Monday, October 10, 2016

The Taste of Yucatán: Unique niche cuisine and a must try for anyone in Orlando



Finally, a change from the regular humdrum and onto a new and never-tried cuisine in Orlando. Taste of Yucatán just opened three weeks ago. It's located not far from the busy intersection of Semoran and Curry Ford. How often do you try an establishment that specializes in regional Mexican cuisine? Unless you are shopping at a local mexican store with a side kitchen serving hot food, the answer is probably not that often.
The building is rather unassuming. To be honest, it used to be a Church's Chicken property before it traded hands. When we arrived, the parking lot had but a few cars and I have to say, I was a little concerned this was not what I had hoped for. 

My reservations about this place melted away as soon as we entered. The restaurant was clean, well lit, minimally decorated, and the ordering counter had 3 flat screens that effectively (and efficiently) described the ordering process while giving ample visual examples of their dishes from one slide to next. To top it off, we had the owner, Joal Rodriguez, take our order with a big smile. His willingness to help make our experience as best as it could get really impressed me as he truly went out of his way to make sure we were satisfied while placing our order.

The process is simple- choose a 'presentation' (taco, quesadilla, bowl, etc.) and the 'filling' that would reside on or in your presentation (mayan-style pork, cheese, chorizo, poblano peppers, etc.). There are appetizers as well... and get this, nothing on the menu is more than $7 per order. Talk about a deal. 

We ordered quite a bit- some panuchos (a Yucatán specialty made by deep-frying a corn tortilla stuffed with refried beans), some tamales, some quesadillas, freshly made guacamole, and a mexican tamarind-flavored soda.

I have to say, everything- and I mean everything- was delicious. Granted, I'm not a connoisseur of Yucatec cuisine or culture, but it's that feeling you get regardless of expertise when you know something has been made with care, consideration, quality, and love. 

I loved the papas con chorizo filling (potatoes and spicy sausage) on my panucho. Contrary to expectation, I didn't see chorizo bits in the mashed potato mixture- rather, the chorizo was completely incorporated into the potatoes to give it an orange-brown hue which permeated that classic spicy sausage taste evenly. 

The vaporsitos (beef tamales scented with wrapped banana leaves) were a little bit on the denser side (I like my tamales soft and very moist) and they had a cake-like consistency. The flavor was milder than what I had expected, but after adding some freshly made salsa verde and homemade spicy sauce of ground chile de árbol in oil, that too disappeared down my throat.

For all you pork lovers, the Cochinita Pibil quesadilla was very good. If I had a second stomach, I would have ordered another one of these. The flour tortillas were pillowy soft and the pulled pork was succulent and mildly spiced while enrobed in a gorgeous thick brown sauce. Add some fresh cilantro, minced onions, and a couple wedges of lime from the condiment area on the counter, and you'll make quick work of this divine dish in minutes.

The guacamole was exceedingly fresh and come in a 5oz container. For something that would cost $8-$10 easily at a fine dining Mexican restaurant, The Taste of Yucatán serves this delicious made-to-order appetizer for a meager $4.50 with a side of tortillas and free unlimited toppings (crema, salsas, pico de gallo, lime wedges, etc.). 

IN A NUTSHELL: Go to this place before the crowds rush in and change it's dynamic. That's because everything is made in-house and it is highly evident that they take great pride in their Yucatec background.  So, if the place gets busy, food wait times may become longer. This is a great place for a quick office meal during the work week if you want to surprise your co-workers by breaking the routine of the usual franchise restaurants. This restaurant offers a cheap bite for any curious foodie that wants to explore their palate without breaking the bank. I highly recommend this place at this time as I'm digging the owners enthusiasm to bring a little bit of the Yucatán to Orlando. I wish this restaurant great success as I was delightfully surprised how good the food, service, and the bill were.






