Oyster Bay – Seafood – Orlando

I was on the look out for some delicious oysters in Orlando when I was tipped off about Oyster Bay from my friend Phong. There are not only delicious oysters at Oyster Bay but also delicious chicken wings !

On my particular visit, they were out of clams! but I must say their freshly shucked raw oysters were the best I’ve ever had.

If you order more than a bucket of oysters, its recommended that you sit by the oyster bar where they shuck the oysters fresh out for you in front of you. Our shucker for the evening was a friendly young lad who did a decent job. The oysters were very tastyy and fresh and did not have any dirty or stinky feeling at all, except for the natural scent of oysters of course.

The chicken wings were also at a special price today. The fried chicken was fresh and juicy, breaded to perfection. I ordered mine naked with the sauce on the side for easy dipping.

Fried Chicken Wings!

Toan enjoying his chicken wing

Fresh shucked oysters getting ready for devouring

Readying…

Condiments if you so choose, from horseradish to hot sauce

See you again soon Oyster Bay!!!

Guavate – Puerto Rican- Waterford Area – Orlando FL

Guavate is a relatively new restaurant in the Waterford Lakes area on the east side of Orlando off of Alafaya Trail. The restaurant recently won Best Puerto Rican restaurant by the Orlando Sentinel 2010 Foodies Awards and I would have to come to agree with that consensus, unlike a few of the other choices on there hmmph…lol anyways Guavate is definitely a standout in terms of Puerto rican fare.

Inside Guavate!

The restaurant is a bit fancier than other Latin restaurants near by, though it is hardly “fancy” fine dining, it is a decent restaurant. The decor inside is elegant with various paintings and scenes and flat screen tv’s with a dvd playing aerial views from across Puerto Rico. I actually visited quite a few times because I enjoyed the food so much there and wanted to try a little bit of everything.

Pastelillitos de Carne – mini empanadas with ground beef

The first time I went, I got the lunch special for $6.99, the pernil, marinated roast pork shoulder, with pigeon peas rice and an order of small empanadas called pastelitos stuffed with ground beef and served with a salsa. The Pastelillitos de carne were quite delicious and were peculiar as they are tiny bite sized finger style, which was quite convenient to snack down on while driving. I also thoroughly enjoyed the pernil roast pork, quite juicy and tasty, and the pigeon peas rice was aromatic and heavenly, maybe the best I’ve ever had.

Pernil Lunch special to go!

Pernil – marinated roast pork shoulder

On a separate occasion I visited with a friend for lunch again. My friend Chris ordered the Carne Guisada, beef stew, which he also thoroughly enjoyed. This time we also ordered the Bacalaitos con Guineitos, Mini salted codfish friters with green bananas $3.99, for appetizer. It was crispy and delectable, also my first time having them. They reminded me of this fried fish paste dish in Vietnamese cuisine, very fun to eat. The service was good, though not the greatest on this occasion

Bacalaitos con Guineitos – codfish fried with green bananas

The Carne Guisada – Beef stew

some more pernil lunching

this rice is the bomb

On a third occasion, I came back for dinner with my partner and had a great time. Our server Javier was probably one of the best servers I’ve had in a while, attentive and genuine, suggesting for me the Mofongo with Churrasco skirt steak in chimichurri sauce. Mofongo is a specialty dish of Puerto Rice made with crushed green plaintains and pork cracklings. Guavate has some of the best mofongo in town and this is actually their specialty.

Pastellitos !

Mofongo! with churrasco

Tres Leches

Flan de Vanilla

Check out their restaurant website here:

“>http://www.guavateinorlando.com/
(I think I hear the coqui frog in the background lol!)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9-t2Sa7nNA]

On a recent trip to Washington DC, I and a few friends decided to drop by Ray’s Hell Burger in Northern Virginia to visit the place where President Obama and Vice President Biden once visited for a burger. Ray’s Hell Burger has been getting quite a lot of traffic as of late, not only due to the recent presidential seal of approval, but also because they just have really good burgers.

Inside, the decor is minimal almost spartan with no frills but hey its all about the food! You can build your own burger with toppings that range from aged danish bleu guyere cheese to apple smoked bacon to roasted bone marrow or seared foie gras with truffle oil, or you can order from a pre-fabrished list of burgers.

