bcodom's Profile
Beef Wellington in Orlando??
Hmmm....well, that's an interesting take on a classic! Thanks much, Rona.
Beef Wellington in Orlando??
We used to enjoy the Beef Wellington at Maison et Jardin but alas, they are now only open for special occasions. Any suggestions on where this wonderful dish is served? I've already checked a couple French restaurants in the area with no luck....thanks much!
Cherrystone Clams
Millers Ale House serves clams on the half shell, but they tend to be on the small side (we go to the Ale House in Altamonte). If you are a member of Costco, every once and a while they get bags of decent size clams in from Cedar Key for shuck-your-own. Unfortunately, you don't see many true raw bars around here that serve cherrystones on the half shell.
Maitland Recs
For a close-by spot one night, go to Sam Sneads in Maitland Center and get the crab cakes -- I just had them last week and they are awesome. Also in Maitland, east of I-4, is Antonio's (http://www.antoniosonline.com/AntoniosLaFiamma.asp) and they have both a casual and a more upscale restaurant, plus a great deli and wine shop for taking provisions back to your hotel!
Awesome Seafood Pizza
Darn! We just got back from a long weekend in Cedar Key and I saw the Blue Desert Cafe but didn't stop. We were in town for the Art Festival and actually enjoyed some of the best food from the local non-profits selling fresh shrimp, oysters, mullet, clams, etc., as part of the festival We'll visit the Blue Desert Cafe on our next visit for sure....
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Blue Desert Cafe'
12518 State Road 24, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Slim Pickins? Need help with restos near Dunnellon
Drive to Crystal River and go to Vintage on 5th (http://www.vintageon5th.com/).
Anyone ever eat at the German/Eastern European places in Orlando?
Hollerbach's Willow Tree a few time -- IMO the food isn't **quite** as good as it used to be (thought the sauerbraten was a bit dry last time and they ran out of the rouladen) but this is still a fun place to go, especially with a group, for some lively German music and a great selection of German beer and wines. Stopped in one chilly night in December and had a glass of some sort of hot spiced wine concoction that certainly warmed me up!
Had lunch at Chef Henry's in Longwood around Christmas -- excellent fare in a small, bistro-like setting. You can tell its a family affair and you're greeted warmly and they make sure you are happy. Had the appetizer selection so I could try different items; so I tried I had the Halusky (potato dumplings with farmers cheese), Bryndzovnik (spicy sausages that do not have a casing), and the pierogis. The first two were incredible but I think the pierogies are better at Polonia. Plan to go back for dinner; we understand the desserts are extra special, hopefully I'll have room next time!
Been to Polonia a few times -- love the sauerkraut pierogies with carmalized onions and a bit of sour cream, the Beef Goulash, the Chicken Cutlet (sounds ho-hum but it's really delicious) and there's an unusual smoked salmon appetizer thats sorta like a potato pancake that's very good. If you go, order the sampler which gives you stuffed cabbage, pierogies and kielbasa.
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Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe
205 E 1st St Ste D, Sanford, FL 32771
Polonia Cafe
750 S US Highway 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750
Fishcamps around Orlando
Black Hammock can be fun on a Friday night if the band is good; the fried catfish used to be very good but I haven't had dinner there in a while. You might want to also check out the Jolly Gator in Geneva on Route 46 and further east, in Mims, there's Loughman Lake Lodge (http://www.airboatridesatloughman.com/restaurant/).
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Black Hammock Restaurant
2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765
cape canaveral
There are only a few restaurants within walking distance of your ship at the port. I recommend either Seafood Atlantic, which also is a fish market where we've had some excellent locally caught fish sandwiches, or Grilles Restaurant -- get the rock shrimp at Grilles if they have it on special, they are a real delicacy and taste like little lobsters.
Colorado Burrito Company- pork green chili smothered burritos like I used to get in Denver, CO.
Had some of that wonderful green chili in the Cherry Creek area of Denver a couple years ago and loved it; have tried to recreate it at home but don't think I can get the same chilis. I may have to drive up to St. Augustine from Orlando to check this out sometime...thanks!