Cochinita quesadilla, Papas con chorizo panucho, and tamales



Made-to-order guacamole with chips. I drizzled the crema and added on the condiments later. The owners special hot sauce (chile de árbol in oil) is on the top right corner of the basket.



An hot and crispy empanada. More panuchos (this time with sautéed poblanos and corn, and another with  Yucatán-style pulled pork). Barbacoa quesadilla (only $3.50).



Tamarind soda. Try it. It's made with 100% real sugar.

The Taste of Yucatan Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Red Robin: The 'Olive Garden' of Burgers



I don't make it a habit about blogging about chain restaurants. But something about this place made me take up typing tonight. 

There is a defining characteristic about Red Robin- they have portion control down to a science. A large franchise usually does have scientists and mathematicians employed that not only objectify food quantities, but also flavor. And rightfully so. After all, it's a conglomerate that's in it to make money by carefully balancing between borderline small portion sizes and excess food wastage.

Before I start writing about the food, I must say that the service was very good. Our server was pleasant like sunshine on a wintry day. We even had two different managers come up and check on us. Food service times were not a problem and the ambience was inviting and modern. Everything you would expect from a restaurant that has studied it's market audience and their preferences over and over.

For starters, the Great Northern Poutine Fries were a must ($7). I ordered the Avo-Cob-O salad ($10.99) and my partner ordered the Southern Charm burger ($13.99). On flavor, none of these dishes fell short. The Poutine, a combination of deep fried cheese curd bites and fries covered with mushroom brown gravy, was excellent. The Avo-Cob-O salad? Perfect. Big chunks of bleu cheese paired with succulent, perfectly grilled chicken strips. Even the Southern Charm burger with BBQ sauce on a ciabatta bun was delectable. Every flavor the menu promised, the food delivered. One cannot criticize Red Robin on delivering on what they state.

The only drawback of this restaurant would be that the menu is too tantalizing. Can you imagine that as a drawback? The reason is that they have done such a fantastic job on making your mouth water on every page, that your eyes expect a big fat burger fit for a lumberjack landing in front of you after the order is placed. The truth is, most of the burger patties run at 6oz while their signature burgers patties are at 8oz.... portion sizes. Needless to say, the truth is in the fine print in-between the enticing pictures. But in their defense, their price points are not completely outrageous. They were slightly on the higher end for the portion size one is probably expecting but not by a wide margin. Again, a fine balance between going easy on the wallet vs. not quite starving you out of hefty meal.

Bottomless fries are indeed bottomless. But I wish they showed some generosity with potatoes (you know, one of the most affordable vegetables in the united states) by handing you a big basket of them. Somehow, I feel that they have even accounted for each portion size on that- approximately 8 fries per request. The establishment is a well-oiled machine, but it only makes one compare Red Robin to other restaurants that cater to big-boy portion sizes that southerners are far more accustomed and gravitate to.

I have to go on record by stating that I'm a huge opponent of the Ziosk tabletop ordering and payment system. At a restaurant where you expect the server to take care of your needs, I feel that I'm now coerced into partially doing some work that was the servers before. In a way, Red Robin has also partially done away with this workforce and replaced it with an machine that takes up permanent residence on your table throughout the dining experience. I'm boycotting this Ziosk stupidity. It's one step closer to eliminating an entire job sector in hospitality and I'm not buying in on the 'convenience'. I feel like Red Robin has taken their streamlining/portion-control/cost-basis analysis a bit too far by implementing Ziosk. Forget the numbers! I'm a sit-down restaurant and I have an expectation on a basic level of service that entails!

IN A NUTSHELL: The only simile that comes to mind is Olive Garden. Is it the best Italian food you've ever had? No. Do you leave feeling satisfied and with little to no complaints? Probably yes. Red Robin is kind of like that- a well-manicured franchise that knows how to satisfy you without being the best mind-blowing food you've ever eaten. This place is a smart choice when you have a large group with differing tastes that want to go out together. I can assure you, Red Robin has very likely figured out that it can cater to almost any individual preference across a wide spectrum of palates. Some people will cry foul with slightly overpriced food items for the smaller portion sizes that roll out of their kitchen, but others will feel satisfied in that their experience wasn't hindered by  any major food or service complaints.


