Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Gringos Locos: A Downtown Drunk’s Best Friend

True, I visited Gringos during daylight hours but the feel of the place immediately alerted me that it’s really hoppin’ after the bars start shutting down. Open until 3am, it’s actually a quiet spot to grab a bite for lunch.

Gringos has a beautiful, straightforward menu which is efficiently broken down into 4 main categories- Lite Affair, Tacos, Burritos, and Full Affair (it probably keeps things simple when you’re not working at full capacity after a few shots). This afternoon, I opted for the Double D’s from the Tacos section- a hard-n-soft shell taco with cheese, your choice of meat, lettuce, pico de gallo, and sour cream (2 for $5.95) and OG Nachos ($5.75) from the Full Affair section- cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and ground beef ($1.75 extra).

First off, the service here is REALLY helpful and very friendly. Since yours truly is trying to be more healthful (especially when sober), the guy at the back of the counter piled on veggies in my taco- olives, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, and (delightfully) cilantro. It was a great revelation to find out that a taco, especially here, can give you an ample serving of nutritious vegetables… minus the innocuous ‘daily salad’ concept that I’ve being accustomed to lately. And to match that health-consciousness, he even suggested that I skip the sour cream to savor those fresh, herbaceous flavors. Who am I to counter such brilliance?

Salty, succulent pieces of dark chicken meat greeted my mouth like a long-lost lover. She enshrouded her allure with crisp lettuce and sultry kisses of freshly sliced jalapenos. The ultra-fine shredded white and yellow cheeses only cemented my appetite for her. The cilantro was particularly instrumental in giving the taco a beautiful, ethnic mouth-feel. And parlaying into that experience, the textural combination of soft and hard shell tacos in one bite made this dish an INSTANT ADDICTION.

The OG Nachos, in my opinion, are best eaten when you have the drunk munchies. To me, it didn’t really make a lot of sense eating weirdly sweet ground beef (a mixture of chipotle, spice, and brown sugar) heaped with a curious cheese sauce mixture only to be wetted down with tomatoes and sour cream. This lead to a very soggy nacho combination that sticks to the roof of the mouth. Freshly made right behind the counter, the dish became a sloppy mess within minutes. Delicious when drunk, not so much when sober.

IN A NUTSHELL: Gringos Locos is your stop after the bars (it’s catty-corner from I-Bar). It remains one of the few cool places that still give you GREAT DEALS IF YOU BUY MORE OF THE SAME ITEM (my tacos were 2 for $5.95, 3 for $8.00, or 4 for $9.75). They at least have 3 different types of hot sauces. Try to sit OUTSIDE- a mere hour inside the joint and my shirt smelled strongly like deep fried salsa (not really a good thing when you still have the errands to run). And if you want to impress your friends by getting your picture on their counter, you can try the Drunk Gringo Challenger Showdown where you try to inhale a burrito as fast as you can (the current time to beat is 1min 21secs). But please, have some dignity and barf outside the restaurant if the alcohol revolts inside you. That’s probably the reason why Gringos has 100% recycled paper napkins but no recycling trashcans for their canned and bottled beverages.
Gringos Locos on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

A New Video for Dixie Crossroads!



I recently revisited this historically-important restaurant. The Rock Shrimp are delicate (and rich when dipped in butter) in flavor when eaten by themselves. A must try if you ever venture out to Titusville. What I'm really proud of, however, is elucidating the story behind this business. Enjoy the video!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Paco’s: An Orlando citizen’s pilgrimage

Pacos has been around before Orlando started having I-4 traffic problems. Yes, it hails from a time when the city still felt like a Southern town. Some of the servers at Paco’s, a rarity in itself, have been there for close to 30 years. It seems when a restaurant attains a sacred age, you have to visit it just to say you’ve been there… almost, like a pilgrimage.

So, for this evening’s homage, we had a Chili Relleno for $4.95, a Giant Chili Chimi for $9.95, and a three-taco option for $8.75.

Complimentary chips and salsa break up the food waiting time. A standard salsa accompanies a basket of tortilla chips that’s good enough for a person to have as an appetizer. The Chili Relleno at Paco’s is very different from other establishments.
True, it is baked; but the layered strips of UNbattered Poblano peppers that are separated by generous amounts of shredded cheese make this an experience very unique to this establishment. Other restaurants may cry fowl- but the tenure of Paco’s overrules.