Is there anything decent in Amelia Island??
Hey marelyisdead, I'm headed to Amelia again over Thanksgiving for our annual family reunion -- do you know if any of these recommended places are open on Thanksgiving day or are we headed back to Barbara Jeans?
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Barbara Jeans Restaurant
101 Palm Harbor Pkwy Ste 123, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Art's Barbeque (Altamonte Sprgs) Review
Recommend you guys try Art's BBQ in uptown Altamonte Springs. I stopped in for lunch today for the first time and brought home some pulled pork, collards, and bbq beans. The pork was very tender, smoky, and Art mixes some sauce in with the cue, which I really like. The collards were excellent, with hunks of smoked meat, and the beans had bits of jalapenos mixed in, which I've never seen before but I really liked. Frankly I thought Art's pulled pork was better than the same I got from 4 Rivers, but I haven't tried anything else yet at Art's to make a more comprehensive comparison to the foodie favorite that is 4 Rivers. But the sides certainly compare IMO. Check it out -- http://www.arts-bbq.com/.
German/ Swiss deli in Orlando ?
Check out Polonia in Longwood -- they have a deli in addition to the restaurant where we recently had some wonderful garlicky sausage -- http://www.polonia-restaurant.com/
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Polonia Cafe
750 S US Highway 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750
Best Eats in Dunnellon, FL
Just got back from Inverness, about a 15 minute drive of Dunnellon, where I had a very nice dinner at McLeod House Bistro (http://www.invernessoldetowne.org/mcleodhouse.html) -- enjoyed some excellent stuffed clams for appetizer, followed by a tender duck breast and ended with a flourless chocolate torte. Small house, intimate dining, worth the drive from Dunnellon.....
Restaurant Update - Amelia Island
The fellow hound thanks you! Will be bringing this list with us in November.....and I actually really enjoy small, intimate restaurants so I'm really looking forward to trying your recs.
I noticed you didn't list Beech Street Grille -- are they closed now or not as good as they used to be?
SARASOTA RESTAURANTS CLOSING AT A FAST PACE!
Could you please pass along some info on those new restaurants on Amelia? We have a family reunion there every Thanksgiving and are always looking for good restaurants (frankly we've been a bit disappointed in the past).........
Habana Grill
Oh no! I've been going there since it was just Don Pepe's and a little hole in the wall. Can't say I'm totally surprised however; the last time we went it was fairly empty on a Friday night. Food was always good, though....I wonder what happened....
Citrus County: Avoid Rustic Ranch
Thanks for the warning. My mother lives in Inverness and I visit from Orlando all the time. Have you tried the new restaurant in the McLeod House? I haven't yet -- wondering if it's worth a visit. We usually go to Van der Valk (sometimes good, sometimes not so much) or Frank's (bleh) and need some variety....
Orlando: Best new(ish) restaurants
Stones Throw Bistro in Sanford -- http://www.stonesthrowbistro.com/
2 questions/requests - Ravenous Pig and Mt Dora this weekend
Glad to hear someone else wasn't all that impressed with the Pig. Went a few months ago; the service was slow, the 3 oysters on the appetizer plate were so tiny they were practically non-existent, and my husband's steak was so fatty the grease was dripping off the plate, nor was it cooked to the degree he requested. When he complained the server looked at him with a confused look, like "Haven't you heard this is the best place in town?" and then just ran off without saying a word. Maybe it was an off night, but we haven't returned, and I too look forward to Andy's review.
2 questions/requests - Ravenous Pig and Mt Dora this weekend
You *may* be able to grab a table that early at Ravenous Pig -- if not, for "budget priced" eats, head east on that same road to Winter Park Fish Company and have a bowl of Cioppino and the Fish Wrap. As for Mt. Dora, I like Pisces Rising (not that budget-y but you can get by with soup and salad or a couple appies; try the Gumbo).