I ordered the Big Poppa (they love it when you order Big Poppa), an Au Poivre Burger With Black Peppercorn Crust, Aged Danish Bleu Cheese, Cognac & Sherry Sauteed Mushrooms, Grilled Red Onions ($7.95). My friend ordered the Big Punisher, a Diablo-Grilled and Brushed With Spicy Chipotle Marinade, Pepper Jack Cheese, Charred Jalapenos, Grilled Red Onions, Piranha Sauce(Fiery, Spicy, Green Sauce) ($7.95)

Overall the burger was delicious, the meat was juicy and tender, the toppings were top notch and all in all I enjoyed this decadent treat for lunch. The buns however could be improved as they were a bit standard and not too remarkable. I would definitely come back here again the next time I’m in the DC Area hankering for a good burger! PS its cash only!

The Big Poppa

The Big Poppa

Mac n Five cheeses

Big Punisher

International Market and Deli – Eastern European – Mills 50 – Orlando

Not sure what it says but I am willing to try anything once especially chocolate items

Oh! Its a chocolate castle, waffle cake with vanilla cream

Overall, I was quite impressed with the diverse array of East European goods and I would definitely recommend those adventurous readers out there to try to visit them soon. We need more stores like this in Orlando!

Ran-getsu Japanese Restaurant – International Drive – Orlando

Garden at Ran-getsu

For over 24 years, Ran-getsu has stood with its tranquil blue tiled roofs on the bustling International Drive and served Central Floridians and tourists alike with their authentic Japanese meals. Many friends have had their first dates here over with fresh sliced sushi rolls, or a steaming hot pot of shabu shabu soup, or a sizzling plate of sukiyaki beef.

This week is the last for Ran-getsu, they will be closing their doors this Thursday for good. After many many years of good memories, the economy has finally taken its toll on the place. (see Scott Joseph’s report on their closing)

The first time I’ve ever been to Ran-getsu was during the Japan Festival of Orlando a few years ago when Ran-getsu hosted the event with vendors, artists, musicians, and crowds of people packed the halls of Ran-getsu for a taste of Japan.

This past weekend a few friends and I decided to visit Ran-getsu one last time. We went during their special rolls menu was offered between 5-630pm where you could order 3 rolls and a soup/salad for $12.95. My partner ordered a udon bowl and we also ordered chicken karaage (fried pieces of chicken with a lemon zest), spicy tuna seaweed salad, and some gyoza dumplings.

Some of the rolls ranged from the Black Alaska roll, Spicy tuna roll, Tempura Bagel Roll, Bagel roll, dynamite roll, eel roll, and more. All the rolls were quite delicious.

During our visit, there was also a performance by a traditional Japanese dance troupe who dedicated their last performance to Ran-getsu. It truly is a sad occasion to say good bye to this iconic place which set the vanguard for Japanese cuisine and sushi’s cultural expansion into Central Florida.

Sayonara Ran-getsu!

Gyoza Dumplings @ Ran-Getsu

Chicken Karaage – @ Ran-getsu

Spicy Tuna Seaweed Salad @Rangetsu

Miso soup @ Ran-getsu

Tempura Bagel Roll

Assorted Sushi Rolls (Maki)

Maki !!

More maki

Udon !

Fried Banana Tempura with ice cream and red beans

Red Bean Ice Cream!

A View outside

Waiting to perform their last dance

Sayonara

Sayonara Ran-getsu

————–

Letter from www.rangetsu.com

Dear. Rangetsu of Tokyo Patrons,

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the closing of Rangetsu of Tokyo.
We have been in business for 24 years and have witnessed the best and worst of these economic times and managed to survive during all these years. Unfortunately, the pressure put upon us during this economic crisis was beyond what we could imagine. We are closing our 24 years of history on March 31, 2010.

So it is with great sadness that we say farewell to our customers. Rangetsu wishes warm regards to our devoted clientele who through the years have been considered as part of our family. Words could not express our gratitude for your years of royal patronage.

We hope there comes the day when we announce to our esteemed public Rangetsu of Tokyo has opened its doors once again.

Sommerfest – Germany – Disney World – EPCOT

Sommerfest, also known as Oktoberfest’s little brother, provides quick and easy hand food to go just outside the large buffet hall of Oktoberfest in Disney’s EPCOT Germany in the World Showcase.

Their menu includes:

Bratwurst served with sauerkraut and roll $6.69,
Frankfurter served with sauerkraut and roll $6.59
Salted Soft Pretzel – $4.29
Black Forest Cake Roulade $3.59
Seasonal Crumble Cake – with whipped cream $3.59
Bavarian Cheesecake $3.59
Apple Strudel with vanilla sauce $3.59

All quite reasonable prices considering we are in the locked inside Disney’s protective bubble-shield against all things unhappy.

Ginza – Sushi/ Japanese Steakhouse – Orlando

Ginza is housed in the huge building in the Mills-50 district along Colonial Dr just west of Mills Ave in what used to be Vietnam Town Restaurant. I attended as part of a large party for the birthday of a dear friend. We had quite a few of us there but the service was pretty good and attentive considering the large number of guests.

