Category Archives: Florida

Greek Flame Taverna

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**** (4 stars)

If you like garlic, this is the place for you. Everything I have here is all about GARLIC. I can’t even figure out where all that garlic aftertaste is coming from! Fortunately I like garlic. But be warned. The vegetarian plate at lunch is my favorite, but lurking in that feta… or the hummus… or wherever… is a loads of garlic You’ve been warned.

Greek Flame Taverna
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-4624
http://www.yelp.com/biz/greek-flame-taverna-orlando

Bento Cafe

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*** (3 stars)

This place is okay, but I don’t get the concept. Why do I have to order at the counter when the rest of the place is run like a regular table service restaurant? If you want an assortment of sushi, it’s awkward to have to decide on everything while in line. Quality of the bento boxes is fine, but I’d rather just go to a sushi bar.

Bento Cafe
7335 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-2277
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bento-cafe-orlando-2

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

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

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