Atlantis Bistro - Wines by the Waves - New Smyrna Beach
I like Atlantis -- It's a delightful little spot on Flagler Street in the spots where "Beach Buns" used to be -- the owner/chef used to own Mona Lisa in Longwood (north of Orlando) and got bored in retirement so she opened this place. Nice selection of wines by the glass. Menu mostly Italian-inspired with a couple unusual items -- I'm partial to the "Mussels Lemonade", a dish with large, meaty shellfish sauteed in lots of garlic and white wine with a thick lemony sauce. You need lots of bread to soak up all the delicious sauce. Husband had the lasagna and loved it. Only downside -- it's a very small place and fills up fast in season. Not sure if they take reservations -- but definitely try Atlantis; maybe for lunch if it's packed at night (I think the menu is the same for lunch and dinner).
Buying free range chicken in Orlando / Winter Springs
Also check your local Publix for Murray Brothers organic free range whole chickens and chicken breasts. Their Greenwise products aren't bad either.
Where to buy fish in Orlando?
Thanks to the chowhound who recommended Seafood Atlantic at Port Canaveral -- finally got over there yesterday, picked up some nice local fish at an incredibly reasonable price, and followed it all up with an excellent lunch at Grills. Afterwards we hiked up to Jetty Park and had a drink at Ron Jon's hotel poor bar before heading home to Altamonte -- what a great day trip! On the menu tonight -- Spanish Mackeral. Thanks again hounds!
Tampa to Apalachicola
You've picked a couple of my favorite small towns that still have a bit of the "old Florida" in them...
In Cedar Key, walk past the touristy places right on the water and check out Annie's Cafe, a super casual place on the right just before you hit "town" - the fish is local and fresh. I like the soft shell crab sandwiches and the mullet. I've heard the crab cakes are also very good and they also serve a cheap, down-home breakfast. In town I like Tony's for the incredible clam chowder. That stuff is so good I hear they're even shipping it to the Northeast. Make sure you stop in for a drink at the Neptune Lounge at the Island Hotel for some local color.
In Appalachicola, you must go to Boss Oyster. The Owl Cafe, Tamara's Cafe, and Verandah's are also very good. Take time to stroll around town; this is a real working fishing village and if you want someone to take you out fishing, I can send you some rec's.
The Homosassa area isn't teaming with great restaurants (I know, my mother lives just east of there in Inverness), but you may want to check out Peck's Port Cove for fresh crabs and an interesting drive out to the Gulf. There's also Charlies right on the Homosassa and Crackers on Crystal River -- neither are that "chowish" but you can't beat the views. I've heard Vintage something-or-other in Crystal River is quite good but I haven't been there.
Have a wonderful trip and please post a review when you get back......
Spring Creek restaurant Crawfordville--recommended?
Haven't been there, but Southern Living did an article on Spring Creek a few months back and raved about the food, and the fact that it's still family owned and operated with that "old time" atmosphere, so it must be worth a stop. As for "why does everyone want everything FRIED?" -- uh, don't think *everyone* in FL wants *everything* fried -- I've traveled extensively throughout FL in the last 30 years and haven't run into a place for many years now that ONLY offers fried food and nothing grilled. It's a big state -- research this board for the last few months and you'll find plenty of places to try in your area.....
New Orlando 'hound destinations: The British Shoppe and International Market & Deli!
Those are two great finds -- wow, Orlando continues to grow into a major metropolitan melting pot. I'm planning a trip to The British Shoppe and International Market very soon...thanks for letting us know, Lou!
Where to buy fish in Orlando?
Those markets at Port Canaveral sound great -- will definitely arrange a road trip soon! And will check out 1st Oriental in town, also.....thanks!
Where to buy fish in Orlando?
Definitely try Lighthouse Seafood in Lake Mary.
Winter Park Fish Company on Fairbanks has a small retail market but the fish is quite expensive.
If you're up for a drive, King's Seafood in Port Orange is very good; lots of local fish right off the boats. We also like Oceans in New Smyrna Beach, however the place was a bit stinky the last time we stopped in.
I've picked up some nice fish at Fresh Market in Altamonte Springs also.
And you are SO right -- we should have many more local seafood markets than we do....
