Torina's Profile
Nacho's Grill (cuban) in Orlando a find ...
Sorry for the double post. Site gave me an error message.
Nacho's Grill (cuban) in Orlando a find ...
For an Orlando tourist after a long day at Universal and a quick trip to the "premium" outlets off of International Dr, we were tired of park food and dying for something good and local.
I happened to spot Nacho's Grill in a little strip mall across from the premium outlets (not right on International Dr, but just off of ... it is close to the Outback) and was so pleased to enter and find a sweet Cuban/Mexican place with good food and very pleasant service. It feels very "homey" inside, is decorated with pictures of their favorite celebrities, and it is clean.
We started with a shrimp ceviche and the "maduro relleno". I had gotten the feeling that this was more a Cuban place than a Mexican place, and these suspicions were borne out. The maduro was *excellent* -- beautifully caramelized plantains served as a bed for a layer of picadillo habana (ground sirloin slow cooked with olives) and topped with melted Emmenthaler. All three elements worked in gorgeous harmony together. The shrimp ceviche was enjoyed by my husband but was not rated as highly as the madruo (I am not a shrimp eater).
My husband ordered camarones enchiladas as his main (from the cuban side of the menu), which came with no tortillas embedded, but did have large shrimp in a tasty tomato-based sauce. I didn't try it, but hubby relished every last drop.
I ordered Chicharrones de pollo, which were small pieces of chicken breast dredged in flour and fried, then topped with a "mojito" sauce, which consisted of sauteed onion, citrus, and cilantro. Delicious sauce. My only complaint is that the chicken was a bit overcooked and therefore dry.
Both entrees were accompanied by white rice (perhaps cooked in a salted broth?), black beans, and sweet plantains. All the food was very "clean," no extra grease was added, and flavors were spot on.
Cousin ordered the beef nachos, which again confirmed that this was a mainly Cuban place -- it was topped with the same picadillo as was used in the maduro relleno! Very tasty, he finished every last chip.
We skipped dessert, since we were full, and because they had run out of everything but tres leches. I would've tried the flan had there been some left. It is a small, family run place, and they make everything from scratch daily (or so said the daughter/our waitress) and it shows. Lots of spanish-speakers in the restaurant when we entered, so it passes that test.
Anyway, I was so pleased to sniff this place out, and wanted to share!!! I will certainly be returning next time I am in Orlando! Enjoy.
I found the address using google maps:
Nacho's Grill
8249 Vineland Ave
Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 239-2634
and the menu:
http://www.allmenus.com/menus/36983/Nacho's-Grill
Debate: tea at your workstation?
If you stir the tea into the water and then cover your tea with a plate or lid (asian stores sell mugs with lids), the tea leaves will sink to the bottom.
Debate: tea at your workstation?
Haha, I think this is still a biased sample.
I do drink tea at my desk all the time. I go so far as to bring canned milk and keep it in the office fridge for myself (I love to drink Hong Kong-style "nigh cha", or milk tea). I keep cheap english breakfast and masala chai tea bags for that purpose. Also keep green tea (loose or tea bags depends on what I've purchased recently).
2 great eating experiences in Washington.....
Mitsitam sounds fascinating. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
Additional reviews:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/20/AR2005102000621.html
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415539
Avant-garde Thanksgiving recipes?
Sweet potato biscuits are soooo good.
If you like making bread, how about a twist on the old brown-n-serve rolls? You can make brioche knots and put out honey butter if you want to go sweet, or if you want to go savory, you could make jalapeno cheese rolls.
I guess bread and butter might not be construed as an appetizer. For appetizers, I'm thinking fish ... you could also do salmon mousse on slices of cucumber or crostini, or smoked trout with horseradish cream garnished with watercress.
For dessert ... how about a pumpkin pie or cake decorated with a spicy pumpkin seed praline or brittle? So many fun options.
What's "the" food where you're from?
It must be noted though that the best Italian cuisine in SF is California-Italian -- Italian style cooking that is unique to the area due to the ingredients available.
Really great authentic Mexican is part of the region too -- lots of Oaxacan and some great Yucatan.
Not traditional of course, but the ubiquitous "California cuisine" spawned by Her Aliceness.
Uni Pizza? [moved from Manhattan board]
In case you decide to go for it and you're afraid of brand confusion ... sea urchins are called "i ricci di mare" in italian :) Maybe you could expand a little to specialize in seafood pizzas or raw seafood pizzas ... I can totally see "pizze di mare" or "pizza cruda".
Any suggestions for enjoying these specialty items?
Maybe you could modify a mousse recipe to use the cherries (I think that would be delicious). Then eat on its own, with dark chocolate, or with white cake.
Could be good just on plain vanilla ice cream as well.
Bistro Du Coin
I love the apple caramel tart at La Chamiere, and they do some things well (Boudin Blanc). But last time I was there, I ordered Cassoulet, which was overboiled, overseasoned, terrible stiff texture in the beans, inedible meat and sausage. To their credit, they allowed me to order another entree without additional charge. However, the second dish that I ordered (moules mariniere) came out smelling like a road apple ... I went hungry that night and it broke my heart.
I will go back for that tart, and for the cozy dining room, but never again a full meal!
Vidalia menu recommendations
Make sure you get the Blenheim's Spicy Gingerale ... wonderful stuff, and very difficult to find!
Shelled Chestnuts
You can buy shelled Chestnuts at any Chinese grocery. They come in little vacuum sealed packages and are relatively inexpensive.