Inside, the decor of Ginza was a marked improvement of the past building, furnished with modern lighting and settings, a full set of hibachi tables to the left side and a large horse carriage bedazzled in Christmas lighting in the front. A nice touch on the horse statue, I am sure you won’t see PF Changs do that to their horses any time soon.

I want to see this restaurant do well but it is hard to support a place when the food, which is most important above all else, is lacking. They do have a great deal though where you can order (not at the hibachi table) for $13.95 for dinner either Hibachi Chicken, Steak, & Shrimp?(Served with vegetables, fried rice, noodle, house soup, & salad) or Sushi Roll Combo?(Your choice of three rolls from the list below and a miso soup). Alot of food yes, but good tasty food? not really

The sushi rolls were wet, drenched in eel sauce and lacking in flavor. The hibachi shrimp fried rice was just ok, maybe the quality of chinese take out, but some people like that chinese take out. I guess you get what you pay for and this is no exception. Hopefully they get a better chef or better quality ingredients soon.

Tuna kobachi

Shrimp Fried rice

Sushi rolls

Millie’s Jamaican Cafe , now known as Mama Millies, in the UCF area in the plaza behind McDonald’s on Alafaya and University recently underwent major interior and menu renovations, all for the better.

Millie’s used to be a small hole in the wall type place with bright fluorescent lighting and sparse, all in all very typical and all in all not a very glamourous place to dine in.

However, the owners of Lazy Moon nearby have apparently provided their personal touch in the transformation of Millie’s Jamaican Cafe to Mama Millies. The lighting is much more easy on the eyes, darker and more classy. Giant photos of scenes from Jamaica and the Caribbean decorate the walls like a photo art exhibit, an absolutely stunning photo of an elderly woman delighting in a smoked cigar particularly jumps out at me.

The order system is the same where you head to the front counter and are greeted by a young and jovial man named Matt, who is also the current purveyor of the establishment. In the past the place has been known for slightly spotty, whimsical service, but today everything is just jammin.

The menu has slightly been renovated with new items such as “bowls” and “bashy wraps” added. Bashy wraps are small yet delightful wraps filled with red cabbage and your choice of fried fish or fried shrimp or chicken or vegan, reminiscent of a remixed rendition of fish tacos.

Before

After

She is enjoying the simple things in life

Bashy Wrap

Bashy Wrap:

Kingston Bowl: Jerk chicken with rice and cabbage

Kingston Bowl: Curry Chicken with rice and veggies

Fried Fish Bashy wrap
Another addition to the newly revamped menu are the various combos that offer choice of meat, side and drinks all for a reasonable price. In fact most of the items here are under $10, minus seafood items. My favorite items are the stew beef and bashy wraps, however I do notice that some of the chicken items are a bit dry and stringy at times.

One thing that hasn’t changed to Mama Millie’s is that dear Mama Millie still wanders the restaurant from table to table from time to time to check up on how things are going, all with the same contagious, wide smile.

Celebrate 25 years of Film Food and Friends

The Enzian
cordially invites you to the
official unveiling of our new courtyard granite centerpiece
Permanently Commemorating Enzian’s 25th Anniversary

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Cocktails at Eden Bar at 5:30
followed by
Ceremony at 6:00
Reception afterwards

Check out (formerly of Orlando) Eddie Huang on Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown this Sunday at 9pm.

“Party Food”
Food Network looks for the ultimate party food recipe. From finger food to full-on entrees, four contestants take party food to the next level, serving up dishes like Chicken Cordon Blue Roll-Ups and Plantain and Shrimp Party Boats. Contestants include: Barbara Estabrook (Rhinelander, WI), Thalia Patillo (New York), Eddie Huang (Orlando, Fla.) and David Fogelman (Stamford, Conn.).
Premiering Sunday, March 28th at 9:00pm ET/PT

Eddie’s recipe is for a bun which included certified angus skirt steak marinated and hit up with Chinese firewater and served on a bun.

Recently Eddie Huang opened up his own restaurant in Manhattan New York City called Baohaus, selling his famed bun creations and recently winning Best Bun of New York City in New York Magazine. They were also recently featured in a New York Times article here

check out their website here:

http://www.baohausnyc.com/

Iron Chef Cat Cora

will be at the Macy’s store at the Mall at Millenia on March 20. She will host a free cooking demo and book signing. She’ll also share recipes from Kouzzina, her new Mediterranean style restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.

