I wanted to make sure everyone heard the good news about this new venture opening in October in Winter Park. They will be previewing some food and beer next Monday August 16th at the Audubon Community Market.
More details here: www.katekitchen.blogspot.com

aka Don Pepe's Habana Grill in Altamonte will be closing after this weekend.
Sad news-it was a great Cuban restaurant!

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Habana Grill
937 W State Road 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

I have to second Seito-it's my current favorite. They have a great variety...and honestly sometimes I find myself daydreaming about the Torchamaki! (Crawfish Roll with a torched white fish on the outside-very smokey and rich!)

I stopped by the Altamonte location a few months ago but refused to wait 2 1/2 hrs for a table. Sounds like an easy place to eat lunch after shopping!

Cafe Poisitano (sp?) on W. Colonial has great Italian food! And they offer half portions (which are still quite large!)

We decided to go to Le Jardin Cafe after hearing some good reviews. Unfortunately they aren't open for lunch on Saturdays. So we ate at their neighboring restaurant-The Avocado Cafe.

Um, for the record, this was probably the worst meal I've ever had. I really can't figure out how someone can actually make orange hummus. Really really bad orange hummus. And our server quit in the middle of our meal. On the way out I had a great view of the line cook making sandwiches with his bare hands....and then wiping said hands on this dirty chef jacket.
Warning for anyone up in Deland!

Anyone have any suggestions for lunch in Deland this weekend? I don't know the area well at all....

This is really a third party report, but I have some friends that stopped by over the weekend. They said it is lackluster Tex Mex at best and gave them 3 months before they shut the doors.
I'm gonna wait and see other reviews here before I head over!

Is it open?

Is it the same quick casual concept or is there table service?

Are you talking about Cafe de France on Park Ave in WP? That's definitely a place that we all tend to over look. It's pricey but really a great meal.

Also, don't forget about Chathams out on Sand Lake! Fantastic food and impeccible service.

We currently are not offering any public cooking classes out here at Orlando Culinary.
I used to teach at Truffles and Trifles and yes, it really seems to be what you are looking for. The space really is fantastic! Make sure you bring a bottle of wine!
Also, Young Chefs Academy does adult classes. (I think there is one location at Hunter's Creek and one in Winter Park).
Lastly, feel free to contact me through the blog as I do personal cooking lessons in home.
www.katekitchen.blogspot.com

No there was not! That was actually my only gripe about 3B. Not a large variety of food, and a pretty confusing menu.
Otherwise it is a great neighborhood joint, very comfy and relaxing. Good sandwiches and a great selection of microbrews and wines. Plus, if you're into the whole cycling scene in Orlando, you definitely want to check it out. Or if you're not, you still definitely want to check it out!
I have photos on the blog:
www.katekitchen.blogspot.com

Anyone been yet? I'm gonna head over this weekend and am looking for any recommendations...

I agree with Winechic...you'll be super close to Thornton Park so might as well head on over. Both Dexters and Shari Sushi have great happy hours on Fridays....
Also, a quick warning: I know two people who have had identity theft issues after eating at the Houlihans...so if you go make sure you pay in cash!

Actually sounds like my standby-Pad See Ew which is Flat noodles with a sweet soy/brown sauce usually served with broccoli and a protein. No peanuts though. Could just be a specialty? I'd ask next time you're there....Where is Thai Singha?

I have to chime in and give Chathams a major shout out. This is actually the first time I've seen it mentioned here on Chow, and it is by far one of my favorites of Orlando. Not that I go often; it is very expensive. But if you're looking for traditional and upscale, I'd highly recommend it. The food is amazing and the wine list impressive.
Last time I was there:
Seafood Trio for an app
Filet Au Poivre for entree
Banana Pudding for dessert. (And I'm not just talking Banana Pudding, I'm talking probably one of the best desserts I've ever had.)

Don't be put of by the location, it's in a weird kind of office park. I think it's the most underrated restaurants in Orlando!

And for your second choice, definitely hit up Tchoup Chop. Get the Salmon with the GInger Beurre Blanc and sticky rice!

I agree that with that size you should be with a resort. JW Marriott, the Ritz and Shingle Creek are all great choices.