The Giant Chili Chimi is not gigantic visually. There are many layers to it, however. The burrito itself is stuffed with your choice of chicken or beef (or even a mixture of the two), fried, and THEN topped with homemade chili. To round things off, sour cream, guacamole, onions, and sliced pickled jalapenos finish the dish.
The taste of this mixture is exactly what it sounds like- soft exterior, tough burrito shell, meaty interior. It may look small, but the Giant Chili Chimi is more than satisfying. It sticks to your stomach for filling meal.

The three-taco option was perfectly portion sized. At Paco’s you can even mix things up by ordering hard and a soft-shell tacos.
You also get a choice of Chicken, Beef, or Guacamole, and they all come with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Their refried beans are nothing extraordinary but their rice packs a good tomato flavor with a soft, sticky consistency.

IN A NUTSHELL: Paco’s is a modest location on Fairbanks- but anyone who has lived in Orlando for a while uses it as a landmark. An interesting fact about this place is that if you buy one of their T-shirts, you also get 10% off your check. For foodies and aspiring chefs, the Marj Myers Scholoarship Fund has been started at Valencia’s Culinary Program (Marj was the owner of Paco’s for over 28 years). The workers have been around longer than some of us, so show you admire their dedication. Paco’s hours of operation are not consistent through the week- be sure to call ahead. For a piece of local history that fills your belly at modest price, Paco’s is definitely worth a trip.
Paco's on Urbanspoon

Hard Rock Café: Good food, beware of Universal’s alcohol prices

For a pre-concert dine-and-dash, the Café seemed to be the most convenient choice given that it’s right next to the it’s very own auditorium. Café, however, is a misnomer since this establishment fits clearly into a full-fledged chain restaurant.

I deliberately tried to avoid a full stomach prior to the show (I intended to enjoy more drinks than food on this occasion) and ordered a Haystack Chicken Salad for $12.50- minus the ranch dressing. The portion size was decent and filling. The diced pieces of grilled chicken in the salad were not numerous but I did manage to get my protein fix. Generous amounts of corn finished the salad comprised of crisp lettuce, carrots, freshly diced tomatoes, and shredded American cheddar. There were scant specks of spiced pecans. I wished there were more (well, more than 3 pieces at least). Piled high on top of the salad was a mound of fried tortilla strips.

The food was surprisingly filling… as did every other entrée that was glanced upon on other tables. Libations, however, were not cheap. The liquor prices were about $2-$3 additional for the common alcohols and presumably even more for the mixed cocktails. However, a majority of the restaurants these days offset their food costs with alcohol profits. Point of the story? Get trashed prior to getting there and ask someone else to be the designated driver.

IN A NUTSHELL: This place is noisy and huge. Two floors with a scenic patio area on the second level make this restaurant appropriate for the sheer volume of traffic at Universal Studios. Numerous music memorabilia festoon the walls from end to end. An interactive trivia touch-screen wall attracts (or distracts) people waiting on their food or just checking out the adjacent souvenir shop on the first floor. A special shout out goes to Kyle, our server- he was awesome.
Hard Rock Café on Urbanspoon

Blue Dolphin Café: Great service, satisfying food

Blue Dolphin seemed to be the only option besides the hotel’s continental breakfast in the immediate area. What first came to my mind was what a monopoly on the am shift this business had… it only occurred to me much later that I was hoping for some good food too.

I split a bacon-and-cheese omelet for breakfast (I wasn’t particularly hungry) with some additional whole-wheat toast, orange juice, skim milk, and coffee. The omelet was excellent! More on the verge of a frittata, it was ridiculously thick and packed with strips of bacon.

As the fork sliced through the contraption, melted cheddar cheese oozed out of it which became an instant feast for the eyes and the stomach. The omelet, at $8.50, came with a side of chopped potato wedges and whole-wheat toast. Satisfying? Yes. Under $20 for the bill around St. Armand’s eateries? Excellent.

IN A NUTSHELL: It seems the Blue Dolphin gets it’s adequate share of tourists much like the rest of Lido Key and St. Armand’s Circle. However, it also seems to be a place of congregation for the locals that live in the few houses that still remain on the island. Customer service at the Blue Dolphin was great and it seemed all the severs work together to ensure that. Blue Dolphin is ONLY open for breakfast and lunch. For a cheap and satisfying breakfast go there.
Blue Dolphin Cafe on Urbanspoon

Columbia: Decent price-points for Lunch

Columbia was a must on the list for my visit to Sarasota- especially when this location generates more revenue than the original at Ybor City.