I know for a fact that they carry them at the Kam Sen grocery in Annandale.
4316 Markham Street
Annandale, VA 22003
What is in season at Christmas in Italy?
Panettone, awesome christmas cookies at that bakery just off of Campo San Stefano.
Osteria? Trattoria?
If you find yourself near Piazza del Popolo (at the edge of Villa Borghese) and get hungry, go to I Fratellastri on via Flaminia. Not touristy at all, we were the only non-locals, excellent carbonara and other Roman specialties. The interior is very nice and modern, and service is professional and "gentile".
Near Campo de Fiori, we had a lovely dinner just off the main campo at "da Pancrazio" -- octopus salad with pesto was delicate (NOT overdressed with pesto), tender and delicious -- and excellent pastas. Excellent service and caffe. The restaurant is built on the foundations of the Teatro Pompey, and they claim that ancient roman senatorial meetings often took place after shows at that theater, and that in fact it was *there* that Caesar was stabbed!!
In general, I find Italian treatment of cooked meats to be a little tough, even in the places recommended by the Italian Slow Food guide (not as much of a problem in excellent American Italian restaurants). Although I am more of a "carne" person than a "pesce" person, I found the pesce and frutti di mare more delightful.
Dan Dan Mian
LoveFood, I did check out the recipe -- unfortunately this is one of those seasons of life where I don't have that much time for experimenting in the kitchen -- I have ferreted it away for another time.
The pigs ears are chewy, and the flavor of the ear is subtle, dominated by chili and cilantro. The dish is mostly about the texture.
I have not had good experiences at PF's in the past, but next time I am stuck at Tysons Galleria and starving, I will check out their Dan Dan.
Dan Dan Mian
Sorry the Dan Dan Mian wasn't what you were looking for! Definitely let us know when you find it, as I would love to try the version you like as well. BTW, which noodles did you get? I always like the hand-pulled, chewy wide noodles.
I agree with you about the sesame biscuit, I find it underwhelming.
If you return, do try the bean curd with mushrooms and the pigs ears. There is also a really good cold gluten dish (don't remember exactly what it's called though).
Visiting Silver Spring/DC - Need Recs for Great Places to Go
If you like latin american food, you should try Samantha's in silver spring.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1070061
Despite what the Post says, it is Salvadoran cuisine, not Mexican. Try the fried yucca with chicharron! And all the pupusas are awesome. For fish lovers, the trout is excellent.
Good Peking Duck and Shark's Fin Soup?
First, you're going to have a hard time finding quality versions of both in the same restaurant because Peking Duck is a northern dish (from Beijing), whereas shark fin soup is a southern dish (from Canton / Hong Kong).
There's a great Peking Duck place in Tyson's Corner: Oriental Regency.
8605 Westwood Center Dr Ste 100
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 827-9066
Unfortunately, their other dishes are not that great, but it's worth going for the duck.
Being Cantonese, I grew up eating Shark's Fin -- it's actually rather bland. I think most people order it for symbolic reasons rather than for the flavor. You should be able to find it at any Cantonese restaurant that is large/fancy enough to host banquets. If they have tablecloths, you can probably find it on the menu.
Also, not sure if this matters to you or not, but just to put it out there
... from a health perspective, sharks bioaccumulate mercury, so if you're concerned about mercury don't eat it, and please don't feed it to kids
... from an environmental/humanitarian perspective, the shark fin hunting is cruel, cutting off fins and dumping the fish back into the water to die (not even utilizing the other meat). This practice is illegal in the US, but it's hard to find out where restaurants are sourcing their fins.
Woodberry Kitchen
Great reviews. The menu and the hound reviews have me ready to visit this place really soon, despite the fact that I'm located in NoVA. Even though it is comfort food-y, which I don't mind except at fine dining prices, they seem to have a lot of unique touches and (above all) the execution sounds right.
Eric Ripert restaurant t open next week!!
That link didn't work for me:
http://www.westendbistrodc.com/
Best Pizza in Bay Area
I'm a big fan of Dopo's pizza: nice tender charred crust, good toppings.
Dan Dan Mian
Great! I hope you like it as much as I do :) After I wrote to you, I got a craving, so I may be there tomorrow too, haha ....
Gelato Tartufo in NoVA?
But do they have the tartufo? (Sorry, I should have specified better: tartufo is a stuffed gelato ... often it's a chocolate gelato stuffed with zabaglione flavored gelato, or a vanilla gelato stuffed with coffee flavored gelato ... the chocolate ones are sprinkled with sugared cocoa powder on top ... there are other flavors too, but those are the easiest to find usually).
Thanks for letting me know about the gelato at whole foods, though ... I will check it out!
Dan Dan Mian
I suggest you try A&J (Northern Chinese small plates restaurant), either in Rockville or Annandale. They definitely have Dan Dan Mian, and the rest of the food is great too. Try the sliced pig ears in red chile oil, and the cold gluten with mushrooms. On weekends, they have brunch with fresh warm soy milk and freshly fried yau tieu. I love this place.
4316 Markham St
Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 813-8181
or
1319 Rockville Pike # C
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 251-7878
Asian Supermarkets
The fish waffles with red bean are called "taiyaki" (in Japanese).
Gelato Tartufo in NoVA?
Does anyone know of good places to get gelato tartufo in the DC area? Looking for delis where you could get it to take out, but also for restaurants that serve really good unique ones.
Thanks!