Cat Cora made history as Food Network’s Iron Chef America as the first and only female Iron Chef. She’s also the Executive Chef of Bon Appetit magazine. She’s also the President and Founder of Chefs for Humanity, an organization that was founded in response to the 2004 Tsunami disaster. This year, Chefs for Humanity launched a fundraising campaign to help Haiti.

Cat will be at Macy’s as a member of the Macy’s Culinary Council – http://bit.ly/culinarycouncil.

WHEN:?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
?2:00 pm??

WHERE: ?
Macy’s Home Store at The Mall at Millenia?
3rd Floor Home Department?
4200 Conroy Road
Orlando, FL 32839??

RSVP: ?Customer RSVP’s are recommended, but not required. To reserve your seat at the event, please call 407.264.2332.

SANFORD POLLO TROPICAL® TO UNVEIL A NEW LOOK,
FEEL, MENU AND SERVICE AT GRAND RE-OPENING ON MARCH 26

SANFORD, FL – Pollo Tropical® welcomes the spring season with a fresh new look and new flavors at its Sanford restaurant located at 1001 W.P Ball Boulevard. Pollo Tropical will unveil its masterpiece to the public on Friday, March 26. The Sanford restaurant marks the first location in Central Florida to boast the brand’s elevated concept, which features complimentary table service, real plates and silverware.

The grand re-opening day at the Sanford Pollo Tropical will be buzzing with excitement as customers celebrate the restaurant’s unveiling and also have a chance to win big! Starting at 4:00 p.m., the first 250 customers to arrive at the restaurant, located in the Marketplace at Seminole Towne Centre, can play the Rolling with Pollo dice game. Each participant will roll six dice marked with letters and Pollo Tropical artwork, and the first person to roll “POLLO!” will receive a $5,000 grand prize. The contest is free to enter, participants must be at least 18 years old, and each person receives only one turn.

FREE TABLE SERVICE
In addition to offering free table service, the re-branded Pollo Tropical will feature new menu items, such as a new assortment of signature sandwiches and artistic wraps, including the grilled Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, Classic Chicken Sandwich with Peppadew Sauce, Guava Pork BBQ Sandwich, Chicken Caesar Wrap, and Grilled Cuban Wrap.

Some new ingredients to complement Pollo Tropical’s new work of art menu include the use of Sea Salt seasoning instead of iodized salt on side dishes like yuca, rice, beans, and balsamic tomatoes. Other side dishes that motivate the flavorful masterpiece include a new Fiesta Salad – made with black beans and corn, an award-worthy coleslaw and an array of rices and beans inspired by kitchens throughout the Caribbean.

A new kid’s meal menu lets you create your own kid-loving masterpiece with the choice of grilled drumstick & thigh, or grilled chicken breast strips, or four grilled Tropical Wings – along with your choice of any one side dish. But the most exciting part: the kid’s meal also includes a cup or cone of the Vanilla Soft Serve!

SANGRIA & MORE!
Moreover, a diverse wine list from Spain, Argentina, Chile, and Napa Valley starting at just $3.50 a glass and $15 per bottle was also added – plus a signature Sangria and a variety of bottled beers. Customers will be able to unwind with a daily happy hour from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., featuring pitchers of sangria for $5 and $1 off beer and wine.

A full service coffee bar was also added to include lattes, espresso, cappuccino and American coffee.

“We are excited to feature the new concept in Central Florida,” said Vicky Timmer, Director of Operations for Pollo Tropical, Central Florida. “It showcases a unique and fun side to Pollo Tropical that we think the residents and visitors of the area will enjoy.”

The restaurant will also continue to serve up classic favorites like the marinated grilled chicken and the sizzling Fajitas with your choice of grilled chicken or steak with all the Fajita fixings. The complimentary Salsa Bar will also be available with the popular Salsa Fresca, Salsa Fuego, Guava BBQ, Curry Mustard, the new spicy Poyo-Poyo sauce and more.

For those eager to get a taste of the new flavors, the new restaurant will open for business starting at
11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 26, 2010.

About Pollo Tropical®
Born in a Caribbean kitchen with a Latin accent in the melting pot of Miami, Pollo Tropical’s signature citrus marinated, tropical-spiced grilled chicken (Pollo in Spanish) created its namesake. People came from all over just to get a taste of the Pollo. Today, that same recipe is being grilled fresh and served fast to about 20 million loyal Pollo Tropical fans at more than 90 Pollo Tropical restaurants. There’s no mistaking the taste, the freshness and the flavor of Pollo Tropical.

For more information on Pollo Tropical®, including menu items and nutritional information, visit online at www.pollotropical.com.