For the lunch fare- the Pollo Riojana ($10.95) and the Roast Pork Loin “A la Cubana” ($10.95) were ordered. It was particularly a good deal because the entrées came with a side order of their Famous 1905 Salad for an additional $3.95. And for libations, their renowned Sangria was available at $4.95 a glass.

Crisp, warm Cuban bread was brought at the beginning of the meal followed by the Sangria.
The bread was delicious and each of us got half a loaf of it. It started the meal off on a great note. The Sangria was sweet, refreshing, and well-suited for a sultry day out by the beach. If I had to pick on anything, it would be that the Sangria had those dyed-red, pickled Maraschino cherries… I would’ve been fine if they had skipped the preserved fruit entirely.

I’m sure I’m going to cause a stir when I say that their 1905 salad is nothing remarkable. Perhaps in my mind, when I think of a delicious salad, I conjure up images of fresh, crisp greens tossed with generous amounts of other vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Their salad focuses more on the cheese- Swiss and Parmesan. Decent-sized bits of ham dot the lack-luster salad comprised mostly of Iceberg Lettuce and Romaine. Finally, the salad could have done without being drenched in dressing. In hindsight, you can request your server to dress the salad just the way you like it since it’s tossed and presented tableside.

Between the two entrées, the Pollo Riojana was better. For a boneless chicken that’s breaded and fried, topped with a deliciously tangy tomato sauce and Tetilla cheese, it was Y-U-M-M-Y. The side of yellow rice packed a strong note of cumin along with other spices. Cooked with peas and bell peppers, the rice showed the hand of a chef that has made this rice for many, many moons.

The Roast Pork Loin “A la Cubana” was outshined by the prior dish only because the meat was overcooked and dry. I didn’t notice ANY marinade for the pork as the menu had promised, but the black beans and rice were fabulous. Soft, but not-mushy, the rice was perfectly cooked while the delicious black beans became an instant hit on my palate.

IN A NUTSHELL: Columbia seems to have no dearth for a customer base- the place was busy even on a Monday afternoon. If you’re an herbivore, you probably won’t see the hoopla about the 1905 Salad. The Sangrias are good and so are the portion sizes. Unfortunately, the Cuban bread is not in-house (for any of the locations, as a matter of fact). For attentive and keen service, ask for Novi.
Columbia Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Venezia: Pizza seems to be the way to go

I should’ve wondered why 3 out of 4 tables around us had ordered pizzas instead of the other options on the menu. Even more bewildering is why I didn’t order it when Venezia’s fire-oven is clearly visible from the entrance.

I suppose it was a calculated folly. Instead, I chose the tantalizingly sounding Gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce ($13.50). For appetizers, the standard Caprese ($8.95) was requested and for the finale, a Lemon Cake (torta de la Nonna- $6.95).

The Gnocchi was yummy. Like soft pillows of dough, they glided down the throat with great ease. The sauce, however, beckoned for more cheese.
The Gorgonzola flavor was not adequately prominent- it felt like it was thinned down with more cream than one would desire. My companion noted that if crumbs of Gorgonzola were used as a garnish atop the Gnocchi, it would have greatly improved the dish.

The Caprese was standard.
The adjoining clump of Arugula on the plate actually imparted a great herbaceous bite. With a few dustings of freshly ground black pepper and a touch of balsamic vinegar, the appetizer quickly vanished in my mouth. Mmmmmmmmm. Satisfaction.






‘Lemon Cake’ at Venezia is actually a torte.
The flavor was good, but the dessert was very cold and hard. It felt like it was brought out of the freezer not too long before I laid my eyes on it. When I asked the server about the dessert, she mentioned that the torte wasn’t in-house, but locally bought.

