Category Archives: Florida

Red Eye Bar And Grill

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**** (4 stars)

This place is run by the former owner of one of Orlando’s better gourmet food trucks. The cooking transcends typical barbecue, although that’s certainly the emphasis. A nice assortment of sauces are served with the BBQ items, but the highlights of our meal were the flatbreads, corn and crab chowder, and the cornbread. Pricing is very reasonable, especially for lunch items. You’re getting a sit down restaurant meal for the price of counter service. Good ambience, and a nice selection of beer and wine. Owner rob and our server were both very gracious and helpful.

Red Eye Bar And Grill
2594 Maguire Rd
Ocoee, FL 34761
(407) 877-0003
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-eye-bar-and-grill-ocoee

Stonewood Grill & Tavern

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***** (5 stars)

I positively love the ambiance at Stonewood. Tables are far appart, it’s fairly quite even when full (as long as you avoid the bar) and it’s… dark! Remember when restaurants used to be intimate? This one still is. Excellent steaks and fish, friendly service, good wines by the glass. I just wish they were still open for lunch.

Stonewood Grill & Tavern
5078 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 297-8682
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stonewood-grill-and-tavern-orlando

Peach Valley Café

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**** (4 stars)

It’s really hard to find good places for outside in Orlando, and this is a hidden gem. The large outside patio offers a quite, shaded environment for breakfast any time of day. But my favorites are their salads, particularly the ones with salmon or fruit ingredients. Light and refreshing.

Peach Valley Café
5072 Dr. Philips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 522-2601
http://www.yelp.com/biz/peach-valley-caf%C3%A9-orlando-4

Le Café De Paris

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***** (5 stars)

Café De Paris provides one of the more authentic French experiences in town. Sandwiches just like you’d get in Paris, and they have excellent croissants and coffee. The savory crepes are about the best I’ve had.

Now newly expanded, there is plenty of seating indoors and out. When the weather is nice, it’s pleasant to eat on the sidewalk, an authentic Paris sidewalk cafe experience, and it’s even away from the street, so it’s better than that!

The owners are very hands-on, which is reflected in the food and service.

Le Café De Paris
5170 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 293-2326
http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-caf%C3%A9-de-paris-orlando-2

Raga Restaurant

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***** (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

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

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** (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

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

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**** (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

Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club

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**** (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