Avo-Cob-O Salad. Notice the small portion size (knife gives a measuring reference). Good for an early bird special. Not so much for the hungry big boys in your family.



Dainty but delicious (the steak fries give you a measuring reference for the burger size). There are 8 fries. If the fries are indeed bottomless, go big or go home on your generosity.



Poutine Fries. Just delicious. But again, fried cheese curd bites were a bit small even for an appetizer.


Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Dandelion Communitea Cafe- Giddyup Bowl Every Monday, Forever.


I'm not a vegan. I love all dairy products, eggs, chicken, and fish. I could not part with them even if I could live without them. That being said, recent studies have consistently shown following a vegan diet is indeed good for your body and your longevity. Perhaps it does make sense to listen to people that make it their life's work to educate the public on healthful choices and habits.



But perhaps I'm sort of like Kim Kardashian. A 'flexitarian', that is (and nothing else might I add). I'm flexible with my diet to incorporate as many servings of fruit and vegetables as I want everyday, but I do indulge in non-vegetarian options when the smell of fried chicken comes calling.




Dandelion is indeed a local staple in the core of the Mills 50 neighborhood. Many office workers come here on their lunch break to sit outside under the lull of a Florida breeze and their scenic, overgrown pesticide-free landscape. I still remember when it first opened. I thought it was where the hippies got together to discuss their leftist, socialist ways and preach fervently about everything from the political to personal. Only after a few years did I venture into their establishment since I felt so out of place among people that I imagined were so far from of my moderate ideology.


I'm glad I went on a Monday. The Giddyup Bowl is but $5 and is by far (and will continue to be), one of the most satisfying vegan soul food you will ever eat. A fresh bed of mixed greens, tricolor quinoa, kidney bean gravy, always-freshly cut tomatoes and scallions, topped with a highly addictive warm vegan 'queso' sauce. The mouthfeel of this dish is so satisfying. You get the coziness of warm, tender beans and queso sauces while the freshness of the vegetables cut right through it with acidic and peppery notes. The quinoa not only adds a different element of carbohydrates in this dish but it also happens to make the meal a complete protein for the diet-conscious. Truly, you do not miss non-vegetarian elements at all in the Giddyup Bowl. It is as wholesome as it is delicious. The perfect vegan introduction to meatlovers, I must say.


We also tried the vegan carrot cake donut and it was so-so. I wouldn't say it was disappointing, but in a world of Krispy Kremes and Dunkin Donuts, one will find objection to the chewiness of dense dough. The donut was not overly sweet or replete with shredded carrots (except as a slight garnish), which may not be for everyone especially when a carrot cake inspires deep, over-the-top flavors of southern decadent sweets here in the South.


Not really pertaining to their food, I have to say I was really taken with this new Sriracha that I found at an empty adjacent table. The level of heat on this Sky Valley Sriracha is so much better than the one with the logo of a Rooster. Think premium gasoline vs. regular. Great blend of different peppers and styles (I'm guessing jalapeños, cayenne, and paprika) and it still was faithful to what Sriracha is all about. In a world where almost everything is drugged with sugar, I prefer even my Sriracha to be not overtly sweet. For people who like heat with their Giddyup, this sauce is a must try.

IN A NUTSHELL: Giddyup galore. A very unassuming establishment that still follows it's hippy vibe, Dandelion is for everyone. If you ever find yourself with the Monday munchies, know that the Giddyup is but a short drive away. You can call ahead to place a large party order or sit and enjoy your meal with a sip of their great seasonal teas. I have to admit, I've been there at least a dozen times by now, but I seem to always order the same thing. If it's that good, why break the habit? 















Dandelion Communitea Café Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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