IN A NUTSHELL: Pizza seems to be the name of the game here- they have about 18 varieties. Satiating for two, I think I’ll be ordering this next time… especially for a beautiful summer night on St. Armand’s Circle in Lido Key. The décor inside is tasteful but if you want to munch and people-watch, outdoor seating is the way to go. For service with a smile, ask for Laura.
Venezia on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Porkie’s Original Barbeque: When in Apopka

Porkie’s is located in the hub (i.e. Main Street/U.S. 441) of Apopka. I stopped by last week for a quick bite before tubing down Rock Springs. It’s a no-frills joint- and I like it that way when it comes to southern barbeque. My concern, and so should yours, was only how good the bbq would taste.
They didn’t disappoint. I had a Lunch Special for $8.50, which entailed a pulled pork sandwich, a choice of 2 sides, and included a non-alcoholic drink. Judiciously heaped, compressed pork on a soft bun completed the task of my satiation. The meat itself was flavorful of charred smoke and was slightly on the drier side. The sides- we ordered 2 separate plates- were good too (mac-n-cheese, bbq beans, and seasoned taters).
I did, however, LOVE the collard greens. They were cooked perfectly- slowly rendered for several hours with generous amounts of pork, it was soft and each bite was absent of that tough plant fiber which ideally shouldn’t belong in there anyway. They also gave me some pepper vinegar to douse the collards with. It imparted a tart and spicy twist to an already delicious side.

The service was exceptional. Granted that they weren’t packed, at least two different staff members stopped by each table to check and see if everything was working well. On another note, they have a variety of sauces- including that Carolina vinegar kind… I call it ‘dip’. Ranging from mild-sweet to xxx, they were all good but not too sweet. I actually liked that, but some southern boys would probably care for the sauce to be sweeter.

IN A NUTSHELL: Reasonable price-points for good food. Staff members are friendly and will gladly assist you in narrowing down your choices when they ring-up your order at the counter. Try the different sauces they have- chili-heads will love the mean, spicy ones.
Porkie's Original BBQ on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Hawker’s South Asian Fare: Roti Canai… OMG, I die!

This place came to my attention immediately after it opened. It was the name that caught my attention: Hawker’s. And I thought to myself “Could it be?” So, it was only a matter of time before my mouth met their food. And as a former (and picky) hawker customer, I was really looking forward to it.

For individuals unfamiliar with the term, Hawkers are signature to Asian countries (and arguably, in many other parts of the world). They are street vendors who usually vocalize what’s being offered in a loud, aggressive format. Usually on self-drawn carts or makeshift stalls, they are the Asian version of a food truck (well, minus the truck). Hence the etymology of the word ‘Hawker’- from middle low German ‘hoken’, meaning ‘to peddle’ or ‘to bear on one’s back’. Typically, they only showcase a handful of cheap-but-delicious items that are often codependent in their recipes (either they utilize a similar list of ingredients or one item is part of another item’s creation). The Hawker Stand is an example of a classic business structure- delectable food leads to more money which results in a more lavish display of food, a bigger cart, and, ultimately, a permanent spot on the street where people use the eatery as place to rendezvous and spend even more money. In other words, if your food is awesome, you’ll rise to the top.

Luckily, the restaurant showcases more than just a handful of choices. But the small-plate concept and cheap prices remain. And now the math- Szechuan style wings $4, Vegetarian Summer Rolls $3, Satay Chicken Tacos $5, Roti Canai $3, Cantonese Ginger Chicken $4.50, and Malaysian Prawn Mee $6.

They were out of Hainanese sauce, so Szechuan happened to be a second choice. Five wings appeared as our appetizer and they were fairly small.
The unfortunate part, however, was that they weren’t spicy enough. When you think of Szechuan, the connotation is definitely chili heat- and this dish was toned down quite a few notches.
The Vegetarian Summer Rolls were fine with the standard fillings of vermicelli rice noodles, cabbage, carrots, and scallions. The adjoining peanut sauce was pleasantly on the sweet side.
The Satay Chicken Tacos were nothing exceptional. It was a mild mélange of flavors with no single note flying higher than the rest. The tacos desperately needed some acid, which a single wedge of lime atop a small portion of salsa thankfully provided.

The tide turned favorably when the Roti Canai arrived. It was CRIMINALLY DELICIOUS. Alternatively called Roti Chennai/Parata, it’s a Malaysian dish with Indian origins. The small portion of curry sauce with a lump of potato was stupendously addictive.
My stomach was instantly imprisoned by tasty lip smacks of curry intertwined with some SERIOUSLY FLAKY ROTI (see the adjoining short video clip of it at my blog). I could’ve easily made a fool of myself and licked the bowl clean. The curry was creamy and well balanced. A range of spices (cumin, coriander, and cinnamon to name a few) sang like a harmonious choir that elevated the dish into a synergetic stratosphere. In short, magic.

