http://www.chow.com/boards/10 Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:27:39 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/665523#5164517 I'm heading down to Orlando with husband and 5 year old. All three of us are foodies, and we love interesting and spicy foods. Normally at home we prefer to eat at small, locally owned restaurants, and avoid most international chains like plague-pits. We're really hoping to enjoy some dishes that we wouldn't normally be able to enjoy in Canada. From what I've been able to pick through on the 'net, I've come up with a short list of options, but the advice & opinion of Orlando foodies would be oh so helpful and might help us narrow things down. (If it's a help, we'll be staying at the Caribe Royale, but will have a car). Sweet Tomatoes Pao Gostoso Giordano's (we've never eaten Chicago deep-dish pizza before, what type of fillings are good?) Bahama Breeze Pizza Fusion Padrino's Cuban Bistro Shin Jung (might this be too far out of the way?) Los Generales And just to prove that we are not being completely anti-Disney (our daughter is 5, after all), we also plan to eat at: Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Wolfgang Puck Express Earl of Sandwich I would really appreciate feedback and opinions, and if anyone has a local favorite they would be willing to point out, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks and cheers! Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:56:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665523#5164517 http://www.chow.com/topics/651347#5164395 Damn, that Oyster Pizza sounds good!! I wish... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:40:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/651347#5164395 http://www.chow.com/topics/664926#5164377 Plenty of nice restaurants on Disney property - Sa'naa is an African restaurant with an amazing view in the Animal Kingdom Lodge area. Or cab it to Sand Lake and enjoy Vines - great restaurant/bar with live jazz and great food & wine. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:18:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664926#5164377 http://www.chow.com/topics/664311#5164375 I met one of the managers today at an off-site tasting - he told me they smoke the brisket for 18 hours. Then I tasted it. Simply amazing stuff. They made a believer out of me... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:15:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664311#5164375 http://www.chow.com/topics/665085#5164345 Analogy: Joes:seafood Sizzler:steak Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:02:23 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665085#5164345 http://www.chow.com/topics/665319#5164289 Another seafood place worth mentioning has opened on Longboat Key -- a sister to a restaurant in Sarasota of the same name -- The Lazy Lobster. It takes the space of the now-closed Cafe on the Bay in the Centre Shops. I consider it in a step down from the Main Street Oyster Bar (that I wrote about earlier today) but it's a pretty good, medium priced restaurant, sort of a busier Barnacle Bills. At 7:30 PM on a recent Wednesday night it was jammed -- with people waiting. That said, they did honor reservations and thankfully we had them. I'm told that the original restaurant in Sarasota doesn't have a full bar but the Longboat one does. The manager hails from Cafe L'Europe and he knows what he's doing. My prediction: this place will be very, very busy in season and will absolutely require reservations. They told me that they’ll seat new arrivals until 9 PM. (941) 383-0440. http://store6.geomerx.com/lazylobsterlongboatkey/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:24:35 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665319#5164289 http://www.chow.com/topics/567757#5163946 It might be more than just the bad economy. Apparently in July 2008 Scott Rothstein joined Tony Bova's restaurant group ( http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/sfl-scott-rothstein-timeline-b110209,0,5980966.story ). There were several articles in the PBP and Sun-Sentinel that mentioned this. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:57:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/567757#5163946 http://www.chow.com/topics/665384#5163807 selections are slim: My recs would be Vino de Notte. Very good, go while it is still open. It is in a the offbeat historic entrance to the Hotel Indigo, a hotel that is in foreclosure. Food is quite good. Again, some will scream, but dinner at the Veranda is charming, and a throwback to another time in Florida. Where will you find tuxedoed waiters, grits on the menu, a old fashioned piano bar, a lovely enclosed patio, New Orleans style, and some pretty good classic cooking. No fusion cuisine here. Just old Florida style. Some hate it. I have warmed to it after suffering through many amateurish dinners locally in Fort Misery. BTW, the Florida Rep is a fun little theatre with some interesting plays and very good actors in the repertory. LMF Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:39:23 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665384#5163807 http://www.chow.com/topics/665451#5163795 I have two upcoming office lunches that I need to have catered/delivered on site, one in Delray and the other in West Palm Beach. Tired of the same old, same old (e.g. TooJays). The Delray lunch is for 40 people and the West Palm lunch is for 20 people. Not looking to spend more than $10-12 per person (this can be exclusive of delivery and tip if the delivery charge is not outrageous). The West Palm lunch can be any type of food, the Delray lunch will be for the "holiday" party, although this doesn't necessarily limit us to typical holiday fare. Set ups must be included as there is no kitchen/food items on site. This also limits any ability to serve anything that must continually be kept hot or cold. Any ideas? Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:24:12 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665451#5163795 http://www.chow.com/topics/665449#5163774 Hi there - Can anyone recommend a good restaurant with good food that has a private room or separate seating area for a group of 20. This is for a baby's 1st birthday party with mostly adults. Near Jax beach is a preference,or a place with a nice view, or nice ambiance, but if there's a great restaurant somewhere else that fits the bill, we're open to suggestions. Thanks! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:12:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665449#5163774 http://www.chow.com/topics/461771#5163764 Park Avenue PIzzeria has the BEST crust; toppings are great too! It's just off Park Ave. on Lyman. We regularly order either pizza or calzone and are never disappointed. Try the buffalo chicken pizza...we've taken it to potlucks and people love it! The one entree I've tried - penne with broccoli & mushrooms in a garlic sauce - has also been deliciouso. Seriously, this place is the best! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:07:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/461771#5163764 http://www.chow.com/topics/527610#5163679 While Paxia does offer some of the same dishes you would find in other Mexican restaurants, the quality of the ingredients used in their entrees is what makes this place truly special. On top of that, they offer creative dishes that you will never find anywhere else even if you search far and wide. Can anyone name another place that serves tiger shrimp wrapped in bacon accompanied by tequila-marinated mushrooms? Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:20:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/527610#5163679 http://www.chow.com/topics/662606#5163584 My new favorite is Ceviche 105 in downtown Miami...check it out.! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:25:33 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662606#5163584 http://www.chow.com/topics/340827#5163575 HI- The Top of the Bridge hotel ( the Radisson) has a elegant buffet - with views of the ocean...runs about $38 pp.... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:19:12 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/340827#5163575 http://www.chow.com/topics/614909#5163394 I detest that place. The owner/manager Vadeem (sp?) was wasted when I went there. To the point where he was slurring and it took over an hour to get our food because he was also the "chef." I mentioned it to a few of my beer friends and they said they had similar experiences with him. The beer selection was decent but the decor remind me of someone's unfinished basement. I can name three waaaaaaaay better places to get great beer and food in the area. Brother Tuckers in Pompano. Really cool place with amazing food and belgian beer selection. Funky Buddha in Boca. Super laid back lounge with a ton of beers and probably the best tap selection I have ever seen. Plus they have entertainment some nights. Finally, Coffee District. A coffee shop in Delray Beach that has at least 80 craft beers. The owner Chung is a great guy and very knowledgeable. Go to any of those places and you won't be disappointed. Go to The Lodge if you want to hang out with underage fau kids being served and terrible customer service. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:34:13 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/614909#5163394 http://www.chow.com/topics/664898#5163349 When I didn't see any replies the other day I was starting to fear that no good tres leches was to be found in Miami! I see I as wrong. I will do my best to try all of these suggestions, plus I will buy the Heavenly Cakes book. Thank you everyone! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:02:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664898#5163349 http://www.chow.com/topics/665070#5163197 Yes we did... Yes we did... Ya like my De Niro? Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:26:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665070#5163197 http://www.chow.com/topics/664690#5163142 re: Crave Because it is so plain in its ambiance, I usually think of it as a breakfast/lunch place. I will have to try it in the evening. We had dinner at Cibo on Wednesday night. I had spiedini di Gambieroni which was absolutely perfect. It came presented with a delicious buttery lemon sauce, with a very creamy risotto. The shrimp were the 12-15 count size and were wood grilled and perfectly cooked. My husband had the same thing only with scallops. Very good hot bread was brought to the table with little dishes of tapenade, a composed butter and balsamic/evoo. I knew the bread had to be from Oltimes. They have been supplying bread to better restaurants here for at least 15 years. It is lightly sour and baked in a peel oven. Very nice wine selection. I was thrilled that there were some nice Italian whites instead of the ubiquitous pinot grigio. We drank their Gavi selection and it was excellent to cut through the richness of the Spedini. The bar apparently has taken on the crowd from Cin Cin. We sat in the main dining area. My only complaint was the lighting. It was very difficult to read the menus. A tiny votive doesn't do it. Our server was new, but competent enough. We will be back soon. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:01:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664690#5163142 http://www.chow.com/topics/665361#5162923 Restaurant BT has a menu they launched this summer, it's tapas/small plates and it's AWESOME! They have 4 columns on the menu, the $2 column, $4, $6, and $8. Each column has 12 dishes in it and they are quite creative. I snagged a menu that I'll scan and put up on here on Monday at work, I've been a few times in the past weeks now and really dig it. Not to mention they have Stone IPA on tap at $4 a glass! Wife and I went last night, had 6 delicious vietnamese tapas, 2 hoppy delicious beers, and the bill was only $23! I'm going to be at this place a lot in the near future. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:28:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665361#5162923 http://www.chow.com/topics/665291#5162911 Primarily because it's Tallahassee. Here's a novel idea for someone: open a (good) gastropub with (good) craft beer and a (good) wine list in Tallahassee. You will most likely become a wealthy person. I had to spend the first 16 years of my life in that town, parents are still there and I usually make them come visit me. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:16:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665291#5162911 http://www.chow.com/topics/663185#5162873 I'm sorry about 12 Maple Street.......Missed it by THAT much!! LOL! Courtine's is also very good..... Emac Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:29:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663185#5162873 http://www.chow.com/topics/665244#5162287 I've eaten there maybe a dozen times or so and nothing's ever been bad... some things have been more delicious than others, but never anything bad! :) Maybe I'll find a way to get over there this weekend, I'm really excited to check this out. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:29:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665244#5162287 http://www.chow.com/topics/472272#5162245 DECO Christmas Day Menu 2009 Make Your Reservations Now!!! Christmas Day Seatings at 2:00 and 5:00 pm We are also open Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day!!! Course 1 Smoked Shrimp Dip with Assorted Crostini Course 2 Winter Squash Soup with Parmesan Crutons or Exotic Greens Salad tossed with Apple Cider Vinaigrette and Topped with Toasted Pine Nuts and Feta Cheese Course 3 Pan Seared Breast of Duck with Cranberry Demi-Glace or Prime Rib Au Jus or Pan Seared Salmon with a Hollandaise Sauce Course 3 is served with rosemary, garlic mashed sweet potatoes and fresh vegetables Course 4 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake or Banana Rum Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Iced Tea or Coffee Included $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity DECO 980 Santa Maria Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32086 (904) 797-5505 / goodfood@decodining.org Make Your Reservations Now!!! Christmas Day Seatings at 2:00 and 5:00 pm Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:05:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/472272#5162245 http://www.chow.com/topics/664920#5161586 Icebox has done lots of stuffed pancake variations and yes, they're good. As for reservations - Miami is generally a late dining town, so 9pm is often prime-time. There are some places that will be tough to get into without a reservation - Michael's Genuine, Michy's, Sra. Martinez, and (so I've heard) Hakkasan, Mr. Chow, Casa Tua, for instance - but others you should be able to walk in mid-week. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:26:23 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664920#5161586 http://www.chow.com/topics/664922#5161531 ooh, Island way, good call! Their brunch is good (not oystercatchers good, but still darn good) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:14:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664922#5161531 http://www.chow.com/topics/664329#5161309 are you thinking of the patio at the Fort Myers Beach Doc Ford's. The patio at the Sanibel one has a view of the parking lot. I like the campeche fish tacos at the Sanibel one. Have had two awful experiences at the Fort Myers one, but perhaps it has corrected it kitchen problems by now. It certainly has a stunning location. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:04:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664329#5161309 http://www.chow.com/topics/664657#5161111 Leesburg is two demographics,,retirees and locals so most of your higher end is geared for 50 and up. Vic's embers is a nice spot for the retirees upscale dinner. Stick with grill items like steak and fish. Tableside preperation is offered but only good at desert and salads. If you want a variety to choose from try Downtown Mount Dora. There are 20 different resturaunts to choose from in a 4 block radius and none of them are chains! The town won't allow them! If you really want to go first class the mission inn resort in howey in the hills has three nice places. I have had the brunch here and it is top notch! If you are on a budget and want to try something unique to the area try zellies in mount Dora. Fried pickles, shrimp, fish and anything else you can fry! Drink beer from a mason jar and walk away with money in your pocket! it's nothin fancy but good and southern! Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:03:26 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664657#5161111 http://www.chow.com/topics/664575#5161032 Thanks. I have tried cooking Indian recipes and have had no luck in even coming close to restaurant quality. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:37:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664575#5161032 http://www.chow.com/topics/665026#5160784 also try Naviera coffee mill in Ybor. The front cafe is called El Molino. The area's oldest. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:17:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665026#5160784 http://www.chow.com/topics/664895#5160768 Datz would be my choice. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:13:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664895#5160768 http://www.chow.com/topics/664969#5160601 Looks more like they scour blogs and chowhound and just repost that and PR newswire blasts. I found nothing original there that I hadnt already heard of elsewhere. I guess they will be successful on name alone though. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:20:26 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664969#5160601 http://www.chow.com/topics/639922#5160543 I agree with L2M. Ooooh! Burgers and shakes! Big deal. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/639922#5160543 http://www.chow.com/topics/565642#5160417 already noted in this "late '09" thread, which is a little less bloated than this one (290 posts!) - > http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/639922 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:02:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/565642#5160417 http://www.chow.com/topics/664532#5160299 I don't dine in that area often but I have to second the "rumors" about Josef's in Plantation. I have never been there but it is very high on my list of places to go to. The reviews have always been excellent. http://josefsplantation.com/default.aspx Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:49:50 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664532#5160299 http://www.chow.com/topics/134568#5159913 Dinner @ Dona Raquels tonight. I finally got the nerve to try a Tongue Taco! no mas...gracias! Top to the right of the limes. Clockwise from there is Carne Asada, Suadero(pulled rib), and Champesana? (steak and chorizo). Red Green and Negra....Modelo that is. FYI they close at 9pm during the week. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:54:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/134568#5159913 http://www.chow.com/topics/664605#5159837 I will check again - I was told they were closed. Thanks! Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:16:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664605#5159837 http://www.chow.com/topics/601647#5159040 Hi Anne, You have received many good recommendations, so I will only add a few more. I am in Fort Lauderdale which is at most 1 hour south of Lake Worth. Here are my suggestions: 1. Stone Crabs - Catfish Dewey's for All You Can Eat Stone Crabs ($40) - www.catfishdeweys.com 2. Garlic Crabs - Rustic Inn Crab House - http://www.rusticinn.com/ 3. Cuban Food - La Carretta http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=a5p&q=la+carreta+florida+locations&aq=f&oq=&aqi= 4. Mexican Food - Dona Raquela (very small taquera) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=a5p&q=la+carreta+florida+locations&aq=f&oq=&aqi= 5. Key Lime Pie - Any fruit stand on the side of the road. Really. Pick up some oranges and grapefruit there too. I hope you have a wonderful trip and go home with only good memories. --Lisa Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:50:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/601647#5159040 http://www.chow.com/topics/662180#5158999 I drove this area once avoiding a traffic jam on the Turnpike and, yes, there's a ton of interesting roadside dives and stands along the way. Think we got onto 441 around Ocala and took it south until O-town. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:36:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662180#5158999 http://www.chow.com/topics/663246#5158994 I would have loved that theme to. I think the Asian themed night was the worst out of the listings. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:35:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663246#5158994 http://www.chow.com/topics/627699#5158925 Tried the lunch buffet with a friend today, was very impressed. Delicious. This'll be a monthly spot now, I'd go more often but the food was so tasty that I larded myself out haha. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:14:47 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/627699#5158925 http://www.chow.com/topics/664811#5158296 You're right, I'm sorry I was being unkind. I just have it out for chains haha. Actually there are dishes at cheesecake (Jamaican black pepper shrimp, thai wraps) I like! Sorry about that. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:13:05 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664811#5158296 http://www.chow.com/topics/664808#5158277 yep. That's why I suggested it. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:08:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664808#5158277 http://www.chow.com/topics/664531#5158158 I would definitely recommend checking out the Design District (15-20 mins from the airport) and places like Michael's Genuine Food & Drink (#1 restaurant in Miami if you ask me and they also have a killer bar selection), Sra. Martinez (Spanish tapas), and Pacific Time. For a meal that is authentic to Miami, check out Tap Tap on Miami Beach (about 30 mins from MIA) where they serve Haitian food. The goat bits I had at a recent event were incredibly good and even better when made spicy. Talula on Miami Beach is another winner but more of a quiet restaurant so pick that one depending on who youre with and what type of scene youre looking for. For Italian, I like Sardinia (salt crust branzino is a favorite of mine) on Miami Beach and also Scarpetta (get the creamy polenta app!) at the Fontainebleau hotel (Miami Beach). Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau is the most impressive restaurant in the area from a design perspective and the food is very good albeit very expensive for what it is ("upscale" Chinese). If you decide on the Fontainebleau, perhaps plan to have a drink at the bar at Hakkasan and then venture to Scarpetta for dinner, keeping in mind that you can call an audible and stay at Hakkasan if youre feelin it. The best steak in town (in my opinion) is found at Meat Market on Lincoln Road (Miami Beach). My favorite there is the Japanese A5 Kobe filet w/ foie gras. It aint cheap but its phenomenal. Their other cuts of beef are very good too. Excellent seafood can be had at Area 31 at the Epic Hotel (Kimpton) in the downtown/Brickell area. Menu focuses on sustainable seafood and the balcony provides some nice views of Biscayne Bay and Brickell, including the rooftop soccer field atop the building that houses The Capital Grille. If you want an unbelievable Japanese experience, head North to Sunny Isles at go to NAOE (about 30-40 mins from MIA but well worth it). You'll need to make reservations via OpenTable but the experience is like none other in Miami and, in many cases, other cities around the country. I dont care for Cuban food so I cant make recommendations in that category. You can google all of these restaurants for more info. You can also search the Florida board on Chowhound for other diners' reactions. Enjoy your stay in Miami. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:30:25 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664531#5158158 http://www.chow.com/topics/522640#5158112 Super Saver Supermarket, south side of Fletcher Avenue at N. 20th Street. In addition to the market, hot breakfast and lunch chafing dishes. Menudo (tripe soup) daily! Piles of chicharrones! Good stuff. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:13:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/522640#5158112 http://www.chow.com/topics/661093#5157907 Are you speaking of the new Luigi's on Gandy? If so, how is it? I just saw it the other day and posted about it and no one has said whether or not they've tried it yet, thanks! I just ate at Laughing Cat last night, tasty! Good selection of dishes, good wine, good atmosphere, I had bowtie pasta w roasted red peppers and crab meat w a cream sauce. The crab cake app is a fave! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:05:47 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661093#5157907 http://www.chow.com/topics/336964#5157891 I hvnt been in a couple of years but the Thanksgiving Day(& Mother's Day!) buffett at CK's used to be very good. Turkey, ham, crab legs, everything you could think of and much better quality than Castway's in my opinion. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:58:55 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/336964#5157891 http://www.chow.com/topics/626461#5157830 Wonderful! Thanks for the recommendations. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:37:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/626461#5157830 http://www.chow.com/topics/664757#5157763 I have heard that flamestone grill in oldsmar is doing takout on thanksgviving. have not tried it but liked the restaurant the twice I ate there. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:11:49 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664757#5157763 http://www.chow.com/topics/497435#5157539 Looks like they rolled out a bit of a new menu. Has anybody tried it yet? Looks pretty enticing. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:41:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/497435#5157539