-orlando

Nagoya Sushi

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**** (4 stars)

This place has been around for ages under one name or another, and it must be pretty good, because it’s almost impossible to find! It’s way at the back of the corridor of shops (and closed storefronts) that separates two section of the Dr. Phillips Marketplace. The lunch combos are a great deal here.

Nagoya Sushi
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 248-8558
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nagoya-sushi-orlando

Bonsai Sushi

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ChirashiBowl

***** (5 stars)

This is a charming little sushi place with very friendly service. I go often for lunch during the week, and the yellowtail sashimi is always excellent. The Chirashi Bowl is a favorite, with its generous assortment of two pieces each of 9 types of fish and shellfish.

The floor plan is traditional sushi restaurant, with a good size sushi bar dominating a small dining room. I like the sunny ambiance and super cheerful table service.

Bonsai Sushi
5174 Dr. Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 292-0333
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bonsai-sushi-orlando