The Cantonese Ginger Chicken showed elegance in simplicity. Simple, ground ginger paste accompanied with perfectly moist sautéed chicken strips spelled Y-U-M.
Ginger paste, though usually used as a pre-cook marinade, worked well just as it was. On the other hand, the Prawn Mee was a toss-up. It was recently prepared and served. Hence, the ingredients were layered and presented just as the menu described. However, a slow cooked approach (as soups often have) would have intermingled the flavors of chicken, egg, chili sauce, and jumbo shrimp more successfully.

If this were back in Asia, I would’ve opted for the Hawker stand selling soup that had been simmering in a giant wok for hours rather than one that served a la minute.

When one of the co-owners, Kaleb Harrell, arrived for a quick interview, it came to no surprise to find out that the place is owned by people who have a lineage in the Hawker business. And the menu definitely speaks of the diversity in the ownership as well- Hong Kong natives, Northern Chinese, Malaysian, and Vietnamese bring the Asian diaspora to the restaurant’s table. I did manage to ask him about the soup and his responded that the chefs are still deliberating between themselves which technique should prevail. He also pointed out the detail in décor for the place was specific to the concept- right down the very tables styled with laminated Chinese newspapers (so reminiscent of eating food from a Hawker’s newspaper cone).

IN A NUTSHELL: Go for the Roti Canai. It’s great. The place is young and the owners are receptive to your suggestions- especially for a second location that they are planning in the works. Try one of the many Asian beers they serve bottled. The success of a traditional hawker stand is very physically evident- a long queue. And I’m happy to say that this concept has finally germinated in our very own backyard. Here’s to hoping for a long line at this joint.
Hawkers Asian Street Fare on Urbanspoon

Monday, May 2, 2011

Shipyard Emporium Market, Bakery, Brew Pub- A Marriage of Food and Beer

I actually stepped into this establishment to kill time. I really wasn’t hungry, but my sources told me that Shipyard Emporium did have a good selection of craft beers. And ice-cold Beer, especially on a hot Florida afternoon, is something no man passes up freely.

The concept of this place is a mishmash of a market and a dining place. Upon arrival, I was greeted at the hostess stand with some baked bread samples. Behind our hostess, was a refrigerated display counter selling cheese, bread, and the like. For a very brief moment, it felt like Costco. But when I veered left towards the dining area, the feel changed into a Gastropub. And on the table, to assuage my doubts, was a beer menu. It was love at first sight- Craft Beers. The choices were varied, ordered, and perfectly described per their alcohol percentage and flavor profile. On the backside of the menu, there was a guide to tasting beer and appreciating it for all its unique qualities. Beer, evident, was the spotlight.

The Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat beer was my choice for the afternoon ($5/pint).
It fulfilled it’s job description- i.e., washed out the horrendous afternoon heat with a frothy smile on my face. I liked the floating blueberries that it came with- nice touch. Fruity and effervescent, it actually heightened my senses that the sun had baked thin.

I had a Pot Roast Flatbread for $10 to accompany my libation. Creamy, meaty, and cheesy- it’s hard to go wrong with this combination. The baked Gorgonzola crumbled atop the 10” flatbread imparted a tart zing with each bite.
The Criminis used in this dish played up the meaty qualities of the Pot Roast with a nutty finish. It seems that Criminis are becoming a rapid FLAVOR TREND FOR THE SEASON as they are becoming ubiquitous in many seasonal menus across the city (Teak and Finesse, among others). But it was the Bleu Cheese Dressing that formed the base of the flatbread that I found to be addictive like potato chips. I couldn’t help it! The flatbread was made quick work of in rapid gobbles.

Alas, after these darlings, I had to depart for chores delineated for the rest of the day. It felt like I was leaving too soon for some reason. Shipyard lures its clients like the safety of a harbor for long-lost sailors at sea. Balancing unique food options with equally unique beer, it definitely became a memorable afternoon.

IN A NUTSHELL: Wines and beer options change with the season and whim of master brewer Ron Raike (winner of numerous awards and a local figure in beer for over 20 years). Shipyard’s concept hails from Maine and presents a beer-focused profession (co-owner Allan Pugsley- yes, that’s his name- went over to England to learn under master brewers himself). For a serious brewski try the Double Old Thumper for a dry finish with a whopping 11.2% alcohol content. Difficulty choosing ‘the One’? A beer flight of 4oz samples of 4 different beers of your choice will ease the pressure. Go to kill time. Go to drink beer. Go to eat some tasty food. It’s all here.
Shipyard Emporium · Market · Bakery · Brew Pub on Urbanspoon

Followers