###

Alcione Gonzalez
Impact Miami Public Relations
305-751-7001, Ext. 8003
305-978-0432, mobile
305-675-3188, fax
alcione@impactmiami.com

Tangierine Cafe @ Morocco – EPCOT

EPCOT is probably the theme park enjoyed more by adults than their young children. I guess our sensibilities and appreciation changes as we get older. Who wouldn’t want to travel around the world and back to the future in just one Central Florida afternoon?

What more, if you look in the right places, EPCOT can be quite the foodie destination. (If you look in the right places)

.
…….

Halfway around the world in Morocco, my fellow adventuring companions decide to sit down at the Tangierine Cafe after looking over the menu.

A Impressive array of gyro meat gyrating on their sticks in the Tangierine Cafe in Morocco

I chose the chicken/lamb shewarma combo platter with hummus, taboule salad, and Moroccan cous cous. It was plentiful of food and tasted just fine, although I have had better, it was decent. We also got a delightful little baklava dessert to round off the meal. The best thing about this place is that everything here is very reasonably priced 😀

The chicken/lamb combo platter at Tangierine Cafe

Desserts

Baklavas

BAKLAVA the favorite dessert of everyone in the middle east and greece

With a simple name like Tenders, you can expect what’s about to come. CHICKEN TENDERS. Big, chunky, fried (or grilled) chicken tenders, slightly spiced and ready to eat.

Located right across the street from UCF on Alafaya Trail behind the BP gas station, Tenders is a small, sparsely decorated joint where the chicken is where its at.

For around $5.00, my friend and I shared a 5 piece chicken tender meal which came with a choice of two sides. We chose the hush puppies and to balance it out on the healthy side: some cole slaw.

All in all the chicken tenders were decent, and actually better than your average chicken tenders so I appreciate that. I would definitely come back to try some more, especially if I am in the mood for some chicken tenders 😀

I guess I’m on a pizza craze these past few weeks cause here’s another entry about some local pizza joints!

The Primavera Pizza and the Pizza of the day

Pizza Valdiano!

The Hawaiian!

Lazy Moon – UCF Area – Orlando

Ah, pizza and cold beer, what else can be better on a moonlit night at Lazy Moon?

The pizza slices are literally as big as two-three pizzas together. We almost always eat the pizza with a knife and fork just to get at it without making a mess. On a special occasion, I ordered the large pizza to share (30″ diameter, about $24 plus $2/3 more for toppings) and it was well enough to feed 7 big hungry boys.

The Mushroom and Sausage pizza

Lazy Moon: the slices are really big !!

If we don’t eat this now, it may eat us…
check out their nice website:http://www.eatdrinkandbelazy.com/

El Corral – Orlando – UCF Area

El Corral has quite a following these days in the UCF area. On most days the house of El Corral is teeming with undergrads, most coming straight from the gym, all coming for some delicious pollos a la brasa, rotisserie chicken, or one of the many other items on their diverse menu. A favorite is the 1/4 chicken with rice and beans special for around an affordable $4.

Sometimes when I’m at El Corral with friends, I order a round of salchipapas, literally frankfurters with french fries, for an appetizer. My favorite item on their menu during the week is the churrasco skirt steak, a delicious, juicy, and savory cut of meat for around $8.99.

Gaby’s Pizza – Queens, NY

On one of my travels to New York, I met up with a few friends, courtesy of Winston, at a small little pizzeria in Jamaica Queens NY called Gaby’s Pizza. They are known (according to the Rachel Ray Show), as having the “Best Pizza in New York”. I ordered a Sicilian, a rectangular thick crust version of Pizza, and it was quite delectable. The cheese was fresh and the crust tasted like bread which in itself is quite the accomplishment. Although I did enjoy the pizza, I may have had better elsewhere. But Gaby’s Pizza was still pretty darn good pizza.

The list is out! Check it here:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants/os-cal-the-foodies-restaurant-awards-20100225,0,668719,full.story

Mochi Frozen Yogurt – Downtown Orlando

Mochi’s is the latest arrival of the frozen yogurt craze that has been hitting the nation by offering a healthier, lower calorie alternative to traditional ice cream.

Conveniently located right next door to Bento Cafe underneath the Plaza Cinema cafe plaza, you can head over to Mochi’s right after dinner for dessert and before a movie lol. Another bonus is that they provide parking validation! Scoree

What is a mochi? Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. They have about 2-3 different types of mochi available as toppings, chopped up into tiny bite sized bits, as well as numerous fruits, nuts, and other yummy toppings.

They have about six types of frozen yogurt from taro to mango to coconut to coco-nilla, all quite tasty and tarty. After you finish mixing and matching, they weigh your concoction at the register and you pay for it by the ounce. Definitely check it out if you’re in the area!