Alright, I change my vote! Went to Sea Thai last week and had a fantastic meal! Very light and fresh with a great atmosphere. I had the Herb Tea Chicken, which was kinda like a slightly charred BBQ chicken. They also have a great variety of veg-friendly dishes. I guess the big test will be next time I go back and get my Pad See Ew!!
Pictures at:
www.katekitchen.blogspot.com

I actually went for dinner a few weeks ago and have very mixed feelings about Funky Monkey. First, yes, parking is a major issue. But generally I just felt very confused as to what type of restaurant they really want to be. Are they a sophisticated wine bar and eatery? A funky eatery? An Asian fusion eatery?

My companion had the Blue Monkey Salad and I agree that it was fantastic. (The blueberry ginger dressing was quite tasty!). My salad (The Red Monkey), on the other hand was bland and tasteless with iceberg lettuce, processed shredded cheese and canned corn. Quite the contrast to the other salad, I couldn't even taste the dressing.

We split apps for dinner: The Shirmp and Scallop dumplings were fantastic, and the Goat Cheese was good. But the single tasteless Crabcake for $10 really did nothing for me. If I'm going to pay that much for one crabcake, I really want it to knock my socks off!

The wine list was great-fun with a good variety of price points. I agree with phisermen32-I'm not a fan of the Orlando Brewing beer but I'm glad to see it being offered on tap.

It really seems that the Asian inspired dishes (like the lime and garlic Edamame!) stood out-so hopefully they will go that more that way in the future.

www.katekitchen.blogspot.com

Went to the new location at Church St. over the weekend after a great dinner at Ceviche. They just opened last week and all I have to say is congrats on the new diggs!!
The ambiance is super senuous in a boudoir kinda way and absolutely gorgeous.
I went with some friends and we got the dessert platter (4 half servings). We tried the peanut butter pie (which, for the record, I could eat everyday for the rest of my life), the lemon rum cake, the cannoli cake and the flourless chocolate torte. Even the half servings were huge and we took home a lot of left overs.
Also on the menu: cheese plates and good wine. I also tried the new Sea Dog Hazelnut beer (yummy).
The construction is (scheduled) to be done soon, and apparently there will be free parking..

I vote for Royal Thai on Colonial (near Bumby). I'm pretty much addicted to their Pad See Ew. I've heard great things about Sea Thai up the road but haven't been there yet!

I went to the Lake Eola location about a month or so ago and did not post anything here or on my blog out of respect for a student I had that was working there.
But since you ask.....
It was a giant waste of money. First off, our server, while completely adorable, had no knowledge of the wine list or the menu. We didn't even get our wine until after we had finished our salads. (Turns out they did not have the first THREE bottles we tried to order) The service was very unorganized and poorly timed.
For some reason I broke the cardinal rule that evening ( I know, this was my fault, but I was on a budget) and got the Rosemary stuffed chicken that was, well, average at best.
Our dessert (some sort of orange creamsicle cake) was dried out and crusty...I'm guessing it may have been either a carryover or preplated.
With the other fantastic restaurants in the area I'll probably never go there again...

(I have heard though that they are looking into a new concept to go into a location on Church St.)

I highly recomend Tchoup Chop. I've been twice for lunch and had fantastic meals both times! I found the food and the service both to be impecible.
Another mention here was for Jeko and I second that one also! It's located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and is an excellent selection of S. African foods! Plus you can see some of the animals from the hotel...

I vote for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to offset some of the rich butteryness of Sea Bass....it's one of my favorite dinners!

Probably not worth the visit.....your choices are pasta or pretzels!

Check out my review of Habana Grill....I think I'm pretty much addicted to the Media Noche sandwich on the sweet cuban egg bread!! The best cuban style sandwich in Orlando!
www.katekitchen.blogspot.com

One thing about TRP that I haven't seen metioned yet is lunch! I went for lunch over the holidays and had a fanastic Chicken Sandwich with Kumkwat jam! It was soooo yummy!

Bok Bun Ja is meant to be served cold....

I went for lunch at Ethos and both my lunch partner and I had fantastic sandwiches! It's worth a try, even if you are not vegetarian. Or vegan!
I have pix on my blog:
www.katekitchen.blogspot.com